BOOMER!

This is Boomer! He is a 9 week Golden Retriever and is very gentle, sweet, smart, and adorable! WE like to call him Boomy, Boom Boom, and Little Bear! He may be small now, but he will most likely be about 80 pounds! He already knows how to sit, stay, and lie down, and is close to being potty-trained.

I brought Boomer home when he was six weeks. I didn't adopt him because I really wanted a purebred because I have never had one before. It's hard to find purebred Golden  puppies in my area, even at retriever rescues, where they 95% of the time have only adults.

 Anyways, Boomer adapted IMMEDIATELY and had already had a comfortable slide into dry puppy chow. He does not have a biting problem or eating problem OR social problem, so don't believe all that you hear about early pups. Boomer LOOOOOOVES water and he splashes around in the little kiddie pool we bought him. However, there is absolutely NOTHING he loves more than food :D

If you want a perfect purebred, get a Golden Retriever! They are genius and adorable!!!

 

 

(His eyes are so dark, they come out blue in the photos)

 

And please...

 

 

L<3VE YO PUPPY!!!!

BINGO!

This is my Border Collie/Jack Russell Terrier mix. His name is Bingo! Annnnddd, several other things like Dingo, Dingaling, Bing Bong, and Stupid. :)

However, he isn't that stupid, he knows a lot of tricks and lots of words, thanks to his genius parents. Also thanks to his parents, he can jump 4 feet in the air with no problems, runs in circles for no reason, and his fur grows out long, shedding a lot.

 We adopted Bingo from Petsmart when he was eight weeks old, so we don't know EXACTLY what he's mixed with, but we know for sure Border Collie and Jack Russell. He NEVER bit anyone even as a puppy. He is very cute and sweet and loves everybody, except for people he knows aren't good.

He is very happy with his new BFF Boomer the Golden Retriever and is gentle with him. He is the PERFECT size dog with a great temperament and lots of love. Now, Bingo is almost 4 years old and has at least 10 happy years to go!

Boomer and Bingo sharing the bed ;) So Cute!These are the best kinds of dogs!!!

How To: Make An Awesome Puppy Toy!

Squeaky toys losing their squeak? Tennis balls losing their bounce? Are the toys just too old school for your pup? Well that problem can now be solved with this amazing way to entertain your pup (or dog) for hours! It's perfect for tackling, chewing, throwing, rolling and puppy fun!WARNING: LOUD!


WHAT YOU NEED:

• Empty soda bottle
• Duct tape
• Marbles, nuts/bolts, treats, pieces of food, or anything that makes noise
• Rolled stick chew (you can buy at Target or Walmart)

 

 

HOW TO MAKE

1. Wash out the empty bottle
2. Open the lid, and throw in some loud noisy things (listed above) and close the lid
3. Wrap the duct tape around the bottle, but mainly around the lid area
4. Before you finish wrapping it aroud the lid, place the end of a rolled stick chew next to the lid, then wrap the duct tape around another few times (make it stick up in the air so it is easy to grab with a puppy mouth :])
5. Shake for your puppy and enjoy!

NOTE: WHEN YOUR PUPPY FINISHES THE FIRST CHEW, JUST ADD ANOTHER ONE WITH A BIT OF DUCT TAPE

 

ANOTHER NOTE: WATCH YOUR PUPPY WHILE HE PLAYS WITH THIS TOY, JUST IN CASE HE FIGURES OUT HOW TO BREAK IT OR EAT IT

 

This is my 9-week-old Golden Retriever, Boomer and his favorite toy!



15 WAYS NOT TO RUIN YOUR PUPPY

These are all very good points and will help you raise a healthier, happier dog. However, in Number One, it says that puppies should NOT be taken before eight weeks, however, you can actually take take your pup home at six or seven weeks, but there are a few catches.

 

 Taking your pup early is tricky business, so usually, eight weeks is standard. But, if you really miss that pup or need it for X-mas, I have some help. But before anything, know this: IT DEPENDS ON THE DOG, THE BREEDER, AND SOMETIMES THE BREED! You need to be able to trust your breeder and your dog's health and happiness level to be taken early. Make sure your breeder gives you the "go ahead" before you start thinking about it. Taking your puppy early can cause more midnight crying, more biting, more peeing inside and sometimes even wariness of the owner and other people.

The Benefits of Owning A Dog

This image explains so much and gives a lot of reasons to get a dog!

 Another reason that they should be able to scientifically prove is that getting a dog is like getting a BFF! A dog is also a good way for kids to learn responsibility. It's highly likely that once you get a dog for the first time, you will continue having dogs for the rest of your life, whether you were in love with dogs from the start or not. Think you're a cat person? Then get a little dog! They're often not that much different than a cat but will give you more attention than a cat will. It's different than having a hamster or bird, true, but it is worth the work in my opinion.

