Anxiety In Dogs

A world without dogs would be crazy. It would be lonely for most of us if we lost our favorite canine companions. Fortunately, almost every household in the US had had at least one dog.

Dogs are animals that need special care and extra attention from us humans. Compared to cats, dogs are more active and showy to their companions. Cats just lie and sleep most of the day. It only moves toward you to get is dose of petting or to ask for food. Most of the time, cats would rather sleep or groom themselves.

Dogs are different. They are playful, they interact with other people and other dogs as well. They show appreciation to their owner, in one way or another. Men and dogs have become ultimate partners, helping each other… enjoying a complimentary relationship.

Dogs are also utilized outside the home, even in law enforcement. The police have canine units that help them in searching for different dangerous substances or objects. Sometimes, K-9 units are also used to search for missing people. If well trained, these special dogs can detect or identify crime suspects by tagging the smell.

Even blind people immensely benefit from dogs. These dogs serve as the “eyes” of their blind master. These dogs enable blind people to live relatively normal lives, allowing them to leave their homes and enjoy the outdoors much like other people who can see.

Dogs have different personalities. It really depends on the breed or the dog’s family history. From being a puppy to an adult dog, they are accompanied by their human masters. These people are familiar to dogs and how they live everyday. The dog’s everyday routine is usually dependent on their master’s lifestyle.

There are some dogs that experience anxiety that almost comes instantly when they are left alone by their master. If they are left alone, these dogs can become destructive, which is their means of expressing frustration or loneliness. This is actually called separation anxiety in dogs. Dogs can become restless and bored, and if they see that their master is not around, they may go out to chew on anything that they can get their paws on — from slippers, to furniture, to other objects found in the house.

In fact, chewing on certain objects that have the master’s smell (socks, shoe, the sofa, or even the door) is one of the many symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs. Other symptoms to watch out for would be continuous barking, uncontrolled “pooping”, and various ways to get master’s attention.

Probable causes for such behavior often include dogs that were not properly socialized or dogs that have been living in different homes. With this in mind, owners should take a second look at their dogs and see if they exhibit such behavior. This will give them the idea that their dogs might be suffering from separation anxiety.

Dealing with separation anxiety in dogs can be serious if not threatening for your carpet or sofa. Begin with a no “goodbye” technique. Owners should not give their dogs any hugs before they leave the home. This will only make the dog long for more attention from the owner. Another tip would be to leave some toys or goodies that will help your dog consume its time and takes its attention away from its anxiety.

Enjoy the new Great Dogs Site Blog article Anxiety In Dogs and here are some of the other pet and dog sites that I currently operate. Hope you can find all of the information about dogs and caring for dogs that you are looking for through these sites.

Dogs & Puppies Adoption
TC Pet Stop
The Puppy Blog
Teri’s Dog Training Tips

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The History Of Australia’s Dingo Dog

What is the dingo? Is he a direct descendant of the wolf or is he a wild dog which was once domesticated, then turned wild again? This puzzle is as frustrating as the proverbial chicken-and-egg progression.

Genetically, the dingo is homogeneous to the pale-footed Asian wolf (canis lupus pallipes), presumed to still exist in certain remote, mountainous regions of Asia. It is believed that he has altered very little from his prehistoric forebears, which were widely distributed throughout Africa.

It is believed further that he came to Australia in a semi-domesticated condition during the last phase of the Ice Age (15,000 B.C.), and that he was in the company of nomadic aborigines who had trekked across the Indonesian archipelago.

He wandered as far as New Guinea, where he developed into a smaller variety of dingo (which is called New Guinea singing dog because of its opera-like howling at sundown), but he did not make it to Tasmania or Kangaroo Island. It is interesting to note that the singing dog’s diminished size may be the result of selective breeding.

What Do Dingo’s Look Like & How Do They Live?

