Things You Need To Know When Considering A Doggy Day Care

Is your dog home alone? Does your pup get excited as soon as you open the door? She probably does because she misses you; shes lonely and wants companionship as well as physical and mental stimulation. Doggy day care may be your answer.

Doggie day cares work the same as human day cares, with a drop off and pickup time, with a safe and healthy interaction with other dogs and people in between. You should tour the facility checking for health conditions and how their staff interacts with the dogs, what type of training do the staff members get etc..

Other considerations; is there an outdoor play area, is it fenced, does the facility seem overcrowded? Are the dogs required to follow basic obedience commands, will the staff feed the dogs and when, will they allow you to brig your own food if needed, does the facility have its own veterinarian if needed in an emergency? Make a list of your own concerns and questions.

Costs of doggy day cares are typically $8.00 to $15.00 a day, but can be much higher based on location, facility, and the level of care given. In home daycares are usually cheaper, but provide only the most basic level of care and attention.

Day care centers may also be combined with boarding kennels, training kennels, and grooming spas. But no matter how basic or how excessive, they all require proof of current vaccinations, and good health, with some requiring a Veterinarians examination.

However, day care may not be appropriate for every dog, especially those that are aggressive or over protective. They must be able to interact with the other dogs and the staff of the facility. Most daycare providers are listed in your local phone book and newspaper classifieds, and most local dog clubs and associations and their members can give you a personal recommendation.

Lastly, after placing your dog in a day care environment, take not of his or her behavior. Is it better, worse, or unchanged? Better or unchanged are ok, but worse is a red flag. Bad habits can be learned quickly, and an unhappy experience can leave your dog depressed, more aggressive, or just plain miserable. Dont hesitate to stop or change day cares when behaviors change.

Randy Jones and his partner Brent Jones have been in the pet industry for a long time. Recently they formed http://Joncopets.com. On the site, customers can shop for the latest dog collars, dog clothes, pet supplies and more. Check them out at http://www.joncopets.com

How Chihuahuas Can Make The Perfect Pets

The Chihuahua (pronounced "Chee-wa-wa") is one of the oldest and most popular dog breeds in the world. He is also the smallest canine bred today. At his maximum height, he stands only 9 inches at the shoulders; however, most Chihuahuas are usually in around 6-8 inches high. Commonly referred to as a "Chi", the Chihuahua is a native of Mexico and comes in different colors and two coat varieties: smooth hair and long haired.

Chihuahuas live up to 18 years, are devoted to their owners, and are pumped full of attitude. For such a pint size dog, the Chihuahua has a serious personality, and isnt afraid to show it off; he is completely oblivious to his size although his fearless behavior can be quite endearing at times, it can also get the Chi into plenty of trouble if he is not properly socialized and trained.

You see, without the proper training and socialization, the Chihuahua can become aggressive and excessively suspicious towards strangers and overprotective of their owner. Furthermore, he won't show discretion towards larger dogs and will attempt to stand his ground. All dogs require guidance starting from puppy hood - Chis are no exception.

Chihuahuas are relatively easy to train as long as training is consistent and you are persistent. They are quite intelligent but are also willful. Even though they are sweet and loveable, this dog must be shown his place and controlled.

Chihuahuas tend to favor their owner over everyone else, and are not exceptionally sociable with strangers. A Chihuahua won't think twice about snapping at a teasing child, and they also aren't wild about other family pets, but will be able to tolerate most if raised with them as a puppy. That being said, they get along well with their own kind.

Like all of his canine cousins, the Chi loves to play and needs a certain amount of exercise to keep his muscles strong, and to maintain his healthy bodyweight of 2-4 pounds.

This breed loves to go out for walks, and will be happy to travel anywhere with their owner. However, because Chis have small legs and can't walk for an extended period of time, many owners purchase dog carriers for their pooch. Many dog carriers today are highly fashionable, and allow you to comfortably carry your Chi so you can take him with you wherever you go.

In addition to the pet carrier, something else one needs to keep in mind when owning a Chihuahua is that they are sensitive to cool temperatures. Therefore, they should be provided with proper attire on cold days, such as a jacket or sweater.

Moreover, aside from being sensitive to cool climates, Chihuahuas are also prone to other health issues you should be aware of such as hypoglycemia, knee problems and molera. Molera is a term for the soft spot in the centre of a Chis head where the skull has not fully closed. Due to this condition, a single blow to the head could kill a Chihuahua. Thus, Chihuahuas are small dogs that can easily be injured if sat on or handled roughly. For this reason, the Chihuahua is not a good mix with younger children that could unintentionally harm the dog.

When it all comes down to it, Chihuahuas make ideal pets for families with older, responsible children (above the age of 10), and anyone who is looking for a solid companion that they can give their love and attention to.

One couldn't ask for a more loyal and loving companion than the dynamic and unique Chihuahua.

Richard Cussons cares about all dogs and the Chihuahua is a favorite. You can find out more about Chihuahuas at http://www.chihuahuasavvy.com/