The Pet Adoption Journey

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What happens to dogs in animal shelters

Picture a dog entering an animal shelter, much like a lost sailor seeking refuge in a storm. As you witness the intricate processes behind the scenes, a world of compassion and tough decisions unfolds. From the initial intake to the final adoption or heartbreaking alternative, the journey of these dogs, .. more

Guides for Potential Pet Parents

Explore our comprehensive guides to help potential pet parents navigate the joys of adoption with confidence.

Spotlight on Rescue Centers

Puppy Training 101: How To House Train Your New Dog

Puppy Training 101: How To House Train Your New Dog

There is a reason that dogs are often called man’s best friend. They are loyal, friendly, energetic, and always happy to see you. And studies have shown that spending time with dogs has a marked positive impact on your mental and physical wellbeing. The time spent walking your dog and playing with them helps keep you fit. And the dopamine released from spending quality time with them is sure to keep your mood up.
 
Getting a new dog is an exciting time for any household. But there is always an adjustment period as they acclimate to their new environment. And, it is during this time that you have to properly house train your new dog. But why is it so important to house train a new puppy? And how is it done?
 

Importance Of Training

 
It is often easy to forget that dogs were once wild animals. When you see trained dogs in TV and movies. Or interact with your friends’ dogs. But these dogs didn’t become house trained all on their own.
 
Puppies will try to exert their natural instincts as often as possible. And this can cause a lot of issues around the home. They will want to play and can end up biting or scratching members of your family. They can destroy furniture or ornaments. And they will go to the toilet wherever they want to. There are all habits you need to train out of them before they become too old to be receptive to training. The most common bit of advice for dog owners at HappiestDog, one of the leading dog care websites out there, is to start a dog’s training as early as possible.
 

Toilet Training

 
This is perhaps the most important part of puppy training. If you are lucky enough to have a garden then you will most likely want to train them to go out here. But you will also need to ensure you have a designated toilet area inside the house for them to use. For times when they can’t go outside.
 
The first step is to ensure they are aware what area has been designated as a toilet for them. It is important to avoid playing games with them in any area that is being designated as a toilet, like the garden, to ensure they don’t confuse the two areas and activities. If you manage to get your puppy to go to the toilet on some newspaper you should put it in their designated toilet area so they learn to associate that area with that smell.
 
When toilet training them outside you will want to take them to their designated area when you think they need to go. Let them sniff around the area for a while, as this behavior often stimulates their need to go. If they don’t go after ten minutes you can take them inside but keep an eye on them for any signs they might need to go.
 
One of the most important parts of the training process is to avoid negative reinforcement. If your puppy goes inside the house, do not shout at them or punish them. Simply clean up the mess calmly. Dogs do not understand punishment like a human would. All they will learn is to try and hide where they go to the toilet inside if you punish them.
 
Instead you need to use positive reinforcement when they go to the toilet in their designated area. Give them lots of praise and a few treats. This will create a positive association in their mind and ensure they are more likely to go to their designated toilet area.
 

Biting

 
Puppies are naturally curious. And this curiosity will often manifest in a few behaviors. Smelling and licking are some of the more harmless ones. But biting is one that can be dangerous if not addressed early.
 
Biting, or nipping, is a normal part of how dogs play with one another. And as a puppy, they will engage in this behavior with you while playing. If your dog isn’t biting your hand very hard then it is ok to allow them to nip it a bit. You only need to be concerned if they bite down too hard.
 
If your dog does bite your hands, or anywhere on your body while playing, you simply need to pull back and turn away from them. This will indicate to them that your attention has shifted away and the play is over. They will soon learn that biting will precede a lack of attention. And remember, do not use negative reinforcement.
 
We highly recommend getting a good selection of toys that can handle being chewed and bit. Ropes are a good one as you can play tug of war with your puppy. And there are many great dog treats that are designed to allow your puppy to get their biting habit more focused.

7 Of The Most Interesting Lesser Known Animals

7 Of The Most Interesting Lesser Known Animals

The animal kingdom is filled to the brim with beautiful and interesting creatures. Yet it is often only the more popular animals, like cats and dogs, that hold our attention. So today we are going to be giving some love to our favorite lesser known animals.

While this guide won’t contain everything you ever wanted to know about animals, hopefully this list will help enlighten you to the beauty that is out there and encourage you to dive deeper into the world of animals.

#1 Pangolin

You would be forgiven for looking at a Pangolin and thinking it is a Pokemon. These scaly cuties are one of the most interesting mammals on the planet as they are the only ones to be fully covered in scales. They are native to both Asia and Africa. Although there are some key differences in the species of Pangolin found on the different continents.

Sadly Pangolins are considered endangered. They have been hunted for their scales which are used in a lot of traditional medicines. But conservationists are working tirelessly to ensure they are protected and that the species can thrive.

#2 Glass Frog

There are so many species of frogs that it can be difficult to tell them apart at times. But one of the most unique and interesting species of frog is the Glass Frog. It derives its name from the fact that its skin is translucent. Meaning you can actually see its internal organs. The purpose of this is to protect it from predators. As, while sitting on top of leaves, they will blend in with the color. Making them almost invisible to predators.

#3 Panda Ant

Ants are some of the most tenacious and industrious insects on the planet. They are tough, able to lift over ten times their own body weight. They are resilient, able to breed hundreds of new ants in record time. And they can construct intricate and beautiful underground structures with ease.

The Panda Ant is one of the most beautiful species of Ant out there. Their name comes from the fact that their skin is black and white and they are furry. Just like a Panda. But despite their cute appearance, these little guys have one of the most painful bites in the world. So make sure to steer clear of them if you see them.

#4 Hummingbird Hawk-Moth

When you think of a moth you most likely imagine one specific look. Small, fabric-like wings and a furry body. But the animal kingdom can be surprising. And that is the case with the Hummingbird Hawk-Moth. In everything but genetics, this creature is a Hummingbird. It feeds on nectar from flowers, its wings make a similar humming noise, and it looks very similar to a Hummingbird. Truly this is one of nature’s most curious creatures.

#5 Sugar Gliders

These beautiful marsupials are some of the most loyal animals you will ever see. If you are looking for a new pet these are a great choice. They have small stretches of skin between their arms and legs that allow them to glide through the air. Earning them the nickname ‘Flying Squirrels.’ While the Sugar part of their name is derived from the fact that their diet consists of sweet things such as nectar.

The reason they are such good pets is that they easily bond to their owners. And they are highly affectionate creatures. So much so that you could take them outside without a leash and they wouldn’t attempt to run away. Some people even keep them in their pockets while they travel around the city.

#6 Leafy Sea-Dragon

These majestic sea creatures are closely related to the more common seahorse. But anyone who has seen them will likely agree these beauties are in a league of their own. Their name is derived from the fact that they have small lobes coming off their body that look a lot like leaves. These act as camouflage when they are traversing through the ocean. And as an additional fun fact these are also the favorite animal of Sir David Attenborough.

#7 Star-Nosed Mole

One of the most curious species of mole, their name is derived from the shape of their snout. But they use their nose to great effect. It is touch sensitive and they can also use it to smell underwater. A feat that makes them unique amongst mammals. They do this by blowing bubbles underwater. They are found in moist areas of North America and are considered semi aquatic as well.