As a dog owner you have felt at least once that your dog is not listening to you and you get embarrassed when the dog does something bad and you can’t control him and you just end up calling and shouting without luck. In the meanwhile a whole park is staring at you because they can all hear the shouts but still the dog treats you like the invisible man.
When you are in the training process, you do all your best dog training moves, the distraction techniques, reward training, hand signs. You end up jumping around the place and the only result is you being a great source of entertainment to your now growing park audience. This maybe a little exaggerated, but I think that you are getting the idea.
I truly believe that all dog owners want the best relationship with their pet. They want their dog to be happy and yes, well-behaved. There is a very special bond between dogs and humans that is laced in unconditional love, compassion and companionship. This is why the dog is the man’s best friend!
Then how could you possibly create this balanced working relationship with your dog? Well if you want your dog to listen to you then you’d better think about starting to listen to them. Now your dog is not going to start talking to you but they are always communicating using a language of feelings and when you pay attention to them you will start to feel their communication
So how is it possible to create this wonderful, meaning full and understanding relationship I hear you ask? Animal communication is a very natural way for you to connect with your dog’s feelings and understand them in detail. It builds on your relationship by bringing your attention to the feeling state that you are sharing.
When I say “your can feel them completely” I mean you can understand them on a deeper emotional and physical level. You don’t need to be gifted to make this type of communication happen as everyone can do this and it is very easy to learn.
Animal communication is so much easier than you maybe thinking and you are only simple steps away from impressively improving your dog training and developing a deeper and more meaningful relationship, so it really worth looking into!

Many people don’t have a clue about the responsibilities related with pet ownership. They may have good intentions but they soon realize that having a pet at home is not as easy as they thought it would be and this revelation can often lead to tragedy.

Most people, either children or adults want a pet because they find it “cute” They watch movies, TV shows with adorable baby animals, which by the way are already trained and their desire for a pet is getting bigger. Usually their desire is directed to a puppy or a kitten, (often a specific breed) and finally they bring it at home. Everyone is happy and wants to take the furry little thing in their lap, cuddle it and play with it.
When the issue comes to who’s going to take care of it, then the excitement wears off since nobody wants to do it.

People who never had a pet don’t have the slightest idea of how it is to take care of one. They think it’s easy, put some food and water in their bowls twice a day and that’s it. Their new furry friend will be playful and happy whenever they want. After all, how much trouble can a loving little thing cause?

Surprise, surprise!

A pet in your house is like a child in your house. In fact at some point your child grows up and doesn’t need your care any more, they become independent and leave your house to live on their own. The same thing won’t happen with your pet. Your pet will always be a child that will require your attention and care as long as it is with you. So, there are a lot of things to consider before taking the serious decision of adopting a pet.

Getting a pet is not like buying a car. It’s a living creature so if you don’t get along it is not easy to get rid of it of change it for something else. When you adopt a pet you become the animal’s “parent” as long as it lives. You must keep in mind that, a dog for example has an average life expectancy of 14-15 years. So, for the next 14-15 years or so, it will be your responsibility!

It’s like having a baby at home. You can’t send it back because it doesn’t meet your expectations or because it’s different than what you thought it would be. Or can you? I hope not. The same kind of responsibility must be in your minds when you are thinking of getting a pet.

A pet is not a video game. You don’t just shut it down when you’re finished playing with it and expect it to just sit waiting for you until you decide to come back. Puppies are like young children. They need a lot of sleep but when they are not asleep they are wondering around the house looking for fun! A puppy who’s just started growing teeth will find a lot of fun and pleasure in chewing your favourite shoes or slippers. At this point many people start losing their patience and instead of finding a way to divert the puppy’s attention to something else, they get rid of it in an animal shelter, or worse they abandon it in the streets. The only crime of the puppy was in fact that it was a puppy!  Puppies are not destructive and naughty just because they want to make you furious. It’s just what they do. If you are considering of getting one you must rearrange your home first, so the puppy will not have access to things you don’t want to be destroyed. Another good idea is buying a lot of chew toys. You can be sure that the puppy will choose them instead of your shoes.

