The Facts You Need To Know About Adopting A Dog
by: Niall Kennedy
Mum, dad, can we get a puppy? Its a plea that may parents will know only too well. How do you go about adopting a dog to make suure that the dog is happy and there isn't too much upheaval in your home?
If you are thinking of adding a dog to your family, consider adopting your new best friend from an animal shelter or humane society. You'll not only get a good feeling from helping a homeless pet, you'll get an outstanding companion. The staff at these organizations carefully check the animals for sound health and good temperament. In addition, some shelter animals have had the benefit of training to develop good manners while they waited for a new home.
Through no fault of their own, a lot of great dogs wind up in animal shelters hoping for a second chance at happiness. People relinquish their pets to shelters when they are no longer able to care for them. Sometimes this is because the owner was unprepared for the responsibility that comes with caring for a dog. Often, however, caring owners struggling with life-changes or trying to cope with family tragedy realize their pet would be better off with someone else. They bring them to the shelter because they know the animal will be well cared for and placed in an excellent home.
You can find just about any age, size and breed of dog at an animal shelter. So, if you have your mind set on a puppy, a shelter is a good place to look. However, if you would like a more mature dog that is likely already housebroken, you'll also find these kinds of canines at the humane society or animal center.
Upon arrival, shelter staff carefully evaluate each animal for physical and behavioral soundness. They make note of quirks, and work with specialists to eliminate negative behaviors. Most shelters have adoption counselors who interview potential adopters to understand their needs and lifestyle.
This is nothing to worry about - the counselor just wants to make sure that so they can make the perfect match for dog and owner.
This is an opportunity for you to find out about the dogs at the shelter too. There are a number of questions you should ask the counselor.
* Why is the dog available?
* Does the dog have any behavior problems?
* How is the dog with other animals and children?
* Does the dog have any health problems?
* Is the dog spayed or neutered already?
You will find it easy to pick your new dog with this expert advice. In fact your only problem may be not taking all the dogs home with you!
Bringing your newly adopted dog home is exciting for you, but may be a little overwhelming for her. Keep her on a leash as you take her from room to room, giving her plenty of opportunity to sniff. You may want the first stop on your tour to be the backyard or wherever you want her to relieve herself. The excitement of a car ride and coming to a new place can give her the need to empty her bowels or bladder.
Dogs are creatures of habit, so the sooner you establish a firm routine, the more comfortable your new dog will become. Always feed her in the same spot and at about the same time each morning. You'll find she grows to anticipate "what comes next." For example, if you always feed her after you bring in the newspaper, you'll notice she becomes very excited when you open the door to step outside. Dogs catch on quickly.
Remember, though, the reason why many dogs are in animal shelters in the first place. If you don't have the commitment to look after the dog properly, think again.
About The Author
Niall Kennedy
Best Pet Health Information http://www.best-pet-health.info is a resource which will help you find infomation, hints and tips to keep your newly adopted dog happy and healthy. This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and live links are included intact.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Your ‘Purrrfect’ Companion
Your ‘Purrrfect’ Companion
by: Mary Majorda
Out of all the pet animals, the cat is most expressive about its needs. The feline loves to be pampered and cared for. Don’t you just love the pretty pussy pictures they make? They can also become ‘sulkily aggressive’ at times. Understanding their feelings and needs is not at all difficult.
Just like your body language, behavior, and words give away your intentions and feelings, similarly, your pets also communicate through their bodies, and noises they make. As a pet owner, it is important for you to understand the signs, scents, and body language of your pet. Other than those, the visual information is also very important for understanding what your pet wants to communicate.
No longer “The Mystery Cat”
The cat language can be understood by your cat’s postures. Cats can be lazy and furtive at the same time. Its arched back depicts the no-nonsense attitude where you need to be careful! There are various other postures like its lying on its side, and lying down with tucked paws. The former is the relaxed state, and you need to careful about the latter. It makes evident that your little pet is definitely up to some nuisance.
When a cat feels sleepy, like most human beings and animals, it adopts the fetal position.
Purrs, Sounds, and Noises
Your cat’s purr in various pitches can foretell the things in store for you. For cats, you—the owner is like family. They look up to you as bigger cats. Outsiders are like prospective predators and they are considered threatening. So, if your cat comes across a new face, please make sure they are at a safe distance from each other.
If you make a loud noise, your little companion might hide away somewhere out of fear. They love to spend quieter moments. They show their affection by purring politely at you. The cats love to hear female voices, as they are more attractive. Half-mews, “Prrrh” and trills friendly greetings when you are also welcomed with a little ‘fluffy’ rub.
Your cat needs attention or food when its mews are shorter vowel sounds. The sounds without vowels can either be questions or greetings. At that instant you need to look at its facial expressions to gauge what is in your love’s mind. Sounds like ‘Mrrrheor’ or ‘Ree-orh’ are made to seek your attention.
Sweet Emotions
Your pet recognizes your touch and loves it. Patting your cat’s head for a sweet ‘hello’ can make him/her feel on top of the world. This strengthens your bond with your furry friend and enhances trust. Touching noses increases the level of intimacy and love at both ends.
The ‘Cat’ and Tail of it…
A cat’s tail is the best way to gauge its emotions. A low tail indicates that the cat is not too sure of its environment and is ready for any happening, whereas, an upright tail suggests its confidence and alertness. A lashing tail expresses pending aggression.
Your cat can become dangerous when its hair fluffs out. This is where it means, “Do not mess with me”. You’ll be able to make out if your pet has been engrossed in some violent sessions with its other ‘friends’ when its hair is all out of place and makes noises like it is crying.
Your cat’s flattened ears show fear or threat. When its ears are facing forward, it shows that it is paying attention.
