Breeding Your Dog: Does it Make Any Cents?

Author: Emma Snow
For anyone who may balk at the price of good pups nowadays, or who may think to himself, “At those prices I should become a breeder!” let me assure you that breeding does not make millionaires. There are a lot of bad reasons people breed their dogs, but there are only a few good ones. If you don’t meet all three of the following conditions and you still want to breed your dog, take a long, hard look at the situation in our crowded shelters across the country before you decide to contribute to the problem.

Good reasons to breed your dog:

1. You have in your possession a five generation pedigree (at least) for your dog that contains numerous champions in conformation, obedience, and/or fieldwork. There is no evidence of in-breeding, and you have a stud in mind with a complimentary pedigree.

2. Your dog is in excellent condition and closely fits the AKC standards for the breed.

3. You possess an abundance of time, patience, and indeed, passion for dogs in general, and your breed in particular. What’s more, you are in a financial position to cover the expenses that invariably incur with breeding dogs (see below for details).

If you’re a dog-lover looking for a way to make a few extra bucks, do yourself a favor and open up a kennel or a high-end poodle salon. Don’t imagine that raising pups will bring in the bucks, for the reality is the very opposite. But in case you’re still seeing dollar signs…

This article should give you an idea of the cost involved in breeding a dog.

To begin with, there are the initial costs, like purchasing the mother. If you remember condition #1 (above), you know that you’re going to need to be picky if you want to breed her. Plan on approximately $800. You’ll then need to have a series of tests run to make sure she meets condition #2. These tests include hip X-rays to rule out hip dysplaia, eye tests to check for cataracts, and tests for thyroid disease, in addition to any other tests recommended for the breed. These tests will cost you at least $300. Of course, you don’t have to do these tests, but it you don’t, you have no way of guaranteeing the genetic health of your pups, which serious buyers will be expecting. Then, of course there are the dog supplies you’ll need for the first year before your gal is ready to breed (food, toys, vitamins—you’re going to want to keep her healthy), but you had already planned on those, right? Tack on another $1,000.

So now we get to the fees at the time of breeding. Expect at least $400 for the stud fee, although it’s more if you insist on a champion-quality stud. There may be travel and boarding expenses, but we’ll give you a break and pretend that dream-guy lives down the block. Once your gal is pregnant she’ll need routine vet exams to check for infections that might affect the health of the pups. If anything goes wrong you may have to pay for ultrasounds or an emergency C-section. Oh yeah, pregnant dogs eat more, and need more vitamins…We’re talking $500 or more, even for a healthy pregnancy.

You’ll need some special equipment for the big day: whelping box, heat pads and lamps, thermometer, scissors, towels, baby scales, tweezers, hemostats, baby suction bulb, bottles and/or tubes for feeding (just in case mom gets an infection or can’t feed her pups), milk replacement formula, and nail clippers. But you probably have most of this stuff lying around, right? So we’ll be modest and say $100. Whew! The pups arrive and all is well. Now the money starts rolling in, right?

Wrong! You’ve only just begun. To keep those pups in tip-top shape you’ll need puppy wormer (given at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks), diarrhea medication, wellness check-ups with the vet, vaccinations and eye certifications, extra puppy food and vitamins, and advertisement fees! Plan on $300 minimum for each pup, plus $100 to take them off your hands. Oh, and you’ll need time off work to care for mother and pups. But you had ample time, right (condition #3)?

Wow! All those expenses add up fast! For a litter of four you’ll be dishing out at least $4,400. Even if you sell your pups for $800 (that’s average for a well-bred puppy), you’re out $1,200. While some of these expenses are one-time, can you expect to make money down the road? After seven litters, you might. But then again, consider that annual maintenance of the mother will cost you $1,000, and you shouldn’t breed her at intervals more frequent than two years. Maybe it’s understandable why 75% of breeders do not attempt to breed again. The verdict is in…if you’re thinking of breeding for the money, you should know right now, breeding definitely does not make cents!


About The Author

Emma Snow an animal lover works in marketing for Dog Pound http://www.dog-pound.net and Horse Stall http://www.horse-stall.net leading portals for pet management.

Pick Me! Why A Shelter Dog Is Your Best Choice

Author: Emma Snow
Disney left a life-long impression on me when, as a youngster, I viewed the dog pound scene in Lady and the Tramp. Mournful mutts howled out a pitiful rendition of “Home Sweet Home,” which nobody but the most callous could sit through dry-eyed. The pound was portrayed as a cruel place manned by heartless dog-catchers. I vowed never to step foot in one, not even to save the life of one of the rejected creatures. Adopting a pet under such sad conditions would certainly place a cloud over the day. Could I ever leave completely happy with the dog I chose, knowing that dozens were left behind in misery?

