Video of Tug Of War With Rottweiler Vs Yorkshire Terrier

Doggy Daycare

If you have been recently working long hours away from home or your Yorkshire Terrier just needs some additional companionship, you may want to learn more about doggy daycare. Doggy daycare should be a safe place, fully supervised by trained staff members. It is a place where your Yorkshire Terrier can play with other dogs that match his similar temperament.

There should be enough humans around to give your dog nice attention and positive reinforcement. There may be safe and appropriate dog toys and comfortable dog beds for napping. Most doggy daycares have an outdoor area for exercise. The staff should be trained to understand and appropriately respond to dog behavior and interactions.

Doggy daycare should be secure and safe. All dogs in doggy daycare usually need to meet minimum health requirements. Dogs must have their current vaccinations and be free of infectious diseases. The dogs may be evaluated to make sure their temperament is fine for the daycare environment. Yorkshire Terriers are usually fun-loving, social dogs and they may enjoy the safe and appropriate dog play at doggy daycare.

Bringing Home an Older Puppy

By Jeff Van Dalsum

Most of the time, when bringing a new puppy into the family, a puppy is selected that is around 8 weeks old. As a result of this stage in his life, he is in the ideal situation to accept a new home. He will also be more open to training and conditioning which will make the bonding process easier and faster.

There are also many cases where a family chooses an older puppy over a younger one. The biggest drawback here is that the ideal training stage for the puppy has already passed. Therefore, bringing home an older puppy requires you to be more flexible and patient with your training routines.

There are many things to look into when you're thinking of getting an older puppy. When compared to younger puppies, the older ones are usually calmer and less energetic. Also, older puppy training might be a little easier since he may have already received some basic training. He might be familiar with children, people, and other pets. However, there is also just as good of a chance that he was not taught any commands or properly socialized which is why it is important to find out his background.

Be very careful with a puppy that has been abused or neglected by his previous owner. These puppies are typically harder to train and to live with as they are more prone to stress, fear, and anxiety towards people. Sometimes, they can even develop aggressive behavior. This isn't to say that all abused or neglected puppies are like this, in fact some are the nicest puppies you will ever meet, but it's important to be aware of the possibility.

Once you've chosen a puppy, make sure to bring the entire family to meet him. This is important because it will allow you to see how the puppy reacts to different people. You'll be able to find out if the puppy dislikes children, women, or other pets. Observe closely and note his overall behavior.

Also take notice to how he reacts to different circumstances. Try dropping your keys on the floor and see his reaction. A normal response would simply be to ignore the noise or to go sniff the keys out of curiosity. If he begins barking, biting, and jumping you may have some problems to deal with down the road.

If you can, ask a staff member to carry the puppy around for a few minutes. See how the puppy reacts to being picked up and carried. If you notice any hints of aggression or fear, you will need to address them through training routines in the future.

Remember, the most important aspect to bringing home an older puppy is knowledge. Ask the staff or breeder as many questions as you can in respect to training, behavior, vaccinations, health, and overall mentality. Also, make sure to investigate the reason why the previous owner left the puppy or why he has not been adopted yet. All of this information can help you better prepare for living with and training your new puppy.

Whatever puppy you decide to bring home, you should know that puppy ownership is like a journey between you, your family, and your puppy. No matter what age you bring that little guy home at, he will be a large part of your life for a long time to come. Older puppy training takes time, patience, and energy but arm yourself with knowledge and dedication and you will set yourself up for success.

Perfect Puppy Care is a website dedicated and developed by puppy care enthusiasts who have taken it as their goal to help you raise a happy, healthy, and well-behaved puppy.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Van_Dalsum

Certified Dog Trainer Qualities

By: Lars Rohde

All dog lovers know just how much company these four-legged friends can be. They are special pets that can provide so much love and entertainment. It seems like they can predict when you feel good and when you don't. They are loyal to the very end.

However, this doesn't mean that you can't run into problems with these adorable pets once in awhile. That is when you need the expertise of a certified dog trainer to step in and help you get or keep control over your pet. So what are some of the qualities of a certified dog trainer?

Some qualities of a certified dog trainer that you need to look for includes confidence. A good trainer will know they can benefit and improve your dogs overall attitude and your pet can sense if they do not have this quality. Kindness is very important.

A qualified trainer will have the ability to be kind and firm at the same time. They will make training a fun and exciting time for your beloved dog. Safety will also be a huge aspect of their training technique. They will also understand how different breeds of dog learn and be able to teach by understanding the individual personality of your pet.

Qualities of a certified dog trainer include keeping up to date on all the latest training techniques. There are always new and improved items that can assist in the way your dog is being trained. Knowing and understanding these techniques is the only way that a trainer can be completely efficient and do the best job with your pet.

New information is also being reported that can be very beneficial. A certified trainer always stays on top of this information. They also follow the ''code of ethics'' which includes being honest, dependable and professional at all times.

You will be able to see a happier, healthier pet when the training has been completed. These are reasons why you should use a certified dog trainer to help teach your dog how to be a better pet and companion. You will see the bond between the two of you grow stronger every day. It will be the foundation of a new life together.

A professional trainer can teach your pet how to interact in social gatherings. This means you don't have to worry about how they will act when in the company of other pets and people. Imagine how proud you will be to have the best behaved dog in the park.

Author Resource: Want more stuff from a dog lover, then head over to our sites WestiesInfo and DogPractice.com. He strives to provide his readers with quality information on dogs and you will always find good content and useful resources at our sites.

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Training Tips for When You Bring Your New Yorkshire Terrier Puppy Home

It is such an exciting time for you and your family when you bring your new Yorkshire Terrier puppy or adult dog home for the very first time. Now that you have brought your new puppy home and you are both a little bit adjusted to your new schedule, you may be thinking about some training for your puppy, other than routine house training. Maybe you are wondering where to start with training.

It is important for your dog to trust and respect you and feel secure. A dog should feel that his new home is a safe and dependable place. Dogs enjoy spending time with their families. A dog usually appreciates an owner who will love, lead and protect them.

Now, back to the topic of training. Are you thinking about training your new puppy yourself or taking some dog obedience classes together, when he is at the appropriate age? Maybe you even had thoughts of working with a private, professional dog trainer. Well, no matter which way you decide to begin any training with your Yorkshire Terrier puppy, I can offer you some tips.

Some Helpful Training Tips:

One very important thing in the beginning is to decide on some house rules for your new puppy. You need to decide what he can and can't do.

Dogs like to know what they are supposed to do and what is expected of them. Dogs like structure in their life. The puppy's mother is it's very first pack leader. Now that your puppy is home with you, he probably looks to you as the leader. You can decide to set reasonable house rules for your new dog. If the rules are settled in the beginning, you can avoid confusion for both of you later on. If you don't provide your dog with some leadership and direction, he may begin to make his own rules.

For example, if your dog steals a portion of your sandwich and then eats a little bit of it and then tries to hide and bury the rest of it in your living room couch and you happen to laugh and say isn't that cute. Your dog will get the wrong idea and think this type of behavior is acceptable and OK to do. You may have reinforced the fact that he is in charge and you may have reinforced his bad manners. Actually, dogs can become stressed when they think they can do anything they want.

Often times, dogs feel secure and confident with knowing exactly what you expect from them and having some fair house rules. A dog usually looks for their owner's positive approval. Your dog's well-behaved manner may depend on your good teaching and leadership! You can teach your puppy what you want him to do or not do and you can praise him when he obeys and he will very likely a happy companion!

Here are some examples of some common house rules:

Being polite with people: you may want to teach the dog to sit, instead of jumping up on people when greeting them.

Discourage chewing of furniture and other items: As a new owner you may want to provide safe and appropriate chew toys and routinely spend time with your dog so he is not bored.

You may want to discourage excessive barking for attention.

Good house training habits are also very important for your dog.

A dog may be more calm and relaxed when he knows what is expected of him.

The following factors are very important when training a dog: attention, consistency, repetition, patience, love, rewards and understanding.

Spending quality time with your dog is also very important.

Here are a few ideas:

You can enjoy walks together.

You can play in the backyard together. Dogs usually like to play fetch or Frisbee with their owners.

You may wish to take your dog on errands with you, if possible.

You may want to let him sit with you while you watch TV or chat with friends on the phone.

You can provide a special place for your dog to sleep, like a nice dog bed.

Maybe you can get into the daily habit of brushing his coat, while he sits nice for you.

Dogs usually respond well to a daily routine schedule. A good schedule may help him stay relaxed and confident.

Hopefully, some of these things may help you develop a nice relationship with your dog. Reward your dog when he has done something right. You may want to reward him with lots of positive praise, a favorite treat or some nice play time.

Don't forget to help him relax when he first comes home. Whatever you can do to help him get comfortable in his new home will be good for both of you. Set up his private space or den area in the house.