The average dingo is about 24 inches high, which is somewhat smaller than the Asian wolf, but his legs are longer than the wolf’s. Many other wolf-like characteristics distinguish him from the domesticated dog. For example, his massive skull and his heavy jaws, his powerful masticating muscles and his deadly, razor-sharp teeth all indicate that he has always had to hunt and kill for his living.

His bushy tail, which he carries low between his legs, has the function of disguising his scent or allowing it to be released. This enables him to both hide from his enemies or to announce his whereabouts. He is also like a wolf in that his ears are pricked and situated well forward, and that he always carries his head erect when he runs.

His low brow is characterized by a well-marked stop, indicating that he was once indigenous to a cold climate and that he sprang from a species of wolf other than the one responsible for jackals, coyotes and greyhounds, which have no stop at all.

Triangular in shape, his short-muzzled face has that fierce forward look which is far more typical of the wolf than of canis familiaris. Unlike the average dog, the dingo howls rather than barks – but he can pick up the habit of barking from his domesticated fellows.

In color, the dingo is generally yellowish white, although some are black. His short undercoat is gray. His muzzle is occasionally black and his tail sometimes terminates in a white tip.

Another characteristic which distinguishes the dingo is that he breeds only once a year, whereas the domesticated dog does so in six-month cycles. The dingo mother usually produces litters of six to eight pups. In the wild she builds a type of nest for them, preferably within the shelter of a hollow tree. Because the dingo has interbred freely with the European house dog, pure specimens are comparatively rare today. Nevertheless, dingo characteristics are dominant in the crossbred pup, especially where posture, shape of skull, and habits are concerned.

The dingo has been compared to the pariah or shenzi dog, which is distributed throughout Africa, the Far East, Malaysia and India. Both hunt in packs, for example, but the shenzi is nearly always a scavenger, whereas the dingo is more a hunter than a gleaner. Nor is he as savage as the shenzi, who is sly and elusive like the jackal, with whom he is believed to have intermingled liberally. The shenzi is also different from the dingo in that he carries his tail curled up and is stockier in conformation.

In Africa, the shenzi has developed into two domesticated breeds of dog. One is the Rhodesian ridgeback, which is a cross between shenzi and European breeds; the other is the basenji, which is said to be very little changed from the dog of ancient Egypt.

Left to his own devices, the dingo hunts nocturnally in packs of five to six. Sometimes these packs comprise family units. However, groups consisting of as many as a hundred have been seen from time to time. The dingo shares with the wolf his highly developed territorial sense, which means that he not only defends his own territory, but respects his neighbor’s.

The Domesticated Dingo

He has always lived and bred in the wild, but some of his fellows were domesticated for the hunt as far back as the Paleolithic Age. It is thought that the aborigines reared stolen pups in their settlements.

Apparently, they received more care and affection than did most dogs kept by primitive peoples, who treated them as slaves rather than as companions. Not only did the dingo serve his masters by hunting for them, but he cleared their camps of refuse. In other words, the early aborigine and his dog had a good working relationship. However, by the time the white man came to Australia, the dingo had completely reverted to being a predator and scavenger.

Today, it is generally presumed that the dingo is vicious and untrustworthy, although in his domesticated state he has time and again proven himself friend to man. He is by nature an excellent hunting dog and was invaluable in hunting rabbits when the great extermination movements were underway in Australia.

Perhaps some day man will again make him part of the household. Certainly his superlative characteristics would go a long way towards improving some of the domesticated breeds.

Enjoy the new Great Dogs Site Blog article The History Of Australia’s Dingo Dog and here are some of the other pet and dog sites that I currently operate. Hope you can find all of the information about dogs and caring for dogs that you are looking for through these sites.

Dogs & Puppies Adoption
TC Pet Stop
The Puppy Blog
Teri’s Dog Training Tips

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Buying Guide For Dog Supplies

Here’s just a little information on buying guides for dog supplies. Just like a baby who needs utmost attention and care, the acquisition of the best supplies for your dog needs some major consideration, too. Here’s how you can ensure that your beloved pet gets the best toys, food, and other necessities.

