Adopting a dog is a lot of fun, but it can also add a lot of responsibilities to your life. When you become a dog owner, you take on the responsibility to make sure your pet has everything he needs, a safe environment to live in, proper care, and everything he needs for a happy and healthy life! It’s a big step to care for a dog, but you’ll be rewarded with a loving companion.

The first step in providing a good life for your pet and making sure your dog remains safe is to get him trained properly. Believe it or not, many people do not see to this important task and then wonder why their dog jumps up on visitors or won’t listen to their commands. Many a dog has been considered a “bad” pet when all he really needed was the owner to take the time out to train him properly.

If you train your dog properly, not only will he have some cool tricks to show off, but it will also add to his safety. Should your dog be heading off into a dangerous situation, your obedience training will come in handy and you can call him back to your side and safety. A well trained dog Will be well behaved around strangers and the family – an obedient companion. Plus the training process can help define you as the master and act as a bonding experience for you and your pet. You can train a dog on your own, or you can join an obedience training class and get instruction from professionals.

You want to make sure your pet is as healthy as can be and part of dog ownership is to provide your dog with excellent veterinary care. A yearly physical exam should be performed and any vaccinations updated. Also make sure you put him on the right heartworm and flea and tick medications. If you notice a difference in your dogs behavior schedule a vet appointment right away. Even a small change in habits, mood, eating or elimination pattern should be checked by your vet – it could be nothing, but it’s better to be safe than sorry! Have your dog neutered or spayed - they WILL be much happier.

Providing a safe environment for your dog is up to you as the pet owner. Make sure there are places your dog can get stuck in or fall from and there is no sharp objects like nails or pins laying around. Everyone in the family should know not to leave the door open so that your dog can run out in the street. Refrain from feeding your dog “people” food as some of it can be harmful to them. Chocolate, for example, can even be deadly!

Grooming your dog can be a good time to bond with your pet and can also help him stay healthy. Brushing his coat, trimming his nails, cleaning his ears and around the eyes are all part of good dog health. Proper dental care is the most important grooming task you can do for your dog. Bacteria that builds up on the teeth can break away and cause health issues in other organs of the body. Brushing every other day is recommended to keep your dog’s mouth clean and will have the added bonus of giving him fresh breath!

Hopefully you’ll never need to enact it, but you should have a plan for the dog in case of emergency. What if there is a fire or some other disaster? Make sure someone is responsible to get your pet out of the house in case of emergency. It’s not a bad idea to have a designated person that can mind your dog on short notice if you get called out of town on an emergency.

Bringing a dog into your family, you are committing to provide that dog with all the things he needs for a happy and healthy life. Some dogs Can live into their teens if taken care of properly. That’s a long commitment on your part, but the rewards are so great that the commitment pales by comparison.

Lee Dobbins write for train-the-dog.com Train The Dog where you can learn more about dog training for every breed. Check out their list of train-the-dog.com/Breedsc-m.html dog breeds and see which ones are easier to train.

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To find out; look on your pet’s dog food label! Does it contain 1 or more of the following ingredients;

1. Flour or wheat which is used as cheap fillers, also can cause allergies, This is one of the most common cheap additives that are being used in most all of the commercial petfoods.

2. Corn, which is very hard to digest. This is also another very common ingredient used.

3. BHA, Ethoxyquin, BHT, these are chemical preservatives.

4. Beef Tallow, which is animal fat from cows.

So what exactly is needed in my dog’s food to benefit them? Make sure you are giving them Hormone and Steroid-free meats with their current foods, which 95% of all the commercial foods Do Not Provide for them.

Even if you Are paying higher prices for their foods such as; Science Diet, Iams, Eukanuba, Flint River Ranch, just to name a few. There are hundreds of so called brands of food out there. Do you really think by paying a higher price for Inferior Foods for your precious pets this is really going to benefit you or your pet.

No, and let it be known that the correct quality dog food without all of the fillers, chemicals, etc. is actually going to be less expensive for you in the long run. Saving you money by having to purchase less food, and extra trips to the vet’s office due to what these foods are doing to them medically. If there are no cheap fillers in your pet’s food. your pet will eat less since the food is so concentrated saving you money.