Your dog will probably really appreciate and enjoy a space for himself in the house where he will feel comfortable. You may provide your puppy or dog with his own private sleeping area, where he can routinely relax and get plenty of good rest. It is important to set a good habit for bedtime in your home, so that you and your puppy will both feel rested and happy! Every dog needs their own safe and comfortable place to sleep.

You may wish to have your puppy's bed in a quiet, safe place in the house. A peaceful and comfortable section of the room may be nice. Maybe you will choose a safe, cozy dog bed for your Yorkshire Terrier puppy. You probably will want to pick a special sleeping area for the puppy where there is not much noise.

Your Yorkshire Terrier puppy may feel a little more confident and secure if he can still see the people in the house from his sleeping area. Just knowing that you are there may help him to stay relaxed and calm.

It may be helpful to get into the habit of some calm, quiet time before the actual bedtime. The puppy may need to go outside to eliminate immediately before bedtime. Providing background sounds, such as a very soft background sound of a TV or radio may calm the puppy down and relax him at night. He may also enjoy a little time to be left alone at times in the comfort and safety of his den area.

Another helpful thing you can do is to teach your puppy to come to you when you call his name. You can get down on his level and tell him to come to you using his name. For example: You can say come here, Jack. Then, when he does come to you, maybe you want to tell him that he is a good dog! He will be happy if you make a big deal using positive reinforcement. Always remember to reward his good behavior.

It may be helpful to try to maintain a regular daily routine or schedule so that it will be easier for your Yorkshire Terrier to understand what is expected of him. Positive reinforcement or a reward, such as nice praise or a favorite treat can be very helpful when teaching good behavior to your Yorkshire Terrier.

The Yorkshire Terrier is a very intelligent dog. Be consistent when training your dog. Remember to keep your dog's attention and have some fun during training. Reward your Yorkshire Terrier when he demonstrates the desired behavior that you are teaching him.

Reward your puppy or dog's good behavior with positive reinforcement. Use treats, toys, love, or lots of praise. Let your dog know when's he's getting everything right.

You can help your puppy to learn not to jump up when greeting you. Puppies routinely love to jump up in greeting. Don't reprimand your puppy, just ignore his behavior and wait until he calms down before giving positive reinforcement. Don't encourage jumping behavior by praising your dog when he's in a jumping position when he is greeting you. You can praise him when he settles down and he's in the sitting position.

You will want to discourage your puppy from biting or nipping. Instead of scolding your puppy if he is trying to nip, a great way to discourage him from this behavior is to pretend that you're in great pain when he's biting or nipping you. He will probably stop immediately. Another thing you could do is to try giving him a safe chew toy for your hand or pant leg. He will probably like the chew toy better.

Lastly, it is a good practice to end training sessions on a positive note. Again, you can give lots of verbal praise to your dog, maybe his favorite treats, some petting or some fun playtime. Your Yorkshire Terrier has probably worked hard to please you throughout the training. All of the positive reinforcement that you provided him throughout your training session might encourage him to start his training lesson next time with his tail wagging, eager to learn!

Yorkshire Terriers: Therapy Dogs

Dogs can be trained to provide comfort and affection to certain people in need. A therapy dog may be trained to help people in nursing homes and hospital settings and much more. They may be trained to help disabled people.

Therapy dogs should have a friendly temperament. They are usually gentle in nature, patient and confident. Some things that are important for a trained therapy dog are:

Accepting a friendly stranger: the therapy dog is usually trained to allow unfamiliar people to make physical contact with it. For example, children in particular, and also adults may enjoy safely petting the trained therapy dogs. Some therapy dogs can actually perform small tricks during their visits.

The therapy dog is often trained by it's handler to sit and stay in place and to come when called. The dog should behave politely around other dogs.

The dog may be tested around medical equipment, such as a wheelchair or walker, or other medical devices which you might normally see at a medical facility. They may check the dog's reactions to these things during training.

Trained therapy dogs are sometimes used for the following:

To help the disabled.

Trained seeing eye dogs help the semi to permanently blind person.

Some dogs are actually trained to know when a person is going to have a seizure.

Sometimes children with difficulties will relate well to a dog or cat.

Therapy dogs are sometimes used in nursing homes for the elderly.

Choosing The Right Dog For Your Lifestyle

By: Amy Nutt

There is a lot to consider when choosing the right dog for your lifestyle. Depending on your specific living situation, you will have several factors to consider before actually making a choice. If you have a family, especially if that family includes children, you will want to be sure your dog behaves well around them.

A dog that requires a lot of one-on-one attention is probably not suited for this type of family, and should most likely be a pet for a single owner. Likewise, a dog that likes to run and play and responds well to different personality types may work out well in a family with children.

Before you decide on a dog, examine your own lifestyle and find a dog that will match. If you live alone in a small apartment, adopting a large dog might not be a good idea because he or she would not be able to get the much needed exercise in an open environment.

Likewise, small dogs are not often good as outside pets, and much prefer being indoors with the owner or rest of the family. If, however, you have a family of four and are looking for a dog that will match your active lifestyle, a bigger dog might be right for you.

Important factors to consider when choosing the right dog to fit your lifestyle include: the size of the dog, his or her exercise requirements, whether or not he or she is friendly, his or her assertiveness, and compatibility with children. Also, being a responsible dog owner is just as important to how well your dog reacts to your lifestyle.

If you do not have a lot of time to spend with your dog, do not choose that requires constant attention. If you do not have time to spend with a dog at all, you should reconsider your decision. Dogs need just as much attention as do people, and it is crucial that they are treated well.

Learn about different mixes and breeds and which types will suite various lifestyles. This is just as important as choosing the right animal because certain breeds are great for children, while others are better for those who are single. It can be a difficult decision, but one that will bring you pleasure for years to come.

Choosing the right dog will provide you with years of constant companionship, and add another member to your ever-growing family.

Author Resource: Bark Busters has been leading the pack in solving dog behaviour issues, dog obedience training issues, and puppy training since 1989. http://www.barkbusters.ca/

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Video on How to Train a Puppy to Sit

A Few Considerations Before You Adopt A Dog

By: Bowe Packer

There are many of you who have treasured to bring a nice cuddlesome dog home as a pet. There are different ways that you can go about the business of selecting your future pet but you may want to think about adopting a dog. Before you can officially adopt a dog there are certain items that you will need to take into consideration.

Now I know that pets play on our emotions and make it very challenging to make a decision based on providing a good home for the dog. Do yourself a favor and try to take into consideration the following.

The first consideration should be what kind of dog will be right for your home and your lifestyle. This is very important to consider as some dogs are actually suited for patrolling large compounds and other types of dogs have stacks of surplus energy that should be worked off in a regular active routine.

In addition when you are going to adopt a dog you will have to think about the full size of your new pet and if your home can accommodate your dog's environmental needs. For instance you need to realize if a full size Great Dane will be pleased living in a small country cottage or trailer house.

The other item that you must consider is the food that you will need to give your new pet. As each dog is different in temperament and size you will need to purchase the right type of food for your dog. For this rationality adopting a dog involves knowing something about the breed and what kind of food and environmental issues that are necessary for the future well being of your new pet.

The research of the breed doesn't have to be never ending, long drawn out process. Just enough information so that you feel comfortable knowing that your home and environment will provide the needs of your new dog.

You can find some of this information from books and the internet. However before you start looking for this information you will need to see the assorted breeds. From this data you can make a realistic conclusion if you are capable of caring for a Chihuahua, a Labrador, a German Shepard, or even a mixed breed.

Once you have looked at the assorted dogs you can find a pet adoption center where you can find many different breeds of dogs. From these places you should be able to adopt a dog that is in need of lots of care and love. You can ask for information about the dog that you want to adopt.

These questions can include the name of a good veterinarian, an individual who can help you to train your new pet how to behave. You can also ask about the other facts that you may feel are necessary to care for your new dog.

Even though you may have thought that having a pet is an easy matter there are many items that need to be seen to when you adopt a dog. For the person who is willing to give some of their time and love to a dog you will find a lifelong companion who will give you gobs of implicit love.

Now remember, the more information you gather, the better understanding of what you can and can't provide will be clear. Adopting a dog can be fun and exciting, always remember to take the pet into consideration as well. The last thing I know you want to do is bring a dog home and find out that your accommodations don't suite their needs.


Author Resource: Bowe Packer provides free and valuable information to online consumers. He has written over 20 articles on pet adoption and delivers additional information on the subject through his website. Visit his site and gleam Free pet adoption information.

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Tips for Training an Older Dog

By: Andrew Bicknell

There is a saying that "you can't teach an old dog new tricks". For many people with an older dog that was never properly trained they probably think this is true. Just like people do, when dogs get older they get pretty set in their ways. Think old and stubborn. This of course is not entirely true; it is possible to train an older dog but it will take more time and patience.

The thing with older dogs is they have been behaving in a certain way their entire life and to them that is the way things are. They do not distinguish between right and wrong like people do. For a dog repetition is their primary way of learning and if all they've done is the wrong thing their whole life their behavior will reflect that.

