Monday, May 24, 2010

what is a good dog name?

We are getting a male black lab golden retreiver mix. We still dont have a name picked out..we are getting him in two weeks.
Answers:
Barkley
sparky :)
sparky and rex
My dog's name is Watermelon (he's my avitar)
gyspie- or spotty- or scotty
Fluffy, lola,lisi. sherine, midnight. angel, hasee,kacheek. lou
clairebear. those are the cutest names for a dog
If he is mostly black I would call him Diesel
Joey
go to dognames.com and start writing names you like to choose one
Jack
Jake
Don
Baylee
Scottie (LOL)
lola
how about midnight?
I like the names Baxter and Blu
I would wait until you get the dog. Sometimes you have to be around the animal to pick out a name. Once you have him, a name may become obvious to you. Congrats on the new dog!!
Shaggy, Calvin, Louis,Carlin means little champ.hope you find one you like!
They say you should name dogs with the syllable sound "y". So, yes, Sparky would be good. Or Tuffy. Or Baby. But, dogs know their names even when you don't do that. Sometimes, you'll get a pet. Name him something you decided on earlier, and then after you have them, they look like something else. For example, we got a cat and named it one name, then afterwards, we realized he really looked like this TV show character. So, we changed his name. You might just wait and see what speaks to you AFTER you get him. The first few days before you decide, you can always call him "puppy."
Wait til you see him. Dogs are like babies, so many of them get a different name than the parents picked out prior to the birth. They just don't fit the mold. You'll see what he is and that's how you will name him. Don't worry if you don't have a name for a day or two after you get him, it really isn't a problem. The shelter probably didn't have a name for him either. Enjoy your lab, they are great pets! I have two 'mixes' although I call them my 'pound puppies.'
Toby
MACKEREL
SNOOPY
McCOY
MILES
FLOYD
FUDD
CAMELOT
CASANOVA
PAPYRUS
REMY
fluffy and demon and cookie
Buddy
stain is good. So when you call him you will say, 'come stain'
Bailey, Guiness, Tetley.
Noir
Midnight
Licorice
Molasses
Charlie Chaplin
Raven
Wego is my dog's name. People wonder why I'm out in my yard at night yelling "Here Wego!, Here Wego!"
shitface would be a good name for a dog . just kidding i don't realy know!
Deifer

("D" for dog)
Lab + Retriever= Laber
Boozer, Barkley, Barkless
Frank. Retro names are making a comeback.

Whatever, make sure it's a one syllable name.

What is a good dog food for a dog w/ a sensitive stomach?

I have a 7 month old rottweiler puppy who has a very sensitive stomach. She gets diarrhea from any new food, or any kind of treat./ This has been confirmed by the Vet. She isn't sick w/ anything like parvo. SHe is currently on California Naturals. Is that a good dog food for a sensitive stomach? Or should I gradually switch her to a better dog food, and if so what is better thatn that?
Answers:
"Purina ONE Sensitive Systems" is what I use for my Old English Sheepdog (they have puppy and adult versions of this product). It cost more that the regular dog food but is much much better for the dog. The main ingredient in it is salmon. I've also been told by my vet that any oatmeal based dog food is the best. But the problem is that I can't find one anywhere.
Don't use any of the regular type dog food. If you look on the nutrition label, the main ingredient is corn and that's bad for the dog.
Good luck!
Ive always perfer, Kibbles N bitts, It seems to be a great taste for dogs.
i had to get mine off all chicken based food. we found NUTRO'S lamb and rice is the best ever. for tummys, shiny hair, and no off seadon shedding and no itching!!. great stuff.. all4 of my great danes are doing great on it and putting on good weight too!. good luck
I like Iams. You need to quit switching foods though. Anytime you switch a dog's food, it messes up their stomachs. My dogs got sick in the past from switching foods. Also, wet/canned dog foods will upset their stomachs.
For dogs with a sensitive stomach, I like Hills Prescription Diet I/D. I don't know if that would have everything in it that a puppy would need though. If not, you could try the Science Diet Puppy. That is a really good dog food. Also, you maybe ableto talk with your vet about food choses. Good luck in your food search.
Your vet SHOULD give you recommendations!! I have had my 10 year old dachsie on nothing but Science Diet. Ask your vet!!
Sounds like your puppy might be allergic to something in the food you are feeding. Read labels and see if you can find something in common in all the foods and treats you have given (corn, wheat etc).

Try feeding her a kibble that has ingredients she has never had before (fish and potato maybe). You might also want to look into a raw diet or even home cooked.

This could take awhile to figure out but keep track of what she is eating and a list of ingredients.

Good luck!
Our vet recommended Pepcid (for humans) for our Yellow Lab,Maxine who also has a sensitive tummy.Also told us to give her a fiber supplement to regulate her stools.Neosorb (stops the runs)and Flagyl (cures the bug she 's gotten)is what the vet prescribes for her when she does get the squirts ! Ask your vet what food he/she recommends and also ask him about what I suggested to be on the safe side.I wouldn't want to harm your baby !! What works for Maxine may NOT work for your pup ! He may have you get a food with more fiber in it ! Hope this helps
my pom is the same way.plus he has allergies.he has been put on Science diet.duck formula.works very well..even helped with some shedding

What is a good dog breed for hiking?

