Picking a Puppy: How to Choose the Best Breed for You

As you are out and about enjoying your summer, you are probably noticing people spending time with their dogs.  From jogging, to frisbee in the park, to hanging out at the beach, the range of activities is endless...and who can forget all of those cute little puppies!

It's no doubt, dogs bring incredible joy to our lives and you may be asking yourself if you are ready for a dog to join your family.  If you are considering getting a dog of your own, but not quite sure where to start, read this!

Before you start searching for the right dog, you should ask yourself if you are ready to welcome a dog into your family.  It's important to consider your lifestyle and the time you have available to properly care for a dog.  If you work 16hr days or spend lengthy times away from home, this may not be the right time for a dog.  Additionally, it's important to consider the financial commitment of owning a dog.  You must be prepared for not only purchasing the appropriate equipment, such as a crate, collar, leash, food, and brushes; but also for the required medical care.  New puppies require a series of shots, and you never know when your dog may get sick or injured.

With that said, let's take a look at beginning the search for your new dog!  What is the best breed for you?

What is your lifestyle like?  

Are you active, enjoying running or hiking?  Or do you prefer to relax and chill in front of the television?  It's important to choose breeds that can easily assimilate to your lifestyle.  If you are looking for a dog to go for a 10-mile run with you...an English Bulldog is not your best option.  Choose a dog that can be an active participate in your hobbies.

Photo Credits:  www.tehcute.com

Border Collies are great for active lifestyles!
Photo Credits:  all creatures.tumblr.com

What is your environment like?

Do you live in a climate with extreme heat or cold?  Are you in an urban environment or rural area?  If you live in an extreme climate, be extra careful when selecting a breed that will be comfortable and happy in extreme temperatures.  The majority of breeds are fairly adaptable with our modern conveniences of heating and air conditioning, however, the outside environment can be deadly if you are not careful.  In addition, to your climate, you should also consider your physical environment.  If you are restricted in space, then a larger breed could be a challenge.  This is especially true for highly active breeds, such as labradors and retrievers.  These breeds will require a lot of exercise outside the home.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are great breeds for large or small spaces.
Photo Credits:  www.akc.org

Bichon Frise are great for urban apartment dwellers!  They are a perfect size and don't shed!  This is our friend's Bichon Frise, Honor, who won the group this year at Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show!
Photo Credits:  www.guardian.co.uk

Are you or any members of your family allergic?

This is such an important piece to consider, because if you or a family member is allergic their experience with your new pup could be uncomfortable and disastrous.  When choosing a dog for family members suffering with allergies, look for breeds that produce less dander and/or have little to no hair.  Examples of ideal breeds would be: Bichon Frise, Poodle, Chinese Crested, Portuguese Water Dog or any breed mixed with one of these breeds.

Banks, Goldendoodle and recent Pup of the Month!

Boomer, Standard Poodle and recent Pup of the Month!

Do you want your dog to travel with you?

If you live a jet set lifestyle and want your dog to as well, then you need to consider smaller breeds able to travel in a carrier under your seat.  Suggested breeds would be:  Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese, Shih Tzu, Chihuahua, and any dog under 15 lbs.

Atom by Sleepypod.  Check out our product review of Sleepypod on our previous posts.
Photo Credits:  www.sleepypod.com

Once you have narrowed down your search, there are just a few more important things to consider.  Don't forget to consider the grooming requirements associated with your desired breed, as well as, common health problems associated with the breed.

Well, we hope you found this post extremely helpful.  It's a lot of information, but bringing a dog into your life is a huge decision and the better equipped you are the happier you and your new dog will be!

Happy Puppy Searching!

Love,

A & A

Training Tips: How do I stop leash pulling?

Picture source:  www.petiquettedog.com/

We've all been there...your dog is full of energy, pulling you down the street, perhaps wheezing and hacking the entire way, while your neighbors stare at you silently judging.  This experience is frustrating and does not allow your walk to be an enjoyable experience.

Leash pulling is common among many dog owners.  The most common reason a dog pulls and forges ahead on his leash is because it gets him to where he wants to go...plain and simple.  Leash pulling is actually a learned behavior and not an attempt by your dog to assert dominance in your relationship (contrary to popular belief).  If you performed an action that resulted in you achieving your desired result, you would logically keep performing the same behavior.  Your dog is no different.  True, it may be slightly uncomfortable for your dog, but if he wants to sniff that incredibly interesting pee spot a few feet ahead and he achieves success by pulling ahead...then he is going to repeat the same action.

A few other reasons why your dog pulls may be due to lack of exercise and lack of stimulating environment.  If your dog has been cooped up all day without exercise, he is going to be a bundle of energy and have trouble concentrating on you.  His attention is going to focus on more interesting distractions on the walk (i.e. other dogs, exciting smells, bushes to pee on).

