Before you move you must:

• Take the pet to the vet and check whether his health will stand the move. Ask the vet about preventive health care and whether the pet will require any vaccinations.
• Make a file containing the pet’s health records and registration details.
• Pack all personal possessions belonging to the pet in an easily identifiable box.
• Set aside things the pet will need while traveling and when you reach your destination.
• Find out what the law regarding pets is in your new town or area. Ask about whether dogs or pets are allowed in your new home or apartment block and whether you need to apply for new registrations or permits.
• Do a bit of research and locate a new vet in your new home. Choose one recommended by your old vet but make sure he suits your needs.
• If you are moving fairly close then consider driving down with your pet and kids. Otherwise you will need to take care of details like flying with pets and the rules that apply.
• While the movers are in the home packing or unpacking either keep the pet close to you or in a separate room in a crate with a few toys and plenty of water. Of course if you crate the pet you will need to remember to release him and take him for a walk ever so often.
• If the move requires an overnight stop then choose a hotel that welcomes pets. This makes the move much easier on the pet as dealing with wary strangers can add to the stress.
• Always carry an old sheet, a few toys, medicines, medical files, water for drinking, a little food, a sponge, plenty of plastic bags, paper towels, and a crate, cage, or leash. If it is fish you are transporting then you will need special containers sold by aquariums.
• Get the pet a new Id tag and microchip in case he gets lost.
• If you are nervous about transporting your pet there are professionals who will undertake to do the job for you.
• In case you are moving to a new country and the climate is not suitable for your pet then consider finding the pet a new home. It is kinder than killing the pet.

While transporting pets remember that you cannot ship them in moving vans. And, except for “seeing eye” dogs pets are not allowed on buses and trains. So, you will either have to take your pet by plane or by car. If your pet appears agitated ask the vet to prescribe a sedative. Check carefully about interstate health certificates and vaccination requirements. Be a vigilant pet-parent and find out all the pros and cons of moving a pet well before the actual moving date. Author Bio
Paul Wilson is a freelance writer for www.1888MovingCompanies.com, the premier website to find help on Moving including topics on moving companies search, compare movers, moving insurance, auto transport, moving tips and more. He also freelances for the premier REVENUE SHARING discussion forum for Pet Site www.1888Discuss.com/pet/

Punishment to the puppy should not be treated as punishment, but correction in behavior. It is important to correct puppy’s behavior at the time of any offence committed by the puppy. Never correct him after a time gap. Fir example, if you don’t want your puppy to start barking the moment doorbell rings, correct him immediately. If you try to correct him after the guests are gone, he may get confused. Once this unwanted behavior is corrected, never forget to reward the puppy for the correct behavior. This reward may not necessarily in the form of food only. You may show your happiness over the behavior and your dog is intelligent enough to know your good mood.

Get a good number of toys for your puppy to chew. Never allow him to bite or chew your hand. If the puppy bites your hand, make a huge noise to make puppy understand his mistake. Don’t try to punish the puppy for this behavior. Walk away from the place and don’t let him near you for some time. Puppy will understand this clearly and never try to repeat that mistake. Handful of chewable toys will do this trick easily.

Try not to leave the puppies unattended in a room. Puppies because of their natural tendency of chewing, will mess up with valuable articles in the room. If you scold him for this, he may not understand the reasons of your behavior. Leave it there itself, and then never ever leave him unattended.

Puppies may feel sick when taken on a long drive. Start training your puppy in the car for shorter distances first and then keep on increasing the trip time and miles. Puppy will get adjusted to long hours in the car.

Author Bio
Dave is the owner of www.dog-behaviors.info and www.dog-obedience-classes.info websites providing information on car auctions.

The safest place to get a new dog would be from a dog breeder. That gives you a history or insight of the prospective dog you are interested in. You can find dog breeders in the newspaper or online. If you see a great looking dog in public, you could strike up a conversation with the owner and ask where they got their dog. Try to verify the breeders reputation. There are several methods you can use to make sure the breeder is professional, reliable and can be trusted.

Ask the Dog Breeder for References.

