While humans have many outlets for grief over the loss of a dog, like a DoggySpace memorial, the late dog’s furry pal is often left to struggle with his or her grief. For the friend and companion of a deceased dog life changes drastically when they lose a loved one. Not only does a grieving dog have to cope with the loss of a friend but her or she also has to determine where his or her place in the ‘pack’ is now that their companion is gone.
How you handle your dog’s grief can help him or her cope with their sense of loss and return to their healthy, happy doggy nature. A grieving dog may display his or her sense of loss through acting ‘depressed.’ A lack of appetite, less barking, acting tired, being sluggish, or losing interest in activities such as play and walks are all signs of dog grief.
If your dog is grieving you can help. While replacing the lost pet may be one of the first ways to help your dog ‘move on’ that come to mind, its recommended that you wait until your pet has finished grieving before giving them a new pal. Instead, spend more time with your grieving pet. Spend time grooming or petting them, take them on car rides or walks designed to spend time with him or her. Also, make sure to leave a blanket or mat that belonged to the deceased dog around the house. This will help the grieving dog to remember their lost pal and deal with their emotions.
As you help your dog cope with his or her grief you will find that the bond between you and your pet has grown eternally stronger.
If you’re thinking about adopting a dog, but cringe at the idea of having to housetrain a puppy, then the adult dog may be for your. While it’s true that some adult dogs are up for adoption because they have been mistreated, either by their family or as a producer of puppies for a puppy mill, this doesn’t make adult dogs ‘criminals. Most adoptable adult dogs were given up by families who found that they couldn’t afford the time or money to maintain dog ownership, got them for a child or relative who tired of them, or simply got lost and were never found.
Adult dogs are often at least partially trained, so housebreaking is no longer a major concern. Another benefit of adopting an adult dog is that they have outgrown the hyperactivity and love of chewing that younger dogs often display. Meanwhile, they’re just as willing and ready to play, without having to be calmed down in between.
Adult dogs are just as willing to find a new family and become part of a “pack” again as younger dogs, but are often more sensitive to their family’s needs and placement in the pack, meaning less headaches as you teach your dog their status in your family. While some people believe that adult dogs may not be as loyal or loving to a new family as a puppy, this is a myth. Adult dogs tend to spend just as much energy loving their new family as a puppy does, without requiring as much effort to train.
Having trouble keeping your smart hound occupied and out of the “dog house?” Trainers say that dogs that are occupied are less likely to engage in undesirable activity, like chewing on your shoes, and smart dogs tend to get bored easily. Here are some games you can play with your intelligent dog to keep him or her entertained.
- Retrieving items is a great game for smart dogs that love to feel like they’re useful and part of something. Train your dog to recognize an item, from the remote to the car keys, and then ask them to “fetch” it. As they get used to the game you can even send them on the hunt for items stashed in a separate room.
- Indoor or out and obstacle course is not only a great way to give a dog physical exercise but a mental workout as well. If you’re indoors you can create an obstacle course out of Pilates balls, chairs, tables, or anything sturdy enough for your dog to climb over, under, or around. Outside you can create larger courses with slides, stairs, and poles for them to weave under over and around.
- Clean up is another handy game for dogs that like to have a job to do. Using a command like “Pick up” guide your dog through the steps of using his or her mouth to carry a toy back to its rightful place. Soon enough you’ll be able to keep them entertained and straightening the house with a simple command.
- Ball and Cups are a great game to entertain dog’s minds. Place a ball underneath one of two, or even three, cups and shuffle them around. Let your dog sniff and determine which cup holds the ball. You can even train your dog to tap the proper cup with his or her paw to add to the fun.
- Letting your dog play “messenger” by delivering presents or messages tucked in their collar can also be an easy and fun way to keep your dog entertained, while exercising his or her ability to “find” a family member.
- For those moments when your dog needs entertainment but you can’t be by their side consider an interactive dog toy, like Nina Ottosson’s Zoo Active Toys, which not only entertain dogs but help develop their problem solving skills.
