All too often we let our emotions get the best of us, when it comes to deciding on the when to get a new puppy or dog. There are right and wrong times. More often than not, impulsive decisions frequently lead to regretful and sometimes grave results.

Adding a puppy or dog to your household requires serious thought and candid thought to at least seven questions. Before making a decision that will affect not only your life, but also that of the animal, you must first ask yourself, and then discuss with other members of the family these questions.

1. Are we financially prepared to assume the responsibilities of adding a puppy or dog to our current budget? Costs definitely include food, supplies such as crate, collar, leash, toys, grooming equipment, and inoculations; which must be done regularly or replaced as needed. Then there is the obligatory spay or neuter expense every responsible dog owner willing faces. Also, equate into your financial responsibilities, the inevitable unforeseen medical expenses and perhaps replacing a few destroyed items here and there. Finally, depending on the breed, there may be professional grooming expenses.

2. What is our lifestyle? This question is vitally important when deciding on a breed. Just because the neighbors have a wonderful “whatever,” you must take into account if that is the perfect breed for your family and lifestyle. Determine, are we an active family looking for an active dog? Do we plan to include our dog in our activities or will they be left at home? Or, are we a more laid back, not so active family, which would welcome a more laid back breed? Also, consider are there now or will there be a new infant, toddler, children under five years of age or elderly relative living in your home? If the answer any of those is yes, you have a lot to consider. Puppies, untrained, high-energy and larger breeds can be more difficult to handle. Puppies require a lot of attention and supervision. Without meaning to, any of the above may knock over and injure an infant, toddler, small child or elderly person. Perhaps an older or well-trained dog may be a wise choice.

3. Does anyone in our family have health issues? Allergies are one of the most common reasons why puppies and dogs are surrendered to rescues and shelters or abandoned. Before getting the pet, make sure there are no allergies!

4. Who will be the principal caregiver? Too often one person typically gets trapped in that thankless, unappreciated spot. They are the one that ends up making sure the animal is at least fed, watered, walked, cleaned up after, groomed, and exercised. Are YOU willing to assume that responsibility without resentment? If not, do not get a dog!

5. Do we have permission to have a dog? If you are a tenant, is your landlord willing to put into writing, they have given you permission to have a dog in THEIR house or apartment? Another of the uppermost reasons animals are surrendered or abandoned!

6. Do we have the time and are we committed to spend it with the new addition? At a minimum, they require 2 to 4 hours per day for socialization, walks, exercise, grooming, and training. Will they be kennel or crate for more than 6 hours a day? If the answer is yes, are you willing to make arrangements for a dog walker or doggie daycare? Remember, if no one is home all day, your dog’s day starts the minute they hear the key in the lock. Will you be too tired to give it the attention it needs when you get home? Are you prepared to make the commitment of time, to appropriately train and exercise your pet, BEFORE they develop serious behavioral problems? If not, are you willing to seek professional assistance in adequately training your pet?

7. Do we have experience and the patience needed to live with a puppy? It is perfectly normal for a puppy to be high energy and possibly destructive. Are you willing to calmly deal with that stage of their development? Are you aware and prepared to assume the alpha role? The housetraining and chewing stage is not an easy time for many pets and owners. It is stressful for both! If you are unable to housetrain or deter your dog from chewing, are you willing to seek help from a professional trainer before giving up on your pet? The same holds true for adult dogs of particular high-energy breeds. If not properly trained and exercised, there will be serious behavioral issues! Are you prepared for them?

Bottom line: If you have truthfully answered yes to the seven questions, this could be the right time. You are now prepared to make an informed decision that will change your life and theirs in a committed happy, healthy, and forever loving way. Stay away from pet stores! Most likely those puppies are from dreadful puppy mills. Their breeding is uncertain. Generally, the health of their puppy is less than perfect. If you have a specific breed in mind, do your homework and find a reputable breeder. It makes an enormous difference. If your priority is to save a puppy or dog’s life; your new best friend is waiting for you at a local rescue or shelter.

Karen A. Soukiasian, GOOD DOG! – DOG TRAINING and BED-n-BISCUITS dog boarding and training – Owner/Trainer, St. Augustine, Florida – AKC CANINE GOOD CITIZEN and S.T.A.R. PUPPY Evaluator
http://www.freewebs.com/gooddogsite
http://www.bednbiscuits.webs.com

Halloween is a popular holiday across the U.S. and especially in Alexandria where pets can be seen trick or treating up and down King street at local merchants. It can also be a stressful and even a dangerous holiday for pets. Awareness and planning will help your pets stay safe. Share these easy tips with your pet sitting service provider:

Keep candy and goodies out of reach. Keep pets away from candy bowls to avoid accidental ingestion of chocolate, which can be toxic to dogs and cats. Also beware of candy wrappers, which can be hazardous if swallowed.

