Author: Guest Author

Like most pet owners, you’re probably serious about the safety of your dog or cat. After all, there’s hardly any worse feeling than realizing your furry friend may have escaped. Fortunately, there are a variety of fencing options to put pet owners at ease — and a myriad of materials, styles and price points to choose from. Here are six of the most popular.

 

1. Aluminum and Steel

Both aluminum and steel fencing are extremely strong. Aluminum is just as durable as steel, but it’s not quite as stiff. These materials are long lasting and come in several different styles. While they are aesthetically pleasing for modern homes, they aren’t the best fences for small dogs. Pet owners should only install this type of fence if they have big dogs who can’t get through the divides between the bars because of their bulk. The cost to install an aluminum or steel fence averages between $3,000 and $4,200, depending on square footage.

 

2. Chain Link

If you don’t mind the look, chain link fences are among the most cost-effective options on the market. While they may not provide a great deal of privacy or aesthetic value, chain link systems are strong, durable and cheap. Look for chain link fences with thicker galvanizations as they are stronger and more resistant to corrosion. These fences will keep even the biggest and strongest dogs contained. However, depending on the height of the chain link fence, these might not be the best for dogs that can jump great heights. Be sure to have a chain link fence installed that’s at least 6 feet tall to keep your jumpers and taller dogs fenced in.

 

3. Vinyl

Vinyl is a popular option among pet owners because it is durable, versatile and low maintenance. Vinyl works with many different home architectural styles, and it will provide reliable shelter for more than 10 years. Installation costs are the same as wood fencing — about $4,200 on average — but vinyl requires far less aftercare. Vinyl fences come in white, light tan and dark tan. Avoid lower grade vinyl, as it is susceptible to deterioration from UV exposure as well as extreme heat and cold. These fences come in a wide variety of heights and can handle any type of dog. What you need to be aware of is their depth—vinyl fences aren’t installed very deeply into the ground. So if you have a dog that digs, they can potentially dig underneath the vinyl fence and get through it. You might install bricks underneath the fence to prevent them from getting through or train them not to dig.

 

4. Wood

Wood fencing is great for pet owners who appreciate a natural, classic look. These fences are extremely versatile and come in just about any style or design you could think of. Wood is also popular because it’s fairly inexpensive. The sturdiness of a wood fence will depend on the type of posts and lumber used, as well as proper waterproofing and maintenance. The main drawback of wood is that it is vulnerable to pests and rotting; it needs regular upkeep. It’s also susceptible to stronger, taller dogs with a lot of heavy weight. While it needs a lot of weight consistently pressed upon it to break, these types of fences are probably best for small to medium-sized dogs.

 

 

5. Wrought Iron

While there are genuine wrought iron fences on the market, traditional models are much more expensive than their modern counterparts. Today’s iron fences are generally made with flexible steel. They are highly durable and can work with a variety of architectural home styles. Be aware that they may not be the best option for larger dogs, as most types are no taller than six feet. This allows them to easily jump over the fence and get through. Wrought iron also has space in between the bars for thin dogs to get through, so keep that in mind when having it installed.

 

Contribution by Andrea Davis, Home Advisor. Photo courtesy of DesignMine

 

Dr. Dog is back with a really important warning for pet owners! Share to keep people in the know on the dangers of pets ingesting clothing. It happens way more often than you might think! This important message is courtesy of our friends at Redandhowling.

If you adopt a new pet, is your home ready to welcome the new addition to the family? While you want your furry new friend to roam, you also want your home in one piece. So take these quick and simple pet proofing steps so everyone is happy and safe.

 

Closed Doors & Gates

You should always close the doors to the closet, bathroom, pantry and other areas that might have important or off-limit items. You can teach your pet boundaries by setting out toys or resting spaces in the living room, bedroom and other safe spaces. That way they will learn to go to those places by default and avoid off-limit areas.

You can also find a local handyman to install safety or childproof gates to keep them out of rooms you want to preserve, or where you need to get in and out often and might forget to close the door. Installing safety gates at the top or bottom of stairs is a good idea if you want to keep a pet from getting to the second story.