But, other than these indicators, you need to read your ‘purrfect’ companion’s face and eyes to understand its emotions and what it is thinking.
About The Author
Mary Majorda of California has lived along with kittens since as long as she can remember. She got her 1st kitten at the age of 2 as a birthday gift from her dad and since then she hasn’t parted from cats and kittens. Besides having a family of a husband, 2 kids and 4 kittens, her love for them has pursued her to become a vet. Get Kitten Pictures from www.cutelittlekittens.com.
Majorda_123@yahoo.com
by: Mary Majorda
Out of all the pet animals, the cat is most expressive about its needs. The feline loves to be pampered and cared for. Don’t you just love the pretty pussy pictures they make? They can also become ‘sulkily aggressive’ at times. Understanding their feelings and needs is not at all difficult.
Just like your body language, behavior, and words give away your intentions and feelings, similarly, your pets also communicate through their bodies, and noises they make. As a pet owner, it is important for you to understand the signs, scents, and body language of your pet. Other than those, the visual information is also very important for understanding what your pet wants to communicate.
No longer “The Mystery Cat”
The cat language can be understood by your cat’s postures. Cats can be lazy and furtive at the same time. Its arched back depicts the no-nonsense attitude where you need to be careful! There are various other postures like its lying on its side, and lying down with tucked paws. The former is the relaxed state, and you need to careful about the latter. It makes evident that your little pet is definitely up to some nuisance.
When a cat feels sleepy, like most human beings and animals, it adopts the fetal position.
Purrs, Sounds, and Noises
Your cat’s purr in various pitches can foretell the things in store for you. For cats, you—the owner is like family. They look up to you as bigger cats. Outsiders are like prospective predators and they are considered threatening. So, if your cat comes across a new face, please make sure they are at a safe distance from each other.
If you make a loud noise, your little companion might hide away somewhere out of fear. They love to spend quieter moments. They show their affection by purring politely at you. The cats love to hear female voices, as they are more attractive. Half-mews, “Prrrh” and trills friendly greetings when you are also welcomed with a little ‘fluffy’ rub.
Your cat needs attention or food when its mews are shorter vowel sounds. The sounds without vowels can either be questions or greetings. At that instant you need to look at its facial expressions to gauge what is in your love’s mind. Sounds like ‘Mrrrheor’ or ‘Ree-orh’ are made to seek your attention.
Sweet Emotions
Your pet recognizes your touch and loves it. Patting your cat’s head for a sweet ‘hello’ can make him/her feel on top of the world. This strengthens your bond with your furry friend and enhances trust. Touching noses increases the level of intimacy and love at both ends.
The ‘Cat’ and Tail of it…
A cat’s tail is the best way to gauge its emotions. A low tail indicates that the cat is not too sure of its environment and is ready for any happening, whereas, an upright tail suggests its confidence and alertness. A lashing tail expresses pending aggression.
Your cat can become dangerous when its hair fluffs out. This is where it means, “Do not mess with me”. You’ll be able to make out if your pet has been engrossed in some violent sessions with its other ‘friends’ when its hair is all out of place and makes noises like it is crying.
Your cat’s flattened ears show fear or threat. When its ears are facing forward, it shows that it is paying attention.
But, other than these indicators, you need to read your ‘purrfect’ companion’s face and eyes to understand its emotions and what it is thinking.
About The Author
Mary Majorda of California has lived along with kittens since as long as she can remember. She got her 1st kitten at the age of 2 as a birthday gift from her dad and since then she hasn’t parted from cats and kittens. Besides having a family of a husband, 2 kids and 4 kittens, her love for them has pursued her to become a vet. Get Kitten Pictures from www.cutelittlekittens.com.
Majorda_123@yahoo.com
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Horse Training 101
This post seems not relate to dog but to know how to train the horse and use it to apply with your dog may be helpful :)
Horse Training 101
by: Ray La Foy
Each horse is different in how it learns and how it reacts to outside stimuli. Certain methods of horse training may apply to some horses, but it does not mean that it will be effective to all breeds of horse.
To start horse training you must develop a communication system with the horse. This might take time. In the same way as children may not fully grasp the idea of things at an instant, baby horses in training may not get every pressure, pat or way of holding the reins at once.
When you apply a certain pressure, you expect a certain response. During horse training, you must make the horse understand that a certain pressure should elicit a corresponding response. We don’t expect full compliance in the beginning, but as time goes by, these actions will be part of the horse’s vocabulary.
Throughout the course of the horse training, one by one these actions will be added to his vocabulary. But these actions should still be broken down into minute details that the horse can take in one at a time. Learn how to pace with each individual horse. Training is something that should be done slowly and surely.
You must also learn how to “speak” to your horse in a way that it will be able to comprehend. This manner of speaking would mean fewer words and more body language.
Horses are herd animals. They learn well by imitating the leaders of the herd. You should be that “leader” your horse will follow. Patience is a key in training your horses.
You must also take into consideration that no one, animal or human, learns well when under stress. You should not force lessons into your horse during horse training. They don’t appreciate the yelling and whipping, especially if they do not know what all the harshness is for. Unlike humans who can speak their minds, horses resort to more physical responses. And you certainly wouldn’t want your horse to whirl, kick, strike and do out of hand movements.
You must create an environment wherein the horse can learn on its own, aside from the horse training that you give it. It is also important to see the difference between having been able to teach the horse something and it just accepting it. If a horse is relaxed when you do something, this does not necessarily mean that it is trained. This might just mean to it as another thing a human being normally does. Resistance at first is needed in order to see that the horse recognizes that something new is being taught to him.
The horse’s daily training routine should not be based on a set of particular things you want to teach to the horse. It should be based on how your horse reacts to your actions. Don’t teach something new to it without reviewing what it already knows.
