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How to Be a Good Dog Owner

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

If you have a dog, or have just gotten a pup, you know all about the unconditional love your pet gives. You want to give back to your loyal canine, but how? Read the advice given below.

Steps


  1. Learn to groom your dog yourself. It is a great time for you to bond with your dog. Take your dog to the groomers when it isn't possible for you to groom properly. Grooming should be done on a daily basis.
  2. Take your dog out for two long walks each day. 'Long' means about thirty minutes. He needs the exercise, and this will become a good habit for both of you. However, if you have a small breed or a puppy, you might want to start out with less and gradually work your way up.
  3. Crate train your dog. This means he needs to sleep in his crate from the beginning. A crate is your dogs home (den) and his security.
  4. Make sure you reward and compliment your pup when he does something right. Give him a treat, or go 'Good boy! Great job!' in an excited voice.
  5. When your pup is young, take him to a training classes. Teach him basic commands such as 'Sit', 'Stay', 'Down' and 'Heel' and how to walk on a leash. Training will also give you tips on how to control him and better his behavior.
  6. Let your pooch to know how to act around other dogs by giving him social interaction. If you don't have another dog introduce to him to dogs you know (example: your best friends pooch).
  7. Be sure you license your dog. Dog tags are important for your dog to have and microchips are affordable so you can get your dog back if he runs away.
  8. Go to www.mypetpages.webs.com for more information.


Tips


  • Be patient with puppies. It takes time for them to learn.
  • Give your dog the right toys and bones for when you can't pay attention to them.
  • Don't go overboard with expensive toys. Dogs love the inexpensive ones too! An old washrag dampened with water, tied in a knot and frozen is a great treat for teething puppies.


Warnings


  • Never be too strict or harsh to your dog. Remember that your precious pooch does have feelings and give them lots of love.
  • Don't ever use violence with them!
  • Use a newspaper to get your dog's attention in a dangerous situation by swatting the air near your dog to elicit a sound from the paper and distract your dog. Do not hit the dog with it or your hand, otherwise your dog may not trust you or be afraid of your hands.


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Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Be a Good Dog Owner. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

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How to Give a Small Dog a Bath


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

One of the advantages of owning a small dog is that they are very easy to bathe at home, though, at times can be difficult. Often small dogs are frightened by the noise and activity of a high volume pet salon. Why not save yourself the expense and your dog's nerves by following these simple steps for bathing your small dog at home?

