It's a Dog's Life!

So Many Dog Breeds, So Little Time

Dog training and dog breeds go together paw in paw. The type of dog breed you select will determine how easy it will be to train your dog.

But when choosing a dog, prime consideration must be given to various factors that make up the fabric of your life:

      . if you have children, how old and rambuctious are they;
      . whether you work or stay at home most of the time;
      . does a member of your household suffer from allergies;
      . do you have the stamina to put up with an energetic canine;
      . the size of your home and garden (and some surprising facts);
      . how much time do you have to devote to your dog;
      . your dog's personality (yes, we have one too) should match yours;
      . are you up to exercising an energetic dog;
      . your budget (some of us are high maintenance).

Once you have addressed these issues, prepare to be entertained as we go through the eight groups of dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC):

      . the herding dogs                                                           
      . the hound dogs
      . the non-sporting breeds
      . the sporting breeds
      . the terrier
      . the toy dogs
      . the working group
      . the mixed breeds                               

What may surprise you is that temperaments can vary wildly even among one particular group, so don't automatically dismiss some dog breeds as unsuitable; you may well find the perfect gem hiding in the midst of that very group, so just keep sniffing around ... it works for me!

Dog Training for the Dog Lover

Your next challenge will be dog training. Once you have selected the right dog breed to fit in with your lifestyle and your family, it is important that you lose no time in establishing a pecking order so to speak, with your dog at the bottom of the totem pole.

Of course, there are exceptions to the rule; a timid or abused dog will have to be given special consideration to help boost his confidence.

Not to worry, I'll reveal my best dog whisperer secrets to help you deal with dog behavior problems and nip dog barking in the bud, and my professional dog trainers will teach you all about how to approach crate training and shine at dog obedience training. Even puppy potty training will be easier with our training schedules.

Dog Food to Die For!

If anything positive can be said about the Summer of 2007 Dog Food Recall, it is that it has finally focused attention on the shameful practices that were prevalent in the dog food industry.

With the hundreds of brands and types of dog food available, a new owner can easily be drawn to distraction, if not total analysis paralysis.

Let our experts guide you in selecting the best dog food for the best dog health. We'll even cover natural foods, herbs and supplements to ensure the best health possible for your dog.

You have your work cut out. So go ahead and have fun, but remember: the happiness of your new friend will depend entirely on how well you do your homework and prepare yourself for the new arrival.

You are choosing to bring home a living, sensitive being with a personality of his own who will look to you for guidance and will expect to fit into your lifestyle. Don't be surprised if he turns out to be the best friend you ever had!