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Getting A Dog


So you want a pooch? Before you dash out to find your dream dog, go over the info below to help you determine the where, how, and what-kinds involved in picking out a canine pal. And if you have any questions, send us an email.

• Pet Stores
  
     Most pet stores sell puppies bought from puppy mills, where dogs are bred specifically for the purpose of being shipped to pet stores and then bought by unsuspecting customers. These dogs usually have serious health problems.
  
     Some pet stores do buy from breeders, though. But call to find out instead of visiting the store itself. (Side note: Dogs bought from breeders are usually purebred and very expensive.)
  
     Our Say: We don't recommend pet stores, due to the puppy mill factor and the expense of buying a purebred puppy. Your best bet is trying an animal shelter.

• Animal Shelters
  
     Most animal shelters now have a "trial period" for new pet owners. This way, you can find out if the dog you've bought is the one you really want to keep. If you don't mix, the dog can be returned.
  
     Another plus for animal shelters is the fact that they have dogs of all ages and breeds, and the cost for a dog is much less expensive than that of a pet store. (Also, dogs here don't come from puppy mills.)
  
     Our Say: We recommend finding a dog from an animal shelter. Call ahead to a shelter near you to find out prices and if that shelter has trial periods.

• Classified Ads
  
     A lot of "Free dog to good home" ads can be found in any newspaper. While they're not always the best way to get a dog, a classified ad was how we found Gus!
  
     Before calling about a dog, make a list of questions to ask the owner. Here are some examples:
  
  
  • Why are you selling/giving away the dog?
    
  • Has the dog been spayed or neutered?
    
  • Does the dog have its current shots?
    
  • Does the dog have any health problems?
    
  • Who does the dog get along with?
    
  • Is he/she okay around other dogs?
    
  • Has the dog been housebroken?
  
  
     Also, go over to the owner's house to look over the dog before making a final decision. You may find a completely different dog from the one the owner described, or your best friend.
  
     Our Say: While using the classifieds is not a guaranteed way to find the right dog for you, it's inexpensive most of the time and occasionally you might be able to find a purebred dog. Use caution when skimming over ads, and be sure to come up with a list of questions!
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  Feeding Your Dog
  
  If you're feeding your dog three times a day, you should cut back. Most dogs only need to be fed twice a day. Some healthy brands that Gus likes are Nutro and One Earth Naturals. Remember not to feed your dog too much!

  If you're out of dog food, or want to give your dog something else to eat for a change, try one (or all!) of the following. Gus loves 'em!

  • Carrot Pulp
  • Raw or Steamed Veggies
  • Plain puffed rice cereal (make sure that the only ingredient is puffed brown rice)
  • Olive Oil (a little poured onto the top of some food is great!)
  • Nutritional Yeast (available at health food stores; just sprinkle some over your dog's food)

  Click here for some recipes your dog will enjoy!

  Does your dog have bad breath? A carrot a day sends the vet away! Rinse and peel a carrot and chop off both ends, then give it to your dog to chew on. It's like a natural toothbrush.

  Water
  
  Your dog needs fresh water daily. Filtered or bottled water is best. However, if neither option is available to you, tap water (although not recommended) will suffice because the chlorine eventually evaporates.

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  Tips for Buying Dog Food
  
  It's best to buy name brands (not generic store brands) when choosing dog food. But even name brands can have some pretty lousy ingredients. Here's our list of things to avoid when label-looking:

  • Meat byproducts. Meat byproducts are taken from whatever's left over of meat that was originally used for something else. As the saying goes, it's better to be safe than sorry - don't buy food with ingredients you suspect to be meat byproducts.

  • Preservatives. These ingredients are added to prolong the life of dog food. (But hey, if your dog is like Gus, who needs it to be prolonged?) They're usually artificial and unnecessary; some dog foods, however, will have natural preservatives and you'll know if "natural preservative" or something of that nature is written beside it. If it is natural, go with it.

  • Artificial coloring. Ingredients that read "Red #40" and the like are always artificial; don't be fooled! (Read more about artificial coloring here.) In any case, it's always safe to avoid it since it's not natural. However, colorings from vegetables or beta carotene, which comes from carrots, is fine.

  Well, there you have it - the three nos of dog food. It's pretty hard to find a dog food out there that doesn't have any of the above. But most health food stores sell natural food for pets that you might want to check out. Check for Nutro and One Earth Naturals, two dog foods we highly recommend.
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  Exercise
  
  It's probably safe to say that most all dogs LOVE walks. Not only does it get them outdoors, but it works off fat, too. Don't worry about training when you walk, though - it's totally separate from training time. Bring along a retractable leash (not a lead) that extends up to about 20 ft. so your dog can have the run of the road! If necessary, take a plastic bag too.