Dogs are worth the hard work and responsibility! There are so many health benefits as well. It's official. You should get a dog!

Shots and Vaccinations for Your New Puppy

So you just bought a new puppy and its time to get shots. You look at the list and... You have no idea how to even pronounce these things. Well, I know the feeling, and I will try my best to explain these vaccines, what they do, and which ones you actually need. NOTE: This is not a back up for advice from a vet, you still need that! This is a long, yet very important article, so I suggest at first looking at the "Cruciality Meter"

DHPP

DHPP is a combination vaccine that treats: canine Distemper, infectious Hepatitus, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza. Its very important and should be given to the dog at about 6-8 weeks, then again at 9-12 weeks, then again at 13-16 weeks.

• Canine Distemper is a disese that usually starts as a cold and can eventually become seizures or even death. Its commonly transmitted through other dogs or wild animals like raccoons and coyotes.
• Infectious Hepatitus causes liver and/or kidney infections.
• Parvovirus causes an intestinal tract infection that causes severe diarrhea and vomiting. If untreated, it may be deadly. The virus is passed in poop and can still be contagious for a while after its in the ground (1-2 years!)
• Parainfluenza causes coughing and contributes to Kennel Cough. It is spread by droplets of nasal discharge (you may know it as dog snot) that go in the air and get inhaled by other dogs.

CRUCIALITY: HIGH

 

CORONA VIRUS

Typically given at 9-12 weeks. It is often not recommended by vets because its only a minor cold that causes diarrhea for 2 or 3 weeks. Most dogs never get vaccinated for Corona Virus. However, if you're in the area that it is common for dogs to get Corona, your vet may reccomend getting your puppy vaccinated.

CRUCIALITY:LOW



LYME

For puppies 9-12 weeks. It's only needed if your vet reccomends it, depending on the risk of getting this disease. It comes from ticks and causes fever and possibly lameness in your dog. It's reccomended for dogs who are exposed to ticks but some experts diagree on really how effective it is.

 

CRUCIALITY: LOW-MEDIUM

 

 

KENNEL COUGH

Reccomended for pups 9-12 weeks. Causes a hacking cough and/or a runny nose. Its highly contagious to other dogs because it is spread by the mucus that flys out of the infected dog's mouth and into the air. Gross, I know. It's not exactly crucial to get this vaccine, but it could help depending on your area.

 

CRUCIALITY: MEDIUM-LOW

 

LEPTOSPIROSIS

9-12 weeks is a good time to get vaccinated for the Leptospirosis vaccine. Causes severe kidney and/or liver infections that can lead to death. It can also be spread on to humans. It comes from infected pee that somehow gets inhaled. Again, not exactly crucial, but can help depending on your area.



 

CRUCIALITY: MEDIUM-LOW

 

 

RABIES

I feel that now would be a good time for a "BUM BUM BUUUUMM!" The Rabies vaccine is very important, given at about 13-16 weeks old. Most good dog owners have at least heard of this one! Always fatal if not vaccinated and passed through infected saliva (usually froma bite). Common patrons to this disease are: RACOONS, BATS, SKUNKS OR DOGS. Humans are at risk to this disease to, especially small children. This vaccine is required yearly. I definitely reccomend you follow that rule!

 

CRUCIALITY: HIGH

 

 

 

Remember to always check with your vet, keep all your vaccination records, get a Rabies shot yearly (and any other virus that your dog may need) and... LOVE YOUR PUPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 



Buying A Puppy

Getting a new puppy can be hard (see Getting a New Puppy post). I know the feeling, so I came up with a few sites to check if you're planning on BUYING your puppy. Some AKC breeders post ads on these sites too, but if you're looking for an AKC breeder, I suggest searching for specific breeders by just using a search engine.

• http://sandiego.ebayclassifieds.com/dogs-puppies/?catId=100126&output=gallery

This link is set up in San Diego but you can change location, distance, and price range.

• http://www.pennysaverusa.com/classifieds/usa/query-puppies/#search-url:/search/advanced/?region=w-us&view_type=standard&sort_method=score&sort_direction=desc&category=1009421&advert_type=1&page=1&per_page=24&query=puppies
• http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites

I'm sure you've already heard of Craigslist, but it's still a good website to check.


If you're looking to adopt a dog or puppy, I suggest checking local shelters and humane societies- OR you could check out the Petsmart pet locator:
http://www.petsmartcharities.org/adoption/
All you have to do is put in the information and click 'FindMy Pet'. Also, you don't need to enter your name or email, just your zipcode.

 If you're still looking to adopt a dog from a shelter or humane society check out:

• http://www.adoptapet.com/
• http://www.petfinder.com/

 These websites are where lots of shelters post pictures of their pets, so if you aren't really sure about any shelters in your area, or at least don't want to visit them yet, these are great places to find your new pup!