The first week a puppy is in its new home is the most important week of training. From crate and potty training to getting your new pet to stop chewing and whining the amount of training may seem overwhelming. While the desire to tackle one item of training at a time, or wait until everyone has adjusted to the new pet may be strong, a new puppy is most impressionable during its first week in its new home. Your new puppy will learn best during this time.
Using a crate is an important part of training your pet. He or she will need to spend a lot of time in their crate, and the sooner you show him or her that it’s a nice play to be the better. Make sure the puppy’s crate is just big enough to turn around it, so that they will not potty in it and so that they will feel safe. Be sure to put in comfortable padding and to reward your new dog with a treat for the time they spend in the crate.
Potty training is often a difficult task for an excitable puppy. Many trainers recommend restricting your dog to a small room and lining the floor with puppy pee pads or newspapers until they are housebroken. Whatever method you choose, make sure to take your dog out before and after meals, as soon as they get up from sleeping, and after they spend time alone or in their crate. Always walk a new puppy, encourage it to “potty” and praise it when it does so.
Whining, chewing, and jumping up are social behaviors you will want to tackle in the first week. If your new puppy misbehaves, do not punish it. It is still learning the rules and how it should act. Instead, re-direct it and praise him or her if it follows your redirection. For whining, refuse to acknowledge your dog, instead of coming to their call or scolding them. When you are ready to acknowledge you puppy, call him or her to you. If your dog is caught chewing something they should not, redirect them to a chew toy and praise them when they chew on it instead. Teaching your dog “down” when they try to jump up and not allowing your cute new puppy to jump excitedly will save you time and trouble as they grow to adults.
Don’t allow your puppy to do anything that will irritate you in the long run or as they grow to adulthood or you may confuse your new pet. Remember that your new puppy is learning the rules and try to be patient with him or her as they learn.
While potty training a new puppy may seem like a chore you’d rather avoid but, when potty training is done correctly, it can be turned into an easy task. Here are some hints to help you with your new puppy’s potty training:
Create the Right Mindset:
For both yourself and your puppy this is an important step. In order for your new pet to learn quickly and come to feel safe and loved in his or her new home you will need to never, ever criticize your potty training puppy for his or her failure. Doing so will make them afraid, and will make it harder for them to learn. Instead of rubbing your puppy’s nose in his or her mistake, calmly tell your puppy “No,” clean up after your pet, and start again. When your puppy gets it right praise them, but never punish them for a potty accident when they are training.
Supervised the Deed:
You’ll need to keep an eye on your puppy all the time. If you have to work, make sure your puppy is in his or her crate, and has just enough room to turn around in so they aren’t tempted to potty. When you’re home keep a constant eye on them, watching for potty signals such as pacing or sniffing the floor. If they display these signs, calmly take them outside and walk them. It is important to walk your dog, not just send them outside. While you walk your puppy tell him or her repeatedly to “Potty” then praise him or her when they do. Walking your puppy can also help you train him or her to potty in the area you want them to.
Using a Crate:
Whether it’s watching your favorite TV show, playing a game with the kids, or taking a shower, any time you can’t watch your puppy 100% then its time for Fido to spend some time in the crate. A good crate will be just big enough for him or her to turn around in and should be outfitted with a blanket or pad and a toy. Don’t put food or water in the crate, and don’t be tempted to let Fido have “room to stretch” as this may cause them to potty in their crate. Before and after you let your puppy spend time in the crate take them out for a walk, so they can potty. Don’t let anything get in the way of this or they may have an accident. When you’re going to work and during the night are two times you will definitely want to crate your pet to prevent accidents.
Using the proper mindset, supervision, and crate techniques will make housebreaking will be a breeze. Remember to praise your pup for their success and let their failures pass.
Many new puppy parents may not realize the importance of dog food in their puppy’s health and growth. But the proper dog food, or more precisely puppy food, can keep you out of the Veterinarian’s office in years to come. There are many different options for feeding your puppy, from canned or moist to dry foods, brand, holistic, and organic foods, as well as foods that vary by dog age and breed.