My answer today is a resounding YES! From personal experience I have learned that animal shelters can indeed be the very best place to find your companion. As a volunteer in college I found that humane societies and animal shelters can be places of compassion, and the animals, while lonely, are happy, healthy, and not nearly as desperate as Disney made them out to be.

There are plenty of good reasons for bringing a dog home from “the pound.” In this article I’ll discuss just a few of them.

Typically, when a family decides to adopt a dog, they check the pet store, the newspaper, and maybe the neighborhood for a puppy. More often than not, this spells disaster. While unarguably cute, puppies are not for everyone. Puppies, no matter what breed, take lots of time, money, and patience. Unless you are prepared to deal with urine spots on the carpet, sleepless nights, and hundreds of dollars in pet-related equipment and veterinarian bills (not to mention replacing chewed up clothing), you are not prepared for a puppy! In fact, this is the very reason animal shelters are filled to capacity. Puppies grow up fast and their newness wears off, and all too many owners find themselves too frazzled to continue. Thus, Fido ends up behind bars for no fault of his own. The vast majority of dogs in shelters are there because people weren’t thinking about the time, effort, and money involved in raising a dog. (Other common reasons are families relocating, owner’s deaths, or divorces that leave a dog in the mix.)

Think twice before bringing home a pup. An older dog is calmer, will pick up housetraining (and other obedience training) faster, and have outgrown the frustrating chew stage. Perhaps the best thing of all is that they are more predictable; what you see is what you get. With adult dogs the size, shape, skills, and temperament have already been determined. Depending on the shelter, they may even have a pet history!

Another reason to avoid pet-finding in pet stores and newspapers is that these places are largely supplied by backyard breeders and puppy mills, notorious for breeding unhealthy animals in inhumane conditions. The best way to shut down these operations is to avoid supporting them. While they may boast purebreds for low prices, a mixed breed mutt has much lower incidence of health defects than poorly bred purebreds. (Adoption days at places like PetSmart are run by shelters, and not supplied by puppy mills. Furthermore, most shelters now have web sites so you can start your dog search on-line. Petfinder.org lists dogs by specific breeds, a great tool if you know what you are looking for!)

Cost is also another reason that shelter dogs come out on top. For a nominal fee, you bring home a dog that is up-to-date on vaccinations, has had a general health exam, and has been sterilized. Often the fee may include the cost of microchipping and licensing. Sometimes you even score coupons for free food and equipment on Adoption Days! Keep in mind that no dog is ever “free.” You should always have a new pet checked by a veterinarian to avoid the spread of disease. Having your pet spayed or neutered is a pet-owner’s responsibility not to be postponed. Heartworm treatments, chew toys, and other necessary equipment add up. It’s hard to beat the all-inclusive fee offered by a shelter.

But perhaps the best reason to adopt a shelter dog is the values it teaches your children. Bring home an older dog, and you send the message that all creatures have intrinsic worth, not just the “cute babies.” Giving a dog a second home teaches another fabulous lesson, and dogs who have suffered losses often bond faster to their new people, eager to belong again. Children appreciate knowing about second chances. Finally, when you bring home a shelter dog you save the life of a dog whose only alternative may be euthanasia. 60% of animals placed in shelters meet this fate. By including children in this important decision-making process, making careful choices, and being a responsible pet owner, you teach children the best lesson of all.


About The Author

Emma Snow an animal lover works in marketing for Dog Pound http://www.dog-pound.net and Horse Stall http://www.horse-stall.net leading portals for pet management.

Get Your Dog To Listen to You - Start Obedience Training

Author: Moses Wright
Dog obedience training is important for every dog owner who wants to own, live and enjoy the company of an obedience dog. Obedience training not only allows your dog to listen and behave in the manner that is expected of him, it creates a bond that bring your communication and relationship to new heights.

Do train your dog early and a good time to begin training your dog is when he is about 8 to 10 weeks old. This is the period where they learn best and is a vital time for influencing your dog's future behavior. It's definitely easier to train a pup when compare to an older dog. Nevertheless, it's still possible to train older dogs, you just have to correct his bad habits first and then teach him the proper ones.

There are many incidents where owners abandon their dogs at shelters because they cannot understand what their dog is up to. Dogs will start to display annoying behaviors such as chewing, barking and potty when and where they like, the worse case would be to display aggressive behavior towards the owners.

These incidents can be avoided if obedience training is implemented. Obedience training is a fundamental platform from which your dog and you will learn to effectively communicate with each other.

On top of that, obedience training can help to instill discipline in misbehaved dogs. It is one way of incorporating discipline in the dog's behavior. Obedience training makes the dog realize that certain behaviors are not allowed and that he should not act that way. Done correctly, obedience training can regulate your dog's behavior and he will be able to respond properly with the right behavior that is expected of him.

