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By Douglas Hanna
 It's starting to get cold in our part of the country and if you live in the West, East or Midwest, you're probably also feeling a chill and may already be thinking about dog house mats and heaters.
Our dogs spend their nights in the house, but how about yours? If your dog sleeps in a dog house, you need to ask yourself how warm and safe it will be as the weather grows colder and colder?
Our winters are cold but generally on the mild side. And our dogs spend most nights inside. So keeping them warm is usually not an issue. But if you live in a very cold part of the world, and your dog house is not super-insulated, you should be thinking about adding a dog house mat or heater to your doghouse - to make sure your dog stays healthy and comfortable no matter the weather.
Dog house heaters
Dog house heaters come in two types. The first is heater only and is for places like Minnesota where the summers normally do not
get terribly hot. The second is a heater/cooler for those areas where the winters are very cold and the summers very hot - think North Dakota or parts of Montana.
Dog house heater only
One heater I found, The Hound Heater I, is 5.5" x 5.5" x 5.5") and is said to produce dry, reliable heat. When it's zero degrees Fahrenheit outside, the dog house will stay around 40-degrees F. This manufacturer also offers a small version called the Hound Heater II. It uses a light bulb to keep the unit's temperature at a constant 130 degrees when the outside temperature is below freezing. The manufacturer says, "The best part is, it is so safe and easy to install. It is made out of galvanized metal so it is super strong and will last for many years. The cost of Hound Heater I is $54.95 and Hound Heater II is $52.95.
Combination dog house heater/cooler
A combination heater/cooler is great for areas that are both cold in the winter and hot in the summer. There is apparently only one of these available - the portable PetCool unit. This unit looks very easy to install with 2500 BTU heating and cooling capacity. The manufacturer says that it "adjusts automatically to maintain a constant comfortable range of temperatures both as a dog house heater for winter and dog house air conditioner for summer, while also providing additional functionality as a de-humidifier lowering humidity levels 70%."
Be forewarned that the PetCool is not cheap with a price tag of $415.95.
Heated mats and throws
If your part of the country gets cold but doesn't get below zero for many days, then a good way to heat a dog house (and the dog) is with a heated mat or pad. The advantages of a heated pad are that it requires no maintenance, has no moving parts to get out of whack, is completely safe and can also be used in an unheated garage and basement. Most heated pads have an internal thermostat and some manufacturers offer an optional temperature control rheostat for heat adjustment.
Another alternative is to buy your dog its own heated throw or dog bed. A heated throw will cost about $73 for a large size.
The cost of a heated pad varies from $43.59 for the small size up to $66.99 for the large. A thermo throw will normally cost about $73 for the large size.
In other words, it won't cost you an arm and a leg to keep that best friend snug and comfortable all winter.
If you'd like more information about building a dog house, hop over to http://www.doghouseplans360.com
Douglas Hanna, and his wife, have owned many dogs over the years. They currently share their home with a Wheatland Terrier named Emma Lou and Jake, a Cairn Terrier. Advice Regarding Adopting a Dog
By Gerry Ronson
 Dogs often complete are families and offer plenty of companionship when we need it. There are so many dog breeds out there that it can be difficult to determine which dog is right for your family. You may feel you need a dog for protection, fun, or just someone to talk with when you are alone. There are many reasons for you to adopt a dog, but there are also many things you should learn about that dog breed before you consider adopting them. Below we will look at a few reasons you should be careful in adopting a dog or certain dog breeds for the type of family you have.
There are working dogs, herders, toy breeds, small and large dogs. In order to decide the type of dog you will want to have you have to understand what the dog needs in the way of care. To do this you have to understand their temperament and the type of training they will need. You will also want to learn about their lifespan and certain disorders they may be prone to.
The most important aspect of adopting a dog is going to be finding the information on the dog breeds you are interested in. There are many sites that will help give you a general idea online, but you should really speak with a vet or a dog breeder to determine what type of dog would fit best in your home. You should ask yourself a few questions about the setting you will be bringing the adoptive dog into. Do you and your family work all day, often more than eight hours? Are you living in an apartment, condo, small home, and do you have a backyard? Can you afford the proper care needed for your dog? If you have answered yes that you have the budget you are part way to deciding what type of dog you will want to have.
