By Tara Pearce

The raising of puppies can be an exhilarating and rewarding experience. It can also be an experience wrought with frustration if some guidelines aren't adhered to or if certain aspects of the duty are overlooked. There are a number of things that ...

Some people are so attached to their pets that they wouldn't dream of asking them to simply curl up on the floor to go to sleep. Pet owners, especially dog owners, have created an industry for dog beds that rivals the bedding industry for huma...

It is pretty much universally agreed upon by vets that the best time to spay is BEFORE the first heat period. If a dog is spayed prior to the first heat, the odds of developing mammary cancer later in life are less than 1%. If spayed between th...

I don't know what the earliest age for safe neutering is. I only know that it is safe at 6 months or older. I believe the veterinarians reporting that they are having no problems with neutering as young as 8 weeks of age, but I can't support their...

The best days to palpate (feel for) puppies are about day 28 to day 35 of the pregnancy. Usually it is best to count from the last breeding day as most dogs actually ovulate shortly before they quit standing for the male. X-rays can confirm pregna...

On hot days If you are not taking the dog on holiday with you, then you will need to make arrangements for the care of your dog.

Vaccinations All puppies and dogs must be vaccinated against the 4 main diseases that are a threat to their well being:1. Distemper - affects the nervous system2. Hepatitis - affects the liver3. Leptospirosis - affects the liver and kidneys4. Pa...

Prewhelping preparations You should have a sturdy, clean, proper sized whelping box for the litter. It MUST include a "pig rail" around the edge to prevent the bitch from laying on or smashing her pups. It should be big enough to allow the bitch ...

Fleas Fleas are common, hardy insects which are hard to spot on your pet. They often leave little clumps of black grit droppings, which are a tell tale sign. Besides being generally unpleasant and irritating for your dog, a single flea bite can re...