 

Cabinet Locking & Storing Items

You should take your toiletries, medications and other bathroom items off of your countertops and lock them in your cabinet, or your pets could swallow them. Use locking devices on your cabinet doors as cats often have the ability to open doors with their bodies or paws. You should also practice this with spices and other ingredients in your kitchen.

For your living room, keep your curtain ropes and cords high up and out of reach from your pets. In terms of electrical wires, tuck them far away behind your entertainment system or underneath your furniture. You don’t want your pets chewing them and possibly shocking themselves. You could also install safety locks if you need an extra amount of protection.

 

Toxic Foods to Store Away

While there are various foods we may love to eat and drink, some of them are dangerous for pets. It’s important to store them far away, or they can cause gastric distress, seizures or, in the worst case, death. Some of the food and drink to keep stored include:

• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Chocolate
• Greasy foods
• Weak chicken or cooked pork bones
• Grapes and raisins
• Mushrooms
• Nuts
• Raw fish

For further protection, you should also hide your trash cans. This prevents pets from spreading garbage all over the kitchen. Consider storing your trash underneath the sink or installing a container with a sturdy lid.

 

Gardening Tips for Your Pet

Fencing in your backyard is important, but consider fencing or fence windows that will let them see out while still keeping them safely contained, so they will be less likely to feel trapped and bored. Take your pet on walks, play often and leave toys in the yard. To protect your garden, put a chicken-wire fence around the beds to show it’s off-limits and plant some stakes to keep the wire propped up.

You also want to reassess some of the plants in your garden. Some breeds cause diarrhea, tremors, vomiting and other deadly symptoms to pets. The effect will vary by your pet’s breed, age, health, and size, but you might consider uprooting these plants from your garden:

• Aloe vera
• Azalea
• Baby’s breath
• Carnations
• Chrysanthemum
• Daffodil
• Ivy
• Lilies
• Milk weed
• Morning glory
• Poinsettia
• Sago palm
• Tomato plant
• Tulip
• Yew

No matter what you do, the crucial prep step to owning a new pet is vigilance. Installing safety gates and closing doors is helpful, but these aren’t guarantees. Besides, you want to give your new pet attention, which means having your eye on them. So play, cuddle and stay safe together so everyone’s happy.

 

Contribution by Andrea Davis, Home Advisor

We love informative infographics that help animals! The awesome folks over at Havahart created the “Don’t Shop, Adopt: Inside the exotic pet trade” infographic below about the exotic pet trade and how it not only harms the exotics but companion pets like dogs and cats as well. Infographics are a great way to learn a lot about a specific topic visually, and this one is full of great facts and figures! Like how even if a baby exotic animal survives transportation, which most do not, they are often sent to buyers who don’t know how to properly care for them. Or how adopting your next pet from a shelter or rescue will not only save their life, but will also help lower the amount of exotic animals that are captured and traded… will also save you thousands of dollars each year! Check out the infographic below for a price comparison of how much it takes to own an exotic pet vs a companion pet and some other great information, and remember, Don’t Shop, Adopt! Thanks Havahart for spreading this important message!

Infographic Created by Havahart

This Post is Provided by Amy Tonic from PetGuide.com. Spring is here… and that means in seasonal climates that fleas and ticks are making their way to your pets. They think of your pet as their warm home with free meals, and they plan to take up residence for generations unless you evict them. Sure, fleas and ticks both cause your pet to itch and can bring health problems, but did you know that there are many differences between the two? Let’s go over what makes them different for each other so you know what you’re up against when trying to keep them off your pets and you!

Fleas
Even though this insect is wingless, it can jump like any NBA player. Fleas can be tough to spot – they measure in at 1/16 to 1/8-inches long. With a lifespan of about 100 days, fleas like to settle in and stay on one dog. That means once it jumps on your dog, the flea will stay there until it dies. And why would it go anywhere else? Your dog has everything it needs to live comfortably – it feeds off your dog (yum!) and starts having babies as it finishes eating. For several weeks, they will lay about 20 to 40 eggs a day. And these eggs will go wherever the dog goes, so shedded hair that contains eggs can land anywhere.