As mentioned there are several different dog breeds and sizes. If you are living in a small place without a yard you will not want a larger dog breed like a German Shepherd, Alaskan Malamute, Neapolitan Mastiff, or even a Greyhound. These dogs require space to run and exercise. Therefore a smaller breed or toy dog breed like the Papillon will do a lot better for.
If you work long hours you will want a dog that is more sedentary and that doesnt require a lot of attention from its owner. Dogs that really want attention are going to turn destructive when they get bored or fear you have left them. With dogs you really have to be committed to spending at least an hour a day with them if not more in a general setting.
You will also want to ask yourself how much training you wish the dog to go through. Some dogs are fine with a little obedience training, but others will require socialization, and dominance training as well. This means you will need to find the time for these classes and to keep up with the skills.
Before determining what dog breed you should bring into the home you should do an extensive research session on the dog breed you are interested in. You will also want to spend time with the different dog breeds to see if both you and the dog can get along well. In the final stages of deciding whether you can provide proper training and care for the dog breed you should spend time with one specific dog that has caught your eye. Making an educated decision is very important.
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Gerry Ronson is a freelancer writer for the website Dog. How to Begin Obedience Training for Your Dog
By Jimmy Cox
 Simple commands such as "Come," "Sit," and "Lie down" should be taught at three to four months of age. Your puppy will learn very quickly to come when he is called if every time he answers the call, he receives a pleasant reward such as a piece of meat, dog candy, or a word of praise.
He will quickly learn the command "Sit" if his head is held high and a little pressure is applied to his hindquarters. He will learn the meaning of "Lie Down" if you press on his shoulders and pull down on his collar. When you do these things, keep telling the puppy that he is a "Good Boy."
The young puppy should learn not to pull on the leash. Use an ordinary leather collar for this training and tug gently on the leash until the puppy learns not to pull ahead.
When you train your dog obedience at six months, you need a chain slip collar for the big strong dog.
A chain leather one or a nylon slip collar is needed for the small dog or the puppy.
You need a leash a foot longer than you are tall. Get one with strong leather. A round one or a chain leash will hurt your hands.
How to Hold the Leash
Take the leash in BOTH hands. Hold your hands close to your body and keep your left elbow straight.
Know Your Dog's Temperament
Handle the shy dog gently. Gain his confidence through encouragement and praise. Pep up the lazy worker. Move quickly yourself and your dog will move quickly. If your dog is a clown, speak more sharply and correct with firmness. If he is stubborn, make each correction more severe.
While training, keep your dog's attention. When he looks away, nudge him with your knee. When he sniffs the ground, give the leash a tug. For all corrections, snap the leash! Never drag on it.
For best results, praise your dog when you give him a command. Praise him when you use the leash.
Heeling
Heeling means to walk at your side without pulling. Every time your dog passes your knee, say "Heel," jerk the leash backward, and pat your side to encourage him to stay close.
If he passes your knee a second time, stand still and jerk the leash harder!
If your dog holds back instead, don't jerk the leash. Pull on it gently and keep saying "Good Boy! Good Boy!" After he takes a few steps, slacken the leash and pat your side.
While training, stand up straight and don't slow up when you turn!
Don't let your dog play with the leash. Don't let him climb on you.
Before long your dog will understand that if he runs ahead or darts off to the side, he will hear the word "Heel!" and feel a sharp tug on his collar. If he stays close to your knee, praise him and pat him.
Sitting
To make your dog sit, shorten the leash in your right hand and pull up. Say "Sit!" and push on his hindquarters with your left hand. Dogs like to be praised, so while you make him sit, tell him he is a good boy.
If he braces himself, spank him once on his rear and tell him more firmly "SIT!" Now pat him with the same hand you spanked him with so he will think you spanked him in play. At the same time, push his hips over. Make him sit straight!!
In time and with patience, your dog will become accustomed to all of these commands, and will obey.
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