Depending on the dog breed, these stereotypes may be true or not. Choosing a female dog means either taking the initiative to spay, or deal with the issue of the dog being in heat. Failure to take action for doggie birth control means that you’re constantly trying to find homes for cute litters of puppies.

Female dogs don’t have menopause, so unlike the human female, dogs can have puppies practically all their lives. You’ll spend weeks every year trying to guard your female from males who can catch the scent from blocks away. On the other hand, if you have a pure bred dog that you want to breed, then having a female dog can become a financial advantage.

Male dogs insist on marking their territory, whether it’s around your house or in the yard. They do this by urinating on their “spot” so they can find it again. You can try to train a dog not to mark his territory, but you’re asking him to go against his instincts.

If you have another male dog in the house, expect a battle for who rules the house, particularly if both want to be alpha dogs. Even a smaller male dog will challenge or irritate the larger male – just to prove who was in the house first.

Dogs of opposite genders tend to get along better than dogs of the same gender. While female dogs are not as vicious toward each other as male dogs, some females don’t want to share their space with another dog.

Female dogs are generally easier to house train than male dogs, although that can vary by breed and by the skill of the dog trainer. Male dogs are seen as more lively and active, but certain breeds are “high strung” in both males and females.

Ask the average person shopping for a dog and you’ll find many are looking for a female dog. They probably believe the notion that female dogs are less aggressive and easier to train.

However, they forget that female dogs can be highly temperamental. Breeders tend to favor male dogs as an easier pet to manage. Gender isn’t the only predictor (or even a good predictor) of how a dog will behave.

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When bringing a dog into your home, you must consider the activity level that the dog needs to be physically and emotionally healthy. Some lazy adults think that if they only had a dog who needed walking twice daily, then they would get the exercise they’ve so carefully avoided for so many years.

Lazy people are not likely to change their habits enough to make a good fit between them and active dogs. It’s the dog that will suffer as the lazy owner slacks off on walking and the dog fails to get what he needs in regular outdoor time.

The amount of daily activity that a dog needs is not the same as exercise. Every dog needs time each day to walk, run, jump and unwind. That may come with a walk on the leash to the park or around the block.

A dog that lives in a home with a fenced yard can enjoy free running and playing without the constraints of a leash. Older adults who have their own problems with mobility limitations need to choose a dog that requires less daily activity.

People who enjoy spending time outdoors for recreation or to unwind after a day at work are ideal owners for active dogs. Both owner and dog look forward to the end of the day, when they can play chase in the park or go for a run together.

Larger dogs tend to be more physically active. Among those are dogs whose heritage includes being working or hunting dogs. They have an innate desire to be busy and work off energy. Dogs such as Irish Setter, Doberman, Beagle, German Shepherd and Greyhound are built for movement and agility, so they naturally desire daily exercise.

Size can fool you as the extremely large dogs like the St. Bernard and Bull Mastiff, who can easily outweigh their owners, are low activity dogs. Even though you see the St. Bernard in movies rescuing the lost skier, what you miss is the rest of the time when the dog is sleeping in front of the fireplace.

Small dogs like Poodles, Pekinese and Chihuahuas can live in small spaces and forego the daily long walk in the park, but their high-strung temperaments cause them to be high in activity around the house.

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Or your new neighbor has a huge dog that likes to leave piles of “calling cards” in your front yard. Are these bad dogs? These dogs are not anymore bad than the neighbor’s out of control kids. Why blame the dog (or the kids) when the adult who’s supposed to be in charge isn’t acting responsible?

Dogs need to be given limits for behavior inside the home, outside the home and while walking in public places. Inexperienced dog owners would be smart to find a dog trainer who can teach them how to properly handle the dog without breaking its spirit.

You could ask at the vet’s office or local pet stores for names of dog trainers who hold private or group sessions with the dog and owner, or you could instantly access an online course and nip dog behavioral problem in the bud right away.

Part of this training is to teach the owner how to handle the dog. At times, dog trainers will admit it’s easier to train the dog than the owner! Dogs that must be leash trained for walking in public or at the park need practice, which begins around the yard or in a smaller location.

Barking is a behavior that distresses owners and neighbors. Shouting or punishing the dog for engaging in normal dog communication (barking) is counterproductive – as well as confusing to the dog.

Often, dogs bark because they lack attention or need food and water. A barking dog can also be a strong deterrent to burglars, so completely suppressing the dog’s bark might not be in your best interest. Be careful not to laugh and playfully encourage a puppy to bark and then get angry at him months later when he barks louder as an adult dog.

Dog trainers can also teach you how to reinforce the behaviors that you want with both praise and treats. You need to know how to reward the dog so that he gets the correct message and repeats the desired behavior or ceases the less desirable behavior.