Happier in a mild climate, fleas prefer heat to cold, so they would rather spend their time indoors where it’s toasty warm. But hey, fleas don’t come to their new home without a housewarming present. These annoying creatures can carry bartonellosis and tapeworm to pass along to your dog.

Ticks
A close cousin to spiders, the tick is considered to be an arachnid (thanks to their eight legs). It’s bigger than the flea, measuring in at ¼ to 1/8-inches long. Ticks don’t mind moving from animal to animal – they aren’t too picky were they set up house. In fact, ticks can be found o snakes, lizards and humans. Their life cycle can last anywhere from three weeks to three years. You won’t think that these little blood suckers would be picky, but they are. They will wait until they find the right home, and then leave to find another host to sponge off of. They just can’t spend too long on one dog. As larvae, nymphs and adults, they will go from host to host through each life stage.

And let’s talk about eggs. After feeding off the dog, the female tick will fall from its host and lay thousands of eggs at one time (yikes!). Once it has finished with this task, the tick will die, leaving behind a new generation to carry on its dirty work. Happiest in cold temperatures, the tick doesn’t mind the winter climates. As for diseases, the tick carries around plenty of potential deadly diseases, including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Author Bio
Amy Tokic is the Editor of PetGuide.com. With the help of her trusted sidekick, Oscar, PetGuide.com covers all the latest dog news, events, information and products that pet parents need to know about. All this month, PetGuide.com is looking into Fleas and Ticks and how you can get ahead of the problem before it gets out of control.

Most pet owners think of their pets as much more than just animals. Often, our pets are considered a part of our family, and like any family member, you want to find a city or town that’s good for them. When you have kids, you choose a location based on good schools, safe neighborhoods, and proximity to playgrounds and parks. For pets, you need to research things like dog parks, doggie meet-ups, local pet laws and veterinary care. If you live in an apartment, like me, you also have to find out what kind of pet you’re allowed to have. 90% of the reason I signed the lease for my current apartment is because my landlord said the magic words – “you can have any type of dog you want.” Of course, if I ever move I’ll have to find an apartment complex that’s willing to welcome my 60 lb. Boxer mix.

Photo: djjasoncook

It’s pretty easy to find places that are cat-friendly, but life for dogs can be a little “ruff” in some areas.  Maryland, for example, is not very accommodating towards pit bulls, which is very sad. Luckily there are many cities that are happy to welcome all breeds and species:

1.    Colorado Springs, CO

This city has topped the charts for lovers of both dogs and cats, the two most popular pets in the U.S. Colorado Springs boasts the residence of 115,000 pets, comparable to the 400,000 people populating the city. This lucky city has seven (yes, seven) dog parks for pooches to meet and make friends. In addition, spoiled pups can get the ultimate treatment at the exclusive, dog-friendly resort, The Broadmoor Hotel.

2. Orlando, FL
Home to Disney World, it’s no surprise that such a huge tourist destination has made an effort to welcome four-legged friends along with their paying, two-legged customers. Many hotels in the area are pet-friendly and welcome the whole family.

Partially because this is a tourist city, there are a plethora of dog sitters and groomers. The industry is so successful that those who live there can look into building a dog wash and expect to do very well!

3.    Portland, OR

Portland has the advantage of being a wonderful city for both pets and their owners. This city is well-known for its abundance of outdoor activities, which includes about 20 parks that are specially designated for four-legged friends. Additionally, many of the city’s outdoor attractions allow owners to bring their pets right along with them.

4.    Asheville, NC

This is the city of diva dogs. If you have a pampered pooch, Asheville is their haven. The city offers two, leash-free dog parks – but they’re not the main attraction; this city has an abundance of little specialty boutiques for pets. And since owners want only the best for their pups, these stores also sell all-organic options.

Additionally, many places offer spa treatments, training and photography for your pets. Another thing that sets this city apart is that many of the restaurants have outdoor seating, so you can bring your furry friend along for lunch. You can even ask for a cheeseburger just for your pooch, and the staff will be happy to oblige!

