15 Doggie Do's And Don'ts To Make It A Dogg'On Good New Year For the Max* Or Maggie* Mutt In Your Life From The PAWS Report at Paws4Claws.com

CHAPEL HILL, NC, January 10, 2011 (Press-News.org) 1. Give That 'Bitch A Bath'!
This includes having Maggie's toenails (the #1 most popular trending name for female dogs in 2010 (and Max, the #2- don't leave out our doggies, please) clipped and having her coat washed and brushed often and her ears cleaned -- no matter what breed she is. If her toenails are not trimmed, they can break off (which is painful) or they may even grow under and into her footpad (which is also painful). And, she might enjoy an occasional polish. I hear OPI is trending it Burlesque collection for winter! Don't forget to clean your dog's ears as well. Otherwise your dog will start to have smelly ears and possibly get ear mites, which are just nasty! And don't forget to brush! Personally, my Berner PAWS favors Peanut Butter flavored toothpaste! I would pass on the flossing.

2. Watch Your Pooch's Waistline And Don't Pack On The Pounds!

Make sure your Jake*gets enough exercise, the right kind of foods (but not too much food), and plenty of clean water. That way, your dog will not pack on the pounds and will stay active, healthier, and less likely to exhibit unpleasant digestive behavior associated with overeating...and if you watch your weight at the same time you watching Fido's, you won't have to blame the dog for any surprise odors!

3. 'Put A Ring On' - Make Sure Bear* or Mollie* Are Collared!

Even if you get a microchip implanted underneath your dog's skin, you still need a way to let two-legged pet lovers easily know your dog's name should he or she wander away, gets lost, or becomes injured. It is easier to retrieve a frightened pet if called by name, and may make the difference whether or not your beloved pet makes it home safe and sound...and make sure your pet wears a reflective collar for night time strolls!

4. Make Your Pet The Life Of The Pet Party.

If your pup isn't given the opportunity to hang out with other pooches since puppyhood, then problems may 'pup' up. Make sure your furball is socially correct from the get-go by getting out and going to dog parks and socializing with other socially acceptable and well-behaved furry friends. Take a class with your dog - anything from a refresher course with a trainer to maintain your dog's good behavior to fun classes like agility and flyball offered at your local ASPCA or SPCA. Or maybe this is your dog's year to help others and look into training him to become a therapy dog!

5. Visit The Vet.

Just like people, dogs need to have an annual check-up to make sure that everything is working properly and there are no hidden health issues. Many health issues with pets, like humans, go unnoticed; so a visit to a veterinarian's office may be the only way you would learn about a serious health problem...and the earlier a problem is diagnosed, the easier and less expensive it is to treat!

6. Reduce your Dog's Exposure To Harmful Chemicals, Plants and Foods.
Just as with humans, dogs can get cancer and develop other health issues when exposed to certain harmful chemicals. Going green with your cleaning practices and using non-toxic cleaners that you already have in your home (such as vinegar and baking soda) will help to reduce your dog's exposure to harmful chemicals. Check out our Paws4Claws website at http://www.Paws4Claws.com or our Kibbleandbits blog at http//blog.Paws4Claws.com/paws for a list of dangerous foods and chemicals for pets. Hey, remember! Don't feed your dog people food! Your dog's digestive system is different than a human's. Besides, you wouldn't want scraps, now would you? Some people food is actually dangerous and unhealthy for dogs to eat. It is best to keep people food on the table where it belongs.

7. Better Safe Than Sorry.

Add the numbers of a 24/7 animal poison control center and your nearest 24/7 vet hospital to your cell phone and place the numbers near your home phone. Create a pet first aid kit and place a pet rescue window alert on an outside window of your home to notify firefighters and police that there are pets inside.

8. 'Strut Your Mutt' and Show Off Molly*, Bailey* Shadow* or Sam's Stuff!

Show off your own champion paw pal with a game of fetch at the park and some paw-power mental agility with a pup version of "which hand Monty" or a game of hide-and-seek (check out Kibbleandbits blog for details). Vow to teach your dog, now matter what age (older dogs and adopted shelter dogs included) a new trick every other week or once a month.

9. Schedule A Heart Worm & Flea & Tick Vet Visit.

In addition to your annual visit to keep your pup up-to-date on vaccinations and maintain a regular schedule of heartworm and flea and tick preventives. These items are essential and have to happen in addition to the annual.

11. Start a Pet Savings Account.

Regularly put aside money in a dedicated savings account or simply in tuck it an envelope, and use it for vet care, grooming or treats. Spend it wisely. You never know when an unexpected illness can arise.

12. Make sure your dog is neutered or spayed.

Your dog will have a lesser chance of developing cancers in the reproductive organs, a sweeter personality and better behavior overall. Plus, an added benefit, less likely to mark territory and most important, wander and get lost. Spare yourself of unspeakable loss and sorrow.

13. Become a Foster Mutt Mom or Pup Pop

Only do this if you are certain that you have the time, love and heart to be a dog foster pet parent. There are many dogs that need love, care and attention (and some need a lot of healing too) before they can be adopted. Dog fostering is one way to give your own dog a buddy to play with -- even if it's only for a short time. It's also a great way to give back to your community.

14. Lend A Helping Hand

Not all pets are as lucky as yours, so help pets in need by donating money, goods, or your time to a local shelter or rescue. There are many ways to volunteer - from taking photos of shelter pets, offering your old bedding, pillows or towels, to just spending time keeping company with lonely pets. Just dropping in and taking a pooch for a short stroll will be a much needed diversion and fun pastime for a dog that is caged sadly for many hours at a time. And any time you have, will be more time than they get. So don't fret if you only have 5 or 10 minutes to spare. Believe me, it will be appreciated! Not only by the staff but by someone's once owned pet. Who knows, the joy and satisfaction you receive from the experience might find you taking a companion friend home with you!

15. Become A Parent.

Better yet, if you can, adopt! As the National Sponsor of Mutt Day for the 2010 Year, Paws4Claws promotes the adoption of mixed breed dogs to reduce economic euthanasia of mutts to raise awareness of the plight of mixed breed pets due to abandonment. National Mutt Day is designed to encourage embracing; saving and celebrating mixed breed dogs. There are approximately 6-8 million companion animals that enter animal shelters nationwide every year and that number is growing, many of them unwanted and approximately 60 percent of this number is dogs. With only 25 percent being pure bred, that leaves mixed breeds as the biggest percentage of dogs euthanized in the shelter each year.

* Top 10 Male Pet Names

1. MAX
2. BUDDY
3. JAKE
4. ROCKY
5. BAILEY
6. BUSTER
7. CODY
8. CHARLIE
9. BEAR
10. JACK

* Top 10 Female Pet Names

1. MOLLY
2. MAGGIE
3. DAISY
4. LUCY
5. SADIE
6. GINGER
7. CHLOE
8. BAILEY
9. SOPHIE
10. ZOE

Paws4Claws.com is where today's pet lovers and animal enthusiasts go to share, discover, save and shop for the broadest assortment of pet-themed related gifts, home decor, jewelry, apparel and trending top product picks for the dog, cat or animal lover. Best of all Paws4Claws gives back. With every purchase made in its online store, Paws4Claws donates to pet shelters and programs that save pets lives and groups that protect the natural habitats of animals. They also support organizations that help put people back to work and provide critical resources to keep families and their pets together when they are losing their homes due to unemployment and foreclosures.