I like a medium size dog that preferably doesn't shed too much. What breed should I look at for a hiking companion that will accept carrying a pack and not get too tired or aggitated?
Answers:
Okay, now if you 'medium' to mean less than 20-22 inches at the shoulder and under 60 lbs but over 16 inches and over 20 lbs, that is a tough call.

By the way, do people actually READ the question or just automatically type in their favorite breed? You say "medium", they say large (Lab, German Shepard, Old English Sheepdog) or very large (Husky, Boxer) or giant (St. Bernard.) You say "doesn't shed much - they say Old English who strew the house with balls of fluff and require a lot of grooming to keep their coat nice, Huskies from whose discarded coat you can spin a sweater..

While a dog can carry up to 25% of their body weight for a distance, they should generally not exceed 10-15% for any real distance depending upon their build. For example, a greyhound with a tall narrow body would be hard pressed to do 10% of its body weight but a broadbacked, stocky Aussie could easily do the 15% and up to 20%. Now 'real distance' is anything in excess of a half mile or so.


Do not ask a long body breed like a Basset to do this - it is very tough on the spine and they already have to cope with that elongated spinal column and can't get their back legs under to balance and drive as is needed in order to a carry the pack.
Haven't met a dog yet that I couldn't get to carry a packback in less than an hour.

For a dog that will have the energy and endurance, look at the Herding and Sporting Breeds. (The Working Breeds can do it easily but these are the big guys - 26 inches or more at the shoulder and 85/90 lbs and up.)

Keep in mind that Sporting Breeds where bred to chase and retrieve. Doggy will have to be very well-trained before hitting the back country without a leash.

The Hounds - well, fleet of foot and gone on a scent - again leashes until 100% reliable in off-lead work.

Herding tend to stick closer - they want to know where their charges are at all times.


Years ago my Golden and I would backpack in alone for 1-2 weeks at a time - each of us with our packs (and me with most of it!)

After wrecking my shoulder with a sports injury, I now rely upon a Kuvasz as a Mobility Service Dog - he wears packs and carries what I can't (anything above 5 lbs). He is 110-115ish and can easily handle 20 lbs even in deep sand.

I stongly recommend the Wenaha packs. The pack part attachd to a body harness with velcro and can be lifted off to give the dog a rest without having to undo all the straps. Here is one site that has them: http://www.getoutoutfitters.com/browsepr.

Mine came from REI but I'm not sure if they are carrying them or have them in stock (they always sold out fast.)

They aren't cheap but they are tough and last forever.


Now the 'not shedding much' complicates matters and eliminates long haired breeds. Labs are pretty good at going along but be prepared for a lot of stubborness and passive resistance if they don't want to do something.

Sporting: Try the Spaniels - Brittany, English and Welsh; Vizsla (taller but not massive);

The others suitable (Labs, Goldens) are considered large breeds.

Hounds: Top pick is the Rhodesian Ridgeback but they may be larger than you want - up to 26-29 inches at the shoulder and 80 100 lbs. They are actually a herd guarding breed from Africa who were also used for hunting. My choice for a Service Dog for what I needed came down to a Rhodie or Kuvasz, and the deciding factor is that we live on Lake Michigan further north than Chicago - with the cold and snow, a short coated Rhodie woul d not have been happy out running errands on a winter day.

Another posiblity is the Norweigan Elkhound - sturdy dog with medium length thick coat.

Terrier Group - don't even go there. They will be off after everything and have ignoring you down to a fine art.

Non-sporting; Dalmations (if there are no kids under 12 in the household or likely to be any in the next 14 years.)
Keeshond - smaller but very sturdy, Again they have the longer coat.
STANDARD Poodle - give them a terrier clip and not that pouffy stuff and thye look like a real dog ready to hit the water and work. No shedding. Usually 22-27 inches. They were bred as water retrievers.

Herding Group:
Australian Shepherds
Border Collie

NOTE: I see people are recommmending German Shepherds which aside form being a Large breed, are a breed that is having horrendous problems with the dogs' rear end - problems beyond hip dysplasia. I would be extremely extremely careful and not only want to know if the dogs in the immediate family tree passed all their health checks but if any collateral realtives (aunts, uncles 1/2 siblings ..) ever had any of the problems endemic in the breed.

Now, in this group all except the Corgis and the Australian Cattle Dog have longer coats. Australian CD (often called blue tick helers or blue heelers by backyard breeders) is long on energy, short on trainability (okay, maybe come and some basic-basics but.) and obedience and can be nippy.



Go to the AKC website and read in detail about the breeds

http://www.akc.org/breeds/index.cfm?nav_.

You can search by Group, Breed name or all of them at once.

Now, when you click on the picture of the dog and go to the page for that breed, on the left is a column. At the bottom of the column, is a link captioned "National Breed Club". Click on it - that takes you to the link to the National Club for that breed that sets the breed standards.

The Clubs' websites will give you an ENORMOUS amount of information about the breed - the good, the bad, and the why or why not to get that breed.

