The best dog

This post is similar to my "Shelter or Breeder?" post which was made to help breeders decide where to get a dog. In this post I would like to go over what kind of dog is best for each person.

When getting a dog never set high expectations. You need to be prepared for the worst when getting a dog, and you have to be able to deal with it. Dogs also take lots of patience. If you aren't patient with them, they will backfire and drive you insane. Before getting a dog, always research it. Research the breed, look at other peoples opinions and find what is the best for you.

Hypoallergenic dogs do not have fur, instead they have hair and they regularly need to be groomed and have their hair trimmed. Since they have hair instead of fur, people are not usually allergic to them. Unless you are allergic to anther part of them which is uncommon. A hypoallergenic dog is a great match for someone who is allergic to dogs. Example of hypoallergenic dogs: Poodles, Airedale Terrie, Portuguese Water Dog.

Big, nanny dogs are caring and kind. They want attention and young children to romp and play with. I recommend these dogs for families with young kids. Although most of them are good around children, make sure you start out with puppies and raise them by yourself. Some rescue dogs may have bad pasts and be scarred and deathly afraid of children. It's best to raise a puppy by yourself if you have young kids.

Thanks for reading this, do your reasearch!

Shelter or a Breeder?

Before getting a dog, you have to decide where you will get the dog. The most common places to get a dog is from shelters or breeders. Hopefully, this blog post can help you figure out where the right place to get a dog is for you.

Shelters:
Usually people adopt dogs from shelters because all they want is a healthy companion. They are not looking for a high class, show dog with pedigrees. Often times they will be looking for a certain breed, and end up getting a dog that's the entire opposite because they like this dog more. The only problem with shelters is that some dogs are abused, or have bad pasts. So you have to be careful what dog you choose and make sure its the right one for your lifestyle and family.

Breeders:
Most people who buy dogs from breeders are looking for a certain type of dog, sometimes it will be for shows, and sometimes it will be just because they want an exact breed. Sometimes getting a puppy is better, since you can be the one to raise it, instead of some abusive people.

Never set expectations for your dog before you get it. People can say that the breed is super sweet and friendly, but you may end up with an aggressive dog.


Thanks, Miranda

Christmas!

2 days until the 1st of December! And about a little more then 3 weeks until Christmas!

Lots of people adopt puppies or donate money to shelters during the month of December. There are Holiday dog rescues that will give you good deals for the perfect Christmas pup! There are lots of different dog activities that happen in the month of December, all you have to do is search online and find some that are near you.

Are you looking to buy dog gifts? Pet stores sell all kinds of dog toys and treats, sometimes they will have stockings already filled with treats! Be careful what toys and treats you buy, and happy holidays!!

Thanks for reading this short little blog post!

Thanksgiving Feast

Happy Thanksgiving! Today you probably have cooked an assortment of delicious food, or maybe you just cooked one or two dishes... Maybe you didn't cook any!

Thanksgiving day is always a lot of fun, but it's important to watch out for your dog. Overfeeding your dog on Thanksgiving day is common, it's even common for people to feed their dogs stuff they should not be eating. Some people say "Oh I will feed him this just this once!" but if you don't know for sure if your dog should be eating it or if you know that it is bad for him, it's best to stay away from it.


So have a happy and fantastic Thanksgiving!

~Miranda

The Amazing Leroy!

 Just the other day Leroy's people left me a comment on the Everything Dogs Facebook Page with a video of him performing inspiring tricks to teach your dog! The adorable look in his eyes had me in love and I thought that I need to share him.

 About Leroy:

Leroy is a tri-colored Border Collie (Ranked #1 on the list of smart dog breeds). He is adorable and just magnificent at tricks.

Featured on CBS's reality show Greatest American Dog, David Letterman's Stupid Pet tricks (twice) Animal Planet's Pet Star and Planet's funniest Animals. Also featured in various commercials such as for Bank of America, Claritin, West Virginia Lottery, etc and various print as as well to include the cover of 'In the Company of Dogs."