Most importantly, don’t expect a dog to learn a behavior that’s contradictory to his breed. If you want a certain behavior, then get a dog that can give you want you expect. Good dogs are developed by patience, persistence and kindness.

The post Bad Dogs Are a Reflection of Their Owners appeared first on Pet Sitting North Phoenix.

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One of life’s great mistakes is taking your children into a pet store if you aren’t serious about bringing home a pet. You can be sure that in a matter of minutes, your children will connect with the cutest little puppy.

You say no, then they hand the puppy to you and you’re face to face with pleading brown puppy eyes and crying children. So between the children’s begging and memories of the family dog from your youth, you’re paying for a shopping cart full of dog stuff – plus the puppy.

There’s no greater buyer’s remorse than that felt after buying a dog on impulse. As the days go by, you discover that the dog’s personality doesn’t mix well with your family. You begin to resent taking the dog for walks or rushing home between appointments for feedings.

It’s like having another child that you didn’t plan. Those little puppy accidents, chewed furniture, nightly barking and other normal dog behaviors become more and more irritating. That’s the point where some insensitive dog owners punish the dog to the point of abuse or neglect.

Sadly, many of the dogs in shelters are there because they were the impulse buy of a family or an adult who failed to consider what dog ownership involves. The owner chooses based on adorable puppy features without learning about the dog’s full-grown size or its breed characteristics.

In a matter of months, the conflict begins. Many dogs in shelters are actually good dogs with great potential as pets if they go home with the right family. The dog’s only “crime” was being chosen by people who were not prepared to include them into their family.

Some breeds of dogs are more demanding than others. They need several hours of daily interaction or fun. If you don’t provide it, they find it on their own – and it usually involves chewing or barking.

Other dog breeds need daily room to run and play. These dogs may be great companions for children. Even dogs that play well with older children may not have the patience for young children or toddlers. You simply need to know what breed of dog is the best match for your home, family and available time.

The post Don’t Make a Spur-of-the-Moment Decision to Own a Dog appeared first on Pet Sitting North Phoenix.

You may like to super size your coffee and get extra toppings on your pizza, but when it comes to choosing a dog, bigger doesn’t always mean better. Dog breeds differ by heritage in what they require.

Some breeds, like hunters, are genetically programmed to crave the open spaces and outdoor exercise. Other breeds (like toy dogs) make ideal “lap dogs,” enjoying the casual lifestyle without needing much space or time to run and play outdoors.

The size of your dog has to match the size of your living space. A German Shepherd is a wonderful watch dog for your city apartment, but you must give that dog time in the park to run and be active every day.

If you’re too tired or lazy to give this beautiful dog the exercise it needs, then buy an alarm system, not a guard dog. A toy dog like a poodle or Chihuahua is content in your apartment and requires less outdoor time.

If you have a secured balcony with solid, high railing, that may be enough outdoor time for a small dog, supplemented with at least one daily outdoor walk. Don’t let the dog’s appearance or temperament fool you.

A greyhound is a gentle dog that’s also very quiet, which is good for attached living spaces. But that gentle greyhound must have daily exercise in enough area to run and play. Greyhounds can run up to 45 mph, so you don’t want them turning your family room into a track for running. Neither you nor the dog will be pleased with the result.

Size has everything to do with dog maintenance. That cute, furry puppy that you fell in love with at the pet store that barely nibbles puppy chow, grows up to be a 120-pound St Bernard that will eat you out of house and home.

To keep him in 8-10 scoops of high quality dog food daily, you’ll be spending the price of a daily steak dinner – only you don’t get to eat the steak. Your huge dog also pushes around furniture like feathers. When there’s nothing to do and you’re running late, the large dog may decide to deconstruct the living room just for fun.

On the flip side, plenty of toy dogs take up their own closet in little designer costumes, knit sweaters and clever playthings. They also have chic beds, including those that are canopied or French provincial. The doggie stuff can take up far more space in your home than the dog does.

If you have more than one dog, regardless of breed, you need to provide sleeping space for each dog. Don’t expect them to crowd together. They need space just like you do. They also need personal territory for sleeping, relaxing and hiding their toys or bones.

Dogs that remain outdoors need their own doghouses to protect them while sleeping or in bad weather. You aren’t sharing your bedroom with the neighbors, so why would you expect your dog to share his doghouse with the new dog? Consider the space and care needs of each dog when you bring a second or third dog into the family.

The post When It Comes to Your Dog, Size Matters appeared first on Pet Sitting North Phoenix.

Dogs come in many varieties that are naturally introduced to the dog world as well as those created specifically by cross-breeding, such as a Labradoodle (a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle).

The obvious question to ask yourself is, what size dog can your home handle? A home with a large yard out in the suburbs can offer enough room for a large dog to run and play.

Do you want a dog that is sturdy, yet cuddly and plays well with children? Are you hoping to get a guard dog for your home or business? Do you want to develop a show dog to enter competitions?

