Keep a Routine For Your Dog

One of the best ways to show your dog you love them is by providing them with a daily routine. They’ll feel more secure knowing when meal time is, when they get to go outside, when they get to play, and when their daily walk will be.

Like us, our dogs find comfort in a good routine. Knowing what’s expected of them and when, such as when it’s time for a walk and when it’s time to chill out for the evening, is an easy way to enrich their life.

Now when I say give your dog a routine I don’t mean you have to dedicate 6 hours every day to playtime. Come up with a routine for your dog that includes some fun things for them to do every day. Little activities throughout the day (as minor as they may seem) will enrich your dog’s life, and they’ll help cut down on problem behaviors that can arise out of boredom.

Take Your Dog on a Daily Walk

The benefits of walking your dog every day go well beyond just physical exercise — it’s important for their mental health as well. The daily walk is the one time a day your dog gets a chance to explore the neighborhood and find out what’s going on in the world around them.

And since dogs explore with their nose don’t forget to give them a chance to use it. When you’re out on your walk give them some time to sniff around for some extra mental stimulation and enrichment.

I always set aside a few designated “sniff breaks” for my dog on walks. I give her the cue “go sniff” and let her do her thing. When it’s time to head back I use the “let’s go” cue and we’re back on the trail.

Now I know it can get a bit mundane if you go the same route every day, so be sure to change up the scenery or change the pace to keep it interesting.

Include Some Quick Play Sessions Into Your Day

One of the best ways to bond with your dog is by engaging them in play, so it’s something I make sure to fit in every single day. The benefits of play go beyond bonding too; playing with your dog relieves stress, provides good mental and physical exercise, and can decrease problem behaviors by keeping your dog entertained and engaged.

Now I’m not talking about marathon sessions of frisbee in the backyard, I’m talking about a 5 minute game of tug here and there or a quick round of using the flirt pole in the yard. Quick, intense play sessions can really wear out both you and your dog, and they’re a great way to break up your daily routine.

Adding in some interactive play and games every day will keep your dog mentally stimulated. Not sure where to start? Some of my favorite mentally stimulating games include:

• Let your dog sniff on walks aka “sniff breaks”
• Teach your dog some new tricks
• Use food dispensing toys & stuffed Kongs
• Play some nose work games with your dog
• Make your own DIY obstacle course

Keep Up With The Praise

This tip goes into keeping a routine to some extent — don’t forget to praise your dog when they do something you appreciate, even if it seems insignificant. The best way to get your dog to exhibit positive behaviors again is by letting them know how good they are, so don’t forget to keep up the praise.

When I sit down at my desk in the morning my dog knows it’s time for work, so she naps on the couch next to me, waiting for our afternoon walk. Now that didn’t happen overnight, but by praising her every time she did relax while I was working she began to understand that “this is chill out time, walk comes later.”

I also give praise every time she comes inside when I call, despite her already “knowing” how to recall — it’s a quick little reminder that I appreciate how well she listens, even if it’s an “old trick.” If you stop giving praise chances are your dog might decide staying outside is far more entertaining than coming back in.

Accept Your Dog’s Personality

Like us, no two dogs are alike, so when it comes to accepting your dog for who they are you need to respect their boundaries and personality.

One of the best dog training tips I ever learned was to ‘train the dog in front of you,’ and the same can be said for having a dog in general. What works for one dog may not work for another.

Some dogs are extremely social, thriving in day care and joyously meeting every dog they come across — others not so much. Now that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t work on proper socialization with your pup so they’re confident around others; it just means some dogs have a bigger social battery than others.

Same is true for affection; not all dogs are big cuddlers, which can be a hard pill to swallow if you were looking for a snuggle companion. Does your dog like to sleep alone, despite you wishing they’d cuddle with you? While you can work on desensitizing your dog to you being near them when they rest with treats and positive reinforcement, chances are your dog will likely always prefer a more hands off approach when sleeping.

It’s easy to compare our current dog to ones we’ve had in the past, but for the sake of your current dog it’s important to adapt your style to fit the dog in front of you. Don’t get caught up with the idea of what you want your dog to be, accept them for who they are. Our dogs love us for who we are, it’s only fair we do the same for them.

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The post 5 Simple Ways to Show Your Dog You Love Them appeared first on Puppy Leaks.

Your dog is going to be your best friend for years, so there’s a lot of pressure to pick the right name. You want a name that sounds good, one that fits your dog’s personality, and one that the whole family can agree on.

So if you’re looking for a unique dog name for your new best friend you’ve come to the right place. To help you out I’ve put together a list of rare and standout dog names to get you started. From Abbott to Zuzu, here’s 5oo unique dog names.

