What child doesn’t want a dog? It’s almost a rite of passage (not actually getting a dog, that is, but begging for one). Sometimes, just sometimes, that constant begging is enough for you to go forth and get your family (and child) a dog. But before you commit to a puppy, there are some facts about dogs you want to make sure your children are aware of.

1. Let your new dog get familiar with you. Chances are your child (depending on his or her age) is shy around new people. The same goes for many dogs. Don’t assume that a friendly puppy will remain friendly with everyone. The best way to approach your new dog is to make sure he sees you, then slowly offer your hand so that he can smell it. If the dog backs away from your hand, let him. In time he’ll come to you to see what you’re all about.

2. Head patting isn’t what it’s all cracked up to be. Little kids love to pat a dog on head. Maybe it’s because adults often pat children on the head. While many dogs are okay with this sign of affection, a good number of dogs might not respond too kindly. Being petted on the top of the head can come across as a dominant act, or even as a threat. If your dog shows signs of not liking being petted on the head, have your children pet him elsewhere.

3. Let sleeping dogs lie. Nobody likes to be rudely awakened. That includes dogs. A dog that’s deep in sleep might not respond well to being woken up. He may react aggressively, and while his aggression is unintentional, the potential harm to your child can still be damaging. If your dog is sleeping, tell your children that they must leave him alone.

4. Wagging tails don’t always mean playtime. Adults misinterpret this too. We all believe that a dog that wags his tail is happy (and a cat that wags her tail is angry). But that’s not always the case. Dogs alter their tail wagging as a way to communicate. Look for more cues from your dog before you assume his tail is telling you it’s playtime.

5. Routine. Dogs like routine. That’s good, because your children like routine as well. Your kids like to know what’s coming next. They don’t like it if dinner’s late. They don’t like it if they don’t get to watch their Saturday morning TV like they usually do. When you explain to them how important routines are for a dog, help them to see how important routines are for them. Dogs like to be fed and walked at the same time. If you can relate that idea to your children with the routines of their own lives, you may find your children more willing to stick to the routine.

6. Ignorance isn’t always bliss. You’ve heard the one about the kid who burned his hand on a hot stove, right? He won’t do that again. Of course, some people would wonder why he did it in the first place. The answer, we realize, is that he didn’t know any better. Dogs do a lot of things that are dangerous for them, because they don’t know any better. Kids should understand this early on. First, it’s important to realize that a puppy is, in fact, a baby, and therefore must be under supervision.

But also, your child is apt to get upset if your new puppy chews the remote control, or toy that doesn’t belong to him, or your kid’s homework (okay, maybe your child won’t get upset with that one). It’s important not to get overly upset with a dog that does these things, because dogs don’t know any better. Again, this is a good opportunity to compare this to something in your child’s life, a mistake he or she made based on not knowing any better.

7. Treats are treats – not meals. Children love to give dogs treats. Why? Because whenever you have a treat in your hand, your dog’s your best friend. But feeding your dog too many treats is a health risk and teaches your dog bad habits. Treats should be given during formal training times, or in response to the dog performing a desirable behavior (such as peeing outside).

Having a dog is an opportunity for your children to learn responsibility and unconditional love. Teach them as much as you can about the complexities of raising a living being, and you might be surprised how well they respond.

Who hasn’t marvelled at the fact their dog knows exactly when the kids school bus will arrive and promptly goes to wait for them? Or knows that it is dinner time?
Examples like this may lead you to believe that your dog has a sense of what time it is.

However, this is unlikely to actually be the case. Experiments have shown that animals do not sense time in the same way as people do. Instead, what may be at work are circadian oscillators. However, dogs do have some sense of how much time has passed.

Studying how animals perceive time is very complicated. Researchers can only rely on perception and measurements of physical characteristics like pulse and respiration rate. Other types of cognitive tests generally suggest that dogs have the cognitive function of a toddler. They also suggest that most animals do not have the ability to plan for future needs. Having plenty at the moment does not provide an impetus to save for a rainy day. This suggests that they do not have the same sense of time that we do. It is often said that dogs live in the moment and this may be the case.

Apparently dogs do not form episodic memories. This means that although they can learn things they cannot recall how they learned them or remember specific events in the past.

