the shepherdess looks to the left

How To Introduce a New Puppy to Your Dog

by

Are you thinking about getting a new puppy when you already have an older dog?

If so, you need to be prepared for the introduction process. It can be tricky to get your new puppy and adult dog to get along, but it can be done with patience and preparation.

This blog post will discuss 11 tips for introducing a new puppy to your dog.

So let’s get rolling.

11 Tips for Introducing Your New Puppy to Your Dog

Following these tips can help ensure that the introduction process goes as smoothly as possible!

Introduce Them in a Neutral Location

the dog looks out the window

First and foremost, when bringing the puppy home it is essential to introduce the new puppy to your dog in a neutral location with other dogs around. This means that neither your dog nor the puppy has any emotional attachment to that space. Thus can reduce the chance of them getting territorial or aggressive during introductions.

Easing them into it would be best so that they don’t get overwhelmed and excited all at once. The ultimate goal is to make them feel like they are a family member.

Offer a Treat to Your Current Dog

One way to ease the new puppy into your home is to offer a meal to your current dog. This will help them associate positive feelings with the new addition.

Additionally it will make it easier for the resident dog and the new puppy to feel comfortable together. And will also help them to learn how to share food and space with each other.

Go Slow With Playtime

It’s natural for dogs to want to play, but you should go slow when introducing playtime between your new dog and current dog. This will give them time to adjust and use each other’s presence before moving on to more intense displays of energy.

Use Toys To Distract Them

If you notice that either your dog or the new puppy becomes agitated around one another, using toys can effectively distract them from their aggression. Try giving each dog its own toy or playing with a ball for them to chase and wrestle.

Avoid Over-Stimulation

When both dogs meet, it’s essential to avoid overstimulating them. This means you should not let either dog get overexcited or overwhelmed by the other. Why? Because this can lead to stress and anxiety. It’s particularly important in the first few weeks when you get the new dog.

Be Consistent With Training

Along with taking things slowly when introducing your new pup and dog, it is also crucial to be consistent with their training. This means consistently enforcing commands like “sit,” “stay,” or “leave it” so that they both know exactly how you expect them to behave in each situation.

Avoid using harsh training tools or yelling at either dog, as this can make the introduction more stressful. Instead, focus on using positive reinforcement techniques to reinforce good behaviors and help them feel comfortable around one another. Adult dogs don’t easily get along with puppies so its important to train them well.

the dog lies on the yellow sofa

Don’t Ignore Your Existing Dog

Spend plenty of time playing and interacting with your existing dog when the new puppy is around. So that they begin associating positive feelings with this new addition to the family. This will also help calm any anxieties or insecurities your existing dog might have about the new puppy.

Set Boundaries for Both Dogs

Set clear boundaries for both dogs from the beginning so that everyone knows what is expected of them regarding behavior. This includes where each dog will sleep and what toys are off-limits to avoid disputes or disagreements between pets.

Don’t give priority to one dog over the other dog. This will give rise to disputes only.

Give Both Dogs Space From Each Other When Needed

Take time every day to give both dogs space from each other when needed, especially if you notice that one or both pets are feeling anxious or stressed out.

This can help prevent any negative behaviors from developing or worsening. Plus it will also allow both dogs to decompress and get some much-needed rest.

Have Patience

Be patient throughout the entire process, as it may take time for your existing dog to warm up to its new puppy companion. Remember that all dogs are different.

So what works for one dog might not necessarily work for another. Be open-minded and adaptable as you work through this transition period with your pets.

a smiling dog lies on the sand

Pro tip: Always keep yourself up to date on both dogs vaccinations to avoid the spread of diseases.

Get Help From a Professional Dog Trainer if Needed

If possible, try to get the help of a professional dog trainer or behaviorist. They can offer advice on how best to introduce your new puppy to your existing dog.

Trainers can guide specific training methods that may be more effective than others. Thus helping you troubleshoot any issues that may arise during this process.

Things To Look Out for When Introducing a New Puppy to Your Dog

Here are some things you need to look out for:

  • Aggression or hostility between the two dogs
  • Avoidance of each other or unwillingness to play together
  • Stress and anxiety in either dog
  • Difficulty following commands or exhibiting negative behaviors
  • Difficulty getting along and interacting with each other peacefully over time

Suppose you notice any of these behavioral issues arise in the dogs body language during the introduction process.

In that case, it is best to consult a professional dog trainer or behaviorist for help. With proper guidance and support, you can successfully introduce your new puppy to your existing dog. And help them build a healthy and happy bond over time.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, introducing a new puppy to your dog takes time, patience, and consistency.

