Dec
13
Dog Training – Old Dogs
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There comes a time when your dog will no longer be as young as they used to be and more care and attention might be needed. Everyone and every living thing gets old at some point and there’s nothing anyone can do.
There are however, things that can help dramatically in keeping your dog young and healthy and to set them up for a much better and happier aging. Don’t wait till your dog is old before thinking of the care he will need, you need to constantly look after your dog’s health to stop any unnecessary suffering later on.
The main things that affect your dog’s later life are the diet he/she is on and the exercise they get, along with other less important needs such as grooming and others, feeding and exercise are the main factors in determining your dog’s health later in life.
So what can happen to your dog in later life I hear you ask? Well there are plenty of illnesses and situations that may occur with age because of things not working as well as they used to much the same as human illnesses. Middle age for a dog is around the seven years mark although it depends on dog size and this is when the dog’s body will gradually start to deteriate.
One of the most common of old age symptoms for dogs is hearing and sight deteriation, this can cause the dog to be much more frightened and feeling more vulnerable than they used to. Old Dog personalities may begin to change in affect to this making some more friendly and other more grumpy and snappy. Other old age side effects include putting on weight, weaker muscles and bones, memory loss and being less able to fight off infections and diseases.
Weight gain is a big issue in old dogs and needs to be monitored and acted upon often to make sure your dog doesn’t get unwanted problems through obesity.
In general, if you pet is getting old and you can see he/she is feeling the pain, then take them to the local vet to get advice on any questions you have and have them checked over by an expert.
Dec
13
Dog Accessories For The Party Animal
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Canine parties are now a fact of life for many dog and their owners. If you are invited to a party for a pooch which dog accessories will you need? Maybe you are the one planning the event, you will still need accessories. It will depend on the event of course. If you are going to be a guest at a summer shindig you may want matching beachwear for you and your little furry friend or at least hats and beach towels.
A dog attending any social function should have an appropriate collar and leash. If the event is formal such as a wedding or cocktail party you may prefer something with rhinestones. A tiara might be a nice touch and don’t hold back on the gown or tails (and I don’t mean the canine variety). There are outfits made from satin, lace and other lovely fabrics. These pieces of clothing may also have matching jackets, cloaks or capes.
Holidays are the perfect time for a soiree. Besides fabulous costumes for Halloween and party clothing for Christmas you will find dog accessories made to compliment and adorn. There are charming hats, boots and sweaters. Your dog will look like a million bucks.
Now that you have an idea of what Bowser will be wearing maybe you should concentrate on gift ideas. There are all kinds of dog accessories that will be perfect for any party or occasion.
Shop online and you will find an amazing array of accessories and gifts for any dog. Personalized presents are always nice and you may have a choice of doggy dishes, beds, pillows, chairs, Christmas ornaments and more. Online shopping allows you to see so many dog accessories and they can be conveniently purchased and delivered right to your door.
Toys are hot dog accessories and the choices are almost endless. Choose from balls, plush toys, snacks launchers and toys that can be chased. You will want to make sure all the toys are safe for dogs and won’t cause any problems. There are toys that can be stuffed with snacks and you could also include a nice assortment of treats. Any toy that can be chewed safely makes a good gift, also. Pull toys are always popular and can be enjoyed by the owner as well.
Other dog accessories could include grooming items. There are wonderful combs and brushes, and shampoos and conditioners that are gentle and safe to use.
Maybe the guest of honor loves to walk and gets to take part in this activity on a daily basis. A new collar and leash combo would make a terrific gift. You could include one of those little bones filled with plastic bags for doggy doo pick up while you’re at it.
Whether you are the invited or the invitee for the next canine celebration you will be prepared when you explore all the pet supplies available.
Dec
10
Dog Trainign – Dog Bad Breath
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Bad dog breath can be a bad problem for your dog and you, at times a dogs breath an be unbearable and make bonding with your dog a chore you’d rather avoid at all costs. This may not be due to your dog and more down to the care you have not realized that your dog should have.
Dog’s bad breath like most other dog symptoms can be the cause of many different issues separately or together, this makes the cause hard to diagnose without a proper examination from a professional dog carer or vet.
Common causes of dog bad breathe –
Maybe your dog is finding it hard to eat or swallow which can lead to dog’s bad breath and other illnesses that are related.