New studies show that they do have some sense of how long you are gone for though. One study examined the heart and respiration rates as well as behavior of dogs left for different periods of time ranging from a few minutes to a few hours. The longer the dog was left alone, the more vigorous the response to the person’s return. This will come as no surprise to anyone who has had a pet that suffered from separation anxiety. While the dog may be okay with a few minutes separation, leaving them for a few hours can mean coming home to a destroyed home.

So, how does your dog know precisely when you will be home or when its dinner time? Internal clocks, also called circadian oscillators, are responsible. When things occur at a regular time every day, the body comes to expect it and when the time rolls around the stomach is growling or they are beginning to get the itch for a walk. The same principle is in action if you get up for work at the same time every day. On the weekend, your body wakes up at that time even if you then roll over and go back to sleep. It’s an internal clock that says, time to get up.

Does this mean you shouldn’t feel guilty for leaving your dog at home all day while you go to work? Yes and no. Your dog definitely notices your absence and most of them are fine with it. They find other things to occupy their time such as napping, watching animals through the window and playing with the toys you left out for them.

Some dogs do get stressed by your absence. They may express this by howling or barking incessantly, whining, pacing, drooling, or destructive chewing. If this is the case you may need to either adjust your schedule to accommodate a noon hour visit or consider investing in some ways to break the monotony for your pet. Doggy daycare and canine hiking services are great activities that can be used to provide your dog with a fun outing a few times a week. They will also give him a chance to burn off excess energy and socialize with other dogs.

Some dogs may develop separation anxiety when left alone. This is a behavioral issue that is best handled by an expert such as an animal behaviorist or trainer. Fixing it involves an extended desensitization program. Your pet may also require medication to assist in calming him enough that he can focus on the training and desensitizing that is being provided. Consult your veterinarian for possible solutions and referrals to an animal behaviorist if you are having this issue with your dog.

Dogs may not tell time in the same way that people do however they do know how long we have been absent from their presence. They cannot form episodic memories however their internal clocks can let them know when it is time for a meal or someone to come home. This in turn allows them to respond in an appropriate manner, making it seem like they really do know what time it is.

It seems that dogs will eat just about anything you put in front of them, from meat to metal, which begs the question, do dogs have taste buds?

You might think that it’s possible your dog doesn’t have taste buds, since he’s willing to consume things we might find disgusting, such as cat poop and toilet water, but the truth is, dogs do have taste buds. However, while they totally outperform humans when it comes to the sense of smell, their sense of taste pales in comparison.

Taste is an old sense, evolutionary speaking. Taste was used in that famed primordial soup. Different tastes meant different things. Some tastes signaled food; other tastes signaled warning, and yet other tastes were signs of harm.
As animal evolved, so did this primitive taste system. Now, as a regular rule of thumb, things that taste “disgusting” are signals for something harmful (think bleach) whereas things that taste “good” are useful to the body.

Taste buds are the receptors that allow dogs (and us) to taste. These taste buds are small bumps found on the surface of the tongue (papillae), as well as on the soft part of the roof of the mouth (palate) and back part of the mouth (epiglottis and pharynx).

They can taste … but how good?
An animal’s ability to taste is directly related to the number of taste buds they possess. The fewer the buds, the less they can taste. The same can be said for the sense of smell. A dog has a greater sense of smell than humans because they possess more olfactory receptors.

If you ever cook up something tasty, you’ll likely pique the interest of your dog. In fact, it might appear that his mouth is watering, and maybe it is, but he’s longing for that food with far fewer taste buds than you. Humans have about 10,000 taste buds, whereas dogs have roughly 1,700 (cats have even fewer taste buds, with about 470).

Dogs rely much more on their incredible sense of smell in determining the quality of food.

A dog’s taste buds are similar to humans, in that there are four basic taste sensations: sweet, salty, sour and bitter. However, the main distinction between our taste buds and a dog’s involves the sensation of salt. We have an extremely strong taste response to salt. The reason for this is that our bodies need salt to balance our diet, but there’s not much salt found in grains and vegetables, which were major components of our diet thousands of years ago.

