Fun time! Haley the Bearded Collie, Rex the Lab and Porter the Lab cavort in the yard. These are the two biggest labs I’ve ever seen, except maybe Nate, who also spends a lot of time here. They are each about 100 pounds and never sit still. As for Haley, well they don’t call them Bouncing Beardies for nothing. She loves all the action, but whoa, what a grooming project!

When it comes to holiday gift exchange all ritual, most dogs do not an ass. Amos Take my dog: he is a yard to romp with plenty of food and go to bed an hour sessions.Like Christmas all the time. Should give a gift to me.

Nevertheless, there is indulging in all the pets. We said to them, to force us to live in our world, and against the rules, give us unconditional love. Accordingly, the raw skin seems trivial. Too often, however, we may not be they are really quite a “gift” allows dogs. For him or for his own amusement is the reindeer ears? Are you increasing or decreasing the level of happiness?

As a dog trainer, advocate caution gift. Her best friend in life – Here are some gifts to improve the life of the dog welcome.

1. Petzen Dog Treadmill ($ 549) and 2 Walk4life Pet Pedometer ($ 14.95). Tons of topics can be developed with proper exercise behavior. A tired dog is a better behaved dog. Many dog ​​owners are usually not sufficient for a walk or just time to walk them to the outside as it does not get nearly as much physical activity. In other words, a dog, a special treadmill may seem indulgent, his health and sanity to think of as an investment. Some weight off him, can help to keep all the best. Pedometer is a dog, but also how to get the dog may be a useful exercise Automatic Gaging.

2. Premier Busy Buddy (3 $ – $ 40). Premier Pet supply company now acts in a perfect line trying to figure out a way to remove the toys keep dogs occupied for hours on end doing. Small holes filled with yummies or screwed into the container and then shake the dog’s job, tighten and goodies to chew his way.

3. SOLVIT Waterproof Hammock Seat ($ 20). Dog loved one, so no wonder he wants to go with you when you’re car. But a good traveling companion of a vehicle or holding constant (a better view!) To open the way for the front seat, he is not a working dog.My friend the Amazon, the front seat and rear seat, dog car dangling from the back of the front of “hammock” offers a series. As there can be, basically a dog can help keep the fuzz or vomit seats, is well designed with a waterproof blanket. At the same time the wheel hard to the text is trying to do to get her up.

4. Outlast technology (38) Take advantage of the Intelligent Building. NASA, a small hot dog and keeps cool in summer and winter Outlast smart fabric technology is designed by and built with building wrap the harness. This can be used for babies from 3 to 13 pounds. But wait! There’s more! To get a handle on things so that there is a split second dog. Simple design, with ultra-resistant closure and snug fit in the middle of the dog, to get his arm raised into the air by means of a painless and easy for you.

5. Bellobox (4 $). The most humiliating aspect of dog ownership? Scooping poop.The German company has developed a solution for Bellobox world, dog waste removal issues. Open the container, put it on the feet, poo on the drop-down, pull up and here! Have their own little stool takeout container. Dirty Hands, a humid plastic bag. In fact, do not have to bend down! Germans are smart.

6. BK Atelier Dog Carrier ($ 190 and above). A dog carrier is not a simple item. Each has a request: Amos, wants something comfortable and well ventilated. Wherever you go attractive and unobtrusive so that it can take more worried about that. BK Atelier dog meets the needs of the entire line of handbags. Instead, the typical braided area near the dog’s head, stamped throughout this tasteful designs have small air holes.This makes the fabric breathable, but also keeps the dog well-hidden. Soft side gives him room to maneuver as needed. The fact that leather is a bonus. I’m not a meat eater, but I feed my dog, liver, putting it into another animal remains for me a little bit more then snaps and turducken.

7. Brake Fast Dog Food Bowls ($ 16). Eat kibble, which gulps a big dog, probably a half-digested kibble large puddles on the carpet of a dog prone to deposit. Look ma! I made their food! In other words, “slow food” movement, such as Brake Fast Dog Food Bowls in the form of products such as the dog came to the world, the good news. This plastic bowl, a very fast dog food have in order to prevent the latch from the bottom stick.