One thing you can try with an older dog is to make the training you are doing seem like it is actually the dogs idea. If he thinks it's his idea he will more than likely keep doing it. He probably will resist your attempts to force him to do something like sit. But if he sits on his own give the command "sit" at the same time and reward or praise him. If you keep doing this, repetition, before long your old dog will be sitting when you tell him to. You can use this technique with a variety of commands such as come, heel, and stay.

It is certainly not true that all older dogs are more difficult to train but for the vast majority of dog owners this is the case. Dealing with the stubbornness of a dog set in their ways can be difficult and frustrating but if your dog is exhibiting bad habits and behavior it is important to break them of that. In the long run have a well trained and obedient dog will make both you and your dog much happier and will lead to a stronger bond.

If your old dog is being particularly stubborn and your not making any head way on your own then consider joining a dog training class or working with a professional dog trainer. This will give you the benefit of working with people who have experience with all sorts of dogs and their different behaviors. You might be amazed how quickly your dog responds to someone who knows how to deal with their behavior problems. These are also lessons you can take home and continue to use as you train your old dog to do new tricks.

Author Resource: For more dog training tips and tricks visit the website Worfdog.com by clicking here.

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Benefits of Owning a Yorkshire Terrier

There are so may wonderful emotional benefits of owning a dog. Our pets can influence how we feel about ourselves in a positive way. The emotional bond that forms between a new puppy and their owner may develop quickly. Your new Yorkshire Terrier puppy may look and act so cute. As the time goes by, all the experiences that you share with your dog, both happy and sad help to strengthen the emotional bond.

When your puppy is about one year old or more, each family member usually develops a special emotional attachment with their Yorkshire Terrier. Sometimes, children even turn to their pet for comfort if a family member leaves the family or becomes ill. Adults that may have lost a loved one may feel comfort if they have a pet.

People that happen to live all alone may feel a little isolated. If they choose to have a dog or cat and they are physically able to take care of their pet, it may help to make them feel they are needed. They may feel happy to have a special pet to share their life with. A Yorkshire Terrier can be a very nice companion.

Dogs can help us focus our attention away from our worries. Sometimes when we feel sad or stressed spending a little time with our friendly dog or cat can hopefully brighten our day.

Our daily lives may be full of so many responsibilities, whether at work or at home. Often times, our Yorkshire Terrier may do some cute funny things, which may help us to relax and laugh. When we come home from a frustrating work day it can be so nice to be greeted by our family dog, with their big beautiful eyes and their tail wagging because they are so happy to see us. It is a wonderful thing that our pets can accept us just as we are and we can be ourselves when we are around them. Our pets don't care if we are disabled, old or young, rich or poor. Dogs can provide great companionship.

Dogs can add some consistency and routine to our lives and give us something nice to look forward to every single day. Many people may come and go in our lives, but our dogs are usually with us everyday.

Your Yorkshire Terrier can help to keep you active by getting more exercise, like when you are taking your dog for a nice walk and getting some fresh air and sunshine or playing Frisbee outside with him. The general basics of caring for a dog, such as daily feedings, grooming and playtime will help to keep you both active.

Your Yorkshire Terrier may view all the family members with great affection. Each family member may play an important role for your dog. The man in the house may be the one that usually takes the dog out for his walks and plays fetch outside with him in the backyard. The woman in the house may be the one that routinely gives the dog his meals and lots of attention. If there are any children in the family they may offer the Yorkshire Terrier a lot of hugs and fun playtime together.

The dog appreciates the family interaction and affection and he has probably established great trust in his family. As a proud pet owner you will be able to recognize the maturity in your dog and as time goes by you will learn the favorite things that your dog likes, his strengths, weaknesses and any fears he may have at times.

The human-animal emotional bond between an owner and their dog is one of trust, affection and love. Yorkshire Terriers enjoy being part of the family and a loyal dog can be a best friend. If we love them, they usually show us unconditional love in return!

Another Cute Yorkie!

A Cute Video of A Yorkie Smiling

Make Your Home Welcoming and Safe for Your Puppy

By: Sandra Dinkins-Wilson

Unlike bringing home a newborn child where you have some time to make your home safe, bringing home your new puppy means you need to puppy proof your home right away. Puppies are just like toddlers with lots of energy and ready to get into everything. They have an insatiable curiosity that makes them check out everything including those things that might not be so safe for them. As the puppy's new owner, you must puppy proof your home.

One good step to take towards puppy proofing your home is to look at it from the dog's perspective. Get down on your hands and knees and look around. You might be surprised at what you see down there that could look so tempting to a puppy in his new home. Remember your puppy will want to check out all this new stuff as he has never seen it before and it just might be dangerous to him.

Be very aware of electrical cords that your puppy can access and chew on. Just think of what a puppy chewing on an electrical cord, in use, could lead to. Place the cords where the puppy can't access them. Place them behind furniture or up high where he can't reach. Try laying them under something like a rubber mat.

Stairs can provide as much danger to a puppy as to a toddler. They can have trouble getting up and down them. In their boisterousness, they can even fall down a flight of stairs. Best to just block off the stairway until the puppy has grown and is more capable of navigating them. Stairs might also lead to a place you do not want your puppy to be such as the basement. If you have a door, then you must be sure the door is always closed.

Another step in making your home puppy proof is to be sure there are no hazardous household chemicals where he can get into them. Such are usually stored under the kitchen sink or even the bathroom sink. Can your puppy get ready access to these places? You may even have to go so far as to use those plastic cabinet locks that are used for toddlers.

These are a few steps to take in making your home puppy proof. Keep in mind the level of your home your puppy lives at and what he sees and can get into at that level. Having a puppy proof home can go a long ways to having a happy and healthy relationship with you puppy.

copyright 2005. Sandra Dinkins-Wilson

Author Resource: Visit our Puppy Training website at http://ezpuppytraining.com/ for a free course on "Welcoming Your New Puppy Home and Puppy Training". Find more puppy training and care tips at our website.

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The Importance Of A Well Behaved Dog

By: Amy Nutt

If you have a dog, you have probably been concerned with his or her behavior at some point. This is important if you frequently have company, or if your dog is your constant companion out in public. Even if this isn't the case, it is still important to be sure your dog is well-behaved and will obey you. This also helps you develop a good relationship with your dog.

The first step to having a well behaved dog is to fully understand the dog's behavior. Only then will you be able to learn to communicate effectively with your pet, thereby, building a successful partnership. This is important, especially if you are the sole owner of the dog.

If you are the sole dog owner, you will probably spend a lot of time with your dog. Another step toward having a great relationship with your animal is to make sure he or she receives proper care. This means that you should regularly walk your dog, take a vested interest in his or her health needs, and always make sure you provide love and affection.

If you are having difficulty with your dog's behavior, there are steps you can take to work out a solution that will work for both dog and owner. This can mean consulting your vet for ideas, or enrolling your pet in obedience school. Obedience will teach your dog how to behave in certain situations as well as how to respond to given commands. A trainer can also help break bad habits your dog may have that is affecting his or hers behavior.

You will also be provided with step-by-step obedience exercises that you can practice with your dog at home. This will help to enforce the behaviors learned in class. Not doing so will most likely result in your dog resorting back to past behavior because the new behaviors are not being re-enforced.

It is also important to talk to and listen to your dog. Pay attention to how your dog acts and responds to those behaviors. If they are negative, try to find out what you can do to stop and prevent them. If your dog is doing well, be sure to give him or her, the proper praise that is well-deserved. Praise is just as important for dogs as it is for people and will help to promote continuing good behavior.

Author Resource: Bark Busters is Canada's most successful dog obedience training organization and will come right to your home to help you! http://www.barkbusters.ca/

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Cute Video of a Yorkie Doing Tricks

Tips For Choosing the Right Dog As a Pet

By Kelly Marshall

Dogs happen to be one of the best pets - there's a reason they are called "man's best friend." Of course, if you want a pet of your own, you'll want to make sure that you will get a dog that will fit your personality, living style, and more. Here are a few things to consider when choosing your canine pet.

You may want to consider going with a purebred puppy for your new pet, and there are many different breeds out there that you can choose from. The great thing about choosing a puppy that is pure bred is that you will know how your dog will turn out in the end. You can even research how easy that breed is to train, the grooming the breed needs, and how they behave. This can help you to better choose a pet that will adapt with your lifestyle.

Assuming that you are going to go with a purebred pet dog, you'll definitely want to consider the shedding that you're pet will do. Every dog is going to shed some hair, but some will shed more than others. If you plan to keep your dog in your home and want to avoid having hair everywhere, then choosing a dog breed that does not shed is going to be your best option.

You'll want to consider how easy your dog will be to train as well. If the dog is easy to train, you won't need as much time to train him. Another thing to think about is the grooming that your new pet is going to require. Dogs that have long coats usually require a lot more grooming than short haired dogs.