5.    San Diego, CA

One of the nation’s most famous cities must be able to support a pretty picky dog population. Unlike the other land-locked cities, San Diego specializes in dog-friendly, leash-free beaches. The most famous of these beaches is Dog Beach, which has made its way into many Hollywood movies.

Similar to Asheville, San Diego also has a great deal of pet-centric shopping. Most places do not allow dogs into the stores, but they do offer cheap pet-sitting, and some of the shopping malls have outdoor dog parks.

 

No matter where you live, there is almost always a place you can go to make friends with fellow pet owners. Almost every city has a dog park, or at least a dog-friendly park. An important thing to realize is even most small towns will have a store, shelter, or events where training, grooming and socialization are available and encouraged.

Remember, your pet would love to have friends of their own species, and creating opportunities for them to make friends allows you to make new friends too!

Michelle Rebecca is an aspiring writer, blogger, and new mama to a 1-year-old boxer mix rescue. She has a passion for the Internet, and loves how it connects people across the globe. She loves that blogging gives her the opportunity to voice her thoughts and share advice with an unlimited audience. Follow her on Google+.

There’s nothing your dog likes more than spending time with you. Pair that with your dog’s need for exercise, since our pets can be overweight just like humans, and playtime is a great way to bond as well as keep you and your dog in shape. I enjoy taking long walks or jogging around the block or park with my hyper Boxer mix, but sometimes we like to switch things up and do something a little more creative. Here are a few options of different exercises you can do with your pet to stay in shape, and burn your pup’s energy.

Photo credit: sombraala

Play Fetch Games

Channel your dog’s natural energy for chasing things by playing a game of fetch. Whether you’re in your backyard or the local park, you can throw a ball or frisbee. While you’ll be working your arm muscles, your dog will be running around. Mix things up even more by running to another part of the yard with the frisbee before throwing it again for your pooch. Alternatively, if your dog is a breed that loves water, visit a local dog-friendly lake, where you can play fetch with your dog in the water.

 

Amp Up Your Exercise Routine

Do your usual exercise routine, but find ways to include your dog. For one, after you do a set of pushups, take a break and get Fido to do his own set of pushups by giving him the command to “lay down” and then “stand” repeatedly. Take turns until you’re on to your next exercise, such as squats. To do squats, grab one of his favorite toys and ask him to stand in front of you. When you squat, bring the toy down and gently tap him on his head. When you stand up again, lift the toy to get the dog to stand on his hind legs or jump. For smaller breeds, you can also toss the toy in the air as a way to encourage them to jump.

 

Do Doga

Yoga isn’t just for humans anymore. Some studios and instructors are now offering doga, which is yoga for you and your pooch. While a tad controversial, the people who participate love the experience because it’s both an exercise using the natural added weight of the dog, as well as a chance to bond. Massage can also be used, in addition to gentle stretching for both the dog and their owners. After all, isn’t the downward dog pose named after the way many dogs ask to play?

 

Enroll Your Pooch in Agility Training

Any kind of training is good mental stimulation for your dog, but agility training will have them exercising as well. As you and a trainer teach your dog to go through an obstacle course — including running up inclines, winding around poles and jumping over hurdles — you’ll both be getting a high energy workout. Once you have your dog trained on some of these obstacles, you can even create an obstacle course all your own in the backyard. Perhaps put orange cones out for your dog to run around, and used construction equipment toys for your dog to jump over.

 

In addition to agility training, there are other sports that you and your pooch can participate in too. Perhaps enroll your dog in a tracking or herding class. Flyball is also growing in popularity, as it combines obstacle courses with racing.

 

Find Dog-Friendly Events in Your Area

Many cities host events where they encourage you to bring your pets. In Georgia, they host a Run with the Dogs 5K; This event is not only great exercise but a wonderful way to socialize your dog too. Check and see if there are any similar events in your area. Another alternative is to join a local holiday parade and have your dog walk with you, whether he’s wearing a costume or not!

