One of the most joyful moments in the life of a dog owner is bringing home a new puppy. You're filled with excitement, and you're looking forward to a life of fun and companionship with your puppy. Whether you're a first time dog owner or a long-time dog owner, you're in for a series of… Continue reading Bringing a new puppy home: things to remember
Category: Dog care
Toilet training your mini schnauzer
Toilet training is one of the key concerns of all new dog owners, as it should be. People always ask for tips on how to begin toilet training a puppy (or an old dog), and I always say that successful toilet training starts with knowing your dog’s routine and body language. Mini schnauzers are no… Continue reading Toilet training your mini schnauzer
Teacup schnauzers, princess shih tzus: why you should avoid them
If someone offers you a “teacup” or “princess” type dog, think hard or better yet, run. You’re about to fall for a marketing ploy and chances are, you’re about to get a dog that has a bundle of health issues. First things first, there is no such thing as a teacup dog, much less a… Continue reading Teacup schnauzers, princess shih tzus: why you should avoid them
Diotemaceous earth: an affordable, effective anti-flea treatment in the Philippines
Mini schnauzer owners who struggle with ticks and fleas will be glad to know that there is a safe and effective way to control these pests—diotemaceous earth (DE). I first tried DE several years ago when we had a sudden flea infestation that started from out of nowhere. All my dogs are treated with topical… Continue reading Diotemaceous earth: an affordable, effective anti-flea treatment in the Philippines
The mathematics of dog breeding in the Philippines
Is dog breeding a good business? An increasing number of enterprising Filipinos are wading into dog breeding, hoping to cash in on the growing demand for pets in the country. Unfortunately, many of these dog breeders do not understand two very important things: 1) dogs; and 2) business. Let me start off by stating something… Continue reading The mathematics of dog breeding in the Philippines
Neutering and spaying in the Philippines
One of the questions I am most frequently asked by dog owners concerns the safety of neutering and spaying procedures in the Philippines. This is perfectly understandable. Neutering and spaying pets is not a deeply ingrained practice in the country, and it is only recently that more Filipino dog owners are recognizing the existence of… Continue reading Neutering and spaying in the Philippines
Surviving parvo in the Philippines
As a dog owner, the word I dread the most is parvo. It has been over thirty years since I held my dying, parvo-stricken dog in my arms, after several days of confinement and using up my student’s allowance, but the memories continue to haunt me to this day. Since then, there have been major… Continue reading Surviving parvo in the Philippines
Living with a dog in the Philippines
A lot of expat friends and colleagues ask me about my overall experience in raising dogs in the Philippines. To this question, I reply that raising dogs is always fun and fulfilling, if you know how to adapt to your own surroundings. Growing up, we had a very large enclosed yard that made it easy… Continue reading Living with a dog in the Philippines
12 questions to ask yourself before getting a dog
Are you ready to have a dog in your life? Before you say you are, here are some hard questions to ask yourself. A dog is a 15-year commitment. This is a line that you’ve probably heard many times, but let me repeat it again, especially if you are considering getting one. As a dog… Continue reading 12 questions to ask yourself before getting a dog
International travel with your dog from the Philippines
Traveling with your dog can be fun, but let's admit it, it’s not the easiest thing to do because it entails a good measure of paperwork. Based on my experience, you’ll need to do some planning to prepare for your dog’s travel, but if you do it right, it can actually be a fun experience.… Continue reading International travel with your dog from the Philippines
