So things are going well at home, you have raised a polite dog who is crate trained, walks nicely on a leash and doesn’t beg at the table. If you are anything like most dogs owners you might be thinking that it is a good time to add another dog to the pack. While this may indeed be true there are many factors to consider when bringing another dog into the mix. You must consider the personality of your current dog when selecting your second. You must also be prepared for vigilance during the introductory period. 

Chances are that you love everything about your dog and you want an exact replica of him in your new dog. The first thing to consider when selecting a companion for your current dog is his overall temperament. Is he dominant or submissive? While it is fine to prefer a certain breed of dog and continue adding them to your pack, try to avoid finding a dog exactly like yours if he is on the dominant side. You might try for a more submissive dog to compliment your dominant one. Two dominant dogs can live together in peace and harmony, but it is substantially more difficult to achieve a safe and healthy environment this way.

Another thing to consider about your current dog is his energy level. If he is 6 year old couch potato he might not enjoy having an adolescent sibling around who wants to play with him 24-7. Your lazy guy might prefer having a lower energy companion to stop and smell the roses with. Conversely, if your dog is an active and energetic mighty dog type then bring home a dog who will enjoy playing with him. Size might also be a factor to consider when thinking about a companion for your current dog. Is he better with small or large dogs? Some dogs are threatened by larger dogs while others are put off by smaller yappy type dogs. Try taking your dog to the dog park to see which kind of dog yours prefers interacting with and you should have some kind of a starting point for selecting the newest member of your pack.

Once you have selected a possible addition do not make your final decision until you have introduced the dogs. Any respectable rescue group or breeder will allow you to do so before making your final selection. Think of this as a cocktail party or meet and greet for your pooch. When making first time introductions you should go to a neutral location to avoid territorial issues. If possible have someone else handle the new dog while you bring yours. It always helps to have someone else around in case human intervention is required. Allow the pooches to sniff each other upon introduction; this is complexly normal greeting in the canine world. If they are doing well then you can allow them to play more vigorously. If the dogs seem agitated then take them for a long walk to tire them out. An exercised dog is more balanced and less apt to show aggression.

If the introduction went well it is time to prepare for bringing the new addition home. When doing so make sure to have a crate ready for the new dog. Allow him time to adjust in his new home. His own space is necessary and will provide a respite from excitement should things get heated. For the first couple of days never leave the dogs alone unattended as fights over toys and food could cause serious injuries. Make sure and give your original dog plenty of attention during this adjustment period. Some people have a tendency to shower attention on the new dog and neglect the old one like a new toy on Christmas morning. The new dog will find its place in the pack eventually without much effort on your part if you remain consistent, provide adequate exercise and keep your position as leader of the pack. Soon you will be well on your way to experiencing the joys of a happy and well adjusted multi-dog household.

This article was submitted by a pet supplies site featuring invisible fence, shock collars, and dog tracking collars

1. Check the water temperature before spraying your dog down for his bath. You wouldn’t want to be shocked with scalding or frigid water and your dog doesn’t either.

2. Place a rubber mat in your bath tub so your pooch has traction when he is getting scrubbed down. It can sometimes be difficult to drag your dog into the tub because the dog views the tub as an unpleasant experience. Their nails cause them to slide and lose their balance on the slick surface. This is an unpleasant and sometimes frightening experience for your dog. The mat allows them to stand firmly and confidently and hopefully makes things easier for you as well.

3. Place cotton balls in your pooches’ ears before you turn the water on. Dogs hate to get water in their ears and no matter how careful you are it often finds its way in there somehow. This typically results in a violent shaking on the part of your dog sending water all over you, your floor and your coordinating bath towels.

4. Brush your dog before bath time. This helps to remove any mats before you get him wet and can’t get them out. But perhaps more importantly, it leaves less hair for you to clean out of your bathtub drain!

5. If your dog will not let you come near it with that dog toothbrush you bought then place some toothpaste on a wash rag and rub it over their teeth and gums. Do not use human toothpaste, it isn’t good for the dog and they hate the taste! You can buy meat and cheese flavored toothpaste that your dog will not be able to resist at your local pet superstore.