Check out Leroy's Trick Video and tell us what you think! You can also check him out on The Amazing Leroy Facebook Page, where they post pictures and videos of him :)

~Thanks, Miranda

(there will be another blog post this week!)

Adoption Dogs

Have any dogs up for adoption and need to advertise them? Everything Dogs is going to make an individual page just for foster dogs and dogs up for adoption. Please message the Everything Dogs Facebook page if you need some doggy adoption advertisement!

Facebook!

Swimming Dogs

Lots of dogs love water, but then there is a good majority that very much dislike it. For example most small dogs and lots of big dogs hate water. Some times it just depends on the individual dog! But no matter what, you should be careful of the water your dog is swimming in. Not only that, you should know if he even wants to go swimming.

First things first, don't shove your dog in water if he is afraid of it. That won't help, it could just provide a scary experience for your dog which would make him even more afraid. If you want your dog to come in the water, lure him in with his favorite toy or treats. That will provide a positive experience and let him know that the water won't hurt him. If your dog just won't go in, oh well, that is fine. Some dogs (like my Portuguese Water Dog) won't swim in pool water, but they will swim in lake, river, and ocean water. Probably because you can walk right in to a ocean, but a pool has steps. Also the type of water is different and that may also make a difference for the dog.

Also, be careful of what kind of water your dog is swimming in. There are all types of animals and plants that could be dangerous for your dog. Before going to a certain place to swim, make sure it is safe for your dog.

Water safety with your dog is important, he doesn't no better to step into a leech infested river after you just threw his favorite squeaky toy in it. Make sure it's safe! Be careful!

-Thanks, Miranda

Dog Toys

Lots of people don't tend to have problems choosing out proper dog toys. When you go to the pet store, toys line the isles. Usually, you can trust the pet store and pick out whatever toys look cute to you! But be careful, dogs will chew on anything!

Thinks to keep in mind about dog toys:

• Never buy toys with beads on them. Your dog can choke on them!
• Find toys that will keep your dog entertained, like puzzle dog toys!
• Buy toys that you're dog can't swallow! It's easy to buy for Chihuahua's but not so much for Great Danes. Make sure the toy is bigger then their mouth.
• Only give your dog toys meant for a dog.
• If it has a squeaker in it, make sure that right when your dog gets the squeaker, to not let him chew on it. Once again, it it possible for them to choke on it.
•  Wash toy whenever it needs it so bacteria won't build up.
• Make sure the toy you buy is very durable and will last your dog a long time.
•  You can switch dog toys out every week-month so your dog won't get bored.
•  It is important to through old dog toys away, once they are shredded to bits. Your dog can get lodged in his throat or intestine, and sometimes even cause intestinal blockage.

Dogs are very smart and often won't swallow what they play with, but you never know. My dog likes to eat anything and everything no matter the size or what it's made out of, and he's not even a puppy... (11 years old.)

Thanks for reading!

Crate Training

Sometimes sticking a puppy in a crate can seem really harsh... But it depends on the way you train your puppy to like it.

The crate should be a positive thing, that you can put your puppy in when you are away or he can be in it while you drive. Make sure your dog actually wants to go in the crate. Put some treats, toys, and bones in it. Have him willingly walk into it. Some dogs may just not like it, that's OK.

Your dog should think of it as his bedroom. Not his bathroom! Make sure he can only sit, and lie down in it.

Crates are only for sometimes. I would never have even a grown dog in a crate for 3 hours nonstop. Your puppy should only be in it for 2-5 hours a day, taking him out every hour to use the restroom. Once he is able to be home alone, you don't really need a crate unless he loves it like crazy and can't let it go!

Crate training is usually not hard and doesn't take very much work, just make sure your dog is happy and comfortable!