The clubs websites also have:
(1) a breeders list - all of whom have agreed to abide by the breeders code of ethics (which you can read)
(2) a link to the breed rescue for their breed

Do give serious thought to adopting from an adult from a breed rescue. The clubs' breed rescues go to a great deal of trouble to determine the dog's temperment, personality, likes and dislikes (particularly kids and cats and other dogs in the household), HEALTH, and level of training. They make a huge effort to match the right dog to the right home - and if they don't have one they think will be suitable for your home, they won't place it. Great way to avoid the puppy training, newpapers, chewing.

If you decide to get a puppy, please use one of the breeders who are members of the breed club. A well-bred pet puppy may not be a candidate for the show ring (that nose being 1/8th of an inch to long or something else very picky) but they will be very healthy, the parents carefully screened for hereditary health problems, and from a breeder who has devoted a great deal of time to understanding the breed and bloodlines. A responsible breeder will have a written contract with a health guarantee for hereditary problems; require that if for any reason you ever have to give up the dog that it comes back to them; and always be available for help, assistance and advice about your dog. Such a breeder wil tell you if they don't think their breed is right for you based upon your needs. They want a perfect forever home for the puppies - not the money. (In 43 years in the dog show world, I have never known a breeder of that caliber who has made a profit on their dogs - it is labor of love.)

A puppy from such a breeder costs no more - and often less in view of the vet bills for an animal from poor quality breeding - than from a backyard breeder who doesn't do the health checks, knows nothing about the breed or bloodlines, doesn't give a guarantee, never wants to hear about the puppy again and has breed from mediocre or poor quality dogs.

I you want a hiking companion, you will have to very careful about getting a dog from a breeder who screens their breeding stock for hereditary orthopedic defectsthat and other problems that can affect their ability to go out and go with you - hips, elbows, patella, cardiac, eyes..

Now many reputable breeders will have adult dogs that they bred that they are placing. The dog may be a rehome since a good breeder requires the dog be returned to them if the owner can't keep it. The dog may be one they held back to show and it turned out to just not quite be show caliber as it grew up. Occassionally, in rare instances, they may have a dog who did finish its AKC championship but the breeder needs to place it in a home as a co-own (you get the dog, they get to use it for breeding - with a female maybe 1-3 litters and male as a sire for number of litters. Once the breeding career is done which is earlier than mosst pet people realize, the dog is spayed/neuterd.) SImilarly the dog could have finished its cahmpionship -after much effort, many shows and a lot of money - but the breeder decides not to use them as breeding stock because the dog hated showing so much and lacked the personality and temperment for the ring. If the breeder is placing a dog who is over 12 months, ask to see its health exams - they can preliminary xrays on elbows, hips and patellas at that age, and compelte on eyes cardiac and thyroid.

Good luck and happy hiking,
Lab or Dalmatian. I would go for a Dal due to their endurance.

Tried to email you back. Your email is not confirmed.

email me direct at wss66ill@yahoo.com

Dal's are very loving, loyal, and active dogs. They were breed to run with horses so their endurance levels are amazing. They bond very closely with their masters and are very protective of them. Dont take this the wrong way, Dals will accept anyone outside the 'pack' as long as their master does. They will pick up on your emotions. If your feeling nervous, uneasy, or have the heebee jeebees about someone they will react. I have trained Dals to work in 'Hospital Therapy' areas. They love the attention and love to play with the folks. They make great hiking companions and ball fetchers. Once a Dal loves you, your loved for life. If your considering a Dal, please check our website
http://www.drswv.com We have some great dogs for adoption.
I think a smooth coated Border Collie would make a good hiking companion. These dogs are high energy types and getting out on regular hikes would be good stimulation (they need that). They're also highly trainable.

There are a range of sizes for this breed tho and you would want to make sure you look into a breeder with "larger" dogs. Our puppy will be about 45lbs when full grown, but I have seen them smaller and under 35lbs.
St. Bernard would be ideal but they do get huge and they do shed. We always kept Pit bulls and they loved to go camping and pull the kids in the wagon!! Depends on how they're raised as to if they get aggitated. (The reputation does not fit all dogs of this breed.) I had a 2 year old daughter that would go face first into my males food dish with him. (Usualy he would sit down and wait for her to finish) and my female let 2 of the kids in the whelping box with her while she was delivering puppies.) Get a puppy and train him/her young. There are specially designed harnesses for pulling carts and wagons make sure you start him on this about 9 months but the harness earlier so he/she gets used to it. Good Luck!!
chiwawa
huskys, labs, and terriors (trust me, there good at hunting, especially the black ones)
Labradors are awesome.
I would recommend any dog in the sporting, working or terrier group. They are usually the most high energy breeds. Go to akc.org and dogbreedinfo.com for more info on each breed.
Good luck and I hope this helps!
I think the best dog would be a boxer there are fun loving great with kids and VERY energetic they are also love to jump and are built to jump. With my boxer i walk in the woulds and she will follow and jump over any thing or i can let her lead and show me the easiest route and she is excited every time and she is 9 years old which is pretty old
i think i would try a german shepherd..they can last a long time and have an extellent temperment
I would say a German Sheppard would be an excellent dog for that. Fisrt of all they are one of the smartest breeds and can be easily trained. Second they are strong and have excellent endurance. So caring some light weight things on their backs shouldn't be a problem. Lastly they are excellent protectors. If you were hiking and came across a Moutain Lion, Wolf, Stray dogs etc. they become fierce protectors. A lab or retriever are not going to be the protector a German Sheppard will be. Labs and Retrievers are hunting dogs not guard dogs like a German Sheppard. I would definitely say a German Sheppard would be your best bet. I hope this helps. Good Luck.
A lab or a blue healer. Labs are very active and if you train them they are very easy to walk with you. Blue Healers are also very active and they listen extremely well. plus they are small and easy to transport.
Good morning let me say thank you for thinking far enough ahead to
ask this ? before making a decision abot an animal. And I appreciate
the paramiters you've set and answering within those there can be
only one breed and that is an Old English Sheepdog I've personally owned 3 of these dogs and aside from being very athletic they are
one of the smartest breeds I've encountered. and in reference to shedding they have no dander and that's what causes adog to shed
so if they shed at all it's only large clumps easy to pick up but even then shedding is quite minimal and those are the pros
the only con is concern for the hips.Please be sure to purchase
your new friend only from a reputible breeder and expect to pay
between 500-700 for such a puppy.If they want more than that ask for references from others who have purchased puppies in the past. The only reason not to walk away from a high price tag
is that these dogs are the ultimate babe magnet. Well I hope this letter helps. P.S ask if the dogs hips have been certified,that's important. happy hiking.
I would say German Shepherd because they LOVE to work. Plus being with you and working with you will bring them such joy. You wont find a more loyal friend.