There are many dog owners who ask if it is advisable to enroll their dogs into obedience training school. In most cases, it can be much easier to have a professional trainer or an obedience school to teach both owner and his dog the proper way to follow a command. Nevertheless, if the dog owner feels that he is up to the job and has the ability to follow simple instructions, there is no special incentives or need to enroll into a dog training school. A helpful dog training guide is generally more than enough.

No matter where you choose to train your dog, at home or in a school, there are some universal dog training principles that never change and all dog owners should follow them strictly:

1. Fun and Reward - Effective obedience training is not about imposing strict rules and punishments. Your dog does not understand why he should listen to your commands in the first place. Therefore, in order for your dog to act and behave to what you want, the training session must be fun and rewarding for him.

Your dog will soon learn to do as he is commanded whenever he gets rewards or praises and he will find it an enjoyable experience as well.

2. Consistency - It is important to have consistency in the course of training especially when correcting unwanted behaviors. Always use the same "command" for a specific task you require of your dog. Don't confuse him by using different commands for the same task.

The minute you set the house rules for your dog, like keeping the bed or bed room out of bounds, stick to them constantly. If the dog learns that he can get away with breaking these rules now and then, your previous efforts will go down the drain.

Simple rules and regulations set earlier on should be followed religiously. It is extremely important to teach the dog what he can and cannot do and stick to it consistently. Confusion will only make matters worse. Last but not least, you have to communicate and make sure the whole family knows and enforce the house rules on your dog consistently.

3. Timing - Knowing when to correct behavior is essential. Praise your dog whenever he is doing something right. Offering your dog a small treat as a reward will work like magic for most dogs.

Do take him to task immediately whenever he does not respond to your command or behaves inappropriately. Delayed reprimands and praises will have no effect after the teachable moment has passed.

There are 2 main approaches when it comes to correcting your dog's undesirable behaviors. The first approach is the "Direct Approach". It simply requires you to reprimand your dog on the spot whenever he misbehaves – chewing, barking, digging and biting. This is a more tangible and straight forward approach to training your dog and is easy to understand for most trainers.

The second one is the "Endurance Approach" as it'll require you to ignore your dog when he misbehaves. Using the cause and effect to your advantage, this approach requires you to ignore the dog, especially when he behaves in a certain manner to seek attention.

This method works best by giving your dog attention whenever he is behaving. The rationale for this is that dogs desire attention and will be encouraged by attention. Unlike man, dogs do not know how to differentiate between positive and negative attention. They see things in a simple way. Whenever an action gets attention and a reaction from you, you will find that your dog will repeat the action again - cause and effect.

Sorry to say, most dog owners tend to give negative attention to our dogs. For example: Do you let him out of his crate when he groans or do you give him more attention when he jumps onto you excitedly whenever you comes home? These are considered to be giving him negative attention, and only seek to motivate your dog to continue with his bad behavior.

Luckily, the opposite is true if you can learn to give your dog attention when he behaves well. The moment your dog sees that good behavior brings about attention, he will want to continue repeating the positive actions.

What you should do is to focus your attention on your dog only when he is behaving; praise him or give him a treat, let him know that he's getting the attention. If this technique is used correctly, he'll be a well-behaved dog for a long time to come.

4. Training Session - You should be in a calm and correct frame of mind when training your dog. Don't train your dog when you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs or if you've had a bad day and not in the best of moods.

It's recommended to locate and train at a place where there is little distraction around him so that he can concentrate on training. You should take it slowly when you first begin training, this is especially true for young pups. You should not train a young puppy continuously for more than five minutes and limit the training session for older dogs to less than fifteen minutes. They will not have the mental stamina to concentrate on training. It's recommended to pause for short breaks in between training session.

Whenever possible, you should plan the training session to your benefit. One of the best time to start training your dog is before meal time when he is hungry; he will be mentally more alert and response better to treat rewards.

Training your dog is not a difficult task: once you get the hang of it, the rest will follow naturally. Every dog owner has the right to own, live and enjoy the company of an obedience dog - Start to train your dog today.


About The Author

Moses Wright is a an experience dog lover with 3 beautiful dogs. He created a web site to help fellow dog owners stop their dog behavior problems. You can get a free copy of his book filled with easy-to-use yet effective tips here: http://www.dogsobediencetraining.com/dogger_enews.htm

Funny Birthday Cards For Dog Lovers

Author: Anna Hart
Dog lovers. They have a dog for reasons other than guarding the house or going hunting. They may let the dog sleep with them. They spend hours with the dog every day. They speak in loving tones to and about their companion. Dog lovers enjoy getting birthday cards that focus on that love. Funny birthday cards for dog lovers are also appreciated. Just imagine what might be contained in the following 7, and you will see what I mean:

1. Funny English Bulldog birthday cards
2. Amusing Jack Russell terrier birthday cards
3. Hilarious Black Labrador birthday cards
4. Droll Dachshund birthday cards
5. Witty French Poodle birthday cards
6. Comical Golden Retriever birthday cards
7. Humorous Saint Bernard birthday cards

Funny English Bulldog birthday cards seem especially appropriate to me. They would be easy to create, with great potential for humor. A photo or sketch of an English Bulldog, fangs protruding beside a long tongue, might include a caption regarding someone being a bit "long in the tooth" these days.