New blog posts every Thursdays

Blog Post

Blog post today! It will be a little bit later, blogposts are every Thursday now. And I may write on other days, randomly.

Blog posts

There is not going to be any dog posts this week! New pets!

Have a good day, and rest of the week!

Dog Socializing

I have mentioned dog socialization a ton in further posts. I believe it is very convenient and healthy to have a dog that can deal with anyone, or anything! When you socialize a dog it is always so much better to start out when they are the youngest. Sometimes people get dogs when the dogs are too old, that is fine. You can socialize from a old age (more like rehabilitate) but other times your dog can already be socialized! In my "Scaredy-Cat Dogs" blog post, you can read on how to socialize a old dog that was never socialized.

The best way to socialize your dog is to take it out of your house. Let it get use to the area, people, animals everything. Puppies are always very willing and open so they should not be afraid of much. But if there is something they are afraid of, let them see if every day until they are use to it.

Taking your puppies to dog parks is another great way to socialize it! They can meet all kinds of different dogs, and different people. Do not keep them on a leash or hold them because they may give them a bad impression. Let them run free (well, make sure the dog park is gated!) with the other dogs. They should have a good time and leave a good impression.

Thanks! Make sure to read the "Scaredy-Cat Dogs" post it has lots of other information as well.
New blog post next week on Wednesday and Thursday

Dog Safety

You want your dog to be safe, and you want other people to be safe too. Right? Here are some tips on how to keep your dog safe and happy.

• Do not let your dog get on anything high up-- unless he is trained and knows how to get down.
•  Check for signs of hurting other dogs when you're dog is playing with other dogs. Dominance and play-fighting aren't bad, but sometimes dogs can end up being very deadly

•  Make sure your dog has all his shots up to date, try and keep him healthy and happy. Regularly take him to the vet 

•  Be careful in the car, drive safely. If needed, use a doggy seat belt. Don't roll the window down all the way unless you are positive that there is no way your dog will jump out.
•  Don't let your dog eat any unknown plants.
• Make sure the toys, food, and treats your dogs are playing/eating are safe for your dog.
• Do not take your dog on a walk if the pavement is too hot for your bare feet. Dog paw pads are sensitive and can blister. Have your dog wear doggy shoes that can protect it from the pavement

•  Never leave your dog unattended in the car or anywhere that would make him too hot or too cold.
• Be careful of where your dog is, do not let him step on anything that would hurt his paws and do not let him eat anything but things that are meant for him. 

Watch out for your dog and help him be safe!


I may post another blog post tomorrow

Dog Clothes

You've seen the little Poodles, Yorkies, Bichons, Chihuahuas, ect. wearing the small little outfits, right? Or maybe you've seen them at the store. Putting clothes on your dog can be adorable, but does it hurt your dog?

Some people think it's not very reasonable to  put clothes on your dog. They may scratch at it and bite it until you decide it's time to take it off. But, if your dog doesn't do that and is acting perfectly fine, why would it matter? It doesn't!

Even though dog clothes is adorable, some people don't put clothes on their dogs for that purpose. Sometimes they may do it for protection, like hairless dogs may wear coats. Or sled dogs may wear shoes to protect their paw pads from the ice.

Lots of dogs tend not to like dog clothes. They're basically already wearing clothes. With there coats and all! So if you like dog clothes, and your dog doesn't, you can also just put a bandanna on them or have them wear a cute collar, maybe even a bow if your dog will go that far!

But don't worry, unless your dog is freaking out, it is probably OK to put clothes on your dog every once in a while.

New blog posts next week! Every Wednesday and Thursday.

Scaredy-Cat, Dogs!

In lots of 'rescue-dog' situations, dogs tend to be big scaredy-cats. Even if you got your dog from a breeder and raised it from a pup, it's personality may still be a bit bitter towards other dogs. Or maybe your dog just runs across the room, wailing, as he hears a crash of thunder! Dogs remember things, remember that. So if you leave a bad impression on your dog, it may stick for a very long time!