However, they arent medium sized dogs and they shed a tremendous amount (they have double coats) year round.

Good luck

PS Adoption is the best way to go!
I currently go hiking and camping with my dobie. I have a friend who has a dobie as well. Mine carries a pack containing her food for the trip or her items (leash, toys, treats, etc.). Dobies are very easy to train and extremely loyal, so once trained you don't have to worry about them running off. Also they have a lot of endurance and stamina and go longer than you can. They are a more medium sized dog if you get one bred to standard. I would go with a female since they tend to be smaller than the males. Mine is 60lbs and loves going hiking and running through the woods with me. She's happy when I strap her pack on b/c she knows where we're going. I'd look into dobies, they're in the working group, so they're made to go all day and they are great with people when socialized as puppies.
I would recommend a standard poodle. Medium-sized, non-shedding, intelligent. Here's a cool link: http://www.freewebs.com/standard-poodles.

What is a good dog breed for families with young children?

I have a 5 year old daughter and a 3 year old son. Any dog breeds good arould children that age? I grew up with a jumpy Golden, but i think a calmer breed might be best for my family. Any ideas?
Answers:
Any of the retriever breeds, such as lab or golden, tend to do well with children. The key is good training for the dog. Also remember ANY animal can bite, so watch your young children with the animal.
Also some other factors that might play into your pet choice.. do you have a large fenced yard? maybe a larger dog might work for you, if you live in a small apartment, a large breed would probably be a bad choice. How much time can you devote to grooming the animal? if it is not much a wirey short haired breed might be best.
Try petfinder.com to adopt a great animal who needs a loving home, or if you are seeking a specific breed, try one of the rescue groups for that breed. All you have to do is type in the breed, rescue and your state in to your search engine, and you will get results.
Beagles are great
Shih Tzus are great with kids, we have two shih tzus and are quite pleased
For children Sheltland sheepdogs are smart and GREAT with kids. there small so you can take them with you there only like 30pounds check them out I think you will like them !!
Actually, Golden Retreivers are one of the best family dogs. Their whole mission in life is to please their owners. This is why they are used as service dogs.

Go to your local shelter/Humane Society and speak with someone their. DO NOT get a puppy, as they will jump and probably chew on your youngest child. Shelters temperament test all dogs that are up for adoption and they will be able to tell you which ones they have available that are good with children.
I have two yellow labs. We've had them since they were little. Very protective, and tons of fun.
I would get a small dog, so that if a bite incident occured, it would be negligible. Also, you have to be really diligent about teaching your children utmost respect for the dog- it will decrease the chances of them getting bitten if they see the dog as it's own being rather than a toy, and is a great life lesson in empathy for others. The breed of dog isn't so important, it's whether or not the dog itself will fit into your life and meet your needs. Visiting shelters is a great place to get friendly mutts- usually much more mentally stable than pure breds, and it's just a nice thing to do.
Hi Abby, You can't go wrong with a golden lab. They do well around children and loves to play and have fun.This is one of the best breeds for all family members.They are easily trained.

Clowmy
Labradors are lovely calm dogs .idea with children and big enough to pose a threat to a burglar..
chewawas are very friendly and they dont grow big!
A well-bred Lab. However, how well a dog does depends a lot on how well you socialize and train it. While it is young you need to take it everywhere with you to meet cats, kids, people, other animals, places, etc.
Pitbulls are great with kids they have gotten a bad rap because some people breed them for fighting and they end up turning on their owners.
yellow lab
I have a golden retriever and he is great with the kids. I have never had any problems with him jumping on the kids. He is very gentle with the kids. Any breed would be good as long as you have the time to work with them and teach them the do's and dont's. But I have had many different breeds including pit, golden retriever, border collie etc. I would have to say that my golden retriever has been the best dog that i have ever had and is the easiest to teach.
mutts are usually best tempered mixing breeds is good
and can ask rescue or shelter about known behavior.
avoid toy poodles, terriers, and toys as serious in-breeding to get them so small tend to be hyper or crazy or heatlh issues too.
ask this at the shelter not at a breeder.
also bring the kids to the shelter to try one out.
you'll know when its love.
As most people have said I'd say a Golden Lab.

