f you are looking for an effective way to identify your dog and help retrieve them if they are lost or run away, then a pet microchip is something you will want to consider as a pet owner.

What Does a Pet Microchip Tell You?

If your dog is lost and someone finds it and takes it to the local vet or animal shelter, the pet can be scanned for the microchip and doing so will reveal the animal’s unique identification number.

The number can then be called into a pet recovery service so that the owners can be contacted via the information that was supplied when the pet was microchipped and registered.

The microchip contains the phone number of the owner as well as the owner’s name so you can find your pet much faster.

Can You Track Your Pet?

No. A pet microchip is not a tracking device. Rather it is an RFID (radio-frequency identification) that provides a permanent ID for your pet. They do not contain any form of GPS technology in order to track the pet’s whereabouts.

How Long Will it Last?

The microchip will last your pet for its lifetime. If for some reason you have to transfer ownership of the pet to someone else, you can simply go online and click on the transfer ownership option underneath their icon to transfer ownership to the new owner and fill out that new contact information.

The Importance of Microchips

A pet microchip is important to help you reunite with your pet if they become lost. Losing your pet can be a very upsetting and traumatic experience, so it is always good to have some peace of mind by microchipping your pet, so you can have a more positive outlook when it comes to trying to find them.

Puppies are very playful and are constantly learning and experiencing new things and this is why it is important that they have access to some great toys they can play with as they grow and learn.

The following are a few toys a puppy will love even as they grow into a mature adult dog:

Kong Puppy Toys

This is a good choice for puppies that love to chew and is a brand that comes highly recommended by other dog owners as well as veterinarians. These toys are actually designed so that you can stuff a treat inside of them and they help teach your puppy healthy chewing habits. They also come in many different sizes so as your puppy grows; the toy can too.

Flossy Chews and Rope Toys

Flossy chews or ropes are another toy both a growing puppy and adult dog will love. When choosing the best one, however, make sure you find one that is made of high-quality materials that will not break or shed easily. You don’t want the puppy swallowing anything.

Puppy Tires

Another toy perfect for playing and chewing are small puppy tires. They can be used to chew, play fetch, and allows your puppy to get some much-needed exercise to work off some of that energy they have. They also come in small and large sizes so as your puppy grows; you can purchase a bigger tire toy for them to play with.

Interactive Toys

Interactive toys or toys that force your puppy to learn are great to have as they grow and will keep them busy and happy. Dog puzzle toys come in different sizes and varieties and are designed for dogs and puppies of different strengths, so you can choose the best fit.

Rubber Bones

Finally, rubber bones are another good option for puppies and dogs, so they can enjoy chewing and tugging. Rubber bones come with raised ridges and different textures your pup will be interested in, and they are small and light, so they are easy for puppies to carry around. There are also bigger varieties available for larger dogs.

If you have a dog, then you know that training them is an important step you will need to take, and it also involves a certain level of patience and time to do so successfully.

When training your dog, there are a few essential commands that you should teach them immediately.

Sit: this is one of the most common commands every dog owner will start out with. It is also one of the easiest to teach.

 Come: another common command and one you will find yourself using on a daily basis. When you say come, the dog should be learning to stop what it is they are doing immediately, so they can walk over to where you are standing.

Stay: this is one of the harder commands for a dog to learn and may require the most time and patience to teach. It is very easy for the dog to become distracted and completely disregard the command.

Okay: another lesser known command to teach a dog is okay. When the owner says okay to their dog, they are releasing the animal from the previous command that was given. They are free to move and do what they want to do.

 No: just like with a child, this is one command you will find yourself using very often. When you teach a dog no, you are telling them that they need to stop the current behavior they are engaging in, and it should immediately stop any unwanted behavior. These behaviors include jumping, chewing, or biting to name a few.

Offer a Reward

When it comes time to teach your dog these five commands, you should have a small treat to offer them as an incentive for learning. Instinctively, they are not going to want to sit and learn new commands. It is your job as the owner to make it fun for them and reward them when they do something you want them to do.

For more effective dog training, you will also want to eliminate any possible distractions, so the dog can focus on you and what you are trying to teach them.

If you begin with these five simple commands, you will be well on your way to being able to teach them a few harder ones such as roll over and high five.

With Spring comes the return of warm weather and outdoor fun. Though we are all looking forward to the season, Spring brings a headache for dog owners. In the Springtime, some breeds lose their winter coats and our homes become covered in pet hair. To keep on top of the pet hair so it doesn’t get out of control, here are some tips:

Groom Regularly

  The pet thing you can do to help prevent pet hair from invading your home is to groom regularly. Start by making sure that you have the right grooming tools for your dog’s specific type of coat. For example short hair dogs will benefit the most from a soft bristle brush, while long hair dogs benefit from wire bristle brushes. Talk to your vet about which brush will work best for them. Then brush your dog everyday. Also make sure to feed them a diet rich in omega fatty acids to keep their hair follicles strong and reduce shedding from breakage.

  How To Keep Your Home Clean

  Next you’ll want to develop a routine to keep the pet hair from collecting around your home. Start by covering upholstered furniture, strategically placed throws in their favorite hangout spot can help protect your furniture. Then make sure to vacuum your floors everyday. For carpets, make sure to vacuum in multiple directions to loosen any hair that has become trapped in the fibers. Finally, grab a link roller for spot cleaning.

  Avoiding Dog Fur On Your Clothes

  There’s nothing worse than leaving your house in black during shedding season. First, make sure to keep all your clothes locked away from your pup in closets or dressers. Then keep lint rollers in your bedroom, your entryway, and even at your office. For tough pet hair build up, you can also use rubber gloves or a damp cloth.

Dog owners are very proud of their dogs and like to commemorate moments in time with them just as they would with their own children. Pet photos are a fun thing to do, and the result will be photographic memories to last a lifetime. But, what can you do to get your dog to cooperate, so you can achieve the best pictures possible whether they are being done by you personally or if you hire a professional?

The following are just a few tips to help you along the way:

Start with a Relaxed Animal

For a successful pet photo shoot, you will first want to start with a relaxed animal. It is important to move slowly and ease them into the setting to keep them happy and remaining calm.

A quiet and relaxed dog will be easier to photograph than a nervous dog that tries to wiggle its way out of the shot.

Choose the Right Setting

Choosing the right setting for the photos is also an important factor to consider to nail any pet photos. Most dogs love being outdoors, and this will also award you with a bright and natural light. Being outdoors is also familiar for the dog and offers them with ample space to move around, so they don’t feel confined.

Choose the Right Time

When shooting outdoors, however, it is important to choose the best time to do so. A lot of dogs will prefer a shady, therefore, it may be beneficial to schedule the photo shoot for earlier or later in the day. The light will still be good, and there will be a limited number of distractions to take away the dog’s attention.

Finally, make sure you take plenty of their favorite treats and be sure to reward them for cooperating.