500 Unique Dog Names

• Abbott
• Abilene
• Achilles
• Addie
• Adley
• Agatha
• Aggie
• Ainsley
• Aisha
• Aja
• Ajax
• Aki
• Akito
• Alba
• Albert
• Albi
• Alden
• Alfie
• Alina
• Alma
• Alta
• Alva
• Amata
• Amaya
• Amir
• Amoret
• Amos
• Anders
• Andy
• Angus
• Anise
• Apple
• Argo
• Aries
• Asher
• Aster
• Atlanta
• Atlas
• Atom
• Atticus
• Audi
• August
• Avi
• Axel
• Axton
• Badger
• Bali
• Baltar
• Banks
• Baxter
• Baylor
• Bea
• Beatrix
• Beck
• Beckett
• Beef
• Belka
• Bertha
• Beta
• Bev
• Bexley
• Birch
• Birdie
• Biscuit
• Bishop
• Bixby
• Bjorn
• Blue
• Blythe
• Bobo
• Bodie
• Bongo
• Booker
• Boris
• Bowie
• Bradford
• Brantley
• Brazil
• Briar
• Brie
• Briggs
• Brioche
• Britta
• Brock
• Brooklyn
• Brutus
• Bryce
• Bubs
• Burda
• Butters
• Byron
• Cairo
• Calista
• Calvin
• Caper
• Cargo
• Carter
• Casen
• Caspian
• Cedric
• Chaos
• Cheddar
• Chex
• Chorizo
• Chubs
• Churro
• Cicero
• Cillian
• Cinder
• Clarence
• Clarice
• Clark
• Clayton
• Clementine
• Cletus
• Coleman
• Colson
• Coral
• Cordelia
• Cosette
• Cricket
• Crosby
• Cypress
• Cyrus
• Dalton
• Dane
• Dani
• Danica
• Darby
• Darcy
• Daria
• Darwin
• Davie
• Davina
• Dayton
• Delia
• Delilah
• Delta
• Denzel
• Dewey
• Dibs
• Diego
• Dion
• Dixie
• Dixon
• Donte
• Dori
• Dorian
• Dougie
• Dozer
• Dublin
• Durbin
• Dusty
• Easton
• Eden
• Effie
• Egypt
• Ellison
• Eloise
• Ember
• Emerson
• Emery
• Emil
• Emmett
• Emory
• Ender
• Enya
• Enzo
• Esme
• Esti
• Etta
• Everest
• Evie
• Ezra
• Fanny
• Farley
• Faye
• Fern
• Ferris
• Figaro
• Filip
• Fiona
• Fisher
• Fletch
• Flint
• Flora
• Florence
• Flynn
• Franny
• Fraser
• Gage
• Gaia
• Gannon
• Gemma
• Genesis
• Gerard
• Gia
• Gilda
• Gillian
• Goose
• Gracie
• Grady
• Gunner
• Gus
• Hamish
• Harper
• Hattie
• Haven
• Hazel
• Henry
• Hera
• Herc
• Herman
• Heron
• Hester
• Hiram
• Holden
• Hooch
• Hops
• Horace
• Huck
• Ike
• Imogen
• Ina
• India
• Indigo
• Ingrid
• Inky
• Ira
• Iris
• Ishani
• Iva
• Jabari
• Jada
• Jagger
• Jaxon
• Jelly
• Jermaine
• Jerry
• Jett
• Jiro
• Jobie
• Jojo
• Jolene
• Josie
• Judith
• Juju
• Junie
• Justine
• Kai
• Katya
• Kayden
• Keaton
• Keats
• Keegan
• Kenzie
• Kev
• Kia
• Kiba
• Kinsley
• Kipper
• Kit
• Kito
• Kiva
• Klaus
• Kojo
• Kori
• Kylen
• Laika
• Laird
• Lamb
• Laney
• Lars
• Layla
• Ledger
• Lennox
• Leona
• Leopold
• Lia
• Libby
• Lincoln
• Lionel
• Liv
• Lizbeth
• Loretta
• Lottie
• Lotus
• Lucian
• Luella
• Lula
• Lux
• Lyra
• Mable
• Maddox
• Magnus
• Maisha
• Maisie
• Major
• Marbles
• Mariko
• Marla
• Marlow
• Marnie
• Matilda
• Matteo
• Maude
• Maverick
• Mavis
• Mayim
• Mel
• Mercy
• Merrick
• Midge
• Milan
• Milena
• Miles
• Millie
• Milo
• Mimi
• Mina
• Miriam
• Misha
• Mochi
• Mojo
• Monet
• Moon
• Mya
• Myra
• Nana
• Nash
• Nathan
• Nelson
• Neo
• Neptune
• Nessie
• Neveah
• Nicola
• Nikko
• Noa
• Nola
• Noodle
• Noor
• Nora
• Nova
• Oakley
• Odette
• Olina
• Ollie
• Omar
• Opal
• Ophelia
• Opie
• Orville
• Otis
• Otto
• Ozzy
• Paisley
• Palmer
• Paloma
• Panda
• Parker
• Parm
• Pascal
• Pax
• Paxton
• Pea
• Pearl
• Pearson
• Pedro
• Penny
• Phineas
• Pickles
• Piper
• Pita
• Poe
• Polly
• Pookie
• Poppy
• Porter
• Portia
• Quiche
• Quill
• Quinten
• Rafael
• Ramon
• Ramsey
• Raven
• Ravioli
• Reed
• Remus
• Reuben
• Rhea
• Rhett
• Rico
• Rio
• Rolo
• Roman
• Roo
• Rory
• Roscoe
• Rowan
• Rudy
• Rue
• Rufio
• Rufus
• Ruthie
• Rya
• Ryder
• Ryker
• Saber
• Saffron
• Sage
• Samir
• Sanford
• Sarge
• Saturn
• Sawyer
• Selene
• Sergio
• Shelton
• Silas
• Sinead
• Sir
• Slade
• Slaw
• Soba
• Soju
• Soren
• Steak
• Stella
• Stevie
• Stromboli
• Suki
• Suri
• Sylvie
• Tabby
• Taco
• Tahoe
• Tank
• Tanner
• Tasmin
• Tater
• Teo
• Tiberius
• Tilly
• Timber
• Tito
• Tonka
• Toshi
• Trey
• Trip
• Tristan
• Trixie
• Tucker
• Tulip
• Turkey
• Uma
• Ursa
• Vaden
• Vader
• Veda
• Venzio
• Vera
• Vienna
• Viggo
• Vinnie
• Virgil
• Virgo
• Vita
• Viv
• Vivica
• Vixen
• Waffles
• Wanda
• Wesson
• Whitley
• Willis
• Willow
• Winslow
• Winter
• Wonton
• Wren
• Wyatt
• Wylie
• Yeti
• Yoshi
• Yousef
• Yvette
• Zahara
• Zane
• Zayd
• Zelda
• Zena
• Zephyr
• Zia
• Zippy
• Zola
• Zoro
• Zuma
• Zuri
• Zuzu

What Are Some of Your Favorite Dog Names?

What are your favorite dog names? How did you come up with your current dog’s name? Did I forget to include any great unique names in the list? Let me know in the comments below.

Want More Dog Name Ideas?

If you’re looking for more dog name ideas be sure to check out the following:

• 500 Popular Dog Names
• 500 Cute Puppy Names
• 500 Classic Dog Names
• 260 Unique Dog Name Ideas

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Puppies can get fussy and cranky when they’re tired, just like babies. And if we don’t set some sort of rest schedule for them they won’t necessarily just lie down when they’re tired, some of them will just keep going until they’re beyond exhausted.

That’s where enforced naps come in; you can help them regulate your dog’s energy by encouraging rest periods throughout the day. And the best part? After a week or so your pup will acclimate to their new nap schedule, making life easier for the both of you.

So let’s take a look at the hows and whys of enforced naps, and why they’re so beneficial for puppies.

What Is An Enforced Nap?

Simply put, enforced naps are when you encourage your dog to get the sleep they need.

An enforced nap is when you force your dog to settle down and take a nap. Now that may sound like a punishment, but it’s a positive thing for your puppy if they haven’t learned how to settle down and relax on their own.

Not all puppies have an “off” switch, and if they don’t get enough rest throughout the day they’ll become cranky and fussy. Enforced naps help get your dog used to the idea of needing to recharge, which is something many of them need help with, especially when already overly stimulated by being in a new home with all sorts of new and exciting things to explore.

Signs Your Dog Needs a Nap

Does your puppy turn into a maniac and stop listening to all command sometimes? Chances are they’re overly tired, and when they’re exhausted they act out in various ways, making any sort of training nearly impossible.

Some dogs get extra vocal when they’re tired, some get a bit more aggressive than usual, and others get extra mischievous. After a little while with your new pup you’ll get to know their personality and be able to tell when they’re extra fussy — and those are the times when a good nap can help.

Think about the last time you didn’t get enough sleep and how it effected your behavior — the same is true for our dogs. Lack of sleep can cause anxiety and frustration, and that’s true for puppies as well. A well rested pup is much more likely to be a happy pup.

Let’s put it this way — sleep is one of our basic needs, yet not all pups settle down when tired. Some of them just keep going beyond the point of exhaustion because there’s so much going on in the world. That’s where we as their caretakers come in; we need to teach them healthy sleep habits.