Ask yourself if you are looking for a pet to hang out with and cuddle with, or do you want an athletic dog that can keep up with you when you go out jogging or you engage in other activities with your dog. There are some breeds of dogs that have a lot of stamina, and if you want to go hiking, jogging, or walking with your dog, choose a breed that has plenty of stamina.

Another important tip to keep in mind when you are trying to choose the right dog as a pet is whether or not you have children. There are some breeds of dogs that are well known for being great with kids, and you'll want to choose one of these dogs if you have young children that will be around your dog on a regular basis. There are a couple dogs that may not be as great with children, and they should be avoided.

Choose the right dog and you'll have a faithful friend and pet for life. However, if you choose a dog that isn't suited to you, chances are that you and the dog will not be happy. Before you get a new dog as a pet, always keep these considerations in mind to ensure you make the right choice.

Article by Kelly Marshall of Oh My Dog Supplies, your top source for organic dog treats online.

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Cute Video of a Smiling Yorkie

Dog Training Tips for the New Dog Owner

By: Andrew Bicknell

Let's face it, for many people training their dog is a struggle that sooner or later leads them to just give up and let their dog do whatever he pleases. Then they ask themselves why they have such a disobedient dog. More experienced dog owners know that dog training is something that is always going on. Whenever they are with their dog they are always training him. Going for walks, playing in the park, even just relaxing around the house are all opportunities to teach.

Dogs by nature are curious creatures who get easily bored. If there is not a proper outlet for this boredom they will find something to do. And to a dog who doesn't know the difference chewing up a shoe or digging holes in the yard is neither good nor bad. It's just something to do. The more a dog learns to please himself and do whatever he wants the less control his owner will have. A disobedient dog does not just happen; by ignoring, mistreating or being lackadaisical about training him he will learn all sorts of bad behaviors all by himself.

Dogs love to please their owners but without feedback they have no idea if they are doing right or wrong. Everything is the same to them. This is why it is important to praise a dog when they are being obedient. Positive reinforcement is one of the most powerful dog training tools a dog owner can use.

Many people do not realize the amount of work needed to train some of the more amazing dogs they see on TV or here about in news reports. Police dogs, seeing eye dogs, military dogs can take a good year of intense training to get them to the point where they can even start working in that capacity. And their training never stops. Dogs do not come trained and they will not learn simply because they inhabit the same space as their owners. Dogs have no inborn sense of right and wrong; everything is the same to them, unless they are taught.

Dog training is all about teaching a dog good behavior. Repetition is the name of the game when it comes to having an obedient dog. Combined with praise for a job well done a dog will soon learn what its boundaries are and who is actually in charge. The first thing every dog should learn is their name. This is what gets their attention and simply saying it should stop them dead in their tracks from whatever they are doing. From there on a dogs training should be a daily routine; housetraining, sitting, staying, not barking or jumping up on people, these are things that will make life with a dog easier and much more enjoyable.

Author Resource: For more dog training tips and tricks visit the website Worfdog.com by clicking here.

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Becoming A Professional Pet Sitter or a Dog Trainer

Did you ever happen to think about having a career in which you would be able to work with dogs or other animals? You may need some professional training for certain careers in this field. I will include helpful job descriptions for two career options that would enable you to be working with dogs or other animals in general.

A pet sitter is an interesting animal related career option. Sometimes dog owners may have to leave their home temporarily for a few days or more and they are unable to bring their dog with them, so they may hire a professional pet sitter. They usually look for a reputable pet sitter that is honest, reliable and knowledgeable about dog care in general. The pet owner may carefully prepare a list of the duties and responsibilities that they would like the pet sitter to fulfill while they are away. This is an ideal time for the owner to write down any important information about their pet, such as any medical problems, special requirements (like any necessary medications prescribed by their veterinarian for their pet or special diet).

They should write down their veterinarian's phone number in case of an emergency. They will want to definitely include the phone number and the place where they can be reached. The pet owner will want to talk about what specific food to feed their pet and how often to feed their pet. They may want to explain where they routinely walk their dog and how often their dog needs to be walked. The pet owner will want to know their pet will be cared for in a safe and comfortable manner while they are away.

A professional dog trainer is another career option for people who enjoy working with dogs. I recently read there is an increased demand for dog trainers. There are many kinds of professional dog trainers. Dog trainers understand how dogs learn and they may help dog owners correct their pet's specific behavior problems. You may wish to read Why Become a Dog Trainer?: Careers in Dog Training Offer a Variety of Opportunities.

If you feel you have the interest and patience to become a dog trainer, you can talk to other professional dog trainers in your local area for more information. There are dog training schools as well as some online dog training courses. A certified dog trainer may decide to start their own dog training business. They may offer dog training classes or work individually with an owner and their dog. You may wish to check out the following:

A Cute Video of Yorkies Doing Tricks

Careers for People Who Enjoy Working With Animals

Did you ever happen to think about having a career in which you would be able to work with dogs or other animals? You may need some professional training for certain careers in this field. I will include helpful job descriptions for several career options that would enable you to be working with dogs or other animals in general.

The first career professional that comes to my mind is the veterinarian. To become a DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) you may need to complete a four-year undergraduate program and then an additional four years of veterinarian training for your career. Veterinarians may diagnose animal health problems and prescribe the proper medications for animals suffering from certain illnesses. They may provide appropriate vaccinations for the animals against diseases, such as distemper and rabies. Veterinarians may also offer some advise to pet owners about behavior and preventive care for the animals. They can usually perform diagnostic tests such as Xrays, blood work, urine tests and much more.

Next, there is the interesting career of the professional veterinary technician or veterinary assistant. These technicians may help with many duties in the veterinarian's office. To qualify as a licensed veterinary technician you may need to complete a two-year or possibly a four-year educational program. You could even search online to check for schools that train people to be veterinary assistants. If you are sincerely interested in pursuing this career, you may wish to ask a reputable veterinarian for some information about becoming a veterinary technician or an assistant. There is also the option of performing clerical work in a veterinarian's office or being a receptionist.

A pet sitter is another animal related career option. Sometimes dog owners may have to leave their home temporarily for a few days or more and they are unable to bring their dog with them, so they may hire a professional pet sitter. They usually look for a reputable pet sitter that is honest, reliable and knowledgeable about dog care in general. The pet owner may carefully prepare a list of the duties and responsibilities that they would like the pet sitter to fulfill while they are away. This is an ideal time for the owner to write down any important information about their pet, such as any medical problems, special requirements (like any necessary medications prescribed by their veterinarian for their pet or special diet). They should write down their veterinarian's phone number in case of an emergency. They will want to definitely include the phone number and the place where they can be reached. The pet owner will want to talk about what specific food to feed their pet and how often to feed their pet. They may want to explain where they routinely walk their dog and how often their dog needs to be walked. The pet owner will want to know their pet will be cared for in a safe and comfortable manner while they are away.

Another option that involves working directly with dogs is a job working in a doggy daycare. Doggy daycare is an available option for dog care if dog owners just need supervised care for a few hours a day, or during certain occasions. Sometimes dogs just need some additional companionship. Doggy daycare should be a safe place, fully supervised by trained staff members. It is a place where dogs can play with other dogs that match their similar temperament.

There may be safe and appropriate dog toys and comfortable dog beds for napping. Most doggy daycares have an outdoor area for exercise. You may wish to read the following article: Doggie Day Care? Really? The staff should be trained to understand and appropriately respond to dog behavior and interactions.

There should be enough humans around to give each dog nice attention and positive reinforcement. Doggy daycare should be secure and safe. All dogs in doggy daycare usually need to meet minimum health requirements. Dogs must have their current vaccinations and be free of infectious diseases. The dogs may be evaluated to make sure their temperament is fine for the daycare environment.

A dog groomer is another career option for people who enjoy working with dogs and have patience. If you think you may be interested in this line of work, you may wish to visit and talk with a professional dog groomer in your area.

Another job for people who like to work with pets is to work in a pet shop. You could also decide to volunteer or work in an animal shelter.

A professional dog trainer is another career option for people who enjoy working with dogs. I recently read there is an increased demand for dog trainers. There are many kinds of professional dog trainers. Dog trainers understand how dogs learn and they may help dog owners correct their pet's specific behavior problems. You may wish to read Why Become a Dog Trainer?: Careers in Dog Training Offer a Variety of Opportunities.

It must be a fun career to be a dog trainer for celebrities or who happen to be lucky enough to work with dogs that appear in movies. If you feel you have the interest and patience to become a dog trainer, you can talk to other professional dog trainers in your local area for more information. There are dog training schools as well as some online dog training courses. A certified dog trainer may decide to start their own dog training business. They may offer dog training classes or work individually with an owner and their dog. You may wish to check out the following:

Socializing Your Yorkshire Terrier Puppy

Your goal may be to have your puppy grow up and mature to be friendly, happy and very well-adjusted for their lifelong emotional well-being. Socialization is so important for your puppy. You will want them to feel comfortable in their new world.