Dog Food and Treats

Your dog’s needs should be the emphasis when considering what food or treat to buy him. The proper balance of vitamins and minerals should be given, particularly to growing puppies. Sporting and working dog breeds need to eat something that will sustain their hyperactive lifestyle. Dogs that aren’t getting any younger need low-calorie food to avoid weight gain. Don’t scrimp on the budget here no matter how compelling it might be. A healthy dog is reflected by the food he eats.

Dog Leashes and Collars

The size and weight of the dog should be taken into account in choosing the right dog collar. The collar’s material needs attention too. Nylon is good for water-loving dogs since it is more durable and light. For a tougher look, leather collars are a lot better since they are more durable and can even be accessorized with spikes. Dog leashes come in cloth, nylon, retractable, and leather styles.

Dog Toys

The safety of your dog should be the top priority in looking for a dog toy. What fun could be derived from a toy if it will endanger your pet’s life, right? A dog toy should be large enough so that it can’t be swallowed by your pet. However, it should be small enough for your dog to be able to grip it well.

The durability of the toys will need major consideration too, especially for dogs that are serious chewers. Light chewers can settle for vinyl and latex dog toys.

Training Guides For Your Dog

Dog whistles, dog harnesses and bitter-tasting sprays compose the wide array of dog-training guides that will keep a dog from chewing. If the chewing problem is a lot more serious, one may use a dog bark collar or an electric fence. It is advised that one stays consistent and humane in training his or her dog. Dog training books may also be availed for this endeavor.

Dog Health Items

Tick and flea infestation control medications are available to ensure that your dog’s health is secured against these pests. Brands like Advantix, Advantage and Frontline are some of the popular flea and tick drugs in the market.

Your dog’s dental health should never be taken for granted either. Dog toothbrushes and toothpastes, and even dog toys are now made available to support the dental health of your pet.

Enjoy the new Great Dogs Site Blog article Buying Guide For Dog Supplies and here are some of the other pet and dog sites that I currently operate. Hope you can find all of the information about dogs and caring for dogs that you are looking for through these sites.

Dogs & Puppies Adoption
TC Pet Stop
The Puppy Blog
Teri’s Dog Training Tips

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Nightmare Grooming Services – Backyard Groomers

Like with anything, if you are looking for a dog groomer, Do Your Research. This can’t be said enough. There is always someone out there to take advanage of you as a consumer of dog grooming services. Cruelty among unlicensed “backyard groomers” has been a growing series of unfortunate events in both small and large towns across the country.

With cheap services that are far lower priced than professional groomers, it’s easy for many dog owners to see the benefit of saving money over the possibility that the groomer might not know what he or she is doing.

Fortunately, there is an organization that works hard to protect the sanctity of professional animal groomers across the nation. They are the National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA).

With tens of thousands of members running strong, the NDGAA has been responsible for introducing legislation around the country to bring more responsibility and legal protection for dog owners and the garage groomers that do business today.

Unfortunately, it has not been an easy task to convince lawmakers to hold the same standards to the dog grooming business as they do for human barber shops and stylists. Beauty operators and barbers are licensed and must adhere to various controls to protect the consumer.

Licensing of dog groomers appears to be just over the horizon. While nobody likes federal and state governments to step in and control private industry, the present state of the grooming industry is such that steps must be taken to protect the consumer, as well as the unsuspecting animal. At present, any person has the right to call him or herself a groomer.

A Recent Shocking Survey

Last year a small group of individuals who support laws to come down hard on dangerous grooming practices and unlicensed shops took it upon themselves to interview 85 establish groomers in as many grooming shops as 5 large cities.

It was bewildering to discover only one shop conducting grooming in full view of customers and other patrons. This led to the shaking of a few more insights, and a desire to know why grooming is normally done behind close doors.

The answer, it seems, is that the dog owner “wouldn’t understand” why a groomer was doing a particular thing or treating an animal in a particular way. It seems that many animals left for grooming are in such a terrified state of mind that they have to be tranquilized.

