Pampered Paw Gifts Blog Spot

Nutritional Information

Pamperedpawgifts — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 04:47:00 +0000

Nutritional Information

ATTENTION: NONE OF OUR TREATS ARE ON THE RECALL LIST.

We recognize that most people fully appreciate the unconditional love that they receive from their pets. We believe that pets should be considered as highly valued members of the family. As a result, we know that people have a desire to reward them with "only" the healthiest, wholesome treats for their well-being. Pampered Paw Gifts has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information listed. However, it remains your responsibility to become familiar with the products you are purchasing. Please consult your family veterinarian if you have any questions. Concerned pet owners everywhere more than ever want healthy, high quality treats.

We offer only the finest products, made from natural and human-grade ingredients. We believe in, and we will always fight for kind and gentle treatment of all animals. We strongly support organizations that fight cruelty to animals. To the best of our knowledge any products that use or endorse does not participate in animal testing in their manufacturing. There is no need to search all over the internet for different varieties of healthy treats. You will find all of the best here! Our selection is superb, and we are always researching new treats to add to our selection. We specialize in healthy treats. We thoroughly research every product to insure that they are made from natural and human-grade ingredients.

We will discontinue products if we discover less than wholesome ingredients. We buy in limited quantities and store them in airtight containers that are labeled with the date we received them. We do this to insure that you will always receive the freshest available treats. We carry only treats that are tested and approved by the official Pampered Paw Team, treat testers. If your dog or cat does not like it, pass it on to a favorite friend. Pictures of the team, testing treats (such a hard job to do) can be seen in our meet our team section.

Gaining Ground in a Decades-Long Fight to Shut Down Puppy Mills

Pamperedpawgifts — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:11:00 +0000

Today the nation turns its eyes to the horror of puppy mills, but for animal advocates and shelters across the country, the issue is—lamentably—very familiar.

For more than four decades, The Humane Society of the United States has been working to stop these mass dog-breeding operations where dogs live their entire lives in cages.

For years, the dogs are continually bred—without human companionship or hope of ever becoming part of a family.

HSUS officials used the description "puppy mill" as early as 1965 when they participated in the arrest of a New Jersey kennel operator for being cruel to animals, according to "Protecting All Animals: A Fifty-Year History of The Humane Society of the United States."

Take Action | Shop Smart

Take the pledge to stop puppy mills.

Donate to help stop puppy mills.

How to avoid buying a puppy mill dog.

Find out more about adoption.

In 1970, The HSUS pushed to see amendments made to the Animal Welfare Act that required all commercial dog-breeding establishments be inspected and licensed regularly. A decade later, HSUS investigator Bob Baker spent five months between 1980 and 1981 researching puppy mills as part of an extended investigation. Finally, in 1990, The HSUS launched a nationwide boycott of puppies from the six worst puppy mill states.

Today's Battles

And The HSUS has only intensified its work on puppy mills over the past decade. Just last year, The HSUS conducted three puppy mill investigations, including undercover work at Pets of Bel Air [video], an upscale pet boutique on the edge of Beverly Hills. The investigation revealed that the store—often frequented by Hollywood celebrities—had been deceiving customers when employees falsely claimed that all puppies sold at the store were raised by private breeders and that they don't use puppy mills.

Last fall, a five-month undercover investigation by The HSUS revealed a substantial Virginia puppy mill industry that is largely unregulated and often in violation of state and federal laws. HSUS investigators visited puppy mills of all sizes, as well as pet stores and Virginia-based websites selling dogs. Their discoveries were staggering.

Nearly 1,000 dog breeders sell commercially in Virginia. At one facility, HSUS responders assisted local officials with the removal of almost 1,000 dogs and puppies. Thanks to our intervention, many of those animals have been adopted to good homes through animal shelters up and down the East Coast.

A Life Behind Bars

The life of a puppy mill dog who is used for "breeding stock" is particularly shocking and sad. These dogs receive little or no veterinary care and never see a bed, a treat or a toy. Breeding animals are commonly killed after their fertility wanes, or they're abandoned or sold to another mill. The annual result of all this breeding is an estimated two to four million puppies, many with behavior and/or health problems.

