Category Archives: First Time Owners

Annual Rant: Why Puppies Make Lousy Holiday Gifts

shutterstock_236101117Please, please please, no puppies under trees! (OK, so I’ve been reading a lot of Dr. Suess with my kids lately.) Puppies make really awful Christmas / Hanukkah / Kwanzaa gifts for a wide variety of reasons. Please find something else to give your loved ones, then go adopt a pet AFTER the holidays.
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Tuesday Top Ten: Questions to Ask Before Adopting a Shelter Dog

shutterstock_182549555Spring has arrived, and the warmer months often prove an ideal time for families to add a pet to their homes. The season can also generate an influx of dogs to shelters as a result of owners who brought home holiday puppies before fully considering the responsibility. Potential owners should always do their research in advance to see what breed best fits their lifestyle, and when acquiring a dog from a shelter, there are very important questions to ask.
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Canines versus Felines: How to Avoid Guerilla Warfare

Today, we welcome guest blogger Ron Rutherford to this space. The Dog Lady will be back tomorrow.

Where there is smoke, there is fire ladies and gentlemen. The old saying “fighting like cats and dogs” didn’t just show up out of nowhere. Although the saying may be tired, it definitely isn’t out of date. Dog versus cat. Cat versus dog. It’s the ultimate arch nemesis relationship even rivaling that of North and South Korea. If you happen to be the owner of a dog and the slave to a cat at the same time, it might seem like World War III is going to break out in your home at any minute. Continue reading Canines versus Felines: How to Avoid Guerilla Warfare

Book Review: A Pug With a Plan

From the book's Facebook page
My sister turned me on to this book after hearing about it on a Cincinnati radio station.

A Pug With a Plan by Janeen Coyle is a cute, true children’s story about how a family deals with the loss of their pet. Great for helping both kids and adults deal with the topic of grief.

Check it out if you find yourself struggling with that sad situation.

Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!

Tuesday Top Ten: Reasons Why Your Dog Should Live Indoors

If you are thinking of adding a dog to your family, please make it an indoor dog. Even if you have to keep your dog in a crate sometimes, he or she is better off living inside than outside. Here are some reasons why:
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Tuesday Top Ten: Mistakes Pet Owners Make


This one comes to us from our good friends at Real Simple.

1. Buying a pet spontaneously.
2. Skipping obedience training.
3. Being inconsistent with the rules.
4. Giving too many free treats.
5. Neglecting to socialize the animal.
6. Skimping on exercise.
7. Neglecting to keep the animal mentally active.
8. Leaving a pet alone for too long.
9. Failing to make the home pet safe.
10. Punishing the animal.

Read the whole story here, including tips to help you avoid these mistakes.

Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!