In some cases, some animals are anesthetized before any grooming can take place. One groomer explained:

“Most animals left to be groomed are spoiled rotten, and you can’t do a thing with them unless they get their bottom spanked. Sometimes, we have to tie their mouths shut, but the general public just wouldn’t understand this.”

These groomers may have a point here about having a hard time keeping dogs calm during the process, but the underlying justification to abuse animals in order to get the job done is not enough to warrant such practices.

Enjoy the new Great Dogs Site Blog article Nightmare Grooming Services – Backyard Groomers and here are some of the other pet and dog sites that I currently operate. Hope you can find all of the information about dogs and caring for dogs that you are looking for through these sites.

Dogs & Puppies Adoption
TC Pet Stop
The Puppy Blog
Teri’s Dog Training Tips

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Pet Insurance For Older Dogs

You should think about pet insurance for your older dog just as much as you would a puppy. Pet insurance for older dogs is not always easy to find. Many pet insurance providers seem to assume that everybody wants to start insuring a dog right from a puppy.

But in fact, a lot of people need pet insurance for older dogs. Maybe you have had the dog for a long time and you are just starting to think about insurance, or maybe you have just welcomed a senior dog into your home. He may be a rescue dog or a pet who has been passed along to you by family members or friends who can no longer look after him. He needs insurance just like a younger one does – maybe even more.

So where should you look for pet insurance for older dogs? Just as for so many questions these days, you can find the answer on the internet! But to save you time searching through the plans available from every pet insurance company in the country, we have listed below a couple of the providers who offer plans for older dogs.

What age of dog are we talking about here? Most standard insurance plans have limits on the age of dogs that they will insure. They will not take puppies under 8 weeks old and in many cases, they will not consider a dog over the age of 8 years. However, there are some exceptions to this.

Of course, when you are looking for pet insurance for older dogs you probably already know that you are not going to be able to enroll your pet in the cheapest plans. Most companies have several different levels of cover with different monthly payments. If the company offers a plan for senior dogs it will be one of the more expensive plans.

Another point that you should keep in mind is that many plans will not cover the medical costs for treating ‘geriatric illnesses’. These are illnesses caused by old age. This is true even if the plan is designed for older dogs. An example might be osteoarthritis, which in most cases is associated with ageing. However, you will need to check each individual plan to see exactly what is covered and what is not.

Like most insurance policies, pet insurance does not usually cover pre-existing conditions unless they were completely cured the first time around. Before your dog is accepted you may have to have a veterinarian check him over for existing problems. So do not wait until your dog is already sick to take out that insurance!

Here are some of the companies who will consider insuring your dog even if he is over 8 years old:

- Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) standard plans offer cover for dogs up to 10 years old, instead of the usual 8. They also have a ‘senior pets plan’ that covers treatment for dogs over 10 for accidental injuries only – not illnesses.

Please note that this is not an exclusive list. Many other companies may offer plans for older dogs. Also, the information given may not be accurate. Companies can change their policies at any time. These are just a few examples to give you an idea of what may be available.

If you have a good history with a particular insurance company (for example, if you already have insurance for other pets, without a lot of claims) they might consider adding your older dog to your policy even if this is not something that they offer on a standard pet insurance plan. It would be worth giving them a call to ask if they would consider offering pet insurance for older dogs in your individual case.

Enjoy the new Great Dogs Site Blog article Pet Insurance For Older Dogs and here are some of the other pet and dog sites that I currently operate. Hope you can find all of the information about dogs and caring for dogs that you are looking for through these sites.

Puppies & Big Dogs
Teri’s Dog Training Tips
The Puppy Blog

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Related posts:

1. Is Pet Insurance Worth It

Is Pet Insurance Worth It

Is pet insurance worth it? This is a question on the minds of many pet owners. Most veterinarians will advise you to get a health insurance plan for your pet.

Of course, you don’t have to, but you can then find yourself stuck with huge bills if your dog develops a serious health condition. You might even find yourself in a situation where you could not afford the health treatment that your dog needed. Once you and your family are attached to your pet, it would be heartbreaking to lose him (or her) when his life could easily have been saved if you had insurance.