There are thousands of stories to be told from those who have suffered because of puppy mills. The HSUS has compiled both heartbreaking and hopeful stories from dog owners whose dogs either suffered at puppy mills or were born at one.

Cruel and deplorable places puppy mills continue to thrive because they prey on unwitting consumers who are smitten by too-cute-for-words puppies in pet store windows and on fancy websites.

Behind the friendly facade of the local pet shop, the pastoral scenes on a website, or the neighborhood newspaper ad, there often lies a puppy mill.

What You Can Do

The number one way consumers can help shut down puppy mills is to avoid purchasing dogs from pet stores, and adopt from a local shelter or rescue group instead.

Take the pledge to stop puppy mills
There are millions of companion animals in shelters across the U.S., and one out of every four dogs at your local shelter is a pure-bred. Click here to learn more about how to avoid buying a puppy mill puppy.

Most shelter animals have already been spayed or neutered and have received all their vaccinations and veterinary checkups. If you choose to buy a dog, check out The HSUS's tips for finding a compassionate breeder.

You can also:

Spread the word about puppy mills.

Make a donation to our Puppy Mill Education Fund, or tell a friend.

Read more about the laws regulating puppy mills and our work to enforce those laws.

Check out this great pet blogging community!

Pamperedpawgifts — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:20:00 +0000

Cancer survivor's dream business making pet baskets

Pamperedpawgifts — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 01:00:00 +0000

Published St. Pete Times Friday, March 28, 2008 8:51 PM
ZEPHYRHILLS

Tera Hamby is glowing, her skin, her eyes. She's shy and doesn't like talking about herself; she's more comfortable being a behind-the-scenes type of person. But she's so happy now and once she gets going, talking about her love, the words come out more easily.
Hamby has been through terrible sadness in her life and has every excuse to be bitter and dark, but she's not.

"I'm lucky," she said sincerely. "I really am."

She met James Hamby, the long-haired, kind man she later would marry. His parents became her surrogate parents. Hamby believes things happen for a reason and that karma is real — if you are a good person, good things happen and that if you have been blessed, you have to pay it forward. Her husband and his family came into her life when she needed them most. They are her anchor and she loves them.

Hamby began a career managing apartment complexes. Her husband has his own marketing business that he does from home. They moved to Georgia, where her husband is from, and then moved to Florida when she was transferred to the area for her job. She and James, whose dad was in the military and also moved a lot growing up, built a house in Zephyrhills and relished being rooted in one spot, of decorating and making a home.

Then, in 2005 when Hamby was 31, she was diagnosed with cancer in her uterus. She had dealt with severe pain since she was a teenager, but doctors always shrugged it off, saying some women just hurt more during their menstrual cycles. But Hamby always felt like something was wrong — she would literally be balled up on the floor in screaming pain, and her immune system was practically nonexistent. She was constantly sick. At the urging of a friend, Hamby sought out a specialist. She was actually relieved to get a diagnosis, because she had started to think she was crazy or a hypochondriac, since doctors wouldn't listen to her. Now she urges all people to listen to their bodies.

"If you don't feel right, find a doctor who will listen to you," she says.

She had a hysterectomy shortly after her diagnosis. It was a difficult time, even though she and her husband weren't sure if they wanted to have children or not. The finality of it was hard, as well as the side effects of menopause and medication. Hamby, who is 5 feet 5 inches, ballooned up to 235 pounds. But a year later, Hamby began to feel better, which is an amazing feeling after being so used to feeling sick and tired. She got an elliptical machine and watched her diet and lost more than 100 pounds.

She also quit her job managing apartments and decided to go after a job she always dreamed of doing, but was scared to take the leap — creating gift baskets for pets. Hamby loves animals so much — it's the core of who she is and who she always has been.

"They love you unconditionally," she says.

Hamby's company is called Pampered Paw Gifts. The Web site is http://pamperedpawgifts.com. She sends gift baskets all over the country for dogs and cats. She's sought out the best treats from mom-and-pop bakeries, made from natural ingredients that also are fine for humans to eat, and gets them shipped to her. "They're good," she says, smiling, about the treats. There are birthday cakes and biscuits and lovely, luscious truffles.

She donates baskets for free to animal organizations and donates a percentage of her sales to those same groups. Gifts begin at $10 and go as high as a customer wants.
She makes them all by hand and likes to know as much as she can about the pet, to be assured it's a hit.