 

While your dog will always appreciate a walk around the block, there’s other ways to keep you — and him — motivated while staying fit. Sure some of these ideas, especially ones that involve training, may require a few treats to get him to do what you want, but the exercise he’ll get at the same time will surely outweigh the small amount of calories he’ll be eating.

 

Michelle Rebecca is an aspiring writer, blogger, and new mama to a 1-year-old boxer mix rescue. She has a passion for the Internet, and loves how it connects people across the globe. She loves that blogging gives her the opportunity to voice her thoughts and share advice with an unlimited audience.

You’re a great pet parent. Your pup eats only the healthiest of dog foods, and follows the perfect exercise regimen for his age and energy level. Unfortunately, winter or bad weather any time of year can throw a wrench into your morning jogs or afternoon walk routine. Have you ever spent a snow day stuck indoors with an un-exercised energetic dog? As the “fur mom” of a 1-year-old adopted Boxer mix, I can personally tell you that it’s a bit like spending an afternoon with a sugared-up toddler! I love my pup so much, but when we’re snowed in and he can’t get his daily exercise, he will get into anything and everything, run in circles around my living room, and won’t stop whining. Fortunately for me, and other pet parents of higher energy dogs, you can give your dog a full physical and mental workout indoors with just a few commands and toys. Here are three games you can play indoors with your dog, no matter what mother nature is doing outside. As with any physical activity, both you and your dog should start out slowly with the intensity and duration of any exercise, and build up your strength and stamina slowly over time. 

 

Photo credit: FlyNutAA

Search

Playing search with your dog is a great way to exercise physically and mentally. As your dog becomes more adept at finding, you can increase the difficulty of the game by using harder hiding spots.

1. Name one of your dog’s toys. For this exercise, we’ll call his bunny toy Bunny.

2. Ask your dog to sit and stay. Let him sniff Bunny. Tell him, “This is Bunny”. Walk away a few paces and drop Bunny at your feet. Call your dog and tell him to “Find Bunny.”

3. When your dog runs over and “finds” Bunny, give him a treat and praise.

4. As your dog gets more comfortable finding Bunny, hide the toy out of sight in other rooms in increasingly difficult hiding spots.

Search games can take many forms. You can hide treats around the house for your dog to find. Or train his nose with a modified version of the shell game with kitchen pots.

 

The Statue Game

A great way to burn off excess energy and focus on training is the statue game. The goal of the game is to get your dog wound up and then having her respond immediately to a sit and stay command. So they need to have a good understanding of the sit and stay command first, before trying this game. This teaches her valuable listening skills for situations when she is overly excited.

1. Start dancing or jumping around with your dog to get his or her energy up.

2. Freeze in place and tell your dog to sit and stay.

3. Hold the freeze and give a treat and praise.

4. Repeat!

Any kind of game you play that will get your dog excited and then immediately require her to calm down and perform some of her commands or tricks will be beneficial to you both.

 

Stair Sprints

When your afternoon visit to the dog park isn’t an option, either because the weather is too bad or because you had to spend more time at the pet wash than you anticipated, you can try this tiring game. Ideally you’ll use a second human to help, but you can get a workout yourself going up and down the stairs too!

1. Position one person at the top of a flight of stairs and one at the bottom, each with a stash of treats.

2. Take turns calling your dog to the top and the bottom of the stairs.

3. When your dog gets to you, give a treat.

4. Immediately have your partner call him back to them.

This game will also work in a hallway if you don’t have stairs. Depending on how energetic your dog is this might be a very short game. Don’t forget to build up their endurance over days and weeks, just like if you were starting a new exercise program! Even if your dog is used to going on long walks or jogging with you, stairs work different muscles.

 

When to Stop

As pet owners we need to make it very clear when the game is over, especially when it involves behavior that would be unsafe in other situations. Imagine your dog sprinting on the stairs every time you went upstairs. Keep your playtime voice and mannerisms more playful. When the games are over, stand up straight use a calm tone and say “over” or “done.” It also helps to redirect your dog to his or her water and a special treat like a peanut butter filled toy that will help them transition to a more calm state.

We hope you enjoy these fun indoor games with your dog!

