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Buying your first puppy can be a daunting task. Her are some common questions to ask when choosing the right puppy… and the right breeder. Arm yourself with information and buy with confidence!

Questions to ask when choosing a puppy:

1. What kind of lifestyle does this breed require?
2. What personality traits should I be informed about?
3. What grooming requirements are there with this breed?
4. What type of exercise does this breed require?
5. Are there any common health problems associated with this breed?
6. Can I meet the puppy’s mother and father?
7. If one of the parents is not available, does the Breeder have pictures available of the parent?
8. May I see / visit where the puppies are raised?
9. How many litters do you have per year?
10. What happens to your retired breeding dogs?
11. How many different breeds do you breed?
12. What is the average lifespan of the dogs?
13. What type of food do you feed your dogs?
14. At what age can the puppy go to it’s new home?
15. What immunization protocol do you follow for your breeding dogs and your puppies?
16. Do the puppies have any type of socialization prior to being sent to their new home?
17. Do the puppies have any type of training prior to being sent to their new home?
18. Are you affiliated with any breeder associations? Why or why not?
19. Do you have references?
20. What guarantees do you offer with your puppies?
21. Do you require spay/neuter contracts on your pet quality puppies?
22. If, for any reason, I am unable to keep the puppy, what is your policy?

Most breeders are more than happy to answer questions related to the purchase of one of their puppies and will be just as concerned about the type of person/household they are releasing one of their puppies to. Remember: It is up to both the Buyer and the Breeder to be comfortable with one another and to ensure that the puppy has been and will be treated properly.

There comes a time when the topic of clipping your dog’s nails must be brought up. Yes, it could get messy, bloody and stressful if done incorrectly, but it is a good idea that you learn how to do it properly.

First, let your dog get used to you touching his paws or feet and getting his toes manicured. Start this off from the time your dog is young. It is important to build that trust. Speak to your dog in a calm voice and always give him a treat when you are done with the manicuring.

Clip your dog’s nails during the day, when there is a lot of light. Separate the nail with your fingers from the rest of his paw. Look at the nail from underneath, you will see a groove that runs along the nail from the tip to where it goes into the paw and pad. Near that tip, you will see that it is grooved to the deepest, creating a hollow of sorts. To keep it safe and to avoid any blood [which is harmless], simply cut the tip off.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. A dog cannot bleed to death when you cut his nails too short. It does look bad, but do not panic. It will stop. Here are a few things to do at home to stop the bleeding:

– Use a napkin or clean, soft cloth to cover the bleeding area. This will stop the blood from messing up the whole area. Mix some flour, baking soda, and corn starch in a small bowl and dip your dog’s bleeding toe in it for a few seconds. This should stop the bleeding.
– Apply a bit of pressure on the wound with a paper towel. Do not squeeze the paw; instead apply pressure on the wound toward the paw.
– Put some ice over the paper towel. Ensure your dog is comfortable during this entire process because it could take some time for the bleeding to stop.
– You could also dip your dog’s nail in a tablespoon of Styptic Powder. This antiseptic contracts the blood vessel back up into the claw.

2. If the nail is white, it is easy to see where you should stop clipping. Right above where the white meets the dark part of the nail.

If you’re a veterinarian or veterinary assistant and would like to spend more of your time helping animals in need, you can volunteer for the Animal Humane Society. The Animal Humane Society is always seeking caring and compassionate volunteers that can assist the Veterinary Services staff with medications, vaccinations and in the surgery areas.

Whether you’re a vet assistant or have years of volunteering experience, the Animal Humane Society can use your help. The organization also needs exam volunteers to assist the Animal Humane Society’s exam staff in recording health data on adoptable animals. Exam volunteers can help with the physical examination process by offering restraint and diversion. Requirements for exam volunteers include basic computer operations, data entry skills and a willingness to work in close association with a variety of animals.

The only prerequisite for these animal jobs is adoption support volunteering. This means that interested volunteers must first volunteer to help find good matches between people and animals that need to be adopted. This program allows volunteers to work with dogs, cats or small mammals on the adoption floor.

Volunteering your time and skills for the Animal Humane Society can be rewarding in many ways. Students enrolled in veterinary assistant school can volunteer to help the Animal Humane Society in order to satisfy their mandatory volunteer requirements. Volunteers must commit to a minimum of one year of volunteering at least twice per month. Shifts are typically two to four hours, depending on the assignment. Volunteers must be a minimum of 16 years of age. Students enrolled in veterinary assistant schools who are interested in volunteering can contact the Animal Humane Society for more information.

A group of executives from companies offering animal jobs met with Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon in September with one goal in mind: getting the state to increase funding for more financial funding and resources for veterinary assistant schools.

According to representatives from many leading companies, the lack of two-year programs can make it difficult to find a qualified veterinary assistant when a position becomes available.

“Right now we have about five on staff, but once we have openings, they’re tough to find,” said Craig Martin, director of research and development at Nestle Purina Petcare Co. “And the veterinarians I talk to say they’re always looking for more.”

In response to the business leaders, Gov. Nixon said that he would add their concerns to a list of other issues to possibly be addressed during the next legislative session.

For individuals who want to attain a career working with animals, options range from working as a veterinarian to opening one’s own pet-walking service. For people looking to change careers or those who are not able to commit to years of study, animal training is a rewarding career that individuals can do on an hourly to full-time basis in various types of organizations. Many places use the services of animal trainers, including animal shelters, kennels, zoos, pet stores, and, of course, animal training schools. To become certified as an animal trainer, one can enroll in an animal behavior college.

To become a certified trainer, students learn the basics of animal care, as well as effective dog obedience training methods. Getting certification in animal training can often be done at home in as few as 40 weeks, and costs much less than the education required to work as a veterinarian or other careers that requires medical specialization. Curriculum generally begins with canine basics, including information about breeds and related traits, developmental periods, socialization, basic health routines, and communication. This coursework provides a foundation for further education on animal behavior and instructional methods.
Dog training certification can lead to a variety of jobs. Often organizations that care for animals prefer to hire employees with knowledge about animal training, even for positions that involve upkeep and tasks like walking, bathing, and grooming. Animal trainers also often end up running their own business, which might involve training animals on-site, in the homes of owners, or contracting with schools for an hourly rate.