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  • Petland’s Top 5 Small Breed Dogs

    Petland’s Top 5 Small Breed Dogs

    Small breeds are much beloved because of a range of factors including ease of care, the fact that they fit in small apartments, and very essential, they can go just about anywhere with you. If you are wondering what breed to go for yourself, here is Petland’s top 5 small breeds of dogs: 

    Maltese

    The Maltese is one of the most common breeds of small dogs and comes with its characteristic soft and silky white coat. This breed is well known for its loyalty and is also very playful and full of energy. They are a very brave breed and were a rave back in the day when the Roman Empire still stood. 

    Yorkshire Terrier

    Commonly known as the “Yorkie”, this popular dog breed is highly intelligent and takes to training easily. They are energetic and brave and require only moderate exercise. They have also been used as therapy dogs at some point in history, specifically during World War II. 

    Miniature Dachshund

    The miniature Dachshund is well-loved because of its amusing, yet adorable looks. They are very loyal, fierce protectors, and active. Their short coat requires only minimum grooming and she’d very infrequently. Given their part terrier and part hound roots, they can be feisty on occasion. 

    Shih Tzu

    Shih Tzu’s bright eyes and tiny face can be regarded as their main selling point. In addition to this, they have flowing hair which you can tie up in a knot to keep out of their eyes and you can maintain a short coat as well. A fun fact to note is that they were the major breed that Chinese emperors owned. 

    Pomeranian

    The Pomeranian has a fox-like appearance and a beautiful fluffy coat. They relate well with other breeds and are hugely intelligent and cheerful. They make for excellent watchdogs and can be taught a trick or two with time. They shed regularly and require frequent grooming. 

    Conclusion 

    If you’re looking for a small dog breed, then you can opt for any of the options mentioned. They are excellent breeds and you would fall in love with them in no time.

  • This is Why You Need a Goldendoodle

    This is Why You Need a Goldendoodle

    Goldendoodles are a cross between a purebred Golden Retriever and a Poodle. They are a highly intelligent, loving, and loyal breed that sheds way less than a purebred Golden Retriever. This gentle and affectionate breed started gaining popularity following breed development in the 1990s. 

    Relative to other designer breeds, it is still regarded as a young cross. Goldendoodles are very social and would interact well with everyone. They would do well in both country and city settings. However, apartment living might not suit them. Rather, they do better in an enclosed space like a fenced yard. 

    They also shouldn’t be kept in kennels as they thrive with human contact. 

    Here’s a table that details their attributes:

    Height17-21+ inches 
    Weight50-90 pounds 
    Life Span10-15 years 
    Breed Size Large (61-100 lbs.)
    Good WithChildren, Families, Dogs, Cats
    Temperament Friendly, Gentle, Playful, Outgoing
    Intelligence High
    Shedding Volume Infrequent 
    Exercise Requirements Medium 
    Energy Levels Active
    Drool Amount Low
    Bark Level When Necessary 
    Coat Length/ Texture Medium, Curly
    Breed Group Hybrid
    Colors Black, Gray, Blue, Red, White, Gold, Fawn, Brown/Chocolate/Liver, Gold/Yellow
    Patterns Brindle, Bicolor, Black, Tan, and Merle 

    They also have other traits such as the fact that they are easy to train, are excellent for first-time pet owners, are great hiking buddies, require a great deal of grooming, are strongly loyal, and they may require a significant amount of grooming.

    They have a very affectionate nature and are hypoallergenic. The hypoallergenic feature makes them great for people who typically react to allergens. Goldendoodles come in a large standard size as well as a smaller, miniature size. 

    They make for great emotional support animals and enjoy spending time in the great outdoors. You can achieve this by taking walks or playing outdoors. This helps to cover their physical needs. 

    Conclusion 

    A Goldendoodle is the perfect canine companion for both individuals and families.

