Tips

A better solution is providing your dog with an alternative method of greeting you and others. Teach your dog to sit-stay. He cannot sit-stay and jump at the same time. When he is sitting you can then kneel down and give him a warm hug and kiss. Practice is essential. If your dog is excitedly jumping up when you return home from work and this only happens once a day, then he is only getting one practice session a day. If he is jumping up on your company and you only have visitors once a week, then he is only getting one practice session a week. In order to perfect the proper greeting routine, your dog needs much more practice than that. You can speed up the training process by leaving through your back door and returning home through the front door over and over again. When your friends come over, have them do the same. Each time, ask your dog to sit-stay before opening the door. At first his excitement will make it difficult for him to concentrate but after you've repeated this process 10 times, he will calm down and be able to concentrate. Before asking your dog to sit-stay in this distracting and exciting situation, be sure he has a reliable sit-stay in normal, non-stressful situations.

Your dog ate poison and you don't know what to do? Try contacting the ASPCA Poison Control Center, which provides unique assistance to pet owners who need answers quickly about dangerous substances. This service is a 24- hour, seven day a week hotline. It is staffed by 25 veterinarians including five board certified toxicologists and ten certified vet technicians, the center is an allied agency of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. There is a minimal consultation fee of $45 for hotline services, which can be paid by credit card. The number is 1-888-426-4435.

Here's a little known fact for new dog owners: Most dogs like crates. To them it is their haven, their den, their home away from home. Although many owners are reluctant to train their puppies to use a crate, doing so can ease the housebreaking period, help puppies travel safely, and give them a comfortable retreat. By nature, dogs do not like to soil their dens, using a crate during housebreaking can help teach puppies when and where is appropriate to "go". A crate should never be used as a punishment, but should be encouraged as a place for your dog to relax, sleep, and get away from the world.

When looking for the right puppy it pays to be patient. The best breeders will not have an endless supply of puppies all the time. Having puppies is a full time job when it is done properly. It means spending a lot of time taking care of them - feeding, cleaning, playing, and socializing. Many reputable breeders constantly handle pups, and while they love what they do, they're usually happy to see the pups go to their new homes. For this reason most breeders limit the number of litters they have each year. Breeders with good reputations usually have a waiting list.

Whether you're purchasing a puppy from a breeder or adopting a dog from a shelter, there are ways to evaluate a dog. It is best if you perform the following tests in a neutral space such as a living room or play area. Start by playing with the dog. This will help put it at ease. Throw a ball of offer it a toy. When you take the toy away, does it give it up willingly or snarl and try to keep it? A possessive dog should be avoided. After a few minutes, once it has relaxed a bit, check to see how it feels about being touched. Gently rub your hands over the dog's entire body. Pick up its feet, look at its ears and examine its teeth. Does it flinch when you touch it or welcome contact? You want a dog that's comfortable being handled.