Most importantly - don’t force your horse to go on horse training if it doesn’t feel well. A good routine does not only maintain the horse’s attention level, but also its comfort level.
About The Author
Ray La Foy
Horses and Ponies. Learn more at http://www.horseandponys.com
win@bizbin.biz
Horse Training 101
by: Ray La Foy
Each horse is different in how it learns and how it reacts to outside stimuli. Certain methods of horse training may apply to some horses, but it does not mean that it will be effective to all breeds of horse.
To start horse training you must develop a communication system with the horse. This might take time. In the same way as children may not fully grasp the idea of things at an instant, baby horses in training may not get every pressure, pat or way of holding the reins at once.
When you apply a certain pressure, you expect a certain response. During horse training, you must make the horse understand that a certain pressure should elicit a corresponding response. We don’t expect full compliance in the beginning, but as time goes by, these actions will be part of the horse’s vocabulary.
Throughout the course of the horse training, one by one these actions will be added to his vocabulary. But these actions should still be broken down into minute details that the horse can take in one at a time. Learn how to pace with each individual horse. Training is something that should be done slowly and surely.
You must also learn how to “speak” to your horse in a way that it will be able to comprehend. This manner of speaking would mean fewer words and more body language.
Horses are herd animals. They learn well by imitating the leaders of the herd. You should be that “leader” your horse will follow. Patience is a key in training your horses.
You must also take into consideration that no one, animal or human, learns well when under stress. You should not force lessons into your horse during horse training. They don’t appreciate the yelling and whipping, especially if they do not know what all the harshness is for. Unlike humans who can speak their minds, horses resort to more physical responses. And you certainly wouldn’t want your horse to whirl, kick, strike and do out of hand movements.
You must create an environment wherein the horse can learn on its own, aside from the horse training that you give it. It is also important to see the difference between having been able to teach the horse something and it just accepting it. If a horse is relaxed when you do something, this does not necessarily mean that it is trained. This might just mean to it as another thing a human being normally does. Resistance at first is needed in order to see that the horse recognizes that something new is being taught to him.
The horse’s daily training routine should not be based on a set of particular things you want to teach to the horse. It should be based on how your horse reacts to your actions. Don’t teach something new to it without reviewing what it already knows.
Most importantly - don’t force your horse to go on horse training if it doesn’t feel well. A good routine does not only maintain the horse’s attention level, but also its comfort level.
About The Author
Ray La Foy
Horses and Ponies. Learn more at http://www.horseandponys.com
win@bizbin.biz
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Dealing with a Dog Food Allergy?
Dealing with a Dog Food Allergy?
by: Blake Kritzberg
Just as humans allergies can show up as a sneeze or rash, your dog's allergies can manifest as itchiness -- or even ear infections. In fact, if your dog's allergic to his food, it can cause him to scratch himself constantly, even with no obvious parasite problem.
Dog allergies rarely get solved with medicine, so the best we can do for our four-footed friends is focus on prevention. Providing the right type of food is essential to stopping your dog's scratching habit.
Many people like to share their food with their dogs or let them help "clean up" the kitchen after a meal. Little do they know, their dogs just may not be able to take the tasty food we love so much, and some breeds (like the greyhound) are extremely sensitive. Even common foods like cheese, beef sausage and tuna may cause allergic reactions in some dogs. So it's best to let dogs enjoy dog food and not human food, even though they clearly adore and want what we're eating!
Narrowing Down the Problem
To determine the exact ingredients your dog is allergic to, try an elimination diet. Although powerful, it also requires patience. In fact, the elimination diet can call for eliminating specific food for up to 12 weeks before you'll notice the effects. And if you still haven't found the right (and wrong) ingredients, you'll have to repeat the process all over again.
So is there an alternative to the lengthy elimination diet? Yes -- give your dog a brand or type of food he's never eaten before. But simply changing to a new brand of dog food might not be enough to eliminate his food allergies, since many brands contain similar ingredients. Instead, study the existing ingredients your dog is eating to determine which types of protein source he hasn't been exposed to. Then, hunt for a dog food that doesn't contain any of the ingredients you saw listed. For example, there are many brands of dog food that contains unusual protein sources such as rabbit or venison -- great for testing allergic reactions to other, more common proteins.
Perhaps the best way for you to get control of dog's allergies is to whip up your own dog food. That way, you'll know exactly what he's getting and what he isn't -- something that's extremely hard to tell from reading the back of a dog food bag. Making your own food is especially helpful in elimination diets. To start, combine a portion of rice with baby food and lamb -- so long as your dog isn't already eating lamb and possibly displaying a reaction to it.
Dog food allergies are a special condition that can be frustrating and take patience to solve. Since allergic reactions don't disappear overnight, you'll need lots of time and thoughtfulness to help your dog overcome this problem -- but his goofy smile and those scratch-free days ahead will probably make it all worth it.
About The Author
Blake Kritzberg is proprietor of Poodle-oo: Fashion for Toy Dogs. Stop by for toy dog couture and home decor, free toy dog postcards and the Toy Dog Blog.
http://www.poodle-oo.com/
by: Blake Kritzberg
Just as humans allergies can show up as a sneeze or rash, your dog's allergies can manifest as itchiness -- or even ear infections. In fact, if your dog's allergic to his food, it can cause him to scratch himself constantly, even with no obvious parasite problem.
Dog allergies rarely get solved with medicine, so the best we can do for our four-footed friends is focus on prevention. Providing the right type of food is essential to stopping your dog's scratching habit.
Many people like to share their food with their dogs or let them help "clean up" the kitchen after a meal. Little do they know, their dogs just may not be able to take the tasty food we love so much, and some breeds (like the greyhound) are extremely sensitive. Even common foods like cheese, beef sausage and tuna may cause allergic reactions in some dogs. So it's best to let dogs enjoy dog food and not human food, even though they clearly adore and want what we're eating!