The Benefits of Enforced Naps

If you teach your pup to settle down and nap at certain times throughout the day on a consistent basis that will become their normal routine. And having those enforced nap times can help cut down on many troublesome puppy behaviors that are due to being overly tired and overly stimulated.

How to Enforce Naps For Your Dog

The first rule of enforced naps is to make them a positive experience for your pup. Just like making every poop a party when potty training, you need to encourage your dog to see settling down time as a good thing.

Picking The Right Place

Now if you’ve already decided to crate train you can use the crate as their rest spot, but really any quiet place will do. If you try to make your dog settle down in the middle of the living room while your kids are running around you’re just asking them to fail since every moving thing will looks like an invitation to play for your pup.

If you work from home a corner in your office with a nice dog bed can be a good option. As long as you choose an area that’s free from too much noise and visual distractions you should be fine.

How Many Naps Does Your Dog Need?

Now there’s no set rule on how many naps your dog needs throughout the day, so this part will largely depend on you and your own schedule with your dog. Dogs usually sleep between 12-14 hours a day as well, so you don’t need to worry about messing up their night time sleep due to naps either.

For my pup we did three naps each day; one after breakfast, one after her afternoon walk, and one in the evening after dinner. Those were the times when she would usually get unruly, so I worked nap times in to cure some of that chaos.

How To Encourage Your Puppy to Nap

I’m a big fan of Frozen Kongs (a Kong toy filled with frozen treats) to keep dogs busy, so it was what I used to encourage my pup to settle down and nap.

I’d call my dog over to her bed and have her lie down, then treat her with a frozen kong. And just like magic that Kong would keep her busy for 10-15 minutes until she inevitably passed out.

After awhile she knew the routine and would be going to her bed right on time, ready for her Kong infused nap. For food motivated dogs any sort of long lasting chew or food toy will be the easiest way to encourage your pup to settle down.

Do Adult Dogs Need Enforced Naps?

Now if you’ve adopted an adult dog they may or may not need to learn how to settle down and nap. I know, not a very good answer but it really depends on your dog. Some adult dogs already know how to settle down when they’re tired, and some don’t.

If your dog has trouble settling down or relaxing on their own using enforced naps will be a positive thing. Not all dogs know how to settle down on their own, and it’s a valuable tool for them to learn. Not only for them to get the rest that they need, but to also learn that settling down is part of a good routine.

I’ve gone over how to make your new dog comfortable in your home, and a lot of those tips have to do with making sure your dog has some nice quiet places where they can relax (and feel safe) throughout the day which is based on the same premises of enforced naps — making sure your dog can get as much rest and relaxation as needed.

How Does Your Dog Act When They Don’t Get Enough Sleep?

How does your pup act out when they’re exhausted? Do they become impossible to train? Do they get into extra trouble and cause more chaos than usual? And most importantly — how much did your life improve once your dog learned how to settle down on their own? Let me know in the comments.

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If you’re considering day care for your dog the first thing any reputable place is going to do is test your dog’s temperament to see if they’re a good fit. They need to be picky about which dogs to accept to ensure their environment remains a safe and positive experience.

In this post we’ll take a look at a couple of things that determine whether your dog is a good candidate for doggy day care or not.

Your Dog Enjoys The Company of Other Dogs

Does your dog enjoy meeting other dogs? If so your dog might be a good fit for doggy daycare, and at the very least they’ll probably fit in quite quickly.

However, if your dog is overly friendly and has a tendency to get right up in every other dogs business they might stress other dogs out.

Many puppies fit into this category, and while it doesn’t necessarily make them a bad candidate for daycare I would definitely suggest working on some basic impulse control and socialization skills to improve their manners before considering it.

Ensuring your dog has good manners when meeting other dogs not only makes them a better daycare candidate, it will also make all of their future social situations easier to manage.

Most daycare facilities are going to look for a social dog who enjoys the company of others who also has good manners.

Your Dog Tolerates Others

The most important factor when it comes to whether your dog is a good fit for doggy daycare is how tolerant they are of other dogs and situations.

Dogs that do well in doggy daycare can get along well with a variety of other dogs and know how to avoid conflict. They’re what many consider “bomb proof” dogs, ones who can adapt to any situation without getting overly stressed.

Dogs who benefit the most from doggy daycare are the ones who can take it all in stride and enjoy meeting new friends in any situation.

Your Dog Is Fine With Sharing Resources

One final thing a daycare is going to look for is whether your dog is good with sharing resources, whether it’s toys, food, or their favorite spot on the couch.

Now this doesn’t mean the daycare is going to have all the dogs in one big group sharing one toy, but it does mean they want to prevent issues by making sure the dogs they enroll aren’t going to be aggressive when it comes to sharing “resources,” whether that’s the water bowl or their favorite day care worker.

Some dogs guard their possessions, and this is a major red flag for things like doggy daycare.

Now that doesn’t mean your dog can’t be social, but it does mean something as chaotic and stressful as daycare for a dog who already has fear issues is a bad idea.

Tip: If your dog does have resource guarding issues here’s 5 tips on how to manage the behavior.

If your dog does have fear issues such as resource guarding you’re going to want to focus on smaller, easier to control social settings such as a play date with your neighbor’s dog.

Recommended Reading

If you are considering taking your dog to doggy daycare I recommend checking out the following articles. As I mentioned above daycare isn’t right for every dog, but some dogs do benefit from it.

Daycare Isn’t All Sunshine & Rainbows For Every Dog
Pros & Cons of Doggy Daycare

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The post Is Your Dog a Good Candidate For Doggy Daycare? appeared first on Puppy Leaks.

We’ve already covered cute names, old fashioned names and popular names here on the blog, so today let’s take dive into fun names. Choosing a fun name for your dog can help highlight your dog’s entertaining personality, as well as get a few laughs from everyone they meet.

So if you’re looking for a fun name for your new best friend you’ve come to the right place; here’s 200 fun dog names for inspiration.

200 Fun Dog Names

Do You Have Any Favorite Fun Dog Names?

Can you tell I’m a bit biased towards food related dog names? I don’t know why, but I just love the idea of a dog named Waffles or Butters. And of course in my mind you can’t go wrong with names like Gary or Bruce either.

What are some of your favorite funny dog names, and how did you come up with your current pet’s name? Let me know in the comments below.

Need More Dog Name Ideas?

Be sure to check out the following lists for even more name ideas for your pup.

• 500 Popular Dog Names
• 500 Classic Dog Names
• 500 Cute Puppy Names
• 500 Male Dog Names
• 500 Female Dog Names
• 150 Funny Dog Names

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The post 200 Fun Dog Names appeared first on Puppy Leaks.

Percy, a male, German Shepherd mix, was found wandering the streets alone and brought to the rescue in hopes of reuniting him with his owner. Sadly no one has come to claim Percy so he is now looking for a new forever home with a family who will cherish him and keep him safe.

