Toy Dogs Are Not a Toy

By Alisa Chagnon
“Toy dogs” have become quite popular in the recent years. One of the main reasons of this type of dog having gained so much popularity is the rise in ownership from famous celebrities. In just speaking of the wonderful Pomeranian, the list of famous Pom owners is quite impressive. Sharon Osbourne, Nicole Richie, Paris Hilton, Hilary Duff, Sandra Bullock and Jessica Alba are just a few. The famous people who own Pomeranians do all have one thing in common besides their pets. They are looked upon as role models for quite a large population of teenagers and adults alike. It is for that reason that one must take a realistic approach to owning a Pomeranian as opposed to only referencing what is shown to us through the media.
In looking at the overwhelming bombardment of images that the media provides to us, these celebrities are often shown with their famous pets. The majority of these pictures and film clips show one very poignant fact. The celebrities are holding their Pomeranians. They are holding these dogs as if the are accessories. The Pomeranians are being held as if they are pocketbooks or an expensive fashion accessory to their outfits. Pomeranian toy dogs are not a toy. What is shown in the media is very misleading as to the proper care that a Pomeranian needs to be a healthy pet.
Grooming, healthcare issues, proper feeding, providing exercise and training are all elements that should be provided when owning a Pomeranian. Only weighing from three to eight pounds, this toy dogs requires extra special care.
Pomeranians are sometimes called "Puffballs with feet" and require careful grooming. Poms do not need as much grooming as some other long haired dogs, however you should brush your Pom two or three times a week. Be prepared to do extra brushing when the dog is shedding. This toy dog's coat should not be brushed when it is dry. It is best to mist the coat with a bit of water first. If you desire, you may add a bit of conditioner to the water, as well. A bristle or a pin brush is recommended for a Pomeranian. All loose hair must be removed or the Pomeranian's may get matts which would then need to be removed by clipping. When brushing your pet, make sure to pay attention to the area behind the ears and the groin area, as these areas are prone to knots and tangles. It is important to lift and part the overcoat and brush the fluffy undercoat, as it will reduce shedding of this toy dog.
Shedding may be a confusing time for Pomeranian owners, if they are not prepared for what may happen. Pomeranians have two coats of hair, an undercoat and a top coat. The undercoat is soft, thick and fluffy. The Pom's overcoat is long, and straight. Pomeranians go through a period which is called "puppies uglies", this stage happens betweeen the ages of five to 6 months. During this time, your pet is going through it's "adolescence". This is a naturally occuring event and is nothing to be alarmed about. When a Pomeranian reaches the approximate age of eight to ten months, it will have grown a beautiful new coat. At the one year mark, Pomeranians have the shed of their first adult coat. Once a Pomeranian reaches adulthood, the details of the shedding process are vastly different, depending if it is a male or female Pomeranian.
With a male, once reaching 18 months of age, the coat will stay relatively the same for it's life. Females are vastly different. Hormonal changes and the change of seasons greatly affect a female Pomeranian's coat. Female Pomeranians will also shed after delivering a litter ( an average size litter is 1 - 3 pups, however it can reach the size of 7) and her coat will regrow back in about six months. She will also shed when she is in season, and also if the dog is under stress .With males and females alike, if the Pomeranian has any anesthetics, it will dramatically affect his/her coat.
Activity is extremely important when owning a Pomeranian. This toy dog requires short walks. You may like the idea of walking your dog for long distances, as this also provides you with a great form of exercise, but it is important to remember that a Pomeranian is too small and fragile for long hikes. It is very important to provide exercise and play, however you must limit this to what amount your Pomeranian can handle. This type of dog does not need very much space to meet their exercise requirements. One to three short walks a day will keep Poms properly exercised. Play time with family and/or other pets will also promote good health. If you take your Pomeranian outside or to a fairly good-sized room in your home, your Pom will be more than happy to play with dog toys. It is best to supply your Pomeranian with a large variety of different toys, so that he/she does not become bored. Pomeranians are known for becoming bored a bit easily.
This is just the tip of the iceberg in learning how to care for a Pomeranian. More information can be found at http://www.petpom.com The most important fact to remember is that despite what we may see in the media, Pomeranians should by no means be a source for attention, used as accessories or bought for the sake of being the “in” thing at the moment. Pomeranians are loving, caring creatures of God, and deserve to be raised and taken care of for what the are: one of the most lovable dogs in the world.Written by Alisa Chagnon, webmaster of http://www.petpom.com Pet Pom is a complete Pomeranian information center regarding Pomeranians. Pet Pom shows stats, bloodlines, training, grooming, proper feeding, training, exercise, alergies, health concerns, signs of a healthy Pom, breeding, how to find a good breeder and a fun page of dog name related interactive sections.

