Watching The Westminster Dog Show got me thinking about various breeds and the many reasons people get a dog in the first place. I’m paraphrasing something that Jon Katz the author of “Katz on Dogs,“wrote, “people will shop around, test drive and read all the stats and figures before they buy a large screen TV or new car, but they tend to buy or adopt a puppy on a whim.”

Yep, I’ve done it too. Just before my senior year of high school I was driving through a nicely manicured neighborhood on a cool summer evening and stopped in front of a house with a sign that said “Free Puppies.” I was enthralled with all the little balls of energy that were scattered around the backyard and I did what so many humans are prone to do - took the one that “picked me by running straight to me and pushing the others out of the way.

While I made a number of mistakes in that relationship with Sparky, it taught me tons about finding and living with a dog. Bringing a dog home is not something to be entered into lightly. Most of us know that on an intellectual level, but somehow, we can lose our guard when the ‘cutest puppy in the world’ is pawing at our leg; jumping up to kiss us; or putting their head in our laps.

Here’s a short and sweet guide to finding the right dog for you and your family:

1. Why do you want a dog? No really. It’s not just for the kids, it’s not because you want something to guard the house, is it? You may really want a dog because you want a companion, someone or something to love, a way to fix a relationship from your past, or some combination of all of the above. Your emotions are going to be tied to the dog you bring home (just like any other family member).

However, your dog is not really going to be a little kid in fur. They are definitely not human. While they really seem to intuit what you’re saying when you’re feeling down, angry or sentimental, they really can’t ‘fix things.’ Nor should they be expected to. They are hard-wired to tune-in to you for food, fun and discipline, but they can’t bring your ex back, nor can they fix a bad relationship.

2. What type of personality do you have? If you have tons of patience (like a saint) you may find it rewarding to share your home with a beagle or a terrier. These dogs are very smart, but also very easily distracted and may be less likely to tune into you during training than a retriever.

3. What’s your idea of exercise? Do you run every morning at 5am and wind down after work with a brisk walk or activity? Do your research, some breeds need lots of exercise every day (Labs come to mind) but others are pretty happy with a few short forays out to the sunshine and prefer to spend time lounging. (Bulldogs can be like this).

4. How much do you prize cleanliness? No matter how you try to avoid it, dogs are going to add more work to your cleaning routine. Even short-haired breeds shed, and all dogs have paws that track in mud, dirt, and snow. And, I’ve yet to meet a dog that doesn’t enjoy a good roll in whatever is most stinky along his walk!

5. When and how will you train your dog? Remember, even if you’re okay with your dog jumping up in greeting, or refusing to come when called, your neighbors probably aren’t okay with it. Dogs get banned from public spaces because humans who own them don’t teach them basic manners. Be sure to do your research now on training techniques and methodologies. Investigate different classes and interview trainers prior to bringing your dog home. While you’re Uncle Bill is willing to share the unique methods he used when training his spaniel Cokey, his methods may not be the best for you and your new companion. By doing your homework before you bring your dog home you’ll have your eyes wide open to what the process is likely to entail.

These are just a handful of points to ponder before bringing a dog into your home. There are a number of organizations that will walk you through the process of finding the right dog for you.

Be sure to do your homework before you fall in love with this year’s Westminster winner (Rufus, the Bull Terrier) and decide you have to have one.

Whether you decide to find a breeder or adopt from a local rescue group or shelter, there are many more questions to go over. You’ll also want to be prepared with questions for the breeder or shelter. My goal is that any dog you bring home has an easy transition to your household and together you enjoy a dozen or more years of companionship, love and mutual admiration.

(http://www.gooddogz.org, as well as http://www.peggiespets.com.

Peggie Arvidson-Dailey is the owner of Peggie’s Pet Services(recognized as one of the DC region’s BEST pet-care companies in the Washingtonian Magazine). She’s the Pets in the City Columnist for the Del Ray Sun and a lively and engaging speaker on the topic of pet and people relationships. You can subscribe to The Care of Pets her monthly ezine chock full of tips and hints on enhancing your love affair with your pet at http://www.peggiespets.com!

