How To Choose The Right Pet

Considering a New Addition?

How to Choose the Right Pet for your Family

If you are thinking about opening your hearts and homes to a new family member, it's important to choose the right pet for your family and lifestyle. Remember, the decision to get a pet should always be a family decision, not just one made by the kids or mom and dad. After all, everyone is going to play a part in raising and caring for this new family member!

Before choosing your pet, be sure there are no restrictions in your community or housing area. Check pet policies in contracts or leases, and consider size limitations. Also, keep in mind that owning a pet is going to mean an increase in household expenses.

Deciding what type of pet to get involves answering a lot of questions, including:

What age are the children? The ASPCA offers specific guidelines when choosing pets for homes with children. It is generally recommended that children under 10 be introduced to small pets such as guinea pigs, mice or fish. Children over 10 can help with the responsibilities of caring for a dog, cat or rabbit, and even participate in training classes. As the children enter their mid to late teens, however, keep in mind that they'll be preoccupied with their own lives, and won't be willing to devote as much time to Fluffy.
Does anyone suffer from allergies? If so, your choices may be limited. Check with a doctor and/or veterinarian.
How much time is spent at home? Puppies and kittens need a lot of human attention, especially for house training and socialization, and learning what not to do. Even older pets need time to learn what will be expected of them .
How involved will the pet be in family activities? If your family tends to lead an active lifestyle, you'll want to consider getting a hardy dog who enjoys the outdoors. These pets must be well-behaved, too, which involves a commitment to ongoing obedience training.
Are there other pets in the home? Resident pets generally enjoy the company of another pet, provided they're compatible and introduced in appropriate manners. Bringing a kitten into a household of 3 dogs may not be the best idea, but that kitten may enjoy being the friend of an older feline.

Dog Obedience Class

House Training Your Dog

When Accidents Happen: Re-Housetraining Your Pet

Even the best-trained pet can have a temporary housetraining lapse. Cold weather and changes in a pet's schedule, food or environment can also result in an occasional "accident."

But when accidents continue to pile or puddle up on your floor, intervention is in order.

Before you can correct the problem, you need to identify its source. Some possibilities include:

Medical reasons -- Because your pet wants to please you and won't intentionally disobey, a physical cause (such as an infection or illness) should be considered before anything else. See your veterinarian if housetraining errors persist.
Change in the environment - If something - or someone - new has been added to the household, your pet may feel threatened. Be sure to include your pet in the introductions and devote some extra attention and playtime.
Scents and odors from other pets can stimulate your pet to mark his territory as well. Be sure to clean any soiled areas thoroughly, using a solution that remove odors (these products are available at your local Best Friends center ).
Fears or phobias - Animals can lose bladder or bowel control when they're frightened by a loud noise or sudden sound. Your pet may also soil the house as a result of separation anxiety. Be sure to discuss these symptoms with your vet and/or professional trainer.
What NOT to do

Never punish your dog if she's had an accident in the house! Unless she's actually caught in the act, your pet will have no idea what she's done to upset you. Punishment after the fact will add to your pet's stress, or may make your pet afraid to eliminate in your presence.

Even if you catch her in the act, don't hit or hurt her. Instead make a loud noise to interrupt your pet, and then quickly take her outside to her toileting area.

Don't blame your pet if the accident is a result of your bad timing. Learn your dog's signals and stick with established routines. Don't expect your pet to be able to "hold it" longer than she's physically capable.

Getting back on track

Once the basic problem is identified, the best way to re-establish housetraining is with a consistent routine because dogs are creatures of habit.

Feed your dog at the same time every day, and take him out at the same times to the same elimination area. Praise your dog when he eliminates outside.

Until housetraining is re-established, it's important to supervise your pet as much as possible. Don't give him the opportunity to eliminate in the house, because an accident can set back the re-training. This may mean you need to temporarily crate or confine your pet during this period. If so, make sure he is comfortable and has something to play with or chew on. Be sure to take him out to eliminate as soon as you return home.

Newly adopted dogs

Many adult dogs adopted from rescue shelters have been previously housetrained. However, due to circumstances at the shelter, their housetraining may have lapsed. If this is the case with your pet, start the housetraining process from the beginning.

Be consistent, and above all, patient, and your pet should be back to his outdoor business in no time.

When Your Dog Won't Go Out In The Cold

It's dark, cold and snowing or raining... and it's time for your pet to go out to eliminate. The last place you want to be is outside walking your dog, but the only one who'd rather be inside more than you is your furry pal.

What do you do?

"It's not uncommon for pets to resist going out in freezing or inclement weather," says Nadja Torling, professional trainer at Best Friends "However, when nature calls, neither of you has much choice."

Some pets are simply averse to going outside in certain conditions, says Torling. For example, some small breeds such as Italian greyhounds dislike cold surfaces. However, with a little time, practice and patience, you can train your pet to go out, "do his business," and get back indoors quickly.

Get up and out
Best Friends professional trainers advise taking the following steps to coaxing your pet into going outside:

Exercise first -- Dogs often need to eliminate after a stimulating play session, and will be more cooperative about going outside when they're alert and attentive. Playtime can include mental exercise - like dog puzzles -- as well as physical activity.
Dress for success -- invest in cold weather clothing and gear for your pet, especially smaller breeds. A fleece sweater, raincoat and booties protect and provide extra warmth.
One step at a time -- start off slowly, and use plenty of positive reinforcement. Encourage your pet to stay out for just a bit, and then ease him into longer periods.
Incorporate rewards - every time it rains or snows, bring your pet outside and reward him with a high-value treat so he learns that being outside can be a positive experience.
When your dog makes mistakes
Sometimes a particularly stubborn pet will just refuse to go out. They may even have "accidents" in the house. This is not something you should tolerate; each time your dog is allowed to eliminate in the house, she learns that it's okay to do so.

In those cases, Torling advises, you must approach the situation as if it were the initial potty training stages: bring her to a sheltered spot, use your potty training words and wait. If she still doesn't go, bring her back in and try again in ten minutes.

If necessary, confine your dog - as you did when she was a puppy - to her crate or a small pen between these outdoor trips. Don't let her out of your sight until she takes care of business outdoors.

If your pet does eliminate in the house, it's critical to clean up thoroughly with an enzyme product that eliminates the odor. You may also want to block off the area so your dog cannot return to that area.

"You may never get an indoor-oriented pet to love going outside," says Torling, "but you can certainly get them used to it."