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Tips To Get The Family Dog Ready For A New Arrival

There’s so much to do to get ready for a new baby, making sure the family dog is well prepared might seem like an item to go on the bottom of the list. Between getting the nursery well stocked and picking out the right clothes to bring the little one home in, a dog can get lost in the shuffle. That can be a very big mistake.

While you see the new arrival as a bundle of joy, your dog might view the baby as competition for affection, a distraction and perhaps even an annoyance. There are things expectant parents can do, however, to help ease the transition and ensure the first baby, the furry one, is ready for some company at home. They include:

Before the baby is even born, try to get your dog used to the sounds of crying, the loud screams that might result and so on. Tapes can be made or even purchased to achieve this. The more used to the sounds a dog is, the less likely it is they will become annoyed, agitated or even scared.
Bring your dog around kids. If your dog has never been around children before, remedy that. It doesn’t hurt to invite friends with children over to see how the animal will react.
Consider obedience training if the first baby happens to be a little exuberant with jumping, pawing or other behaviors that will be undesirable once the baby arrives. Jumping behavior might be cute now, but it won’t be with a newborn in your arms.
Try to set a schedule for you dog that can be kept once the baby arrives. Even though your attention will be pulled in a new, and very important direction, it’s important to make sure there’s still a little time left for the dog. Take a walk every day with him or her, sit out on the back porch and throw a ball or just enjoy a little scratching behind the ear each time every night. Continue this routine once the baby arrives.

After the baby arrives, things will be even more hectic. It is now even more important that you take steps to make sure baby and the family dog get along well. When you bring the newborn home:

Don’t force the dog “meet” the baby unless he or she is ready. When it’s time, your dog will let you know by wanting to sniff the little one and see what she’s all about. Most dogs are very gentle about this. If yours isn’t, consider more training.
Keep that routine going. This is one of the best ways to make sure a dog still feels secure and at home. Try to keep feedings, play time and other normal activities on schedule when at all possible.
Keep the baby’s door closed. Even if you have the best dog in the world, it’s never a good idea to leave a newborn and dog in the same room alone. To avoid this, don’t forget to close the nursery door at naptime and bedtime.

Most family dogs respond very well to the introduction of a new baby into a home. With time, patience and perhaps a little training, a smooth transition can take place.

By Kelly Perry of Oh My Dog Supplies - The top source for orthopedic dog beds and treat jars

4 Comments | Posted in » Dog, Dog Training, Lifestyle, Tips

Picking The Right Size Breed: The Basics

A new puppy might be little, cute and cuddly, but that might not last long. What is true about a puppy’s size on day one will very likely not hold valid on day 365. While most people understand their puppies will grow, some don’t quite expect they will as much as they can and do.

The unfortunate truth is that a lot of unwanted pets result from the fact that people misjudged the eventual size of the breed they picked out. Whether this is from a misunderstanding of how big a purebred can get or the result of an unknown factor with a mixed breed, the result can be the same. A dog that becomes far bigger than its owner anticipated can run the risk of becoming unwanted.

With this in mind, it is very important for people to properly research breeds before they bring home a puppy. An eight-pound cutie today could very well grow up to be a 100-pound beauty down the road.

There are four basic sizes of dogs: toy, small, medium and large. Let’s examine some of the common breeds found in each category.

Toy
These are the smallest of breeds. Generally only growing to be a few pounds at full adulthood, these dogs are ideal for those who don’t want a dog that can become too large. Some of the more common breeds found in this class include the Chihuahua, toy poodle and the Yorkshire terrier.

Small
Small breed dogs are known for their light weights, but they can grow to more than 25 pounds or so. Some of the examples of these dogs include beagles, daschund and Llaso Apso. There are some variations on the sizes of dogs in this class, but the generalization is they are fairly compact.

Medium
Many people mistake the medium breed dogs for “large.” Dogs in this class can range from about 30 or so pounds up to about 120 pounds. This class includes retrievers, greyhounds, huskies, shelties and even Weimaraners. Some of the most common working dogs fall into this category.

Large
When the true large breeds are looked at the differences between them and the medium breeds becomes evident. True large breed dogs can grow well beyond the 100 pound mark. They include such dogs as the Great Dane, Saint Bernard, Irish wolfhound and even English sheepdogs.

While most purebreds tend to follow the growth distinction of their breeds, it is possible for there to be some variation in the mix. When looking at mixed breeds, however, it can be very difficult to tell what their eventual size might be. Consider the dominant traits to help get a rough estimate. Veterinarians can sometimes help determine breed possibilities and even potential growth outcome.

It is very important for people to consider eventual size in picking out a puppy. To ensure the “little” puppy of today will grow into a size that’s manageable, research background and potential maximum adult size before taking a new dog home. Doing otherwise could result in a choice that won’t make the owner happy down the road, with the dog paying the biggest price.

Article by Kelly Perry of Oh My Dog Supplies - The place to go for quality dog beds and feeders

3 Comments | Posted in » Breed, Lifestyle, Tips