  • Best Ways to Socialize Your New Puppy

    Best Ways to Socialize Your New Puppy

    The first three months of your pup’s life would very much shape the rest of their personality and how they relate to their environment. Socializing your pup guarantees that you would end up with a confident and well-adjusted dog. Here are some ways to socialize your puppy: 

    The Outdoors 

    Introduction to new sights, sounds, and smells begins in the outdoors and then continues in the outdoors. Outdoors is where most of the adjustment happens. A multitude of new sensations would assault your pup’s senses and he may need to adjust gradually. Over time, familiarity would occur. 

    The Dog Park 

    Visiting the dog park should be scheduled for later during the socialization process. Ensure that your pup has developed some level of confidence so that they can be comfortable around other dogs. The dog park experience is an important one because you could term it the ultimate test of socialization. 

    The Neighborhood 

    Out on a walk and saying hi to the neighbors, allow your pup to say hi too. This helps him adjust to interacting with other people apart from you. If they want to come close and pet him, even better. Similarly, this is a good way to work on leash training too, helping him adapt to walking on a leash. 

    Puppy Classes 

    Once vaccinations are being taken care of, puppy classes can commence. These classes are designed to help puppies understand basic commands, and it also provides an excellent avenue for your pet to interact with other dogs and humans in a safe space. Socialization is also important for potty training. 

    Conclusion 

    Socializing your dog is important to help them enjoy the outdoors and be in the company of other people and animals without fear. 

  • How To Trim Your Dog’s Nails

    How To Trim Your Dog’s Nails

    An important aspect of dog grooming is trimming your dog’s nails. While a routine trip to the groomer also comprises nail trims, sometimes Saul’s nails may be overgrown and you may have to do it yourself. This is how to make this happen step by step:

    • The first step is to gather your supplies 
    • Up next, gently pick up the foot 
    • Isolate the nail that you want to cut
    • Select the precise place you want to cut
    • Do the cutting at a 45-degree angle 
    • Chip it off in bits
    • Remember the dewclaws 
    • Nail grinding (use as a finishing tool)
    • Reward your pet 

    It is important to note that a dog’s nail comprises the outer material known as the shell, which is hard and the living pink quick. The quick runs through the core of the nail and supplies blood. To ensure your dog’s wellbeing and guarantee easy maintenance, short quicks are the recommended length. 

    Similarly, if you are cutting your puppy’s nails for the first time, you would have to go very slow, starting with picking up the paw, isolating the nail, getting your pup familiar with the trimmer (especially if there is any vibration involved), cutting only a tiny chip initially. All of these would have to be done over a period of time to aid easy adjustment. 

    If your dog feels uncomfortable, it is best to retreat or you might have to eventually use a muzzle. In the way of products, there is a range of nail trimmers comprising scissors as well as grinder tools specially designed for dogs. The main thing is to use what works best for your pet. Also, styptic powder should be kept close in case of bleeding. 

    Conclusion 

    Trimming your dog’s nails can be quite the task, so remember to be patient and reward Saul with treats too. 

  • Top Pet Health Tips for Spring

    Top Pet Health Tips for Spring

    It’s springtime! The weather is warm and the outdoors is beautiful! This is definitely no time to stay indoors and Daisy definitely agrees. Now, before exploring the great outdoors for new scents and beautiful sights, it is important to ensure that your pet is protected. This article covers some tips to help. 

    Vaccinations!

    You need to ensure that your pet is up to date on her yearly deworming and vaccinations. You can easily do this by reviewing the vaccine cards. If you’re not sure or they are still missing some, be sure to pay a visit to the vet. 

    Plenty of Exercise 

    Dogs are generally an energetic breed, and as a result, require lots of exercise to burn off energy. Playing in the outdoors helps Daisy 

    with weight control and effectively reduces boredom, depression, and anxiety as well. The sun also provides vitamin D for your pet. Hikes and dog parks can be fun as well. 

    Watch Out for Allergies 

    Some dogs have seasonal allergies such as a reaction to ragweed for instance. Be sure to look out for changes in habits and physical appearance. If you think anything is out of place, examine your pet closely and then take them to the vet. 

    Flea and Tick Prevention 

    While the weather is perfect for Daisy to play, it is also perfect for fleas and ticks to come traipsing about. Preventing an infestation is way easier and better than treating one, so, get to work! 

