Dog Friendly vacations tips

Vacations are supposed to be fun and exciting. It's easy to forget that the very fact your dog isn't in familiar surroundings can tire him out. Part of a dog’s basic nature is to stake out territory. Being outside their familiar territory, your home, is stressful to them. Bring his blanket or bedding when you travel; the familiar scent will be reassuring and he'll sleep better. All dogs like the security of a place of their own. For your dog, that means his bed. You may have a crate for him at home, where he naps or takes a break. If so, bring the crate along on your trip. Vacation means a heightened activity level, with things like hiking, swimming, and boating. You're getting extra exercise and the odds are your dog is too. Make sure he doesn’t get over tired. Have some quiet time where both of you just relax. Maybe you want to sit in a hammock or read a book. You can relax your dog by petting him or rubbing his belly while you enjoy the quiet time. Keep your dog safe. You may think your dog looks silly in a pet life vest but if your dog goes overboard it can be a struggle to get him back in the boat. Even if your dog is a good swimmer, he can’t swim for hours on end. A life vest means you have extra time to rescue him before he tires out. Keep your dog's health and safety in mind while you have dog friendly vacations.

Dog Obedience Tips

Before you leave home with your dog, make sure he is properly trained in the basic commands. There are ways to make training time fun for both of you. Pick a time of day when you both are alert. Many dog owners like to schedule the training right before meal time. If you're not in a happy relaxed state of mind your dog won't be either. When you first begin training your dog, make the sessions short, ten minutes or less. Puppy attention spans are short. Train in an area where there are few distractions. The back yard isn't the best place to train. It’s best to not be around other dogs or children while you are working on the free dog training tips.

Walk Your Dog

Dogs look forward to a walk with their owner, every day whether it's morning or evening. To a dog, the walk is a travel experience. New sights, sounds, smells—all these are important experiences for him. You can prove this by not going on the walk one day. Watch how he seems crestfallen when you don’t appear with the familiar leash at the regular time. Dogs, just like people, need variety in their day. And they have a need to explore new territory, which stimulates their senses. This can be accomplished by changing the route you take him on.If he enjoys just a dog walk of a mile or two through the neighborhood, imagine what a treat it is to go on a family vacation with you. These days, dogs are welcome in lodging facilities across the country. And not just cabins or campgrounds—5 star hotels in the middle of major cities more and more have a pet friendly policy. This is the ultimate excitement for your dog: he looks out the car window wondering where you are headed and what you are going to do. No matter where you walk your dog make sure his collar includes a tag with your contact information, preferably a cell phone you always have with you. And keep your buddy on a leash all the time unless you're in an off leash park. Ensuring your puppy’s safety will give both you and your dog peace of mind. dog grooming tips

Potty Train Your Puppy

Every new pet owner approaches the task of house breaking a puppy with apprehension. Don't worry, nature is on your side. Soiling their den area, their living space, is something canines avoid. Your job is to show your new puppy where it's appropriate to relieve herself. Puppies will need to go first thing in the morning, after they wake up from a nap, after a play period, and before they sleep for the night. Puppies have to relieve themselves frequently, from the moment they wake up in the morning. If your puppy spends nap and sleep time in a crate, make sure you pick the puppy up and carry it to the spot outside you've selected as the potty place. Most puppy bladders are tiny and if you let your puppy walk out of the crate he or she may not make it to the outside before nature calls. It’s difficult to watch your puppy every moment of the day, so keep him confined to small area that can be cleaned up easily. Many pet owners use a crate as a ‘den’ because it gives the puppy a feeling of security and keeps him out of potential harm. A rule of thumb is that a puppy can hold their urine an hour for every month old they are. When your puppy reached three months old, he should be able to have three hour intervals between potty breaks. If you can catch the puppy making a mistake you can quickly scoop it up and deposit it in the potty area. Don't yell at the puppy.

New fun and safe dog toys

New squeaky dog Toys. No matter the occasion, special or not, people love getting presents. For your dog, getting any kind of present, any day, makes that day special. They don’t care what the calendar says. You might wonder why a dog cares whether he is playing with a brand new plastic duck that makes a quacking noise when he bites down on it, or last year’s plastic squirrel that squeaks. But he does. Make sure you buy top-quality toys for your dog, ones that are made to prevent injury If the toy is stuffed the stitching should be secure. Your dog may enjoy unstuffing the toy, but keep an eye on him when he is doing that and make sure he doesn’t eat any of it. It's not digestible and could cause a blockage. Try to find plastic toys that are strong enough to not fall apart when he tries to chew them. Watch for small pieces that break off that could be eaten. Plastic in tummies causes problems too. Toys that start to fall apart from chewing should be replaced with tougher, better made toys. Interacting with a new toy stimulates a dog. One thing you might try is to wrap the new toy in paper before giving it to your dog, and act excited when you give it to him. It’s funny, but the new toy is bound to be his favorite. He will choose that one to bring to you when it is play time. Until he gets the next new toy, that is.