What are Chihuahuas like?

Chihuahuas are adventurous, courageous, and appreciate affection.  They make a fine companion dog, attaching themselves to a human.  Some like to lick the faces of their owners.  According to Dog Breed Info, there is something that Chihuahua owners do that might contribute to behaviors we don’t want.

Why it is just as important to train a little dog as it is a big dog

When a dog is as small as a Chihuahua, it’s easy to let them get away with behaviors that we would not let a big dog get away with, such as jumping on people.  Letting behaviors go that we would normally train otherwise in a larger dog, it’s possible that we contribute to them being jealous, aggressive with other dogs or humans, because we have not let them know which behavior is acceptable, and which are not.

If owners treat Chihuahuas like they would a big dog and train them properly, they would make wonderful little companions.

How to care for Chihuahuas in the winter

Chihuahuas do not like cold weather.  They prefer warm weather.  In the cold months, have blankets available for them to snuggle in.  It’s tempting to carry them around because they are so tiny, even so, keep in mind they do need their exercise.

What are the exercise needs of a Chihuahua?

They are actually quite active.  Play can help them let out some energy, but walking everyday is important for the Chihuahua, for both physical and mental stimulation.  If you have a fenced yard, they enjoy romping around.  They can do fine in apartment.  However, they do need their space.  Just because they are tiny does not mean they need a tiny space.  You can read more about the needs of Chihuahuas here.

Enjoy watching these delightful Chihuahua puppies using their paws to play fight with their siblings.

Article source:  Dog Breed Info

The post [VIDEO] Chihuahua Puppies Playing appeared first on Doggie Outpost.

It is rare to see Great Dane puppies just before they learn to crawl, piling on top of their siblings to stay warm and be close to someone.  Basically, Great Danes are gentle and easy-going giants, according to Dog Temperament.   Usually they are not aggressive, but because of their size and deep bark, anyone would think twice before getting near your house.  This makes them a good watch dog.

What are Great Danes like?

Great Danes actually don’t need a great deal of exercise.  Just a regular walk is sufficient for them.  There are some things to consider before you get a Great Dane.  Their food bill could substantially increase your monthly budget.  Even though they are gentle, they may not be aware if they accidentally knock over a young child with their big body.  So they are better suited for a family with older children.

They also drool, so you’ll have to keep a towel around you.  Great Danes were once used as hunters, working alongside their owners, so they get very attached to their family. They don’t like to be alone, and can get stressed if they don’t have companionship. You might consider getting another dog to keep him company.   Socialize them as a puppy so they feel confident when they encounter new experiences.  Train them as a puppy to have some time alone, so they won’t get separation anxiety when you are away.  You can read more about Great Danes here.

Enjoy watching these tiny Great Dane puppies.  If you enjoy Great Dane videos, you might also enjoy this next one about a grown Great Dane who is not quite ready to get out of bed.

Article source:  Dog Temperament

The post [VIDEO] Great Dane Puppies Snuggling appeared first on Doggie Outpost.

Blue French Bulldogs are naturally very clean.  They just don’t like to get dirty, so you don’t have to worry about bathing them too often. They are small, and prefers indoor living.  They don’t need much to make them happy and healthy. Just taking them for a walk would be sufficient.  They are happy to do their business in the yard, and come right back inside the house and take a nap on your lap.  They are content to be lazy dogs.  And don’t worry about them getting overweight.  That’s not likely to happen.

What are Blue French Bulldogs like?

The Blue French Bulldogs only have a single coat, so they get cold.  Even in the summer, if your air condition gets too cold, they’ll look for a blanket to snuggle in or cuddle up to you for warmth.  If you live in an area with cold winters, do get them a winter jacket.  They really do need the extra warmth. And if it’s snowing heavily, forget about taking them outside.  They rather use the indoor bathroom.  So provide a pad for them.

This breed is not drawn to water.  They are not good swimmers.  Some believe it’s because of their short legs. Blue French Bulldogs are very needy in terms of attention.  They want a lot of it, and they want it now.  They will cry if they don’t get what they want.  They may need more attention than a baby.  So make sure you have the time in your life to provide what it takes to keep your Blue French Bulldog happy. You can read more about Blue French Bulldogs here.

Article source:  Puppy Toob

The post [VIDEO] Mika The Blue French Bulldog Playing With The Boys appeared first on Doggie Outpost.

Not all dogs warm up to the new dog so quickly.  However, there are some tips that help the transition go smoother. Ken Piening shares them in Pet MD.  In fact, there is a wonderful video demonstrating how to do this.

How to introduce your dog to the new puppy

Here is a brief description.  Have the new puppy and your resident dog (the one already living with you) meet in a neutral park.  Have a friend help walk one of the dogs.  Both dogs are on leash.  Walk them about 20 feet apart in the same direction.  Then cross over the path of the other so the dogs can get a scent of the other dog.