Narrowing Down the Problem
To determine the exact ingredients your dog is allergic to, try an elimination diet. Although powerful, it also requires patience. In fact, the elimination diet can call for eliminating specific food for up to 12 weeks before you'll notice the effects. And if you still haven't found the right (and wrong) ingredients, you'll have to repeat the process all over again.
So is there an alternative to the lengthy elimination diet? Yes -- give your dog a brand or type of food he's never eaten before. But simply changing to a new brand of dog food might not be enough to eliminate his food allergies, since many brands contain similar ingredients. Instead, study the existing ingredients your dog is eating to determine which types of protein source he hasn't been exposed to. Then, hunt for a dog food that doesn't contain any of the ingredients you saw listed. For example, there are many brands of dog food that contains unusual protein sources such as rabbit or venison -- great for testing allergic reactions to other, more common proteins.
Perhaps the best way for you to get control of dog's allergies is to whip up your own dog food. That way, you'll know exactly what he's getting and what he isn't -- something that's extremely hard to tell from reading the back of a dog food bag. Making your own food is especially helpful in elimination diets. To start, combine a portion of rice with baby food and lamb -- so long as your dog isn't already eating lamb and possibly displaying a reaction to it.
Dog food allergies are a special condition that can be frustrating and take patience to solve. Since allergic reactions don't disappear overnight, you'll need lots of time and thoughtfulness to help your dog overcome this problem -- but his goofy smile and those scratch-free days ahead will probably make it all worth it.
About The Author
Blake Kritzberg is proprietor of Poodle-oo: Fashion for Toy Dogs. Stop by for toy dog couture and home decor, free toy dog postcards and the Toy Dog Blog.
http://www.poodle-oo.com/
Friday, September 26, 2008
Defend Your Dog and Stop that Hurting Paw!
Defend Your Dog and Stop that Hurting Paw!
by: Blake Kritzberg
Of course, we humans use shoes to protect our feet. We insist on it! But dogs usually don't have that luxury, and routinely walk over ice, rock, grass, cement and soil on their bare paws. Their paws' thick pads give them protection we don't have, and that's why they're less susceptible to cuts and grazes. But this doesn't mean a dog's paws are indestructible. In fact, the areas between the pads are very sensitive and can suffer from cuts, burns, and other ailments.
One of the clues to a paw problem is when your dog comes back limping or favoring only one of its legs. The only way for you to narrow down the issue is to check his paw for any visible and physical signs of bleeding, swelling, redness or blisters.
Some dogs are very protective of their paws and don't like people touching them -- and they'll let you know! Keep persisting. One of my dogs, who just hates having her paws touched, will usually relax when I gently reassure her that I'm only trying to help. Although dogs don't understand many of our words, they do just fine at detecting our emotions, and sometimes intentions, from our actions and tone of voice.
If your dog has a cut, wash the wound with an antiseptic solution and apply a layer of antiseptic cream. Check the wound again the next day to see if it's getting better. If it looks infected, you should bring your dog to the vet. I was once shocked to discover maggots wiggling inside a paw wound on my dog -- ugh. Needless to say, we went to the vet immediately (she was fine after treatment).
In certain breeds, hair mats may grow between the pads, which can cause irritation. In these breeds, it's essential to trim regularly between the mats to keep the paws in good shape. Even in other breeds, dogs that run outdoors can get mud trapped between the pads. Again, this will irritate the paw, so it's best that you clean up with soap and water when you see mud between the toes.
Just as we humans get dry and cracked heels, dogs also experience dry and calloused paw pads. The solution for them is similar to ours -- apply moisturizers. In fact, you can even use your hand moisturizer on your dog! But there's a challenge involved: stopping your dog from licking it away after you apply it. A good trick is to apply the moisturizer right before your dog has his meal. This way, you can allow a little time for the moisturizer to settle in. Otherwise, you can play with your pooch to keep him occupied and restrain him if he starts licking his paws.
Finally, you probably have seen dogs in dog boots and wondered if these boots would effectively protect your dog's feet. But your dog may be better off without them, as they can easily walk out of these boots -- active, athletic dogs in particular. In the end, your dog will enjoy himself more walking on his own paws, with some occasional care and maintenance from you.
About The Author
Blake Kritzberg is proprietor of Poodle-oo: Fashion for Toy Dogs. Stop by for toy dog couture and home decor, free toy dog postcards and the Toy Dog Blog.
http://www.poodle-oo.com/
by: Blake Kritzberg
Of course, we humans use shoes to protect our feet. We insist on it! But dogs usually don't have that luxury, and routinely walk over ice, rock, grass, cement and soil on their bare paws. Their paws' thick pads give them protection we don't have, and that's why they're less susceptible to cuts and grazes. But this doesn't mean a dog's paws are indestructible. In fact, the areas between the pads are very sensitive and can suffer from cuts, burns, and other ailments.
One of the clues to a paw problem is when your dog comes back limping or favoring only one of its legs. The only way for you to narrow down the issue is to check his paw for any visible and physical signs of bleeding, swelling, redness or blisters.
Some dogs are very protective of their paws and don't like people touching them -- and they'll let you know! Keep persisting. One of my dogs, who just hates having her paws touched, will usually relax when I gently reassure her that I'm only trying to help. Although dogs don't understand many of our words, they do just fine at detecting our emotions, and sometimes intentions, from our actions and tone of voice.
If your dog has a cut, wash the wound with an antiseptic solution and apply a layer of antiseptic cream. Check the wound again the next day to see if it's getting better. If it looks infected, you should bring your dog to the vet. I was once shocked to discover maggots wiggling inside a paw wound on my dog -- ugh. Needless to say, we went to the vet immediately (she was fine after treatment).