According to a person claiming to be familiar with Percy, Percy is approximately 7 years old and was not fond of other male dogs. Percy appears house trained, knows the commands sit and shake and has been friendly & cooperative with all the volunteers. He is now neutered and up to date on vaccines. For more information or to meet Percy please contact Tri-County Animal Rescue Center.

Percy is available through Tri-County Animal Rescue Center, a no kill facility located in the former Clarion County Humane Society building in Shippenville, Pennsylvania.

The Tri-County Animal Rescue Center adoption process includes filling out an adoption application and providing references. Any current pets in the household must be spayed or neutered (unless not recommended by a veterinarian for health reasons) and current on vaccinations.

You can contact the rescue center at 814-918-2032 to make an appointment to meet Percy.

So if you’re looking for a beloved companion in the eastern PA area, or know anyone who is, share this post so we can find this lovely boy a home. You can check out his petfinder page for more information.

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The post Percy in Pennsylvania Needs a Home appeared first on Puppy Leaks.

And as it turns out, dirt is a common culprit. Why do dogs eat dirt? Well there’s a couple common causes we’ll go over in this article, when it’s cause for concern, and how to stop the behavior.

Why Do Dogs Eat Dirt?

The most common causes for dogs eating dirt are mineral deficiencies, medical issues, and boredom and/or behavioral issues.

If your dog is eating dirt it’s important to take note of any changes in their behavior or environment. Since eating dirt can be a sign of a medical problem or mineral deficiency it’s important to figure out the reason behind it with a trip to the veterinarian.

Mineral Deficiencies Can Cause a Dog to Eat Dirt

Not all dog foods are the same, and not all foods provide the same level of nutrients for your dog, and dogs with hormonal issues might have trouble absorbing all the minerals and nutrients they need.

If your dogs diet is lacking any minerals they might start eating dirt as a way to make up for those nutritional deficiencies.

Since dietary deficiencies aren’t necessarily easy to recognize you should take a trip to your veterinarian for further analysis.

They’ll be able to rule out other medical issues for the dirt eating, as well as recommend a food brand or diet that can help make up for those nutrient deficiencies.

Medical Issues Can Cause Dogs to Eat Dirt

Dirt eating in dogs can be a sign of a medical problem. Anemia, malnutrition & stomach issues can cause Pica, which is defined as having an appetite for non-nutritious substances.

Pica isn’t just an odd behavior limited to dogs either. Having an appetite for non food items is commonly seen in pregnant women and small children, though dogs can develop it as well.

In addition to Pica, Diabetes, Cushing’s disease, and thyroid issues are just a few of the major medical issues that can lead to dogs developing an increased and unusual appetite.

If your dog is eating dirt book an appointment with your veterinarian so they can diagnose and/or rule out any major medical problems.

Boredom or Behavioral Issues Can Make Dogs Eat Dirt

If you don’t give your dog enough physical and mental exercise throughout the day they will come up with their own solutions to burn off that energy, and it often includes eating and chewing on all sorts of things.

If you’ve caught your dog digging and chewing on dirt in the backyard it might not necessarily be pica; it might just be that your dog is bored.

It’s not uncommon for dogs to get dirt all over their faces when in the midst of a digging session. So unless you see your dog out in the yard ingesting dirt you might want to try redirecting them from their digging by adding in a few more play sessions to their daily routine.

Not sure where to start? If your dog needs more physical exercise I recommend a flirt pole or game or frisbee. If you suspect your dog needs more mental stimulation you can try Kong Stuffing, trick training, or letting your dog sniff more on walks.

Is Eating Dirt Bad For Dogs?

Eating dirt can cause numerous issues in dogs. Not only is it a choking hazard, but it can cause life threatening obstructions. There’s also the worry of any toxins or pesticides in the dirt.

If your dog is eating dirt frequently or exhibiting any other behavioral changes it’s important to take them to the vet to determine the underlying cause and correcting their diet if need be.

If your dog is playing around in the dirt and you suspect it’s out of boredom you’re going to want to supervise them for awhile and redirect their attention. When you see your dog going for the dirt distract them with a fun toy or something more enjoyable until they learn that there’s plenty more exciting things to do in the yard other than play in the dirt.

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1. Is Everyone in the Family in Agreement?

Getting a dog is a 10-15 year commitment, and it’s not something that should be taken lightly. If you want to get a dog be sure to discuss it with your family first. Don’t assume that everyone will be on board, and don’t just assume everyone will “learn to love him.” While that strategy may work sometimes it’s not a guarantee that everyone will be happy with the decision.

Talk to your spouse about it, and make sure they’re on board. Maybe he doesn’t think your current dog will get along with another, or perhaps he’d rather take that 2 week vacation before making a commitment.

I know we’ve all seen those viral “surprising my husband with a puppy” videos online, and although they’re sweet it’s important to make sure everyone in the house is ready for that sort of commitment.

2. Will You Make Time to Train Your Dog?

If you get a puppy it’s important to understand that it’s going to take a lot of time and commitment on your part to turn him into a well behaved dog. It’s not done overnight, and it’s not done just by teaching him a few tricks.

Training takes a lot of patience and consistency, and it’s about more than just potty training and tricks. You’ll be responsible form everything from properly socializing your new dog to teaching them good leash manners.

3. Will You Be Able to Take Your Dog if You Move?

Before getting another dog it’s important to take a step back and think about what you’d do if you had to move. Would you find a way to make sure your dog would be able to come with you? Would you be able to make sure you moved into a place that’s dog friendly? Is the dog you’re planning on getting subject to any breed specific legislation?

4. What Happens to the Dog When You Go on Vacation?

What will you do with your dog when you go on vacation? Will one of your friends or family be willing to take care of them for you? If not are you aware of any boarding facilities in your area you’re comfortable with?

5. Will You be Able to Provide Adequate Daily Exercise?

This is a big one, especially if you’re going to be getting a young, active dog. Without proper exercise many dogs get bored, and with that boredom comes destruction. In addition to the daily walk you can add in a game of fetch, frisbee or flirt pole to help provide your dog with adequate exercise.

6. How Long Will Your Dog Be Alone Each Day?

Not all dogs are well suited to being left along for long periods of time. If you get a puppy and work long hours consider asking a friend, relative or neighbor to let him out during lunch. If you have an energetic dog consider hiring a dog walker.

7. Are You Ready to Make a 10-15 Year Commitment?

This is a big one, and it’s important to keep in mind when getting a new dog because they’ll be with you through many life changes. Are you willing to take on the responsibility of caring for a dog for 10-15 years? Are you planning on having kids in the near future? Do you think you’ll be making any big moves?

8. Do You Know What Your Life Will be Like in 5 Years?

Now I know that you’re not psychic, but there are some questions you should ask yourself about the future before getting a dog. Do you plan on getting married? Having children? Will your job require you to move?

9. How Much Time Can You Dedicate to a Dog Each Day?

When you get home from work will you have time to take your dog for a walk? Will you be able to work in some short training sessions a couple times a day? Do you have some ways to keep your dog entertained while you’re busy?