Tags: adopting a pet, animal care, dogs, pet health, pets, puppies, training a dogadopting a pet, animal care, dogs, pet health, pets, puppies, training a dog

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Posted on July 5th, 2008 by itbsuperrich
Filed under: pethealthinsurance.pet-insurance-zone.info | No Comments »

Dog Owners know that a pet soon becomes a much-loved family member. It would be terrible to have to place a cash value on your pet’s life. If you do not have adequate Insurance you could be faced with that heart-rending decision. Do you want that extra trauma if your dog is sick or injured?

Increased veterinary fees and expenses mean you could be faced with a bill for hundreds or even thousands when your pet becomes unwell. The costs rise and pet owners without insurance are forced to decide how much they will spend to keep their best friend alive. It makes sense to take out a pet insurance policy to avoid major unforeseen expenses.

Like any other family insurance, pet insurance helps you put a small sum away now to avoid a hefty unexpected bill. There is a wide range of cost and cover options so it is a good idea to shop around online to see what is available to you.

Do you need pet insurance?

The answer is a resounding yes: apart from covering vet fees, policies also include your legal liability as a pet owner. If your pet causes a road accident, damages property or bites or scratches someone, you will be covered and the company will appoint lawyers to deal with the claim.

At the stage of getting a pet, most owners do not think about the inevitable unforeseen expenses of illness or accident. Even if your pet lives indoors there are still dangers. They may sustain an injury in the home, drink or eat something poisonous to them, or swallow a toy. And they can still fall prey to an illness or disease specific to their breed. Of course if your pet goes outdoors the possibilities of injury or infection are higher. Unless you can afford to set aside at least $1000 to cover vet bills every year, you should find that pet insurance is the better budget option.

Like most types of policy, pet insurance is a tradeoff between cost and cover. The cost will increase with the scope of cover.

Policy Cover

Like most types of policy, pet insurance is a tradeoff between cost and cover. The cost will increase with the scope of cover. The pet owner can usually choose whether to take inclusive cover that pays for everything from routine checkups and vaccinations to accidents and chronic illnesses, or a lower cost policy for major treatment and emergencies only. In addition you can cut the cost of either option by paying an excess - a set sum is your responsibility then the policy picks up the balance up to the policy limit. Most plans place limits on annual, per-incident, per-illness or lifetime costs.

Be sure to ask whether the policy covers existing conditions and breed specific ailments, such as hip dysplasia. Your pet’s age also affects the cover available: according to the breed you could find some companies will not offer cover after the age of eight to ten years old.

Cost

Payment options for pet insurance include flat fees or excesses or deductibles and/or co-payments. Insurance premiums are affected by age, health and breed, as well as the type of animal. You normally need to settle the bill first and then claim from the insurer, so it is worth setting aside an emergency fund for this. Ask whether premiums increase with the age of your pet. If you have more than one pet you can usually get a multi policy discount.

Choose an insurer

Once you decide on your budget and the type of cover required, you can look for a policy to suit you.

When you approach pet insurance companies these are some ideas to help your research:

List your pet insurance priorities and check each one off in turn. Do your due diligence on the chosen insurance company. Read consumer and professional reviews, focusing on how long they have been established and how fast they settle claims. You should be able to look at a sample policy summary before you buy. Check the benefits, maximum payments and the time limit for making claims. If you have a question, put it in writing and get a written reply so you can refer to it in the event of a claim.

Keep a file of all papers relating to your pet, starting with the adoption or purchase and include receipts and insurance papers to keep track of expense and ensure you claim your entitlement.

Pet insurance is an unavoidable expense but attention now can give your best friend a longer and healthier life, and extend the enjoyment and love you get from your relationship.

Adrienne Davis publishes Kevin’s Doggie Tips with regular Dog Tips Updates. Get moneysaving tips for pet owners at http://dogs.homebusinessadvisers.com

Tags: dog, dog training, dogs, hip dysplasia, pet, pet insurance, pet owners, pets, puppies, vet feesdog, dog training, dogs, hip dysplasia, pet, pet insurance, pet owners, pets, puppies, vet fees

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Posted on July 3rd, 2008 by itbsuperrich
Filed under: pethealthinsurance.pet-insurance-zone.info | No Comments »