With pet ownership, it seems like there is a number of things you must do just to keep a pet in your home. When required to license their beloved pooches, many owners ask “why.” What’s the point in licensing a dog? Although it may seem like a money-making technique, licensing is important for a dog, the owner, and the rest of the community. Here’s a few reasons why licensing is important for your pet.
The history of dog licensing has been traced back to the 1700s, so it’s not a new requirement. Dog licensing was first enacted to protect the livestock of farmers. Many dogs roamed free, often getting into trouble with sheep. Farmers needed a way to be reimbursed for their livestock when a dog wreaked havoc on the farm. Eventually, cities started requiring animal owners to register their dogs. They had to submit their information, along with information describing their pet, to a local government office. If a farmer had problems with a dog, he could give a description to the office and be reimbursed for his damages.
Now, dog licensing is a way to protect the animal instead of a way to safeguard livestock. Instead of merely describing your dog to an animal control office, you must provide certain paperwork. In return, you receive a dog tag that identifies your pet and you as the owner. Hence, benefit number one: your dog carries your contact information. If he gets lost or picked up by animal control, he is more likely to be returned to you. You may not even have to go to look for him at the shelter if things are handled appropriately! The same is true if your dog is injured. Perhaps he escapes from his pen while you are away at work. If he gets in a fight with another dog or finds his way into the street, you can feel a little better knowing that he can be helped, and you can be notified of the situation, before you return home.
Licensing also protects your dog and other people. Areas with known cases of rabies may require that your pet has his rabies vaccination before he is licensed. If he were to bite someone, then you have proof that your licensed pet is rabies free. It can help keep your pooch alive and keep someone from having to undergo rabies treatment.
Many areas require that a dog is licensed, but some areas still do not. You can wager that cities or highly populated areas will require the licensing. The licensing fees vary according to the area, the breed of dog, and whether or not the dog has been spayed or neutered. Often, the fee is reduced for fixed dogs. This is a way for animal agencies to encourage animal control and discourage the number of homeless animals. Certain breeds, normally aggressive breeds, are often charged with higher licensing fees and may have to follow additional rules, such as wearing a muzzle when in public and posting “Beware of dog” signs on the property. Dogs are not the only animals that have to be licensed; some areas require cat licensing, too.
If you are in the dark about licensing requirements in your area, then contact a local animal agency or your veterinarian. It’s a good idea to contact them prior to bringing home a pet or shortly after. You normally only have a certain time period to get your dog licensed. After that period, you may incur additional fees. Most areas offer multiple ways to go about licensing, including applying in person, over the Internet, or through standard mail. Before you apply for the license, make sure your pet has had any and all required vaccinations or procedures; it can save you a few dollars and may save you from an application headache!
Licensing a pet may seem a bit over the top, but it is beneficial in many ways. The practice started long ago to protect livestock, and now it protects your pet, you, and the community. To find out if you need to license your pet, contact a local animal agency or your veterinarian. Ask the organization what your pet needs before he can be licensed. Remember, licensing is not free, so also ask about any fees associated with the process. If your pooch ever leaves home, you’ll be glad you got him licensed!
This article was provided by pet-super-store which is an online pet shop featuring patio pet doors and large dog beds.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
"Replacing" a Deceased Pet
If you experienced the death of a beloved pet, then you may have thought that you would never get another. Losing a pet is like losing a family member, and you will never be able to replace what you lost. If you have decided to welcome a new pet into the family, then you may be experiencing mixed feelings about the whole situation. In fact, you may be expecting the new pet to act like the old. Unfortunately, these thoughts may make weaken your bond with the new pooch. Here are a few tips to make the transition to a new pet a little bit smoother.
If you are bringing a puppy into your home, then it’s extremely important that you realize just that: he’s a puppy! Many owners make the mistake of getting frustrated with their puppies, constantly comparing them to the old dogs that have passed. Well, more than likely your dog was not a puppy when he died. Yes, he may have been calmer and more obedient, but he was not a puppy. Puppies need time and attention. They have to spend time learning the rules of the house, along with the things they can and cannot do. So, tip number one: don’t compare the actions of a puppy to those of an older dog.
