Acquiring a dog or any other pets for kids requires some thought. You have to consider what kind of dog to get, where the dog will eat, sleep, and exercise, and you need to be sure you can commit yourself to the care of the dog for its entire life. If you get a puppy, you have to be prepared to housebreak him, train him out of chewing (everything), and teach him how to interact with people appropriately.

Having a dog is a big responsibility, but it also offers equally big - if not bigger - rewards. Did you know that pet owners are actually healthier than non-pet owners? Here are some reasons why.

- Exercise

While it may seem like one of the drawbacks to owning a dog, having to walk her actually offers some of the best health benefits. The whole family can get involved. Families that used to spend the weekend in front of the TV will find themselves planning a weekend that involves the dog: a hike, a trip to the park, etc. Training the dog involves exercise, too - taking the dog to obedience classes, teaching her to heel, fetch, and so forth requires the dog’s owner to get off the couch and get moving.

- Emotional Health

Dogs, with their lavish, unconditional love, boost their owner’s self-esteem, and studies show that dog owners are just happier people in general. Dogs offer so much in return for the most basic care that owners’ spirits are greatly lifted. Your dog needs you, and it feels good to be needed.

Emotional wellbeing is such a well-documented benefit of interacting with dogs that hospitals and nursing homes allow some dog owners to bring their pets in to interact with and improve the outlook of patients who are in chronic pain, terminally ill, emotionally troubled, or otherwise prone to feelings of hopelessness and depression.

- Stress Reduction

So many health problems are associated with stress - heart disease, high blood pressure, digestive disorders, even ulcers. Owning a dog has been proven to reduce stress, and with stress reduction comes better health. An Australian study showed that dog owners have lower cholesterol as well.

- Loneliness

There is nothing quite like having the constant companionship of a dog to reduce feelings of loneliness. Even when your dog is sleeping, you know your loyal companion is there.

- Recovery from Illness

Dog owners are more likely to recover from a major medical crisis such as a heart attack than non-dog owners. This may be due to the exercise dog owners get, or the incentive the owner has to be well in order to be there for his or her dog. This is a real benefit of dog ownership in these days of expensive health care!

Yes, owning a dog is a big responsibility. But the returns are so great for the investment that it is more than worth it.

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When going on a trip for the holidays, pets for kids owners must decide what to do with their beloved animals. Kennels will take in cats and dogs, but many pet owners are concerned about how well their pets will get along with other animals while they’re there. You could hire a pet sitter, but that can be rather expensive. Have you considered taking your pet along with you?

Animal lovers often assume that taking their pets on a car trip will be too much trouble. They could get carsick, or they could make a mess in the vehicle. And once they get to the destination, there’s always a chance that they could be confused or intimidated by their new surroundings and run away. But if you prepare your pet properly, he can have a happy and incident-free trip with you. Here are some tips:

* Don’t make a long car trip your pet’s first experience in a car. Start taking him on short trips several weeks before you plan to go out of town. This will get him accustomed to riding and alert you to any potential problems while you’re still close to home.

* Reward good behavior in the car. Keep some treats handy when going on those short car trips, and if your pet behaves well, give him one. This will reinforce the good behavior, and he will repeat it.

* Keep your pets in carriers when traveling, and buckle them in. This will provide the best possible protection for your pet in the event of an accident. It will also prevent the carrier from striking and injuring you.

* Try to maintain your pet’s regular feeding schedule while traveling. Long car rides are stressful for animals, and hunger makes things that much worse.

* Stop and let your pet relieve himself regularly. If you don’t, there’s a good chance that he will do it in the car. Even pets that never do their business in the house could slip up during a long car ride.

* Make certain that you bring a leash along. This will be necessary when stopping for bathroom breaks and walks, as well as when you get to your destination. If you keep your pet on a leash when outdoors, there is very little chance of him running away or being stolen.

* Put a collar on your pet with a tag that includes your phone number, just in case he does get lost. This is good practice at all times, but it’s especially important when traveling.

If you don’t like the idea of leaving your pet with someone else, take him with you. With a little preparation, most pets travel well. And wouldn’t you prefer to have your best friend with you while visiting your loved ones?

