| PET CLASSIFIED'S |
| DOG CARE EXPERTS SAY THAT DOGS WERE DOMESTICATED BETWEEN 12,000 AND 25,000 YEARS AGO-- AND THAT ALL DOGS EVOLVED FROM THE WOLF THEN, HUMANS HAVE SELECTIVELY BRED MORE THAN 44 BREEDS SINCE. RANGING IN SIZE FROM FOUR-POUND TEACUP POODLES TO IRISH WOLFHOUNDS, WHOSE THREE-FOOT STATURE EARNS THEM THE TITLE OF TALLEST CANINE, BUR THE MOST POPULAR POOCHES ARE NON-PEDIGREE. THE ONE- OF -A-KIND DOGS KNOWN AS MIXED-BREEDS. COST THE ANNUAL COST OF A SMALL DOG-- INCLUDING FOOD, VET CARE, TOYS AND LICENSE- IS $420.00 . MAKE THAT $620 FOR A MEDIUM DOG AND $780.00 FOR A LARGE POOCH. THIS FIGURE DOESN'T INCLUDE CAPITAL EXPENSES FOR SPAY/NEUTER SURGERY, COLLAR AND LEASH,CARRIER CRATE. BASIC CARE FEEDING * PUPPIES 8-12 WEEKS OLD NEED FOUR MEALS A DAY. * FEED PUPPIES THREE TO SIX MONTHS OLD THREE MEALS A DAY * FEED PUPPIES SIX MONTHS TO ONE YEAR TWO MEALS A DAY * WHEN YOUR DOG REACHES HIS FIRST BIRTHDAY, ONE MEAL A DAY * FOR SOME DOGS, INCLUDING LARGER CANINES OR THOSE PRONE TO UPSET STOMACH ITS BETTER TO FEED TWO SMALLER MEALS. PREMIUM QUALITY DRY FOOD PROVIDES A WELL-BALANCED DIET FOR DOGS AND MAY BE MIXED WITH WATER, BROTH OR CANNED FOOD. YOUR DOG MAY ENJOY COTTAGE CHEESE, COOKED EGG, FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, BUT THESE ADDITIONS SHOULD NOT TOTAL MORE THAN PERCENT OF HIS DAILY FOOD INTAKE. PUPPIES SHOULD BE FED A HIGH QUALITY, BRAND NAME PUPPY FOOD PLEASE LIMIT "PEOPLE FOOD", HOWEVER, BECAUSE IT CAN RESULT IN VITAMIN AND MINERAL IMBALANCES, BONE AND TEETH PROBLEMS AND MAY CAUSE VERY PICKY EATING HABITS AND OBESITY. CLEAN, FRESH WATER SHOULD BE AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES, AND BE SURE TO WASH FEED AND WATER DISHES FREQUENTLY. EXERCISE DOGS NEED EXERCISE TO BURN CALORIES, STIMULATE THEIR MINDS AND KEEP HEALTHY. EXERCISE ALSO TENDS TO HELP DOGS AVOID BOREDOM, WHICH CAN LEAD TO DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIORS. SUPERVISED FUN AND GAMES WILL SATISFY MANY OF YOUR PET'S INSTINCTUAL URGES TO DIG HERD, CHEW, RETRIEVE AND CHASE. INDIVIDUAL EXERCISE NEEDS VARY BASED ON BREED OR BREED MIX AGE AND LEVEL OF HEALTH--- BUT A COUPLE OF WALKS AROUND THE BLOCK EVERY DAY AND TEN MINUTES IN THE BACK YARD PROBABLY WONT CUT IT . IF YOUR DOG IS A 6-8 MONTH ADOLESCENT, OR IF SHE IS AN ACTIVE BREED OR MIXED- BREED FROM THE SPORTING OR HERDING HOUND OR TERRIER GROUPS, HER REQUIREMENTS WILL BE RELATIVELY HIGH. GROOMING YOU CAN HELP DEEP YOUR DOG CLEAN AND REDUCE SHEDDING WITH FREQUENT