Another important issue to consider is which breed you are fond of and would like to obtain. Every breed has special characteristics and even though you’d love to get a puppy of a certain breed, this may not be the right one for you. There are certain things to consider, for instance will it be easy to train, will it be a shy dog or a hyperactive that will require many walks during the day, will there be any health problems with the breed you chose, etc. You may adore a Labrador or a German Shepherd but if you live in a small apartment, maybe you should reconsider. Large dogs require space to run and play and they’ll feel depressed in a confined space. Also some large breeds develop back or hip problems that will require extra health care especially when they are getting older.

Pets also cost money to raise and maintain, just like children do. You must buy pet food, pay several bills to the vet when your beloved friend needs vaccines or medical care, monthly expenses such as heartworm and flea control and maybe grooming bills. You must also remember that you’ll have extra costs when you leave for vacation and leave the animal in a pet hotel. My point is, if you’re not fully aware of the cost of having an animal, maybe you should reconsider. Of course they worth every penny you’ll spend for them and they’ll pay you back with their unconditioned love, but still you should know all about it.

Another thing you must consider is neutering-spaying your pet. If you don’t plan on breeding it, you must go to a vet and have it neutered-spayed. There are a lot of people who don’t like depriving sex from their pet. Don’t think like them! It is a fact that if you don’t get your pet neutered while being young there will be many problems in the future and most important, health problems. If you don’t spay your female dog, it’s quite possible to develop cancer in its uterus in later life.

Many male or female dogs become short-tempered and anxious because they are not allowed to mate and this is against their nature.

Some people think that they can solve this problem if they allow their dog to mate at least once. Some others like the idea of having a puppy of their dog before being spayed. I strongly disagree with these tactics. First it is very irresponsible to allow pets to reproduce without control. Overpopulation in pets is a very serious problem. Every year 10-12 million pets are euthanized by shelters because they can’t find homes for them. Why would anyone of you want to add to this number? Second, dogs should be neutered-spayed before they sexually mature in order to avoid health problems in the future. If you think I’m lying, just ask a vet..

To make a long story short, if you plan to obtain a pet, be responsible and have it neutered-spayed. You may think that you’ll earn money by selling the puppies, if you have a purebred. You must know though that there are no guarantees that you’ll sell all the puppies and even if you do, you must consider that, for every puppy you sell, there’s one waiting in a shelter somewhere and may die without being adopted.

The dog breeding business, has its responsible professionals but also its lousy ones. There are several puppy mills where the poor animals live in awful, unsanitary and crowded conditions. Many breeders just don’t care even a little bit about their health. These breeders mate males and females from the same litter and this can cause several health problems later in the life of the dog. For example many Dalmatians suffer from deafness due to inbreeding.
So, why are you looking so badly for a purebred and you doing not consider getting a mixed breed? They are also very cute and much healthier but still, they are not people’s first choice.

Why not adopt a pet from the Humane Society or your local SPCA? At least you can give them a chance even if what you really want is a specific breed.  There are several advantages if you adopt an adult dog from a shelter or from one of the many breed-specific rescue operations. You can be sure that you’ve done a good deed by adopting a pet this way and you’ve saved it from being euthanized.

Some more useful thoughts…
-Don’t ever consider giving a pet as a gift to someone, especially not a child. (Unless the child is yours and you clearly know that you’ll be the pet’s caregiver) Whoever is going to obtain a pet must do it on his own will and he must have considered everything about raising it.
-Don’t bring live chicks or bunnies to your children as Easter gifts. It’s cruel, they are small breathing creatures. Chicks grow into chicken, so unless you have a farm you shouldn’t even think about buying one.
-Do learn what pet ownership is all about. You must have an idea about the cost, in terms of time and money. Also, a good thing to know is how getting a pet is going to change your style of life.
With all that I’ve mentioned above you must think that I’m not encouraging pet ownership. On the contrary, I LOVE animals, I have six dogs and two cats and I’m in a position to know what is this all about and speak about the responsibilities that pet owners should face. After all, I’m a pet owner myself. Having a pet is happiness but also means a lot of responsibilities and compromises in your private life. All I’m saying is that you should know all about it before making your decision. Pets may be very cute and sweet but trust me, they hide a lot of surprises, surprises you must be ready to deal with!

