Most of the time when you ask people how and why they chose a particular dog or breed, it turns out that it was just random choice. Maybe they saw a puppy in a pet store that was just too cute to pass up. Or maybe their kids have been begging them for a while about getting a dog and they finally decided to go get one. Or maybe the dog down the street had puppies and they are talked in to taking one. Even though these reasons can be great ways to bring a great dog into someone’s life, it can also spell disaster for both the people and the dog they brought home.

There is nothing better than coming home from a long day to a tail wagging, lovable dog who is excited to see you! But before you decide to bring one of these furry friends into your life, you need to understand they are a huge responsibility to take on! They are completely dependent on you for everything from food to exercise to training. They also don’t take the day off.

Many people don’t understand the requirements of care to keep a dog happy and healthy. They didn’t realize just how much exercise or training was needed to keep their dog healthy and well behaved. After a while they start to wonder why they even wanted to have a dog in the first place.

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Have you ever wondered how that “very right dog” should look like? There is no perfect profile, no ideal pattern and no super-dog. You just trust your first instinct and pick up the one you felt most connected to, from the moment you both first met. Choosing a puppy from the dog litter is not exactly an easy task. Ok.

So, let’s say that you’ve already did some searching here and there, you found the right breeder and now you’re standing in front of a litter. You cannot possibly decide which one you like most, what puppy should you bring home, what color, what size and the questions keep coming into your head.

First, you should know that dogs have strong personalities. Some are playful, some are not, some are dynamic, some are lazy, lying and snoring down on the floor all day long. As a future pet owner, you’re supposed to pay extreme attention to this main question: what kind of dog would you like to take care of? Or, why not, what kind of “living toy” would be the best birthday gift ever for your kid? Second, is there enough space in your home, unless you have a large yard for those breed who are simply born to sprint all day long? These are the greatest concerns one should be aware of when speaking of a healthy and playful dog care.

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When bringing home a new puppy, you need to be prepared for the worst case scenario. Chances are, your puppy will be an angel compared to what you expect of him/her, but at least you would have covered all bases. As with anything else in life, it is always better to be over-prepared than to be under-prepared.

The most obvious supplies are usually at the forefront of any new pet-owner’s mind. These include feeding and water dishes, a leash, a collar or harness, teething toys, a bed, some sort of confinement and sleeping quarters for the puppy, wee wee pads, food and of course treats.

When choosing feeding and water dishes, consideration must be given to the size of the puppy. Dishes too large may prevent a tiny puppy from eating and dishes too small may provide too little food for a large puppy. Pay particular attention to the amount of food the puppy is currently eating and the height of the puppy when choosing dishes.

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Dogs play an interesting role in our society these days. Dog obedience training is now expected of our furry friends. They live in our houses, walk our sidewalks beside us, play with our children in the front yard and visit their doggie buddies at the dog park. They are expected to be on their best behavior at all times. This is a lot to ask of an animal!

Many years ago, dogs held a different role. Most likely, our parents grew up with dogs who didn’t know what a leash was! There was always the scary dog who lived in the neighborhood and children knew to petal quickly by that house on their bicycle! Dogs may have lived outside - all the time. Tell that to today’s dog who attends doggie daycare 3 times a week and wears designer collars!

Today, the role dogs play in our lives and societies has changed (that scary dog in the neighborhood is no longer accepted as “just being a dog”, now the owner would have to deal with neighbor complaints, city fines and legal issues if the dog ever bit someone). It is the dog owner’s responsibility to make sure their pup has the skills to be a good fit in our homes and communities.

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Many people look at crates as a puppy training tool and want to eventually be able to give their dog free reign of the house. We try to encourage our clients to look at it from the dog’s point of view. Dogs are den animals, and as such like to be in warm, dry, dark small places. Consider the places your dog chooses as a safe haven. It is typically under a table, in a corner, behind a sofa or other similar places. As Bark Busters we encourage our clients to have a crate available for their dog at every stage in his life.

Why are crates important?

Crates create a safe environment for your dog, by giving your dog a “den” you are giving him his own private space. We equate a crate with a play pen or crib for a young child. A parent wouldn’t put their young child on the floor in the middle of a bustling room. Similarly with a crate you have the ability to put your dog in his “den” and close the door, this way you know where he is and that he is safe.

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Because pop culture is so prevalent in our every day lives, we often look to celebrities for hints and ideas on how to live our lives. Perhaps it’s the idea of living glamorously, or maybe for sheer lack of creativity , we often emulate our favorite actors, actresses, t.v. stars, musicians and even politicians. Choosing and naming our pets is no different! We’ve all seen them, out and about at the dog park or shopping out on the town , celebrities love their pets! Whether you’re a pop culture buff or not, if you’re considering getting a dog, you may be inspired by whom and what some well-known personalities call their ‘best friends.’