You ask, so what exactly am I paying for with all of these inferior ingredients that are used in my pet’s food. It’s certainly not the cheap fillers they use to save the manufacture money. Or the fact that these filler’s are one of the leading reasons our pet’s are not living longer healthier life’s and are coming down with all kinds of medical aliments and allergies. Which are currently at a rising rate due to all of the chemical and animal poisons that these foods are made with.

Did you know that some of the dog foods on the market are made with some of our former pet cats and dogs that were diseased. With such diseases as cancer, parvo, etc. Would you dare to taste their food knowing this fact? No wonder they are throwing up have diarrhea among other symptoms after eating this stuff.

How can you as a faithful pet parent benefit from feeding your loved ones the correct nutritious vitamin, mineral enriched nutritious food. Shortly after your furry friend starts consuming this delicious blend of taste, and nutrition you should see a physical difference in a short amount of time.

Your dog should have bright eyes, a shiny coat of hair, extra energy to play with you now. Also by feeding them this vitamin, mineral based diet which is in the unprocessed form. Their bathroom habits should be better. It should not take them all day long before they go poop.

With a correct diet of consuming nutritious vitamin, mineral fortified healthy daily meals they can live a longer, happier and healthier life and have longevity of up to 25 years.

Fonda Fletcher, is a professional caring groomer with a lifetime of experience working with dogs. Based on the number of dogs that she works with she has seen a large number of dogs who suffer from dry hair as well as dry skin. This is due to their consuming the wrong kind of dog food that Is Not nutritionally sound. Sharing important information that benefits others, especially their pets is a high priority on her list.
longevitypetfood.com longevitypetfood.com

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So you’re looking at buying a dog, these days you can find dogs for sale just about anywhere and everywhere! Purchasing a dog as never been easier, whether you choose a dog breeder, animal shelter, classified ads, pet stores or these days you can even buy a dog online! Getting a dog is easy.

However, when you see a dog for sale, you should exercise caution. Buying a dog without some research and planning could be asking for trouble.

First of all, before getting a dog, you need to ask yourself if you’re prepared for a dog in your life. They are going to take time and money. You will need to spend time with them as you train them and as you exercise them and groom them regularly. Also, as well as any fee you pay for purchasing a dog; you have to remember that they are going to be a constant expense during their life with you. Regular expenses such as dog food, dog supplies, veterinary checkups and vaccinations, these will all add up on your pocket. Getting a dog is not cheap!

Do you know much about the dog breed you want? You should research the breed of dog your interested in before buying a dog; to be sure that they will fit in with your lifestyle. If you live in a small apartment, then a large dog is not really going to be suitable. Get a dog that can fit in with your lifestyle.

What age of dog do you want? Buying an adult dog may be easier if you have a busier lifestyle. Especially if it as some training.

If your buying a dog from a dog breeder, then be sure to do some research on the dog breeder. Not all dog breeders are responsible and take good care of their dogs.

You’d be well advised not to buy your dog from a pet store. No responsible breeder would sell to a pet store. Dogs at pet stores come from irresponsible breeders who only care about money. Purchasing dogs from a pet store can be prone to problems.

When choosing a dog, you also have the choice of adopting a dog from an animal shelter. Animal shelters have both pedigree and mongrel dogs. These dogs will be in a shelter for a variety of reasons, maybe for neglect or perhaps their owners just couldn’t look after them any longer. If you do choose a dog from the animal shelter you will find the shelter staff very helpful in helping you and your dog settle in together. Dog adoption is a good alternative.

Your dog will bring you so much joy; just take care when choosing a dog and where you buy your dog from.

Mark Gardner is a known authority on dogs. For more information and resources on the subject, please visit at-dogs.com/ at-dogs.com/

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The changes your dog goes through as he ages are natural and are, in fact, very similar to those same changes we, as humans, experience. For instance, with aging, a dog’s activity level slows. Without mental stimulation to keep him sharp, an aging dog may become slow and lethargic and his appetite may change.