Dogs in the wild, on the other hand, mostly consume meat (about 80% of their diet is meat), which contains a lot of salt, thus their salt receptors didn’t need to evolve. But since they are primarily carnivorous, dogs have specific taste receptors tuned for meats and fats. Their bodies tell them that this type of food is needed in their diet, which is why you might see your dog take a liking to your steak.

A dog’s taste buds could save your furniture
One of the products you might buy when you get your new dog is some sort of chew deterrent like bitter apple. The purpose of these sprays and gels is to keep your dog from chewing things like tables, cable wires, papers and more. Dogs have a dislike toward bitter tastes, thus your dog’s taste buds could save your furniture.

However, the emphasis is on could, and this has to do with how taste buds are spread out on the tongue. Sweet is best tasted at the front and side portion of the tongue. Sour and salty are further back on the sides of the tongue, and the rear portion of the tongue is where bitter is tasted. If your dog quickly licks or gulps something bitter, there’s a good chance that he won’t even taste it. Only prolonged chewing will allow that bitter taste to work its way toward the necessary taste buds, so before you give up on that bitter spray, give it some time.

So you think water has no taste?
While you might think that water has no taste (unless something’s really wrong with it), dogs actually have taste buds specified for water. These taste buds are found at the tip of a dog’s tongue, which just happens to be where a dog laps water.

The reason for these taste buds, it’s believed, is to help dogs keep their internal fluids in balance, particularly since it seems that these taste buds are heightened after a dog eats salty or sugary foods.

It can’t be said enough times that a dog is like a child. They eat things they shouldn’t. They go places they ought not to. They keep running when they’re hurt. It’s a wonder how they’re not injured every day of their lives. Of course, dogs do get hurt, sometimes.

They could get a nasty rash during a hike. They could get a tick in the backyard. They could sprain their leg on a run, or cut their paw pad on the gravel. There is no limit to the number of injuries and ailments your dog could experience in his lifetime.

Your veterinarian should treat many of these injuries and ailments. However, getting to your vet (or even an emergency clinic) is not always an option. Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of the woods (or in the middle of nowhere) with an injured dog. Sometimes you want (or need) to attend to your dog immediately, and don’t have time, or the ability, to get to the vet. If you don’t have a doggie first aid kit available, you may find yourself unprepared for an emergency.

One of the first things you should know about first aid kits is that you shouldn’t have just one. Your dog is a mobile guy, isn’t he? He isn’t just stuck in your house 24 hours a day. The best way to be prepared, all the time, is to have a first aid kid at home, and a first aid kit in your car.

The next thing you should know about dog first aid kits is that you can buy ones in the store, or make your own at home. In fact, you could buy a human-focused first-aid kit, and add the necessary dog-related items. However, pet stores do sell kits made specifically for dogs.

What goes into a dog first aid kit?
Whether you’re making your own first aid kit, or shopping around for one, it’s important to make sure you have a kit that carries all the essentials. Some of the important items you need in a dog first aid kit include:

• Important phone numbers. These numbers include your veterinarian, the nearest emergency clinic, and poison control center
• Bandages. Specifically you want self-cling bandages, which you can find at pet stores. These types of bandages do not stick to your dog’s fur
• Necessary paperwork. You should have a copy of your dog’s paperwork, including proof of rabies vaccination, any other important medical records, and a recent photo of your dog (in case he gets lost)
• A muzzle. Yes, you might never use a muzzle on your dog. However, if he’s sick or injured and you need to address his ailment, it’s a lot easier to help him if he’s not biting you out of fear or pain
• A spare leash. Leashes break, and get lost. You want to have a spare leash in your kit just in case
• Hydrogen peroxide. If you need to induce vomiting (when directed by your vet), this will come in handy
• Non-latex gloves. These are for more than just keeping your hands from touching something gross. Gloves can also help reduce the spread of infection.
• Rectal thermometer and petroleum jelly. Thermometers are a great way to monitor what’s going on inside your dog. But do your dog a favor and pack some petroleum jelly as well. It’ll make things go much smoother
• Scissors. You’ll need them to cut gauze rolls
• Gauze rolls/pads
• Tweezers. How else are you going to get that tick that’s just crawled on your dog?
• Ear-cleaning solution
• Nail clippers
• Rubbing alcohol. To clean the rectal thermometer when you’re done with it
• Flashlight (or penlight)
• Styptic powder or pencil
• Expired credit card. Here’s a neat trick. If a bee stung your dog, you can scrape away the stinger by using a credit card.
• Over the counter antibiotic ointment
• Towels
• Foil emergency blanket
• Cotton swabs
• Ice pack
• E Collar. Yes, you might want to invest in an Elizabethan collar for your first aid kits. Why? Because these collars are the most effective way to keep your dog from licking a wound