Have you ever thought about your pet’s sense of humor, or its ability to be comforting and compassionate? They can improve your life in many aspects, make your health better and give you optimism about the future.

Many people think that animals don’t understand human language and that it’s pointless to talk to them. Many studies have shown that in fact animals are very good at understanding many of our words but more important they are excellent in detecting any change of our mood based on our body language, tone of voice, etc. Start yelling in a room and your pet is going to leave. Start crying and your dog will come by your side and ask for a cuddle.

Science studies have proved that pets are also improving people’s health in many ways. Their presence in the house can lower cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure and reduce stress. Having a pet seems to help people recover more quickly from illnesses. People who suffered from a heart attack have extremely high odds of survival if they own a pet.

There are some changes that you have to make if you own a pet and in many cases these may be good for your health. For example owning a dog means that you must walk it every day, do some exercise, toss some balls, etc. You may also make new acquaintances in the park that you go with your dog and increase your social life. Having a pet means that you get yourself in a daily routine. They give you many opportunities to calm down when you take care of them, get more sleep and lower blood pressure and heart rate.

For all these reasons and because of the happiness they bring to us, pets are considered to be professionals at reducing depression and loneliness. Several studies have showed that nursing home patients use fewer medicines and have fewer complaints when there’s a pet at the patient’s home. Also pet owners tend to visit the doctor less often and have fewer medical problems that those who don’t have pets.

Dogs also have a special ability at sensing changes in illnesses. Science has shown that dogs are able to detect cancer in people. Also they are good companions for people who suffer from dangerous diseases, like epilepsy, Parkinson’s and diabetes. Dogs are often trained to sense the aura that appears before an epileptic seizure and to guide their owner to a safe place.

People who suffer from Parkinson often feel their feet freeze while the rest of their body functions well and this causes them to fall. Dogs are trained to detect this freeze and when this happens they stop the freeze by simply touching the frozen feet. This can not be explained by science but even so, it works. Dogs can also detect low blood sugar in patients who suffer from diabetes alerting them in time when it happens.

All pet owners are aware that their pets bring them happiness, they have a loyal friend, a companion for walks and someone to hug in the end of the day. The truth is that the benefits of having a pet go beyond that as we’ve already shown and they are really too many to count.

It’s quite difficult to show sympathy or concern for a dog when you pass endless days and nights listening to him barking or other dogs in the neighbourhood barking until the early hours off the morning. At 4.00 am you may be so upset that you are just about ready to get a shotgun and silence him permanently.
Have you ever asked yourself why a dog barks like this? It’s because it’s more rewarding for him to bark than to be quiet. There are many reasons that can trigger a dog’s need to bark, such as noise or boredom and once it starts, it’s simply very difficult for some dogs to stop.
This is where you and your training abilities come to the scene but you must be persistent and vigilant. You can’t do it once or twice and stop. You must be as persistent as your dog is about barking.
There’s a simple but excellent technique to train your dog to stop barking.  In a short while your beloved pet will become a happy, people-pleasing dog that always wanted to be.
There are some things you may need for this training process: some books to train yourself “to be persistent” treats, maybe an electronic dog collar and a spray bottle.
Step 1- Read a book that will help you “be persistent”
Step 2- When your dog starts barking at inappropriate hours, go to him and with an authoritative voice say “NO”. No matter what you do- don’t call him to you. You must get up and go straight to him.
Step 3- After that, spray your dog in the face from a spray bottle. (Another successful method is tapping him across the nose, but personally I prefer a gentler approach.) Both methods will work, so use the less painful one. Your dog must understand that every time he barks, there comes an unpleasant consequence. Always keep in mind that you must never hurt your dog. He’s your company and if you treat him with respect he will also respect you.
You can also use an electronic dog silencer after every “NO” command. It emits an unpleasant high-frequency sound that only dogs can hear.
Step 4 – Read the book about “How to be Persistent” several times. If YOU are persistent with your dog’s training, he will eventually stop barking!
Step 5-Always play with him and reward him with true love when he stops barking. Your dog must understand that he’s an esteemed member of your family and show him your appreciation for being quiet.
Sometimes everybody needs to be reminded of what he’s learned and there’s no exception for your dog. You could use the electronic collar I’ve mentioned above when the dog barks. The collar will help him remember that it’s an unpleasant habit.
Your precious pet will appreciate being quiet and you, your family and your neighbours will enjoy a good night’s sleep.

