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Is there a new puppy in the house and you're at wit's end trying to train him? Or is your dog an older gent that's displaying new habits or health problems. Have you thought about taking a vacation out of the country but don't know the laws about bringing Bowser along? Are you looking for info on a specific breed, or trying to find a rescue group? Are you moving and need the name of a good veterinarian? Or is yours a pampered pooch that needs a rhinestone-encrusted collar and leash? Places to find all of this info and more are listed below. . .

www.dogage.com This website offers a fun quiz about your dog, his diet, exercise and lifestyle. Factoring in all this information, it lets you know your dog's "real" age. It also offers a dog tip of the week, and even a dog of the week, where people send in pictures of their dogs to be featured on the front page of the website. Wouldn't that make the other neighborhood dogs jealous?

www.dogbreedinfo.com Almost anything you'd ever want to know about dogs including information on most breeds, health care, puppy care, dog training, where to find rescued dogs and breeders and more.

www.vetlocator.com Not only does this website have the names, numbers and locations of over 60,000 veterinarians nationwide, it also has a nice resource library for FAQ's like spaying/neutering, pet allergies and more.

The website for the American Kennel Club is www.akc.org and here you'll find breed-specific info, as well as how to chose the right dog, how to take care of a new puppy, health information and more. It also gives information on how to register purebreds with the AKC, events associated with the AKCactually just about anything you need to know about purebred dogs.

www.avma.org is the website for the American Veterinarian Medical Board, but it has an entire area (look for the gold header to the right on the main page) for pet owners. A link for free info is wonderful, with about 50 different downloadable brochures on everything from selecting a pet, pet safety, vaccinations and more. Anything and everything you'd want to know about your pet's health is available in the FAQ section, as well.

www.1800petmeds.com We've all seen the commercials on TV, and this website lives up to its name. Almost any type of medicine your dog would need for any health problem is available here. Keep in mind that some may require a licensed veterinarian's prescription; if it does, the customer service department will contact your vet over the phone. The website offers a price match and a product guarantee. Go ahead and shop around, but it's doubtful you'll find better prices anywhere else.

While the above website carries products related to your dog's health, go to www.dog.com for everything else. This website provides dog beds, dog crates, dog leashes, dog collars, dog toys, dog treats, dog kennels, dog food, dog carriers, dog houses, dog shampoo. . . yes, EVERYTHING! If you want to buy a sofa for your dog, it's available here. A collar with bling? Got it. Trust me, it's all there. Go get your credit card and have some fun.

If you like taking Fido or Fluffy with when you travel, stop by www.pettravel.com This comprehensive site has links to cities across the US, and with a few clicks of a button you can find out which hotels are pet-friendly, where the local dog parks are located and also where to take your pet in an emergency. Info is given for what you'll need to know about travelling with a pet via planes, trains or automobiles. It also offers plenty of info about travelling to places outside the US with a pet, and what is required in order to do so.

Insurance for pets is now a big industry and there are dozens of companies offering coverage. If you're unsure where to look, pay a visit to www.petinsurancereview.com where you'll be able to compare different companies side-by-side, and also read recommendations from other pet owners.

www.petplace.com provides access to over 10,000 veterinarian-approved articles that have everything to do with dogs. It is quite easy to spend hours perusing the information given on this site. If you're having trouble coming up with a name for the new pup, read about the top ten dog names in the country, or the article about uncommon dog names. If you still can't make a decision, check out the article titles "Top 1200 Pet Names" and if you still can't make up your mind, just call him "Here, Boy." Trust me, he'll come when called.

www.breeders.net is a great place to find local breeders for popular dogs, as well as locate breeders of rare or more unusual dogs throughout the US. My friend Alice just drove from Phoenix to Albuquerque to get her dog Finnegan, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. This puppy is so cute he just makes you want to scream when you see him, and without this website she might not have found him. The website also has an absolutely wonderful breed-specific dog encyclopedia, where readers can discover anything about a breed including size, temperament, possible health issues, grooming info and more. If you're undecided between two or more different breeds, the info given here should help narrow down the choices.

www.doggies.com has a great dog blog, and by submitting your email address you can have new blog entries automatically sent to you. And if you find an article that you know a friend would enjoy, a quick click of the mouse sends the info right to your pal. For funsies, you can even weigh in on what the Obamas should name their new dog.

Purina has taken care of dogs for decades, and their website www.purina.com has tons of info directed at doing just that: taking care of your dog. It also has a downloadable, addicting game called The Incredible Dog Challenge as well as cute doggie wallpaper for your computer.

For those of us with recalcitrant dogs, a visit from the Dog Whisperer would be nice. Since that's almost impossible, just visit his website at www.cesarmillaninc.com There'll you'll find training tips plus learn more about his seminars across the country. There's also info on how to register your own Bad Boy to possibly be chosen to appear on the show. As a long-time owner of Siberian Huskies, it is very telling (and amusing!) to notice the dog front and center on the main page is -yes!- a Sibe.

www.petloss.com If a pet has passed away, there is no better website to give encouragement and support. Information is given on support groups (online and physical locations) and recommended reading. Over 100 poems are on the website, all dealing with grief over pet loss, and people are welcome to post their own tributes when their own dog crosses that "Rainbow Bridge."

Learn more about this author, Ali Koomen.
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