I actually have a Jack Russell cross and she is amazing with children and very, very playful. Plus she is good enough at keeping herself amused when we are either working/doing other things. There's always somebody in the house with her at all times due to the schedules of everyone in my house however.

Her size means that she isn't intimidating to friend's of my brother who are unsure around dogs and was a total dream to train. I have friends with pure breed dogs who are a nightmare with children because they require so much attention/amusement etc. I'd definetly say a crossbreed are more family friendly.
With proper training, many breeds can be good with children really. Acutally, Golden Retrievers and Labs are at the top of the list for family dogs. But there are so many more.

You really have to evaluate your family and activity level too. A greyhound loves to run them races, but they're actually quite gentle giants and you can adopt a retired racer that's already got some basic training.

Our children are also 5 and 3, boys, and they have a HIGH energy level, so we wanted a breed that could keep up with that. We now have a 4 month old Border Collie. But the BC isn't for everyone. They're very smart and get bored really easily, so they have to be mentally challenged to avoid the boredom which can bring on destructive behavior. We are persuing agility with ours, simply on a fun level. Fun for us and her and great excercise. Also gives her a good amount of training, too.

A smaller breed might suit you well too, assuming your children aren't as high energy as mine, but remember that sometimes small dogs and children can be of issue if the children have a hard time being gentle and learning how to properly treat and handle the dog (like not carrying the pup around the house all the time). I prefer at least a medium size dog, as the full grown size enables the dog to be able to "escape" an uncomfy situation if need be. Harder for a child to corner.

Good questions to ask yourself are. How active is your family? If you're not very active, then something like a BC isn't for you. How much time will you need to be away from your dog on a daily basis (like for work/school)? Some breeds are more likely to suffer from separation anxiety than others. How will your children be with a new pup? Will they easily learn how to properly treat a dog? What kind of space do you have? Is there a large yard what a larger dog can have a good run, or do you live in a small place, like an apartment where a smaller dog would be more reasonable?

I definitely suggest researching the breeds you are thinking about, compare them and talk to breeders of any breed you are considering. They can really be helpful in helping you decide if a particular breed is right for you.

Whatever breed you choose to go with, getting some obedience training is a great way to teach your dog some basic manners, such as learning not to jump on your family or visitors. I wouldn't have a dog without persuing it!
try something like a collie, great danes can be quite calm once they get out of the puppy stage. dobermans are actually excellent family dogs, once they're around 10 months they are quite calm and require very little grooming (they don't need to be brushed and only need baths 3-4 times per year). bloodhounds are really great too, not jumpy and really tolerant of everything.
Cocker spaniels are great dogs for kids very protective and loyal. I have a Golden retreiver and he's great to one thing to do with them is exercise.
Old English Sheepdog. I have had them in my house since I was little. My cousin would grab food out of his bowl and he would just look at her. I mean we never encouraged her to do that but she did. She pulled up on him. they don't shed and are very lovable. They do have a tendency to "herd" little ones into cupboards and walls. They do require grooming but if you keep them kind of short "puppy cut" then they aren't too bad. Sheepdogs love the cold and snow. Sheepies are a calm breed that love to cuddle. We always adopted adult sheepies so I couldn't tell you about the pups. They aren't water loving dogs although they are exceptions. They are very protective of their families.

Hope you find a breed that fits you best.
Not Dalmatians.They are too agressive with younger children.
I would never recommend a large or giant breed as the pet of choice for small children unless the children were big for their age, the parent were experienced in handling and training, and it was an adult dog. Hard for small kids to cuddle a dog that is bigger than they are.

A herding breed is excellent with young children.

Go here to see the breeds http://www.akc.org/breeds/index.cfm?nav_.

Look under "Breed by Group" on the left and find the herding group.

Shelties, Aussies, Corgis.(Herding Group)

I grew up with Boston Terriers (Non-sporting group). They were GREAT!

When you are on the page for that specific breed, there are links on the left to the "Breed Club" and "Breed Rescue" .

Check out breed rescues. The Breed Rescue for a breed akes a great deal of time to get to know the dog,its temperment, behavior and level of training. They go to great pains to match the right dog with the right person.

(By the way you say "jumpy" Golden. I'm guessing it was a field bred Golden - high energy, independent minded, . Field bred Goldens and show/obedience bred Goldens are the same breed but their temperments are different by miles and miles.)
I have 2 bernese mountaindogs and they're great with children also with the smaller ones. In summer they've been a lot around 2-year-old children, 4-year-old children and some children who were older than 6. And they loved the dogs they went playing with them, hugged them and everything and it all went smooth. Even when they're pups, they're comparatively calm. Of course you need to raise them well, but you will have a great dog then :)
The lab is the friendliest dog out there
Don't assume by simply choosing a breed that you will get the right puppy. Temperament and personality can still vary. There are exceptions to the rule. There are aggressive Goldens, there are sweet pitbulls. Then, how you raise it will have a lot to do with the "molding" process.just like kids.

