HowToDoThings.com Recent Choosing a Dog Articles

How To Choose the Purebred Dog That's Right For You

visionarywrite — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:33:46 -0500

How To Choose a Responsible Breeder

britgurlmax — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 18:54:13 -0500

Deciding to get a new dog or puppy can be exciting, especially if it is your first dog. You imagine a soft, cuddly puppy following you around everywhere, giving you puppy kisses rich in 'puppy breath' and living a long, healthy life with you and your family. Unfortunately, it isn't that simple or that realistic if you buy from a direputable breeder. Often times people are misled by breeders whose practices are less than ethical and who sugar coat there ads with dog 'hype' to draw the unsuspecting public to them. The result is that people buy a dog laden with health problems, temperament problems, and behavioral problems. In the dog world, as is everything else, you get what you pay for.

How To Prepare for and Find the Perfect Puppy

ColleenDB — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 14:57:52 -0600

Above all else, when you are preparing for a puppy, you must do your homework! Here are some things to consider as you prepare for and choose the perfect puppy.

How To Decide What Pet Is Right For You

JessRan — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 12:32:29 -0600

Selecting a new pet is a big decision for anyone. Remember anything you do will now impact the
life of another creature. Below are some things to think about before you decide to bring home any animal.

How To Give a Pet as a Gift

JessRan — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 11:24:10 -0600

Many people purchase pets as gifts with good intentions only to discover their new pet takes more time and care than anticipated or the recipient isn’t as thrilled as they’d hoped. Caged animals need daily handling to become loving members of the family. Puppies and kittens left in unfamiliar surroundings may get into more trouble or discover possible dangers in the home.

How To Choose Where to Adopt a Dog

Casey47 — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 12:05:01 -0500

Are you looking for the perfect companion? Maybe a large dog that loves fetch and would be a great jogging partner? Possibly you are looking for a small lap companion that loves car rides, or maybe even a playmate for your children? No matter how you look at it, getting a dog is a serious task. After all you are choosing a new member of the family, so you want to make sure you make the right choice!

When getting a new dog or puppy, it's always important to consider where to get the animal. It's also important to remember that you have a few choices. There are several places and opportunities for adopting dogs. Here are a few that will hopefully help you to make the best decision possible for your family!

How To Train Your Dog

teacher — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 19:58:53 -0500

Puppies are cute…and unruly. They need guidance as they don’t know what is right or wrong yet. They are little explorers and will get into trouble unless you teach them how to behave well. How can you help your mischievous little friend? Well, train your dog by following the basic rules of dog training. Here are some useful dog training tips that will help you guide, teach and train your new addition to the household.

How To Choose the Right Dog

teacher — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 22:11:14 -0500

The idea of adopting a dog has been on your mind for months now. Every time that you see a puppy in the window of your local pet shop, your heart crumbles at the idea of holding that puppy in your arms. Their selection is huge and all these cute and friendly little critters offer you a sad puppy eye look telling you they wish to share both your heart and your home. Unfortunately, you cannot bring them all home. So the question that is on your mind is: “How to choose the right dog?”

How To Assess Wolves as Pets

Staff468 — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 12:35:24 -0500

Wolves are wild animals. This means that they like to live outdoors, follow the rules of the pack and mark their territory. Are you considering a wolf or wolfdog as a pet? Here are some tips on what you should consider as you make the decision:

How To Choose a Healthy Dog

Amy 329 — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 14:49:00 -0600

Whether you are adopting a dog from your local humane society or purchasing a puppy from a breeder, you'll want to be sure that your new pet is healthy. There are several things you can do to ensure that the pooch you pick is in good physical and mental health.

Look for discharge from the eyes and nose. A thick, greenish discharge from a dog's eyes or nose can be a symptom of several illnesses. If the dog has already been examined by a veterinarian and is undergoing treatment for something easily cured, you may want to consider taking him home and finishing out his treatment. If the breeder or shelter staff is unsure as to the cause of these symptoms, be cautious about taking him home.

read more

How To Choose Between Male and Female Dogs

Mary311 — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 21:01:00 -0600

In some ways, choosing between male and female dogs is a matter of personal preference. However, there are some characteristics which are common in bitches and other characteristics which are common in male dogs. It is important to evaluate these characteristics and determine which sex would fit in best with your home situation. Additionally, choosing between male and female dogs is important if you already have another bitch or male dog and are choosing an additional dog. This article will list a few characteristics of bitches, a few characteristics of male dogs, and how to choose between male and female dogs when considering a second or third dog.