10. If You Have Pets Will They Accept a New Dog?

If you’re not sure how your current pets will handle a new addition I suggest finding a rescue that has a foster to adopt program. By fostering first you’ll be able to guarantee that all of your pets get along before making the commitment.

11. Are You Able to Handle the Financial Responsibility?

In a perfect world we’d all have 6 months of our salary saved up in case of an emergency. But that’s not the case for most of us.

Be prepared before getting a new dog. Find out what sort of payment options your local vets offer, and if there’s clinics in your area that offer low cost services.

12. Do you Have Small Children at Home, Will You in the Future?

There’s no doubt having kids benefit from growing up with dog(s), but it’s important to make sure everyone stays safe.

Not only will you have to teach your children that the dog is not a toy and not to be teased, you’ll also want to make sure your dog doesn’t play too rough with them.

Young dogs can be quite rambunctious, so be sure you have the time available to supervise their interactions.

13. Are You Willing to Make Lifestyle Changes?

Life can be tough, and sometimes things out of our control happen. If you’re faced with sudden lifestyle changes such as having to move or working different hours will you still be able to care for your dog?

They’re a life time commitment, so be sure you have a plan in case the unthinkable arises.

14. Does Anyone in Your Home Have Pet Allergies?

Allergies are a bit one when it comes to dog ownership. While it is true there are medications that can make having pets tolerable for some you also need to take your partner and any future children into consideration.

15. If You Rent Do You Know Their Pet Policy?

Unfortunately rent policies aren’t black and white. Some policies can be negotiated with landlords, and others are pretty set in stone from the beginning.

If you don’t own a home or can see yourself renting in the future you’ll want to take your dog’s size and breed into consideration. Some places have rules against certain dog breeds (often Pitbulls, Shepherds, Rottweilers), as well as weight restrictions.

16.Does Your Community Have Any Breed Specific Legislation?

While some states and jurisdictions have banned breed specific legislation, others such as Miami and Chicago have certain rules regarding “bully breeds” in place. Be sure you check all your local rules before getting a new dog.

17. Is Your Home Ready For a Dog?

While not quite as serious as the other points, making sure your home is dog friendly/safe is another consideration to make.

Do you have a nice place outside you can take your pup to do their business? If you have a fence is it tall enough to make sure they can’t jump over it? Some large breeds (as well as some medium ones) can jump over a standard 4 foot fence.

When you go to work will you be able to keep your dog safe from things such as chewing on wires?

18. Are You Willing to Accept That Your New Dog Will Have Accidents?

This is a big one. So many young dogs get returned to the shelter because they make a mess at home, whether it’s peeing on the carpet or chewing up curtains.

Dogs, especially puppies, are a ton of work. It takes time to teach them the rules, and young dogs love to explore everything with their mouth.

If you get a puppy it’s important to understand beforehand that they’re going to chew on all the things; be prepared to spend at least a few months supervising them closely.

19. What Happens if You Can no Longer Care for Your Dog?

If the unfortunate happens and you’re unable to care for your dog do you have a backup plan? Discuss this with your family and friends, see if anyone would be willing to help if the unforseen happens.

20. Are You Prepared to Deal with Challenges Having a Dog Might Present?

Dogs give us unconditional love and affection, but it’s not without it’s challenges. Have you thought about how much your life is going to change once you’re responsible for a dog?

Do you have the time needed to provide them with enough mental and physical exercise each day? Will you be able to take them with you on vacation, if not where will they stay? If you spend nights out who will be there to take care of the dog?

21. Have You Researched What Sort of Dog Will Suit Your Lifestyle?

Dogs come in all different shapes and sizes, and that’s true for their personalities as well. You also need to take age into consideration.

No matter what breed you get a puppy will be a ton of work. Are you willing to take on a rambunctious pup, or do you want a more mellow companion from the get go?

If you’re a first time dog owner whose just looking for a couch potato companion you’re probably not well suited to a Border Collie.

Take your time researching breeds, and take as many of those dog breed selector quizzes as you can until you have a better understanding of what sort of activity level you’re looking for and what breeds sound compatible.

22. Are You Getting a Dog That’s Right For the Whole Family?

Now this is a big one; just because you have your heart set on a Pomeranian puppy doesn’t mean it’s the perfect dog for your whole family.

If you have younger kids you might want to consider which breeds are great for kids. If you have a social lifestyle look into friendly breeds that are known to get along with everyone.

If you’re not set on getting a puppy I recommend visiting your local shelter or rescue. There’s tons of dogs available, and if you adopt from a dog that’s already being fostered in a home you should be able to get a pretty good sense of their personality.

23. Have You Researched Where You’re Getting Your Dog From?

It’s easier than ever to get a dog these days, but that also comes with risks.

Many of the “buy a purebreed puppy” sites are puppy mills, meaning you’ll end up with a dog whose had little to no socialization before they get to your home. It also means the breeder is more dedicated to churning out pups than they are to the overall health of their litters. So be very cautious when searching online, and if your have your mind set on a purebred dog do your research to make sure they come from a reputable breeder.

You can also use a site like petfinder to narrow down your search by breed, age, kid friendly, cat friendly etc. It’s the perfect way to get matched with dogs in your area looking for a home.

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The post 23 Questions You Need to Ask Yourself Before Getting a Dog appeared first on Puppy Leaks.

Picking out a dog name is stressful; it’s going to be with them for life and it’s hard to know where to even begin coming up with ideas. So what I like to do is come up with themes, and today’s today’s theme? Disney.

Over the years they’ve created so many lovable and memorable characters, and this list has a wide variety to choose from. So if you’re looking for that perfect Disney dog name look no further. From Abby to Zira, here’s 500 Disney dog names to choose from.

500+ Disney Dog Names

Abby – Chicken Little

Abu – Aladdin

Abuela – Encanto

Abuelita — Coco

Acer – Cars

Adella – The Little Mermaid

Agatha – 101 Dalmatians

Agustin – Encanto

Akela – The Jungle Book

Aladdin — Aladdin

Alana — The Little Mermaid

Alberto – Luca

Alfredo Linguini — Ratatouille

Alice — Alice in Wonderland

Alma – Encanto

Am — Lady and the Tramp

Amos – The Fox & The Hound

Anastasia — Cinderella

Andrina — The Little Mermaid

Andy — Toy Story

Angel – Lady & The Tramp

Anger — Inside Out

Anita Radcliffe — 101 Dalmatians

Anna — Frozen

Anton — Ratatouille

Antonio –  Encanto

Aquata – The Little Mermaid

Archimedes – The Sword in the Stone

Ariel — The Little Mermaid

Arista — The Little Mermaid

Arlo – The Good Dinosaur

Arthur – The Sword in the Stone

Athena – The Little Mermaid

Atina — The Little Mermaid

Atka – Brother Bear

Atta – A Bug’s Life

Auguste — Ratatouille

Aurora — Sleeping Beauty

Babette – Beauty & The Beast

Bagheera — The Jungle Book

Baloo — The Jungle Book

Bambi — Bambi

Banzai — The Lion King

Barrel — The Nightmare Before Christmas

Barley – Onward

Bashful — Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Basil – The Great Mouse Detective

Baymax — Big Hero 6

Beast/Prince Adam — Beauty and the Beast

Beatrice – Cinderella

Belle — Beauty and the Beast

Bellwether — Zootopia

Ben – Pocohontas

Benji – Benji

Benny – Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Berlioz — The Aristocats

Bert — Cinderella

Bill – Alice in Wonderland

Billy Bones – Treasure Planet

Bing Bong — Inside Out

Bingo – Puppy Dog Pals

Bird – A Bug’s Life

Blake – Bolt

Bloat — Finding Nemo

Bobby – Bolt

Bogo – Zootopia

Bolt – Bolt

Bo Peep — Toy Story

Boo — Monsters, Inc.