6. Keep a styptic stick on hand for those nail trimming accidents. Even the best groomer can nick a nail quick from time to time so use a styptic stick to stop the bleeding from the nail bed. If you do not have a styptic stick grab a box of baking soda from your fridge and hold your pet’s paw in it for a minute or so.

7. Use dog shampoo, not people shampoo. I know that most of us feel like Fluffy is a real live member of the family, but she is not a human being. Dog’s skin has different Ph levels than humans and our shampoos and conditioners have harsher chemicals than dog shampoos. Exceptions to this rule are all natural products like Aveeno Oatmeal Bath, which can sometimes be good for dogs with allergies.

8. When dealing with insect bites or itchy spots that your dog can’t seem to stop licking, try to soak her in a cool bath with black tea bags. The tannic acid in the tea will help to dry out the sores and help your dog heal more quickly. Boil 4 quarts of water and soak 8-10 tea bags in the water until it is room temperature then draw a cool bath for your dog and place the tea (bags and all) in the bath with her. You may apply the bags directly to the worst of the spots if you would like.

This article was submitted by the authors at pet-super-store - visit their site to find dog crates, dog doors and orthopedic dog beds.

The holidays are quickly approaching. Very soon it will be Thanksgiving, and Christmas always seems to appear out of nowhere. For many families, the holiday season means plenty of travel to see family or close friends. If you are uncomfortable with leaving your pet in a kennel, and all of your friends and neighbors are going out of town, go ahead and bring Fido with you! Traveling by air? Not a problem. Here are a few helpful hints to taking your pet on a sky-high flight.

The first thing you will need to do is find out whether or not the airline you plan on traveling with allows pets. Also, airlines that permit pets usually have specific guidelines; however, they are not unreasonable and they are for the ultimate safety of your precious pet.

For travel by air, a customer generally has three options for their pet. First, some airlines will allow you to carry on your pet if they are small enough to fit comfortably into an approved kennel or pet carrier bag. The pet in the carrier bag or kennel will slide in under the passenger’s seat and remain there for the entire flight. The second option that is presented by most airlines is that your pet accompanies the baggage; this means your pet will travel in the cargo hold next to your checked luggage. However, airlines will only permit you to check you pet as “accompanied luggage” if you, personally, are on the same flight. The third air travel option is most airlines will permit your pet to be termed as “live animal” and they will travel with the cargo shipment. In the cargo system, your pet can either travel with the regular cargo shipments, or they can be transported with the special expedited delivery services. All of these options are completely safe and humane for your pet; if you have any questions or concerns, contact your airline directly.

Also, when traveling by air, there are a few things you may need to consider. First, you will need to clearly display your name, address, and phone number on the carrier in case of a rare mix-up. Second, make sure you distinctly label with arrows (tape works nicely) to indicate the top of the kennel or carrier. Third, make sure your pet has both their water and food dishes securely fastened to the interior of the kennel, yet accessible from the outside. If necessary, provide enough food in a bag attached to the exterior of the kennel alongside a clear food and water schedule if your pet must be fed during travel. Fourthly, be sure to place absorbent materials such as newspaper, puppy pads, or carrier bag liners on the bottom of the carrier. Finally, don’t forget to mark on the carrier or kennel “live animal” in distinct large letters.

Traveling by air during the holidays can be a harrowing experience. However, if you plan ahead and remember to call your airline directly to make the right travel arrangements for you and your pet, everything should be fine. Happy holidays, and have a safe trip!

This article was sent in by the authors from pet super store. Visit their site for more great information and savings when you buy pet fence, like petsafe radio fence, or one of our dog kennels.

Bringing home a new pet is always an exciting experience. However, if you are starting off with a new kitten or puppy, it can be a daunting and somewhat nerve-wracking experience. When you bring a new kitty home, there are several supplies you will need to already have on hand. Here is a short little guide to aid you in bringing your new cute kitten home.

First, you will want to begin by shopping. If you don’t already own cats, you will need to buy kitten food, water and food dishes, a litter box and litter, a cat carrier, and a pillow or bed for it to sleep in, along with other necessities, such as a scratching post.

First, food and water dishes are essential. Because kittens are small, they usually prefer shallow bowls because they are less overwhelming. Food and water dishes come in plastic, ceramic, and metal. Plastic dishes are the easiest to clean because you can simply place them in the dishwasher. Metal bowls are also easy to clean and they are lightweight. Ceramic dishes look nice, but they heavy, easily broken, and care must be taken when washing them by hand.

