Should you get a puppy?

Getting a puppy can bring joy to your life, but there are certain difficulties you should be prepared for that are part of dog ownership. When you’re deciding whether or not you should get a puppy for your home, keep the following points in mind.

Positive Aspects of Having a Puppy

When you have a puppy in your home, it means you’ll have constant companionship. Dogs are social animals and enjoy spending time with people, even if you’re just lounging on the couch together. This affection alone makes having a puppy a rewarding experience, but they also provide you with a few important health benefits, such as opportunities to get more fresh air and exercise. Having a dog in your home can also make you feel safer from intruders, which can give you more peace of mind.

Things to Consider Before Getting a Puppy

Puppies can make your home a happier one, but it’s important to keep a few potential difficulties in mind. Make sure that you’re prepared to handle the following challenges of having a puppy before you decide to get one:

●     Changes to your daily routine and other aspects of your lifestyle: You’ll need to take your puppy out for walks on a regular basis and provide enough playtime. This can be difficult if you work full-time and aren’t home much. If you have to travel, you’ll need to make arrangements for your dog, such as hiring a pet sitter or using a dog boarding kennel.

●     Training problems: Training is an essential part of dog ownership, but it can be the most challenging at times. You might run into difficulties with obedience training, crate training, leash training or house training.

There are a few other factors to consider before determining if a puppy is right for you. Weighing the pros and cons of having a puppy and making sure that you’re prepared can help you decide whether or not to get one.

If you decide to get a puppy, DoGone Fun can help you with training. Contact us for more details on our puppy training services in Chicago.

This article was previously published at https://www.dogonefunchicago.com/owning-a-dog/should-you-get-a-puppy/

Why Humans NEED Dogs

Having dogs in your home does more than provide you with companionship. Dogs can actually improve your health overall. Learn more about some of the ways that living with dogs can make people healthier and happier.

A Healthier Heart

Research has shown that people who have dogs tend to recover better from heart attacks. They also have a lower risk of dying from heart disease, as well as lower cholesterol levels and healthier blood pressure levels when stressed. Some of these results could be due to the fact that having dogs keep people more active. Dog owners typically get more exercise, such as going for walks, than those who don’t have dogs.

Stress Management

When you have a dog, you can count on having lower stress levels. Studies show that having dogs around results in less anxiety and lower levels of cortisol, which is the stress hormone that can have negative effects on health. Owning a dog is also associated with increased production of the hormone serotonin, which improves your mood.

Improved Immune Function

Having dogs in your home could help boost your immune system. Research has shown that kids who grow up with dogs around end up having increased immune system chemicals, which helps make their immune system function stronger and lowers the risk of getting sick.

Social Opportunities

Owning a dog means that you have more opportunities to socialize, such as when you take your dog out for walks or when you join a dog training class. Being social on a regular basis can help lower the risk of depression and improve your emotional well-being overall.

Health Alerts

Some dogs are good at alerting owners about a health problem that needs attention. This includes dogs who detect cancer, dogs who sense seizures and protect their owners from harm, and dogs who detect when blood sugar levels drop too low in owners with diabetes.

Whether your dog needs professional grooming, a place to play with other pups or some training sessions, you can find these services as well as dog boarding at DoGone Fun. Contact us to get more information on our services in Chicago.

This article was originally posted at https://www.dogonefunchicago.com/owning-a-dog/why-humans-need-dogs/

Dog Grooming Tip: Safely Clipping Toenails

Your dog’s toenails need to be kept short on a regular basis. This helps prevent them from getting caught on carpets and furniture and ensures that your dog can walk around comfortably. If you’re not used to trimming dog nails, it’s important to know how to do it safely. Otherwise, you could accidentally cut too far, resulting in bleeding. Keep the following nail trimming tips in mind for your dog.

Choosing a Nail Clipper

Before starting, make sure you choose a high-quality nail clipper. You should choose scissors-type clippers instead of guillotine-style ones that put too much pressure on your dog’s nail and toe. Stick to smaller clippers unless you have a large dog with thicker nails.

How to Trim Dog Nails

When trimming your dog’s nails, hold the paw gently and avoid squeezing, since this is painful for dogs. Hold the nail clippers at a 45-degree angle while trimming the nail, and only cut off small amounts instead of making large cuts. This helps you avoid cutting into the quick, which is when bleeding can occur.

When to Stop Trimming

Knowing when to stop trimming depends on the color of your dog’s nails. With white nails, you should stop cutting them when you see pink inside the nail. This pink area means you’re getting close to the quick. For black nails, you should stop trimming when you see a black area in the center, which indicates that you’re near the quick.

How to Treat Bleeding

If you accidentally cut too much and hit the quick in a nail, you can expect some bleeding to occur. Put styptic powder on the surface of your dog’s nail, which helps stop the bleeding and allows a clot to form. Keep in mind that this might make your dog nervous about nail trimming. You might need to work on positive reinforcement to help your dog stay calm.

If you prefer having someone else trim your dog’s nails, contact DoGone Fun. Our professional grooming services include nail trimming, as well as nail coloring and paw care.

This article was previously published at https://www.dogonefunchicago.com/dog-grooming/dog-grooming-tip-safely-clipping-toenails/