Bonnie – Zootopia

Boomer – The Fox & The Hound

Bowser – Wreck-It-Ralph

Bruce — Finding Nemo

Bruno — Cinderella

Bubbles — Finding Nemo

Buford – The Princess & The Frog

Bullseye — Toy Story 2

Buttercup – Toy Story

Buzz Lightyear — Toy Story

Cai – Mulan

Camilo — Encanto

Carl — Up

Carlotta — The Little Mermaid

Casey Junior – Dumbo

Cassim – Aladdin

Caterpillar – Alice in Wonderland

Celia – Monsters, Inc.

Charlotte — The Princess and the Frog

Chef Louis — The Little Mermaid

Cheshire Cat — Alice in Wonderland

Chessur – Alice in Wonderland

Chicha – The Emperor’s New Groove

Chico – Oliver & Company

Chi-Fu – Mulan

Chick Hicks — Cars

Chief Bogo — Zootopia

Chien-Po — Mulan

Chip — Beauty and the Beast

Christopher Robin — Winnie the Pooh

Chunk – Toy Story

Ciccio – Luca

Cinderella – Cinderella

Clara (Cluck) – Mickey Mouse Universe

Clarabelle – Mickey Mouse Universe

Clarice – Mickey Mouse Universe

Claude – The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Clawhauser — Zootopia

Clayton – Tarzan

Cleo – Pinocchio

Clopin – The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Clotho – Hercules

Cobra Bubbles — Lilo & Stitch

Coco – 101 Dalmatians

Cogsworth — Beauty and the Beast

Colette Tatou — Ratatouille

Colt – Onward

Copper — The Fox and the Hound

Cordelia – The Little Mermaid

Cornelius – Meet The Robinsons

Cri-Kee — Mulan

Cruella De Vil — 101 Dalmatians

Crush — Finding Nemo

Cubby – Peter Pan

Daisy Duck — Mickey Mouse Universe

Daliah – Aladdin

Daniela – Luca

Dandy – Dumbo

Danny – 101 Dalmatians

Dante – Coco

Daphne – Cinderella

Darling — Lady and the Tramp

Dash Parr — The Incredibles

David – Lilo & Stitch

Deb — Finding Nemo

Denahi — Brother Bear

Dewdrop – Onward

Dewey — DuckTales

Dex – Country Bears

Diablo — Sleeping Beauty

Diego – Go, Diego, Go

Dinah – Alice in Wonderland

Dinky – The Fox & The Hound

Disgust — Inside Out

Djali – The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Django – Ratatouille

Doc — Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Dodo – Alice in Wonderland

Dodger — Oliver & Company

Dolores — Encanto

Domino – 101 Dalmatians

Donald— Duck Tales

Dopey — Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Dory — Finding Nemo

Dot – A Bug’s Life

Drizella — Cinderella

Duchess — The Aristocats

Duffy – 101 Dalmatians

Dug — Up

Duke – Zootopia

Dumbo — Dumbo

Ed — The Lion King

Eddie – Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Edna Mode — The Incredibles

Eeyore — Winnie the Pooh

Elastigirl — The Incredibles

Eli – The Good Dinosaur

Ellie — Up

Elsa — Frozen

Emile — Ratatouille

Ernesto de la Cruz — Coco

Escole – Luca

Esmeralda — The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Ester – Bolt

Ethel – The Aristocats

Eve — WALL-E

Fa Li — Mulan

Fa Zhou — Mulan

Fagin — Oliver & Company

Fauna — Sleeping Beauty

Fear — Inside Out

Featherduster — Beauty and the Beast

Felix – Encanto

Fenton – Duck Tales

Figaro – Pinocchio

Fillmore – Cars

Finn – Cars

Finnick – Zootopia

Fix-It Felix — Wreck-It Ralph

Flik – A Bug’s Life

Flit — Pocahontas

Flo – Cars

Flora — Sleeping Beauty

Flotsam — The Little Mermaid

Flounder — The Little Mermaid

Flower — Bambi

Flynn Rider — Tangled

Foxy Loxy – Chicken Little

Fozzie – The Muppets

Francesco – Cars

Francis – A Bug’s Life

Frany – Meet The Robinsons

Freckles – 101 Dalmatians

Fred — Big Hero 6

Frozone — The Incredibles

Fungus – Monsters, Inc.

Gaston — Beauty and the Beast

Genie — Aladdin

George — Mary Poppins

Georgette — Oliver & Company

Geppetto — Pinocchio

Gideon – Pinocchio

Gigi – Mickey Mouse Universe

Gill — Finding Nemo

Gizmo – The Great Mouse Detective

Go Go Tamago — Big Hero 6

Goob – Meet The Robinsons

Goofy — Disney universe

Goosey – Toy Story

Gordy – Gordy

Grecklin – Onward

Grimsby – The Little Mermaid

Grem – Cars

Grumpy — Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Guido – Cars

Gurgle — Finding Nemo

Gus — Cinderella

Gusteau – Ratatouille

Gwen – Tangled

Gypsy – A Bug’s Life

Hades — Hercules

Hakeem – Aladdin

Hamish – Alice in Wonderland

Hamm – Toy Story

Hans – Frozen

Happy — Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Harper – Wizards of Waverly Place

Hatter — Alice in Wonderland

Hazel – The Lion King

Hector Rivera — Coco

Hei Hei — Moana

Heimlich – A Bug’s Life

Hera – Hercules

Hercules — Hercules

Hermes – Hercules

Hiro Hamada — Big Hero 6

Holley – Cars

Honey Lemon — Big Hero 6

Hopper – A Bug’s Life

Horace — 101 Dalmatians

Horst — Ratatouille

Humbert (the Huntsman) – Snow White

Huey – DuckTales

Hugo – The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Hunter – Bambi

Iago – Aladdin

Isabel — Encanto

Jack-Jack Parr — The Incredibles

Jacques — Finding Nemo

Jafar — Aladdin

Jane — Tarzan

Jaq — Cinderella

Jasmine — Aladdin

Jasper — 101 Dalmatians

Jenny — Oliver & Company

Jessica – Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Jessie — Toy Story 2