Steps



  2. Can Be Bathed in the Kitchen Sink]] Collect the materials you will need so you will have everything close at hand. These materials generally include combs and brushes, pet shampoo, clean towels, and perhaps doggie treats. If you think about cleaning the dog's ears, then getting some cotton balls would be a good idea.
  3. Allow your dog time to adjust to the idea of getting a bath. If you have a puppy, or a new pet, the whole process may be somewhat frightening, so take things slowly. Help your dog to associate the tub or sink with pleasant things by placing the rubber mat in the tub and feeding meals there. Be ready to hand out lots of praise and a few treats to make the bath a pleasant experience for your dog. It will pay off in the long run if your pet is a happy participant, rather than frightened or resistant.
  4. Groom your dog's coat before bathing to remove loose dirt, mats and snarls. Tangles in your dog's coat will be much harder to remove once his coat is wet. If you find yourself chopping away at matted fur - have them removed by a professional groomer the first time, then groom your pet more regularly to avoid matting in the future.
  5. Decide whether you will bathe your dog in the bath tub or kitchen sink. This is not only a question of your dog's size. It is also important to judge whether your dog is likely to remain calm and obedient during his bath. If there's any chance he might jump away from you, you should bathe your dog in a bath tub, rather than risk a fall from the kitchen sink. Another option is to take your dog with you right into the shower. You will get wet anyway so why not kill two birds with one stone! Sounds silly but it works.
  6. Place either a rubber mat or a small towel on the bottom of the sink or bath tub. This will keep your pet from slipping on the wet surface, and will help him feel more comfortable.
  7. Test the water temperature before beginning to wet your dog's coat. Keep your hand in the water to make sure the water temperature is correct. If you're using the kitchen sink, the spray hose attachment makes it easy to wet your dog down. Sprayers emit a sound that affects some dogs so you may wish to have a small plastic pitcher handy to pour water over your dog. Spray attachments are also available for your bath tub to make bathing your dog easier.
  8. Use a shampoo designed specifically for pets, rather than your own personal shampoo. Quality pet shampoos take into consideration that a dog's skin has a different pH level than human skin. There are also tear-free shampoos that will not sting a dog's eyes. (Keep in mind that just like human tear-free shampoos, they simply contain an eye-numbing agent, and the soap exposure can still damage the eyes. Keep all shampoo, tear-free or not, out of the eyes as much as possible.) A great smelling conditioner is also a nice addition. Consult your veterinarian if your dog has skin irritations or other conditions. Dilute the shampoo and apply from a squeeze bottle (like a dishwashing liquid) so you can squirt the shampoo wherever you wish.
  9. Avoid getting water or shampoo in your pet's eyes and ears. You can gently place a cotton ball in your pet's ears to help keep the inner ear dry. Rather than using the spray hose on your pet's face, your pet will be happier to have his face cleaned gently with a warm, wet wash cloth.
  10. Rinse all shampoo out of your dog's coat thoroughly.
  11. Blot up the water left in his coat by wrapping your dog in a bath towel. Change towels as needed to continue drying your dog's coat. Let his coat air dry once you have blotted up as much water as you reasonably can.
  12. Blow-dry your dog's coat to get your dog dry more quickly, if your pet will tolerate this. Always use a low-temperature setting (warm or cool) to avoid inadvertently burning your dog's skin. Using a lower fan setting will undoubtedly be easier for your dog to endure. Some dog hair gets very static-y. There are sprays that limit this, help keep the hair smooth and easier to brush.
  13. Praise your dog and give him a tasty treat as a reward for good behavior. He'll quickly learn that getting a bath is not a frightening experience.


Video


This video is not specific to small dogs but has instructions relevant to bathing dogs of all sizes.

Tips


  • Bath time is also a good time to examine your dog carefully for skin irritations, fleas and ticks,ear infections or other health concerns. It may be useful to trim his nails at the same time your bathe him. Metal nail files are good for skittish dogs and owners you can also use a battery powered nail file to make the process faster. Sometimes a groomer will let you watch the process and you may want to observe before you go at it yourself the first time.
  • One thing that may prevent dogs from shaking is to hold their ear. This should only be done while taking them to a more shake-friendly place.
  • If your dog tends to shake try placing one hand over the back of the neck when washing. This can stop the shake before it starts and keep you (and your bathroom) relatively dry.
  • Some small dogs prefer placing their front paws on the edge of the bath away from you. My dog puts his paws up in the side of the tub facing the wall. It helps keep him calm and from that position he can't jump out.
  • It is very important to brush your dog after every bath so that their hair doesn't get matted.


Warnings


  • Be careful not to get water in the small dog's nose as they can choke very easily. Try covering its nose with the palm of your hand. Or, as mentioned above, use a wash cloth around his face, rather than spraying or pouring water over his head.
  • Try not to bathe the dog too often as this may strip the dog of its natural oils causing its skin to dry out. Regular grooming and brushing will go a long way to keeping a dog healthy between baths.
  • Do not bathe the dog with soap intended for humans. It can damage the dog's skin by making it dry, forming flakes or creating chemical reactions. Remember human skin and the skin of a dog are not the same.
  • Use warm water. If you must use cold water, use it slowly. Continuously running cold water might only be 60 degrees and a dog's body cannot tolerate that much cold. If you dog is young, old, small, or has little fur or fat, use warm water! Imagine having someone run an equal amount of water over your body, at 60 degrees. If you weigh 120 and the puppy weighs 12, that would be 10 garden hoses worth of water being sprayed over your body, at 60 degrees. If it would continue, it would definately be uncomfortable, and could be fatal.
  • Dry your small dog thoroughly and keep her sheltered until she is completely dry - small dogs can be vulnerable and catch a cold quite easily.
  • Do not try to use your own shampoo for your dog. Although it might be safe to just wash the fur of certain long-haired dogs, it's better to stay risk-free and use a dog shampoo. Tear-free will make the job easier.