She and her husband have five "kids," — three chihuahuas and two ragdoll cats. They are the taste testers for all the treats that go into the gift baskets. Photos of them sampling treats are on Hamby's Web site.

"I'm healthy. I'm happy," Hamby says, sitting on her couch with her pups and kitties roaming around. Her voice is bubbling. She dreams of making the business bigger — the more sales she does, the more she can donate to help save pets.

She feels like she's fulfilling her purpose and her dream. And the best thing she gets in return are photos from her "extended kids," the pets who receive the baskets.

"That's the best gift," she says.

Erin Sullivan can be reached at esullivan@sptimes.com or (813) 909-4609.

Love And Care For The Chihuahua

Pamperedpawgifts — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 17:32:00 +0000

The Chihuahua is one of the most popular dog breeds in the world and that is not surprising at all. Not only are these dogs the tiniest of all breeds, they are the oldest as well. According to the American Kennel Club these dogs have been around from the time of the Aztecs. You will find these dogs to be very attractive growing no taller than nine inches and weighing a mere three to six pounds. They have a sweet small face with a sharp muzzle and large fox-type pointed ears. Their eyes are large and quietly intelligent.

The Chihuahua coat comes in two varieties – one is short and straight and another is long and fluffy. Grooming your Chihuahua mostly involves brushing and bathing which needs to be done at regular intervals every two to three months. You will also need to pay attention to its eyes, which tend to water creating tear signs on the face, and its nails that need regular clipping Besides washing its coat, grooming your Chihuahua would involve de-matting its fur, clipping nails, checking ears and paws, wiping and inspecting eyes for infection and checking for injuries. You would do best to allot a day every week for grooming your Chihuahua and on each of those days you could concentrate on one particular aspect of grooming besides combing the fur.You would also need to have a special grooming box – something like a first aid box – with the following implements: rubber slicker, a quiet blow drier, a soft bristle brush, nail clippers, cotton balls, saline solution, grooming glove, medium toothed comb, dog shampoo and soap, betadine ointment and scrub and a pair of scissors. You will find all these items available at pet shops or a vet clinic. Ensure that you know how to use all of these implements before you try them out on the dog. Leave nail clipping to the vet if you are not comfortable with it.

The most common method of grooming your Chihuahua is bathing. Though this dog is very small and giving it a bath hardly involves any major effort, very few people really know how to perform this task optimally. Do you know how to bath your pet? Before you proceed with the bath you need to gather a few things that you will need during the bath – balls of cotton, medium sized comb, a large towel and a quiet, gentle hair drier. Before you wet the dog, comb the fur and remove all the matted hair. Then, take the cotton balls and put them into the ears of the dog. This will stop water entering and prevent ear infections. Use only dog soap and dog shampoo for bathing your pet. Lastly, dry the dog with the towel and gently blow-dry the fur.

Follow these tips to grooming your Chihuahua and you will have a wonderful, happy and clean pet in the house.

Image: Lady, Angelica and Snickers. Official treat testers of Pampered Paw Gifts.com

About the Author: Sandra Dean is a veteran breeder who has studied in depth about the behavior and care of the Chihuahua breed. Chihuahua grooming need not be too tough if you follow a regular schedule followed by treats which will be an incentive to good behavior during the process. This article offers you some very critical Chihuahua grooming tips which will ensure that your pet is well taken care of with minimal effort.

Spay Day USA 2008 Results

Pamperedpawgifts — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 22:25:00 +0000

Spay Day USA 2008 Results
Oklahoma Alliance for Animals
The Oklahoma Alliance for Animals—with help from the Doris Day Animal Foundation—is spaying this dog for Spay Day USA.
A veterinarian had just neutered one cat, and there were nearly 20 more awaiting surgery. It was not the perfect time for a power outage, but that's just what happened at a spay/neuter clinic in Sacramento, Calif.
Despite the fact that veterinarians had to use headlamps and flashlights, the Sacramento Area Animal Coalition and about 300 volunteer veterinarians helped hundreds of low-income pet owners during its Spay Day USA event this year.
That's just one of many stories that came from veterinarians and volunteers who participated in spay/neuter clinics this year on Spay Day USA.
The 14th annual Spay Day USA took place on Feb. 26, 2008. While the results are still pouring in, we know that thousands of volunteers in 48 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands worked together to save animal lives and end pet homelessness. They spayed or neutered more than 31,000 cats and dogs (and even a rat and a ferret!); raised more than $200,000 for spay/neuter; and broadcasted the spay/neuter message to millions of people.