Socialize your dog as a pup. Let him meet everything. Water, darkness, thunder, all types of humans, all types of animals, vacuums, ect. Socializing your dog doesn't gurantee it will be perfect and love everything, but it does help a ton! Try not to leave any bad impressions, like I said before, your dog will remember it!

When socializing rescue dogs, you need to be extremely careful and it is probably best to have professional help. Here is an example on how to train a dog to be socialized with something it can't stand.

Example:
Your dog may hate kids, don't stick it's face right up to one. That's going to make your dog scared! Instead, take your dog places where kids might be. Make sure it is far away and can't get loose. (Muzzles are recommended in case your dog gets loose. But, some dogs get stressed because of muzzles.). Let your dog get use to the kids running and playing. Let him be able to sniff the kids scents faintly in the air. Let him do his favorite things. Maybe a nice belly rub, or some treats, or just a nice walk! Eventually your dog may go from tense to relaxed. He should be able to get use to kids! Do this all the time until your dog is completely relaxed around kids. Once he is relaxed, introduce the dog to a kid. (Not just any random one that you don't know! Make sure it is OK with the kids guardians and the kid. Make sure the kid is not scared at all around the dog). Put a muzzle on your dog and let the dog sniff the kid. If he just barks and growls, or shows bad body language, he is not ready to meet the kid and you need to continue taking your dog places around kids. If the dog is tense at first, it is OK it is better then growling or barking! Let your dog get to meet the kid. Once he is good around this kid, let him meet other kids. Over time your dog should be comfortable around kids!

Dog Runaway

Dogs on the loose is not good, not good at all! For one thing the owner misses it, and for another the dog is lost, scared, and misses it's owner. Scared dogs bite, and can be put down without any thought. There are tons of other accidents that can happen to your dog. That's why it is important to find your dog right away, or have your dog find you.

It's pretty confusing, I mean, how could a dog find you and your home? Actually, it's quite simple. A dog has a nose, sense of direction, and can be trained, correct? Right. So teaching your dog where it lives is rather easy. It takes time, and love, and treats but it can be a lifesaver. Someday your dog won't even care to run away!

First, your dog needs to love you. He needs to understand that this is home and he is not a wild animal. (it takes time!) If your dog wants to run away every time the door is opened, you probably don't have the best relationship and you may need to work on it. Second of all, your dog needs to get use to his home. He needs to be able to sniff it and go around it outside and inside and inspect it, that will help him know which house to sniff out. And last of all, take your dog on many walks around your neighborhood. Get him use to the layout and way it looks. That will help him find his way back.

Micro-chipping your dog and having him wear a collar with a tag is important too. If you have not trained him where your house is, he can get lost and never come back, but with a chip and a tag, people can find him and return him to you.

While training your dog it is a life saver to also train him to remember the boundaries of your house and know what outside is like. Take him on a walk or outside every day so then he has no reason to go outside. Once the door opens, he won't even care to go out or he may go out but just wander a few steps and come back inside. Make sure he is fully trained before letting him freely outside

About

Blog posts schedule is now Wednesday and Thursday. Check back tomorrow for a new post!!

Dog Trick: Spin

Spin

Beginner trick.

To teach your dog to spin, find something that motivates him (food, toy, ect.). Put it up to his nose  and move it around his body. He should follow it with his nose, making him spin.

Also, I do not post on the weekends, next Monday I will post something new, though!

Dog problems

Lots of dogs tend to deal with behavior problems, that's sometimes why they end up out of a loving family and into a shelter.

Dealing with aggressive dogs is a lot easier the some people think, it still takes work and time but it's not awfully difficult. Instead of letting your dog be the boss from the beginning, you need to dominate at first and always let him know who's boss.

