Golden Retrievers: Best Dogs for Families and Children. Proper dog care

Should I Buy A Golden Retriever?

Beautiful Golden Retrievers have quickly become one of the most popular dogs in America.

Although the breed was originally bred for hunting, they show such versatility that they are often used in search and rescue and as Seeing-Eye dogs.



But, in recent years, they have come to be the forerunner in family pets. They seem to have all the attributes and few of the negatives when choosing a pet for your family. They are clean, well-mannered, friendly and easy to train!

Goldens make fantastic playmates for everyone in the family, but children especially can benefit from a loving, furry companion.

The Golden in your family is a "people dog." That means that he/she is not going to be happy locked in a kennel all day. They love to play and romp with people, and especially people who love them. This is something incredibly important when debating your adoption of a Golden Retriever; consider your space and lifestyle so that you and your new friend can be happy!

Lifestyle consideration also includes a dedication to adequately training your pet.

"A good Golden wants more than anything else to please his master. Proper training is the responsibility of those who own and love the dog, and should begin on the first day you bring him home. A well-trained dog is a pleasure to be around and a good citizen. The untrained, unruly dog is a nuisance to everyone and fun for no one." -Jeffrey Pepper

Is a Golden Retriever Dog Good with Children?

Both as a pet parent and people parent, we speak from experience when we say that families tend to be happier with a pet. Pets can teach children so many character traits and about the cycles of life and our personal responsibility towards others.

One of the greatest pleasures of owning a pet is watching it play with the kids. This is especially true of the Golden Retriever. They seem to know instinctively that small children are more fragile and vulnerable than adults.

"The Golden in your family is a "people dog." That means that he/she is not going to be happy locked in a kennel all day. They love to play and romp with people, and especially people who love them. Of course, considering the energy levels of the animal is important to keep this mind when adopting any furry friend."

Golden Retriever Puppies and Children

It is important to prepare and educate your children for the arrival of your new Golden. As Jeffrey Pepper says in his book, The Golden Retriever, "this will help them to deal with their impatience and excitement as you wait for the puppy to be ready to leave its littermates. It will also be a good time to help the children to learn what they can and cannot do with the puppy." By doing this, your children will feel involved with the dog from the very beginning.

Young puppies may have trouble controlling their excitement, so caring adults will have to supervise playtime with the children. Just as the puppies enjoy playing with their littermates, they will enjoy playing with their human brothers and sisters.

Goldens have a life span of a dozen or more years, so they will grow up with your children. A special bond will form between the dog and the children. They will be best friends and playmates for a very long time!

We appreciate you joining our community of kind, thoughtful people who are interested in respect for all creatures, two and four footed.

The intuitive wise woman, Judy Helm Wright is an accomplished author, speaker and "Pet Grief Coach." You are invited to join us for our radio show on Animal-Human Connection at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/auntieartichoke The show is scheduled each Thursday at 5pm EST. The podcasts are also available at iTunes or at http://www.deathofmypet.com

Judy provides personal coaching, therapeutic sharing and supportive community as well as pet tributes and memorial keepsakes.

How Do I Keep My Dog Warm in the Winter? Proper dog care

As the nights draw in and the weather gets colder, you'll want to make sure your dog is kept warm during the winter. Whether they have short hair or long, there's nothing a dog likes more than to snuggle up in a warm place.

Don't forget that walk out in the cold either, some dogs don't mind the chilly weather but others need an additional thermal layer just like us humans.

Pyjamas

There are many options available when it comes to dog pyjamas and they are becoming more popular. This is because they not only look good, but offer an additional layer of warmth depending on the fabric type.

Just make sure that you test products on your pet first to see if they like wearing them. Some dogs will not enjoy the experience of wearing outer garments, so check for signs that your pet is uncomfortable or is trying to remove clothing.

Remember that some dogs are not genetically equipped for cold weather and may need an additional layer. However, you need to assess whether it is necessary to add clothing when they are indoors.

Padded and Waterproof Coats

Whether it's cold outside or the heavens open, dogs like to have protection from the elements. Investing in a padded or waterproof coat for your dog can make their daily walk far more enjoyable and stop you spending loads of time drying them off when you get back home.

Warm, waterproof coats are easy to put on and are usually fitted with Velcro attachments and straps that keep the garment snuggly in place. Coats come in a variety of different colours and designs, which can give your dog a stylish look around town.


Wherever possible, you should also choose a coat that has some reflective piping or strips on the body so other pedestrians and passing traffic can see you more easily. Additional options include LED lit or flashing garments which offer higher visibility.