Older dogs may begin to have accidents in the house with little or no warning, and for no known medical reason. An older dog’s sleep cycle changes too, and he may begin to sleep more during the day and less at night. As your dog ages, expect his interaction with you (and other family members) to begin to diminish — he’ll greet you less enthusiastically (or not at all); he’ll follow you less (if at all); and he’ll rarely seek your attention.

Your dog’s mobility becomes reduced as he ages. Plus, he may become more aggressive.

Don’t be surprised if your older dog appears confused or disoriented at times. Some older dogs may actually exhibit signs very similar to human Alzheimer’s disease, and suffer short term memory loss, changes in behavior, and just a general slow-down in their thought process.

What can you do to help your aging dog? One place to start is your dog’s diet. Check with your vet and make changes to your dog’s diet according to his medical needs. Keep his weight down, too. Small, more frequent meals are best. Remember, an overweight dog has trouble with mobility, and this is only complicated with age.

Grooming your older dog is still important. Brush him frequently to help stimulate his circulation.

It’s important that your dog is still getting enough exercise. You may need to adjust your walking schedule to include more frequent, shorter walks. And allow him to do his business after each meal, just before bedtime, and first thing in the morning to reduce accidents.

And just like you as you begin to age, provide your dog with a warm, comfortable place to sleep.

It’s important to note that many aging symptoms are similar to symptoms of a sick dog, so be sure to have your dog examined by his veterinarian at least twice a year to rule out any illness.

Lisa Pallardy is the owner of BarkTalk.com BarkTalk.com, an interactive site for dog lovers to find articles and information on dog training and care, post photos of their pets, and talk with other dog-lovers. She is also the mother of 6 children and lover of 3 dogs. In her spare time, she makes greeting cards from children’s artwork at MyLittleRembrandt.com MyLittleRembrandt.com.

For more articles like this one on dog care and dog training, visit BarkTalk.com BarkTalk.com.

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The Silky Terrier is a loving, energy dog. They are good watch dogs, although they can tend to be barkers. They can be kept in an apartment as they are small enough to get most of there exercise needs indoors. They are good with other dogs but must be extensively socialized with other pets. They do best with older children that they have been socialized with. The can tend to be a one person or one family dog. As a reminder, never leave a child unsupervised with a puppy or dog.

Approximate Adult Size

The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the Silky Terrier is 9 to 10 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 8 to 11 pounds.

Special Health Considerations

Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Silky Terrier is no exception. Although considered a very healthy breed, be on the look out for teeth problems, genetic eye disease and collapsing trachea. This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.

She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets.

Grooming

The Silky Terrier has a single coat of fine silky hair. She should be brushed daily. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and healthy coat, avoid mats, help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with her. Occasional professional grooming should be considered.

Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.

Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet.

Life Span

The Silky Terrier can live between 12 and 15 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.

History

The Silky Terrier comes from Australia where they were used as a ratter, snake killer and pet. They were first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1959.

Some Registries

Silky Terrier Club of America
UKC United Kennel Club
NKC National Kennel Club
CKC Continental Kennel Club
APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc.
AKC American Kennel Club
FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale
NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club
KCGB Kennel Club of Great Britain
ANKC Australian National Kennel Club
ACR American Canine Registry

Litter Size

3 to 5 Silky Terrier puppies

Category

Toy

Terms To Describe

Inquisitive, joy, alert, lively, responsive, quick, friendly, affectionate

SPECIAL GOOD POINTS

Makes a good watch dog.
Very little shedding.
Easy to train and difficult to train.

SPECIAL BAD POINTS

Makes a poor guard do.
Can be a barker.
May need a harness rather than a leash
Possible collapsing trachea

Other Names Known By

Sidney Silky, Austrailian Silky Terrier

Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.

About the Author

Mitch Endick is a short article writer, editor and website developer for the popular pet site petpages.com petpages.com, a pet information site with free pet ads, dog classifieds, and puppy for sale info. petpages.com Petpages.com also offers information on cats, fish, reptiles, birds, ferrets, rabbits, mice and even pet bugs.

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