Or do you just want a loyal companion, small enough to be comfortable in an apartment and calm enough to sit with his head on your lap in the evening? These are practical considerations to think about as you search for the right dog breed.

How many humans live in your home? A single person who works long hours needs to choose a dog breed that can manage with lots of alone time indoors – perhaps a dog that enjoys toys and entertains himself.

A family with small children needs a medium to large-size dog that is gentle by nature and patient with children. For small children, a dog is like a toy – they don’t understand it’s a living, breathing being that can get hurt by roughhousing.

Some breeds would not tolerate the antics of small children, but would be great with older children. A dog for older adults needs to be low maintenance, calm and undemanding.

Dogs can also be divided into two important categories – those that shed and those that don’t. Shedding is a huge complaint of dog owners. Dog hair clings to furniture, clothing and guests who sit anywhere in the house. Short haired dogs may look easier but they can shed, too. Shedding can be divided into barely sheds, seasonal only shedding or constant shedding.

Size of the breed is both a height and weight issue. Smaller dogs weigh under 10 pounds, medium dogs weigh 11-25 pounds, large dogs weigh 26-50 pounds and extra large dogs weight 51-80 pounds. Extremely large dogs, like Mastiffs and St. Bernards, can tip the scale at 100-180 pounds.

Can your furniture stand that much dog? In choosing a breed, don’t decide on the dog as it appears a puppy – make your choice based on the size the dog will grow to as an adult. Big dogs are big eaters. If you bring home a Mastiff, you may need a second job just to pay for the dog food and care.

Care requirements are another important consideration. Some dog breeds require more grooming and care than others. Dogs that have fancy trim, like poodles or show dogs may spend more time in the spa than you do.

Even ordinary family dogs may need weekly (or even daily) grooming to keep their coats from tangles and to maintain good physical health. Take time to research the dog breed, size, temperament and grooming requirements before you make a choice. It’s only fair to the dog you choose that you be prepared to care for basic needs, plus provide the love and attention that only you can give.

The post Understanding the Different Dog Breeds appeared first on Pet Sitting North Phoenix.

Dog grooming is an art that goes from basic pet care to almost spa-like pampering. The essential grooming requirements depend on the dog’s breed and its characteristics. The first thing a pet owner deals with is dog hair.

Long hair dogs that shed need more frequent grooming than short hair dogs or those who only shed seasonally. Dogs with curly or frizzy hair need daily care to de-tangle the hair and remove debris or foliage that gets caught in the coat while the dog is outdoors.

Sending your dog to a groomer each week gets expensive. But if you want the best for your dog, you can even hire mobile dog groomers who have a full grooming station in their vans.

The groomer parks in your driveway and does the complete grooming onsite. This is a great convenience and avoids the “wet dog” smell lingering in your bathroom. To save money, you can also learn to do many of the basic grooming techniques yourself.

Dog grooming isn’t just a luxury – it’s a necessity. A dog that doesn’t get proper grooming in a timely manner is at risk for illness, gingivitis, parasites and damage to both fur and skin.

Your dog may not be thrilled about getting a bath, but you can’t let that stop you. Bathing is a health issue for dogs just as it is for people. You wouldn’t stop bathing your toddler just because she screams at bath time, would you?

If you aren’t sure about the right techniques for bathing, brushing and de-tangling your dog’s fur, find a good online resource or ask if you can watch the dog groomer work. You may also take a class from a pet store or vet’s office to learn the correct procedures – as well as get some expert tips on how to deal with your dog’s anxiety or fears during grooming.

The skin under the dog’s fur can be highly sensitive. Avoid aggressive scrubbing while bathing your dog or you can remove too much of the natural oils that protect both skin and hair follicles.

Adding powder or scents that aren’t formulated for use with dogs adds the potential for skin irritation or infection. If a product isn’t made for dogs or the type of fur on your dog breed, then make it a rule never to use it.

Be patient when grooming. Take time to talk gently to your pet, rub his head or tummy and lend a playful quality to the grooming session. If you’re rushed or impatient, then don’t even start the grooming. Your dog will pick up on your attitude and be fearful or difficult to manage.

Even if your dog spends most of his time outdoors, you still need to do basic grooming. Without regular bathing, your dog is at the mercy of fleas and parasites that thrive on his lack of cleanliness.

Use the right tools. Don’t use your old hairbrush on your dog. Get special brushes and combs that are made for your dog’s fur. You don’t save money using your castoffs if you damage the dog’s skin and create a big vet bill.

You might save some money by bringing the dog to a groomer monthly or alternate weeks, while you handle the bath and simple hair brushing on the other weeks. Dog grooming is an essential part of maintaining your dog’s health – as well as his good looks.

If you are looking for a pet sitter in the north Phoenix area please contact Rebecca at 623-377-7735.

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