Archive for September, 2010

If you are one of the dog lovers, you may find that taking care of any dog is enjoyable and fun. However you should keep in mind that there is a great deal of responsibility as well.

Give More Attention to Small Dog Breeds

Small dogs can require more attention from their owners, they cannot be left alone for more than a day, and they may have health problems as they age. Smaller dogs also do not require as much exercise as other breeds. Small dog breeds such as the poodle, maltese, shiz tu, and bichon frise are considered hypoallergenic because they do not shed as much as other breeds and they produce less dander.

Small dog breeds want to spend a lot of time with their owners. This may mean being in the same room, sitting on your lap, or being next to your bed at night. Depending on your dog’s personality, you may need to adjust your schedule in order to spend more time at home with your dog. As your dog ages, it may need less attention, but as a rule, small dogs will demand a lot more of your time than larger breeds.
Playing with Small Dog Breeds

You will have to keep your dog occupied with toys and games so that it does not get bored. Some small dogs enjoy completing tasks and are considered ‘working dogs.’ If you notice that your dog seems lethargic or does not want to play with their toys anymore, you may need to buy them some new ones. Playing fetch everyday mimics a task which will keep your dog happy.
When you need to travel, you should board your dog so that it will not feel lonely. Dogs that are left alone for a few days will usually not eat their food in order to conserve it. They may become angry or nervous and destroy your home or they may make themselves sick with worry. If you do not want to board your dog, you should have someone pet sit or at least check in on the dog everyday.

Small Dog Breeds’ Health Problems

As small dogs age, they may be susceptible to many health problems. Because of their small frame, they may suffer broken or fractured bones, arthritis, and other motor skill problems. Loss of eye sight, sense of smell, and hair loss are also common. While these breeds tend to live fifteen to eighteen years on average, they may have health problems for a few years.

If you are looking for a dog to run with on the beach or take for long walks, then you may need to look elsewhere for a dog. Small breeds, even though they love to run, play, and jump, do not need as much exercise. Walking the dog around the block is enough as the dogs will become tired and agitated. Some small breeders such as the terrier can walk and run for a little while longer, but they still do not have to energy that larger breeds have.
When looking for a hypoallergenic dog, you should consider your lifestyle and what you want from a pet. If you want to walk your dog short distances each day and play fetch, then a small breed may be for you.

Why Do Dogs Dig Holes

Digging holes is one of the unacceptable behaviors of dogs. Digging, barking and chewing are natural behaviors of dogs thus although these behaviors can be modified they cannot be totally eliminated. Whenever given a chance, a dog will dig. Dogs are lovable and at times exasperating pets because unknowing that digging is an unacceptable behavior, the holes it has made on the garden would be presented to the master with a happily wagging tail.

Dogs are affectionate pets that have the desire of pleasing the master and digging holes can be its way of repaying the master for all the love and the care it has received. Dogs are well loved pets but it would certainly be frustrating if the garden that eats a lot of your free time will be destroyed by the dog again and again. This problem can be prevented by keeping the dog on a leash but as it is customary for dog owners to want the dog around this would not be a very good option. Would knowing the reasons behind the dog’s unacceptable behavior help? This option can be more effective method of amending the dog’s destructive behavior.

Boredom will be listed as one of the reasons why dogs develop the unwanted digging behavior. Most of the undesirable behaviors of dogs were developed because of boredom. Dogs are not only energetic, they are also social animals. Being energetic and social animals, dogs will develop the destructive habit of digging holes if not allowed to let off steam or not given opportunities to bond with the family.

Dogs would always want to receive attention from the family but because of tight schedules, pet owners may not have the time to bond with the pet thus the destructive digging behavior will be developed. The irate master would scold the dog but in a dog’s thinking, reprimand would be better than being ignored. Dogs would dig holes to gain freedom. Dogs do not enjoy being leashed because these energetic animals love to roam. Dogs will be curious of the sounds and scents on the other side of the fence. The dog will dig tunnels under the fence to get to the other side.

Digging is fun for the dog. When the weather is hot the dog will be seen frantically digging. Dogs would lie on the newly dug hole to keep cool. Dogs in the wild would dig holes to bury food and prey. If we store our foods in refrigerators, dogs would use holes for storage purposes. Dogs will be seen digging holes to bury bones and other “treasures” that can be unearthed when food is scarce.