Be careful with costumes. Only dress-up your pet if he is receptive to it. If he isn’t happy, take it off. Masks can cut off peripheral vision, making a dog or cat nervous. Even the best behaved dog or cat can get upset when he can’t see what’s coming from the side. Inspect the costume and remove any small or dangling pieces that could become a choking hazard.

Make sure candles are out of reach. Even if you think your pet won’t get at the candles, they can be knocked over, and tails & fur can quickly ignite. Use a safety glowstick or flashlight instead.

Keep pets inside in a safe room of your house. Keep pets inside in a closed room, or use a gate to contain them so they don’t run out when you open the door to trick-or-treaters. Give your pets toys or treats to keep them occupied. Better yet, greet trick-or-treaters outside to avoid excessive knocking.

Walking your dog. Make sure the dog can’t back out of his collar. Your dog may get nervous seeing the unusual costumes. Put a harness on your dog if you can. Verify these instructions with your pet sitting service provider if they come during this time.

Becky O’Neil is a pet expert and owner of Becky’s Pet Care, professional pet sitting services in Alexandria, VA and throughout Northern Virginia.

Would you ask your best friend to sleep out-of-doors, naked, in the coldest months of the year? For many family dogs, that’s exactly what the coming winter has in store. A few simple decisions from you, though, can make wintertime healthy and fun for both you and your pet.

Indoors and Out

The most important decision you will make is where your dog will be spending the season. Many dogs live for most of the year in an outdoor shelter or doghouse. Whether your dog is staying out or moving indoors for the season, a few preparations are in order.

Before you move your dog inside, prepare a space for him. Dogs have a powerful den instinct, and having a dedicated sleeping area puts them at ease. Use an open dog crate, or pen off an area of your home with pet gates. Provide an appropriate bed or mat and access to food and fresh water. Your dog’s den doesn’t have to be fancy–a corner of the basement or laundry room will do–but it should be clean and dry, with adequate lighting and ventilation. Keep the temperature comfortable, but not too warm; your dog has that built-in fur coat, and his comfort zone will be a few degrees cooler than yours. Keep garbage, houseplants, and breakables out of reach.

If your dog will be wintering outside, make sure he has adequate shelter. Use a wooden-construction doghouse, or one made from heavy plastic. Choose a model with a raised floor, to insulate your dog’s bedding from the cold ground. To avoid drafts, make sure any doorways are covered by a flap, and that the house is in a dry spot, out of the prevailing winds. If you feed and water the dog outside, change the water often so that it does not freeze, and only use plastic bowls; a dog’s snout can stick to a cold metal dish as sure as a schoolboy’s tongue to a frozen flagpole.

Provide plenty of warm, comfortable bedding. Consider a heated dog bed; many models come with timers, to reduce power usage. For a great “green” option, keep your dog stocked with a steady supply of hay, which makes an excellent insulator. Even a hot-water bottle can help keep your pet comfortable. Whatever you choose, it is vital to check the bedding regularly to make sure it is not wet or soiled. Wet bedding will actually draw heat out of your dog, leaving him vulnerable to hypothermia.

If you do not supply adequate shelter for your dog, he will go looking for it on his own, and may end up under a porch or deck, in a crawlspace or dumpster, or in some other spot where they may become trapped.

Frost Bites Dog

In dogs as in people, damage from extreme cold starts in the extremities. In fact, dogs lose body heat primarily through their ears and the pads of their feet — so that cute dog sweater is not as helpful as it may seem. Keep a careful eye on your dog when you’re out in the cold, especially in windy conditions; if he whines, shivers, burrows, or tries to curl up into a ball, it’s time to come inside.

When you return from a walk outside, always take a few moments to make sure your dog’s coat is dry and clean. If the hair is dirty or matted, it loses its insulating effectiveness. Your dog’s coat will gradually grow thicker through the early part of the season. Keep him well-groomed, and limit his exposure to the cold until his winter coat has grown in fully.

Be cautious when walking the dog in icy conditions. A slip by one of you could end with both of you on the ground, and older dogs are particularly prone to injury from falls.

Paws for Thought

Your dog’s feet are at risk from more than just the cold. The salt, sand, and chemical de-icers found on roads and sidewalks can chap the pads of his paws. And when he tries to lick them clean, the chemicals can irritate his mouth and digestive tract. Get in the habit of wiping his feet with a warm damp washcloth when you come in from a walk, to remove any residual salt. Protective booties can help, too.

A Long Winter’s Nap

Your dog’s activity level will probably change during the winter months, although different breeds and individuals will respond differently. Small and short-haired breeds will likely spend more time curled up asleep in a warm spot, while heavy-coated working dogs like Huskies will be in their glory. Always consider your pet’s overall health when taking them outside to play in the cold. Young puppies and elderly dogs are extra-vulnerable, as are dogs with medical conditions like kidney disease, diabetes, or hypothyroidism. Go particularly easy on older dogs with arthritis or hip dysplasia; the cold will make them stiff and achy, which will make them even slower than usual, and they may need assistance with stairs.