Both first timers and experienced pet owners may ask themselves the question: is pet insurance worth it? Maybe you have had a pet for many years, you have been paying out for insurance every month and your pet has stayed healthy. Some people cancel their insurance in that situation. But remember, just because your pet has stayed well until now, does not mean it always will. Your pet could fall sick the day after you cancel the insurance.

In many cases, pet insurance is worth having simply for peace of mind. It is wonderful to know that you can give your much-loved pet any care that it needs.

There are some cases where pet insurance might not be worth the cost. One situation would be if you do not care that much about the pet, or if the costs of its health care are not likely to be high. To take an extreme example, it is probably not worth insuring a goldfish, because veterinarians do not often perform expensive surgery on fish. This may sound heartless if you love your fish, but if they are sick it is usually better to accept that they have short lives and buy another one.

Another case where you might not want to take out pet insurance is if you have plenty of money. You might not mind taking a risk because you know that you could easily pay out several thousand dollars for surgery at short notice, if it was necessary.

Any kind of insurance is a gamble. In a sense you are betting on the possibility that a high cost problem will occur. If your pet lives a long, happy life and then dies of natural causes without ever needing more than routine shots from the veterinarian, the insurance might seem like a waste of money. But if your pet does develop a serious health issue, you will be very glad that you took out the insurance and you will probably have saved a lot. Unfortunately, there is no way to know ahead of time.

If you have a dog, it is important to remember that your pet insurance will usually cover you for injury or damage caused by your dog as well as health issues. It is very important for dog owners to be sure that they have this kind of cover. Think how terrible it would be if your dog was to cause somebody a permanent injury – and how much you might have to pay that person in compensation. Even small dogs can be aggressive. It is certainly worth taking out insurance for that.

So is pet insurance worth it? If you care about your pet and you want to be free of anxiety about the cost of health care or compensation, the answer is a resounding yes.

Enjoy the new Great Dogs Site Blog article Is Pet Insurance Worth It and here are some of the other pet and dog sites that I currently operate. Hope you can find all of the information about dogs and caring for dogs that you are looking for through these sites.

Dogs & Puppies Adoption
Teri’s Dogs
Puppies & Pooches
TC Pet Stop

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Designer Dog Clothes

Yes, we now dress up our dogs. We did it as children and we still do it today. Some of us just to refuse to think of our dogs as just dogs but as our four legged kids. For those of us that think our dogs are our kids there are dog clothes for these four legged ‘children’! Cute sweaters, doggie tee shirts, dog booties, stylish bandanas, and let’s not forget little hats.

These are among the items people will purchase to dress their dogs in style. Dressing a dog is more about the owner having fun than the animal, but as long as the clothing isn’t uncomfortable, most dogs don’t mind humoring their human friends. Some even seem to enjoy grabbing the spotlight with their new look.

Internet shopping has taken the concept of dressing our dogs to new levels as websites offering all manner of “designer” dog clothing have popped up everywhere. With names like Glamour Dog, Designer Dog Wear, and Paw Printz Boutique (dot com, of course), these sites offer the tops in canine fashion for proud owners to place on their pups.

Years ago, it was not uncommon to see a dog in a knit sweater or some other cute clothing article, but today there are nearly as many clothing choices for dogs as there are for people. There are dresses and slacks, raincoats, eyewear, headwear, footwear, and every imaginable item. There is doggie casual wear, for hanging around on the beach, doggie formal wear for those special black tie occasions and even doggie wedding gowns and tuxedos for the wedding of a doggie’s dreams!

In many cases, the doggie designer clothing comes complete with a doggie designer price tag. Dog dresses at Glamour Dog dot com, for example, are listed with prices that run from $16.00 for a basic dress to $86.00 for prom wear! Some of these dog clothes cost more than many people spend to dress themselves. Nothing is too good for our “best friend!” Some personal favorites include the doggie trench coat, the various college football jerseys, and the 100% cotton doggie bathrobe – perfect for the pooch who wants to emulate Hugh Heffner.