8. Manners Minder Premier ($ 90). Manners Minder, a remote-controlled treat dispenser and a great teaching tool. Megabyte down at you like sheep, go to the other side of the room, and then distribute a periodic treatment. Do you have a dog door bell goes crazy? When the bell rings, anything having to deal with his barking Manners Minder is a delectable bother him much trump the excitement of yapping. In your pocket, then keep, and periodically distributes a treatment for dogs that are not home and put it on a timer: You can also use it to fight the dog suffer.

9 – Dog Fighter Puzzle (50 $). Product designer Nina Ottosson dog to do some problem solving, interactive dog toy that requires specialized in making wood beautiful. This is a hidden treats to get through a series of channels requires that the slide latch. Other favorites include her puzzles in the Tornado and the Casino. They basically look like the dog equivalent of The New York Times puzzle. Will Shortz does not dole out Milkbones.

By Terry Albert

The Obama family’s search for a dog was widely publicized earlier this year. They made a great (and careful) selection and Bo has settled into his new life with the First Family. If you are thinking about getting a dog, how do you decide what breed to get?

This is not meant to be a comprehensive guide to choosing a dog, but I do want to point out some lifestyle issues that will help you make your choice. Also, I think mixed breed dogs make wonderful pets, but do take into consideration what breeds make up the dog you select. You can’t always tell, but a good guess can help you choose a dog you can live with.

You’re a clean freak

Do NOT choose a German Shepherd, Alaskan Malamute or Labrador Retriever. These breeds shed worse than many long-coated breeds. Unless you are willing to spend a lot of time grooming, these breeds are not for you.

You’re an athlete

Joggers, here’s the perfect breed for you: a Dalmatian. They were bred to run alongside a horse carriage and rest underneath while the owners went about their business. You might think a greyhound is a great idea, but they are sprinters, not intended for long periods of running.

Most of the sporting breeds are very athletic; for example, German Shorthaired Pointers.

You’re allergic

Get a reptile. No, really, there is no such thing as totally hypoallergenic dog. Even non-shedding breeds have skin dander. It all depends on what you are allergic to. Some very “clean breeds” are Portuguese Water Dogs, Schnauzers, Poodles, and Bichon Frise.

You’re a couch potato

I have all the good intentions in the world, but I still spend a lot of time relaxing in the recliner. Pick a dog that matches your energy level. Many dogs were bred to specifically serve as lap dogs–most of the toy breeds, in fact. That being said, a small dog is not always a lap dog. Jack Russell Terriers (renamed as Parson Russell Terriers) will be dancing on your head if they don’t get enough exercise. My mini Dachshund serves as my lap warmer in the evenings.

You might also consider an older dog if you’re not particularly active. I have adopted many senior dogs, and have never regretted it for a minute. I got Sandy at 14, and she lived to be 18. Their love is like no other.

You want a watchdog

Be careful what you ask for, you might get it. One of my pet sitting clients is a single woman who owns a Giant Schnauzer. Casey (shown above) is a great dog, and a 100 pound black dog at the front door intimidates EVERYONE who comes to the house. He is protective and cautious with strangers. He is perfectly trained; she understands how to deal with a dominant dog, and he has never shown aggression to any human or animal.

But most of us aren’t so dog savvy, and you may do better with one of the less powerful breeds. A good watchdog can be a Lab, who barks when someone arrives, and then runs for his favorite stuffed animal to share with the newcomer. A dog that lets you know someone is arriving and then shuts up and lets you be the pack leader is the type of pet most families want. So unless you understand what it takes to own a Doberman, I recommend you pick a less protective breed.