Jetsam — The Little Mermaid

Jim  — Lady and the Tramp

Jiminy Cricket — Pinocchio

Jin Lee – Turning Red

Jock — Lady and the Tramp

Joe  — Soul

Joey – Bolt

Joy — Inside Out

Judy Hopps — Zootopia

Jules – Enchanted

Julieta – Encanto

Jumba Jookiba — Lilo & Stitch

Kaa — The Jungle Book

Kala — Tarzan

Kanga — Winnie the Pooh

Kano – The Lion King

Kaw Chief — Peter Pan

Kekata – Pocohontas

Kenai — Brother Bear

Kerchak — Tarzan

Kevin — Up

Kiara – The Lion King

Kirby – Chicken Little

Kit – Tale Spin

Kocoum — Pocahontas

Koda — Brother Bear

Kovu – The Lion King

Kristoff — Frozen

Kronk — The Emperor’s New Groove

Kuzco — The Emperor’s New Groove

Lady — Lady and the Tramp

Lafayette – The Aristocats

Lalo – Ratatouille

Larousse – Ratatouille

Laurel – Onward

Laverne – The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Lefty – Meet The Robinsons

Lewis – Meet The Robinsons

Le Fou — Beauty and the Beast

Li Shang — Mulan

Libba Gardner — Soul

Lightning McQueen — Cars

Lilo — Lilo & Stitch

Ling — Mulan

Lloyd – Bolt

Lock — The Nightmare Before Christmas

Lon – Pocohontas

Lorenzo – Luca

Louie — DuckTales

Louis — The Princess and the Frog

Luca – Luca

Lucifer — Cinderella

Luigi – Cars

Lucky – 101 Dalmatians

Luisa — Encanto

Lumiere — Beauty and the Beast

Lupo – The Fox & The Hound

Machas – Zootopia

Machiavelli – Luca

Mack – Cars

Madellaine – The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Maleficent — Sleeping Beauty

Mama Coco — Coco

Manny – A Bug’s Life

Mariano – Encanto

Marie — The Aristocats

Marlin — Finding Nemo

Martin – Bolt

Mary Darling — Peter Pan

Mary Poppins – Mary Poppins

Massimo – Luca

Maui — Moana

Maurice — Beauty and the Beast

Max — The Little Mermaid

Maximus — Tangled

Mayor — The Nightmare Before Christmas

Meeko — Pocahontas

Megara — Hercules

Mei Lee – Turning Red

Melody — The Little Mermaid

Melvin – Chicken Little

Merida — Brave

Merlin – The Sword in the Stone

Merryweather — Sleeping Beauty

Mickey — Disney universe

Miguel — Coco

Miles – Cars

Mindy – Bolt

Ming Lee – Turning Red

Minnie — Disney universe

Mirabel — Encanto

Mirage – The Incredibles

Miriam – Turning Red

Misty – 101 Dalmatians

Mittens – Bolt

Moana — Moana

Mochi – Big Hero 6

Molly – Toy Story

Molt – A Bug’s Life

Moonwind — Soul

Monstro – Pinocchio

Monty – Kim Possible

Morkubine – Chicken Little

Morph — Treasure Planet

Mortimer (Mouse) – Mickey Mouse Universe

Mother Gothel — Tangled

Mowgli — The Jungle Book

Mufasa — The Lion King

Mulan — Mulan

Muses – Hercules

Mushu — Mulan

Mustafa – Ratatouille

Nakoma — Pocahontas

Nala — The Lion King

Nana — Peter Pan

Nani — Lilo & Stitch

Nemo — Finding Nemo

Nero – The Rescuers

Nessus – Hercules

Nibs – Peter Pan

Nick — Zootopia

Nigel — Finding Nemo

Nita – Brother Bear

Nuka – The Lion King

Oaken — Frozen

Octavius – Cinderella

Olaf — Frozen

Oliver — Oliver & Company

Olivia – The Great Mouse Detective

Oogie Boogie — The Nightmare Before Christmas

Ortensia – Disney Universe

Oswald – Disney Universe

Otto – Robin Hood

Owl — Winnie the Pooh

Pacha — The Emperor’s New Groove

Pain — Hercules

Panic — Hercules

Pascal — Tangled

Patch – 101 Dalmatians

Peach — Finding Nemo

Pedro – Encanto

Peg — Lady and the Tramp

Pegasus — Hercules

Penny – 101 Dalmatians

Pepa — Encanto

Pepita — Coco

Pepper – 101 Dalmatians

Percy – Pocohontas

Perdita — 101 Dalmatians

Peter Pan — Peter Pan

Phil — Hercules

Phoebus – The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Piglet — Winnie the Pooh

Pinocchio — Pinocchio

Pleakley — Lilo & Stitch

Pluto — Disney Universe

Pocahontas — Pocahontas

Pom Pom – Cinderella

Pongo – 101 Dalmatians

Priya – Turning Red

Prudence – Cinderella

Pumbaa — The Lion King

Quasimodo — The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Queen Elinor — Brave

Queen Leah — Sleeping Beauty

Queenie – Bambi

Rabbit — Winnie the Pooh

Rafiki — The Lion King

Rajah — Aladdin

Raksha – The Jungle Book

Ralph — Wreck-It Ralph

Ramone – Cars

Randall — Monsters, Inc.

Ranger – Bambi

Ranjan – The Jungle Book

Rapunzel — Tangled

Ray — The Princess and the Frog

Remy — Ratatouille

Rex — Toy Story

Rhino – Bolt

Riley — Inside Out

Rocko – 101 Dalmatians

Roger — 101 Dalmatians

Rolly – 101 Dalmatians

Roo — Winnie the Pooh

Roscoe – Oliver & Company

Rosie – A Bug’s Life

Roxanne — A Goofy Movie

Roz — Monsters, Inc.

Russell — Up

Rusty – Bolt

Sabor – Tarzan

Sadness — Inside Out

Sally — The Nightmare Before Christmas

Samson — Sleeping Beauty

Sarabi — The Lion King

Sarge – 101 Dalmatians

Sarousch – The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Saul – Bolt

Scar — The Lion King

Scroop – Treasure Planet

Scuttle — The Little Mermaid

Scrooge McDuck — Duck Tales

Sebastian — The Little Mermaid

Shaker – Country Bears

Shan Yu — Mulan

Shanti – The Jungle Book

Shenzi — The Lion King

Shere Khan — The Jungle Book

Shock — The Nightmare Before Christmas

Si — Lady and the Tramp

Sid — Toy Story

Simba — The Lion King

Sir Hugh – Cinderella

Sis – Robin Hood

Skinner — Ratatouille

Skippy – Robin Hood

Sleepy — Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Slightly – Peter Pan

Slim – A Bug’s Life

Slinky Dog — Toy Story

Sneezy — Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Snow White — Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Sonic – Wreck-It-Ralph

Sparks – Toy Story

Speedy – Zootopia

Spot – 101 Dalamtians

Squirt — Finding Nemo

Stinky Pete — Toy Story 2

Stitch — Lilo & Stitch

Stretch – Toy Story

Stromboli – Pinocchio

Stu – Zootopia

Sven — Frozen

Sulley – Monsters, Inc.