Things You'll Need


  • Pet shampoo - Use a shampoo formulated for dogs, because a dog's skin has a different Ph level than we do, so using human shampoo is inappropriate.
  • A good grooming brush
  • Lots of towels and a favorite waterproof squeaky toy can help the dog feel more at ease
  • A small dog


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Sources and Citations





Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Give a Small Dog a Bath. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

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How to Become a Professional Dog Walker


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Walking dogs for a living is more than just clicking on a leash and getting some exercise together. You need to be a dog-lover who is in tune with the ways of dogs and ready to run a business. Yet, it can be a rewarding job for a dedicated person who is well-organized, professional and human and dog client-oriented. Here are some suggestions on how to start your professional dog walking career..

Steps


  1. Consider how big you want your dog walking career to be. Be realistic - you'll probably need to start small, and allow yourself to grow. Do you want it to be a part-time or a full-time career? How much time can you devote to dog-walking? If you are young and want to make money by dog walking, make flyers and offer around your neighborhood. For example, consider these scenarios:
    • If you are a student who needs income during studies, you will have crunch times around exams and essay due dates but you will likely be fairly flexible during the rest of the time. Be honest with a potential client and explain your availability, including the possibility that there may be certain times when you will be very busy and may need to reschedule temporarily at such times. Always let them know you'll make up for it during vacation etc.
    • If you want to start a permanent business, consider whether it is something you want to work 9 - 5 (or extended hours) 5 - 7 days a week, or is it something that only interests you part-time, say 2 - 3 days a week of a few hours here and there? These are important considerations that will either expand or limit your options and availability. More hours means more clients and a likelihood of referrals. Less hours will mean more devotion to a small corps of clients and a need to make it clear to them that your availability is limited to them.

  2. Be prepared for running a business. If you want a large business, are you prepared to manage employees and cover a larger part of the city than you could do alone? If you make your business large, you will need employees. You will need to:
    • Get insurance and become bonded.
    • Interview pet sitters, check them for reliability, train them and pay them.
    • Be able to trust them to do their dog-walking according to your instructions.
    • Keep good financial records, manage a payroll system, pay taxes on business income, and manage other worker's requirements.
    • Keep a tight leash (no pun intended) on the client arrangements. As owner of the business, you should make all arrangements for dog-walking directly with clients and then provide the instructions, keys etc. to your employees. That way, if things don't work out with your dog-walker employee, you keep the client and substitute with a new employee.

  3. Set the amount you want to charge. How you price your services will depend on the quality of your service and the length of time you have been dog-walking professionally. It will be difficult to charge higher amounts until word-of-mouth begins to boost your business and you have solid references.
    • Research the field first. What are other dog-walkers charging in your area? Ask them if they are willing to divulge information to a potential competitor. Compete fairly with them - you could undercut slightly at first to get a toehold in the business. Don't undercut viciously; after all, you want to stay in this industry, not be cold-shouldered by your fellow dog-walkers. If there is no one competing, then use the internet to get some idea of the costs for your region.
    • Don't under-charge or over-charge. Undercharging will lead some to think you are an amateur, perhaps even the local school kids looking for odd jobs. Charge a fair amount in return for good, reliable and professional services.

  4. Print some stylish business cards. Make sure that they present a professional image and provide your contact details. Include a few short, pithy lines or words about what you offer as part of the dog-walking service. For instance:
    • Say where the dogs will be walked - for example, to the parks, on green grass, in quieter areas of the city - whatever you think dog-owners would appreciate and trust.
    • Explain what you will do with the dogs to keep them entertained and well-exercised - for example, that you are prepared to run with the dogs for exercise, that you will play ball/tug rope/fetch with the dogs etc.
    • The ways in which you will pay attention to nutritional and medical requirements of your canine charges.