Ways to let your dog know who is boss:

• Don't let him on the furniture-- if he's on the furniture, he must be top dog like you.
• If you are looking him in the eyes, don't look away. He needs to be the first one to look away, not you.
• Don't let him jump up on you, people who live with you, or house guests. If he does, turn your back to him.
• Make him walk beside you or behind you on the leash, lead dogs walk in front!
• Don't feed him table scraps

While letting your dog know his is boss, it is still important to show him love and affection and not let him be scared. It is also important to socialize him at a young age, and teach him to feel comfortable around everyone and everything. Scared dogs often lead to biting and growling, it is their defense.

Some dogs tend to be very timid and shy from their traumatizing pasts. If you are dealing with one of those situations, don't try and boss around your dog. It is important they know that you are top dog, but it is also important not to terrorize the poor thing. The best thing to do is get it over it's past and socialize it. (Make sure you know what you are doing, and that it is safe, before you put your dog face to face with it's biggest fear)

Thanks, Everything Dogs

Health Tip: Treats and Dog Food

Most people are very cautious and careful about what they buy for their dog, and that's great. You should always be careful what food you buy for your dog, but if you can't afford some high quality dog food, well don't worry, your dog probably won't drop dead if you feed it just regular old dog food.

When looking for dog food check to see if the top ingredient is meat-- dogs are omnivores but mainly carnivores. (They are omnivores because in the wild Wolves eat deer belly which contains plants). You want your dog eating a lot more steak then carrots.

What to look out for:

• Soy
• Artificial ingredients
• Corn
• Garlic
• Sweeteners
• Animal digest
• Animal by-products
• Cellulose

Feeding your dog a natural diet is good, meat, seafood and some veggies. You don't need extra ingredients, most meat, veggies, and seafood will provide the Omega-3 and other important vitamins your dog needs.

Lost Dog?

Great! You found a lost dog, it won't come towards you, it's absolutely scared out of it's mind...

When addressing a scared, lost dog that is threatening you as you come closer, get on your knees and offer the dog a treat (that is, if you have one) the wrong thing to would be to approach the dog. Instead, let the dog approach you.

Most dog biting incidents happen because of people not being able to understand a dog. They try and warn us  but sometimes it just doesn't work. Always let the dog approach you and sniff you instead of chasing after it. Especially since some playful dogs will run away because they think you are playing chase with them.

If the dog does approach you, let it sniff you before you take it home or to a shelter. Try and keep a spare leash in your car or in your purse (tiny slip-on). If you meet up with a loose dog. Remember to be super careful if you are using your car to get it places, because it may have problems in the car.

After you have the dog in your car, you should go to the vet and have the dog looked at. Dogs are not feral and they do not belong in the wild. They need humans to support them and guide them. Living a few days in the wild may cause damage to the dog (dehydration, skin problems, hunger, ect.). Most lost dogs aren't in the wild long enough to have problems, if it looks like the dog is perfectly find to you, there is probably no need to take it to the vet. Just remember to bathe, feed, and water it right when you get home!

Now that the dog is healthy and taken care of, you need to decide what you are going to do with it. If it is wearing a collar with a tag it is important that you call the phone number or try to locate the address right away. But if it isn't you can consider taking it to a vet or shelter and seeing if it is micro chipped, but not all dogs are. If it isn't, take a picture of the dog and description then post it all around town. If someone recognizes the dog they may know who it belongs to and you can track down the owner. 

If you just can't find the owner and you have been searching and advertising all the time, you can either keep the dog or give it to the shelter. (Preferably a no kill shelter!)

Be careful when working with a lost or stray dog-- they can take time and patience getting use to you and the new surroundings. It is best not to have animals or kids around the dogs, in case something gives the dog a temptation to bite. If you don't feel comfortable working with a stray dog or taking one home, call a shelter and stay with the dog until they come and are able to pick it up.

