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Since Thanksgiving is a time for sharing good times with family and other loved ones in celebration of giving thanks for your blessings, family pets are often included in these gatherings. So let’s see how you can make the most of your fun times with Fido around!

1) Before you go you want to make sure your dog is up to date with all shots, especially rabies, and has proof for you to carry along in the form of tags and written documentation. Ask your vet for help here as needed. If your dog will need medication, heartworm pills or other subscription items, make sure to have plenty available for your trip by planning ahead, asking the vet for updated prescriptions and filling them. Get help from PetMeds.com if you need to; they can ship items to your door.

2) Have your dog groomed before you leave home. Wash and brush the coat. Trim nails. Clean eyes and ears. Brush teeth. A little doggie deodorant and mouthwash can’t hurt either!

3) Necessities to make sure and package well in airtight containers are dog food, treats or biscuits, and water for traveling. Bring along a cage if your dog is used to sleeping and / or traveling in one, and thoroughly clean the cage before you leave home so it’s also fresh for traveling.

4) Accessories to add in your bag may include plastic bags, paper towels and wet wipes for cleaning up drool, droppings and other assorted mishaps en route.  Also while traveling, your dog may be tiny or elderly, having a difficult time getting in and out of the car and house, so bring along any dog steps you may need. Also bring along a leash, bowls for water and food, favorite toy and bed or blanket / pillow, etc. as needed.

5) On the road items may also include any pet stairs to help tiny dogs and elderly ones get in and out of vehicles and doors in a more efficient manner without having to pt your back into it. If you will be in and out of nasty weather, bring along a small travel sized bottle of shampoo and a nice large towel in case you need to have an emergency clean up session for your pet. Do stop plenty of times for your dog to have a bathroom break.

6) On a plane, boat or other type of transport, call ahead and / or check online for the most recent info on items like airline approved dog carriers so that your dog isn’t left off the passenger list due to not having the right carrier. Check to see when the last meal and drink of water should be, too, before you board your pet.

 7) Once you arrive at your destination, remember that not everyone is a dog lover. Keep an eye out for safety; i.e. many strangers like to try and pet dogs, so warn them if this scares your dog or irritates it so no biting occurs. Use the cage as appropriate until everyone is settled in and you have a chance to introduce the dog in a calm mode.

Take plenty of time to pet your dog and remember it is part of the family, too. Don’t just ignore it and leave it for others to care for since it’s a holiday. It’s a holiday for everyone.

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If you have a love for dogs, you may decide to be a dog breeder at some point. To help you decide if this would be a workable business operation for you, here are some main points to consider before you take the career plunge.

1)  Begin by interacting with breeders to learn the ropes, see how others run their operations, if you like handling dogs as well as the look of their operations. Also research dog books to find which breed you would like to begin working with, unless you already know. Ask your local vet, pet stores and Humane Society chapter for any info, newsletter articles, workshops, business cards, etc. they may have to help you with your research. They may have many breeder contacts who wouldn’t mind giving you a tour.

Take notes and ask questions. Keep all your pamphlets, business cards, notes, etc. all in one place, in a handy folder with pockets for reference.

2) Check into any special licensing requirements your state may have. Start with the Humane Society chapter for guidance. In most states you do not have to license and register your kennel until there are four dogs total. So three and under, would work similar to being a pet owner, getting licenses and shots each year for the animals. You may needs a sales license and other paper work, though, so check with your local Small Business Administration chapter or other similar state organization for help.

3) If you already have a special breed in mind to work with, your goal will be to improve the dogs’ traits. You will be focusing on certain bloodlines to breed improved traits into the next generation. And you may need special items form time to time like an orthopedic dog bed.

4) The basic starting line up list that you will need for your operations includes the following:

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One or two female dogs that have not been spayed. You’ll want dogs with excellent qualities to start your line. So interview potential owners before you buy, checking out birth certificates, any championship award certificates, etc.

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When you seek a breeder with a male stud to use, seek help from an experienced breeder and check out the dog’s lineage, too. An experienced person can help mate the dogs when time is running short, which can often happen during the few days’ window when the female goes into heat.

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 Warm, safe, sheltered, dry, clean living area for the dogs with dog beds, toys, grooming supplies (brushes, combs, nail trimmers, shampoos), clean bowls for food and water.

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For great networking, connections, industry knowledge and promotional purposes for your own business, look into naming your kennel, then licensing and registering it with the American Kennel Club.

5) Check with your vet to make sure what to feed your dogs, the amounts, the frequency and any snacks allowed. And make sure to have plenty of fresh, nutritious food on hand in dog food storage containers at all times as well as vitamins, if approved by the vet, and any other types of supplements you may have to add to the diet.

6) When your dog is pregnant, take it to the vet for regular check ups and get prenatal vitamins. Ask the vet to discuss the birth with you ahead of time so that you can prepare for it and have all items on hand that you will need like plenty of towels.

In summary, if you have an interest in being a dog breeder, so a little home work and see if it looks right for you and your environment. Then take the necessary steps you need to grow and run your operations successfully.

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