    Use Safe Cleaning Materials!

    Spring cleaning is a tradition for many families, and if you would be doing some cleaning, ensure that the materials are dog-friendly. Ensure that it is clearly stated before embarking on your cleanfest. 

    Conclusion 

    These are some major tips that can help ensure that Daisy stays healthy and has an incredible Spring!

  • Here Are the 5 Best Dog Blogs You Need To Check Out

    Here Are the 5 Best Dog Blogs You Need To Check Out

    Learning about dogs is really such a fascinating subject and you can be sure there is a whole lot to be learned. Certain dog blogs are dedicated to creating useful content that would provide you with comprehensive information. Here are the best 5 of these blogs: 

    The Bark Magazine 

    The Bark focuses on need-to-know content for dog owners, especially in the area of pet upkeep. You would find real-life dog-friendly stories about various happenings to dogs. They also highlight issues that might affect your pet’s health, both apparent and non-apparent, and discuss treatment options. 

    Dogtopia 

    Dogtopia might be known for their dog spa services and others, however, their blog is filled with so much goodness! You would find anything from puppy socialization to ensuring dogs in apartments are happy to getting rid of separation anxiety. These tips come in very useful. 

    Whole Dog Journal 

    Whole Dog Journal provides you with a slew of information from dog care to in-depth reviews on various dog products. They also feature teaching training methods that are positive in nature. The blog always offers something worthwhile to read and the website boasts lots of useful pet care information. 

    iHeartdogs.com

    iHeartdogs.com blog is massive and mainly focuses on four areas; Lifestyle, Behavior, Healthy Pups, and Pup Stories. Each category offers something in the way of excellent information or entertainment. The blog covers the needs of dog owners such as care of dogs with various ailments as well as recommending useful products. 

    Pawleaks 

    Pawleaks is great because of just how comprehensive it can be when guiding dog owners through each stage of their dog’s life. They are also heavy on health-related advice, solutions to problems in your dog’s behavior, as well as in-depth puppy training tips. 

    Conclusion 

    These websites provide golden information and you should definitely check them out.

  • Activities To Do At Your Local Dog Park

    Activities To Do At Your Local Dog Park

    Playing outdoors with their favorite human in the world is definitely one of the best things that pups love. Maybe other dogs and humans may add a bit of spice. So, if you’re out at the dog park with your pup, here are some activities you can try out:

    Races and Training 

    A tired pup is a happy one, and you can always achieve this by allowing your pup to race. You could raise him or simply toss a ball and play fetch. For some mental stimulation, you could also include some training exercises, and what better place to do this than one with distractions. 

    Agility Courses 

    Jumping over bars and clearing hurdles might not be your best definition of fun. However, this is something your pet would definitely love. Explore the agility courses available and encourage your dog to surmount these obstacles. For a true boost, wait for them at the other end.  

    Doggy Play Dates 

    A picnic sounds like fun and your pup would definitely love that doggo cake or ice cream. To amp up the fun, organize a doggy date for one or some of your dog’s buddies and watch them have maximum fun. You could have some fun too with other dog parents. 

    Photography 

    What’s cooler than your pet donning sunglasses and maybe a muffler and posing for an incredible picture? You could be grooming a future model and photography sure is so much fun as well. An incredible natural and improved background like the dog park would make for a great backdrop for the pictures. Be sure that your dog strikes fun poses!

    Conclusion 

    There is a vast range of activities that you could do for fun at the dog park and be sure to add some more to this list. 

  • The Benefits of Children and Puppies Growing Up Together

    The Benefits of Children and Puppies Growing Up Together

    Many people agree that their family dog growing up definitely impacted their lives in various ways. The benefits that accrue to growing up with puppies is definitely significant. So, what are some of these benefits?

    Friendship 

    You could resonate more with ‘companionship’, but friendship does great justice. This is because more often than not, a child’s first friend is their dog. One that offers non-judgemental, full-blown adoration, and the child could do no wrong. Having a pup can teach kids how to treat a friend with respect. 