1) Have some kind of restraint. Pets love to see what is going on around. Surely, they can’t use a seat belt, so we must take a leash or harness. This will also make it easier when we take those much needed stops. We just unhook them from the vehicle and walk.

2) Take with you their favorite food. When we travel, we tend to stop at a local restaurant and grab a quick bite. Usually, this is not the best food for us, and especially, not for our pet. The best thing to do is have a small bag with their food so that their diet does not change. Animals are not supposed to eat human food, it upsets their normal functions.

3) Have a bag with you! You have seen it, while stretching your legs, along with your pet; it will have to do his “business”. Occasionally, the owner will just “let him do what he has to do” and just walk away. It’s disgusting. The right thing to do is clean up after your pet.

4) Take a toy with you. Your pet loves to play and needs to get that energy out. Again, like a child, they will get restless after a while, when they travel too long. While stopping for food or rest, play. This in turn will make your travel more enjoyable and your pet will love the play time.

Most of us have our favorite pet travel stories. The more time that your pet travels with you, the more it will become relaxed in how it travels.

Our initial enthusiasm goes down and we start having second thoughts and wonder if we did the right thing by getting a puppy. Everyone is reluctant to get up in the morning and feed the puppy. We’re thinking that we must take measures and make an effort to train the puppy. Train him to soil in his crate, stop his constant crying from separation anxiety, etc.
We must understand that our puppy has special needs. He’s just been separated from his mum and he feels alone and vulnerable. We must make him feel secure and set up a routine for him. He needs his own space at least for the next two months, a private place for him, a puppy’s paradise. We fill the whole room with paper and put his food and water in one corner. It’s important to provide him with several toys all over the place.

The puppy is full of activity so we must play with him quietly and don’t flood him with attention. Puppies need a lot of sleep, so if we observe that he wants to sleep, we just leave him alone.

The puppy must learn to live in a certain routine. We must decide who will be responsible for feeding him and who will be responsible for cleaning up after him. We stick into the plan no matter what. We don’t spend all our free time with him. If we need to leave him alone he will be anxious and start crying or barking. He needs to get used to being alone because we have a life to live and eventually we’ll have to leave him alone at home. If he starts whining we mustn’t run immediately to comfort him because this will become a nasty habit after a while.

We want to be responsible and carrying with our pet but we don’t know how. This may lead to problems, wrong choices, anxiety and stress, both for us and our pet. The truth is, there’s nothing to worry about. In this website you’ll find everything you need about your new friend. Professionals and pet owners will provide you with a lot of advice and information about your new dog or cat.

How and what to feed them in order to have a healthy and strong pet.

How to make them adjust to their new environment, so that they feel at home.

How to train them and what kind of rules you must establish if you want them to get along with you and people they might meet.

How you must behave in order to avoid separation anxiety or other problems.

What you need to do about their health care and insurance, according to the pet’s age and needs.

How to deal with bad habits they may have and how you’ll be able to stop them.

What kind of toys you should buy in order to keep them happy and motivated.

Our relationship with our pet is a procedure that evolves day by day. The more we live with them, the more we learn about them. Besides our personal knowledge, the information and advice we get from other pet owners or professionals is what will help us build a stronger relationship with our pet and make our life easier and happier.