The following characteristics often apply to bitches:

How To Select a Dog Breeder

Amy 329 — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 12:18:00 -0600

You've done your research and found the perfect breed of dog to fit you and your family. The only problem now is where to find this perfect puppy. With the horror stories you've undoubtedly heard about the living conditions for dogs in puppy mills and the problems associated with backyard breeders, it can be difficult to decide the best place to purchase your new puppy. The good news is that there are several things you can do to ensure that you are buying a puppy from a reputable breeder.

How To Do a Puppy Personality Test

Mary311 — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 23:09:00 -0600

Purchasing or adopting a new puppy can be very exciting but it is important to thoroughly evaluate the puppy's personality before making your decision. Theoretically you should have already done a great deal of research to determine the right breed for you and your family, but it is important to note that not all puppies of a particular breed are the same. There may be certain characteristics which are prevalent in a particular breed but not all puppies will display these behaviors. Likewise, some puppies might be dominant while others are submissive. Also, some puppies may be independent while others are insecure and clingy.

How To Choose a Second Dog

Mary311 — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 22:50:00 -0600

If you already have one dog, you might want to consider adding a second dog to your family. If this is the case, you should be aware there are some special considerations when adopting a second dog. You may be considering adding another dog to the family to keep your first dog company or simply to have another pet to love. In either case, you should take care to ensure your second dog will be a good fit for your family, including your current dog.

Whether you plan to purchase or adopt your second dog, the following steps will help to make the process simpler:

Carefully consider your reasons for adding a second dog to the home. A second dog can be a wonderful companion for your original dog but it is unrealistic to expect the two dogs to keep each other entertained. They may enjoy playing together but if you are firmly established as the alpha, they will both still seek out your attention and require a great deal of your time and energy.

read more

How To Choose a Rescue Dog

Mary311 — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 22:18:00 -0600

Adopting a dog from a rescue group is an excellent idea. Dogs who are placed in rescue groups are considered to be highly adoptable dogs who were either difficult to place through a shelter or who were surrendered to the rescue by owners who believed the rescue group was the best option for re-homing their dog. Rescue groups may accept a variety of breeds or may be breed-specific rescues. Breed-specific rescues typically only accept one breed or dogs that are mixed with the specific breed.

The advantage to adopting a dog through a rescue group is that most dogs are cared for in a foster home where the foster parents learn a great deal about the dog while he is in their care and can also work on training him in appropriate behaviors and correcting inappropriate behaviors.

The following tips are helpful for those who wish to consider adopting a dog from a rescue group.

How To Choose a Dog for an Apartment

Casey47 — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 12:30:00 -0500

It is a common misconception that if you live in an apartment, you cannot have a dog. However, there are many dogs that are well-suited to apartment life, no matter what your tastes. In this article, we will examine the kinds of dogs that are best suited for apartment life, as well as some that you will want to steer clear of for your apartment.

Before we explore the most compatible breeds, let's look at a few precautions you will want to take care of before going out and getting a dog. These both involve consulting with your landlord and your lease agreement.

How To Know What a Dog Will Cost You

Staff468 — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 15:46:00 -0500

The cost of owning a dog will vary from year to year based on the number of vet visits your dog needs, your dog's activity level, the number of times you need to hire a pet sitter or board your dog, etc. So the prices below are just an estimate. However, before purchasing a dog, you should be aware of what it generally costs to keep a dog happy and healthy.

The Dog Itself. There will likely be a fee associated with purchasing or adopting your dog. Generally, if you're buying a pure bred dog from a breeder that expense will be significantly higher than if you're adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue group. The cost of a pure bred dog will depend on the breed and the availability of those puppies. However, there will usually be a small fee associated with adopting a dog as well. This will help the shelter pay for the care and boarding they provided for your new dog or puppy and help them to continue with their rescue efforts.

read more

How To Choose Between Getting a Rescue Dog and a Puppy

Staff468 — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 15:39:00 -0500

Choosing between a rescue dog and a puppy can be very difficult. On one hand, you might really want to care for a dog from the earliest stages all the way through adulthood. Where other people may recoil at the idea of a puppy chewing on a treasured pair of slippers, you might find an endearing, irreplaceable memory. Raising a puppy is often compared to bringing up a baby, not only in the amount of care required but also for the emotional power of the experience.