Next, a litter box and litter is an absolute must. You can either buy and open or closed litter box. The closed litter box provides your cat with a sense of privacy and it also helps mask the odor of the litter a bit. An open litter box is slightly easier to maintain, and it takes up less space. Either way, most people place the litter box in a bathroom in the laundry room, away from the main traffic areas in the house. There are many different kinds of litter, so you may need to play trial and error with your cat—chances are they have a preference.

Next, your cat will appreciate somewhere to sleep. Though buying a bed is not necessary, cats really seem to enjoy the small space so they can curl up and cuddle in a soft spot. However, if you don’t feel up to buying a kitty bed, an old soft pillow or a fluffy folded up blanket will do just fine, as long as it is warm and soft, your cat should be happy.

You will also want to have a cat carrier. Not only do you need to bring your cat home in something, you will want to have a carrier handy for other times you travel and want to take your cat with you. Also, when your kitten is still young and new to your home, you will want to put it in the carrier while you are away from home. You do not want the kitten getting nervous and scratching your furniture or relieving itself on your floor.

Finally, a scratching post is always a good buy. Many cats enjoy scratching and tearing up furniture because it helps trim their claws. However, parents aren’t too keen on the idea. If you provide your kitten with a scratching post early on, it will learn that the post is for scratching, and not your furniture. Also, many scratching posts are filled with various chemicals that encourage your kitty to scratch it instead of the couch.

Though bringing a new kitten home can be stressful, if you are well supplied and prepared, it will be a fun learning experience. Good luck bringing your new kitten home! This checklist was sent in from the authors at Pet Super Store - Visit their site for all of your pets needs: pet steps, pet doors and wireless dog fence.

Have you ever heard of the Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D) program? This is brought to you by the Intermountain Therapy Animals organization. R.E.A.D. provides an exceptional curriculum that helps children hone their reading skills by reading to a specially trained R.E.A.D.

How does reading to a dog help a child with their reading skills? Some children have difficulty learning to read because they are afraid of constantly being corrected or criticized by peers or adults; these specially trained R.E.A.D.’s are extremely attentive listeners and won’t distract easily. A dog’s presence can lower a child’s blood pressure and allow them to relax, relieving any anxiety that reading to an intimidating adult might produce. When a child is active in this program, they will be able to focus on the therapy animal; by reading to the cat or dog, they are attempting to help the animal “understand” the words on the page and the story in the book. Sometimes children are able to learn more when they see themselves as “teaching” or showing someone their skills. In this case, the dog is their attentive audience and their pupil. Though dogs cannot obviously provide instructional help, they are there to help the child practice their reading skills after they have formed a foundation in reading. Accompanying any therapy pet is always a handler or owner who is there to supervise the cat or dog to make sure it stays on task.

Where can people find these programs? The R.E.A.D. program is generally run at schools and libraries. If a specific location desires to offer the R.E.A.D. program, they are able to purchase the program’s information, training supplies and material templates in the form of a training package. The information package provides tips on how to convince the proper boards as to why the R.E.A.D. program would benefit their school or community, in addition to providing tools to help facilitate the program, such as necessary volunteer and consent forms and books lists.

Do you want to know a bit more about the R.E.A.D. credentials? A reading assistance dog is registered, has been tested and approved by ITA, and they are insured as a therapy animal. This means that the animals have been screened for their temperament, skill ability, over-all health and cleanliness, and their good nature and loving attitude toward children. Though dogs are the common animal choice for the R.E.A.D. program, cats are sometimes also available for children who may be a bit afraid of dogs or who simply prefers cats.

The R.E.A.D. program is growing in popularity among schools and libraries nationwide. This program provides excellent start-up and training materials to allow the program take off as quickly and easily as possible. The ITA has also worked hard to make this program affordable because they are fully aware that there are sometimes budget limitations. The R.E.A.D. program affords a comfortable, fun, and relaxed setting for children to hone their literacy skills by reading to a gentle dog or cat. As this program continues to grow and thrive, so do the children in this fun and educational program!

This article was submitted by authors from pet super store. Visit their site and find all your pet supplies including: pet beds, dog crate pads and pet gates.