It is helpful for puppies to learn how to cope with their environment, (which includes people, animals, places and things), in a healthy and positive way throughout their lifetime. You will want your puppy's socialization experiences to be positive.

A puppy is usually very eager to explore their new environment. Puppyhood is an important period for your dog's development. Positive influence in the early weeks of the puppy's life can be very beneficial. I read that the time before the puppy is 16 weeks old is an important developmental time period when he may be very receptive and influenced by his experiences. Praise and positive reinforcement are so important with socialization and training. Socialization begins on the day your puppy is born and continues for the rest of his life.

Until your puppy has had all of his proper vac­cinations, you may want to be guided by your veterinarian about socialization. I read that you should consult your veterinarian about when and also how to introduce your puppy to other animals in a safe manner.

Once you know that it is fine to socialize your Yorkshire Terrier puppy, you may want to gradually introduce your new puppy to some of your close friends or relatives in a pleasant, supervised manner. Your puppy can learn to get accustomed to people who are quiet or talkative, young (active), or old (possibly more inactive). You may wish to introduce your puppy to people wearing glasses or wearing hats or bike helmets, or to people carrying an umbrella, or wearing coats and gloves.

If your puppy seems scared about a certain object or specific person it may be a good idea to introduce that object or person more slowly, and you can try to associate the object or person with something positive, like a favorite treat. If your puppy is afraid of your grandfather who happens to be tall and speaks in a very loud voice, have your grandfather offer treats to the puppy.

You may want to get your puppy comfortable with handling, especially if they may need routine grooming in the future. You can safely and comfortably hold your cute puppy on your lap and help him practice being calm and relaxed with you. Your friends and family can help by gently handling the puppy the proper way. Positive reinforcement for your puppy may include lots of friendly praise and maybe also their favorite treats.

It may be lots of fun to safely take the puppy on short car rides, so he becomes familiar with riding in the car. This positive experience may make it easier for the both of you when you need to go for any future veterinarian office visits.

When the puppy is the appropriate age, you may decide to invite people that you already know that own pets who are friendly, healthy and vaccinated who can come over to your home for a little visit, and with your knowledge and supervision you can work on socializing your puppy.

If you happen to already have another pet in the home, you may want to make sure that you provide enough individual attention to your new puppy to help them develop their own personality.

You can also gradually introduce your puppy to a variety of items and sounds that are routinely around the house so they become a little familiar to them. Some sounds that may be new to your puppy are the following:

Doorbell ringing

Telephone ringing

TV and radio

Any music playing

Computer noises

Video games

Vacuum cleaner

Sound from a hair dryer, blender, or fan

Noise from a washing machine or dish washer

Any noise from your childrens toys

Thunderstorms

Any noise from electric grooming tools, if your dog may need grooming in the future

After your veterinarian says it is safe for you to take the puppy out into the real world, you can safely introduce the puppy to walks in your the neighborhood. Your walks together can be so enjoyable for you and your puppy.

In summary, if you are patient and consistent with social­izing and training your Yorkshire Terrier, he will likely be happier and feel comfortable throughout his life. Always remember that praise and positive reinforcement are so important with socialization and training.

Puppy Proofing Your Home for Your Yorkshire Terrier

Puppies are usually very curious and they may have lots of energy. When someone first brings a new puppy home the puppy may want to start checking out many things throughout the house. You will be interested in puppy proofing your home to keep your Yorkshire Terrier puppy safe. You will want to make sure there is nothing within his reach that could harm him.

You can consult your veterinarian about all of the specific things that can be done to puppy proof the inside and outside of a house. There are so many great ideas to help keep a new puppy healthy and safe and protect him from anything that would be potentially harmful.

I will write down a few tips that I read about relating to puppy proofing the inside of the home. It may be helpful to try to think about a puppy's view of a house from what he can see at his eye level.

You may want to keep all breakable items out of your puppy's reach.

Plants: Some specific plants inside and outside of the house may be potentially harmful to the puppy. Consult your veterinarian for a complete list of plants that are dangerous or toxic to dogs.

Medications can be kept in a very safe area where the puppy definitely does not have access.

Cleaning supplies can be kept in high cabinets where the puppy definitely does not have access or childproof safety latches may be used to safely secure cabinets.

Household wastebaskets may be placed in an area that the puppy cannot access.

Electrical cords: I read that people who are trying to puppy proof their house can unplug, remove or safely cover any electrical cords that would be around the puppy's area. Electrical outlets may also be covered when they are not in use.

Bathroom: Toilet lids can be kept down. Bathroom trash cans may be put up high where the puppy cannot access them.

Any possible drawstrings or cords used for draperies or blinds in the home may be tied up high enough so the puppy cannot access them.

Precaution may be taken regarding a rocking chair or chair recliner. A puppy could happen to have his tail near that area or even try to crawl under the area. Take proper safety precautions.

Laundry baskets and clothing can be kept off the floor and out of reach from the puppy.

Small objects can be kept out of reach so the puppy does not have access. Some examples of small objects are the following:

Many childrens toys have small pieces and parts

Crayons, pens, pencils, rubber bands, paper clips, tacks, staples

Jewelry, hair barrettes

String, ribbons, yarn

Buttons, sewing needles, pins

Coins

Safe gates made for dogs may be used across stairs and other areas where the puppy isn't allowed.

There are certain human foods that can cause problems for pets. Consult your veterinarian for the specific list of human foods that can cause problems or be potentially harmful to your puppy.

It is also very important to make sure the outside of your home is safe. Hopefully, you can puppy proof your backyard before your puppy goes outside. You will want to be with your Yorkshire Terrier puppy when he is outside, so you can supervise him.

If you have any fencing in your yard, you can check to make sure there are no holes through which your puppy could squeeze through and sneak out of the yard. Check to see if all of the gates are securely closed and that your Yorkshire Terrier puppy would not be able to crawl underneath the gate.

Some plants and trees outside may be toxic to dogs. Many bulb plants can also be poisonous. Some mulch can be toxic to dogs. Again, you can ask the veterinarian for a complete list of plants and trees that are dangerous or toxic to dogs. You will want to keep your Yorkshire Terrier puppy off of freshly treated lawns.

Keep all gasoline, auto supplies, insecticides, fertilizers for your lawn, oil, or any paint in securely closed containers out of reach from your puppy. Also, keep antifreeze out of reach from your puppy.

Swimming pools or hot tubs should be properly covered or fenced off.

For a safety measure, keep your Yorkshire Terrier puppy away from any barbecue grills during outdoor cooking.

Garbage should be kept in closed containers that have secure lids.

It is so important to keep your puppy healthy and safe.

The Yorkshire Terrier and Separation Anxiety

Dogs of all ages can experience separation anxiety when separated from their owner. Young dogs and even older dogs that might have some hearing or sight problems may feel anxious when their owners are away from them. You may need to understand that chances are you are probably the most important thing in your dogs life. You may now begin to realize that when a dog that is routinely used to constant human companionship and attention is left alone, the dog can experience some anxiety about where their owner might be going. Your dog may not understand why he cannot go with you and he may worry about whether or not you will be coming back home to be with him.

What behavior may your dog display if he is experiencing separation anxiety?

The most common behaviors associated with separation anxiety include the following:

Barking, whining, crying or howling

Destructive chewing or digging

Inappropriate elimination (urination or defecation), even if the dog was otherwise successfully house trained

Scratching at doors or windows

Excessive licking of hair, circling the room or pacing

Loss of appetite, depression or inactivity

The dog may have an over attachment to his owner. The dog may get too dependent on their owner.

An example: Your dog makes a daily habit of following you from room to room whenever you are at home together. My dad used to have a very cute, long haired, male chihuahua and he would follow my dad everywhere that he would go in the house all day long. If my dad was in the kitchen cooking, or folding laundry, or watching television his chihuahua would be right with him. He would constantly be right by my dad's side almost every minute of each day, if possible. When my dad had to go out of the house to do a few errands, his chihuahua would always give him a dramatic, overwhelming greeting as soon as he would return home.

What are some other characteristics or factors regarding separation anxiety?

The behavior occurs mostly when your dog is left alone in the home and his problem behavior usually starts soon after you leave him in the house.

The behavior may occur whether your dog is left alone for just a little while or long periods of time.

Your dog may display a reaction of depression or anxiety when he realizes that you are getting ready to leave the house. Actions like picking up your car keys or purse, turning off the TV, or putting on your coat can trigger the anxiety behavior.

But it is very important to realize that any destructive type of behavior or house soiling that may possibly occur with separation anxiety are part of a dog's panic reaction. Your dog is not trying to punish you for leaving him home alone.

What are some things that can precipitate separation anxiety in your dog?

A Yorkshire Terrier that is routinely used to constant human companionship and attention is left alone for the first time.

