Buying a dog house isn’t as easy as it used to be. These days you have options.  You know how simple tasks like buying a television or [gasp] a VCR have over the years become unnecessarily complicated, complete with more options than a person could ever have preferences? Yeah. Well, welcome to the world of dog houses. You ain’t seen nothing yet.

It’s true. These days, buying a dog house is far more complicated than it used to be because of all the different types of dog houses on the market. From wood dog houses to plastic, to traditional to Victorian, from single dog houses to multi-dog mansions, the options for dog houses are virtually endless. We hope the guide below will help you sift through what’s important and help you remain within your budget.

Appearances First

Like in life, how your dog house looks is important. You want your dog house to mesh with the overall look and feel of the exterior of your house and yard. Depending on what type of dog house you buy, you may be able to customize it after the fact (for example, wood dog houses can be painted), but why not make your life easier and try to find something that works as is? Unless you have nothing better to do on your Saturday than paint wooden dog houses. If so, seek help.

Again, we don’t judge.

Finding a dog house to match your human house shouldn’t be too hard as there are plenty of different styles to choose from, including wood, brick, or plastic. There are pros and cons to each, so it’s worth your time to figure out which best matches you and your dog’s style. Here’s a quick rundown on what each material has to offer, along with some of its specific drawbacks:

• Plastic: Insulated plastic dog houses do a pretty good job keeping your pooch warm during the winter and will hold up regardless of what Mother Nature throws at them. On the pro side, they’re also super safe for your puppy (no splinters or jagged edges), economical and relatively easy for us dog owners to clean. The cons for plastic dog houses are that there’s very little ability to modify them and they’re often considered some of the, uh, least attractive dog houses.
• Wood: Wood houses give off a classic dog house-feel and are typically far more attractive than their plastic counterparts. They come in an array of different shapes and styles and are super modifiable. You want a porch? Add one on! Want to make your princess a pink dog house? Get out the paint! On the downside, wooden dog houses mean you must be careful about splinters, they’re difficult to clean and they don’t always handle weather as well as plastic dog houses.
• Brick: Brick dog houses let everyone know what your dog is not one to be messed with. They offer the ultimate in style, class and protection, giving your dog a regal feel. On the downside, they’ll last forever (while you may move, your dog house will not), they’re hard to clean and they can be super expensive. For example, have you met the $25,000 Brick Doggie Mansion? I love my dog but I’m not sure he needs a dog house more expensive than my car. (Don’t tell him I said that though.)

Comfort & Weather Concerns

Comfort is the most important consideration when researching dog houses. Your dog will be spending a substantial amount of time in his new home, and you want it to be a place that he enjoys - otherwise you are going to have problems keeping him outside. When you’re doing your dog house shopping, there are several comfort considerations to take into account:

• Size: How many dogs will be using this house? How big is your dog? How active is he? Your dog may be spending extended periods of time in this dog house, so it’s absolutely vital that it’s large enough for him to not only fit in, but to move around in and get comfortable. Be careful though: Don’t just go buying the biggest dog house on the lot. If the house is too big, it can make your dog feel insecure and vulnerable.
• Safety: Make sure the dog house you select will keep your dog safe. If it’s wood or plastic, there shouldn’t be any sharp or jagged corners that would hurt your dog should he run into them. You also want to make sure that the dog house you select is sturdy enough to hold your dog and that it won’t collapse on top of him should he get rough. If there are real windows, make sure there is no risk of them falling down on their own.
• Warmth: We highly recommend weatherproofing your doghouse. You don’t like dealing with nasty weather, so why should your dog? If you live in an area that gets relatively cold, install a heater for the house. To help keep it warm, you may also want to invest in heated dog beds, mats and pads to put inside the house. Another tip is to face the house away from the wind, and buy a model with an off-center door so that if cold air does get in, it doesn’t blow directly on your dog. Also, make sure that the floor is raised a few inches off the ground, this will help keep the dog warm in the winter and cool in the summer. And definitely get a model with a peaked roof and weatherproof lining, this will keep the rain out of the doghouse during stormy weather.