These are some of the items your dog first aid kit should have. One of the best ways to make sure that your kit is well packed is to bring it in to your vet to take a look. Every dog has specific needs and issues. For example, diabetic dogs (or dogs with low blood sugar) should also have some type of glucose paste or corn syrup in their kits.

Once you do have a completed first aid kit (or two), your work is not done. Periodically check the kit and replace any item that’s become damaged or expired. Hopefully you’ll never need your kit, but it’s better to be safe, rather than sorry.

Kids and dogs are the perfect match. They’re both so energetic, and just looking for games to play to pass the time. One of the best ways to build a strong bond between your dog and child is to let them play together.

However, just allowing them to wrestle around isn’t enough. It’s important to create structured games for a number of reasons, including ensuring your child’s safety, as well as in order to teach your dog and child valuable lessons to last a lifetime. Here are some fairly organized yet simple games your children can play with your dogs to help them both pass the time.

Fetch: This is, of course, the ultimate dog game. It’s the easiest to be a part of, and really targets a dog’s natural instincts to retrieve objects. What you’ll need for fetch is some kind of object, ideally a ball, toy or stick. Sticks might not be the best idea because they can be chewed apart, and your dog might choke on the pieces.

Before you start your game of fetch, you should dispel any ideas you have that some breeds are better at fetch than others. With patience and creativity, you can make any dog a world-class fetcher.

Some tips to improve your dog’s fetch performance are: use the same ball or toy for this game, that way your dog knows what mindset to be in. Also, instill clear and consistent vocal commands with your dog. This is a great way for a child to earn the role of “master.” So, what kinds of commands should your child use?

“Wait” is a good one. You don’t want your dog running off to fetch something until you’re ready. This is an important command, because it can be used in a number of scenarios (such as when crossing the street!). “Fetch” would be a good follow-up command, to give the green light to your dog. If your dog is a natural and brings the ball or toy back to you, then your next command should be something such as “drop it.”

Work with your child on how to reinforce these commands with well-timed treats.

Now, let’s say that your dog isn’t a great retriever. Encourage your child to have patience. He didn’t learn how to ride a bike right away. It took time. The same goes for his dog. One way to encourage your dog to bring back the object is to call him by his name, then say “here,” as you tap your opposite shoulder. If the dog does nothing, say the command again, then go to your dog, give him the object, make him drop it, and give him a treat. Continue this process, increasing the amount of time before you go to your dog. Eventually the dog will start running to your child when he says “here.” Be sure that your child teaches your dog that he’ll only get the treat if he brings back the ball or toy.

Tug of War: Tug of war is another simple game that taps into a dog’s natural instincts, but this game needs to be played correctly in order to ensure the safety of your dog and child.

For starters, your dog must be in a good mindset before the game begins. In order to make this happen, your child should pick up the toy specifically used for Tug of War, and bring it to the dog’s face. Tell the dog to “wait,” so that he practices good patience. When your child is ready, he can say something like “take it,” and your dog should grab the toy. “Take it” should only be said when the dog isn’t too excited.

For safety reasons your child should hold onto the tug toy at one end, with both hands, while your dog should have a hold of the toy somewhere in the middle of the toy, but far enough away from your child’s hands. In order for this to happen, the tug toy should be long. Many companies create rope toys specifically made for Tug of War.

Dogs can play for hours with this tug toy, which is why it’s important to teach your dog “drop it,” (if he hasn’t learned it while playing fetch). To encourage this behavior, stop pulling at the toy, say, “drop it” and wave a juicy treat in your dog’s face. This should get him to drop the toy and go for the treat.