When you go to look at a puppy, look at the entire litter. Particularly with young children, you do not want the shy one that sits in the corner and acts afraid. Neither do you want the wild, wooly, jumping up and down pup. Pick the more quiet, but curious puppy. The one that willingly comes forward. The one that does not struggle when you pick it up, the one that will calmy lay on its back when you roll it on the floor, or hold him in your arms as a baby. The one that doesn't startle when you clap your hands. The one that will follow you when you walk with encouragement from your voice. These are cues that the pup naturally sees you as its leader. Do not feel you must choose a pup from just one litter. Shop.this is a life long choice!

Most Goldens are happy fellows, so the jumpy one you had was one of those exceptions. Goldens and Labs (btw there is no "breed" called the Golden Lab. A Lab is a Lab. They come in yellow, blac and chocolate) have been breed for decades as service dogs, so care has been taken to focus on easy going temperament. But that does not mean every Golden or Lab will be this way. The kennels still breeding them for hunting (their original purpose) have more high drive dogs..as my daughter's very high power, very active one. (Have you read "Marley and Me")

If you go with a purebreed, find a REPUTABLE breeder!! Make a list of questions and if they can not answer them, go elsewhere. Have the parents been checked for such as hip dyspasia, eye problems, von Willebrands.etc (do your research of what breeds are more prone to particular health problems). Any dogs in the pedigree have obedience titles? What is health guarantee? Get all in writing.

You might want to contact a local guide dog program, or CCI (is it Canine Companions for Independence?) There are dogs that for minor reasons do not "graduate" to the next level, but have been trained and are wonderful dogs.

Breeds: I would not get a very small breed for young children. Often they can be very nervous and nippy and just their small size can be fragile for young children. Nor would I necessarily get a giant breed; though often very gentle, as a rambunctious pup their sheer size can easily knock a toddler over.

Breeds: Collie (particularly look into "smooth coated" collies..they are gentle and sweet with children), Golden, Lab (though I don't have them and would not get one for me). Shetland Sheepdogs (Shelties) are extemely smart, (have shown and raised them for about 25 years, along with my 2 kids) easily trained, do not pick the shy or nervous one! Also Australian Shepherds.smart dogs, but be sure not to pick the most active puppy.

I would not get a Border Collie (I have one and LOVE her). If you do not have time to play and play and go jogging and do herding or agility, they will drive you bonkers!
With children as young as yours are I would not get a puppy. They like to jump and nip when they are young. While no one has mentioned them, boxers are great with children if raised around them. They are protective also. Check with a Boxer Rescue in your area and see if they have one that will meet your needs. I have 2 rescues and they are GREAT.
Good luck !
Many dogs can be good with kids as long as they are well-trained. I think golden retrievers, labs, and beagles are among the best.

What is a good deworming medicine for dogs?

I have a dog who has worms so I was wondering what kind of medicine is good to give to her to get rid of the worms. I would like to be able to get something that I won't have to go to the vet to get, as they are usually more expensive.
Answers:
the vets meds are expensive, but cause the least problems with your dog.it all depends on how big your dog is.if he is over 50 lbs it will be a lot of money. and i dont really kno if there is anything to treat worms at a pet supply store. smaller dogs are cheaper. but drontal, strongid, and panacur work well, but may not be sold anyplace other than the vets office.
A vet would be the best place. He would need a 'sample' to see what kind of worms the dog has, so he can tell you the right dewormer
You have to determine what kind of worms they are. If they are small flat white looking like rice then it is tape worm that you need antibiotics for. If they are long spaghetti looking, then they are roundworm that you can by at any pet store. I know that Petco has medicine for both kinds of worms.
NEMEX -or- EVICT
THIS TAKES CARE OF ROUNDWORMS %26 HOOKWORMS
Panacur or strongid, but you shold really get him to vet, although it is expensive, is the dog on heart worm prevention. you should be able to look through the phone book in your area and find a lower cost vet in the area. or call them and ask prices. if your not going to take the dog to the vet maybe you shouldn't have it.. cause he will end up getting heartworms and it's really expensive to get it treated. sorry if i seem rude but i work at a no kill animal shelter and we always have alot of dogs that are heart worm and lyme positive. well good luck..
use panacure, you can get it from your vet good stuff better than stuff you buy at walmart
I don't what medicine to use. However, if you introduce hot peppers into the dog's diet and gently increase, the worms and parasites will go away.
Responsible dog ownership starts with veterinarian care. Taken from the akc.org website is the following (GEESH I hate ignorant people)

Go to the Veterinarian
Set up a schedule for regular check-ups with your veterinarian. Ask the vet questions about your dog's diet, behavior, activity level or other concerns. Contact the veterinarian at once if your dog seems ill or in pain. The AKC Pet Healthcare Plan can help with the cost of providing quality healthcare throughout your dog's life.


Feed a Good Diet
Work with your veterinarian or breeder to find the food that is best for your dog's age, size and activity level. Keep the diet consistent. Always provide plenty of fresh, clean water.