On the same note as comparing a puppy’s actions to those of an older dog, try not to get your memories confused. For instance, your deceased pet may have been a crazy, rambunctious, impossible-to-train puppy. But over the years, he calmed down, learned to be obedient, and eventually fit into your lifestyle. He fit in so well with the family (after much time and practice) that you may have forgotten what a mischievous puppy he was in the beginning. As with many memories, we eventually forget the “bad” things and tend to focus on the good. This is fine, but do not shy away from these memories at the expense of your new puppy.
The second tip to keep in mind during the transition is to start training early. As mentioned before, your new puppy isn’t going to automatically follow the same rules as your older dog. He will need to learn them. Even if you adopt an adult dog, he will still need to be trained in the ways of your household. If you wait to start training, then you will be constantly focusing on what the dog does wrong instead of what he does right. As a result, you may spend less time playing and bonding with the puppy, which can lead to even messier, attention-seeking behaviors. Start training as soon as possible, so that you can teach your new dog the ways you want him to behave.
The third tip is one of the most important: do not compare the new dog to the old. There are multiple comparisons you can make between dogs. You can compare the way they act, the way they play, the way they cuddle, the way they learn, etc. But, you must realize that all dogs are different. Even if you had your pooch that passed away cloned, the new pup would not act like the old. Dogs learn at their own paces. It may take the new dog twice as long to learn how to housetrain, but he may pick up on obedience tricks and commands much more quickly.
The last tip is the most obvious one: give it time. It may take awhile to train a new pup, but your efforts will pay off. Eventually, the new guy will fit in just like the old, becoming one of your most beloved family members. But, if you give up early, then you’ll never know what your life with the new dog could be like.
If you think it’s time to replace a deceased pet in your family, then do so with care. Bringing home a new pet can be a great thing, as long as you are committed to training and molding the animal to fit your lifestyle. The worst thing you can do with a new dog is to constantly compare him to the old. Remember that each dog is different than the others. He will learn in his own way and on his own time. If you keep with it, then you will soon have a great addition to the family.
This article was provided by pet-super-store which is an online pet shop featuring patio dog doors and large pet beds.
If you are bringing a puppy into your home, then it’s extremely important that you realize just that: he’s a puppy! Many owners make the mistake of getting frustrated with their puppies, constantly comparing them to the old dogs that have passed. Well, more than likely your dog was not a puppy when he died. Yes, he may have been calmer and more obedient, but he was not a puppy. Puppies need time and attention. They have to spend time learning the rules of the house, along with the things they can and cannot do. So, tip number one: don’t compare the actions of a puppy to those of an older dog.
On the same note as comparing a puppy’s actions to those of an older dog, try not to get your memories confused. For instance, your deceased pet may have been a crazy, rambunctious, impossible-to-train puppy. But over the years, he calmed down, learned to be obedient, and eventually fit into your lifestyle. He fit in so well with the family (after much time and practice) that you may have forgotten what a mischievous puppy he was in the beginning. As with many memories, we eventually forget the “bad” things and tend to focus on the good. This is fine, but do not shy away from these memories at the expense of your new puppy.
The second tip to keep in mind during the transition is to start training early. As mentioned before, your new puppy isn’t going to automatically follow the same rules as your older dog. He will need to learn them. Even if you adopt an adult dog, he will still need to be trained in the ways of your household. If you wait to start training, then you will be constantly focusing on what the dog does wrong instead of what he does right. As a result, you may spend less time playing and bonding with the puppy, which can lead to even messier, attention-seeking behaviors. Start training as soon as possible, so that you can teach your new dog the ways you want him to behave.
The third tip is one of the most important: do not compare the new dog to the old. There are multiple comparisons you can make between dogs. You can compare the way they act, the way they play, the way they cuddle, the way they learn, etc. But, you must realize that all dogs are different. Even if you had your pooch that passed away cloned, the new pup would not act like the old. Dogs learn at their own paces. It may take the new dog twice as long to learn how to housetrain, but he may pick up on obedience tricks and commands much more quickly.