BRUSHING. CHECK FOR FLEAS AND TICKS DAILY DURING WARM WEATHER. MOST DOGS DON'T NEED TO BE BATHED MORE THAN A FEW TIMES A YEAR. BEFORE BATHING, COMB OR CUT OUT ALL MATS FROM THE COAT. CAREFULLY RINSE ALL SOAP OUT OF THE COAT, OR THE DIRT WILL STICK TO SOAP RESIDUE. HANDLING SMALL DOGS, SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS "LAP DOGS," ARE THE EASIEST TO HANDLE. TO CARRY A PUPPY OR SMALL DOG, PLACE ONE HAND UNDER THE DOG'S CHEST, WITH EITHER YOUR FOREARM OR OTHER HAND SUPPORTING THE HIND LEGS AND RUMP. NEVER ATTEMPT TO LOFT OR GRAB YOUR PUPPY OR SMALL DOG BY THE FORELEGS, TAIL OR BACK OF THE NECK IF YOU DO HAVE TO LIFT A LARGE DOG, LIFT FROM THE UNDERSIDE SUPPORTING HIS CHEST WITH ONE ARM AND HIS REAR END WITH THE OTHER. HOUSING YOUR PET NEEDS A WARM, QUIET PLACE TO REST, AWAY FROM ALL DRAFTS AND OFF THE FLOOR. A TRAINING CRATE IS IDEAL. YOU MAY WISH TO BUY A DOG BED, OR MAKE ONE OUT OF A WOODEN BOX. PLACE A CLEAN BLANKET OR PILLOW INSIDE THE BED. WASH THE DOGS BEDDING OFTEN . IF YOUR DOG WILL BE SPENDING A LOT OF TIME OUTDOORS, BE SURE SHE HAS ACCESS TO SHADE AND PLENTY OF COOL WATER IN HOT WEATHER AND IT IS WARM, DRY, COVERED SHELTER WHEN ITS COLD. LICENSING AND IDENTIFICATION FOLLOWING YOUR COMMUNITY'S LICENSING REGULATIONS. BE SURE TO ATTACH THE LICENSE TO YOUR DOG'S COLLAR. THIS, ALONG WITH AN ID TAG AND IMPLANTED MICROCHIP OR TATTOO, CAN HELP SECURE YOUR RETURN SHOULD HE BECOME LOST. BEHAVIOR INFORMATION TRAINING A WELL-BEHAVED COMPANION CANINE IS A JOY. BUT LEFT UNTRAINED YOUR DOG CAN CAUSE NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. TEACHING YOUR DOG THE BASICS "SIT" "STAY", "COME", "DOWN" ,"HEEL", "OFF" AND "LEAVE IT" -- WILL IMPROVE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH BOTH YOUR DOG AND YOUR NEIGHBORS. IF YOUR HAVE A PUPPY, START TEACHING HIM HIS MANNERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! USE LITTLE BITS OF FOOD AS A LURE AND REWARD PUPPIES CAN BE ENROLLED IN OBEDIENCE WHEN THEY HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY VACCINATED. CONTACT YOUR LOCAL HUMANE SOCIETY OR SPCA FOR TRAINING CLASS RECOMMENDATIONS. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS KEEP YOUR PUPPY 9R DOG ON A LEACH IN PUBLIC. JUST BE SURE YOUR PET WILL COME TO YOUR AT ALL TIMES WHENEVER YOU SAY THE WORD. A DOG WHO IS DISOBEDIENT OR AGGRESSIVE IS NOT TO PLAY WITH OTHERS. HEALTH YOUR DOG SHOULD SEE THE VETERINARIAN FOR A FULL CHECK-UPS, SHOTS AND A HEARTWORM BLOOD TEST EVERY YEAR, AND IMMEDIATELY IF IT IS SICK OR INJURED. DENTAL HEALTH WHILE MANY OF US MAY OBJECT TO OUR PETS BAD BREATH WE SHOULD PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT IT MAY BE TELLING US. BAD BREATH IS MOST COMMONLY AN INDICATION THAT YOUR DOG IS HE NEED OF A DENTAL CHECK UP. DENTAL PLAQUE CAUSED BY BACTERIA RESULTS IN A FOUL SMELL THAT REQUIRES PROFESSIONAL TREATMENT. AFTER A PROFESSIONAL CLEANING THE TEETH AND GUMS MAY BE MAINTAINED IN A HEALTHY STATE BY BRUSHING THE TEETH REGULARLY , FEEDING A SPECIALLY FORMULATED DENTAL DIET AND TREATS, AND AVOIDING TABLE SCRAPS. YOUR VETERINARIAN CAN GIVE YOUR MORE TIPS ON MINIMIZING DENTAL DISEASE AND BAD BREATH. YOUR CAN CLEAN YOUR CANINES TEETH WITH A DOG TOOTHPASTE OR A BAKING-SODA-AND-WATER PASTE ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK. USE A CHILD'S SOFT TOOTH BRUSH, A GAUZE PAD OR A PIECE OF NYLON PANTYHOSE STRETCHED OVER YOUR FINGER. SOME DOGS ARE PRONE TO PERIODONTAL DISEASE, A POCKET OF INFECTION BETWEEN THE TOOTH AND THE GUM. THIS PAINFUL CONDITION WILL RESULT IN TOOTH LOSS AND SPREAD INFECTION TO THE REST OF THE BODY VETERINARIANS CAN CLEAN THE TEETH AS A REGULAR PART OF YOUR DOGS HEALTH PROGRAM. WHILE BAD BREATH CAUSED BY DENTAL DISEASE MAY NOT BE TO SERIOUS IF CAUGHT EARLY ENOUGH, SOME ODORS MAY BE INDICATION OF FAIRLY SERIOUS, CHRONIC PROBLEMS. LOVER OR INTESTINAL DISEASE MAY CAUSE OF FOUL BREATH, WHEREAS A SWEET, FRUITY SMELL MAY BE INDICATIVE OF DIABETES. OF YOUR DOG'S BREATH SMELLS LIKE AMMONIA URINE, KIDNEY DISEASE IS A POSSIBILITY. ANY TIME YOU NOTICE A PET HAS BAD BREATH ACCOMPANIED BY OTHER SIGNS OF ILL HEALTH, AS LOSS OF APPETITE, VOMITING, WEIGHT LOSS, DEPRESSION, EXCESSIVE DRINKING OR URINATING, SCHEDULE A VISIT TO THE VET. FLEAS AND TICKS. DAILY INSPECTIONS OF YOUR DOG FOR FLEAS AND TICKS DURING THE WARM SEASONS ARE IMPORTANT. USE A FLEA COMB TO COMB TO FIND AND REMOVE. THEM. THERE ATE SEVERAL NEW METHODS OF FLEA AND TICK CONTROL SPEAK TO YOU VETERINARIAN ABOUT THESE AND OTHER OPTIONS. HEARTWORM THIS PARASITE LIVES IN THE HEART AND IS PASSED FROM DOG TO DOG BY MOSQUITOES. HEARTWORM INFECTIONS CAN BE FATAL. YOUR DOG SHOULD HAVE A BLOOD TEST FOR HEARTWORM EVERY SPRING- THIS IS CRUCIAL FOR DETECTING INFECTIONS FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR. A ONCE A MONTH PILL GIVEN DURING MOSQUITO SEASON WILL PROTECT YOUR DOG. IF YOUR TRAVEL TO THE SOUTH WITH YOUR PET DURING THE WINTER, YOUR DOG SHOULD BE ON THE PREVENTIVE MEDICINE DURING THE TRIP. IN