In today's highly specialized and complex society, a person comes in contact with more people in one day than our ancestors did in a lifetime. It has become necessary to speed up the process of attachments, and it's more difficult to develop meaningful relationships. Loneliness is not being known by others. Pets permit their owners to be themselves so they can risk self-disclosure and form attachments. With so many day-to-day changes in today's active society, it's important to select a pet that's lifestyle-compatable. If you don't have a large yard consider one of the toy dog breeds or a cat. Cats are content living their lives indoors. It's important to remember that cats and dogs live 8 to 20 years. The selection of a pet should be done responsibly, carefully considering what pet will best suit your lifestyle.

You love your pet - so show it. License your dog. Clean up after your dog. Change your cat's litterbox frequently. Have your pet spayed or neutered. Make sure your animal has shelter from the heat, the cold, and the elements. Provide your pet with fresh water and food in clean bowls. It isn't often that deliberate acts of cruelty towards and animal are committed, but thoughtlessness, ignorance and neglect can be as harmful as deliberate cruelty. Avoid "cruelty by ignorance" by learning to care for a pet before you adopt one.

Training your new puppy should begin the day you bring it home. Discipline should be kind, but firm and consistent using a stern look and firm tone of voice. NEVER SPANK!

Plenty of exercise is good for a growing puppy, but don't force it to play when it's tired. Like any other baby, a puppy needs a lot of rest. Several 15-minute romps a day are better than one long one. The dog that receives plenty of attention and exercise is seldom destructive and less likely to be noisy. Take your dog for walks and play games with it. Even the dog whose owners are away during the day can be happy if it receives plenty of attention when its owners are home.

 

A dog never really grows up...it remains a child. For the rest of your pet's life you must think ahead and plan for its health and safety. Follow a veterinarian's recommendation for shots, wormers, flea & tick control, and regular check-ups.

Keep your dog confined to your property as required by local law, and make sure your fences are secure. Take seasonal precautions, too. Don't allow your cat or dog out of the house during heavy winter fog, and follow the special seasonal/holiday precautions which you can link to from our home page. And for your dog's own safety, be sure it's licensed!