7 Tips for Keeping Your Dog Warm in the Winter

By Emmy E Bill  

When it's cold outside, all you want to do is go home, curl up in a warm bed and sip on hot chocolate? But what about dogs, how do they feel about the cold winter months? Some dogs live their lives primarily outdoors so they need and want to spend time outside every day. However, certain dogs are more negatively affected by the cold than others; particularly older pets or those with certain conditions like arthritis. There are plenty of ways for you to keep your dog warm this winter, follow the steps below!

1) Consider adopting a cold weather dog.
If you don't have a dog yet and you live in a cold climate, you could consider getting a dog that is bred to handle well and enjoy cold weather. Alaskan malamutes, Siberian huskies, and chow chows are great dogs for cold climate dwellers.

2) House your dog indoors.
Even though you may keep your dog outside when the weather is nice, you may not want to do this when it's cold. Housing your dog inside the house is the best way to keep him warm during the winter.

3) Pet jackets and sweaters.
It might sound silly, but there are cute garments like jackets and sweaters you can purchase to keep your pets warm; there is even waterproof clothing you can put on them for play time in the snow.

4) Invest in proper outdoor housing.
If your dog absolutely has to spend a lot of time outdoors, make sure he has proper shelter. Consider getting a doghouse with a sloped roof, insulation and possibly a heater (make sure the heater is 100% safe and meant for being run outdoors).

5) Soft bedding off the floor.
Keep your dog warm by placing soft bedding a few inches off the cold floor.

6) Make sure he's getting enough food.
Some dogs burn more calories during the winter while they're trying to stay warm. This may make him hungrier, so feed him a little more in the winter months if it seems he needs it.

7) Don't forget to give him attention.
Nothing keeps a dog warmer than a caring, playful, and attentive owner. Make sure you don't forget about your pet if you put him outside, and when the weather is really cold, let him stay inside.

Cold weather isn't always fun to deal with, especially for animals. Although they love playing in the snow, it's not as fun when they are cold. Also remember, dog's can get colds and various illnesses like humans. Keep your dog safe and healthy by keeping him warm this winter season.

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Bringing Your Puppy Home The First Day, Things to Consider

By Vinu Nair 

When you pick up your puppy the first day, there are things you have to consider for the safety of the puppy.

Bringing your puppy home doesn't need to be a traumatic experience, for you or your dog. Cars are unfamiliar for puppies simply because they have never been on a ride before. Many people think that a dog will get motion sickness and while this may be true for a few dogs, most will get sick due to the anxiety with all the new vibrations and sounds. It is vital that the first trip home be as comfortable as possible. If your puppy dog has a bad experience during the first ride, they can become nervous later on even before the engine starts.

You should not take your puppy in your car until he has gone to the bathroom to avoid any mistakes. Keep in mind that a puppy might still make a mistake simply because of over excitement, plain nervousness or puppy sickness. As a result, bring some old towels and some paper towels just in case. 
On the first ride home, the rules are bend a little bit! Instead of having your dog in crate you should consider holding your puppy for the first ride home. Try to distract the pup from the actual ride by speaking to her in a soft voice. If your puppy cries or whines, don't punish her or be overly affectionate. Punishment will only confuse the young pup and too much affection will only reinforce the whiny behavior. Just talk to her softly and eventually she will stop crying. If the ride is long (more than an hour), bring some water, plastic bag and maybe even a chew toy that will make the puppy feel more comfortable. Also consider stopping in the middle for your dog to relieve herself.

In summary
If you have a passenger, let them keep the puppy on their lap to keep her comfortable
Cover your lap with a towel or paper towels as accidents can happen
Try to keep the car ride as quiet and relaxed as possible - this means no loud music and no sudden turns or hard breaking
If the trip is long, stop for a break so your puppy can go to the bathroom
By taking all the above precautions, you can make the very first ride as comfortable as possible for your new puppy.

To read more about puppy advice and puppy care information please see http://canineowners.com/puppy-care/dog-whisperer-tips/

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