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You’ve been hoping to put it off a little while longer, but your children finally wear down your defenses against pets for kids. You agree to get a dog. But which dog breeds would make great family pets and which will you choose? The answer to those questions may not be as difficult as you imagine.

Ask twenty different people which is the best breed of dog for a family pet and you’re likely to get fifteen different answers. Of course, some dog breeds are more common so they’re often chosen as a family pet. Does that mean it’s the best choice? Not necessarily, at least not necessarily for your family.

Before you choose which type of dog to get, you may want to ask yourself if you and your family are truly ready to add a puppy or dog to the family dynamics. Dogs require a good bit of attention and can live quite a long time if cared for properly. It is also helpful to know who will be responsible for various aspects of the dog’s upkeep. Will everyone chip in with walking, grooming, and feeding the dog?

More than 21 million homes already have at least one dog as a pet. With so many people choosing to add dogs to their family, it’s easy to see how they’re so popular. And, when you invite a dog into your family, you can expect more than protection; you get a life-long friend who can grow up with your children and be a major part of their lives.

One breed of dog which is very common for families is the Border Collie. They are very intelligent, active, and will keep a close watch on your children. Bred to help shepherds keep the flock together, don’t be surprised if a Border Collie appears to herd your children and keep them close by. They are friendly, loving, obedient, and easy to train.

Labrador Retrievers are another common family pet. They are especially good with children and love to play. They have a lot of love to give a family. They are gentle and trustworthy with children even though they grow to be quite large. They need plenty of room to run.

Golden Retrievers also make great family pets. They are eager to please their masters and are very loving. They are excellent guard dogs and excellent swimmers. They love to spend time with their family and will gladly show them how much by being obedient.

For families with limited space, you may want to consider getting a toy or miniature poodle. They are smart and sensitive. They respond well to obedience training and make a great friend for children.

Miniature Australian Shepherds are another breed of dog to consider. They are loving, loyal, protective, and eager to please. They are intelligent and like having a particular job to do in the family. They can be nippy while trying to herd the family together, but generally they don’t bite.

There are so many breeds to choose from. It’s not easy knowing which breeds would make great family pets. In many cases it’s not the breed which determines how they would react to a family dynamic, it’s the training and treatment they received before coming into your family. Learn as much as you can about the breeder and lineage of any dog you may choose to ensure there is no abuse in their background. Then choose the pet dog which best suits your family.

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Dogs are often called man’s best friend. This may be partially true; however, that doesn’t mean they are a child’s best friend. In fact, some children are afraid of them. If this describes a child you know, you can use these smart ways of helping child development by overcoming the fear of dogs. Despite the fact they’re animals, dogs can be very similar to humans.

You can tell when a dog is being playful or when they want to be left alone. Some dogs even smile at you because they’re happy to see you. When it comes to helping your child overcome the fear of dogs, it’s a good idea to begin by teaching them to read dog behavior. If your child is afraid of dogs, take them to a pet store. They will have puppies and dogs for the child to look at but they stay behind a glass where the child and animal are safe. This will allow your child to see the animal without fear of being hurt. Don’t try to force your child to pet an animal. They may have good reason for their fears. Let them watch dogs from a distance.

This will allow them to see how dogs interact with other children and adults. It will help them to recognize when there is danger and when there is not. After they become comfortable seeing the animal from behind the glass, ask if you can see one of the calmer animals. The sales person will bring dog into an enclosed room where you can get to know the animal. They will remain with you and will be able to help protect your child. They may also have some more ideas for helping your child overcome their fear of dogs. Teach your child that when a dog is wagging its tail or its whole body, there usually is nothing to fear except if the dog inadvertently knocks the child down. Explain to the child that the dog is being friendly and that it means them no harm. This can be especially important if your child has been bitten or nipped at before. On the other hand, if a dog comes running toward them with their ears back and barking, the child is fully justified in being scared. The child needs to know to stand still rather than run, however.

Running may be an automatic response, but running will only encourage the dog to chase the child. Helping your child recognize the difference between a dog that’s friendly and one that’s not can make all the difference in the world as to how they respond to them. When being introduced to a new dog, have your children follow these steps: * Stand still; let the dog sniff at them. * Let them look to you for cues as to whether the dog is friendly or not. * After they become comfortable, or at least less uneasy with the dog being near them, teach them to hold out the back of their hand for the dog to smell. * Finally, when they’re ready, tell them to move slowly and then gently pet the dog on the back of the neck or the head.