Winter is hard on living things. But just a little extra caution and consideration can make the season a wonderland for you and your dog. Don’t you owe your best friend that much?

Jack Feerick is an editor at PurelyDogBeds, your source for dog beds and more.

Yes Halloween is a time for a lot of fun to be had by all. This is a reminder to be aware of your dogs and the mischief they can get into with all of the festivities going on.

If you are trick or treating with your dog remember as hard as it is to believe, not everyone is a dog lover. Always keep your dog close to you on a leash. It can cause a lot of excitement in your four legged friend to see a lot of strangers around dressed up in costume. Remember also they will be in protective mode of their owner so always being one step ahead of your dogs next move is a good idea. This is especially important to remember if your dog is a jumper. This could cause a child to become very fearful and ruin the night for them. Control at all times in the key. Many other people will have the same idea as you to bring their dog out for a night on the town and we know that some dogs do not get along with other dogs and we don’t want to end the night in a fight so just be cautious of your surroundings. If you need to cross over to the other side of the street then do so to avoid any situations.

If you have a dog at home and you know that you will be getting trick or treaters then preparation ahead is a good idea. Remember that on any day when there is a knock at the door or the doorbell rings that your dog gets excited and be protective. After all that’s their job. Trick or treat night will be no different except that there will be kids knocking on your door all evening. It is best to make sure your dog is well exercised and tired before the night begins. It’s suggested to keep your dog in another part of the house during trick or treating hours. Many children are afraid of dogs and even though you know that your dog is trying to be friendly some kids will not be amused. You as the owner of the house and of the dog are always responsible should your dog get overexcited when a stranger comes to the door. You don’t want a child knocked down from a jumping dog or a dog that has a tendency to bite trying to protect you. You can avoid all of this by keeping them busy somewhere else with a chew toy to entertain them.

You will see lots of dogs dressed up in Halloween Dog Costumes this year and although you think it’s adorable they may be trying to chew them off the whole night. If your dog is a chewer then be on the lookout for this throughout the evening. If a dog eats a costume this can cause blockage in your dog’s stomach causing you to be sitting in the vets office instead of out having fun.

We all have heard of the dangers of chocolate for a dog but that goes for any candy. Always be cautious of where you leave your bowl of Halloween goodies. Dogs are curious by nature and if you leave out candy within a dogs nose chances are they will try to have a little for themselves. This could be deadly for a dog. I speak from experience on this one and luckily my dog ended up being ok but had a belly ache for the weekend!

Don’t mean to scare you this Halloween but just some check and precautions for you to think about. So dress up your dog and bring them for some socialization and trick or treating fun this year.

Darlene Niemeyer author of Doggy Business 101 brings you another aspect of a dogs life. Dressing up for Halloween isn’t just for kids anymore. Do you want to find the perfect Halloween Dog Costume for your Halloween Fun? Stop by http://www.HalloweenDoggieCostumes.com – we’ll have something perfect for your pooch no matter how big or small.

This article talks about dog carts and how useful they are. It also contains information on the symptoms one should look out for in their pets so you can give them the right attention.

Have you ever wondered what happened to your dog which was always active and happy? Many dogs often become very quiet and lack that zeal they once had if they have injured themselves. Owners should take note of all such symptoms and take their dog to the vet. The vet will help diagnose the problem. Most dogs might lose their zeal when they injure their back or limbs which will make it really difficult for them to move around. There are numerous causes which make the dog lose its ability to walk around. The dog might be suffering from slip disc, arthritis or even partial paralysis or simply old age and weak bones.

The vet might be able to identify the problem. The vet might also be able to recommend a few things that people can do to make sure that the dog does not lose interest. Even by doing all these things, the owner cannot make sure that the dog will be able to move around and play like it used to. One thing that the owners can do to restore the life of the dog is get dog-carts.

These dog carts are basically prosthetic equipment which will make sure that the dog will be able to move around without having to struggle a lot. People will not have to struggle a lot to get these dog carts either. These will be able to help the dog move around easily.

Dog owners only have to get a few measurements to help them select the right kind of dog carts. After taking a few measurements like the height, weight and length of the dog, people will be able to select the size of the dog carts which will suit their dog. After choosing this, people will just have to place an order for the equipment at a store or even online.

You get different types of doggie prosthetic so once the dog owner has selected the equipment they can be sure that what they select will reach them within a couple of days. The other great thing about these carts is that people will be able to adjust the size of the dog carts easily as they can be adjusted into any size with the use of straps and harnesses. The other great thing about these carts is that pet owners can resell the prosthetic once their pet gets well. If the person knows for sure that the dog will get well soon, they can hire out a dog cart instead of buying one.

Before you buy dog carts make sure that there is nothing else your vet can do for your dog to make it get better. Also, make sure that when your dog is using these dog carts it doesn’t get too used to it.

Charlie Johnson is a freelance writer for www.DogKarts.Com – If you’re looking for more information on Dog Carts to help your loving dog live a more comfortable life be sure to visit us today.