Through the Spay Day USA Pet Photo Contest, contestants raised tens of thousands of dollars to benefit the spay/neuter efforts of The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association's Field Services program and 145 eligible Spay Day USA Event Organizers. In addition to other great prizes, the Grand Prize winner of the Pet Photo Contest will receive the privilege of choosing one of these organizations to receive an additional $5,000 spay/neuter grant.

Information About Dog Toys

Pamperedpawgifts — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 18:16:00 +0000

By: Gerry Ronson
The most important reason for having dog toys is to keep the dog entertained while you are a way at work or even during home time. They need something to keep their active minds from finding trouble. You may see friends or family with dogs that come home to chewed shoes, table cloths pulled to the floor, and other destruction that the dog looks on as just playing with toys. Dogs like humans will get tired of the toys you first purchase. For very active dogs you want to keep changing the toys they have to play with. You can add new toys to the pile or add a toy and take another they are bored with away. If you take the toy away for a couple of months, chances are they are going to want to play with it again later on. This can be like introducing a new toy or an old pal. Some toys can also be helpful to the dental health of your dog. Chew toys such as bones and other items can help them relieve new teeth coming in when they are puppies as well as help them feel better. It is an oral fixation that helps the mouth feel better, especially if they have something bothering them. The chew toys can also strengthen their jaws.
You may find that your budget is a concern for new pet toys or certain dog toys. What you need to keep in mind is that dog toys are part of their care, especially for mental health. You can find toys around the house they may be willing to play with. You can place an old tennis ball on a thick rope to play tug of war with. Stuffed animals make great chew toys. Old baby toys you may have lying around can be converted to dog toys. The point is no matter what the toy as long as it is safe for the dog to chew on you will be providing proper dog care. There are of course other things to consider with dog care and training. Toys are great for some of the time, but they also need grooming and obedience training without toys.
Some dog toys that you may wish to have or fashion for yourself for the proper training and care include a laser pointer, cube toy, balls, Frisbees, squeaky toys, toys they can pull on like a tug of war activity, and even jumps. You will also need to purchase some time of leash and runner for more active dogs. A runner can be used in a backyard to give the dog more freedom without the ability to escape over fencing. Most cities require leashes to be worn when the dog is out for a walk, but it can also help during training. If the dog learns commands and the pressure on the leash for those commands chances are they will learn to stay at your side even off the leash.
Your dog no matter what breed he or she is requires training and care. The type of training and amount of care is going to differ with each breed, but there are some essentials you should always be thinking about. First you have to understand the dog breed you have before you can determine the appropriate dog toys to purchase for them. Dogs that tend to be more active like Alaskan Malamutes, Basset Hounds, and Dalmatians need a lot of interaction during training. Training can also be quite intensive, so the important thing to remember is to keep them from getting bored.
Article Source: http://www.bylamoarticles.com

Dog Gift Baskets

Pamperedpawgifts — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 18:16:00 +0000

Pets and pet lovers alike will always enjoy a doggie gift basket. It's a unique gift that lets someone know that you realize how special their dog is. Your own furry friend will also be delighted with the treats and toys, should you decide to buy one for him.
Dog gift baskets come in a large variety of sizes, shapes and price ranges. Baskets made for pets normally include treats, toys, and may also include bedding, dishes, or even clothes. The treats can be name brand dog treats or in some cases, gourmet dog cookies or homemade goodies. If you give your pet gifts during the holiday season, this is something that you both will enjoy.
Dog gift baskets are available in a variety of sizes and price ranges. Small baskets can normally be purchased for under $10. Larger baskets, of course, go up in price, some even retail for thousands of dollars and are sold to the stars of Hollywood. Many online retailers offer customized dog gift baskets, which include your selection of treats and toys. When selecting a dog gift basket for your favorite pet, remember the size of the animal. A tiny Chihuahua would have a hard time with an extra large bone, in fact it may be larger than he is. Likewise a large dog may complete destroy a small sized dog treat.
Pets are now, more than ever playing a role of increasing importance in their owner’s lives. Where animals were once a necessity and tool, now they are companions and friends to many people throughout the world. Recognizing that a friend’s pet is an important part of their life let's them know how important they are to you. A dog gift basket is a great way to let them know you care.