More advanced games:

The following are some more advanced games your kids can play with your dogs, once they’ve mastered the two mentioned above:

• Frisbee Toss – your dog should be in good health and be able to fetch without problems. You may want to start out by teaching him how to catch Cheerios in the air, then perhaps a small piece of carrot. Then you can move on to a tennis ball, and eventually to the Frisbee.
• Hide and seek/find the toy – these games are similar in that your dog has to turn on his natural “search” instincts. Again, he should be fairly good at retrieving during fetch. Hide and seek involves your child hiding, while your dog waits patiently for a command (such as calling his name). When the dog does finally find your child, he should be given a treat. Find the toy works similarly, except your dog needs to find a specific toy, and then bring it back to your child. This is a more complicated game, thus it’s best to wait until your dog shows competency in the other games mentioned above.

Studies show that people who have dogs lead generally healthier lives than people who don’t. But it’s not enough to own a dog in order to be a healthier you. You have to do things with your pet.

Your puppy will have more energy than you (or him) know what to do with, which makes this a perfect time to embark on a number of activities aimed to keep you and your dog healthy. But there are some limitations to what you can do while your puppy’s still growing. Here are some ideas for activities you can do with your puppy to keep both of you healthy.

Walking – Walking is one of the single most effective exercises you can share with your puppy. Firstly, you’re both getting great exercise, and you can easily control the pace. Perhaps you want to pick up the pace for a few minutes, and then slow it back down to a stroll. It’s totally up to you.

But walking does so much more than help you and your puppy remain active. Walking is one of the best ways to build a strong bond with your dog. It allows you to create boundaries while simultaneously tiring your dog out. During your walk make sure to allow time for your dog to sniff around. Smells are how your puppy experiences his world. The more smells he comes in contact with, the more comfortable he’ll be in any outdoor setting. Try to limit your puppy’s walking to about five minutes for every month (so a 3 month-old should walk for no more than 15 minutes at one time).

Get in the water – Find out if your dog is a water dog. Many dogs are skittish at first; they have no idea what to expect, but they soon discover they can’t get enough of the water. To help your dog gain the courage to stick his paws in, bring some of his favorite toys. Then you go into the water first, and try to coax him in. But be patient. If your dog does not seem interested in the water, don’t force the issue. You could cause long-term trauma.

Swimming around can really take a lot out of you and your puppy. Be sure to rest regularly, such as every ten minutes.

The chase – Do you have access to a fenced-in area? Play a game of chase with your puppy. If you start to run, it’s in the dog’s instinct to chase after you. Bring along a toy or some treats if you need to coax your dog alone. But don’t always let him chase you. He likes to be chased too, so turn the tables and start running after him. After a few minutes your heart will be racing.

Tug-of-War – Looking to build some arm strength? Forget about those resistant bands. Your puppy is the ultimate resistant band. Playing tug-of-war with your puppy not only strengthens your arms (and his teeth) but also helps alleviate his need for chewing. When it comes to tug-of-war, it’s important to remain in control at all times, so that you don’t encourage unwanted dog biting. Some of the rules include instilling “Drop it” commands, as well as preventing your dog from lunging at the tug toy if he loosens his grip. By lunging he may bite your hand, which is a habit you do not want to create.

If your dog does accidentally bite you, respond be withdrawing your hand (and toy), and stopping the game. This way your puppy will learn that the game ends if he touches your hand.

Hiking – Hiking is the ultimate walking adventure for you and your dog. It involves walking (often times uphill) as well as sights, sounds, and smells that are likely not found on your neighborhood walk. Hiking is a great way to take your walking to the next level, which means that you shouldn’t take your first hike until you’re comfortable on your neighborhood walks.

When it comes to hiking, always abide by leash laws. The excitement of the wilderness can be too much for any dog, no matter how well trained they are. Your puppy could lose control if he sees a squirrel, another dog, or hikers on the trail. In addition, your dog could get hurt by running into a dangerous animal (like a bear), or by running too fast, jumping off rocks, or getting lost off the trail.

When you go for your hike be sure to bring plenty of water and healthy snacks to help your dog replenish. It’s best to start off with shorter hikes at first, and work your way up to longer hikes over time. Also, be sure that the place where you intend on hiking allows dogs on their trails.

Be healthy together
Getting a dog can be more than fun; it can be one of the healthiest decisions you make in your life. By remaining active with your dog you’ll help build a strong bond and a healthy lifestyle for many years to come.