You’re busy

Get a potted plant. Just kidding… Between jobs and kids, many families don’t have the time to make a dog the center of their universe, and that is fine. As long as your pet gets family time with you, you can still have a dog. Puppies require a lot of supervision and training. Consider an adult dog. If you’re not going to make the dog a part of the family and let him live indoors with you, don’t get one.

Don’t pick a dog that needs daily brushing or an hour walk am and pm unless your family is already used to these chores. Don’t get a second dog to keep the first one company; it doesn’t make up for a lack of attention from you, and you just doubled the workload.

You are pregnant

When I was a dog trainer, and then later as a volunteer for rescue, I saw so many pregnant women who wanted to get a dog. The nurturing instinct just won’t wait for the baby to arrive– you need something to cuddle and love NOW. “But we want them to grow up together,” you say. Wait. Wait until the child is old enough to enjoy the dog, and you have more time to train both of them. Adding a puppy is like adding a child to the family; it’s a lot of work, and when the baby arrives, he or she will be your priority. Dogs don’t live as long as people. Coordinate their shorter lifespan so the child and dog are better matched in maturity level.

You live alone

The choice is yours. Dogs make great companions. They listen to you, they’re always happy to see you, and they don’t complain when you snore. Just pick one that matches your activity level!

Resources

Here are some sites to help you choose a breed that’s right for your family:

Animal Planet’s dog selector: http://animal.discovery.com/breedselector/dogselectorindex.do

Iams: http://www.iams.com/iams/breed-information.jsp

And a book:

Choosing a Dog for Dummies, by Chris Walkowicz

© 2009 Terry Albert. All Rights Reserved.

I’ve been on a reading binge- and enjoying some great horse stories. I usually don’t read animal stories, because I need an escape from my all pets all the time life, but these snagged my interest, and I’m glad they did. 

Horse Heaven, by Jane Smiley
This is a great novel, providing a tongue in cheek look at the eccentric variety of characters who own thoroughbreds. What I really enjoyed was the chapters told from the viewpoint of the various horses. She really provides a unique perspective, which doesn’t usually match what the people are thinking. If you like long books, you’ll enjoy this one. It does get a little confusing because there are so many characters, but Smiley provides a list of who’s who, including owners, jockeys, trainers and horses in the front of the book.


Stud, By Kevin Conley
My friend Gina Spadafori from the Pet Connection is a big racing fan, and when I mentioned Horse Heaven, she recommended Stud. This is a non-fiction book by an editor from New Yorker magazine. The books details the ins and outs (oh, the pun!) of the horse breeding business, and he never loses sight of the absurdity of it all, especially when viewed by an outsider. You’ll read about the breeding careers of the great Storm Cat and Seattle Slew, along with a host of other lesser known mares and stallions. The money involved is astounding, the stories amusing, and the education… well, enlightening. A good read.


Chosen By A Horse and Chosen Forever, by Susan Richards
These last two go off in a different direction. If you’ve been involved in pet rescue of any kind–dog, cat, horse, rabbit–you’ll identify with author Susan Richards and her book, Chosen By A Horse. The author writes a memoir about a horse named Lay Me Down that she rescues from severe neglect. The book is as much about her own life and recovery from divorce as it is about the love she has for Lay Me Down, Hotshot and her other horses. In many ways, I felt like I was reading my own story of my life with Spice and Sage in Seattle, and of my divorce and subsequent years of recovery (I, thank God, did not relate to the abusive upbringing she suffered). 


The sequel, Chosen Forever, is about how, having written Chosen by A Horse, Richards goes on a book tour, and the life-changing events she experiences, including reconnecting with old friends and finding love. I again, felt like I was reading my own story here, as I have been finding old friends lately and enjoying our reunions (Thank you, Facebook). I don’t buy into the theory that you have to have a man in your life to be happy, and she doesn’t either, though it happens to her. Some of us can be perfectly happy alone, as I am. This book is not so much a horse story as a personal journey, and a very interesting one. 


I have written a book, but my own rescue book is still brewing inside me– maybe the person who gave me these books was telling me to write it.