Michelle Rebecca is an aspiring writer, blogger, and new fur mama to a 1-year-old boxer mix rescue. She has a passion for the Internet, and loves how it connects people across the globe. She loves that blogging gives her the opportunity to voice her thoughts and share advice with an unlimited audience.

Films about dogs, cats and a number of other pets abound in Hollywood; and there’s a reason why. To this day, I can’t even think about the final scene in Homeward Bound without wanting to cry – tears of joy, of course! And I’ll never forget sitting in my 6th grade class watching Where the Red Fern Grows. When my teacher turned the lights on, everyone was teary-eyed! Movies about animals have a way of pulling at just about everyone’s heartstrings, young or old. While many films about animals end with the loss of a beloved part of the family, it doesn’t make it any less heart-warming or sweet. The following movies will make you appreciate fur-balls, fish and even pigs, with these tales that celebrate the bonds that humans form with animals. Warning: Have a box of tissues handy, just in case!

That Darn Cat — The 1965 Disney classic features a Siamese tomcat that plays an important role in assisting the police and saving a woman being held hostage by bank robbers. There are plenty of hijinks with car chases, but also a sweet ending for this wily cat.

Lady and the Tramp — Everyone knows this animated movie for the sweet spaghetti and meatballs scene. That’s because the heart of this movie is all about the love between a mutt and a pampered household dog.

Hachi: A Dog’s Tale —Inspired by a true story, Hachi tells the tale of Hachi the dog, waiting for his owner Parker, at the train station every day. After Parker experiences a fatal heart attack, Hachi continues to go to the train station, proving a pet’s love knows no bounds.

The AristoCats — After a butler learns a family of cats is set to inherit their owner’s fortune, he kidnaps and hides them away in the French countryside. Fortunately, for the cats in this animated flick, they’ve got a lot of animal friends to help them find their way back to their Parisian home.

Lassie Come Home — While there have been many Lassie movies, it’s the 1943 original that first established the amazing bond between a boy and his dog, a collie named Lassie. After the boy’s family is forced to give up their dog, Lassie is determined to find his way home, as he travels from Scotland back to Yorkshire for his best friend.

Charlotte’s Web — After a young girl named Fern saves the life of a piglet runt, Wilbur, he’s moved to a barn among  farm equipment and a slew of new animal friends. To keep Wilbur alive through the winter though, he needs more than the help of Fern. Charlotte the spider, by weaving her web, convinces the farmer that this is one special pig.

Finding Nemo — Although Nemo the fish is no one’s pet, this animal movie is all about the lengths a father will go to save his son. With the companionship of a forgetful fish named Dory, Nemo’s father has run-ins with “vegetarian” sharks, poisonous jelly fish, and surfer sea turtles while on his journey to save Nemo.

Free Willy — A troubled boy named Jesse, befriends a surly whale named Willy at an amusement park. When he learns that Willy’s life is in danger, he’ll do anything he can to reunite his friend with his family in the great big ocean.

All Dogs Go to Heaven — While a strange premise, a dog returns from the dead to find his killer. The film quickly becomes an animated flick about forming bonds, even in the most unlikely of places. Charlie the dog then befriends orphan Anne-Marie.

Marley & Me — Dogs are important parts of the family; and that’s the heart of this story about a crazy dog and the family that loves him, faults and all. Warning: You WILL cry.

Where the Red Fern Grows — Based on the popular children’s book, this film follows the adventures of young Billy, and his two hunting dogs in Cherokee Country and the Ozarks.

Homeward Bound (and its predecessor Incredible Journey) — After three pets: two dogs and a sassy cat, are left in the care of a friend while their owners are away, they begin to worry about their masters. Determined to find their family again, they head out on a journey of a lifetime across the Sierra Mountains.

Any of these movies are sure to touch the heart of any pet lover. Once the credits roll, make sure you go give your furry friend a hug!

Michelle Rebecca is an aspiring writer, blogger, and animal lover. She has a passion for the Internet, and loves how it connects people across the globe. She loves that blogging gives her the opportunity to voice her thoughts and share advice with an unlimited audience. Follow her on Google+.