With these tips in mind, you can help ensure that your new pup and dog have a successful transition into their new home!

Having Fun at Home With A Karaoke

by

Many of us like to play good music at home especially when we are tired or want to relax. It can also be a great way to entertain our pets especially when you are gone for the day. When entertaining your pets, playing good music at home will not only relax them but also make them feel more at home. There are many instruments that you can use as karaoke equipment. Some of the more popular instruments include keyboards, karaoke and drums.

Playing karaoke is an art. Karaoke is where you sing or play songs while you hold a microphone in front of your mouth and perform the song. It is common to hold microphones either by your side or across your chest. Singing is one of the most basic skills needed for karaoke. Most karaoke bars and clubs have a set of singing chairs where people practice singing.

One of the best instruments for karaoke is the karaoke stand. These devices usually hold CDs or DVDs for you to sing into while practicing. Some karaoke stands also feature speakers so you can sing along to your favorite music. These instruments are very useful to have because you can practice singing wherever you want. If you are practicing with friends and family, they can bring over their karaoke equipment so you can sing together.

A figurine doing karaoke.

Singing toys and singing bowl are also great tools to have in your home karaoke setup. These items make it easier to sing because you will have something to hit your teeth and get the sound from. You won’t have to strain your voice trying to hit those notes. Singing bowls come in various sizes. Some are made of thicker materials and others are made of more flexible materials. Getting the right bowl for your singing instrument will help you produce better results.

If you want to play some karaoke music at home but don’t have the right karaoke machine, a DVD player will do the job. Many DVDs today come complete with karaoke instructions. You can watch the videos on how to properly read the lyrics to songs and learn how to lip-read. When you learn how to lip read, you will open yourself up to learning other vocal aspects such as registers and octaves. Karaoke DVDs can open up a whole new world of singing possibilities.

Phone with lyrics.

If you are just starting out with karaoke, then you might want to start out with a portable device that will allow you to sing on the go. For this kind of singing, you might want to invest in a karaoke microphone. This can help you practice singing anywhere you go. You don’t have to worry about carrying around a big box of karaoke machines when you are singing.

Once you feel more comfortable with your ability to lip-read and sing, then you may want to consider purchasing your own karaoke machine. Many people love the idea of being able to practice their singing anywhere they like. Finding a device that has voice lessons included will give you a leg-up in competing with other karaoke vocalists. You can purchase these in portable or stationary models. Stationary devices are less portable, but they tend to be a little bit quieter so you can still practice singing loudly without disturbing your neighbors.

When you are ready to purchase your own karaoke machine, there are a few things that you will need to consider. The first thing you will need to do is decide on a sound system. Your system will depend greatly on what type of singing you plan to do. Some singers enjoy the background sounds that karaoke machines provide while others prefer the high-pitched screams and grunts. You can find machines that have both options so you can choose the one that suits you best. Good music at home is all about finding the right sound for your singing voice.

How To Deal With Joint Pain As We Age

by

Joints play an essential role in our bodies since they aid us in moving, bending, to lifting, including all manner of things. Over the years, they tend to take a beating, and as we age, the more they are subjected to pressure. You may have felt some joint pains as you age and shrugged it off, thinking it was due to some strenuous activity. It may be true, but don’t be fooled. It may point to some underlying condition. It may be that your joints are crying out for help in terms of nourishment. All in all, it would be prudent to seek medical advice from your doctor in diagnosing and managing such pain. In case you are wondering how to deal with joint pains as we age, you are in the right place. Indulge.

RIGHT DIAGNOSIS

For starters, having the right diagnosis is imperative in determining proper treatment. Arthritis is a common catch-all phrase for joint pain and inflammation. Well, according to doctor Hoffman, a rheumatology chief specialist from the University of Miami Miller Medical School, there exist more than a hundred cases of arthritis. He states that people won’t get the proper pain management or treatment they deserve unless we pinpoint the origin or the root cause.

EXERCISING

Physical activities during old age are essential since it keeps your joints lubricated. Inactivity may cause joint stiffness making even the most basic tasks painful and challenging. Further, lifting weights goes a long way in improving joint functionality. Just make sure you start small and scale up as you build stamina.

CHECK YOUR WEIGHT

As we age, we tend to pile on weight due to less activity due to decreased strength. This weight tends to put pressure on the joints leading to aches. Nutritionists and health experts advise that maintaining a properly balanced diet coupled with a few sessions of exercises a week will go a long way in improving your overall health and weight. A balanced diet ensures your joints get enough nutrients. They further advise the use of joint supplements to improve nutrient levels.