Practicality

Once you have the aesthetics and and comfort concerns down, it’s time to think practicality.

• What kind of dog house can you afford?
• Are you going to buy a pre-made dog house or build it yourself?
• How handy are you? Can you build a dog house out of scrap wood or do you need dog plans?
• How easy will it be to clean? (We recommend finding a model with a removable roof and floor padding to make cleaning easier)
• How durable is it?
• Will you be able to take it down should you need to?
• Is it movable once assembled?

Final Thoughts

For better or for worse, you have lots of options these days when you select a dog house for your dog. Spend some time researching them to ensure that you choose the best dog house for your dog. You and your dog will have to live with this dog house for quite awhile, so make you get one that works for both of you.

Good luck and happy shopping!

This post originated from Stylepup, your source for all things dog houses.

Once that new bundle enters your home, he will turn it absolutely upside down. If you have other children (canine or otherwise), you’ve already lived through this. You know that there will suddenly be a mess a questions that need answers. For example, how will this new addition fit into your family’s life? Where will he sleep? Who is going to be his major caretaker? These are all very important things to ask, but perhaps the most important question of all is, what the heck do we call him?

It’s time to put on your thinking caps, Friends.

Time-Tested Dog Naming Tips

There’s an old saying that a rose by any other name would still smell as sweet.

This is a lie and you know it.

People place a lot of equity in their names. It shapes our identity from the time that we’re born. Your name tells you your place in life. Candy is not going to be a Harvard scholar, Muriel is not going to be voted most popular of her high school class, and Mervin is not going to grow up to be quarterback of the football team. Life is cruel and your name plays a big part in the social order of things.

The same holds true for your dog. The name you choose for him will play a big part in the kind of dog he grows up to be. Princess is going to be high maintenance, Buddy is going to be loyal, and Jack is going to be an absolute devilish nightmare from the very beginning. (Or is that just my Jack?) Either way, it’s basic psychology and you better give it the respect it deserves.

So, how do you give your dog a name that will be accepted the human/pet community and help to shape his personality in the right direction?

Look to your dog for inspiration

By far the most underrated way to find the perfect name for you dog is to simply look at him. Don’t make him uncomfortable to the point where he mauls your face, but give your baby a good look. What does he look like to you? What springs to mind? A lot of dogs naturally resemble famous actresses, sitcom characters or historical figures. If you look at your pup, and something immediately jumps out at you, use it.  Those are called instincts. Your dog has them too.

Or maybe your dog doesn’t resemble a famous actor but is already showing clear signs of personality. A puppy who gets into everything may be called Mischief.  Or a dog who walks around like royalty may be fit for the name Prince or King.

Or what about physical characteristics? Does your dog have eyes like Midnight or hair the color of a Raven? Be careful when naming your dog based on physical traits, though. I once made the mistake of naming a dog Floppy after his unusually large ears… only to have his ears be normal-sized once he was a few months old. Try explaining that for the rest of your life.

Name according to breed

When coming up with the perfect name, you want to take your dog’s breed into consideration. For example, naming your bulldog Fluffy is probably going to get you some weird stares and make people think you are mentally unstable. It is also not funny to give “cute” prissy names to masculine breeds like the Boxer (my all-time favorite, not that you asked) or the Rottweiler or to name your pocket-sized dog something overpowering like Butch or Rock.

Introducing...Killer

Virtually every dog breed is known for something — try playing that up to find a cute name for your dog. For example, how about a Chihuahua named Shivers, a Bulldog names Wrinkles or a Jack Russel Terrier named Eddie? When you go with a name that is “appropriate” for the type of dog you own, it saves you and your dog from unnecessary ridicule and public humiliation.