Stopping a Bad Dog Behavior - Toy Aggression

By Rex Krisinsky
Does your sudden appearance near his crate while he's playing with a toy elicit a growl and a glare? Does he dive for that rawhide bone you're about to give him, snarling oh so viciously as he snatches it off your grasp? If so, you had better deal with this bad dog behavior. Toy aggression will not go away on its own. Rather, it will turn your dog into a lean, mean possessive machine who sees you as the thief out to rob him of his hard-earned treasures.
Make no mistake. When it comes to dog behavior, toy aggression is neither normal nor healthy. It turns an otherwise mild-mannered dog into a four-pawed savage. If you want what's best for your pup, don't tolerate this hostile dog behavior. Toy aggression should be nipped in the bud as soon as you see it occur. These tips can help.
1. Get your dog used to having his mouth touched. Once he learns this dog behavior, toy aggression won't be a problem. You can remove anything from him without getting bitten.
2. Offer your dog something while commanding him to "Take it." A few minutes later, tell him to "Drop it." How can this game prevent hostile dog behavior? Toy aggression occurs when your dog sees you as the taker of doggie treasures. By conditioning him to view you as the provider of good things, you show him there's no need for him to guard his pile of goodies so compulsively.
3. Establish a hierarchy. Dogs believe in a pecking order so early on, show your dog that he is on the bottom rung. As such, any family member can rightfully take anything away from him. Once you show your dog his rightful place is not on the rung between dad and mom, he will modify his hostile dog behavior. Toy aggression won't be a problem because he will be more than willing to share his precious hoard with the higher-ups in the pecking ladder.
Naturally, it will take time and a lot of patience to help your dog overcome toy aggression. But if you really love your four-pawed pal, you will go the extra mile to help him become a model of good dog behavior. Toy aggression will then be a problem as stale as yesterday's leftovers.Correcting your dog's behavior problems doesn't stop with the quick read of this article. Take action today to turn your misbehaving pet into the loyal and loving companion you've always wanted.
It's really as simple as following the Step-by-Step dog training course through the link below. The course will solve all your dog's behavior problems immediately after application...especially dog aggression.
You can learn right now to correct all your dog behavior problems right now at Dog-Training-Works.com. Check it out right now by CLICKING HERE.

Do Toys Stop Your Pet From Becoming Bored?

By Derek Rogers
No matter which type of pet you own, there will always be a range of toys suitable for them. Cats and dogs in particular have a large number of toys available to them and they are often seen as an essential for any pet owner. However, can toys really stop your pet from becoming bored and do you really need them?
What you need to know about Pet Toys
Pet toys come in all different shapes and sizes and they are designed to be used either by the pet alone or by the owner with the pet. They do stop boredom, although they cannot always be used instead of affection towards your pet.
Basically, your pet needs love and attention every day and they often get that through their owners playing with them. It enables the two of you to bond together and it is fun playing with your pet. You can also give your pet toys when you need to keep them occupied for a while too. However, toys should not replace love and affection and you can only expect your pet to be distracted with toys for a short period of time.
The Different Toys Available
There are so many types of toys available to purchase and it is a good idea to have a variety of toys available for your pet to play with. That way they will not get bored quickly. All pets need toys, even the smallest or the largest ones. Hamsters, gerbils, rats, rabbits, dogs, cats and even large pets such as horses need some form of entertainment! So how do you know what to purchase?
Generally, dogs love a variety of toys such as balls, teddies, rubber toys, and tug of war ropes. If you need to keep them occupied for a while, then you should try the "Kong" range of toys. These are basically solid rubber toys that have a hole in them that you fill with something tasty. Your dog will spend hours trying to lick the treat out of the Kong toy and it will keep them occupied whilst you go out or if you need to leave the room for any reason. Having a small toy box for your dog is definitely a good idea and they can then get their toys whenever they want to.
Cats love toys that they can chase and catch. Wind up mice and balls attached on a string hanging from scratching posts are very popular. You can also purchase fluffy toys and balls. Cats tend to love things that have different textures so it is not surprising to find toys that feel different such as fluffy toys, soft toys, plastic balls and even foil type toys. They also love toys that make a noise so you should keep that in mind when you are choosing the best ones.
Small animals like things that they can climb on. Pet stores do sell a small range of small animal toys and they include ladders, seesaws, and tubes.
Overall, it is important to own pet toys no matter what type of pet you have. It will prevent boredom, although you will still need to shower your pet with love and affection daily to really keep them happy!Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For information on pet supplies, he recommends Seapets, one of the UK's leading suppliers of Pet Toys