DRINK LOTS OF WATER

Reducing your alcohol intake as well as sugary beverages, goes a long way in reducing dehydration. If possible, replace such beverages entirely with water. Ensuring that you re-hydrate by always having a water bottle helps to lubricate your joints during work out sessions. Your body tends to such out moisture from cartilage among other areas when dehydrated.

QUIT SMOKING

I know old habits die hard. Nevertheless, you should strive to quit it if you are an ardent smoker. Smoking causes joint inflammation and alters the way your brain processes bodily pains. You may not know the severity involved until the effects of smoking wear off. For chronic smokers, it may be too late before you discover that your cartilages are worn off.

CONCLUSION

Aging is an inevitable part of life. With it comes a myriad of problems such as joint pain. However, how we respond to such pains is what makes all the difference. Adopting such changes as highlighted goes a long way in keeping such pains at bay.

Why Your Garage Should Have A Backup Generator

by

The responsibility of everything that happens in your garage lies on your shoulders when you own a personal garage or as a business. It may include finding the right insurance as well as employees for your business. Your garage business can also suffer considerable losses due to power outage as you have to stop operating your business until the power supply is restored. But you will have to suffer losses if the power outage prolongs unexpectedly. It this situation it becomes necessary to have a backup generator in your garage so that you can keep your business operational in any condition. The information provided hereunder will help you to know why your garage needs a backup generator.

REASONS TO HAVE A BACKUP GENERATOR IN YOUR GARAGE

There can be several reasons to have a backup generator in your garage. All of these reasons will help in preventing the inconvenience and losses caused by the outages of power supply as well as in improving the output of your business.

AVOID BREAKS IN BUSINESS OPERATIONS

If you are in garage business then power outage in your area can considerably affect the operations of your business. By having a backup generator in your garage you can easily avoid such interruptions. You can continue your operations even without waiting for the restoration of power.

CONTINUOUS SUPPLY OF POWER

When you have a backup generator in your garage then along with avoiding interruptions in your business operations you can also use its power for various other purposes. You can run various appliances, the security systems of the garage, door openers, and several other systems and equipment, etc. operated by power. All the appliances in your garage business will stop working with the disruption in the power supply. Along with using other appliances and equipment your generator can also ensure to provide power supply without any fluctuation which you cannot expect with the supply of grid power.

REDUCE THE COST OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS

Almost all of the appliances, machinery, and equipment running on power in your garage will stop working at the time of power outages. If you arrange power supply from other sources to run your garage operations then it can cost you higher than the cost of backup you can get from your personal generator. Moreover, loss of business as well as the cost of malfunctioning of machinery and equipment during power outages can be avoided by having a backup generator in your garage.

TYPES OF BACKUP GENERATOR

After knowing the reasons to have a backup generator in your garage you should also know the type of generator suitable for you. Mainly two types of backup generators are used for this purpose. Both of them have their own pros and cons.

STANDBY GENERATOR

You will have to add it permanently in your garage. It is a bit expensive also. But it can power up your garage more quickly than a portable generator.

PORTABLE GENERATOR

It is a better option for people with limited budgets. It can easily be used to get back up at the time of power outage by using a few electrical items.

Thus you must have a backup generator in your garage due to the reasons discussed in this write-up.

Is It Worth It To Have A Garage?

by

With your own house, you will get to decide what to do with it. The reason is that it is your home, so you get to decide how to make it cozy and relaxing for you and also welcoming for others. Having some upgrades will also be great for your house’s value. So be it remodeling, renovating, or adding some rooms, it will be useful.

What about a garage? It is said that it will be incredibly convenient to have one. But is it really? Let us see some factors to evaluate.

Uses

The main mindset in having a garage is that it is the place where you will park or store your vehicle. But it has various uses though. For some, it will also be the storage of different kinds of tools. It can also be a place to do some hobbies such as crafting and furniture making. It will be much better if one is into fixing different kinds of vehicles. They will get to play around with it in a nice space. A garage is not only exclusive for working. It can also be a place for entertainment. Some would turn their garage into game rooms. Some will make it a place for working out by turning it into a gym. So in the end, it is a space, and it is the owner’s choice of what to do with it.

Does It Upgrade Value?

One of the things you should also think of is the future of your house which means if you have plans or go to a situation that you needed to sell the house, it should be at a good price. For that to happen, you need to increase its value. It is mentioned earlier that remodeling and additions always work. Is it also the same with the garage? Well, it is. The kitchen and the bathroom is said to be the best asset to increase value, but the garage is also a big factor. The reason for that it is a great addition to a home. And as mentioned above, it has many uses, and buyers will surely have a lot of ideas on what to do with it.