Exercise
Dogs need regular exercise to ensure continuing good health. Take your dog for walks, run around in the yard, throw a ball around - anything to get him up and moving. This will benefit his health and could prevent behavior problems.


Vaccinate
Dogs should follow a strict schedule of vaccinations to prevent diseases. Keep your dog current on his vaccinations, following the schedule recommended by your veterinarian. Keep a copy of your dog's vaccination records handy.


Prevent Disease
You can take steps to prevent other diseases not covered by the regular series of vaccinations. Depending on the area of the country you live in, your dog could be at risk for diseases such as heartworm and Lyme disease. Ask your veterinarian for advice on prevention. The AKC Pet Healthcare Plan can help with the cost of providing quality healthcare throughout your dog's life.


Repel Fleas and Ticks
Aside from discomfort, parasites such as fleas and ticks can cause serious diseases. Keep your dog, his bedding, and your home free from parasites by using the method recommended by your veterinarian.


Know Your Dog's Patterns
You should become familiar with your dog's patterns in terms of eating, drinking, sleeping and relieving himself. Any major variations in these patterns could indicate illness and should be reported to your veterinarian.


Provide Chew Toys
Dogs never outgrow the need to chew. Protect your possessions by providing a variety of chew toys to satisfy your dog's urges.


Bathe Your Dog
A clean dog is a healthy dog. Bathe your dog on a regular basis appropriate to his breed and environment. Overbathing can be harmful to a dog's skin. Use a good shampoo and be sure to rinse well. If bathing your dog is more than you can handle, take him to a groomer or veterinarian for help.


Groom Your Dog
All dogs should be groomed regularly for health and best appearance. Some short-coated breeds need just a quick brushing every week, while some longer-coated breeds need daily brushing to prevent matting and to reduce shedding. If your dog requires clipping or sculpting, you may want to consult a professional groomer.


Clip Those Nails
Keeping your dog's nails short will keep him comfortable, prevent injury to his feet, and may save the surface of your floors. If you can hear your dog's nails click on a hard surface, they need to be trimmed. Ask your veterinarian for advice on clipping your dog's nails yourself.


Clean Those Teeth
To prevent tooth decay and gum disease, clean your dog's teeth regularly. Most dogs will accept a "toothbrush" if introduced to it slowly and gently. You can also give your dog products such as hard biscuits, rope bones and nylon chews to keep his teeth clean.


Prevent Obesity
Keep your dog healthy by maintaining him at an appropriate weight. Feed him a well-balanced diet and give him plenty of exercise. Don't give in to begging - "people food" is generally bad for dogs.


Know Your Breed's Health Risks
You should be aware of common health problems in your breed, how to prevent them, and how to recognize their onset. For example, some giant breeds are prone to bloat, while some short-faced breeds are prone to respiratory problems. Ask your breeder or veterinarian for information about any signs or symptoms you should watch for in your pet.


Protect From Poisons
Make sure that your home and yard are free from poisonous substances, such as antifreeze, which tastes good but can cause serious illness or even death. Keep your veterinarian's number handy in case of accidental ingestion.


Be Alert to Changing Needs
As your dog ages, his needs will change. He may require a different diet, need more sleep, and be less active. Do what you can to keep him comfortable. Your dog may not be as "fun" as he once was, but he is the same dog you loved as a puppy. You should do everything you can to pamper him in his final years.


End Suffering
If, due to illness or old age, your dog reaches a point where his quality of life is severely compromised, arrange to end his life humanely. Letting go is sometimes the kindest thing you can do. Don't prolong the suffering because you fear the pain of losing your dog.
8 in 1 erliworm liquid wormer
There are lots of different kinds of intestinal worms so you'll need to figure out why kind she has. Roundworms and tape worms are visable. Roundworms look like spaghetti and tape worms look like rice. There are also parasites that are not visible to the eye like whip worms and hookworms. If you wanted to make sure you knew what kinds of worms your dog may have you can take a fecal sample to a vet and they can check for a small fee. I'm unsure what kinds of dewormers they carry at pet stores, but knowing what kind of worms your dog has will be essential in picking out a dewormer. I'd advice at least calling some vets and getting some quotes on dewormers. It can't hurt and you might find that it is not as expensive as you thought. The more your dog weighs, the more expensive it'll be though, just to forewarn you. Also, monthly heartworm pills also take care of different kinds of intestinal worms and it's a good route to go to prevent a large deworming expensive in the future. Good luck.
you need to know what KIND of worms your dogs has first of all or you can end up treating it for the wrong type of worm and will waste your money. Tapeworms are the most common, when the segments break off and come out in the stool they look like little grains of rice. They are caused from the dog swallowing a flea, in which case you need to treat your dogs for fleas as well so he does not re-infect himself costing you more money in deworming. You need to bring in a stool sample to the vet to first diagnose the problem.then you can get the proper medication. Depending on your vet, and the worm, the pills may not be very expensive.it is usually a one time dose, which some vets have you repeat in a month, so you will not have to buy a whole bottle of pills.it is usually only one or two pills per worming depending on the dogs weight.
It depends on **WHICH** worm!

DO **NOT** waste money on ANY "OTC" *CRAP*! It *DOESN'T* WORK!