Watch their body language.  If they are loosely curious about the other, with no tension, you can repeat the steps at a closer distance to each other.  After this initial meeting in a neutral place, do this again in your own yard.  If the body language looks good, you can even let them interact with each other, still on leash.

When you introduce your new dog to the inside of your home, leave your resident dog outside to play with a friend, so the new dog has a chance to get familiar with his new surrounding.  Put away any toys or bones that belong to the resident dog.

During the transition, make sure they have their alone time so they can relax completely.  Even if both dog get along splendidly the first day, do separate them when you feed them, either with a baby gate or in separate rooms.

And if you have to leave the house, have the dogs in separate areas (crates if they are comfortable in them) until they are completely adjusted to having each other.  You can read the entire article here.

Article source:   Ken Piening in Pet MD

The post [VIDEO] Jack Russell First Day With New Family appeared first on Doggie Outpost.

There are other videos on a similar topic, when a parent asked their dogs who was guilty.  I discovered that this may not actually be a dog turning in their friend, but is actually a trick that people teach their dogs, similar to “Who’s your best friend?” trick.  It’s actually rather entertaining.  Well, maybe not for the accused.

Which tricks to teach senior dogs?

You know the saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks?”   A myth!   Jaymi Heimbuch writes in Mother Nature Network that it is totally possible.  In fact, it is excellent to keep them mentally stimulated and having fun all their life!  When you are teaching your senior dog new tricks, Jaymi recommends that you consider their physical condition.

Many senior dogs are very fit.  Some may have limitations if they have to jump or sit for a long time.  Some may have joint discomfort.   Some dogs may have dental issues, so avoid tricks that involve them catching with their mouths.  Some dogs may have hearing loss or limited vision.  These are elements to consider when you think of tricks to teach your senior dogs.

And not only what tricks to teach, but how you go about teaching them too.  A dog with some hearing loss would not hear your command well.   Can you use a hand signal instead?   A dog with limited vision may respond better through other senses.   You know how humans who have limited vision seem to sharpen their other senses?   Apply this knowledge to dogs as well.  You can read the article on teaching your senior dogs new tricks here.  Enjoy watching this extremely brief video of one dog telling on another.

Article source:  Jaymi Heimbuch on Mother Nature Network

The post [VIDEO] Australian Terrier Telling On A Friend appeared first on Doggie Outpost.

Poppy wants to befriend the adult cat also.   It’s wonderful that little ones do not recognize species.   According to Adrea in Life With Cats, the optimal time to socialize a puppy to other species is within the first 3 months, and for a kitten, the first 7 to 9 weeks.  These are the best time for them to adapt to the other and learn their language.

How to introduce puppies to kittens

Some breeders raise dogs and cats together, so those dogs are accustomed to having cats around.  They’ll probably be fine around cats or simply ignore them.  A rescue organization often does some pre-screening, and can offer input on how to match the right dog with the family.

Adrea writes that when introducing a puppy and kitten, first let them have their separate space, so they can see and smell and hear each other, but not yet directly make contact with the other.   Their separate space will have everything they need to be comfortable–food, water, litter box, bed.  After they are familiar with the scent and sound and sight of the other, you can start having supervised meeting time.

It’s a good idea to first teach the puppy how to focus on you on command (even before making contact with the kitten,) so that if you need to get the puppy’s attention, it already knows how to focus.  You can read more about this topic here.  Enjoy watching this puppy and kitten getting to know each other.

Article source:  Adrea in Life With Cats

The post [VIDEO] Puppy And Kitten Getting To Know Each Other- appeared first on Doggie Outpost.

While the man is holding the cutie pie, there are 2 playing around his feet.  There is a reason why the man is walking so carefully.  Notice how he does not lift his feet, this way he would not accidentally step on the tiny puppies.  And if having a teddy bear puppy is in your near future, shuffling is a habit you want to practice walking around the house or anywhere the puppies are until your little one has learned not to walk between your legs or anywhere near your foot.

How to take care of Teddy Bear dogs

According to Teddy Bear Puppies, this breed has a friendly temperament.  They are intelligent, easy to train, and love their humans.  Actually they prefer to be around you than play with another dog.  Truly a companion dog.  Another wonderful quality about this breed is that they only bark as needed, like watching out for the safety of the household.  It’s a pretty quiet dog.   (Just know this is not much of a watch dog.)

Often the parents of a teddy bear dog are a Shih Tzu and a Bichon Frise, so caring for a teddy bear dog would be similar to caring for their parents, according to Teddy Bear Puppies.  Groom them regularly.  Make sure their ears, eyes, and muzzle are clean.  And teach others in the household to walk so that their feet is not lifted off the floor, so the little puppies are protected while they are learning to not walk in your path.  You can read more about teddy bear dogs here.

Enjoy watching these very loveable puppies running around their parent.

Article source:  Teddy Bear Puppies

The post [VIDEO] Adorable Teddy Bear Puppies Running Around appeared first on Doggie Outpost.