High end Doggie Duds can be traced to celebrities like Paris Hilton’s Tinkerbell and Anna Nicole Smith’s Sugar Pie. Both are rarely seen in public with out some form of clothing. The PR these pups bring to the industry can do nothing but make the business boom even further.

So, if you’re in the market for dog clothes that will turn heads and get your pooch noticed, designer doggie duds may be just what the fashion critic ordered. Just be sure not to combine designer labels or adorn your dog in designs that clash. After all, what could be more gauche?

Enjoy the new Great Dogs Site Blog article and here are some of the other pet and dog sites that I currently operate. Hope you can find all of the information about dogs and caring for dogs that you are looking for through these sites.

Teri’s Dogs
Puppies & Pooches
TC Pet Stop

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Dog Grooming Tool Must Haves

Dog grooming tools are a must have. Even if you just wash and brush your dog. There are special tools that you can use for grooming your favorite furry friend. Here are just a few dog grooming tool must haves:

Dog Brushes
- One of the most important dog grooming tools you should have is dog brush. This is especially true with long coated and fragile dogs that need regular grooming to keep their coat neat, clean, and tangle-free. However, short-coated breeds also need some brushing to keep their coat clean as well. There are so many types and kinds of dog brushes available and choosing one should depend on the type of dog you have. You can choose from plastic brushes, metal brushes, and soft and hard ones.

Dog Combs

– Untangling accumulated coat from your dog especially on the parts of the ears, tail, and paws could be done with the help of dog combs. Like dog brushes, there are several types of dog combs. You can choose one depending on your dog’s needs but the rule stays the same regardless of what type of comb you have. That is, to use the instrument carefully to avoid hurting the dog’s skin.

De-matting Tool

– There are limitations with what brushes and combs can do. One of these is removing a mat and even preventing a mat from your dog. De-matting tool will do what brushes and combs could not. De-matting tool breaks up a mat concentration into smaller pieces that would make it easier to remove with a brush or a comb.

Dog Nail Clippers

– Another important dog grooming tool is the nail clipper. This tool will keep the dog’s nails look clean and trimmed. There are basically 2 types of dog nail clippers: scissors style nail clipper and the guillotine style clipper. Both work effectively well. The two designs come in different sizes to comply with every dog size and age.

Dog clipper And Blades

– For some, dog grooming means having dog clipper and blades. In fact, god owners love to talk about their clipper for it signifies that they maintain the grooming of their dogs. Some dog clippers have permanent blades while some have changeable ones. It depends on you, however, to choose between the two.

Scissors And Trimmers

– To keep your dog in-style, dog scissor is a must. There are several types of dog scissors available: curved shears, straight shears, thinning shears, and blunt-tipped shears. To know how to properly use these tools, you can read articles about the particular topic. Dog training schools and programs also include lesson on how to use dog scissors properly.

Bathing Equipment

– Dog grooming tool should not be limited to combs brushes and trimming tools, it must also include bathing equipment too. There are several types of bathing equipment today but the most important things you must have are shampoo, conditioners, blowers or dyers, and showers. Special blowers or dryers and showers for dogs may not be important anymore if you already have these things at home. However, since the formulation of human shampoo and conditioner is different, it may cause irritation to your pet. Thus, you need to invest dog shampoo and dog conditioner to keep their scalp and coat healthy and clean.

Among the optional dog grooming tools include grooming tables and cage or stand dyers. Grooming tables come in hydraulic models, stationary or electrical versions. Cage and stand dyers on the other hand are more popular on dog spa. Accessories are also available for grooming tables.

These are just some of the dog grooming tool must haves that you should have for your dog. There are others if you really want to go fancy. There is something out there for almost any dog hair/fur need that you may be looking for.

Enjoy the new Great Dogs Blog article and here are some other recommended Dog Sites Online on information about dogs from Teri Champigny.