How To Choose Between Getting an Adult Dog and a Puppy

Staff468 — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 14:14:00 -0500

Choosing between a puppy and an adult dog can be difficult. You are guaranteed some trying moments if you welcome a puppy into your life, but owning a dog in general requires a lot of time and love, and not just a little patience on occasion. Here are some guidelines to help you choose between an adult dog and a puppy.

How To Avoid Puppy Mills

The2 — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 11:44:00 -0500

Puppy mills are large breeding facilities that have little or no regard for the safety and health of the dogs in their care. They mass produce purebred puppies and, as a result, do not have the ability (or the desire) to properly care for and raise the dogs. I'm sure you've heard of puppy mills and the horrific conditions that the dogs and puppies inside are subjected to, so I won't go into much detail regarding that. However, if you're considering getting a dog, you need to be aware of what a puppy mill is, how you can recognize one and what to do if you come across one. This will help you avoid inadvertently supporting puppy mills and prevent you from purchasing a potentially sick, unsocialized, genetically defective puppy that may require much more attention and care than an average dog.

Here's what you can do to avoid puppy mills:

How To Choose a Dog for a Family

Amy 329 — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 21:06:00 -0500

A dog can be wonderful addition to your family, and hopefully you'll be spending the next ten to fifteen years or more with your canine companion. Keep this in mind when you're choosing your dog. Taking the time to find the dog that best fits your lifestyle can save you a lot of stress and heartache down the road. There is nothing worse than getting emotionally attached to your pet only to realize that he really isn't fitting into your family. It is one of the reasons our nation's shelters are overflowing with companion animals. There are several things you can do to find a dog who will become a loving member of your family.

How To Adopt a Dog

Ashtyn198 — Tue, 30 May 2006 09:50:00 -0500

If you are hoping to make a new dog part of your family, you have numerous options. The most obvious has you going to a breeder or a pet store. Of course, this could be costly depending on the breed you are hoping to purchase. This makes the option of adopting a dog a very appealing idea to some people. It is much cheaper to adopt a dog and you are offering a very valuable service by taking a dog without a home into your family.

Adopting a dog should be an overall easy task that is rewarding not only for you, but also for the dog. The following tips will help you to decide how and where to adopt your dog.

How To Choose Dog Breeds

Samantha245 — Sun, 30 Apr 2006 12:34:00 -0500

So you've decided you want to own a dog! It seems like such a simple decision to make, but which breed is right for you? This isn't a decision you want to rush into, as there are many factors that play a part in choosing a breed of dog. Here are a few things you need to consider when choosing the breed of dog that is right for you and your family:

What size of dog do you want? There are breeds of dog that range in size from around 5 pounds to over 100 pounds. Make sure you choose a breed that will stay a good size for you and its home. (For example, as cute as that Newfoundland puppy might be, it isn't going to be very happy in a studio apartment!)

read more

How To Choose a Dog

Betsy131 — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 21:53:00 -0500

Before you choose a dog, ask yourself the following questions:

What is your budget? Can you afford the purchase price (or adoption fee), the annual care bills, such as food, veterinarian care, toys, and grooming costs?
If you rent your home, does your lease allow you to have pets? If so, is there a restriction on size or how many?
Do you want a high energy dog or a lap dog? Are you going to take your dog camping every weekend, or will you expect him to be an indoor or apartment dog?
Do you have a fenced in backyard, or do you plan to walk your dog every time he needs to relieve himself?
Do you have small children who may injure a toy-sized dog?
Are you ready to train a puppy or would you rather have an adult dog that is already trained?

read more

How To Pick a Puppy

Wendy118 — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 11:27:00 -0500

Picking the right puppy for your family is a very important task. It is not something that should be left up to the children, either. Adults should thoroughly research each breed that is being considered to narrow down the choices of suitable puppies. Things that should be taken into account include the breed's temperament, maintenance and grooming needs, and the family's environment and lifestyle.