Don’t give your dog a person name…

Stop me when this sounds familiar. You’re being polite and humoring your coworker while she rambles on about all the funny things her boyfriend Ed did this weekend: He knocked over the garbage, he hogged the whole bed, and he made a total mess during a dinner. “What a jerk!”, you cry, trying to sound sympathetic. Then you realize Ed is not her boyfriend. Ed is her dog.

Oh good heavens!

This is not cute. Logan, Bryce, Caleb, Donovan and Cole are all very nice names for baby boys, however, they are not appropriate for your dog. Equally inappropriate is naming your child Fido, Lassie, Shadow, Scooby, or Muffin. There is just no reason for it. None at all.

Do consider a celebrity baby name

Okay. I know I just said that you can’t switch names between humans and dogs, however, I do think it’s okay to name your dog after celebrities or their children. This makes sense as it is common knowledge that celebrities are not real people. If they were, we wouldn’t chase them into traffic with video cameras and they’d have to abide by recognized laws. Like not driving while under the influence. And no killing people.

If you don’t believe that celebrity baby names make great pet names, let me introduce you to the children of Robert Rodriguez: Rocket, Racer, Rebel, Rogue and Rhiannon.  You can’t tell me those aren’t some of the most awesome dog names you’ve come across! And what about Gwen Stefani? She named her kids Kingston and Zuma. Let’s face it, celebrities have given us some wonderful dog name ideas. Thanks, Stars!

Assess your creative situation

If you’re not creative and are horrified at the latest batch of celebrity baby names (and really, who can blame you?), you can always follow the crowd and check out 2008’s most popular dog names.

I guess there’s no real harm in being one of 12 Buddies at the dog park. I’m sure your dog won’t grow up to resent you. Or wonder why you didn’t love him enough to come up with a good name. And he definitely won’t take it out on your favorite pair of shoes.

On Second Thought…

Spend some real time coming up with a name that suits your dog and makes him feel confident. He’s going to be living with it his entire life; we think he deserves a good one.

This post originated from Stylepup, your source for all things dog houses.

Forget that. There’s no way you’re giving up your stellar apartment. The one with the fireplace, high ceilings, and a kitchen that you’re way too stoked about considering you can’t even boil a pot of water successfully. And you’re definitely not giving up your dog. Not your beloved puppy who has been by your side through the good times and the bad. The late nights and the early mornings. The breakups and the makeups. You will find a way for them to coexist, regardless of the cost.

So what are you going to do?

Well, you’re going to get creative. You’re going to do what you promised yourself you would never do. You’re going to blatantly lie to your landlord and sneak your baby in!

Mandatory Disclaimer: We here at Stylepup do not endorse breaking the rules and going behind your landlord’s back to sneak your dog into a dog-free apartment. We would never want anyone reading the next few sections to think that we would actually sneak a perfectly good dog into an apartment that has banned them for no reason. We wouldn’t even call what lies below advice. It’s more like jokes. Stuff we made up! We’d never, ever try any of this. Because sneaking your dog into an apartment which clearly told you it was against the rules is wrong. Very bad.  In other words, if you try any the advice below and get caught, we’d really appreciate it if you didn’t sue us.

Now then…

Step 1: Keep Him Invisible

Your landlord won’t find out that you own a dog if he never sees said dog, right? Right. This is why it is imperative that your dog remain invisible at all times. Dog? What dog? You don’t have a dog! This is a dog-free apartment!

Puppy invisibility means a few things. First, it means that when you move into your apartment, leave the dog, the food bowls, the dog house, the toys and the 50lb bag of dog food somewhere else. I don’t care where you leave it, just make sure it is nowhere near your new apartment. The likelihood that your landlord will stop by to “check on things” while you’re first moving in is too high to risk it. They may have forgotten to give you a second set of keys, to invite you to the community picnic happening next weekend or to bring you page 87 of your 200 page lease that you neglected to sign. On the positive side, if you ignore this piece of advice and your landlord does stop by and see your dog, well…at least your boxes are already packed when you get kicked out, right?