SOME WARMER REGIONS VETERINARIANS RECOMMEND PREVENTIVE HEARTWORM MEDICATIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. SPAYING AND NEUTERING FEMALE SHOULD BE SPAYED- THE REM OVAL OF THE OVARIES AND UTERUS-AND MALES NEUTERED- REMOVAL OF THE TESTICLES- BY SIX MONTHS OF AGE. SPAYING BEFORE MATURITY SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES RISK OF BREAST CANCER , A COMMON AND FREQUENTLY FATAL DISEASE 0N OLDER FEMALES DOGS. NEUTERING MALES PREVENTS TESTICULAR AND PROSTATE DISEASES. SOME HERNIAS AND CERTAIN TYPES OF AGGRESSION. VACCINATIONS PUPPIES SHOULD BE VACCINATED WITH A COMBINATION VACCINE CALLED A ("5-IN1") AT TWO, THREE AND FOUR MONTHS OF AGE, AND THE ONCE ANNUALLY. THIS VACCINE PROTECTS THE PUPPY FROM DISTEMPER, HEPATITIS, LEPTOSPIROSIS, PARVOVIRUS, AND PARAINFLUENZA A PUPPIES VACCINATION PROGRAM CANNOT BE FINISH BEFORE FOUR MONTHS OF AG. THERE ARE A VARIETY OF VACCINES THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR YOUR PET. YOUR VETERINARIAN CAN TELL YOU ABOUT THEM. WORMS DOGS ARE COMMONLY EXPOSED TO WORMS AND POSSIBLE INFESTATION EVEN IN URBAN AREAS. MICROSCOPIC EGGS PRODUCED BE INTESTINAL WORMS ARE PASSED IN AN INFECTED DOG'S FECES. MOST PUPPIES, EVEN FROM HEALTHY MOTHERS IN GOOD HOMES. CARRY ROUNDWORMS OR HOOKWORMS. THE KEY TO TREATMENT IS CORRECT DIAGNOSIS. THIS WILL ENSURE THAT THE MEDICATION IS EFFECTIVE AGAINST THE PARASITE YOUR PET HAS A DE-WORMER THAT ELIMINATES ROUNDWORMS, FOR EXAMPLE, WILL NOT KILL TAPEWORMS. YOUR VETERINARIAN CAN BEST DETERMINE THE CULPRIT AND PRESCRIBE YOU THE APPROPRIATE MEDICATION. |
| - THE NOSE KNOWS! CAN DETECT ODORS ABOUT A BILLION TIMES BETTER THAN YOU CAN. - THE AVERAGE LIFESPAN OF A DOG VARIES FROM 8 TO 16 YEARS, DEPENDING ON BREED TYPE, SIZE, GENETICS AND CARE. FOR INFORMATION ON DOG CARE THAT'S WRITTEN ESPECIALLY FOR KIDS, CHECK OUT ASPCA ANIMALAND. DOG SUPPLY CHECK LIST --PREMIUM- QUALITY DOG FOOD AND TREATS --FOOD DISH --WATER BOWL --TOYS, TOYS AND MORE TOYS -- INCLUDING SAFE CHEW TOYS --BRUSH & COMB FOR GROOMING, INCLUDING A FLEA COMB --COLLAR WITH LICENSE AND ID TAG --LEASH --CARRIER (FOR SMALLER DOGS) --TRAINING CRATE --DOG BED OR BOX WITH WARM BLANKET OR TOWEL --DOG TOOTHBRUSH THE NO-NO LIST DO NOT FEED YOUR DOG THE FOLLOWING: --ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES --CHOCOLATE --COFFEE --GRAPES & RAISINS --MOLDY OR SPOILED FOOD --ONIONS, GARLIC & CHIVES --POULTRY BONES --SALT & SALTY FOODS --TOMATO LEAVES, STEMS & UNRIPE FRUIT --YEAST DOUGH |