    Empathy 

    Kindness and empathy are traits that can be taught, and are even better stirred naturally. The relationship between a child and his mutt is one that can inspire the knowledge of loving and showing kindness to others. This lesson translates to real life and the way to treat other people. 

    Responsibility

    Owning a pet saddles children with responsibilities at a very young age. This is important to help them build skills like carrying out certain duties because they have been saddled with it. Building this attribute very early in life does wonders for later life. 

    Patience 

    Your pet can get naughty sometimes and be on their worst behavior. It is times like this that teaches patience. Children have a great deal to benefit from experiencing such activities growing up. Since kids are a lot more expressive, you would be able to see how they handle and learn from situations like that. 

    Conclusion 

    A major part of any individual is formed during the childhood phase. The attributes highlighted are a few amongst the many that kids can learn and grow to be emotionally well-rounded adults. Petland definitely recommends. 

  • Having a Great Veterinarian is Always a Good Thing

    Having a Great Veterinarian is Always a Good Thing

    The only thing better than having a good veterinarian is having a great one. The job of a veterinarian starts right before puppies are born, or in your case, shortly after their gotcha day. So, why is it important to have a great veterinarian?

    Early Disease Detection 

    As much as you want your pup’s life to be perfect and disease-free, pups sometimes come down with various ailments. Now, this may be no fault of yours, it could be as simple as an immune system compromise or an infection. A veterinarian can detect any changes in behavior with a professional eye and prevent deterioration in health. 

    Bad Behavior 

    There are times when try as you might, it seems like Sirius just isn’t ready to drop some bad behavior. Now, it is possible that you are approaching change the wrong way. Having a veterinarian allows you to consult professional opinion and get a solution easily. 

    Preventative Health Care 

    Even better than treating ailments, preventing them is an excellent alternative. Rather than having to subject your pet to a series of treatments because they are ill, you can avoid all this altogether. Preventative health care mainly works with having routine appointments set up. 

    General Wellness 

    Your pet’s general wellness is essential, both physically and mentally. This is why Petland stores have partnered with local veterinarians to check in their puppies to make sure they are happy and healthy and ready to find their forever home. Veterinarians are also tasked with setting up health protocols in stores. This is key to guaranteeing general wellness for all pups and something you should definitely consider as well. 

    Conclusion 

    The first step to ensuring that your pet has a great life is nutrition and exercise. Another is having a great veterinarian on hand.

  • Why Do Dogs Wag Their Tails?

    Why Do Dogs Wag Their Tails?

    Tail wags are commonly associated with excitement or happiness. However, dogs wag their tails for a range of reasons, and this article covers the various wagging you may notice and what they might mean. 

    What Is the Role of the Tail 

    Your puppy’s tail is mainly a communicative tool and she would typically use it to pass across a range of information. You can regard it as a barometer for her mood. Knowledge of tail position, as well as the proper interpretation of further canine body language, can help you understand how your pup feels per time. 

    Here are some general reactions and interpretations:

    • A lowered tail stuck between the legs could indicate anxiety, submission, or fear 
    • A higher than usual tail could indicate alertness, such as when something piqued her interest
    • A side to side wag probably accompanied by licks or a play bow could indicate a friendly greeting
    • A vertical tail could indicate aggression 

    Before entirely concluding, be sure to look out for other factors. 

    The Research 

    According to the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, dogs use the motion and position of their tails to communicate their present emotional state.

    In 2007, researchers found that the wag pattern contains clues as well. For instance, wagging to the left implies negative emotions while wagging to the right was indicative of positive emotions. 

    Research showed that the right hemisphere of the brain in some animals was associated with negative-avoidance feelings while the right hemisphere could be linked with positive-approach feelings. 

    Since the brain’s right hemisphere controls the left part of the body and vice versa, the phenomenon would hold. 

    A 2013 study also showed that canines understood these motions themselves. A left-wagging tail made other canines stressed while a right tail wagging helped them relax. 

    Conclusion 

    The tail wag pattern could be a pretty good way to ascertain how your pup is reacting to a situation. However, that’s not all there can be, be sure to look out for other signs.