In certain breeds, hair mats may grow between the pads, which can cause irritation. In these breeds, it's essential to trim regularly between the mats to keep the paws in good shape. Even in other breeds, dogs that run outdoors can get mud trapped between the pads. Again, this will irritate the paw, so it's best that you clean up with soap and water when you see mud between the toes.
Just as we humans get dry and cracked heels, dogs also experience dry and calloused paw pads. The solution for them is similar to ours -- apply moisturizers. In fact, you can even use your hand moisturizer on your dog! But there's a challenge involved: stopping your dog from licking it away after you apply it. A good trick is to apply the moisturizer right before your dog has his meal. This way, you can allow a little time for the moisturizer to settle in. Otherwise, you can play with your pooch to keep him occupied and restrain him if he starts licking his paws.
Finally, you probably have seen dogs in dog boots and wondered if these boots would effectively protect your dog's feet. But your dog may be better off without them, as they can easily walk out of these boots -- active, athletic dogs in particular. In the end, your dog will enjoy himself more walking on his own paws, with some occasional care and maintenance from you.
About The Author
Blake Kritzberg is proprietor of Poodle-oo: Fashion for Toy Dogs. Stop by for toy dog couture and home decor, free toy dog postcards and the Toy Dog Blog.
http://www.poodle-oo.com/
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Gifts For Dog Lovers
Gifts For Dog Lovers
by: Robert Davis
Our passion for dogs can sometimes go to the extreme. We treat our pet like it was our own baby, not to mention the love we feel for newly born puppies. Is this just a case of "man's best friend"? Or is it something greater?
We'll let you be the judge of that.
Dogs are just so cute that some dog owners go to the extent of calling their pets "sweetie". Others call their dogs their "kids," or "babies."
Dog lovers are limitless in the terms of affection they can come up with for their pets. It is even common to see pets that look like their owners, and vice versa. This is probably just another sign of our love for them.
Dogs give unconditional love to their owners. This is a characteristic of all dog breeds. A lot of dog lovers return this love in the form of dog gifts. And the selection of dog gifts appear in all shapes, varieties, and sizes.
There is a wide selections of dog gifts. There are dog baskets, dog books, dog collars, dog crates, dog clothes, food, dog accessories, medicines, vitamin supplements, just to name a few.
Dog gifts can be any dog related item, from dog toys to dog supplies and to a program in dog training. Whatever the giver can imagine.
A common misconception among gift givers is that dog gifts are gifts for pet lovers or the owners themselves. In most instances, they are not. They are for the dog. But in a way, they benefit the dog owner by saving him or her from the expenses he/she would have incurred buying the items.
Dog books are great gifts, generally given to new pet owners. Normally, they contain details pertaining to dog breeds, guidelines in taking care of dogs, nutritional details on the specific breed, methods of dog grooming, tips, and everything in between.
Dog toys may be given as gifts as well. Like children, dogs are fond of playing. In fact, quite a number of breeds are recognized for their playfulness -- some are born ball chasers.
Obviously, in giving toys as dog gifts, you must be careful not to get a toy that could potentially harm the pet. It is wise that you choose those toys that are primarily made of vinyl or latex materials.
Also, avoid those that can be torn in smaller pieces, as they may stick in the dog's throat. One toy you can get is cheap tube of balls, but they must be large enough that they won't fit into the animal's mouth. Or it can be an old sack, or better yet, the sneakers that he likes to chew.
As these examples show, you need not always buy a gift made specifically for dogs. But if you choose to, there are many dog websites that can provide you with a good selection of products. Furthermore, you can also buy from a local pet shop.
Moreover, if you cannot choose a dog gift yourself you have the option of giving the dog owner a gift certificate. This is an ideal way of giving a gift, because in this way you are giving the owner the chance to decide on the gift he thinks would be best for his pet.
About The Author
Robert Davis writes for several web sites, such as http://dicez.com and http://rosuf.com.
by: Robert Davis
Our passion for dogs can sometimes go to the extreme. We treat our pet like it was our own baby, not to mention the love we feel for newly born puppies. Is this just a case of "man's best friend"? Or is it something greater?
We'll let you be the judge of that.
Dogs are just so cute that some dog owners go to the extent of calling their pets "sweetie". Others call their dogs their "kids," or "babies."
Dog lovers are limitless in the terms of affection they can come up with for their pets. It is even common to see pets that look like their owners, and vice versa. This is probably just another sign of our love for them.
Dogs give unconditional love to their owners. This is a characteristic of all dog breeds. A lot of dog lovers return this love in the form of dog gifts. And the selection of dog gifts appear in all shapes, varieties, and sizes.
There is a wide selections of dog gifts. There are dog baskets, dog books, dog collars, dog crates, dog clothes, food, dog accessories, medicines, vitamin supplements, just to name a few.
Dog gifts can be any dog related item, from dog toys to dog supplies and to a program in dog training. Whatever the giver can imagine.
A common misconception among gift givers is that dog gifts are gifts for pet lovers or the owners themselves. In most instances, they are not. They are for the dog. But in a way, they benefit the dog owner by saving him or her from the expenses he/she would have incurred buying the items.
Dog books are great gifts, generally given to new pet owners. Normally, they contain details pertaining to dog breeds, guidelines in taking care of dogs, nutritional details on the specific breed, methods of dog grooming, tips, and everything in between.
Dog toys may be given as gifts as well. Like children, dogs are fond of playing. In fact, quite a number of breeds are recognized for their playfulness -- some are born ball chasers.
Obviously, in giving toys as dog gifts, you must be careful not to get a toy that could potentially harm the pet. It is wise that you choose those toys that are primarily made of vinyl or latex materials.