Training Tip:  Outlined below is our recommend 5 Step Process for correcting leash pulling

Step 1:  Do you have the correct walking gear? - Before training commences, make sure you have the appropriate leash, collar, or harness for your dog.  The appropriate equipment will not train your dog for you, but will make the experience a little easier and enjoyable.  See our post on "Collars vs. Harnesses:  Which is Best?"  do determine which equipment is best for your dog. Some trainers believe that harnesses encourage pulling.  However, in our experience, if your dog can't breathe using a collar (too much pressure on the windpipe) they won't be able to concentrate on the training.

Step 2:  Be prepared...with treats and patience - When approaching ANY training situation you must be prepared with treats.  We recommend selecting a treat that is soft so that you can easily break the treat into small bites and quickly reward your dog.  Second, use a treat that is new and exciting for your dog to hold his attention.  Have your treats readily accessible so you can reward your dog in the first 3 seconds of him completing the behaviors correctly.  If you wait longer than 3 seconds, you risk losing your dog's connection with understanding the desired behavior.

Step 3:  STOP. - Before going outside for your walk, create a calm and focused environment.  If your dog starts to get overly excited when preparing for the walk, put down the leash and wait for him to calm down.  This is often counter to the way we approach walks when training our dogs as puppies.  Most of us...ourselves included...have approached walks as the most exciting event to ever occur when training our puppies.  This is to make leashes and walks sound fun.  However, when your dog grows up, this overly excited state can create more challenges when it comes to maintaining your dog's focus.

picture and caption  So, remember before you place the leash on your dog make sure he comes to you and is sitting calmly.

Jack ready for his morning walk!

Once the leash is on, walk towards the door.  If your dog pulls before reaching the door, STOP.  You don't need to verbalize any commands, simply stop moving.  Do not pull back on the leash, just be frozen.  This will probably surprise your dog at first, however, this is desired so we can capture his attention.  

Once your dog moves back and allows slack in the leash, proceed to move forward.  Once your dog begins pulling again, STOP, wait for slack in the leash again, and then move forward.  Your dog will quickly learn he only gets to move forward when there is a neutral leash and no pressure on the lead.

Step 4:  Praise - When your dog comes back to you or walks close to you with a neutral leash, actively reward with treats and praise.  

Step 5:  Be Consistent - As long as you are consistent with any training, leash pulling included, you will achieve success.  It is key to stop moving EVERY time your dog pulls.  Allowing your dog to pull even once out of ten times, will send a conflicting message.  If you have a dog walker or family member who regularly walks your dog, share the same message and ensure they are also practicing a consistent method. 

Be prepared that this will likely take several days to a couple of weeks for your dog to completely stop pulling on the leash.  He will continue to test the limits to see whether pulling will still result in getting him what he desires.  Be positive and stick with it!

Happy walking!!

Love,

A & A

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Giving Back: PAWS Run For Their Lives Event

Last Sunday, we participated in the PAWS Chicago Run For Their Lives Event.  We love this event for so many reasons.  For starters, you get to hang out with your pup, meet new friends and fellow animal lovers, experience amazing vendors, and savor a frosty brew...ALL while enjoying a beautiful day along Lake Michigan.

Enjoying the day with our boys!!

This year Run For Their Lives experienced a record turn out, raising more funds towards achieving the ultimate goal of making Chicago a No Kill City for homeless animals.

As a participant you could sign up for the 8K run or the dog-friendly 4K walk.  The walk was a bit more our speed and allowed for plenty of doggie socializing!

A Beautiful Day

Our good friend Stacy with her pup, Chloe

We feel it is important to highlight events, such as PAWS Chicago Run For Their Lives.  With the challenges of today's economy, many pet owners are experiencing financial hardships resulting in a negative impact on our pets.  For many pet owners this means forgoing basic healthcare needs, spay/neuter procedures, and even abandonment.  However, thanks to organizations like PAWS Chicago, there is help and support.  In 2012, PAWS Chicago performed over 18,000 free and low-cost spay/neuter procedures for pets all over Chicago.  They also successfully placed over 5,000 pets in loving homes.  In addition, recent natural disasters have left many beloved pets lost and homeless.  After the Oklahoma tornado disaster on May 20th, 16 volunteers from PAWS Chicago made multiple trips to the Oklahoma City Animal Care & Control Center to rescue a total of 76 pets.  A truly amazing feat.

Rescued from the rubble in Oklahoma

It is important to help these animals in need and to help place them in loving homes.  This is why organizations, such as PAWS Chicago, are so essential to the mission of saving pet lives.

Excited to join a new family!

We urge you to volunteer at your local shelter or become involved in any way possible to help educate your community and save lives!

Love,

A & A