Wrong. Leave your dog at your old place and then quietly sneak bring him over later. When it’s dark out. And your landlord and dog-fearing children have gone to bed.

But that’s not the last time your dog is going to have to find another place to stay for awhile. Oh no. There will be times during the year when maintenance people will have to come by to paint your railing or clean the leaves off your balcony or fix your leaky sink. When this happens, you’ll have to find a place to stash your dog for a day. Believe it or not, I once held off breaking up with a guy solely because I knew my annual apartment inspection was coming up and I’d need a place for my baby to hide out. I like to think that it doesn’t make me a bad person, but instead, a good dog owner.

Another instance when you’re going to have to hide your dog is during your nightly walk. There are a few ways you can go about this.

1. If your parking spot is near your apartment, you can quickly whisk your puppy away and drive a safe distance before letting him out to stretch his legs and do his business. When taking the puppy outside, try to conceal him in a bag that doesn’t scream “I HAVE A DOG IN HERE!”. Be subtle.
2. If your parking spot is NOT near your apartment, I’d recommend you wait til nightfall and then drive your puppy to go a good walking spot. It may sound extreme, but when it comes to your puppy, it’s better safe than sorry, right? You never know when your landlord or a nosy, dog-hating neighbor will be walking around.

Step 2: Keep Him Quiet

This is crucial. There shall be no puppy whining, barking or yelping at any time. If you have a yappy dog, then you shouldn’t even bother trying to sneak him in. It’s not going to work.

There are some tricks you can use, however, to help keep your dog quiet.

Most dogs will generally remain quiet and well-behaved when their owners are home and around to love them. It’s when you leave your apartment that you really have to worry. If you’re not sure how your puppy will react to being left home alone, lock him in a room and then videotape him while you’re gone to see what he does during the day when you’re not around. If he generally just sleeps and kicks back, you’re as golden as a retriever. If not, you may be in for a rough time.

Think about putting your puppy into some kind of boarding program while you are gone during the day. This will give your dog a chance to interact with his peers and get his aggression out, while allowing you to keep the apartment you have fallen head over heels for.  If boarding or puppy daycare isn’t a possibility, talk to your boss and see if he/she won’t let you bring your puppy with you a few days a week. Most bosses will be against this, but there are some who will humor you and let your puppy tag along. And heck, it’s a worth a shot to ask, right? If not, consider getting a job at Google. They love dogs there.

If you can’t bring your dog to work or afford to find a place for him to play during the day, then you’re going to have to get creative at home.  Make sure your dog has plenty of things to occupy his time while he’s home alone. Give him lots of treats and toys and leave the television or radio on to help your puppy not hear anything else and to make sure no one else hears your puppy. It’s one of the oldest tricks in the book, but hey, it works.

There may also be times when you’ll need to keep your puppy quiet when a neighbor a landlord knocks on the door. Never, ever let anyone inside your apartment when your dog is loose. You can’t trust anyone with your secret. As soon as you hear that knock on the door, lock your puppy up. Put him a dog house, a dog carrier or just shoo him into the bathroom, but make sure he is out of sight. And if you can, have some water running or, again, the TV on to help block out the noise. Sure, this may make you look like a crazy person to your neighbors if your water is always running when they come to the door, but at least you’re a crazy person with a dog. And if they start leaving you pamphlets about the importance of conserving water, well…I’ll tell you what to do with those in a bit.

Step 3: Keep Him Good

It does you no good for your puppy to be invisible and quiet if he’s chewing the furniture and leaving you love puddles in the middle of your carpet. If you’re going to sneak your puppy into a pet-free apartment, then you’re going to have to make sure he knows the rules.

There’s really only one rule and it’s this: Behave your damn self!

If the dog you’re sneaking in is a puppy, make sure he’s both trained and housebroken. If he’s not, then I would not advise bringing him into an apartment situation. Untrained puppies will eat carpets, stain rugs, scratch doors and show you exactly why your landlord doesn’t allow dogs in the first place.

