They say they can lower your blood pressure, help with depression, and make you live longer. What else is there that can attest to doing such great things?  DOGS - truly are a man's best friend! Enjoy your dog, help them to live a long and healthy life, and make every day with them as complete as possible.
Enjoy every day and smile along the way!

THE BASICS - Selecting a Dog:

Before you can begin your journey of happiness and well being through dog ownership, you have to decide what you are looking for. Dogs come in all shapes and sizes. There are purebreds and mixed breeds, all that offer something special. It is a privilege to own a dog not a right, and it comes with a great responsibility. It is important to realize this is a lifetime commitment and it should be not taken lightly. When making the decision to adopt/purchase a dog, make sure you have taken the time to find the one that will be a good fit with you and your family.

Do your research! - Key factors to consider:

Purebred or Mixed Breed
Breeder or  Shelter
Large or Small
Active or Sedentary

If you are interested in a purebred dog, the AKC - American Kennel Club is a good referral point. Take the time to learn about the breeds you are interested in. Do you want a lap dog, a dog to play Frisbee with, a hunter etc? Remember, the inherited characteristics that the dog was bred for will still be there. There are plenty of herding breeds that try to "herd" their owners, or hounds that try to borough under the covers.

For some, adopting an older dog in need is a better fit than the trials and tribulations of training a puppy. It truly depends upon the individual/family as to what fits. Once you've selected the puppy or dog that fits your personality and needs, the fun just begins.

If you are thinking of adopting a puppy or dog from a shelter, you may be interested in reading The Chosen Puppy: How to Select and Raise a Great Puppy from an Animal Shelter

SITE TOPICS:

New Puppy
How to prepare for the arrival of your puppy, and what do you do once you get it home.

Obedience-Rally-Agility
The next step is training your dog the basics. Obedience training can be the most rewarding event in your dog's life and yours. You build an everlasting bond and should do some kind of training every day. The next steps in training are Rally, which is further explained on the Rally training page, and Agility. Agility is the latest rage, and it's great exercise for you and your dog. Obedience - Rally - Agility are activities that build an even stronger bond between owner and dog.

Dog Tricks
Nothing is more adorable than a dog who can do tricks. Performing tricks is actually just an extension of obedience training. It keeps your dog thinking and having fun at the same time.

Therapy Dogs
A well trained dog can bring unbelievable joy and happiness to others as a therapy dog. If you have always wanted to donate your time and give back, this is one of the most rewarding ways to do so.

Traveling Dogs
In today's world, more and more people are traveling with their dogs. It's much easier than you would think, and some of the finest hotels in the world allow dogs. Why leave them behind when they can be with you?

Holistic Dogs
A well cared for dog that eats healthy will live a long life. Careful attention to food, exercise, and health care can add years to your dog's life.