A Quick Guide for Making Your New Dog Happy at Home

Is there anything better than coming home after a long day of work or school and getting greeted by your excited dog? If you agree, you aren't the only American that thinks so. The American Veterinary Medical Association did a survey on pet ownership in the country. They found that 36.5% of the people they surveyed owned a dog – that amounts to about 43.3 million dogs in the country!

If you've been looking at pitbulls for sale because you're ready to have a new dog for the family, you'll need to be properly prepared. Having water, food, and a comfortable bed is a nice start, but if you want your pup to get used to its surroundings you'll need to do more than that. If you want your dog and family to live happily, make sure to read up on these tips from Iron King Kennels before you bring your dog home.

Make a quiet corner

When your dog comes home to meet your family, it's going to be getting used to a lot of new people, sights, and smells. It can be very exciting and fun for them, but it can also be over-stimulating and overwhelming. Determine where you believe your dog will spend most of their time, and designate that as the quiet corner. It should (ideally) be located in a traffic-free spot away from things, and should have some comfortable blankets or a bed for your dog to nap on. When it seems like they're getting a bit too listless or a little cranky, take them to their special place and let them relax.

Learn about their usual schedule

Sometimes, the easiest transition to a new home involves being reminded of the old home for a bit. Be sure to learn when the dog was usually fed and walked, and try to keep with that schedule as much as possible. If you need to adjust that, ease them into your schedule after the first week. They'll get used to it with a small amount of time and patience.

Start training

After you've gotten the all-clear from your vet on vaccinations, it's time to start training your dog. If you're a previous dog owner you may think you already know how to train this dog, but it's always helpful to brush up on your skills. You could learn newer and more effective methods for training, and can start socializing them with other dogs at the same time.

Be patient

Your dog may not be as playful or as friendly as you originally imagined, but you need to keep in mind that the first few weeks are an adjustment period for your dog. They're trying their best to get used to a new environment, and many trainers and seasoned owners think that you really see a dog's true personality emerge after the first few weeks. After a few weeks of care, love, and play, you'll be amazed at happy and friendly your dog can be!

If you need to know more about how to prepare for your newest family member, call or contact us at Iron King Kennels today!

Top 3 Common Misconceptions about Pit Bulls

We have all had our times where we believed that pit bulls were vicious and terrifying creatures. Some of us believe that pit bulls are ready to attack at any time. Let’s put it this way: there are two different schools of thought on pit bulls. One thought is that pit bulls are wicked, dangerous and that they should be banned. The other side believes that pit bulls are wonderful, loving and safe dogs that are here to provide us with warmth and love, as well as being an excellent addition to the family.

Below are three common misconceptions about pit bulls which ought to be demystified. After all, these dogs are truly one of a kind; in fact, you could go as far as to say irreplaceable.

Misconception One: Pit Bulls Are Inherently “Bad”

This is absolutely 100% a myth. Pit bulls are as bad as you want them to be. After all, they are dogs; if you train them to fight, growl, or even bite other dogs or humans then they will respond. However, if you train your dog the way you would, say, train a puppy without encouraging violence, then you will have a loyal companion who will make you proud.

Misconception Two: Pit Bulls Love to Fight, But Not to Love

This common misconception about the pit bull breed is absolutely incorrect. Although it has been proven—time and time again—that pit bulls make outstanding fighters, many people are under the impression that they are meant to do this, instead of actually being a loving protector of the household. In all reality, pit bulls love spending time with humans and enjoy human interaction whenever they can get it. After all, pit bulls are the most loving and friendly dogs out there, and this can be proven if you go to visit one who is up for adoption. Of course, it would be best to not look for a pit bull that has had an abused past; in this case, they might not be trusting of humans, but this is true for all abused animals. Also, pit bulls give more kisses than any other dog, so this is perfect for anyone who wants to know that they are loved by their loyal companion.

Misconception Three: Pit Bulls Are Always Bad Behaved and Should Not be Trusted

The truth is; pit bulls are fiery characters that have a ton of both energy and motivation. Unfortunately, this means you are going to have to give your pit bull a lot of attention and exercise. Redirect their energy in positive ways and you will have your pit bull at his or her best behavior. They do require training, but that is something easy to come across; this is a good thing though since this wonderful breed is highly trainable. They are one of the most trainable of dogs around.

After reading this, you might as well consider pitbulls for sale since they are not the dangerous breed most believe to be. So, look away! Your pit bull will bring you more joy than you would have ever believed previously.

5 Reasons Why You Should Adopt a Pit Bull

If you have been looking to adopt a pet, there are multiple options out there: birds, fish, cats, dogs, and even more. When it comes to dogs, there are many different breeds, but pitbulls are quite an excellent option that can—according to your personality and taste—outshine the others. Pitbulls are an often misunderstood breed. A lot of us know them as being fierce, fighting beasts, but the truth is that they are only taught to be that way by their owners; they are not inherently born as such. In fact, pit bulls are very sweet and loving creatures. Here are five reasons why you should look into adopting a pitbull. 

1. Pitbulls are very friendly with people and absolutely love to be with humans. In fact, pitbulls are very affectionate, especially towards humans. They will be delighted to see you as soon as you get home from work or school, and will wag their tail happily once they know that you are officially at your house. Expect a smooch or two as well when they see you again! 

2. If you are looking for a dog that can entertain, a pitbull is the pup for you. Pitbulls are known for being playful and love to make their owners laugh. This entertaining quality stays up until their elderly years. 