Dog training books can help you learn the tools you’ll need to teach your puppy how to win your heart and a place in your apartment. There are also products that will make couch legs take less than tasty for dogs.

If your dog has a hard time holding his bladder during the day, paper train him and then line the floor with newspaper or those water conservation packets your neighbors gave you.  Anything to protect your carpet.

If your puppy can be trusted most of the time, but not all, then only let him run loose when you’re around to supervise. The minute you go out you need to put him in a crate or confine him to a room where he can’t do any real damage. Like the bathroom. Tile is your friend when it comes to naughty puppies and dogs. This may sound a bit extreme or harsh for the day, but you’re the one who didn’t read your lease requirements beforehand. Don’t blame it on me.

Step 4: Bidding Farewell To Your Apartment…and covering up your tracks

At some point, you’re going to grow out of your perfect apartment and it will be time to go. When you leave, make sure you take all evidence of an illegal canine with you. That mean fixing missing carpet patches, having your rug cleaned, etc. It may feel like a pain in the butt to fix up an apartment you’re leaving, but if your landlord finds out you were housing a dog all this time — they make take away your entire security deposit or instill some crazy retroactive pet fee. You don’t want to have to deal with this.

So For Next Time…

I hope that these tips and tricks help you in your quest to get your dog into a dog-free apartment. Next time, realize that with the Internet and rental services that are now available, it’s often a lot easier to find an apartment that does allow pets than to sneak one into a place that doesn’t. So save yourself the stress and the hassle next time around and do some research before you set eyes on apartment you’ll have to break the rules to live in. You know, unless you enjoy your invisible dog and ninja ways.

Good luck. ;)

This post originated from Stylepup, your source for all things dog houses.

Like you’re betraying your vow to love, honor and obey your puppy (or was that your husband?) and banish your dog into the wild of your backyard.

Or even worse — out of your bed and into a plastic crate. The horror! You love your dog. He should live with you. Your bed is his bed, right?

Yeah. It may be time to get a grip and get over that Catholic-sized sense of guilt you’re holding onto. Come with us into the light, we promise it’ll be okay.

Dog houses get a bad wrap (I blame this on men, who always seem to find themselves in them). But the truth is, dog houses serve a lot of great purposes, both for you and your dog. And hell, in 2008, dog house living doesn’t really look so bad. Get me a margarita and shut the door!

If you’re on the fence as to whether or not a dog house is for you, consult the list below and consider if maybe a dog house isn’t the key to a life of contentment for you and your best friend. You may be surprised to hear about all the great things dog houses can offer!

A Home To Call His Own

If the thought of forcing a dog house upon your dog gives you a sense of guilt, then you’re looking at it the wrong way. By investing in a dog house, you’re giving him his own corner of the world to call home. Whether you’re looking at an indoor dog house or an outdoor house, your dog will come to love his mini digs. You can set it up with his favorite treats, toys, water, food, and a blanket to provide the ultimate crash pad for your pup. You’re not banishing him anywhere, you’re giving him a place where he can feel safe and relaxed. Are you banishing your child when you set him up in his own room? Well, maybe, but your child deserves it. Everyone knows children are evil. (Kidding, parents!)

And when your dog has a space to call his very own, it gives you back your space. Space like your bed.

Owners have been fighting with their pets for bed space every since Noah loaded up the arc with two of a kind and offset the balance. Since then we’ve been stuck in a losing battle for bed space, trying to convince ourselves that we like sleeping diagonally, or that we prefer to sleep scrunched up in the right hand corner of the bed (”it’s good for my neck!”). Dog houses allow us to reclaim our dignity and get a full night’s rest.

And if your spouse is the type to get a little too jealous of your late-night puppy spooning, it may also save your marriage.

Security & Protection

Dogs love to be outside. There’s dirt to roll around in, squirrels to chase, sticks to eat and the wind to bark at. However, being outside without any refuge can leave a puppy scared and uncomfortable.