Also, avoid those that can be torn in smaller pieces, as they may stick in the dog's throat. One toy you can get is cheap tube of balls, but they must be large enough that they won't fit into the animal's mouth. Or it can be an old sack, or better yet, the sneakers that he likes to chew.
As these examples show, you need not always buy a gift made specifically for dogs. But if you choose to, there are many dog websites that can provide you with a good selection of products. Furthermore, you can also buy from a local pet shop.
Moreover, if you cannot choose a dog gift yourself you have the option of giving the dog owner a gift certificate. This is an ideal way of giving a gift, because in this way you are giving the owner the chance to decide on the gift he thinks would be best for his pet.
About The Author
Robert Davis writes for several web sites, such as http://dicez.com and http://rosuf.com.
Four Common Skin Problems in Dogs
Four Common Skin Problems in Dogs
by: Blake Kritzberg
Dogs are susceptible to various skin problems -- which can be frustrating for owners who want to see Fido comfortable and happy. Does your dog have a skin problem, and if so, how do you fix it?
That depends on the symptoms you see. Of course, the most common sign of a possible skin problem in your dog is constant, excessive itching. Other symptoms include fur loss, either localized in a certain location or spread across the dog’s entire body. More severe cases may involve redness in the skin, changes in skin pigmentation or even open sores that your dog constantly licks.
No particular symptom necessarily proves your four-footed friend has a certain type of skin disorder, and you’ll need to investigate other areas before you draw conclusions. While it’s common and helpful for veterinarians to diagnose skin problems, it’s also essential for dog owners like you to familiarize yourself with typical canine skin problems, so you can react quickly and keep his discomfort to a minimum.
Fleas, Lice and Ticks
One of the most common problems in dogs is the presence of fleas, lice and ticks, which are parasites that live on the surface of the skin and feed on the dog’s blood. These parasites’ saliva causes skin irritation and results in intense scratching.
Lice and ticks can be detected visually when you check your dog’s fur, while fleas are hard to spot with the naked eye. However, fleas cause red pimple marks on the skin and also can be spotted through the black, gritty trail of “dirt” they leave on a dog’s belly.
While you can remove ticks and lice with tweezers -- applying alcohol to relax the tick’s grip before doing so -- you can also adopt more general methods. For instance, you can give your dog a dip with special tick shampoo to eliminate ticks. Flea sprays or flea powder can also be applied to the dog to kill parasites. But all these require persistence and it may be a while before you see results.
One of the best methods to keep your dog comfortable is to prevent ticks from living off your dog in the first place through the use of a spot-on product, such as FrontLine or BioSpot. To apply these chemicals, you drip a small amount onto the back of your dog’s neck once a month. The chemical spreads throughout the dog’s skin and kills parasites -- including the eggs and larvae. When regularly treated, your dog becomes an unattractive host.
Mange
Mange is a skin problem caused by mites that burrow underneath the dog’s skin, causing intense and even agonizing itching. Bald spots or inflamed red skin are common symptoms of mange. Two types of mange exist in dogs: sarcoptic mange and demodectic mange, depending on the kind of mite involved.
Most dogs carry the mites involved in demodectic mange or demodex. However, these mites usually do not cause itching except when they suddenly multiply into huge numbers. This may happen in young puppies, or in dogs with decreased natural body defenses, sometimes from stress.
On the other hand, Sacroptic mange or scabies causes intense itching in the dog as the mites burrow under the skin and even lay their eggs there. This causes large red spots on the dog’s skin, and sometimes fur loss on the ears and elbows. Scabies can infect humans as well and cause itchiness, although infection in humans usually disappears by itself after a while. However, it is still important for people to seek treatment if they get infected.
Treatment for mange requires patience and time, as eliminating them or lowering the mite population takes a while to take effect. The best way to kill the mites is to soak your dog in a lime and sulfur medicated dip for 10 to 15 minutes a few times in a week. The dip should not be washed off, but left to dry on your dog’s skin and fur. During this time, it’s best to watch your dog closely and prevent him from licking himself dry. As a further precaution, you can feed him a raw egg to line his stomach before dipping him in the solution. This way, even if he does lick himself, the solution won’t be absorbed on an empty stomach.
When fighting mange, it’s also important to support your dog with the highest quality diet you can find, to improve his immune system. Healing from mange will take a lot of his internal resources. You might consider looking into the raw diet for dogs and avoiding any corn or rice-based products for the time being.
About The Author
Blake Kritzberg is proprietor of Poodle-oo: Fashion for Toy Dogs. Stop by for toy dog couture and home decor, free toy dog postcards and the Toy Dog Blog.
http://www.poodle-oo.com/
by: Blake Kritzberg
Dogs are susceptible to various skin problems -- which can be frustrating for owners who want to see Fido comfortable and happy. Does your dog have a skin problem, and if so, how do you fix it?
That depends on the symptoms you see. Of course, the most common sign of a possible skin problem in your dog is constant, excessive itching. Other symptoms include fur loss, either localized in a certain location or spread across the dog’s entire body. More severe cases may involve redness in the skin, changes in skin pigmentation or even open sores that your dog constantly licks.
No particular symptom necessarily proves your four-footed friend has a certain type of skin disorder, and you’ll need to investigate other areas before you draw conclusions. While it’s common and helpful for veterinarians to diagnose skin problems, it’s also essential for dog owners like you to familiarize yourself with typical canine skin problems, so you can react quickly and keep his discomfort to a minimum.
Fleas, Lice and Ticks
One of the most common problems in dogs is the presence of fleas, lice and ticks, which are parasites that live on the surface of the skin and feed on the dog’s blood. These parasites’ saliva causes skin irritation and results in intense scratching.
Lice and ticks can be detected visually when you check your dog’s fur, while fleas are hard to spot with the naked eye. However, fleas cause red pimple marks on the skin and also can be spotted through the black, gritty trail of “dirt” they leave on a dog’s belly.