Sultan — Beauty and the Beast

Sydney – Toy Story

Syndrome — The Incredibles

Tadashi — Big Hero 6

Tamatoa — Moana

Tantor — Tarzan

Tarzan — Tarzan

Te Fiti — Moana

Terk — Tarzan

Thimble – Country Bears

Thomas — The Aristocats

Thumper — Bambi

Tiana — The Princess and the Frog

Tibbs – 101 Dalmatians

Tic Toc – Peter Pan

Tiger Lily — Peter Pan

Tigger — Winnie the Pooh

Timon — The Lion King

Tina – Chicken Little

Tinker Bell — Peter Pan

Tiny – Meet The Robinsons

Tip – The Little Mermaid

Tito — Oliver & Company

Toby – Robin Hood

Tod — The Fox and the Hound

Tom – Bolt

Tootles – Peter Pan

Toulouse — The Aristocats

Tow Mater — Cars

Tramp — Lady and the Tramp

Trixie – Toy Story

Trusty — Lady and the Tramp

Turbo – Wreck-It-Ralph

Tweedledee — Alice in Wonderland

Tweedledum — Alice in Wonderland

Tyler – Turning Red

Ursula — The Little Mermaid

Uto – Tarzan

Vanellope von Schweetz — Wreck-It Ralph

Victor – The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Vinnie – Bolt

Violet Parr — The Incredibles

Vitani – The Lion King

Voyd – The Incredibles

Wall-E — WALL-E

Wasabi — Big Hero 6

Wendy Darling — Peter Pan

Wheezy — Toy Story 2

Widow Tweed — The Fox and the Hound

Wiggins – Pocohontas

Wilbur – Meet The Robinsons

Wilden – Onward

Winifred Banks — Mary Poppins

Winnie the Pooh — Winnie the Pooh

Woody — Toy Story

Yama – Big Hero 6

Yao — Mulan

Yax – Zootopia

Yzma — The Emperor’s New Groove

Zazu — The Lion King

Zephyr – The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Zero — The Nightmare Before Christmas

Zeus – Hercules

Zira – The Lion King

More Dog Name Ideas

Looking for more name ideas for your dog? Be sure to check out the following:

• 500 Cute Puppy Names
• 500 Old Fashioned Dog Names
• 500 Popular Dog Names
• List of Disney Characters
• 500 Popular Male Dog Names
• 500 Popular Female Dog Names

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The post 500 Disney Dog Names appeared first on Puppy Leaks.

And before we begin it’s important to know you’re not alone, and it’s not necessarily caused by something you did wrong, nearly 80% of dogs find it stressful to be left alone.

From excessive barking when you’re away to overly excited greetings at the door, here’s 10 common symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs.

Barking & Howling

One of the most obvious signs of canine separation anxiety is a dog that barks or howls when you leave. They may sit at the window and howl, or they may bark while left in their crate. The one thing this kind of barking has in common is that it’s persistent, and it’s directly triggered by being left alone.

Pacing

Pacing is another common symptom of separation anxiety. Some dogs may pace back and forth near the door, while others may pace in specific patterns throughout the house. If it’s being caused by separation anxiety the behavior is only present when their owner is gone.

Urinating & Defecating

Some dogs will have accidents in the house when stressed out, and this includes anxiety caused by being alone. If your dog is potty trained and only seems to have accidents when you’re away it’s likely directly due to separation anxiety.

Salivating & Panting

Extra salivating and panting can be signs of nervousness and anxiety, and some dogs with separation anxiety will exhibit these behaviors.

Restlessness When Left Alone

A general restlessness when you leave is another sign your dog have separation anxiety. If they’re constantly getting up, checking the windows, and seemingly unable to relax or nap chances are they’re anxious.

Trying to Escape

In severe cases of separation anxiety dogs will try to escape from wherever they’re confined to, whether that’s their crate or the house itself. They may chew through doors or potentially break windows, which can result in serious injuries.

Destructive Behaviors (Chewing & Digging)

When left alone some dogs exhibit destructive behaviors, such as chewing on furniture or the walls. If they only engage in these sort of behaviors when left alone it’s likely due to separation anxiety.

Clingy Behavior

If your dog refuses to leave your side when you come home they might have separation anxiety. Now a clingy dog isn’t always one with separation anxiety, but if your dog only sticks right by your side after you come home it’s likely because they’re still trying to get over the anxiety they felt when you were gone.

Nervousness and/or Excitement When You’re Leaving

Dogs are smart, and they know our routines just as well as us. If your dog starts to get nervous in the morning when you’re getting ready for work they’re exhibiting signs of separation anxiety. That ritual of getting ready is causing them anxiety since they know they’re going to be left alone.

Overly Excited Greetings When You Get Home

We all love coming home to a happy dog, but overly excited greetings can be a slight cause for concern. If your dog gets so excited they pee, or if they can’t contain themselves and start to tremble when you come back home they might have separation anxiety.

What to Do If Your Dog Has Separation Anxiety

Now that we’ve covered the symptoms of separation anxiety it’s time to come up with a management plan.

Unfortunately it won’t be cured overnight and it’s not something your dog will just outgrow with time, but there are some simple steps you can to do help manage the behavior (as long as it’s not a severe case such as escaping through windows, at which point you should reach out to a trainer for help).

I’ve written an entire article about how to manage your dog’s separation anxiety, but here’s the TLDR version to help get you started;

• Step 1: Keep your dog calm as you get ready. If you know brushing your teeth starts to get them riled up give them a treat while you brush to try and turn that part of your routine into a positive one for them.
• Step 2: Get your dog used to you leaving. Leave for short periods of time to get your dog used to you leaving, rather than them just stressing about you only leaving for 8+ hours at a time.
• Step 3: Give your dog something to do when you leave. Frozen kongs (a toy filled with frozen dog treats) is my favorite for this; it gives your dog something fun and productive to do, and since it’s drozen it should last a good while.
• Step 4: Teach your dog independent behaviors. By encouraging your dog to do things on their own at a distance from you, you can teach them that they don’t have to be right at your side to be comfortable.
• Step 5: Keep your dog physically & mentally exercised. If you keep your dog physically and mentally exercised each day they’re much more likely to remain calm and well behaved when you’re away. There’s plenty of ways to keep your dog busy indoors, and some ways to help tire them out.

More Resources For Managing Separation Anxiety

Unfortunately there is no magic overnight cure for separation anxiety, but over time if you stick with these methods it can be managed.

• Separation Anxiety – ASPCA
• Separation Anxiety in Dogs – VCA
• Helping Dog Anxiety – Humane Society of the United States

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