Dogs & Puppies Adoption
All About Dogs
Because You Love Your Dog

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The Labrador Retriever

©2011 Teri Champigny, Great-Dogs-Site.com
All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

Many people think that the Labrador Retriever is a Canadian dog that comes from Labrador and Newfoundland, but is actually believed to be from Europe, England and Norway. The Labrador or sometimes just the Lab adapted very well to their environment. It was this early breed that the Newfoundland came from (this was the larger of the two dog breeds that developed).

It was the smaller short-haired breed that has become the beloved Labrador Retriever that we know and love today. It was found that this shorter-haired breed were excellent to use for small game hunting (usually birds) and fishing (retrieving fishing nets). Like most water dogs they have a double coat and have webbed paws. This makes them excellent swimmers. And they just absolutely love the water. The Labrador Retriever come in three colors – black, yellow and chocolate.

Labradors make excellent assistant dogs and police use them for search and rescue. Typically, Labradors are an athletic dog and love to swim, play catch and play retrieve games. They are good with young children, elderly, and for protection. They make a great family pet as they can have a life span of about 10-12 years, if they are kept healthy.

Labradors do require a lot of exercise and should taken out daily for a brisk walk. If you ride a bicycle you could have him tied to your bike and he could run beside you. If you are a runner, well that would be perfect, wouldn’t it, he could just run with you. Other great things you could do that you would both enjoy would be agility, flyball, dock diving and even you can do the search and rescue thing. This involves training for both of you but WOW is it fun.

Labs are like most working dogs – they are happiest if they have job to do. Like most dogs they love to please their human and what better way than to teach him to do things for you. You could train him to get your slippers, newspaper or just about anything as long as it’s something to do your Lab will be happy camper.

Labs are not a small dog. They are the cutest things when they are puppies. All chubby, fuzzy and all feet, but they can get large and weigh as much as 60-80 pounds or more when they get older. They are slow to mature, so at about 25 inches for the male and 24 for the female at about 2 years of age they still think they are small puppies, while most dogs mature at 2. The Lab does not fully mature both physically and mentally until they are about 3-4 years of age.

The Labrador Retriever is a true companion dog in every sense of the word. This is not a dog to leave alone. You have to think if you are ready for a dog, especially one like the Labrador Retriever. Ask yourself these questions.

1. Are you ready for a dog?
2. Do you have time for a dog?
3. Does where you live allow for dogs?
4. Do you have other pets in your household and will they co-exist with each other?
5. And this one is important – Can you afford to have a dog?

These are just a few things to consider when you want to get a Labrador Retriever or any kind of pet. Dogs are one of the best friends you can have. You can tell them anything and they’ll love you forever. But this can only happen if you can open yourself to the responsibilities of caring for your Labrador Retriever.

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How To Travel With Your Dog

How to travel with your dog, now here are a few tips on how to travel with your dog. Dogs are outstanding traveling companions – they don’t back-seat drive, misread road maps, insist on eating at truck stops, snore, or steal your covers!

They are kind, affectionate, adventurous, easygoing, protective, and courageous. What more could you ask for in a traveling companion. If you are traveling alone they make great company and keep you from being lonely on a long trip. If you have children they can also keep the children occupied.

What To Take With You

So, first of all, what do you take on trip with a dog?

1. A few old towels.
2. Several Airwick scent fresheners.
3. Two old sheets.
4. Several rolls of heavy duty paper towels.
5. A “pets allowed” motel guidebook listing.
6. Waders.
7. Ear plugs.
8. Nose plugs.
9. A two-day supply of marrow bones.
10. Tweezers.
11. Plain collar.
12. Choke collar.
13. Updated dog tags.
14. Your dog’s medical history.
15. Leash.
16. Dog food.
17. Can opener.
18. Food bowl.
19. Water bowl.
20. Tomato juice.