While you can remove ticks and lice with tweezers -- applying alcohol to relax the tick’s grip before doing so -- you can also adopt more general methods. For instance, you can give your dog a dip with special tick shampoo to eliminate ticks. Flea sprays or flea powder can also be applied to the dog to kill parasites. But all these require persistence and it may be a while before you see results.
One of the best methods to keep your dog comfortable is to prevent ticks from living off your dog in the first place through the use of a spot-on product, such as FrontLine or BioSpot. To apply these chemicals, you drip a small amount onto the back of your dog’s neck once a month. The chemical spreads throughout the dog’s skin and kills parasites -- including the eggs and larvae. When regularly treated, your dog becomes an unattractive host.
Mange
Mange is a skin problem caused by mites that burrow underneath the dog’s skin, causing intense and even agonizing itching. Bald spots or inflamed red skin are common symptoms of mange. Two types of mange exist in dogs: sarcoptic mange and demodectic mange, depending on the kind of mite involved.
Most dogs carry the mites involved in demodectic mange or demodex. However, these mites usually do not cause itching except when they suddenly multiply into huge numbers. This may happen in young puppies, or in dogs with decreased natural body defenses, sometimes from stress.
On the other hand, Sacroptic mange or scabies causes intense itching in the dog as the mites burrow under the skin and even lay their eggs there. This causes large red spots on the dog’s skin, and sometimes fur loss on the ears and elbows. Scabies can infect humans as well and cause itchiness, although infection in humans usually disappears by itself after a while. However, it is still important for people to seek treatment if they get infected.
Treatment for mange requires patience and time, as eliminating them or lowering the mite population takes a while to take effect. The best way to kill the mites is to soak your dog in a lime and sulfur medicated dip for 10 to 15 minutes a few times in a week. The dip should not be washed off, but left to dry on your dog’s skin and fur. During this time, it’s best to watch your dog closely and prevent him from licking himself dry. As a further precaution, you can feed him a raw egg to line his stomach before dipping him in the solution. This way, even if he does lick himself, the solution won’t be absorbed on an empty stomach.
When fighting mange, it’s also important to support your dog with the highest quality diet you can find, to improve his immune system. Healing from mange will take a lot of his internal resources. You might consider looking into the raw diet for dogs and avoiding any corn or rice-based products for the time being.
About The Author
Blake Kritzberg is proprietor of Poodle-oo: Fashion for Toy Dogs. Stop by for toy dog couture and home decor, free toy dog postcards and the Toy Dog Blog.
http://www.poodle-oo.com/
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Crate Training Ebooks - The Key to your Training Success
Crate Training Ebooks - The Key to your Training Success
by: Dean Iggo
There are many ways to get information on how to crate train your dog. Though there are many books, pamphlets, and articles in magazines out there with such information, the most practical may be crate training ebooks. Crate training ebooks are cheap, easy to find, and usually contain great information on how to get your dog used to his crate. So how do you find a reliable ebook for crate training? Here are a few tips that can help you out.
Find Reliable Sources
The internet is full of ebooks. As with any other type of media, some of them are good and some are not so good. The best way to find the right crate training ebooks to use with your canine training is to look in reliable places. For instance, you may find them on training sites for specific breeds. Look for crate training ebooks associated with Doberman breeders, golden retriever breeders, or even well respected animal shelters. Additionally, check out any reputable dog training website with how to information on their site.
You Get What You Pay For
Though nobody likes to spend money, you have to remember that free information is probably worth what you are paying. Good crate training ebooks probably shouldn’t cost you more than a few dollars, but by paying a fee you are paying for expertise. Remember that if you are looking at a reliable source and reputable author, the ebook will be worth the few dollars you spend.
Research the Author
Though you will have already checked out the source of the article download, check out the author of any crate training ebooks you are considering. With just a few minutes of research, you should be able to get some information on what makes this person qualified to write an ebook that you are going to pay good money for. The few minutes you spend will be worth it to ensure that you find the ebook that is right for you.
Crate training ebooks can be a fantastic way to get more information about using a crate with your dog. To get one that is right, you just need to do a little research, lean on reliable sites, and keep in mind that you will likely get what you pay for. Do those things and you will be well on your way to a happy home life with your canine companion and his crate home.
About The Author
Dean Iggo is the webmaster of http://www.dogtrainingadvisor.com providing tips and advice for dog training at home, including obedience, potty training and more.
by: Dean Iggo
There are many ways to get information on how to crate train your dog. Though there are many books, pamphlets, and articles in magazines out there with such information, the most practical may be crate training ebooks. Crate training ebooks are cheap, easy to find, and usually contain great information on how to get your dog used to his crate. So how do you find a reliable ebook for crate training? Here are a few tips that can help you out.
Find Reliable Sources
The internet is full of ebooks. As with any other type of media, some of them are good and some are not so good. The best way to find the right crate training ebooks to use with your canine training is to look in reliable places. For instance, you may find them on training sites for specific breeds. Look for crate training ebooks associated with Doberman breeders, golden retriever breeders, or even well respected animal shelters. Additionally, check out any reputable dog training website with how to information on their site.
You Get What You Pay For
Though nobody likes to spend money, you have to remember that free information is probably worth what you are paying. Good crate training ebooks probably shouldn’t cost you more than a few dollars, but by paying a fee you are paying for expertise. Remember that if you are looking at a reliable source and reputable author, the ebook will be worth the few dollars you spend.
Research the Author
Though you will have already checked out the source of the article download, check out the author of any crate training ebooks you are considering. With just a few minutes of research, you should be able to get some information on what makes this person qualified to write an ebook that you are going to pay good money for. The few minutes you spend will be worth it to ensure that you find the ebook that is right for you.