Smart Dogs

Most of the time dogs are usually as smart as there breeds suggest. Border Collies and Poodles are known to be very smart like Chaser, the incredibly smart Border Collie who is able to remember the names of 1000 toys. And Poodles, even with their fashion and frou-frou personality they are extremely smart and bright. And then there are the Irish Setters, who aren't very bright and not easy to train.

It is important to get a dog that is like you, and it shouldn't matter on the smarts a dog has. Unless you couldn't handle training a dog that isn't eager to learn, or you can't stand how smart and tricky the Border Collie is.

When choosing a pet to bring home, researching and asking questions to people who may have the type of dog you want is important. You may want an Irish Setter for it's beauty and grace, but when you bring it home you may be stunned that it is so hard to train and get it to pay attention. Here are dogs that you need to  think twice about getting:

Top 10 smartest dogs:

10.Australian Cattle Dog

9. Rottweiler

8. Papillon

7. Labrador Retriever

6. Shetland Sheepdog

5.Doberman Pinscher

4. Golden Retriver

3. German Shepherd

2. Poodle

1. Border Collie

                                          Top 10 least smartest dogs:

10. Basset Hound

9. Beagle

8. Mastiff

7. Pekingese

6. Bloodhound

5. Borzoi

4. Chow Chow

3. Bulldogs

2. Basenji

1. Afghan Hound

Health tip: Dog Coats

You may think that bathing your dog isn't such a big deal-- you know, just throw on some shampoo, scrub, and rinse! Easy! Well, if you want your dog to have a dander-free, shiny, and healthy coat, you should consider what shampoo you are using on your dog. The type of dog food your dog eats will also depend on how your dogs coat looks. Fatty acids and fish oil are good for your dogs skin and coat.

Sebum and Omega-3 can help you with your dogs skin.

Sebum is the oil in your dogs coat. It naturally keeps your dog's skin hydrated and healthy. If your dog gets more omega-3 in the Sebum, then your dogs coat will be healthier. Omega-3 helps when your dogs skin is itchy, sore, dry, and irritated. Omega-3 reduces that and helps with the Sebum to give your dog a fancy coat.

You can get omega-3 from the food your dog eats or you could even get them in supplements (which aren't bad or not natural). Fish is where people get omega-3 (fish oil) from because it has the most amounts of omega-3 in it. You can also find omega-3 in chicken fat, or some plant oils.




But keeping your dogs coat healthy also depends on the shampoo you use. Using human shampoo is not good for your dog since the PH of the skin is different on both humans and dogs. And don't expect your shampoo to make your dogs hair as nice as yours.

When you are looking for shampoo you want some that is loaded with essential oils. It is also good if it has "PH balanced just for dogs" on it. Omega-3, oatmeal, aloe vera, and other ingredients will keep your dogs coat healthy and clean.

You want your dog to smell good, but be careful about the scents-- they may smell good but they can be artificial. The best scents to use should not be artificial. Lavender, a natural scent, can repel bugs and smell great at the same time!

So, it may take some time to test and find a good dog shampoo... The kind of dog shampoo you should look for should make your dogs coat be: dirt-free, tick and flea-free, dandruff-free, shiny and glossy (not greasy), and a non-tearing formula. Your dogs coat should look healthy, clean and pure.

Note: I do not post on the weekends, so my next post should be on Monday.

Dog Trick: Crawl

To learn this trick your dog must know: Sit, and lie down

To teach your dog to crawl, have him lie down, put the treat close to his nose and then drag it farther away, the dog should crawl and chase after the treat, once he crawls, no matter the distance, you can give him the treat. If instead of crawling he stands up and runs after the treat, try again and do not reward him until he crawls.

Everything Dogs

Everything Dogs is an online magazine blog that shares facts, news, training tips, health tips, dogs up for adoption, and dog breed facts.

Right now there is no schedule as to when I may post on this blog, but probably it will be every day for the first few weeks. Keeping the blog updated and up and running is a big priority for me.

Thanks, 

Everything Dogs Owner