It is possible to help a child overcome their fear of dogs. These smart ways may give you information you need to help your child. If you’re still unsure about introducing your child to dogs, ask a veterinarian or your child’s pediatrician for more ideas.

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You are ecstatic about the passion and responsibility shown by your child in taking care of his or her dog but be sure to always be hands-on about the nutrition state of the pet because your child may not be able to know this. Dogs in general are active animals and require good food rich in Vitamins A, B-complex, C, D, E ank K.

To help guide you in determining the nutrition levels of your pet dog, you can secure an online chart which can serve as a checklist for the dietary needs of the dog. You can even involve your children in this by telling them of the kinds of food his or her dogg needs everyday.

As a benchmark, the needs of dogs are almost the same as that of humans: high grade meat, vegetables, fruits and a full complement of vitamins and minerals, ranging from calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, boron, chromium, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, sulphur, zinc and many more.

Foods containing high levels of fiber should also be given; as well as high amounts of water to keep your pet hydrated. Do not give in yoo much fatty foods, because similar to humans they can become obese. Healthy dogs are always one of the best pets for kids

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If your children are asking for a pet, a pet rock might be the answer.  You can tell them they can have a pet rock to see how well they handle the responsibility before you allow them to get a goldfish, hamster, or larger pet.

There are a number of things about pet rocks that make them Mom’s best friend.  Consider these benefits when offering to “get” your child a pet rock:

* You don’t have to buy them.  Yes, people were silly enough to fall for a marketing ploy, as ingenious as it was, but you really don’t need to buy a pet rock.  You or your child can find one right outside your front door.  Of course, you may want to find one that’s unusual so it won’t get lost if it falls on the ground.  In all actuality, you can find a new pet rock anywhere.

* You don’t have to feed them.  Pet rocks are just that – rocks.  They’re inanimate objects that just sit there.   They don’t eat, so you don’t have to feed them.  You also don’t have to worry about buying food for them, which could help with budgeting concerns.

* Since they don’t eat, you don’t have to worry about taking them outside to use the restroom.  There’s no mess to clean up after, which will make your life as a Mom just a little bit easier.

* You won’t have to wonder if your child’s pet rock will bite anyone.  That’s often a concern with having a pet dog or small pets like hamsters.  With kittens or cats you may be concerned about their scratching and biting.

When looking for a pet rock, try to find one that’s smooth.  You also want one that’s not so small that you lose it or so big that your child can’t carry it.  Something that’s pretty like polished rose quartz may be a good bet for little girls.  Boys will probably like something that’s a little rougher.

Unlike a living pet, your child can decorate their pet rock to their liking.  Decide which side of the rock is its face and then allow your child to draw a face on it.  Your child can determine the type of face it has, whether serious, silly, or smiley.  They can also glue on wiggly eyes that you can find in any craft store.

Face it, Moms, at one point your child will ask for a pet.  Giving them a pet rock may at least buy you some time until you can decide as a family whether owning a live pet is in your family’s future.  Consider a pet rock - Mom’s best friend because they are easy to care for, cost nothing, and are easily replaced.

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Looking at a litter of cute little puppies makes it easy to look over the hard task of raising a good well-mannered dog. Choosing the puppy you take home is much simpler than actually managing and teaching the puppy. How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With is a well revised and expanded book that will help you do this with ease.

In this book you will learn:

• Choosing a Puppy
• Behavior: Environmental Factors
• The First Three Months
• The Breeder’s Responsibility
• Puppy Goes to a New Home
• Socialization Continues
• Domesticating Your Puppy
• Development from Three to Six Months
• The Importance of Personality
• Dog Signals Using Body Language
• Behavioral Problems
• The Rewards of Puppy Training
• The Second Six Months

How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With is a book that is highly recommended for the new puppy owner, but it will also help the person who already has a dog. It teaches the importance for puppy owners to learn the basic rules and tricks to raising a dog. Not only does this book cover the physical aspects of the puppy, but it also covers the psychological.

If you are in the market for a cute puppy but don’t know the basics of raising one, this book needs to be on your shelf. How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With is the book that you wish would come with the puppy package when you pick him up from the pet store.

