Dogs and Cats

Lap dogs have become extremely popular. They enjoy sitting on the couch or recliner with you and cuddling. We have tried to explain to our chocolate Labrador that typically lap dogs are small and can easily be picked up and carried around. This explanation has obviously fallen on deaf ears because he does not seem impressed by it.

A lap dog is typically a dog that is small enough to be held in your arms or lay comfortably on your lap. Lap dogs are not a specific breed, but it is a generic term for a type of dog that is small and has a gentle disposition. Some of the more popular lap dog breeds include the Shih tzu, Pug and toy Poodle. These small dogs usually don't weigh more than 18 pounds, which is a comfortable weight to hold in your lap.

Choosing a dog breed that is going to tip the scales at around 100 pounds when they are full grown is probably not going to be your first option. But just in case you want to choose a large breed dog for your lap dog it is important to start them off early. Hold them as much as you can in your lap when they are puppies and are small and cuddly. This is probably the most important step because they need to learn this behavior when they are still little and impressionable. Once you've properly trained your pet, you will have an excellent lap dog.

Making the decision to adopt a dog should not be taken lightly. Dog ownership comes with considerable responsibility. Once you adopt your dog, your life will be forever changed.

The decision to adopt a dog and bring them home will hopefully be a 10 to 12 year commitment.

Dogs are pack animals and they don't like to be left alone for long periods of time. They enjoy spending time with their people. You will become a member of their pack. Your dog's greatest desire is going to be spending time with their pack, that is You.

You will want to have a well behaved dog, so spend time training and socializing your dog. Your dog must be under your control when they meet people or other dogs on a walk or if you have company over to your home. Successful training requires patience, consistency and time. If you don't have experience in training dogs then join an organized obedience training class.

You will need to spend time maintaining your dog. This will include things like brushing their teeth or hair, cleaning their ears, giving them bathes, taking them for walks or playing fetch with them.

Before you adopt a dog make sure you have the time required to properly care for them. Remember, your dog will provide you with unconditional love as long as they feel safe and are happy.

Cats are such rewarding companions for humans. Most cats will need a little training and it doesn't have to be a chore.

Cats and dogs learn the same way. Punishment is not an effective way to teach your cat the behaviors you want them to learn. Positive reinforcement is always the best method for training your pet. Your cat will continue to repeat the behavior that got the most pleasant response from you.

Using a toy to train your kitty will keep their interest and keep them occupied. Try rotating different toys during your training sessions to keep up their curiosity.

Give your cat a quick squirt with a water bottle to interrupt the bad behavior that you want to stop. This method does not harm the cat, it just startles them.

A very effective training technique for both cats and dogs is to blow in their face when they are doing something that you don't want them to. In the animal world, this is want their birth mothers would do to stop the bad behavior.

Give your cat quality time. This will create a bond between you and your cat and help with the training sessions.

There are a few steps you can take to make bath time more enjoyable and safer for your dog. It's important not to get water inside your dog's ear canal which could cause an infection. Place a cotton ball inside your dog's ear canal prior to giving them a bath. If your dog starts shaking their head a lot more than normal or you notice a discharge from their ears, you need to contact your local veterinarian to make sure your pet doesn't have an ear infection.

Bathing a dog too frequently will reduce the natural oils in their coats and skin, so you probably only want to bath them once every two months or so. Of course, exceptions can be made if your dog has found something extremely smelly to roll in. If your dog has long hair, make sure to brush them before their bath and it will help cut down the amount of hair they shed.

Use a shampoo and conditioner (which helps with combing after the bath) that is specifically designed for dogs. Using a shampoo that is designed for humans could cause a skin irritation in your pet. If your dog suffers from allergies, look carefully at the ingredients before trying a new product.

If you're bathing a dog in the bathtub, get all the supplies such as shampoo, conditioner and towels before you start the process and that will help reduce the amount of water on the floor. Bathing a dog should be a pleasant procedure for both you and your pet, so allow for plenty of time and remember to have plenty of patience.