Crate training ebooks can be a fantastic way to get more information about using a crate with your dog. To get one that is right, you just need to do a little research, lean on reliable sites, and keep in mind that you will likely get what you pay for. Do those things and you will be well on your way to a happy home life with your canine companion and his crate home.
About The Author
Dean Iggo is the webmaster of http://www.dogtrainingadvisor.com providing tips and advice for dog training at home, including obedience, potty training and more.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Does Your Boston Terrier Want To Be With You?
Does Your Boston Terrier Want To Be With You?
by: Abhik Sarkar
This may come as a surprise...but if the tables were turned, and the Boston Terrier could choose his owner, would he have chosen you?
We are always trying to figure out the right breed for us, and usually a dog is chosen on the "he's so cute and adorable" factor.
But if in an upside down world, the dog was the one skipping around the neighborhood looking for the right owner, would you be chosen?
Interesting thought isn't it?
So, let me tell you the three things that your Boston Terrier is looking for in you. If you match all of these then you can pat yourself on the back for being a perfectly suitable owner.
Firstly, are you someone who has time to spend with your Boston?
If it were upto him your Boston Terrier would go EVERYWHERE with you! They thrive on human company, much more so than most breeds. This doesn't mean that they cannot be left alone; but they are much happier when you are around.Knowing how much they love being with you is what drew me to them from the start.
If you find yourself not being home for most of the day, then you would not be an ideal owner for a Boston Terrier.
Secondly, how do you rate on what I call the "affection and passion factor"?
Let me illustrate this point with a quick question.
You will often find that although you have many things you are interested in, are you passionate about all of them?
Of course not. We all have varying degrees of things we are passionate about.
If what you want is just a dog around the house, but not one you are willing to invest your time and affection in the relationship, I'm afraid a Boston Terrier would not choose you.
Your Boston Terrier wants to be an active part of your home and family, and not just a pet you keep in the back yard or confine in a room for him to circle around endlessly.
Your Boston has unlimited affection for you, and he wants to be with you to accept this boundless affection.
And finally, do you like being the envy of other dog owners?
With the right methods and time invested, your Boston Terrier has the potential to make all your neighbors green with envy!
Being a very intelligent breed you can not only train him to listen to your every command; but you could teach him tricks which will make peoples jaw drop in amazement.
Imagine being the talk of your neighborhood when they are struggling with their dogs' behavior, while your Boston Terrier displays behavior that makes you proud.
And the best part is you can take all the credit for it :)
Your Boston Terrier wants you to take advantage of his inherent gift to reward you with good behavior and tricks because of their superior learning ability.
So, do you meet the three factors and desires listed above as an owner? If you can say "yes", then you know you ARE a great owner that your Boston Terrier loves to be with.
But it goes without saying, that, for you to get the best out of your Boston Terrier, you need to use the right methods.
So I leave you with a question - are you using ways to train and raise your Boston Terrier with methods he responds to?
About The Author
Abhik Sarkar has helped over 3000 owners to raise and train their Boston Terrier with easy to use methods. To recieve your free 8 part mini course visit: http://www.boston-terrier-secrets.com/optin.htm
by: Abhik Sarkar
This may come as a surprise...but if the tables were turned, and the Boston Terrier could choose his owner, would he have chosen you?
We are always trying to figure out the right breed for us, and usually a dog is chosen on the "he's so cute and adorable" factor.
But if in an upside down world, the dog was the one skipping around the neighborhood looking for the right owner, would you be chosen?
Interesting thought isn't it?
So, let me tell you the three things that your Boston Terrier is looking for in you. If you match all of these then you can pat yourself on the back for being a perfectly suitable owner.
Firstly, are you someone who has time to spend with your Boston?
If it were upto him your Boston Terrier would go EVERYWHERE with you! They thrive on human company, much more so than most breeds. This doesn't mean that they cannot be left alone; but they are much happier when you are around.Knowing how much they love being with you is what drew me to them from the start.
If you find yourself not being home for most of the day, then you would not be an ideal owner for a Boston Terrier.
Secondly, how do you rate on what I call the "affection and passion factor"?
Let me illustrate this point with a quick question.
You will often find that although you have many things you are interested in, are you passionate about all of them?
Of course not. We all have varying degrees of things we are passionate about.
If what you want is just a dog around the house, but not one you are willing to invest your time and affection in the relationship, I'm afraid a Boston Terrier would not choose you.
Your Boston Terrier wants to be an active part of your home and family, and not just a pet you keep in the back yard or confine in a room for him to circle around endlessly.
Your Boston has unlimited affection for you, and he wants to be with you to accept this boundless affection.
And finally, do you like being the envy of other dog owners?
With the right methods and time invested, your Boston Terrier has the potential to make all your neighbors green with envy!
Being a very intelligent breed you can not only train him to listen to your every command; but you could teach him tricks which will make peoples jaw drop in amazement.
Imagine being the talk of your neighborhood when they are struggling with their dogs' behavior, while your Boston Terrier displays behavior that makes you proud.
And the best part is you can take all the credit for it :)
Your Boston Terrier wants you to take advantage of his inherent gift to reward you with good behavior and tricks because of their superior learning ability.
So, do you meet the three factors and desires listed above as an owner? If you can say "yes", then you know you ARE a great owner that your Boston Terrier loves to be with.
But it goes without saying, that, for you to get the best out of your Boston Terrier, you need to use the right methods.
So I leave you with a question - are you using ways to train and raise your Boston Terrier with methods he responds to?
About The Author
Abhik Sarkar has helped over 3000 owners to raise and train their Boston Terrier with easy to use methods. To recieve your free 8 part mini course visit: http://www.boston-terrier-secrets.com/optin.htm
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)