When outside, your dog gets to run, jump, and play, but he’s also left to encounter some unpleasantries. This includes people who may startle your dog, other dogs or animals that will try to intimidate him, or loud noises that will scare or upset him. By giving your dog a dog house, you give him the perfect place to retreat to instantly make himself feel safe and loved and protected. Dogs who were welped by their mother will especially take to dog houses for comfort. For them, it reminds them of those early months that they spent nestled with their mothers.

A dog house can also be used to protect your dog from the elements like excessive heat, sun, rain, wind, snow and whatever else Mother Nature feels inclined to throw at him. In these situations, giving your dog a dog house simply keeps your pup safe and ensures that he’s well taken care of. Who wouldn’t want that?

If your dog is going to be outside for extended periods of time, a dog house also gives you a safe place to leave food and water without fear that it will be tainted by the elements or neighborhood animals (or those evil children again!).

Training Issues

If you’re having trouble training your puppy or helping an older dog stay independent, then a dog house may be just what you need to get everyone back on track. For example, if your adult dog is having accidents in the house, you can use a dog house to help ‘reset’ this problem by confining him into a smaller space. A dog house is also a good way to save your carpets, your couch legs and your favorite shoes.

Use caution when you start using your dog house as a training facility. Your dog will never take to his dog house if you allow him to associate it with punishment or getting in trouble. Do your best to surround the dog house with lots of positive signals and experiences. This may mean feeding your dog in the dog house, filling it with his favorite toys or surrounding it with familiar smells and sounds. The more “like home” you make your dog house feel to your pooch, the more open he’ll be to using it, and the happier everyone will be.

Once you get over your initial guilt of leaving your dog in a dog house, you’ll come to find that you’re doing it for your dog, not to him. Dog houses give your dog a place to hide when necessary or to play by himself when humans just aren’t cutting it. So to answer our initial question, yes, we think your dog does need a dog house in order to grow up into a happy and healthy pup. In fact, we think you need one too!

This post originated from Stylepup, your source for all things dog houses.

I know. It’s harsh and I would never say it to his cute little puppy dog face, but traveling with your dog makes everything more difficult and more stressful. In my years of puppy raising and body schlepping, I’ve found that the best way to ensure that “man’s best friend” remains your best friend is not to take him with you when you go on the road.

If you can’t bear the thought of boarding your dog due to threat of germs, foul treatment or gangs of canine low lives, you may want to consider services like PetWatchClub that will help you to find someone trustworthy to watch your dog while you’re out of town. This, of course, assumes you have no friends of your own to do it for you.

I’m not judging.

However, if that doesn’t work and you’re dead set on taking your dog with you, you’re going to need to do some planning. And I’ll warn you, it’s not going to be fun.

Initial Health and Safety

The first step in your trip is to figure out how you and your dog are getting to your destination. Are you flying? Driving? Going by boat, bus or by rail? Hopefully it’s not the latter options because non-service dogs are not permitted on most trains or interstate buses. Local rail and bus companies have their own policies, but most still won’t allow animals to ride with you. So if that was your plan, it’s back to Pet Watch Club you go.

Once you know how you’ll be traveling, it’s time to get your pooch to the vet for a check up. If you’re going by air, you’re going to need to get a full Health Check for your pup before he’ll be allowed on the plane. The Health Check looks to make sure that your pet is fit for travel and that all shots and vaccinations are up to date.  Once your animal has been seen by the vet, they’ll give you a pile of certificates and paperwork that will make you think it’s tax season already. Like your taxes, hold on to these forms. Your airline will ask to see them before they allow your beloved on the plane. If you’re driving and not flying, you should still hold on to mound of paperwork. It’s possible someone will ask to see them at some point on your journey. If anything, it’s a souvenir for the $300 you just spent on shots.

While you’re at the vet, you may also inquire about getting something to sedate your dog during the trip. As I mentioned earlier, traveling is highly stressful on dogs. It’s up to you whether or not you want to go down this route, but it never hurts to consult your vet. You’re already there.