Puppy Mill Pooches Find Happiness in Their New Homes

Pamperedpawgifts — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 18:15:00 +0000

Emilie M. Bottiggi Pooches and their parents reunite on the one-yearanniversary of a puppy mill raid. Bright-eyed, clean and groomed, dozens of pampered dogs gathered with their proud parents one chilly afternoon. At first glance it looks like the group might be members a Maltese club or participants in a dog show. But this gathering is actually a reunion—the one-year anniversary of the dogs' rescue from a cramped and squalid puppy mill in Tennessee. Learning to be Loved
It's hard to believe that these well-groomed dogs (and one cat!) with their designer collars and bows have not always lived pampered lives. But when Winnie was rescued, she did not know how to walk in a straight line because she had spent her entire life in a cage, where she could only hobble in circles. Pogo had to be taught how to use the stairs, because he had never lived in a home before. And Stewie had to learn how to stand on solid surfaces because his paws had never rested on anything but the bottom of a bare wire cage.
Special Caretakers
"We knew our babies had unique needs due to the special circumstances into which they were born," says Emilie Bottiggi, who adopted three of the rescued dogs. "We were seeing behaviors we had not seen before with our non-puppy mill dogs."
Helpful Links Buying a puppy? Check out www.puppybuyersguide.org.
Want to adopt? Visit www.proud2adopt.org.
Learn more about puppy mills, and join our campaign against cruelty at www.stoppuppymills.org.The adopters created an email group to stay in touch and share their successes. A year to the day after their "babies" were rescued, they gathered to celebrate the anniversary of their pets' freedom. It was the first and largest of several reunions that have taken place since the day of the raid.
Remembering the Rescue
It all began in January 2004, when more than 230 animals were removed from a puppy mill in Franklin, Tenn. The animals were mostly Maltese dogs, but there were also a few Yorkshire Terriers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, West Highland Terriers, and 14 Ragdoll cats living in the terrible conditions.
Like most such operations, the puppy mill owner advertised in dog fanciers' publications and on the Internet, posing as a small, responsible breeder. She had been operating for many years, and at one time she enjoyed a good reputation. But when authorities entered her home after receiving a tip about animal neglect, they found that behind the pretty photos on the owner's website lurked a completely different reality.
Ugly Reality
Inside the house, dirty and matted dogs cowered in small wire cages—three or four dogs to a cage. Their cages were lined up row after row and stacked on top of one another. Many of the dogs were ill, and some of them died shortly after the rescue. The dogs had lived in these cramped dirty cages all their lives.
Emilie M. Bottiggi Pogo was rescued from a miserable life at the puppy mill. Like most puppy mills, the breeder hid the cruel reality of her business behind closed doors. Her puppies were cleaned up and made presentable before being sold via classified ads and the Internet. But their mothers and fathers never had the chance to escape the brutal conditions into which they'd been born.
Buyer Beware
Even after her conviction for animal cruelty in 2005, the puppy mill owner violated the terms of her probation by continuing to breed and sell dogs. Healthcare workers who had been in her home to care for a relative testified that she was still selling puppies over the Internet.
"This is just one example of why you should never buy a puppy over the Internet," says HSUS Director of Outreach, Stephanie Shain. "You should not buy a pet without personally visiting the home where he or she was born and raised."
For more guidelines on how to purchase a dog without supporting puppy mills, visit www.puppybuyersguide.org.
An even better option is to adopt a rescued pet and transform a life. The happy faces at the reunion alone can attest to the joy adoption can bring to both rescued and rescuers alike. To learn more about adoption, visit www.proud2adopt.org.

