A healthy pet is a happy pet. Besides, Rabies vaccinations are required by law and only available from your vet.
3. Spay or neuter your pet.
Your pet will be less likely to be agressive, territorial, and anxious to mark his territory (which is also YOUR territory.)
Your pet, whether male or female, will also be less likely to get certain types of cancer.
Fido or Fluffy will be less likely to roam from home and become lost (Which leads to animals in shelters in the first place.)
Finally, it will not contribute to pet overpopulation.
4. Let your dog take you to training classes.
Training teaches you to communicate with your dog, socializes your dog with other dogs and people, corrects problem behavior, and strengthens the bond between you and your dog (Making him your true "Best Friend".)
5. The best-dressed pets these days are wearing a Microchip and a collar with tags.
A lost pet with indentification is much more likely to be returned home. You do want to see your best friend again, don't you?
6. Pick up what your pet leaves behind.
Not only will you help curtail the spread of deadly Parvovirus, but you'll be more popular with the neighbors.
7. Keep Kitty inside.
"Outside" cats are often the victims of cars, dogs, and mean people. Your cat deserves better!
8. Walk your dog on a lead.
Even if your dog is friendly, he or she may approach a dog or person, or car, who is not.
9. Fence your yard.
A fence will keep your dog safely in your yard while keeping other dogs securely out.
10. Transport Kitty and Fido in a carrier.
Cats usually don't like to travel; some dogs are the same way. A carrier will keep them felling safe and keep them from hiding under the gas and brake pedals.
Why Spay?
Many people ask, "Why should I spay my dog? She hasn't even had the chance to enjoy having puppies yet." Or, "I can't neuter my dog yet, he's still young and has spunk." But the truth is, it's a lot healthier if you do spay/neuter your dog when it's young.
Here are the facts: An unspayed female dog, her mate, and all the puppies after that, if none of them are fixed, can have up to . . .
first year -- 16 dogs
second year -- 128 dogs
third year -- 512 dogs
fourth year -- 2,048 dogs
fifth year -- 12,288 dogs sixth year -- 67,000 DOGS!!!
Every day, 70,000 puppies and kittens are born in the United States, and at the same time, nearly 22,000 dogs and cats are euthanized. The good thing is, in 1999, over 110,000 dogs and cats were "altered", preventing the birth of 506,000 puppies and kittens that could have been born in 2000. The bad thing is, even with those numbers, the number of stray animals due to overpopulation is rising steadily.
Fixing your pet doesn't hurt it. In fact it more than likely helps it. Altered pets are less likely to get certain cancers and diseases caused by breeding. They are also less likely to be agressive around other people and animals, and they're also probably not going to mark your yard as much. Many people say neutered males are less active and become coach potatoes. Yet, most of the time the animal is happier and socializes with other animals more. So, fixing your animal is a fast, easy way to manke you and your pet happier.
Some tips in training your Pooch
Many people think to be your pooch's best friend you should just let it run lose and be it's own leader. But the truth is, your dog will actually be happier if you train it. You won't get as frustrated with your dog when he doesn't listen to your commands, and you can have a closer and more personal bond with him. You and your family are your dog's pack, and you need to show your dog that you're the Alpha leader. Yet, training him is always the easiest thing to do, especially if he's very independent. Here are some helpful hints to establishing yourself as the leader and earning your dog's respect and obedience.
First think's first. Get your dog a Collar and Leash. These tools are essential in training, showing to your pup you are in charge. Also, start easy with the basics of "Come", "Sit", "Stay", and "Heel". Having Training Sessions each day are essential and keep up progress, but keep them short (5 to 15 each day, varying the commands you work on). Be Consistent! Lay down the rules from the beginning, and don't keep changing them. It's just like raising a child. If you don't want your child to hit and kick when they're older, don't let them hit and kick when they're young. If you don't want your 60 pound adult Collie on the furniture, don't let the 15 pound Collie puppy do it. Furthermore, if you don't want your dog to chew up your dress shoes, don't let him chew on any shoes. Use only one, simple word for each command, like "SIT" or "DOWN", and don't change them.
Another main part of training is PATIENCE and PRAISE. Dogs learn by repetition, so don't scold him if he doesn't get it the first time. Also, praise him and give positive reinforcement when he gets it right. Many times your love is all your dog needs to try and please you, but keep some treats in your back pocket just in case.
All work and no play makes any dog want to run away. Even while you're training, it's a good idea to take a break and have some fun. A happier dog will usually train better. Also, keep your dog fit and let him burn off some extra energy before his schooling.
Be FIRM, but GENTLE Make sure your dog knows who's boss and you expect him to listen to you, but never hit or injure him. Scolding him and giving him a "Doggy Time-Out" is one thing, but never hit him with your hand, a rolled up paper, or anything. This harsh punishment may lead to an opposite behavior from what you had intended.
And finally, End each day of training on a Positive note! End a session with your dog completing a trick he knows and you praising him. Your dog won't want to perform for you if he remembers something negative. If he hasn't mastered the trick you just taught him, go back to another one, or just end the session by playing with him. It's as simple as that.
Dog Tag Essential Information
Name and address
One or two reliable telephone numbers with answering machines
A line that reads: "REWARD FOR RETURN" -- Isn't your pet worth it. Even if it's not a large reward, studies show people are more likely to return a dog if it says there is a reward.
If you want a more permanent means of identifying your pooch, since collars can fall off or be removed, you may choose tattoos or microchips. A tattoo, which is relatively painless, can be done by your vet while your dog is under anesthesia. For something a little less visible, you can also implant a microchip into your dog's skin. It is injected between the shoulder blades and holds a number that has all the information needed to return Fido. Many shelters, vets, and medical labs will check for tattoos and run a scanner over the shoulders for a microchip. Many shelters are even implanting the chips when the animal is adopted. A word of caution though: Sometimes the tattoo may not be easy to read and a scanner is not always available to check for a microchip. You should always keep a collar or form of indentification on your pet even if it has one of these.
Responsible Pet Ownership 