How To Plan Your Itinerary

Second, how do you plan your itinerary? Most problems will occur during one of the following events: the time-to-eat stop, the short time-to-tinkle stop, the long stretch-your-legs-and-run stop, the historic-visit stop, the overnight stop, and the picnic-enjoy-the-scenery stop. Doesn’t leave much, does it?

The Time-To-Eat-Stop

If you know your route, always try to pick a restaurant near a field or empty lot so you can give your puppy a run before you go in to eat. If you can’t find such a setup, you might have to resort to this tactic:

You pull into a parking space, open the door a crack, and pretzel yourself out. The problem with this tactic is, you have to return. If you are lucky and have trained your dog well, your dog will not howl while your are out of eyesight. However, the minute he spots spots you slinking up to your car with crushed bread crusts and leftover bacon rinds at the ready, he releases his happiness greeting. It is one thousand times more shattering than a mere howl.

If a dog does howl as you leave, don’t go back to shush him. This usually just encourages him, and of course in your dog’s mind he got a reaction from you, right?

So just walk on, ear plugs out of purse and pushed well in. Ignore or smile innocently at the couple with the two kids staring accusingly at you from the rolled-up windows in their SUV.

The Short Time-To-Tinkle Stop

The problem with the short stop is deciding when to stop. The best time for this stop is if your dog indicates impatience by digging in the rear seat upholstery or marching through and in between the seats, then it’s time.

There is that rare canine who slumbers with dreamy innocence through traffic curses and screeching brakes, but, never trust an angelic dog, because there aren’t any!

So when your dog starts doing his thing to let you know he needs out, you stop – at the first acceptable open space. However, herein lies a pitfall; how to pick a likely candidate.

The Best Advice is:

1) Avoid vacant lots – too much glass.
2) Bypass school play yards.
3) Approach public parks with extreme caution and only if your dog has impeccable manners.

I have managed, after some thousand scoldings, to make Same a proper gentlemen. He will heel on command, come immediately if my voice registers panic, and will not poop on grass.
You can train your dog not to poop on grass, it takes persistent training, but any housebroken dog can learn. It’s just an extension of his training. For a traveling dog, it is a consideration that may endear him to park groundsmen, although this is not guaranteed.

Watch for public parks as they have a childrens play area and this can be a great attraction to a dog. Well, cedar shavings or those rubberized mats that some have aren’t grass, and mistakes will happen. That’s why you carry the roll of paper towels. It is always a number one priority that these kinds of messes be cleaned up.

Old shrines and historic relics are also ill-advised. Pigeons live at these places and if they become startled, well let just say that your dog could be wearing the pigeons mistake. So out came the Airwick and two old towels.

The Overnight Stop

Bedding down for the night with a four-legged companion can present almost as many problems as with a two-legged one. Many motels do not allow pets. Once you find a place that will allow pets those two old sheets come in handy. One is for bed and one for his. Usually your dog will curl up obediently on his sheet at the foot of your bed when turn in, and then usually when you fall fast asleep, he’ll sneak onto the bed. You know he will.

One more thing about overnights – It goes without saying that dogs should never be left alone in motel rooms. It’s not fair to the management, your neighbors, or your dog.

The Picnic Stop

The picnic stop is potentially one of the most pleasurable travel events, but easily the most hazardous. The problem is, you want to eat; you want to lean back and enjoy the scenery, along with your leftover sandwich.

But this means that you can’t watch the dog every five seconds. Of course you can tie him up. But consider this criminal if you are in open, unpopulated country.

The problem if you let your dog run loose even in the country is that they FIND things. Things can be and are usually something that is dead (and dogs for some reason love to roll around in this type of thing). If this happens to you then this is where the waders come in handy… a bath in the nearest stream. Once dunked and scrubbed, pulling out one or all of the three old towels, you then use the tomato juice.

For those unfamiliar with this remedy, tomato juice is the absolute best remedy for cleaning up your dog if he meets with the unfortunate clash with a skunk or decides to roll around in something dead.

Traveling with your dog that is one of the most important essentials that you must bring along – a loving sense of humor!

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