  5. Advertise. Pass around flyers or business cards to let people know about your business. Stop residents walking their dogs as you walk around, introduce yourself and offer your business card to them. Begin to network with family and friends regarding your business. Start small and let your good business spread by word-of-mouth. There is no harm in asking your first set of clients to refer you to their friends, colleagues etc. If they are happy with your work, many will be happy to do this.
  6. Consider value-adding with other services. It might be worthwhile adding other dog-services to your skills-set. While these additional services will also add costs and some may even require business or home-office style space, if you are seriously considering make an entire career from dogs, this may be the key to a lucrative career. Consider extra services as:
    • Dog-bathing and dog-grooming;
    • Dog-sitting (either on client's premises or at yours if you have space for boarding kennels);
    • Dog-training (if you are properly qualified only);
    • Dog-listening (if you are properly qualified only);
    • Spending extra time after the walk at client's home with a dog to simply be with it, play with it, feed it etc; and
    • Dog medical attention - some owners can't stay home from work to medicate their dogs; you could be the answer.

  7. Love and understand your canine clients. You need to love dogs to have a successful career with dogs. It is as simple as that. Dogs sense non-dog people and it won't be smooth riding if you aren't truly comfortable around them. There are some important considerations to think about:
    • Do you know as much as possible about dogs? Know as much as you can, not just from your own experience with them but also from reading and speaking to the owners and to your local vet.
    • How many dogs will you walk at any one time? Some dog-walkers can walk as many as ten dogs at once, all shapes and sizes. Consider whether you think this is a good thing or even achievable for you!
    • Do you know which breeds of dogs might not be compatible or will be compatible with one another? Know this before teaming them up for a walk.
    • Do you know what to do if a dog is in heat? It'll attract more than its fair share of attention and you'll need to be prepared.
    • Do you know how to handle a dog that suddenly turns aggressive on you? Or on passers-by around you?
    • Do you know how to poop-scoop? Do you know the local by-laws on walking dogs in certain areas etc? Read up! Your being well-informed will impress clients and will reassure them that you are not amateur and will help them to feel you are going to have their dog's best interests at heart.

  8. Understand your human clients. Realize that your human clients will have all sorts of expectations, based on their own beliefs in dog-care and often with a dose of guilt that they can't spare the time to do what you are doing for them. Be generous in your compassion for their concerns (after all, they know their own pooch best) and be tolerant of the more difficult requests. Gentle persuasion and negotiation will often win the human client over!
  9. Learn some basic dog first-aid. Ask at a local veterinary for some training in basic dog first-aid (expect to pay the vet for this advice). It will help you to fix some of the little problems that you may encounter. And while you're at this, do you know the first-aid for a dog bite?


Tips


  • Have extra leashes, collars, dog toys, dog treats, etc. Get a good backpack for storing extras as you walk, something that your dog clients can't reach.
  • Take water for you and for the dogs you are walking. Take a small bowl for the water.
  • Keep a raincoat handy at all times. It'll bother you more than the dogs if it starts to pour.
  • Your dog-walking career might start slowly first, but don't worry; as long as you are professional, punctual and trustworthy, your business will grow in no time.
  • Get police checks/clearance papers to show potential clients that you are trustworthy and that you are taking a professional approach. This is an important consideration since you are entering their homes during their work hours to take pooch for a walk; you have access to their keys and everything else.
  • Insurance is also a must. You never know what may happen. Dog Walking insurance is cheap.
  • Be sure to have a signed service agreement to be sure your business is covered against liability.


Warnings


  • Always be cautious around the dogs that you are not familiar with!
  • Be certain that you have good physical fitness; dog-walking can be a strenuous activity, especially with medium to large dogs.
  • Remember this is NOT YOUR DOG. Take care of it like it is.
  • DONT Let the dog off the leash until you have really gotten to know them and the listen well to you


Things You'll Need


  • Leashes
  • Other equipment as required
  • Dog treats/cookies
  • Good communication skills
  • Pooper Scooper or a plastic bag to pick up poops
  • Toys
  • Food
  • Notebook with all clients emergency numbers
  • Map


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Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Become a Professional Dog Walker. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

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