Take a look at your puppy right now. Melts your heart, doesn’t he? Now imagine how you’d feel if your puppy darted out of your car in the middle of Route 66 and vanished before your eyes. Probably not so great.  Before you let your dog out of your house and out of your sight, make sure he’s wearing proper puppy identification.

At the very least, your dog should have a collar with complete tags. None of these vanity name tags. I mean tags that identify the dogs name, your name, your address, and your phone number.  If your dog is like mine and enjoys darting out doors, I’d highly recommend you consider microchipping. It doesn’t hurt the animal, comes at a nominal cost and will significantly increase your chances of getting your dog back should he disappear.

Getting There

Once the initial prep is done, it’s time to worry about what you’ll need for the trip itself.

By Car

If you’re traveling by car, you’re going to want to do some planning before heading on down the road.  Get your dog used to the idea of riding in a car by taking short rides leading up to the big travel day. If your pooch is comfortable riding in cars (and doesn’t associate it with shots at the vet), than he’ll be more relaxed during the journey (and so will you).

Your dog should have a safe place to travel in your car. The back of your truck is not this place. If your dog is in a crate, you’ll want to check that it’s well ventilated and allows your dog to eat and drink. If your dog is loose and not in a crate, make sure that he won’t be able to open any doors or windows. If there are kids in the car, instruct them not to bother the dog. Car rides are stressful and you don’t want your small child using the dog as a source of entertainment. That’s how kids lose fingers.

For everyone’s sanity, plot rest stops along the way to allow your dog to get out of his crate, run around, go to the bathroom, etc. You may also want to make a note of some of the veterinary hospitals along the way, should an emergency arise.

And of course, never leave your dog unattended in a closed vehicle, particularly during the warm months. Temperatures inside parked cars can reach dangerous levels rapidly and because of a dog’s inability to sweat like we humans do, brain damage and death can occur quickly.

By Plane

If you’re planning on taking your dog on the plane with you…well, you’re going to want to have some medication on hand. For you, not your dog.

Air travel can be very traumatic on pets and the airlines sure don’t make it any easier (likely on purpose).  Some airlines don’t even allow animals on their flights, while others will charge exorbitant pet fees, restrict which flights you can take, and make you purchase carriers with insane size limitations. If you do want to travel with your pet, contact the airline to let them know as early as possible. Only a certain number of pets are allowed on a flight so make sure yours gets a spot.

There are two ways to fly with your dog:

Carry on: If you’re traveling with a small dog you may be able to bring him on the plane with you in an airline-approved pet carrier. You should contact your airline as soon as possible to find out their specific carrier size requirements. I can tell you from frustrating personal experience that finding a carrier that’s not too big, too wide or too long is often more difficult than finding a spouse. While there’s some wiggle room with the width and length requirements, your carrier will have to be no greater than 10 inches in order to fit underneath the seat (good luck finding one, but that’s another topic for another article). Sites like Pet Travel Center and Pets On The Go can help you locate an airline-friendly carrier.  If you bring your pet on board with you, your dog will have to stay inside the carrier the entire flight, so make sure he has enough room to move around comfortably.

Cargo Hold: If your traveling with a medium to large dog, chances are you’ll have to place him in the the airplanes cargo hold underneath the plane with the rest of the common luggage. I know, the thought of this is heartbreaking to most pet owners, which is why you should leave your pet at home if at all possible. However, if you have to fly with your dog and he’s not small enough to fit under your seat, this is your only option. Again, you’ll have to secure your dog in a carrier and ‘check him’ with your luggage. Make sure you inquire with the airline where you can go to collect your dog immediately after the flight. It’s worth mentioning that you should check with the airline to ensure that cargo hold is even an option, as some restrict it during the winter months. (Would you want to collect a frozen-solid puppy at your destination gate? We didn’t think so.)