Click here to order How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With now.

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Perhaps your family has been thinking about getting a puppy.  If you wait a little while, you can adopt a shelter dog in October.  Not only will you gain a family pet, you will save a life.

Each year the American Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) sponsors Adopt a Shelter Dog Month as a way to focus people’s attention on the plight of the millions of dogs in shelters across the United States.  Each year they ask people to open their hearts to the dogs that are in the shelters and adopt one of them rather than purchase a pure bred or getting a free one locally.

One reason people surrender dogs to an animal shelter is due to behavior problems.  The dogs may bark too much, chew on things they shouldn’t, or some other reason.  What people don’t realize is that training a dog is not as difficult as they may think.  It can be a great time for the dog and owner to bond, and should be fun for both rather than a chore.

Before going to the shelter to find a new pet, take some time to answer some questions.  These will give you an idea about how ready you are to Adopt a Shelter Dog in October or any other month.

* Am I ready to make the type of long-term commitment owning a dog involves?  Dogs generally live for 15 years or more; are you ready to take care of its every need for that length of time?

* Is my house suitable for a dog?  Some dogs need plenty of room to roam.  If you live in an apartment, this type of dog may not be best for you.

* Is the dog right for my family?  Small dogs may be too delicate if you have little children that are rough on their toys.  Big dogs may run over smaller children.

* Have you decided who will be primarily responsible for taking care of the dog?  An adult would be a better choice than a child since they are less likely to forget to feed and water it.

* Can I afford a new dog?  Caring for pets is more than merely feeding it.  You’ll have to pay the adoption fee, buy food, get the dog toys, and pay for it to visit the veterinarian regularly.

Getting a new dog is an exciting time for those considering it.  You know you want the love and companionship that a dog can bring to a family.  When you think about it and decide you’re ready, consider the Adopt a Shelter Dog in October campaign.  Once you find the right shelter dog, you’ll be glad you went to the shelter to look.

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It’s amazing how much children love babies.  It doesn’t matter if the baby is human or if it has fur.  They’re going to gravitate toward them.  Now they want a new puppy.  Are you ready to bring a puppy into your home?

Whether or not you decide to add a puppy to the family will probably depend upon a number of factors:

1.  You have been discussing the possibility of getting a puppy for some time.

2.  Your children are old enough to realize a puppy is not a toy but a living animal that needs to be taken care of.

3.  Everyone in the family agrees to step up to the plate and help care for the puppy.

4.  Puppies are cute, but they won’t stay that size forever unless they are a small breed dog.  They do grow up, often to be larger than we anticipate.

5.  You are all ready to spend the next 10-15 years taking care of your dog because that’s the average life expectancy for most dogs.

6.  Your family budget will handle the addition of dog food, treats, toys, and veterinarian needs.

Take some time to talk about the possibility of getting a puppy with everyone in the family.  Even toddlers can do something to help care for a puppy.  They can put feed in the dish and maybe give the puppy water.  Someone who is older would have to be responsible for taking the puppy out for a walk and to the bathroom.  Someone will also have to be willing to clean up any messes the puppy might make.

Decide before you bring a puppy home which person will be responsible for what tasks involved in caring for the puppy.  You may even want to make a schedule so everyone knows when they have to feed the puppy, when it needs to go out for the bathroom, when to take it for a walk, how often it needs a bath, and then assign different family members to take on each task.

Baby-proof your house.  This may sound like a funny thing to do, but a puppy is a baby dog and will try to get into things that it shouldn’t.  Find out if your houseplants are poisonous to dogs; if they are, make plans to move them to a higher level where the puppy can’t get to them or remove them from the house entirely.

Take the time to do some research into different breeds of dogs.  Find the one that will fit best within your family dynamics.  Be prepared to obedience train your puppy when it’s old enough.

Puppies are cute and cuddly when they’re little but before long they grow up.  They start chewing on things they shouldn’t and you may wonder why you ever got one to begin with.  On the other hand, they can also give your family a great deal of love, companionship, and devotion.

You and your family are the only ones who can decide if you’re ready to bring a new puppy into the home.  Take your time, do some homework, and then make the best decision you can for everyone involved.

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