A good, experienced dog breeder can provide you with references to some of his or her clients. Most people who have purchased a puppy from them would be glad to share their experiences with you. Of course, it would be even better if you locate past clients without being directed by the breeder. Not that easy, but word gets around, good or bad. Maybe some of your freinds or family have dealt with this breeder in the past.

Be Ready to Ask Questions and Expect to Answer Many Questions Yourself.

Good breeders are very interested in screening prospective buyers themselves. They want the puppies to go to good homes. Questions such as whether you have small children, size of your home and yard. Is the yard fenced? Have you ever owned a dog before? Do you already have a veterinarian? Can you or someone else spend the neccessary time with a very young puppy until the puppy is older? If a breeder fails to ask questions such as these, he may not care about the welfare of his puppies. Or, he may be having a hard time selling…a possible sign of other problems.

Is Price Important?

Of course! Price is important with anything you invest in. With some breeds, such as Yorkies, the price will range from a few hundred to many thousands of dollars. But, more money doesn’t always mean better dog. If you are getting into the dog show scene, you would need more expensive dogs. Most of us are not interested in showing our dogs. Compare prices to decide what your needs are.

Health Guarantees

You should get some sort of health guarantee before you buy. In writing. Most breeders give only a short guarantee for health due to the many deseases a puppy faces. That is why you should take your puppy to a good vet as soon as possible. Do this before your health guarantee runs out. You will want to get your new puppy any shots he needs. Choose a vet that keeps up with the latest information involving puppy innoculations. Some of the shots given in the past are not needed today and may even be harmful.

Good breeders will take all the time you need to answer your questions. Get everything in writing when you buy and follow your dog breeders suggestions. Remember, they have the experience.

Author Bio
Alton Hargrave offers advice and resources for those interested in dogs. His website, Dog-Daze.net contains honest information regarding all breeds of dogs, deseases of dogs and how to maintain your dog.

Imagine what would happen to us if we didn’t brush regularly each day! We’d have horrible breath, of course. But even worse, the resulting periodontal disease would mean multiple and severe health problems. The same is true for our 4-legged best friends.

Did you know that periodontal disease is the most common infectious disease in dogs? (This is also true for cats).

Studies indicate that more than 85% of all dogs 4 years and older suffer from periodontal disease! Not surprisingly, then, it is reported that by 3 years of age, 85% of dogs have begun to experience some phase of gum disease.

The progression of the disease begins with the formation of plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms in the mouth at the gum line. Amazingly, 1 milligram of plaque contains more than 1 trillion bacteria - disease causing bacteria!

Plaque left on the teeth hardens into tartar which sticks to teeth like cement. The tartar leads to gingivitis, or gum disease, a condition in which actual gum damage begins. The gums become red and swollen, not to mention painful! Once this happens, the gums start to recede from the teeth, creating even more space for bacteria to grow.

Periodontal disease is now “off to the races” with a variety of very harmful effects. The roots of the teeth loosen as infection starts to cause bone loss. In smaller dogs, like our Bichon breeds, the bone that holds the teeth is thinner than that of medium-sized and larger dogs, so gum disease is likely to be even more of a problem for them.

Perhaps the most devastating and deadly effects of periodontal disease occur as the bacteria enters our companion’s bloodstream through the mouth and gum tissues. This leads to damage of tissue in the heart, kidneys, and liver, and even the lungs and nervous system.

Unfortunately, it is a little known fact that neglecting the dental health of our beloved little buddies can cause potentially fatal heart-disease, kidney-disease, and liver-disease.

The good news is that all this can be prevented! However, please, don’t be fooled into thinking that using dry dog food and providing bones or other chew toys is an effective solution for the necessary dental hygiene!

To maintain a healthy mouth and to prevent the serious conditions that result from ignoring dental needs, 2 things are needed:

* a tooth-brushing routine (preferably daily), and
* periodic professional cleaning by your veterinarian.

There is more good news! Tooth brushing can be done very quickly. Also, there are a variety of tasty doggie toothpastes and gels on the market to make our task easier. (Be sure to avoid using “human toothpaste” since those products are made to spit out and not to swallow!)

