Socializing Your Dog or Puppy

Ongoing socialization is extremely important to prevent behavior problems. Socialization is especially important before the age of 6 months, but should also throughout your dog’s lifetime. Gentle socialization plays a huge role in preventing aggression and fearful behavior. Lack of socialization can lead to hyperactive behavior, barking, shyness and aggression. The younger you begin socializing your dog, the better, but all dogs can be gradually brought into new and even initially fearful situations and learn to enjoy them. Socialization is a lifelong process. For example, if your dog does not see any dogs for months or years at a time, you would expect his behavior to change around them when he does finally see them again.

How to expose your dog to something new or something he is wary of:
• Make sure that you remain calm and up-beat and keep his leash loose, if he is wearing one.
• Expose him gradually to what he is fearful of, never forcing him. Allow him to retreat if he wants too.
• Reward him for being calm or for exploring the new situation.
Try to expose your dog regularly to all of the things and situations you would like him to be able to cope with
calmly in the future. Progress slowly enough so that it is easy for your dog to enjoy the sessions. It will seem
like a lot of time to spend at first, but it will pay off with a well-behaved dog! Below are some examples, but is
not an exhaustive list:
• Meeting new people of all types, including children, men, crowds, people wearing hats, disabled, etc.
• Meeting new dogs (due to disease risk, do not bring your pup to areas with lots of dogs until after 4 months
– unless it’s a well-run puppy kindergarten). Positive training classes are great for this.
• Exposure to other pets such as cats, horses, birds
• Teach him to enjoy his crate
• Riding in the car (be sure to restrain him using a secured crate or dog seatbelt for safety).
• Being held, touched all over and in different ways, being bathed and groomed.
• Visiting the veterinarian’s office, groomer, daycare, boarding kennel.
• Exposure to loud noises and strange objects (ex. umbrella opening).
• Exposure to traffic, motorcycles, bicycles, skateboards, joggers.
• Getting him used to being left alone for a few hours at a time.

Essential items for activity-loving dogs

Whilst many dogs enjoy pampered lives trotting around the local park, having the latest diamante accessories lavished on them and being groomed to perfection, its not the life for all pooches. Some pets, like their owners enjoy activity-based pursuits, wading in the sea or walking in mountainous scenery. For these adrenalin-loving pairings, there's nothing better than exploring new places to walk, going out no matter what the weather.

To fully enjoy the British countryside, its essential to pack a few items for your activities. A water bowl and container are most important to re-hydrate your dog after a busy play session. Portable drinks bowls can be purchased to be easily stored in a car or rucksack. Treats are vital in gaining your dog's attention and helping you to train him/her whilst out in a distracting place. The woods for one can be an ideal place for rabbit chasing, so a whistle could also help to back up your commands.

For those days when the weather isn't so kind, a ruffwear-style coat is perfect for keeping the cold and damp out. No matter whether your dog is a poodle or a springer spaniel, a warm coat can provide a lot of comfort on wintery mornings. The dark also brings its challenges, so make sure to invest in a reflective collar and safety light to ensure your dog can be seen. This is not only important in urban areas, where there are cars, cyclists and pedestrians, but also in rural areas to enable you to locate your friend.

Rubber balls, tuggers, frisbees and other toys are also vital to keep your dog having fun during long walks or training sessions. Try not to take material toys that can get soggy and unhygienic. Instead, opt for plastic or rubber items that can be wiped off easily.

Such items will mean that whatever the weather, wherever the place, you and your dog can make the most of your time together.

Health for Pets : Vitamins and Supplements

There are so many different types of supplements  and vitamins on the market for pets that it makes it almost impossible to decide on which ones to feed to your pet.

There are also conflicting views on whether, in fact, pets really need supplements and vitamins. Some experts say that some of these products work whilst others disagree and maintain that some supplements and vitamins may really be injurious to your dog.

The common thought is if your pet is meeting a balanced and complete diet, for example a high quality food recommended by veterinarians, then supplying extra supplements and vitamins should not be necessary. However, pets fed exclusively on a home-baked diet may need to be supplemented. It is incredibly important to get the advice of a vet or dietitian before adding supplements or vitamins to a pet's diet. According to some experts, too much of proper vitamins and minerals may be detrimental to your pet's health.

Too much calcium is believed to cause skeletal problems and too much Vitamin A may harm blood vessels and make dehydration and joint hurt. Too much Vitamin D, according to some, cause loss of appetite, damage bones and can even cause muscle atrophy.

Not all vitamins and supplements are created the same, many have harmful components. Whether dog supplements actually work, depends on what the supplement is used for and how it is manufactured.
Some experts say probiotics are safe for long term use and fish oil supplements will help to reduce inflammation and aid in coats looking shiny and healthy.

However, a quality dog vitamin should be made from all the very best natural ingredients available without any unnecessary fillers or additives. Antioxidants are must to the health and well being of your pet and antioxidants are vitamins, minerals and enzymes that protect the body and help it to functionbetter and in a more healthy way.

It may be a good idea to find the labels on dog foods to check what supplements and vitamins it carries. Before adding supplements and vitamins to your pet's diet it is very important to check with your veterinarian as to which ones are best for your pet as different ailments need different supplements and vitamins.

Poodles (Complete Pet Owner's Manual)

Product Description

Poodles come in miniature, toy, and standard sizes, and in a variety of colors. Despite their popularity as show dogs, all poodles share ancestry as bird hunters' retrievers. This book is a new title in Barron's extensive line of Complete Pet Owner's Manuals. They advise current and soon-to-be pet owners on the care of dogs and cats of virtually all recognized breeds, as well as on birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, small mammals, and even exotic creatures like tarantulas and sugar gliders. The information in each book is authoritative but the language is non-technical and easy for every pet owner to understand. Every title in this series is individually written from first page to last by a breeder, trainer, veterinarian, or other animal specialist. All Complete Pet Owner's Manuals are filled with high-quality color photographs and instructive line art.

From the Inside Flap

(back cover):
Information and advice to help you take good care of your Poodle

The typical Poodle: its origins, anatomy, physical traits, temperament, and more

Expert advice: choosing and training your dog, feeding, health care, exercise, grooming, and more

Understanding your Poodle: its voice, its body language, and their meaning

Step-by-step directions for everyday care

Informative and attractive checklists and sidebars

Filled with handsome full-color photos

(picture caption)
Today's Poodle is a popular show dog, but he originated as a hunter and retriever.

Customer Reviews

 by Pat Gettner

Great book for the those new and "not so new" to the ownership of poodles. It has been 11 years since we had a poodle puppy and even though we have had a poodle before---this book is very informative and fun to read. It is nice to know more about these wonderful friends we love to share our lives with. 

 By A Customer

This book was very helpful to us as new poodle owners. We followed its advice and have a wonderful dog who is about one year old now. The poodles are as smart and sensitive as they are described!! One piece of advice--get your poodle used to the groomer early, you will both be so much happier!! 

By A Customer

Many inexpensive dog books suffer from a 'cookie-cutter' approach. I was happy to find that this book does not. In fact, it has much information that is Poodle specific.

I've recommended this book to a number of Poodle breeders I know. I think every puppy buyer would profit from being sent home with a copy of it.

Poodles have a number of special requirements, notably grooming. This slim book manages to give the new owner plenty of information about these topics.

Breeders --Buy this book and give it to your puppy buyers!