Chihuahuas: Facts About Them

Pamperedpawgifts — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 18:14:00 +0000

Surely you have seen Chihuahuas in television shows, cartoons and movies. Considered as smallest breed of dog in the world, Chihuahuas are so popular that people are becoming more and more enthusiastic about them.
Before you decide of taking this toy breed home, you should know first its characteristics and other facts about Chihuahuas.
• Chihuahua was discovered in 1850 at Chihuahua, Mexico, thus named Chihuahua after its place of origin.
• They are the smallest breed of dog in the world and classified as toy breed.
• There are two types of hair in Chihuahuas, long-haired and short-haired or smooth coat. Though called smooth coat, short hair is not as smooth as long hair. In fact, long-haired Chihuahuas are smoother compared to short-haired Chihuahuas. Long-haired Chihuahuas shed less and need less grooming and trimming.
• These small creatures compensate their size with devotion, ferocity and personality. Their size makes them ideal for apartments. But even if they are considered toy breed, they are not well-suited to small children because of their size and tendency to bite when frightened.
• They prefer the companionship of other Chihuahuas than other breeds.
• Chihuahuas are prone to jawbone disorders, eye problems, heart disease and tooth and gum complaints. They are also susceptible to epilepsy seizures, hydrocephalus, patellar luxation, hemophilia and cystinuria.
• Chihuahuas can live up to 16 years depending on its health condition and care of its owner.
• They are born with incomplete skull; this soft spot is called moleras. This soft spot fill in with age and needs great care to prevent injuries and damage. However, it should not be mistaken with hydrocephalus.
• They should be bathed even at least once a month to prevent unpleasant odor from developing. Make sure that the water will not get into their ears to prevent infection. Place cotton balls into your dog's ear to make sure the water will not get into its ear. Just don't push it too far to avoid pain and irritation. Trimming of nails is recommended also at least once a month.
• Give several small meals instead of one big meal a day. Avoid giving canned foods because Chihuahuas find this type of food hard to digest and may cause diarrhea. Dry food or a mixture of dry and canned will do. Moreover, dry food is good for your dog's dental care. And don't forget the foods nutritional value.
• They don't need much exercise but they will surely enjoy taking walks with you. Toys should also be provided to make their minds busy.

About the Author: Richard Cussons is a writer and a dog expert. Discover more about Chihuahuas at this site dedicated to Chihuahua dogs.

Positive Dog Training Techniques

Pamperedpawgifts — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 18:13:00 +0000

There are many different dog training techniques that are out there today. Many people often don't realize that dog training courses often utilize different dog training techniques.
Some of these dog training techniques work better than others.
Whether you are going to a dog training course or if you are doing the dog training yourself... wouldn't you rather know which dog training technique is the best?
If you answered yes to that question then you should know that positive dog training is the best technique to use.
Positive dog training is quickly becoming the preferred method of dog training. If you would like to learn more about positive dog training techniques, please read on.
Positive dog training techniques involve using only praise and positive reinforcement.
This means, positive dog training rewards your dog for good behavior or when it performs a command correctly.
The rewards used in this type of dog training can be treats, kind words, a pat on the head, etc. It has been found that dogs respond much better to positive dog training.
Positive dog training techniques never involve hitting, spanking, scolding, or punishing your dog in any manner. Dogs do not do well with any form of negative dog training.
Now we will go over some examples of positive dog training techniques. Let us say that you are beginning your dog training by teaching your dog to sit. When your dog sits, reward it with a treat and tell it what a good dog it is.
Another example of positive dog training is to use praise and treats when your dog goes to the bathroom when and where it is supposed to. Dogs will soon learn to relate to doing this when and where it should because it gets rewarded for it.
Thus your dog will be potty trained much faster. When using positive dog training, your voice should always be happy and pleasant. Dogs will want to do as you ask when they get rewarded by any positive means.
This is why positive dog training works much better than any other type of dog training.
Now that you understand what positive dog training is, you may wish to start some of these techniques yourself. You can find dog training courses that use positive techniques and you can also utilize these techniques on your own.
With positive reinforcement, praise, and rewards, your dog is sure to learn much faster and be happier doing so. You will then be happier as well and you will also find that the dog training will go much easier.
With that in mind, you can truly see how positive dog training techniques will give you positive results!
About the Author: Amy Howells is an expert dog trainer who runs a website dedicated to teaching people how to train their dog or puppy in just 21 days. Visit http://www.dog-owner.net/training.htm for more info.

Do you have questions about adopting?