A dog that may have suffered a traumatic event in their mind, such as time spent away from home at a veterinary hospital, dog shelter or boarding kennel.

Anxiety may develop if there is a significant change in the family's routine or the death of a family member or other pet.

Some other situations that may precipitate anxiety for your dog are if one of your dog's favorite family members leave the home and go away to college or get married, or if your work schedule changes dramatically, or if the whole family moves to another home or a new town. Dogs are actually creatures of habit and any changes may bring about some anxiety.

Some ideas that may possibly help minor separation anxiety:

Don't be very dramatic when you are leaving or returning to your home. When you return back home you can calmly pet your dog and reassure him.

When you have to leave your Yorkshire Terrier in the house, you can let him have something of yours like a piece of clothing that smells like you.

You can make a reassuring habit of using a certain word that you routinely use every time you leave that tells your dog you will be coming back home.

Possibly, if the dog could hear the sound of a radio or television, it may be calming.

Sometimes having their safe and appropriate dog toys available for them will be a little distraction for them and help to keep them busy.

You may also wish to read The Yorkshire Terrier and Separation Anxiety: "A lot of Yorkie owners know the signs — sticky terriers that follow you everywhere, scratch at the door or window when you leave, and bark non-stop until you reappear. If so, it’s probably just a case of Yorkie separation anxiety."

Adopting A Yorkshire Terrier From an Animal Shelter

Animal shelters can be filled with animals that may become cherished pets for my many families. Animal shelters help match the animals to new responsible owners. Most shelters have both dogs and cats, of various ages. Some of the animals in the shelters may be purebred. Maybe, you may happen to find a nice Yorkshire Terrier, if that is the breed you are looking for at this time. Many animals in the shelters may have good behavior and habits. Shelter animals are in need of new homes with owners that want to care for them and bring them into their family.

The staff that work in the shelters are usually very dedicated and they help find good homes for a variety of animals. There are several reasons listed below why animals may be in a shelter.

Possibly their original owners were not able or uninterested in caring for them anymore.

Their previous owner could no longer financially afford the basic maintenance required for the dog.

There may have been a change in the household: children may not have gotten along with the dog, or maybe there was just a new baby born in the family; or there was a divorce, or a death or major illness in the family.

Possibly the family needed to move and they were not allowed to have a dog in their new apartment complex or townhouse due to rules and regulations.

Change in lifestyle: employment and career changes may have included more traveling away from home or a major shift change or lots of overtime hours in their work schedule. Or the family realized they just did not have the necessary time required for a dog.

Medical reasons: someone in the family developed allergies to the dog or experienced a major, chronic health condition and was no longer able to properly care for their pet.

Possibly the dog had some behavioral problems.

The dog could have experienced some training problems, such as house training issues.

Possibly the dog was a homeless stray dog or unfortunately he may have come from an abusive situation.

Some shelters may provide an evaluation, which includes a history of animal health and behavior at their prior home, and a veterinary exam and screening. If you get a pet from the shelter, it would be helpful if you could obtain a written copy of the evaluation and any veterinary health records to keep, if at all possible.

Before you go to the shelter or anywhere to get a dog, there are some important things to think about when deciding if you should get a dog.

1. Did you do any research on the the type of dog or breed that you would be interested in? When you see all of the animals in need of good homes at the shelter, it may seem a little overwhelming. You should decide on some characteristics you are looking for in a dog, such as the size of the dog, the temperament, age, male or female, and any grooming needs.

2. Do you have enough time available each day to be able to properly care for a dog? Do you have enough patience and motivation for training your dog and helping him get the proper exercise, healthy diet, and any necessary grooming?

3. Are you ready and committed to take care of a dog and have him with your family for many years to come?

4. If there are children in your family are they old enough to understand about the proper treatment and responsibility of safely caring for a dog?

5. Are you able to afford the veterinary health checks and proper food for a healthy and nutritious diet for your dog?

6. Do you have a safe and comfortable place to keep your dog when you are temporarily not at home for a few hours, such as when you might be at your place of employment, or doing your grocery shopping, or doing necessary errands?

7. Do you know what dog or puppy supplies that you might need to bring a new puppy or adult dog into your home to keep him comfortable, healthy and safe?

If you definitely know that you want to adopt a dog from the shelter, then there are a few things you may want to consider when choosing a dog.

The age of the puppy or adult dog.

Does the dog have a nice temperament?

Is the dog successfully house trained?

Has the dog been spayed or neutered?

Does the dog have any pre-existing or ongoing health problems?

Is the dog up-to-date with his vaccinations?

Does the dog get along well with children and other dogs?

Does the dog have any pre-existing behavior problems, such as aggressiveness?

How much prior training did the dog have in their previous home?

Does the dog look properly nourished?

Next, I will list a few steps that may be part of the adoption process.

Filling out an application

Choosing your pet

Signing a contract (the adoption contract may possibly have provisions such as the following: you will provide good housing, nutrition and health care for your new pet, and also you will return the animal to the shelter if you can no longer take care of him.)

Paying a fee (generally less expensive than buying a pet from a breeder or pet store)

It can be a very rewarding experience to adopt a dog from a shelter. People are so glad they could save a life of an animal by providing them a good, safe home with lots of love. Remember that animals in shelters have had some stress. They may deeply miss their owner who had to give them up and their previous home environment. They more than likely will welcome your patience, affection, guidance and love. Hopefully, you will choose a dog that fits your lifestyle. And maybe you could even find a nice Yorkshire Terrier in the shelter.

If you are bringing a new dog home you may be thinking about some specific items that you may be shopping for to make the transition easy for you and your dog in his new home. For example, your dog will need an appropriate place to play and sleep and he will also need some items for daily maintenance. The following list includes specific items that some people may think about and consider when getting a new dog.

Feeding and Water dishes

Appropriate dog food and treats

Dog brushes and combs

Appropriate dog collar and leashes

Possibly a dog pen

Safe dog toys

Safe and comfortable dog bed and dog blanket

Dog shampoo

Dog nametag or ID

When you bring your dog home, allow him some time to get familiar with his new home. You can also work on housetraining, if needed.

If your dog is quiet and shy, just allow for some extra time for him to adjust to his new life. If you take good care of him and show him positive attention and love, he will probably be very devoted to you forever!

Choosing a Veterinarian for Your New Yorkshire Terrier Puppy or Adult Dog

Are you looking for a good veterinarian? Maybe you recently adopted a new puppy or an adult dog and you need to find a veterinarian. Or possibly you just moved to a new town because you just got married or you needed to relocate for a new job. A new Yorkshire Terrier puppy will probably need a check up soon after coming into your family. It is a good idea to find a veterinarian before you bring your new puppy home.

Here is a helpful list of some important things to think about when looking for a new veterinarian.

1.You may wish to contact your local Humane Society or animal shelter and ask if they can give you a list of veterinarians in your area.

2.Talk to other dog owners that happen to live in your neighborhood about their veterinarian. You can ask a friend, a dog groomer or even a pet sitter for a good recommendation.

3.The phone book is a good resource of information. You can easily search for Veterinarians and Animal Hospitals.

4.You can also do a search online for local veterinarians in your area.

5.It is important to check if the veterinarian has a membership in the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).

6.If you happen to be looking for a specialist, you may want to check if the vet is board certified in the specialty you are interested in for your pet's needs.

Once you have narrowed down your search for a veterinarian, there are some questions to think about at this point.

1. Do you have a flexible schedule that would allow you to go to an office appointment during the morning or afternoon hours of the day? What are the veterinarian's regular office hours? Is the office open on Saturdays or open in the evenings a few days a week? It may be very important to know if there are after-hour emergency services available.

2.Do you mind driving a little distance across town to get to a good veterinarian or would you prefer an office nearby?

3.How many veterinarians are actually in the office practice?

4.Do they routinely offer any boarding services?

5.Does the veterinarian have any areas of specialty in his practice?

6.Are services like x-rays, bloodwork or other diagnostics done in their office?

7.What is their normal procedure for scheduling appointments in advance for your pet?

8.What forms of payment are accepted and do their fees fit your financial budget at this time?

Next, you may want to schedule a visit to meet the office staff and learn about their specific policies. You can check to see if the office is clean and if the receptionists and assistants appear caring and knowledgeable. It may be helpful to know if they offer products like specialty dog food or items that are routinely used for grooming purposes, like specific dog shampoos.

Hopefully, this information will be of some help to you when you are looking for a veterinarian to take the very best care of your dog! I will include some additional information about helping a dog stay calm and relaxed when going to the veterinarians.

Your dog’s visits to the vet can be calm and pleasant. There are some helpful ideas to make the experience a positive one. Taking your dog to the vet isn’t always the easiest thing to do. A little planning ahead can help to make the trip much easier. You may want to have your Yorkshire Terrier go to the bathroom before getting into the car to go to the vet's office. (Some offices have a place outside the building where you can take the dog if he needs to go to the bathroom.)