Cat watching TV photo credit: Creative Commons use as allowed by photographer Maggie Osterberg. 

Drobot Dean / AdobeStock
Carl Chicken Nugget. Yes, that is what my cousin has to yell from the back door when calling the family dog inside! That might be what happens if you let small children name your newly adopted pet too. Hence my first rule in pet naming: Unless you’re excited about a pet with a possibly very unusual name, you might want to limit kids involvement in the naming process, like by giving them a few suitable options and they get to vote on their favorite from your list. My second rule: Be creative. You don’t get many chances to have this much fun, and you can pick a name that will make you smile every time you call your pet for many years to come (but popular pet names are fun too). So let’s take a peek at some useful tips on naming your new pet…

The Fun

As pet parents, when naming your pets you can have just as much fun as human parents do naming their kids! Plus the process allows for more creativity since you don’t have worry about possible mean playground rhymes, or making relatives happy. If you’re leaning towards getting creative with your pet’s name, wait and get to know their furry little personality first. You may be inspired by your kitty’s cute quirk of eating ice cream out of your bowl when you’re not looking — Nom Nom — or the Rottie mix that you were going to call Turbo might turn out to be more of a Muffin.

Consider some of these goofy pet name suggestions:

• Mr. Pants
• Chew Barka
• Muppet
• Nom Nom
• Tuna
• Sir-Barks-a-Lot
• Tootsie
• Nipper
• Zesty
• Sprout
• Woofer
• Byte
• Bitsy
• Mighty Mite
• Yappers
• Gumdrop
• Sushi
• Tater
• Squirt
• Chi Chi
• Pugsley

The Formal

Say you’re leaning towards a more formal-sounding name. Maybe you don’t want to go too far down the dog show name road — like Lafford Fly Me Too Farleysbane, yes, that’s a real dog’s name — but you still want it to have a ring to it. Try to imagine your pet’s name on custom letterpress stationery. Zippy just doesn’t cut it now, does it? You can follow more formal naming guidelines if you know where your pet came from, including a part in their name — like in the case of an adopted pet, the shelter’s or rescue’s name. Or take your inspiration from your pet’s heritage, like a German name for your German Shepherd. Or get inspired by their color.

Consider these fancy pants names for your four-legged pal:

• Roscoe’s Wrangler Banjo
• Odin Forest
• Bentley Reed
• Sir Lancelot
• Olive Rae
• Cooper Nolan
• Hunter Maddox
• Waylon Scott
• Violet Woofregarde
• Max Ryder
• Felix the Cat
• Professor Wigglesworth
• Waggie Gyllenhall
• Amelia Pawheart
• Dakota Meowing
• Kitty Pride

The Ol’ Changeroo

When you’re adopting a pet and they know and respond to their existing name, you may decide to choose a similar-sounding name, so your dog or kitty can recognize and respond to it more quickly. But pets can learn totally different names too! Positive reinforcement is a great way to train a pet to enjoy and understand their new name. Say their new name and offer them a treat. If they respond to their old name, you can say both names at first, like “Fluffy Odin!” Then in a week or so start gradually using their old name less and less, until the transition is complete.

Other things to consider when changing your adopted pet’s name:

• Don’t choose names that sound like command words you use, such as Beau and No.
• Smile when you call your pet’s name so they see you are happy and will be more likely to respond to you.
• Try to select a name that will grow with your pet. Baby Kitty Fluff might be adorable now when your little ball of fluff is a kitten, but if he hits 13 pounds it might not seem like such a good fit anymore.
• If you are going to be doing verbal recall training with your dog, choose a one-syllable unique-as-possible name so it is easy for you to call out at a distance.
• You don’t have to change their name if you like the one they were given by the shelter or foster home you adopted them from. I kept my adopted dog’s name – Sir Lancelot – because it’s funny and unique, and he was already somewhat used to it.

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Michelle Rebecca is an aspiring writer, blogger, and new fur mama to a 1-year-old boxer mix rescue. She has a passion for the Internet, and loves how it connects people across the globe. She loves that blogging gives her the opportunity to voice her thoughts and share advice with an unlimited audience.