Locating Pet-Friendly Hotels

At some point in your journey you may need a place to crash overnight. Finding a pet-friendly hotel while on the road isn’t an easy task. It’s always better to plan out where you’ll be staying before you leave so that you can make the big decisions prior to having listened to your dog whimper for six hours straight while you pass the same exit four times. (We told you to leave him at home.)  In other words, do your research before you leave.

There are there kinds of hotels out there:

• Hotels that don’t allow animals
• Hotels that tolerate animals
• Hotels that like animals

The more pet-friendly your hotel is, the better the experience you and your dog will have. Some hotels will offer treats, doggie day care, and other amenities, so make sure to inquire about what each hotel offers when you make your reservation. Sites like PetsWelcome.com and DogFriendly.com are also good resources when trying to locate the right pet-friendly hotel for your needs.

Traveling with your pet can be stressful and you want to make it from here to there as safely and comfortably as you can. Doing a little bit of research before you make the big trek will greatly reduce the amount of cries and tears shed during your trip. And we’re not talking about your dogs.

This post originated from Stylepup, your source for all things dog houses.

The Best of the Best

The top selling dog training book on Amazon.com is Be the Pack Leader: Use Cesar’s Way to Transform Your Dog… and Your Life by Cesar Millan, aka the Dog Whisperer. Cesar Millan is known for his uncanny, almost spooky, way of connecting with dogs, figuring out their behavioral problems, and training them into obedience. Cesar believes that a dog’s behavior is a direct reflection of the owner - if you are an inconsistent owner, then you will have a dog with inconsistent behavior (Who asked him anyway? Sniff.). He endorses becoming a strong “pack leader” with a calm and assertive attitude. Better said, it is his belief if you know that you’re the boss, then you’re dog will know too. In his book, Cesar teaches you how to achieve this mind set.

“The Art of Raising a Puppy” by the Monks of New Skete is another great dog training book. The monks of New Skete, a monastery in New York, have been breeding and training dogs for over 20 years. This book focusing on the crucial first 3 months of a puppy’s life and how early bonding and training are essential. While there are the normal step-by-step guides to different training techniques, the book also explores the root of common puppy problems and treating the cause of the problem rather than the behavior.

Probably the biggest training problems that owner’s have with their dogs is house training. “How to Housebreak Your Dog in 7 Days” teaches dog owners how to tackle this problem in just one week. The book endorses positive reinforcement and reward rather than punishment, and gives you daily guides to house training your dog. It also explores the difference between apartment training and house training, puppy and adult dog house breaking, and potty training for dogs that will be left home alone for extended periods of time vs dogs that are mostly with their owners. It also explains how to handle common dog issues such as separation anxiety, marking territory, and house breaking setbacks.

If you are going to be at work all day or leaving your dog alone for an extended period of time, you should probably check out “Crate Training Your Dog“. Crate training is an effective training method in protecting both your home and your dog when you are out of the house. This book explains the benefits of crating your dog (both for you and the animal), why it is important to crate train, and a cohesive guide as to how to go about it. The book is pretty short and straight to the point, and while there isn’t much “fluff” to the book, it is extremely informative and helpful.

“The Perfect Puppy: How To Raise a Well-Behaved Dog” by Gwen Bailey is another great book on training your puppy. This book emphasizes recognizing potential problems before they happen and raising your dog accordingly. It also is a great guide in how to deal with anti-social behavior in your dog (advice you may or may be able to use to deal with humans, as well) and how your behavior and attitudes can, and will, affect the behavior of your dog. It also has helpful tips in dealing with common, yet still troublesome, dog behaviors, such as chewing shoes, trying to get off of its leash, and unnecessary aggression.

Patience, Patience, Patience

Training a dog can be frustrating and tedious, but if you want you and your dog to leave in a peaceful and harmonious environment, then it’s necessary to take the time and effort in training him the right way. With a little effort, a lot of love, and the help of these guides, you should have your dog behaving like the little angel that you know he is in no time.

This post originated from Stylepup, your source for all things dog houses.