For puppies the most important thing is to buy a premium brand of dog food that matches their age and breed or size. By feeding your dog slightly more expensive foods while they are growing and developing their muscles and bodies you will be saving yourself money in the future. Puppies whose diets are not well designed to fit their growing bodies and breed’s needs often suffer from musculoskeletal disorders like hip dysplasia. Non-premium, or low-cost, store brands can also create food allergies in your pet. Dogs have been shown to become sensitive to the “filler” foods used in lower-cost brand name dog and puppy food, like wheat and corn.
Choosing the best food for your puppy can save you money in the long-term, even though it may seem you’re spending more now. Dog obesity, allergies, and growth and musculoskeletal disorders can be avoided if you start your puppy out right, with a premium dog food designed to meet their needs for growth.
Finding the perfect dog name for your new pet can often be difficult. Dog names are many and varied, ranging from the owner’s favorite actor to a long lost relative’s name. When naming a dog it is always best to keep the name to one syllable, so that the dog can easily recognize their name. If you have adopted an adult dog and you want to change his or her name you will want to find a name that mirrors their old name in some form, for example Lassie can become Lady. For puppies some owners like to try and name their dog according to the pet’s personality or a physical attribute, like Precious for a sweet puppy, or Bear for one that likes to growl and pretend at being ferocious.
If you’re having trouble selecting a name for your new dog, check out what’s hot on a dog name directory like the one at DoggySpace’s Dog Names Directory. A directory will help you see what’s popular and what’s less common in dog names. Seeing what other people have named their dogs can also help you come up with ideas. Names of characters from movies, like Lady or Marley, or names of dogs from books are often popular with pet owners. Whatever you choose make sure it is short enough for your pet to recognize it.
Expect to have to spend some time training your dog to respond to his or her name. When you call or speak to your dog and they respond, treat them with praise and even reward them with a doggy treat until they respond every time.
When a dog moves into your home, they become a part of your family. Devoted, affectionate, quirky, and completely irreplaceable, and then one day they’re gone. Feelings of depression, numbness or even anger are common for owners who have lost their pets. Learning how to express your feelings about your pet crossing the ‘rainbow bridge’ will help you cope with grieving.
How you say goodbye to your beloved pet can help you deal with your grief. No matter what you believe about the life after death, a pet funeral can help you cope with your feeling of loss. By gathering with those who loved your pet and committing their body or ashes to the ground you and others who loved the dog will be able to express their feelings with each other. Having support and understanding can help to ease the pain of a pet’s passing.
Another way to express your feelings of loss is to create a memorial for your dog. An online memorial on a social network for dogs like DoggySpace not only allows you to let your dog’s pals know he or she has passed but also lets you expresses your feelings of loss. Many pet owners find comfort in memorials that share their dog’s photo and the good memories they have of their pet. A problem some grieving dog owners have is that many people do not understand your feelings of loss over a pet. Having a DoggySpace or online memorial will also allow you to connect with other owners who have lost pets, allowing you to find the emotional support you need in your time of grief.
Dealing with the loss of a pet is often difficult and painful. Through expressing your feelings and memorializing your dog you cope with the empty space your pet used to occupy in your life.
What do you do when the unexpected happens, and your dog becomes severely injured or ill? From slipped disks to cranial cruciate repair some dog surgeries can cost thousands of dollars. Owners who don’t have the money to pay for their dog’s surgeries or hospitalization may feel that they have to face the difficult task of having their beloved pet euthanized, or ‘put to sleep.’
Before you choose to give up on your pet’s life, you may want to apply for financial assistance. There are many companies and non-profit organizations that recognize the need for medical financing for dog’s emergency or expensive medical needs.
Here’s a list of some of the organizations that offer Financial Assistance for Dogs:
Some dog breed societies also offer financing for dogs of that breed. Check you’re your local breed society if you’re an owner of a breed dog looking for assistance. Application times, terms, and qualifications often vary so do your research to find the best aid for your dog’s medical needs.