How Much It Costs?

It will depend upon what kind of garage you will add, with the size and also the materials to use. It can be cheap but of course, if you want something bigger with good-quality materials, it will definitely cost more. But in the end, it will depend on the plans to use it which means it does not need to be too much if it is just something simple.

The Bottomline

Yes, it will be worth it. As mentioned before, it does not have to be too much. Even if with something simple, it can still boost the value of your house. It will also not go to waste for you can do anything with it. This will give you a chance to have a safe space to escape the stress and do your passions.

What An Electric Dog Fence Can Offer For Your Pup

by

If you’re a dog owner, then you know just as well as any other that you’ll pretty much do anything for your pet. How could you say no to that loving face that is always there to greet you with smiles at the end of a rough day?

Dogs are very active animals, and they need to get plenty of exercise to feel fulfilled and stay healthy. This is even more true for some breeds like border collies and retrievers that are meant to run about as part of their genetics.

With the busy lives we lead it can become quite difficult to make the time it takes to give your dog all of the exercise they need. Trips to the park are great, but they take a solid chunk of time. Walks are great too and more convenient, but still they might not be enough to fulfill your dog’s need to run free.

One great solution is to install an electric dog fence in your yard. Basically what these systems do is set a boundary where your dog can roam free while still being contained. All they have to do is wear a collar that’s compatible with the system.

The great thing about these types of containment systems is that they are rather affordable. You’re looking at something on the order of a few hundred dollars, as opposed to what it would cost to install an actual fence – more likely in the thousands of dollars. They also don’t actually take up the physical space or block your line of site like a real fence would.

If you’re interested in reading through an in-depth guide about electric dog fences, this is a good place to start: https://www.thepamperedpup.com/best-electric-wireless-dog-fence-reviews/. You’ll see that you can choose from both in-ground and wireless designs, each having its benefits. Personally, I opted for an in-ground fence for my dog because I liked the benefit of being able to specifically set the boundaries rather than rely on the preset shape determined by the wireless units.

Of course the question then becomes obvious: How is this wireless fence system working out?

I’m happy to report that it is working fantastically. It took a little bit of training, but my dog has grown accustomed to it in a matter of weeks and has no problem staying within the boundaries of the fence system. It’s nice because I can just let her out when I get home from work and I don’t have to keep an eye on her. She gets plenty of exercise and time outside, and that’s still on top of our routine walks that we take every day.

On the weekends when it’s nice she can spend pretty much the entire day outside, unless of course the sun is so strong that she prefers to come inside to the air conditioning. She seems happier and she has definitely been losing some weight from all of the exercise she’s been getting, which the vet has been recommending for quite some time now.

All in all I’d say this was a great lifestyle change for both me and the dog. I’m happier because I feel like she’s getting more of what she needs, and she’s certainly enjoying all of the extra freedom. If you’re feeling the same way as I was prior to making this purchase I’d recommend you give it a shot.

My Favorite Household Gadgets From The Last Six Months

by

Over the last half of a year I’ve gone on quite a bit of a spree. Normally I’m opposed to buying into the latest crazes when it comes to home technology. They come and they go so fast that it just doesn’t seem worth it. I came to the realization though that I was worried about falling behind the times. It all came about when I was at my friend’s house and she asked me to put a show on TV. It had been so long since I’d used cable television that I had no idea how to navigate the endless sea of buttons on the remote. When my friend finally got around to seeing me struggle, noticing I hadn’t manage to make it passed the TV guide page, she thought I could use a little help. I gave her the remote and she spoke into it, asking the remote to play the show she had requested. To my surprise, it worked.

Apparently this is a rather common technologies these days, but it totally blew my mind. I wasn’t aware that technology had come quite that far, let alone in a useful way. So I decided to give it a shot. To get back on the horse with household technology so to speak. I took a trip to the internet, dabbled amongst some forums, and decided on a number of home devices that I decided to give a try. I figured it was an experiment, the worst that could happen was that all of them would be disappointing and I could return to my luddite lifestyle. So I set a price tag in mind and went shopping over the course of a few weeks until I hit my budget. Then I had the chance to try out the different products and get a feel for them. Here are my thoughts on the best of the lot.