3. Pitbulls are the best at cuddling. If you have ever wished that you had a real-life teddy bear (only one that is a little larger), then a pitbull is the answer for your pet-decision process. Pitbulls love to lay with you on the couch or on your bed. 

4. Pitbulls are great with children. They are strong and have a very high tolerance for pain, which is why they are good with children. This might sound strange, but sometimes children can unknowingly hurt animals (since they simply do not know any better) but pitbulls can handle it. Plus, they love humans anyway, so they are willing to rough it up once in a while. 

5. If you are athletic, you will be overjoyed to find out that pitbulls are very motivated dogs. They can inspire you to go out and engage in your daily exercise techniques, helping you to get through your rigorous routine. 

These are only five out of at least a million reasons to adopt a pitbull. If you find pitbulls for sale around your area, then it would be a great idea to adopt one, especially if any of these five reasons appeal to you.

What to Look for in a Healthy Pitbull

Over the past few years, pitbulls have gotten a bad and completely false reputation for being a violent and difficult breed to train. But as more pitbull advocacy groups have been educating others on the truth, more people are starting to accept them again. Pitbulls are becoming more popular in the United States, and there are plenty of people that are looking for a sweet pitbull puppy or dog as a pet. 

Picking a pet is like a making any other major purchase; you need to make an informed decision in order to ensure a companion that you'll be happy with. Some people simply see pitbulls for sale and pick out the first dog they think is cute, but judging your potential pet on cuteness alone can lead to problems in the future. If you want a loving and healthy pet, look for these traits when you pick out your pitbull:

Appearance

There's nothing more heartbreaking than adopting a pet, and then realizing that it has a dangerous and difficult medical problem. You don't need to be a trained vet to see signs of health and vigor in a dog, and there are a few telltale signs of health problems that are easy to spot. The dog or puppy's eyes should be clear and clean, they shouldn't look bloodshot, yellow, runny, or very crusty. Their coat should look shiny, and have no missing patches of fur or sores (those can be signs of mange, fleas or other skin problems). Look at their stomachs for signs of extreme swollenness. A little pot belly or some chubbiness is normal on a puppy or dog, but an abnormally large stomach can be a sign of worms. 

Temperament

Judging a dog's usual disposition can be a little tricky. When dogs see potential owners they can get very excited and act a little more rambunctious than usual, so you shouldn't view this enthusiasm as a sign that your dog is going to be constantly bursting with energy. In fact, a happy and excited dog is a good sign that you've picked a pooch that will love spending time with you and your family. What you should look out for are signs of abnormal aggression. A dog that cowers in a corner may be a little shy, but a dog that immediately snaps at you or growls may be too aggressive for your tastes.

General health

Making sure that your chosen dog appears healthy when you see them is easy, but finding out about past health issues that could lead to future problems may require a little digging. Ask if the dog you're interested in has had any past health or dental problems that you should know about. A little infection or cold isn't much to worry about, but if you notice recurring symptoms and visits to the vet, that could be a sign that a dog is prone to certain problems. Also, find out what vaccinations they have already had, and arrange to get them caught up on anything they may need as soon as you adopt them.

Considering Buying a Pitbull? Read these Tips First!

Have you been thinking about getting a dog, but you want a unique one – one that maybe not everyone in the neighborhood will have (we're looking at you, Golden Retrievers)? Pitbulls might be on your list of likely dogs, which is a great thing! These dogs are loving, loyal, and more family-friendly than their big bad reputations would suggest. Owning a pitbull (or any dog for that matter) can be a very rewarding experience, but buying one is not something to be taken lightly. Before you reach out to Iron King Kennels about one of our beautiful pitbulls for sale, take a moment to read our tips.

Tip 1: Consider your lifestyle.

Owning a dog, particularly a puppy, requires a tremendous investment of time, money, and energy. You must be willing to commit to your dog. Do you have the time to walk your dog each day and the patience to socialize him or her by entering into different situations? This is particularly important with energetic pitbull puppies; it is not recommended that you let a pitbull run around off leash with other dogs, particularly unknown dogs, so the dog park might not be an option for getting out all that excess energy. Do you have the financial resources for food, shots, and medical care, as well as money for boarding or a pet-sitter if you travel? Are you willing to be diligent and consistent in training and disciplining your dog? Will you be devastated if your dog destroys your shoes, furniture, or other items? Be honest with yourself!

Tip 2: Be willing to be a breed ambassador

The stigma against pitbulls is a reality in our society. While most people would not be alarmed to see an off-leash golden retriever, Chihuahua, or cocker spaniel running towards them or their child, reactions to pitbulls are entirely different. In the event of an altercation between a pitbull and another dog, most people will assume the pitbull is at fault. By buying a pitbull, you are signing up for the responsibility of training, socializing, and disciplining a dog who arouses suspicion and fear in a lot of people, however unjustly. So you'll need to have energy, patience, and a positive attitude in order to not only train your dog, but win over the skeptics around you. With an obedient, friendly dog at your side, you'll do more to dispel the stigma than any number of advocacy campaigns.

Tip 3: Ask a lot of questions.

What are the local laws where you live about pets in general, and pitbulls in particular? Some cities and towns ban pitbulls; make sure this is not the case where you live! And what about your insurance? Will your homeowner’s or renter’s coverage be in jeopardy if you bring a pitbull into your home? Before you go and pick up your pitbull, do your research!

Hopefully these tips will help you make the right decision when it comes to purchasing one of our pitbulls for sale at Iron King Kennels. Getting any type of dog is a big life event. Make sure that yours turns out well by considering every aspect of your life and adding a dog to the equation. Contact us today at Iron King Kennels for more information: 1- 352-857-9007.