Go to vet,get enough STRONGID for your dog's weight,dose it,wait 2 weeks %26 REPEAT w/PANACUR!
DON'T need a visit,just get the meds! CHEAPER than "otc" junk!

What is a good cure for diarrhea in dogs?

I'm interested in home cures.
Answers:
Do you know why this dog has diarrhea? How old is the dog? How long has it had diarrhea?

Diarrhea could be caused by a number of different things and your dog could be very sick. If this dog has had diarrhea for a few days it could also be dehydrated and needs to see a vet asap. If this is a puppy, it needs to see a vet.
Milk of Magnesia or Pepto Bismol. Used both for years.
a cork plug
best thing i ever did was to take dogs off chicken based food. put them on nutro's lamb and rice and they lived hapily ever after.
Put your dog on a starchy diet. Pasta, rice, bread, potatoes etc.
It has worms.Deworm it with meds from a vet ,, that is the best option because the vet can do a simple test of the feces to determine what type of worm it is.Or you can buy the store brand (liquid) %26 hope it gets the right worm.Follow directions completely.Its easy,,mix with a small amount of food.
Try a cork.
plain yogurt. It works for humans too.
Feed some boiled boneless chicken with some plain white rice. Don't add any kind of seasoning. That may help.
It all depends on whether the dog has diarrhea from not eating the proper foods or diarrhea from parvo, cocidia, giardia, etc. If it is from just a change in diet or eating human food, you can give it a couple of spoonfuls on plain canned pumpkin. If it doesn't help or if there is blood and/or vomiting, get it to the vet ASAP!
Imodium
Give them dry dog food and not canned.
It is important to know what causes the diarrhea first. Yogurt can help, so can rice.
Although the worms might be it, the food could be the problem. Buy dogfood with real mixtures and ingredients you can find in a usual farm. Foods with a meat rice ratio of 60/40 are usually good. Lamb and Chicken sit the best with small dogs.
ok.give it one teaspoon per ten pounds of body weight of kaopectate, every 4 hours. take away the dogs food and give him rice(white),cottage cheese,soft boiled eggs, cooked pasta. No dog food for 24 hours.. any thing else I am at mfroeh@yahoo.com
Cottage cheese or canned pumpkin, but pumpkin pie file filling.
Best I have done is the same I would do for my children, rice and yogurt. But I have also pulled the following information from a website:

Home management for pets with diarrhea

Feeding pets with diarrhea
1. After your pet is fasted for the prescribed number of days as determined by your veterinarian, gradually return it to full feed.
2. Feed small amounts frequently (3 to 6 times daily).
3. Feed a highly digestible diet containing one percent or less of fiber in the dry matter. (This is very different than the recommendation for 鈥榗olitis' in which a diet high in fiber is often indicated). The diet for small intestinal diarrhea should provide a moderate amount of highly digestible protein from cottage cheese, chicken and egg, with and not more than 15 percent fat. Carbohydrates should be easily digestible such as those from rice or dextrose. There are veterinary diets made specially to handle these problems i.e. Prescription Diet i/d.

Avoid diets with the following ingredients: wheat middlings, bran and other cereal by-products; lactose (milk sugar) and foods containing more than 10 percent sucrose (table sugar). Do not give your pet bones, snacks or table scraps which may irritate the intestinal tract.
Try feeding it Gravox..Might not work, but it will thicken it up a little. ;-)
kaopectate ,,,,, never leave home without it.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?.

.
Give it some canned pumpkin
Not being a Vet on the occasion that one of my dogs has diarrhea I use Imodium. The amount depends on your dog size. However that can get rid of the symptom but not the cause. It could be worms. I which case you will need to take a stool sample to the vet. Or, it could be too many different types of foods Dogs are not like people. They don't need to have something new each day. That kind of switch up can really play havoc on their digestive systems. I like a good quality dry dog food and fresh water. Fresh is the key because old water with a lot of back wash in it can be the cause of many problems. My personal choice for a dry food is Purina One. It give the dog a good firm stool. Again I am not a Vet but if it last for several days, no home remedy helps, has blood, or puss then see you vet. Hope that helps.
you need to find the reason for the diarrhea
is he sick
does he have worms
is it a food allergy
is it anxiety
did he eat or drink something contaminated
are you feeding him the wrong kind of food or too much
too many table scraps
has he eaten a poisonous plant or grass treated with pesticide
as for the other answers about feeding him canned pumpkin my vet suggested that when the dog was constipated
you can't fix if if you don't know the reason

What is a good costume idea to match my dog's?

My dog is goin to be either a court jester or prisoner for halloween, and I want to base my costume off of hers. What would be a good costume under the same theme as that? For example if I was Dorthy she could be a cowardly lion.
Answers:
Well, being a weird person..

For the dog being a prisoner, I would make sure to put a metal color around his/her neck, have a chain from the collar to me, and I would be the ball. You know, ball and chain? It would also protect your fur-child while you are out and about.

I hope you have a fabulous time together whatever you do! :)
Jester.b a prince, priness or queen/king.and if she is a prisoner, be the person in charge of the jail
you can be a cop for halloween if your dog is ever going to be a prisoner. =) aww that's so cute!
jester can be with king or queen of hearts prisoner can be with really big ball and chain as costume for other dog