Most visitors arrive with one question about one animal. This page sorts the site’s guides by what you are trying to do, so you can go straight to the right one. It covers dogs first, with a smaller section on backyard chickens, and the pet care tips for dog owners here run from choosing a breed to fixing a bark to buying a leash.
If you are weighing a breed, start with the first section below. If you already have a dog and a specific problem, skip ahead to behavior or health.
Start here: what this site covers and who it is for
The site is written for current and prospective dog owners who want practical guidance and sensible supply choices. The main subjects are dog breeds, training and behavior, health and safety, and the gear and treats that go with them. A smaller group of guides covers chickens for people who want a small backyard flock.
Each guide is a separate page, so you can read only what applies to your animal.
Choosing a dog
Breed choice affects size, coat, energy and daily care, so it is worth reading about a breed before you commit. These guides cover the breeds the site has written about:
- The types of Labrador retriever explains the differences from coat colors to English and American lines.
- Miniature red dachshunds covers what to know before you bring one home.
- Welsh corgis is the page for anyone considering that breed.
- The joy in owning a beagle is the beagle guide.
- Miniature Shelties covers the smaller version of the Shetland sheepdog.
If a smaller dog suits your home, the miniature dogs page is a good place to compare options. The site also has pages on the Springer spaniel, the Belgian sheepdog and the Pomsky.
Fixing behavior problems
Barking is the most common complaint, and the cause differs from dog to dog. The guide on working out why your dog barks starts with tracking when the barking happens, because the pattern points to the cause. That is more reliable than guessing, and it tells you what to change.
For a large, strong breed, training a Rottweiler covers training that suits that dog’s temperament. If you want a dog that alerts you to visitors, the best watch dog page looks at which dogs fit that job, so you can pick a dog whose natural behavior matches what you want.
Keeping your dog healthy and safe
Three guides cover the health and safety questions owners ask most often:
- Flea and tick prevention for dogs deals with parasites, which are best handled before an infestation starts.
- Keeping your dog safe in summer heat covers how to protect a dog when temperatures rise.
- Breed-specific health issues explains that some conditions are more common in certain breeds. Read it alongside the breed guide for your dog, so you know what to ask your vet about.
None of these replaces a vet. If your dog seems unwell, call your vet first and use the guides for background.
Gear and treats worth a closer look
Equipment matters most when the dog is big. A leash that suits a small dog may not hold up to a Labrador or a Rottweiler, so the leashes for large breed dogs page is the place to start if you own one.
The dog treats page covers treat options. Treats are also useful for training, so it pairs well with the behavior guides above.
For current offers on supplies, the Prime Big Deals page collects them in one place. Check the details on the retailer’s page before you buy, since offers change.
Thinking about chickens
A small backyard flock is a different commitment from a dog, and the choice of breed shapes what you get from it. Three guides cover the breeds the site has written about:
- Best egg laying chickens is the one to read if eggs are your main reason for keeping hens.
- Silkie chickens covers a breed known for its fluffy look.
- Easter Egger chickens covers another popular choice for small flocks.
Read the egg-laying guide first if you are undecided, then look at the breed pages to compare what each offers.
Where to go next
Pick the guide that matches the animal you have or are about to bring home, and start with that breed or care page.