A funny English Bulldog birthday card we found online is a "driver's license" for the recipient's English Bulldog. You can have a "DMV pet license" custom made for the English Bulldog lover. Like an official DMV driver's license of the chosen state, your friend's "DMV pet license" will be a laminated, wallet-sized card. He or she will also receive a matching collar or keychain version.

To order this funny English Bulldog birthday card, you provide a photo and information about the pet. Best of all, you select any "restrictions" you want to have noted. Choices for dogs include things such as no chasing cars and no chasing cats. You can create your DMV pet license at the My Pet DMV website.

DMV pet licenses are not only funny English Bulldog birthday cards, of course. They can be funny birthday cards for any pet lover.

Very funny English Bulldog birthday cards, as well as English Bulldog gifts, are available at The Inky Paw website.

Vivyland also has a collection of funny English Bulldog birthday cards. I was amused by the bulldogs in angel wings! Women will love the female bulldog featured on another, with rollers on her head and cucumber slices on her eyes!

All right. So, there are funny English Bulldog birthday cards. What about other dogs and the dog lovers having birthdays? Are there equally amusing greetings for them?

Yes, of course. First off, any pet owner with a dog, cat, ferret, parrot, rabbit, or other pet would love the DMV pet licenses mentioned above. They make a cute card, and an ongoing identification for the pet.

Funny birthday cards for almost any breed of dog are available at the Inky Paw website. They have all of the dogs named above and more. For Dachshund lovers, Inky Paw offers a birthday card featuring a wiener dog stepping onto a bathroom scale and commenting on the wonder that kibble is a carb!

If you are looking for e-cards to wish your dog lover a happy birthday, you will want to visit the Dog Breedz website. They have dog birthday cards for many breeds, and you can create your own verses – hilarious, cheeky, or romantic. They provide information about each breed, allow you to choose a photo and a skin, and then ask for your message. You don't have to be overly creative to come up with a clever birthday card here.

E-greetings often allow you to use your own photo of that African Basenji, Chinese Shar-Pei, French Poodle, or Irish Setter.

Perhaps the most memorable funny birthday card you could send to a pet lover would be one that you yourself make. Homemade birthday cards show thoughtfulness and effort that can never be captured by a purchased card or free e-cards. Take a few funny photos of the pet – or find funny photos of the same breed. Study the photos for funny human qualities they suggest. Write a few funny words as a caption. Inside your birthday card, you can write funny verses, or simply wish a happy birthday.

Helpful Tip: Belated birthday cards are better than nothing, but try to be timely. A birthday card that arrives on time or early says "I cared enough" much more than a belated card – unless you have an excellent reason for being late.

Disclaimer: The author presents this information for educational purposes only. She is not an employee of any of the merchants mentioned, nor will she receive any compensation if their products are purchased by the reader.


About The Author

©2007, Anna Hart. Anna Hart invites you to read more of her articles about birthday cards at http://www.distinctivegiftsandcards.com. Anna has posted additional information on that site about other cards and gifts, too. If you would like to find unique gifts in a rush for a birthday, visit Anna now.

Dog and Hiking and Backpack Equals Fun

Author: CJ Berry
Dog and hiking and backpack go together pretty well. Take out one item from the equation, and the whole thing falls down like a house of cards. At one point or another, you would have taken your dog with you to a long hike down the woods and you realize the trek could have been a lot more enjoyable if you did not have to carry all those paraphernalia by yourself?

Or maybe you intend to sit down under a huge oak tree to read your favorite book, so if dog equals hiking equals backpack were in place—you would not have to carry your own book. Besides, the dog feels responsible that way, when he knows he is helping you carry some of your stuff.

Dog and hiking and backpack come together real well when you got a great backpack for the little pooch. It not only helps carry the load, it also substitutes as your dog’s sweater in case it gets cold out there in the woods.

http://www.dogbackpack.info

Like we said, dog and hiking and backpack go well together, but it depends a lot on the last ingredient. If the backpack is a bad one, it can affect the dog and the enjoyment of the whole hiking expedition. So the onus is on you to select the best backpack for your pet.


About The Author

CJ Berry is an established author on topics such as animals, health, hiking and more.
http://www.dogbackpack.info