The last tip is the most obvious one: give it time. It may take awhile to train a new pup, but your efforts will pay off. Eventually, the new guy will fit in just like the old, becoming one of your most beloved family members. But, if you give up early, then you’ll never know what your life with the new dog could be like.
If you think it’s time to replace a deceased pet in your family, then do so with care. Bringing home a new pet can be a great thing, as long as you are committed to training and molding the animal to fit your lifestyle. The worst thing you can do with a new dog is to constantly compare him to the old. Remember that each dog is different than the others. He will learn in his own way and on his own time. If you keep with it, then you will soon have a great addition to the family.
This article was provided by pet-super-store which is an online pet shop featuring patio dog doors and large pet beds.
Socializing Your Dog
One of the reasons we love dogs is because they connect us to other people. Most people can’t resist greeting a dog and often want to interact with the ones they meet. Your goal should be to raise a dog that other people love being around. Follow the steps below to guide you in socializing man’s best friend.
Step 1: After you’ve taken him to the vet for his shots and physical, you’ll want to enroll your dog in an obedience class. This will allow him to spend time with you outside of the home while learning valuable tools. It will also expose your pup to all kinds of other pups and their owners. Your obedience classes will probably be held once a week, but you should practice daily what you’re learning in class.
Step 2: From early on, expose to your dog to all kinds of sounds. Run the vacuum cleaner, open the garage door, turn on the garbage disposal, etc. The goal is to desensitize your dog to sounds that might otherwise cause him to be frightened.
Step 3: Give him plenty of toys (and teach him how to use them!). Some dogs are never taught to play tug of war or fetch and as a result, respond inappropriately when other dogs attempt to be playful with them.
Step 4: Never isolate your dog when people come into your home. This is one of the biggest mistakes pet owners make. Rather than train their dog to greet and socialize with people in a positive manner, they are in fact teaching their dog to resent human interaction with their owner.
Step 5: Introduce your dog to a friend’s dog. Have your dog owner friend and his puppy ring the doorbell. Keep both dogs on leashes and allow them to sniff each other once they are both inside the home. Praise both dogs with affection and/or treats.
Step 6: Take your dog out and about! Not only is the ride in the car a great way to expose him to the world, the more people and places he sees, the less likely he is to be scared or anxious when introduced to new experiences.
Step 7: Exercise your dog where you know he will come into contact with other dogs. Walk him on a leash around the neighborhood and monitor his reactions to other dogs. Once you feel comfortable, take him to the local dog park and introduce him to many dogs and their owners.
This article was provided by pet-super-store which is an online pet shop featuring patio pet doors and large dog beds.
Step 1: After you’ve taken him to the vet for his shots and physical, you’ll want to enroll your dog in an obedience class. This will allow him to spend time with you outside of the home while learning valuable tools. It will also expose your pup to all kinds of other pups and their owners. Your obedience classes will probably be held once a week, but you should practice daily what you’re learning in class.
Step 2: From early on, expose to your dog to all kinds of sounds. Run the vacuum cleaner, open the garage door, turn on the garbage disposal, etc. The goal is to desensitize your dog to sounds that might otherwise cause him to be frightened.
Step 3: Give him plenty of toys (and teach him how to use them!). Some dogs are never taught to play tug of war or fetch and as a result, respond inappropriately when other dogs attempt to be playful with them.
Step 4: Never isolate your dog when people come into your home. This is one of the biggest mistakes pet owners make. Rather than train their dog to greet and socialize with people in a positive manner, they are in fact teaching their dog to resent human interaction with their owner.
Step 5: Introduce your dog to a friend’s dog. Have your dog owner friend and his puppy ring the doorbell. Keep both dogs on leashes and allow them to sniff each other once they are both inside the home. Praise both dogs with affection and/or treats.
Step 6: Take your dog out and about! Not only is the ride in the car a great way to expose him to the world, the more people and places he sees, the less likely he is to be scared or anxious when introduced to new experiences.
Step 7: Exercise your dog where you know he will come into contact with other dogs. Walk him on a leash around the neighborhood and monitor his reactions to other dogs. Once you feel comfortable, take him to the local dog park and introduce him to many dogs and their owners.
This article was provided by pet-super-store which is an online pet shop featuring patio pet doors and large dog beds.
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