To find the best fit for any dog coat, you will usually measure your dog from the base of the neck down to the top of the tail and also the chest girth. Most garment suppliers will show these measurements in a size guide - you can then choose accordingly.

These warm waterproof coats for dogs can be very useful because they help protect them from harsher weather and helps to keep them warm. Most garments these days are also easy to clean in a washing machine or by hand. Always monitor your dog during the walk to make sure that it is not getting too warm. If there are signs of heavy panting or discomfort, simply remove the coat.

Warm Bedding

We all like a comfy corner to bed down in and there are plenty of choices out there for your dog. A lot of dogs will stick to standard rest and sleep routines at certain times of the day or night. This could be on your lap after tea, a bed next to the radiator after a walk or their own bed if there is easy access to that area.

Wherever they decide to rest and sleep, you can make a big difference to the comfort of your dog by introducing a heated pet pad when it turns colder.

This is basically an electric blanket for animals and they provide a safe and comfortable level of heat to the sleeping area and are very economical to run. You just place them under the normal bedding, blanket or sheet and plug them into the nearest socket. When the weather warms up the heat mat can be removed and stored away.

Of course, if your dog is big on chewing and tearing things up then you need to make sure that the electric blanket is securely placed under the bedding or stored out of reach. If your dog chews excessively and there is a real danger that he or she will find and destroy the mat then you should look at other heating options.


There are also 240 volt products available for both indoor and outdoor use. These can be solid metal heaters that are basically a more solid and higher voltage equivalent to the 12 volt heated mats. There are also under floor heating products on the market as well as heater boxes which work in the same way as an egg incubator.

Which one you choose will depend on a number of different factors and circumstances, including the associated costs and logistics of incorporating different systems into your home or an outdoor space.

From a financial perspective, it is relatively cheap to buy products like these. You are then safe in the knowledge that your pet will be warm and comfortable in a number of different environments.

snugglezzz offers comfort products for dogs and cats including heated pet mats and pads and waterproof coats for dogs


By Andrew K Long

Five Essential Pet Supplies For Your New Puppy. Proper dog care

Shopping for pet supplies can be an overwhelming experience. Gone are the days when all a dog needed was a bone. Modern pet stores are packed with aisle after aisle of eye-catching options.

Hidden within that vast selection are a handful of must-have items every new puppy owner needs. Here are five of them.

1. Adjustable Collar & Leash

In addition to being legally required when in public spaces, a comfortable leash and collar are needed for walking, training, and identification purposes. Because your new best friend will most likely grow, it is important to find an adjustable collar that attaches quickly and easily to a sturdy leash.

When it comes to the material, most experts recommend nylon collars. They are typically lighter and less cumbersome than most other options. As for the leash, it is important to purchase a shorter one (between 4 and 6 feet) that will keep your pet close during obedience training.

2. Crates, Cages, or Pens

Because they help with housetraining and behavior issues, many trainers recommend buying some kind of crate for a new puppy. Dogs have a natural denning instinct that makes them feel safer and more comfortable in enclosed quarters. As such, a nice cage can be used to establish healthy sleeping patterns from the start. The choice of a cage, crate, or pen comes down to the individual owner. Because they are often easier to move around, many new owners prefer crates to cages or pens.

3. Food and Water Bowls

From plastic crocks to stainless steel dishes and glass bowls, there's no shortage of food and water bowls at stores that sell pet supplies. Because you want your pup to get into the habit of eating from the same place, it's always a good idea to keep food and water bowls in the same location in your home. While the choice of material is, again, at the owner's discretion, it's probably a bad idea to purchase plastic bowls for breeds that are known for chewing such as a labrador retriever, golden retriever, shetland sheepdog, Jack Russell terrier, beagle, Siberian husky, or Shiba Inus.

4. Dog Bed

Because puppies are used to sleeping in a warm environment, next to their mothers and siblings, a new owner will want to recreate this cozy environment. When placed inside a crate, a comfortable, snug dog bed can help recreate their natural habitat. Covered in fleece or sheepskin, smaller beds and bumper beds are designed to stay warm and cozy on the inside. From inexpensive pillows and cushions to pricey memory foam mattresses, there are many attractive options at your local pet store.

5. Food

Just like babies, puppies have unique dietary demands and nutritional needs. To help them grow up healthy and strong, you must feed your furry friend a special diet for the first year. Unlike generic dog food, these food products are often labeled "formulated for puppies" or for "growth and development."

Shopping for pet supplies is easy if you know what to look for. These five must-have items should be purchased before you bring your new friend home.

When considering pet supplies, Billerica, MA residents visit Pets Plus. Learn more at http://www.e-petsplus.com/services/.