  Be sure to walk against traffic on the left side of the street if you don't have a sidewalk, and naturally, walk in the daytime! Bring along a ball if your dog enjoys chasing them. Try walking 15 minutes after your dog eats; it's the best time to go. Have fun!

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  Bathing & Grooming
  

  Bathing
  
  Since it's not a good idea to wash your dog weekly (it removes special oils from their coats if you do it too often), give your dog a bath about every two months. A dog trainer at SeaWorld Orlando told us that their show dogs - who star in SeaWorld's pet show - get baths every few months. Remember to brush your dog before and after bathing.

  If you're doing it at home, bathe your dog in a bathtub using a shower attachment to rinse him off, or use a plastic kiddie pool. Fill either one with lukewarm water (dogs' body temperatures are higher than humans', so never bathe your dog in hot water) and use a natural shampoo (found at health food stores) to wash your dog. We don't recommend "regular" shampoos, since they usually have artificial colors and other bad ingredients. Important: do not get water in your dog's ears or directly in his face.

  Grooming
  
  You can buy a brush for around $3-$5 at a pet store or supermarket. Be sure to brush your dog daily! You can also buy a flea comb for about the same price; these combs are very useful if you suspect your dog has fleas.

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  Training
  
  If you're up to it, it's best to train once a day or every other day. It shouldn't be a long session; dogs lose interest after more than 5-7 minutes. So concentrate on one command each time you train.

  Train before your dog has eaten: you can feed them afterwards as a reward for a good job. In time, they'll also begin to realize that by obeying you in training, they'll get a meal.

  Want to know how to train? You can learn basic obedience and some cool tricks at our tricks and training page!

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  Skin Conditions
  
  For Fleas: Add garlic cloves to your dog's food (fleas hate this). If the fleas are in your house, buy a couple inexpensive nightlights and put a dish of soapy water below. The fleas will be attracted to the light, and will fall into the water where the soap will kill them. (Water alone doesn't work.) If your dog has a serious case, check with a reliable vet for help. They can usually recommend treatments that will help a lot.

  For Mange: Gus is a proud "survivor" of mange, and it was rough for a while. For about four months, Gus had black skin, was hairless, and constantly itching (but now he's completely healed). He got so miserable he wouldn't eat or chase his ball! We found that using flea treatment and going the natural way didn't work. We finally found a vet that was able to help him.

  Click here to learn more about mange and how you can prevent it.

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  Don't Leave Your Dog in the Car
  
  The next time you see a Border Collie sitting in the car parked next to you, it may be the last time you see a Border Collie sitting in the car parked next to you.

  The heat in cars rises so high that dogs eventually could get sick or die. If the dog is aggressive and was able to get out, people could get hurt and the dog's owner would be in trouble. Or if a window was open far enough, it could be "dognapped."

  You've probably guessed why people leave dogs in their cars: convenience. It's easier to take a dog with you then leave the dog at home, in most cases. Some people are so attached to their dogs that they can't bear the thought of their dog being left at home. But it's much safer for them to be in a house or yard than in a vehicle by themselves.

  What can you do to help? The next time you see a dog left in a car, inform the owner (if they're nearby). If not, you could leave a small note on the windshield. Helping promote awareness about this lesser-known subject could save a dog's life, and the owner will be grateful you let them know about a potential danger to their pet.

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  Eyes, Ears, and Mouth
  
  Taking care of your dog's ears, eyes, and mouth is very important if you want your dog to stay healthy. Run an at-home "checkup" of your own.

  Eyes: Are they red, irritated, watery, cut, dry, or have a crusty buildup around the edges? Notify your vet immediately.

  Ears: Is there a smelly, brownish buildup inside? Moisten half of a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide, and wipe the insides. You can use a dry cotton ball to dry the ears after you've removed the debris. Floppy-eared dogs will most likely have this; dogs with ears that "stand up" probably won't have it at all. Your dog may have ear mites if you notice the inside of the ear to have brown debris and red, irritated skin. In such a case, contact your vet.

  Mouth: Are the teeth yellow? A great substitute for a toothbrush is a raw carrot. Chop off both ends, rinse the carrot, and let your dog eat it. Gus gets a carrot every night before bedtime and his teeth are white and in great condition! Or, you can brush your dog's teeth using a baking soda paste on a soft toothbrush. If the gums are bleeding, have a vet take a look.

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