When you get a new dog, whether from a shelter or from a breeder, you hope that you got a “good” dog. If you go to any dog training class you will realize by the second or third visit that the training is more for the owner than the dog. As a dog owner you need to know that your animal will respond to the energy you put off. If you are in control and calm your dog will sense that he can trust you. Otherwise your pet will be afraid and without clearly defined boundaries will run amuck!

Behavioral problems often cause an owner to feel they must give up their pet. Problems can range from submissive urination to dangerous aggression, from destructiveness to disobedience, from too active and playful to ignoring you completely. Identifying exactly what is the cause of the problem is sometimes half the battle. For instance, destructiveness is usually caused by boredom.

The #1 rule is that a tired dog is usually a good dog, make sure your dog gets enough exercise.

Getting your dog neutered will affect all behaviors stemming from the sex drive, almost always for the better. This includes some dominance aggression and inappropriate marking (lifting his leg). If the dog is an older dog, and the behaviors have become habitual, the effect of neutering might not be as strong. It will also take longer for the effects to be seen in an older dog, sometimes many weeks. But, unless your dog is a choice-breeding specimen (and he probably isn't or else you wouldn't be considering finding him a new home), please get your dog neutered. It will prolong his life too.

One of the first things you should do is to have your pet checked out by your vet. Be frank with your vet about the behavior problems, they can stem from pain, a breed tendency, or even hormone levels that are off. Give your pet the benefit of the doubt that the problem can stem from a physical cause, for instance many a urinary infection has caused housebreaking problems, especially if the animal was housebroken before. In the meantime, do work on trying to correct the problem behaviorally, let them know what is and is not acceptable behavior.

If your dog is aggressive, and has bitten or you think he/she might bite, please see a trainer or behaviorist. A behaviorist is someone who specializes in training beyond basic manners. Again, be very frank with this person. Almost all dogs can be helped with proper training. The hardest part is actually training the humans.

Some aggressive animals cannot be saved, and it is often better to euthanize these animals than to pass along the problem and danger to someone else. Please work up the courage to take him to your vet for this, so he/she can go out with someone he/she loves, instead of a cold shelter, with a rescue worker who's heart has to break many times a day over these animals. But, please be very sure it's warranted, try everything else first, get second opinions too.

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Travel Cages

Have you wanted to travel with your pet but find the whole thing too overwhelming? Travel cages are an important part of travel if you have a pet, large or small. Getting travel cages will make your trip pleasant for both your beloved pet and yourself!

Small Dog Carriers

You’ve seen all the latest celebrities carrying the latest ‘hot’ accessory. A small dog carrier is all the rage because it’s so convenient to tote your favorite pet around with you. Small dog Carriers come in many styles and colors so for the fashion forward pet owner it’s the perfect way to accent an outfit or even match the interior of your car!

Cat Trees

A cat tree will keep your cat busy for hours. Cats love to climb and scratch and cat trees allow them to do both. They come in many different sizes and arrangements.

Dog Bowls

Dog bowls come in many varieties to fit any décor or need. There are heated bowls for the more finicky dog and non-spilling bowls to keep the eating area clean. You can also find ant-free bowls, ceramic bowls and even stainless steel bowls.

Kitten Crates

Kitten crates are great for use when traveling or when training at home. When traveling on an airplane, you’ll need a crate that is airline approved.

Kitten Healthcare Products

Your kitten’s health is important. There are several healthcare products available to assure that your kitten is in tip top shape. From dental care and hairball remedies to dietary supplements and breath fresheners, you can find everything you need to keep your kitten feeling great.

Kitten Food

Kittens need more vitamins and nutrients than adult cats. It is important to give your kitten nutrient rich canned food for the first six months. Kittens need to eat four small meals every day until they are twelve weeks old.