Simpli Safe Home Security System

This is the item that tops my list. It just makes me feel safe and secure at home. It’s not small price tag, but for the mid-hundreds of dollar range, this system has brought so much peace of mind to my daily life (and evenings for that matter). With the two included cameras I can keep an eye on my home while I’m away. Not only does this help with keeping tabs on intruders, but I can also check to make sure there are no hazards such as fire, flooding, etc. To be honest, I don’t use most of it’s features. They offer a monitoring subscription which I haven’t yet activated. I may some day, I just don’t have a need for it now. I get the most benefit from using the alarm in “home” mode when I’m sleeping. It helps me rest and know for sure that there’s no one lurking around in my condo.

Eufy Robovac

Have you ever wondered what it was like to come home and have your home nice and clean? Well, you can get at least some of that with today’s robot vacuums. They sound like a gimmick, and admittedly they do have some flaws, but still the sheer convenience of this device is incredible. Make sure to clean up and power chords or cables, as they’re sure to be the demise of your vacuum robot. Also, don’t get upset when the robot gets stuck. It’s going to happen. Just try again tomorrow and if there’s anything you can do to prevent the sticking situation from happening again, go ahead and implement it. All in all, once you get used to using the Robovac it’s a no brainer. I may even expand my fleet sometime soon so that I can get my home cleaned up in record time.

Echo Dot

The echo dot is somewhat controversial. People don’t like to have artificial intelligence eavesdropping on their every word, and with good reason. This thing totally know what your saying behind it’s back or in front of it’s face. I can see how that would be a problem, but for me the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. It’s so easy to cue up any song you want (of course you need to subscribe to Amazon Music Unlimited, or a similar service that the Echo Dot supports). You can control the volume with a simple command. You can even ask what song is playing, or ask questions about just about anything. Alexa has your back. Sure, she might be listening too much. I just hope that they only use that information to help improve the user experience. For now, I approve.

So of course all of this begs the question, have I reverted to a full blown tech gadget nerd? Well, of course not. I do however see the value that these items can bring to our everyday lives and I fully appreciate that. There’s no reason you should keep convenience out of your life, especially when convenience saves time and/or headaches. I’m still probably not going to run out and buy every new gadget that hits the shelves, but I do think it’s important to stay aware of the technologies out there and embrace those that seem like their going to stick. Anyway, I hope you found something useful in this post. What are your favorite gadgets? I’d love to hear, please share!

How To Encourage Children To Learn Music From An Early Age

by

Learning music at an early age can be beneficial to a child’s development. The popular “Mozart effect” postulates that listening to classical music can improve a child’s intelligence. Music can help to improve a child’s motor skills, social development, and help them to become more self-aware. Of course, listening to music will most likely not make them a genius, but having exposure to sophisticated music will strengthen various connections in their brains. As time goes on, they may start to experience rapid improvement in other areas of their lives. 

The best way to encourage a child to learn music is to listen to music yourself. Children are highly impressionable and are more likely to mirror the behavior of those around them. Exposing the child to a musical environment is the most natural way for your child to develop an interest in music. There’s also no such thing as starting too early when it comes to encouraging your child to learn music. Many parents will play classical music for their newborns. Children are information sponges, and this is especially true for newborns. Their brain is collecting and synthesizing information at an explosive rate. Children are more likely to listen to the same type of music that they grew up hearing later in life. Parents even play music for their child before the child is born. This may seem silly, but this can work. Before the child is born, they can hear what is going on in the outside world. This is useful for recognizing their mother’s voice when they are first born. This is also useful to priming the brain to learn other things, such as music. 

Enrolling in your child in a music program is another good way to get them interested in music. Many programs make it fun and simple to understand the basics of music for children. Music programs are also a great way for them to socialize with others. A fond experience of learning music is necessary if the child is going to stick with it. Memories of making friends while learning music will give the child something pleasant to connect the music too. 

Depending on their age, buying musical toys, or letting them play musical apps is good for letting them explore their interest with fun activities before they start with more complex instruments. There are plenty of apps that let you play almost any kind of instrument from the piano, guitar, and more. Some are even based on actual practices used to play the instruments, so your child will be getting practical experience with instruments as well. 

Your voice is an instrument too. Children generally like to have attention, and may even shout at the top of their lungs to get it. This is the perfect opportunity for them to channel that limitless energy into beautiful music. Many of us sing all the time. We sing along to songs. We sing when we’re in the shower. We sing when we’re bored. Singing is one of the easiest ways for a child to become interested in music. Turn on one of their favorite songs, and encourage them to sing more. 

Many artists, musical talents, and genuine attribute their talents to their early childhood years. A simple musical piece or a chance to perform in front of others was all it took for them to realize their passion. The benefits of learning music at an early age extend far beyond musical applications. Children will learn to be more focused, confident in themselves, and more prepared to take on challenging problems.