Actor Jake Gyllenhaal is ‘best friends’ with a German Shepherd named ‘Atticus’ and a Puggle named ‘Boo Radley.’

‘Bambi’ is the Pit Bull that keeps tennis star Venus Williams safe at night.

Actress Sienna Miller keeps it simple with her mutts named ‘Bess’ and ‘Porgi.’

Actress Minnie Driver loves her Black Labrador named ‘Bubba.’

South African actress Charlize Theron owns two mutts named ‘Delilah’ and ‘Denver.’

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Dog training: Housebreaking is quick and easy if you follow these simple rules.

By Dennis Fisher.

Dog training should begin the moment you bring the pup into your home. Not serious training of course, but basic training in what you consider to be acceptable good manners.

With gentle but firm handling your pup will soon learn what is expected of him.

It’s important to remember, when you reprimand your pup, the correction must be associated with the unacceptable act. In housebreaking him, for example, it is essential to correct him immediately you find him misbehaving.

It’s pointless taking him to a spot you find later, pointing to it and reprimanding him in a loud disapproving voice. Or even worse, rubbing his nose in it.

Of course he is going to look “guilty”. You may gain the impression that he understands what he has done and this is why he looks guilty, but this is certainly not so.

If you intend your dog to be a housedog, when you bring the pup into your home for the first time it is essential for him to have a place that he can consider “his home”. Find a suitable place in the house. Provide suitable bedding of some sort - an old blanket, or towel - and let him know that this is where you expect him to lie.

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They are small in stature but big in heart. Developed to work on farms the Pembroke Welsh Corgi retains their herding instincts but can do more than herd. “Cruiser” completed the requirements for Tracking dog, Tracking Dog Excellent” and “Variable Surface Tracking” title after having won his show championship for conformation. Proving a pretty dog can work Cruiser was the first conformation champion of any breed to earn a champion tracking title.

“Ceri” was the first Pembroke to win a master agility champion title. Corgis with proper training can be hearing dogs and work in other service capabilities.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi historically has a history that speaks of legislation and adaptation. The Romans classified dogs according to use. In the 10th century the only dogs allowed to peasants were small dogs for pest control. Shepherds were allowed to keep their dogs but they had to be mutilated but the shepherds dogs were allowed a docked tail which allowed them to work. Later taxes were charged on dogs except for those with docked tails - the Pembroke had a natural bob-tail that was an early selection trait.

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A Shetland sheepdog is not a “mini-collie” but a distinct separate breed that actually has roots in the Border collie. A native of the Shetland Isles in far northern range of Scotland he was a dog developed to help on crofts, or small farms, where there wasn’t much food to be had. A small dog was needed for that reason, yet a tireless worker in all kinds of weather which gave rise to selection for a durable coat and a loyalty to their owners.

Shelties are also thieves - they’ll steal your heart slicker than any pickpocket! They are commonly sable, black and white, tri color and blue merle. They can be barkers without patience and training but are a loyal, observant dog. Their intelligence and trainability make them among the most successful obedience breeds.

The sheltie coat does require regular grooming to remain tangle free and prevent it from becoming matted. There is a double coat with an outer layer that is more harsh and straight and an undercoat that is very dense. This can help shed rain from a working standpoint and enough harshness to the coat to resist tangling. For pet dogs you must be committed to thoroughly combing a Sheltie a couple times per week. It is not advisable to shear or close cut a Sheltie’s natural coat.

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The German Shorthaired Pointer was developed as a hunting dog and today he still excels in that capacity. This is a breed that is more than just a hunter, but those wanting “just a pet” would do well to remember their hunting heritage.

This is an adaptable breed with keen scent senses and intelligence for any job you want to teach them. He loves an active family and requires minimal grooming to keep his short coat in condition.

This is a dog that is as eager to hunt pheasant and waterfowl as he is raccoons. He’s an easy going dog with a heritage of German bird dogs bred to English pointers to refine and lend elegance without sacrificing the athletic abilities of the breed. Some claims of blood from an old Spanish pointer, English foxhounds and German tracking hounds added to genetic “installation” of desired characteristics.

They are versatile all purpose gun dogs that were selectively bred for trainability and then style and scenting abilities to produce a dog that is outstanding all around in the field as well as in the home.

This is a powerful dog that should cover some ground but without coarseness. They are by the standard 55-70 pounds and 23-25 inches in size. Proper bone is important - too heavy alters the picture while too light alters function.

Liver and white is the key color here. It may be liver and white ticked, patched, white ticked or liver roan but must be liver and white. Dogs with black, lemon, tan, solid white or orange are disqualified as that is more pointer qualities and coloring than the distinct German shorthair.

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