Although the thought of daily tooth-brushing for your dog might seem a little daunting at first, you’ll find it very quick and easy once it’s become a habit. Just keep in mind that what you’re doing is adding to the quality and years to your best friend’s life!

Author Info:

Sandy Schneider: Sandy Schneider, author, writes on a variety of subjects of interest to dog owners and fanciers. Please visit her http://www.bichonworld.com/bichon-dog-articles.html site soon. Please go to http://www.bichonworld.com

Through the years, dog collars have always been an important and fashionable accessory to dogs, regardless of their breeds. Function-wise, dog collars serve as the handle that links the dogs and the dog leash.

Spiked dog collars have been around for several decades, perhaps, centuries. In 1981, the Museum of Liverpool Life in the United Kingdom started displaying collections of spiked dog collars.

The museum featured a spiked dog collar that has been believed to be worn by a fighting dog in the earlier part of the 19th century. The dog collar was found at an old residential area in Liverpool. The leather collar was spiked with nail, that made observers conclude that it was crafted by a blacksmith.

The unique collection spurred interest among collectors and dog lovers. Since then, dog owners have experimented and started adorning their beloved pets with spiked dog collars.

Why spiked?

You may probably ask why anyone would want the dog collars of their pets spiked? The reason is plain and logical. Spiked dog collars are aimed at giving dogs protection from potential attackers and predators.

Thus, through that function, it can be inferred that the early society, which started using the collars, had paid significant regard to dogs of their time. Be reminded that in the 19th century to early 20th century, people took care of dogs for special purposes.

Dogs were either security and body guards or a working companion, especially to farmers, who needed to guard their crops from smaller animals, and hunters, who needed to easily find the body of their animal victims.

Thus, spikes were installed at collars so that no predator of larger animal can harm the dog because the spikes would serve as a natural protection.

Modern uses

But nowadays, that function has truly evolved. Spiked dog collars are now worn by dogs not just for protection, but most importantly, for fashion.

Dog owners find pleasure in adorning their dogs with novelty accessories that range from spiked dog collars to small apparels that humanize the pets.

Gone were the days when spiked dog collars were only worn by hunter and fighting dogs. Currently, these collars are provided to dogs, regardless of their functions and breeds.

It is also rather unusual to note that most dogs with spiked dog collars are not even leashed. That means, the collars are not attached to the dog to help link it to a dog leash. You may abruptly conclude that nowadays, dog owners buy spiked dog collars to adorn dogs.

Buying spiked dog collars

Every pet shop and pet accessory shops in your vicinity certainly sells spiked dog collars. It has indeed become a necessity for these shops because every dog owner, at one point or another, would surely be lured at getting spiked dog collars for their pet companions.

That is why you surely won’t have a hard time finding and buying spiked dog collars. There are also a wide array of varieties for thise dog accessory and you would certainly tire and fall indecisive upon finding those fashionable collars.

Spiked dog collars also made sure the product would endure the test of time by making them extra fashionable and blending with attractive colors and designs.

The prices for spiked dog collars, however also vary. As usual, the prettier it gets, the more expensive it becomes. Leather collars are also more costly than the synthetic leather versions of the product.

Where to purchase spiked dog collars

There are numerous venues where you can buy spiked dog collars. Aside from the local pet shop and pet accessories store in your area, you could log online through an Internet shopping firm.

E-commerce surely moved to make it covered. You could purchase these dog collars from your favorite and reliable online shopping or auctioneering Web site. Usual transaction process for online trading applies.

Special shops also accept pre-orders for especially made and customized spiked dog collars. Ask your friends and animal aficionados and you would surely find these accessory makers.

Moreover, invest in dog accessories. It would be worth realizing that your dog is not just an eye candy, but also protected from possible attackers.

Author Info:

Lee Dobbins: Lee Dobbins writes for http://dogcollars.topicgiant.com where you can learn more about all types of dog collars including the spiked dog collar.

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Fence jumping is frustrating from the perspective of trying to keep the dog in the yard but this behavior also poses a risk to the dog. For example, if your particular fence had any type of spike or pointed area on top, your pet

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