You may wish to bring a favorite dog toy or your Yorkshire Terrier's favorite blanket for him to have in the car when you are riding to the vet's office. Having something familiar may help to relax him. Many people use a dog leash or dog carrier when they take their dog into the office. It is helpful to give your dog praise for his good behavior while he is in the vet's office.

If you act like you are confident and in control during the visit you will reassure your Yorkshire Terrier that it’s routine and fine and nothing to get worried about. Keeping your Yorkshire Terrier occupied will take some of the attention away from any other pets, owners, receptionists, assistants or technicians that may be in the office area.

Occasional praise for being a well behaved dog helps to make it a positive
experience. In the examining room if you have conversation with the vet or his assistants, the dog will hopefully feel calm and relaxed.

You may decide to stop by with your Yorkshire Terrier and make an informal visit to your vet's office at another time just to say hello or to purchase a dog supply, like dog shampoo, so that your visits can be associated with routine, positive experiences for your dog.

The Responsibilities of Caring For a Puppy

By Jeff Van Dalsum

Caring for puppies is not something that should be taken lightly. A large percentage of puppies are later abandoned due to the fact that the owner was not fully prepared to care for another life. Typically, the owner later realizes that he doesn't have enough time, energy, or money to make the commitment.

To comprehend this immense responsibility, think of it as adding a new baby to your family. He will require constant attention, supervision, care, and love. It's a lot of hard work at first, but the results are very rewarding.

To fully understand what it means to care for a puppy, there are several aspects that you will be responsible for and that you should understand before you make the commitment.

Health
Caring for a puppy means constantly monitoring his health. One of the first things you should do as a new puppy owner is to select a veterinarian and schedule an appointment. Your new puppy will need certain vaccinations to prevent common diseases. Worms and fleas can also be a problem for puppies so make sure to discuss this with your vet. Always be on the lookout out for signs that could indicate that your dog is sick. Ideally, a perfectly healthy puppy should have smooth skin, a clean coat, and bright eyes.

Sleep/Rest
Caring for a puppy also involves preparing a safe and cozy sleeping place. Choose which room he will sleep in ahead of time. If you decide to let him stay in your room, you should know that there could be howling, whimpering, and barking as the puppy deals with separation anxiety the first few nights. A good way to ease this transition is to bring his bedding to the breeder or shelter (wherever you receive him) a few days before taking him home to give the puppy a familiar object in your house.

Feeding
You will also be responsible for feeding your puppy each and every meal. If you have other pets, you should be sure that each one has his own set of bowls for water and food. Sharing bowls tends to lead towards territorial conflicts and bullying as each pet tries to assert their dominance over one another.

Also, the quantity of the food that you give him varies over time. Puppies eat much more frequently than older dogs and also have extremely different nutritional requirements. Therefore, it's important to select the right type of dog food for each stage in his life. As a general rule of thumb puppies 6 to 8 weeks old eat four times a day, 12 to 20 weeks old eat three times a day, and 20 weeks and older eat only twice a day.

Play/Exercise
Another aspect of caring for puppies that is very important not to overlook is play time and exercise. Make sure to establish a safe place where your puppy will be allowed to be himself. This may be indoors or outside, but either way the area should be a controlled environment for the first few months of your puppy's life. Play with your puppy regularly to promote socialization and healthy development.

Also, make sure to buy appropriately sized toys for your puppy. If he is small, he should have smaller toys. For larger breeds, small toys can be a choking hazard. Most toys such as bones, ropes, stuffed animals, and balls come in all different shapes and sizes.

Potty Training
Potty training can be one of the most frustrating parts of owning a new puppy, but it's very important to get right. When and where to potty are the things that your puppy has to learn, and it may take some time. If you're at work during the day, you should seriously consider crate training.

Grooming/Cleaning
Proper upkeep, such as grooming and cleaning, are an essential part of puppy care. Not only will it encourage healthy development, but it will also remove unpleasant odors. Most puppies love to be brushed so don't be afraid to give it a try. It will remove dead hair and keep his coat beautiful. Also, don't forget about brushing his teeth and gums regularly.

Now that you understand what it takes to properly care for a puppy, you might be feeling slightly overwhelmed, but you shouldn't. Caring for a puppy is only difficult at first. The adjustment is the hardest part. Once you establish routines and good habits, the only thing left to do is enjoy the company and make memories together. The most important thing is to prepare your life for a puppy ahead of time to reduce the time it takes to adjust to your new family member.

Perfect Puppy Care is a website dedicated and developed by puppy care enthusiasts who have taken it as their goal to help you raise a happy, healthy, and well-behaved puppy.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Van_Dalsum

How To Be a Good Dog Owner

Owning a dog is about more than the friendship you share. You are will be responsible for your dog. It's your job as a good owner to make sure he is healthy and happy, and that he stays safe. Good dog ownership starts right in the very beginning. It is so important when you are first thinking about getting a dog to do some valuable research on which breed of dog would fit your lifestyle the best.

When you chose your dog, it may be helpful to think of it as a true commitment for the dog's lifespan, which may be many years to come. You will want to make sure that you have enough time available each day to be able to properly care for a dog. You will want to select a dog that will hopefully work out great for you and your family. If you are adopting a dog from an animal shelter, you will want to make a well thought out decision about your selection, so you wouldn't need to unnecessarily bring the dog back to the shelter.

So, you may want to think of some of these helpful ideas when choosing your new dog. For example, maybe you are looking for a small, lap dog like a friendly Bichon Frise or a Yorkshire Terrier or maybe your personal style would be a long haired active breed, like a Golden Labrador. Are the dog's grooming needs a factor for you? Do you live in a small apartment or have a house out in the country with a big backyard for a dog to run?

If you have children, you may be looking for a breed that is known to get along well with kids. After you choose your puppy and bring him home, you may wish to consult the veterinarian about how to introduce the new puppy to children or other animals in a safe manner. If you are thinking about bringing a new Yorkshire Terrier into your family, give some thought to the age and nature of the child or children in the family. If there are children in your family are they old enough to understand about the proper treatment and responsibility of safely caring for a dog? It is important to note that infants and also very young children that have not learned how to correctly handle a dog should definitely not be left unsupervised with a Yorkshire Terrier. Also, if a puppy has not seen any children before, the first sight of a child can be a little frightening to an inexperienced puppy. Regardless of how friendly a dog may appear to be, it is good practice for the parent to safely supervise any interaction between the dog and a child.

Parents can teach children some important helpful safety tips such as to never approach a dog while he is eating or sleeping or never try to take the dog's food away while he is still eating. If you are bringing a new puppy home, parents can teach children in a safe way how to handle and play with the dog in a gentle manner that won’t frighten or hurt him. Parents can teach children how to touch and handle dogs, and always safely supervise any interactions between dogs and young children. Many parents believe that having a dog in the family helps to teach their children responsibility. The parent should teach the child just how dependent the dog actually is on the owner and the parent can always be on hand to take care of situations that are too much for the child to handle.

Parents may decide to include children in the appropriate care of their pet. Parents can make a chart for daily care that includes providing fresh water throughout the day, all feedings, walking or exercise and playing.

Having a dog can be a positive, rewarding experience for a child and the whole family. Family pets can prove to be faithful and loyal companions who provide happiness and unconditional love to the family!

Don't forget, when bringing a new puppy home, you may be thinking about some specific items that you may be shopping for to make the transition easy for you and your puppy in his new home. For example, your Yorkshire Terrier puppy will need an appropriate place to play and sleep and he will also need some items for daily maintenance. You will want to have a safe and comfortable place to keep your dog when you are temporarily not at home for a few hours, such as when you might be at your place of employment, or doing your grocery shopping, or doing necessary errands. The following list includes specific items that some people may think about and consider when getting a new puppy.

Feeding and Water dishes

Appropriate dog food and treats for puppies

Dog brushes and combs

Appropriate dog collar and leashes

Possibly a dog pen

Safe and appropriate dog toys (recommended for puppies)

Safe and comfortable dog bed and dog blanket

Dog shampoo

Dog nametag or ID

Next, when you bring your new puppy or adult dog home, you will more than likely go the veterinarian's office for the dog's check-up. The veterinarian may check to see if the dog is up-to-date with his vaccinations.

A good dog owner will want to obtain and keep accurate health records amd other important documents about their dog. Some animal shelters may provide an evaluation, which includes a history of animal health and behavior at their prior home, and a veterinary exam and screening. If you get a pet from the shelter, it would be helpful if you could obtain a written copy of the evaluation and any veterinary health records to keep, if at all possible.

It is important that if you decide to buy a Yorkshire Terrier puppy from a breeder that the proper documentation is provided to you, such as a copy of the dog's pedigree (AKC registration). Usually a certified copy of the pedigree can be obtained from the American Kennel Club.