Pamperedpawgifts — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 18:12:00 +0000

Do you have questions about adopting? We have compiled some answers to questions we frequently get asked. Reviewing them might help you make a decision or give you a place to start a discussion with one of our volunteers or shelter staff. The document is available for download in Adobe PDF format here.

Pet-Proof Your Kitchen

Pamperedpawgifts — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 18:11:00 +0000

Every room of your house could present hazards to your dog if there are certain items lying around. If you’re concerned about your kitchen, this guide will help you pet-proof your eating area.
Keep human food that can be dangerous to dogs out of their reach. Human food, such as chocolate, can cause vomiting, diarrhea and shaking if consumed in large enough amounts. Keep a tamper-proof lid on your trash. When you toss out spoiled food, it may contain toxins that could cause your dog seizures and vomiting. Make sure household cleaners are locked away in a pet-proof cabinet and out of reach of your dog. Bleach products can cause burns in the mouth and stomach upset and irritation.
If you have mouse bait, keep it in an area your dog can’t get to. These products can cause bleeding, difficulty in breathing and in severe cases – death.

Your New Puppy: Must Haves For Your Dog

Pamperedpawgifts — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 20:43:00 +0000

Now that you?ve decided to get a puppy or dog, the next few weeks will be busy and at times, more than a little bit crazy. That?s why it?s important to plan in advance for the arrival of your new pet. If possible, get as many necessities ready before your puppy comes home.
The Basics
Travel crate: Even if you don't plan on crate training your dog, consider the benefits of owning a crate for other reasons, like transporting an ill or injured puppy to the veterinarian.
Food and water bowls: If you have a puppy, keep the bowls low and shallow. Tip-proof works well, too. As they grow, you?ll likely need to upgrade to larger dishes to accommodate your pet?s size.
Food: Choose an age-appropriate food. Ask your vet or local pet store for recommendations if you?re not sure what kind to purchase. Remember that high quality dog food keeps your puppy healthier and happier.
Collar: Pick a collar that fits properly now. You can always upgrade later if necessary.
Leash: A six-foot lead works well. Choose the right thickness and strength for your dog. A Chihuahua's needs are very different from the needs of a Rottweiler.
ID tag: As one of the first things people search for when finding a stray dog, an ID tag can help make sure your puppy makes it home safely. At a minimum, have your phone number engraved on the tag.
Grooming supplies: Different breeds require different levels of grooming. However, every pup can benefit from a good weekly brushing. It?s also a great way to have quiet, bonding time with your new dog.
Housebreaking supplies: Even adult dogs have accidents, so be prepared with good cleaning supplies.
Veterinarian: If you don't have a favorite vet already, ask family, friends and neighbors for a recommendation. Have an appointment scheduled within the first few days of bringing your puppy home, so your vet can check for worms, other health conditions, and start her vaccination regimen.
The Extras
Obedience classes: Every dog can benefit from learning some basic obedience skills.
Puppy treats: Yummy treats are the perfect reward when you?re working on obedience. Or for when they?re just being adorable.
Toys: Chew toys help satisfy your new puppy?s teething needs. If you?d like to teach your dog to retrieve, look at purchasing a few balls, but make sure they?re not so small that your dog chokes.
Sour apple spray: Use this product to spray on spots your puppy loves to chew on. It's a terrific deterrent for naughty puppies.
Baby gates: Want to keep your dog in one area of your house? Use baby gates to corral him. Let?s face it; for a lot of us, dogs are our babies anyway!
Dog house: If your pup will spend any time outdoors, he?ll love having his own little house. Fill it with great chew toys and a cozy blanket, and it will be the perfect home away from home.
Doggie door: Training your dog to use a doggie door when she needs to go outdoors makes life easier for you and your pal.
Clothing: Depending on where you live, sweaters or snow boots may be required outdoor gear for your dog.
Now that you have the basics on hand, don't forget the most essential items for your new puppy: lots of hugs, kisses, and sweet talk. Best of all, they're free!
About the Author: The author, Jennifer McVey, wants to make life easier for you and your new dog. At http://www.favorite-puppy-names.com you'll find a collection of thousands of common and not-so-common puppy names, great tips on naming your new dog, and other helpful advice.Source: www.isnare.com