The registration certificate is like the dog's birth certificate. The breeder should transfer this information to the new owner. The breeder should give you any documentation of the puppy's health record, including information such as the specific dates of vaccinations and also the information about when future vaccinations are due.

It is very important to provide regular veterinary care for your puppy or adult dog. Vaccinations, check-ups and dental exams are essential to your dog's good health.

Your veterinarian may help educate you about your dog's dietary needs and he may recommend certain healthy dog food to make sure that your dog maintains a healthy, balanced diet. You can talk to your veterinarian about any questions you may have in general about what you are thinking about feeding your Yorkshire Terrier. There are certain human foods that may be toxic to dogs and your veterinarian can explain this to you in detail. You may want to also read the following article: Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Dog.

Water is so important and essential for your dog. You can make sure that fresh water is always available for your Yorkshire Terrier. Dogs can become dehydrated.

It is always important to keep your Yorkshire Terrier clean and routinely take care of any grooming needs.

It is also important that your dog gets the proper exercise for his well-being. It might be a nice idea to play with your puppy at least 20 to 30 minutes a day. A responsible dog owner will obey leash laws and not let their dog run loose. You will probably need to get a license, and possibly a name tag for identification for your puppy.

It is up to you to teach your dog what he needs to know. Dogs like to know what they are supposed to do and what is expected of them. Dogs like structure in their life. You can decide to set reasonable house rules for your Yorkshire Terrier. Actually, dogs can become stressed when they think they can do anything they want.

Often times, dogs feel secure and confident with knowing exactly what you expect from them and having some fair house rules. It may be helpful to try to maintain a regular daily routine or schedule so that it will be easier for your Yorkshire Terrier to understand what is expected of him.

A Yorkshire Terrier usually looks for their owner's positive approval. Your Yorkshire Terrier's well-behaved manner may depend on your good teaching and leadership! You can teach your Yorkshire Terriers what you want them to do or not do and you can praise them when they obey and they will very likely be happy companions.

A good owner will want to puppy proof the inside and outside of a house. You can consult the veterinarian about all of the specific things that can be done to puppy proof a home. You may want to read the following article: Puppy Proofing Your Home.

Your may want to have your puppy grow up to be friendly, happy and very well-adjusted for their lifelong emotional well-being.

A good way to help your puppy develop an emotional bond with you is to spend time with him, especially during the first few days he is with you. This is an important time for you and your Yorkshire Terrier puppy. Remember that when your pup first arrives his new home will be unfamiliar to him, and he will be missing his mom and his littermates. You can help make this time easier for him by spending quality time with him.

A good owner will understand that socialization is so important for a new puppy. You will want your Yorkshire Terrier to feel comfortable in his new world.

It is helpful for puppies to learn how to cope with their environment, (which includes people, animals, places and things), in a healthy and positive way throughout their lifetime. You will want your puppy's socialization experiences to be positive. Puppyhood is an important period for your dog's development. Positive influence in the early weeks of the puppy's life can be very beneficial. The time before the puppy is 16 weeks old is an important developmental time period when he may be very receptive and influenced by his experiences. Praise and positive reinforcement are so important with socialization and training. Socialization begins on the day your puppy is born and continues for the rest of his life.

Until your puppy has had all of his proper vac­cinations, you may want to be guided by your veterinarian about socialization. You may consult your veterinarian about when and also how to introduce your puppy to other animals in a safe manner.

Once you know that it is fine to socialize your puppy, you may want to gradually introduce your new puppy to some of your close friends or relatives in a pleasant, supervised manner.

Here are some helpful tips about spending your first day and night with your new puppy or adult dog.

It is such an exciting time for you and your family when you bring your new puppy home for the very first time. You need to remember it is probably the first time your Yorkshire Terrier puppy is separated from his mom, the litter family and the breeder and you don't want to overwhelm him. I can just imagine all of the important puppy supplies you now have in your home, such as a feeding dish, maybe a new dog bed and blanket, collar and leash, appropriate puppy food and treats. You must have already picked out an adorable name for your new puppy.

You may want to keep your puppy happy and relaxed when he comes home for the first time. Talking in a calm manner to your Yorkshire Terrier puppy and handling him gently may help him get comfortable with his new family. Your Yorkshire Terrier puppy may want to explore some of his new home, with your supervision. Your Yorkshire Terrier will most certainly appreciate all the human attention that he will get from you and your family. You may want to get down on your puppy's level and let him sniff your hands so he can get familiar with you. You may want to pet him gently. This may be comforting to your Yorkshire Terrier puppy and you can start to form an emotional bond. You may wish to read Ask A Vet: How do I ensure my puppy bonds with me?: "By spending time with him". Each person in the family may spend some time with the puppy, so he becomes familiar with them. Your puppy's socialization may have started with the breeder, but now it is your job to continue it.

What a busy day your puppy may have experienced! Maybe, your puppy had his very first car ride home. He probably had a good chance to meet all of the family members and explore his new house with them. Your Yorkshire Terrier puppy may have eaten his first meal in his new home already and checked out his backyard with you.

Your Yorkshire Terrier puppy is probably tired and getting ready for some sleep. This may be his first night that he will be without his mom and litter family. He could be a little apprehensive and lonely. You can be reassuring and comforting to your new Yorkshire Terrier puppy.

It may be time to show your puppy where he will sleep. It is important to set a good habit for bedtime in your home so that you and your puppy will both feel rested and happy! Every dog needs their own safe and comfortable place to sleep. You may want to read Why Every Dog Needs a Bed: "Dog beds provide both physical and emotional comfort. HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT ONE".

You may wish to have your puppy's bed in a quiet, safe place in the house. A peaceful and comfortable section of the room may be nice. Maybe you will choose a safe, cozy dog bed for your Yorkshire Terrier puppy. You probably will want to pick a special sleeping area for the puppy where there is not much noise.

Your Yorkshire Terrier puppy may feel a little more confident and secure if he can still see the people in the house from his sleeping area. Just knowing that you are there may help him to stay relaxed and calm. It is common for most puppies in a new home environment to feel somewhat anxious and have a difficult time at first trying to quiet themselves down to sleep for the night. A new puppy may whine to get your attention. Everything may seem so new to your Yorkshire Terrier puppy in the beginning until he gets a little used to his new home.

Your puppy may enjoy having a favorite, safe dog toy or dog blanket with him for a feeling of security. If you want your Yorkshire Terrier puppy in his bed at a certain time, you can begin a daily routine schedule and try to have him go to bed around the same time every night, so he gets used to this habit. But, if your Yorkshire Terrier puppy leaves his bed, you can nicely put him back in his bed, so he gets the idea and learns to get comfortable in his special sleeping space.

When your Yorkshire Terrier puppy gets accustomed to where his bed is, you may tell him to go into his own bed when you want him to go to sleep at night. Dogs like to know what is expected of them. Hopefully, he will soon learn a nice bedtime routine.

So your Yorkshire Terrier puppy can sleep good at night you may want to allow for adequate exercise for your puppy throughout the day. You can plan a routine schedule for meal times for your Yorkshire Terrier puppy. Dogs usually respond well to a nice schedule. Your puppy may need to go outside to eliminate immediately before bedtime. Providing background sounds, such as a very soft background sound of a TV or radio may calm your puppy down and relax him at night.

A puppy may need to eliminate in the middle of the night. If your Yorkshire Terrier puppy needs to go out during the night, he may whine, pace or bark. You can take him outside in a safe manner to eliminate and bring him right back to his sleep area to go back to sleep. He should learn to understand that it is time for sleep and not time to play during the night. Hopefully, with a few helpful ideas you and your puppy will get adequate sleep every night and be happy!

It might take at least two weeks or more for your Yorkshire Terrier puppy to get accustomed to his new home environment. With lots of love and positive attention he will soon learn that his new home is a very safe place. You are his leader and his provider of food, water, shelter and security and your puppy will want to stay close to you!

As your puppy grows and he begins to learn commands, and when he is the appropriate age you may want to learn more about "The Canine Good Citizen" program. It is an American Kennel Club program to recognize dogs who demonstrate good behavior at home and in public. The Canine Good Citizen program is based on a test administered by certified evaluators. Basic obedience training may help your Yorkshire Terrier prepare for the Canine Good Citizen test. It is helpful if your Yorkshire Terrier is well socialized.

Dogs who pass the test may receive a Canine Good Citizen certificate recorded with the American Kennel Club (AKC). You may check the American Kennel Club website to find an evaluator or an upcoming test near your area.

A few things that are evaluated during the test are appearance and grooming, accepting a friendly stranger and some commands, such as sit, down, stay and come. You can read the following article to learn more about the 10-part Canine Good Citizen test: Who’s A Canine Good Citizen?Dog Information, Dog Behavior, Dog Diseases - I-Love-Dogs.com.

Spending lots of quality time with your Yorkshire Terrier and teaching him the things you want him to learn will help to keep him happy and healthy throughout his lifetime!