Saliva drooling from your dog’s mouth may also be a cause of bad dog breath, as more saliva gets built up in your dog’s mouth is makes it easier for bacteria to breed resulting in bad breath.
The last and most common form of bacteria build up is from not cleaning or not properly cleaning your dog’s teeth, this enables tartar to form and make the bad odor you are forced to smell day in day out.
Many believe that food choice and what you feed your dog is a problem when dog breath is concerned, as this may be true to an extent this is more of a temporary short term problem and the reason above is more likely to be the problem cause.
There are plenty of dental hygiene products available in pet shops and online, some work better than others on different dogs but you best bet is to clean your dog’s teeth regularly to stop the bacteria build up, this is where the problem begins and where you should target your efforts.
If you fear the problem has got too far to recover or damage or the gums and teeth is visible you should contact your vet as soon as possible for help and a proper diagnosis of your pet.
Dec
08
Dog Training – the Heel Command
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The heel command is another very important and popular command for your dog along with many others listed on www.dog-behavior-training.co.uk, taking the time to teach your dog this command will save you hours of getting annoyed when your dog doesn’t behave on long or short walks around your local area.
The reason dogs are so ‘badly behaved’ when it comes to going for walks can be for many different reasons but the most common in many homes is the excitement of wondering the streets with all the new smells, tastes, and other local dogs to discover.
The best times to train your dog and get them to do exactly what you want without too much fuss is before feeding times, if your dog wants something they will give you a lot more attention than normal. Also puppy’s and younger dogs are better to train, even with them getting over excited over everything, puppies and young dogs will be much better behaved and easier to train when they get older.
The heel command, when performed well and properly is used to stop your dog or puppy in their tracks, drop everything and return to your left hand side. Any distractions should be left alone and your dog should carry on walking closely by your side.
To begin with you will need to go in a fairly open space with enough room to move around and walk around properly, and you will need to use a lead to gently correct your dog in this exercise.
Begin by tapping your thigh saying ‘heel’ to get your dogs attention and them to come towards you, when they are by your side wait a couple of seconds then start to stride forwards, at this point your unknowing dog or puppy will try to run off ahead. If this happens you should turn in the opposite direction letting the lead go slack for 5-10 feet, start to walk in the opposite direction and as soon as the slack goes in the lead your dog will realise you have gone in the opposite direction and run towards you again.
At this point repeat the first step of commanding heel to get your dog by your side. Continue doing this exercise for 10 – 15 minutes and about 2-3 times a day. Before long your dog will become used to coming to your side and obeying you whenever you command heel.
When your dog gets used to doing this command try going in circles, in figure of eight, and changing directions suddenly, if the command is still working then try your dog on short walks and then build your way up to longer walks as you progress.
Never use the lead to discipline and roughly tug on, if you feel yourself getting annoyed then you should stop and continue at a later date when you are calmer. Keep repeating the process and your dog will eventually come to respect you. Some dogs take longer than others to train so be prepared for this behavior.
Dec
07
Dog Training – Dog Ticks
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Dog ticks are another one of those terrible little pests that can really irritate your dog during the summer or warmer months of the year, theses creatures hid in grass and other surfaces and insert themselves within your dog’s skin in order to live off your dog’s warm blood.
Ticks are especially bad for carrying diseases and enjoy and can survive in the nice warm heat of your home, ticks get carried into the home on pets and preferably dogs and once they have had their feed, fall off and seek cover in a safe area out of site which makes theses pests hard to find and get rid of.
A tick’s life can be up to around 2 years long, and within that time the tick can live on 2-3 hosts to maintain its feeding habit, this feeding habit only happens at certain times of the year around august to November.
Ticks are a fast growing arachnid that lives and are born on long grassy areas, and climb to the top of leaves and grass to wait for a host to feed off and survive off, theses arachnids can live off many different animals and not just dogs, theses commonly include humans, birds, and mice. Ticks get and carry diseases from theses other animals and can spread them to their next host which may be your dog.
During the summer months it is important to check your dog regularly by running your hands through the dog’s fur and coat to check for small lumps, some pressure is needed to detect these pests and it is wise to check thoroughly every day during the hotter months.
If you detect a lump or suspicious area then you should part the hair or fur to investigate further, you should be able to see a brown tick digging beneath the skin if there is one there. Popular areas to find ticks is in places that do not have much fur for the tick to climb through, these include the face, paws and behind and around the ears.
If you detect a tick, you should notify and take advice from your vet or a professional; if you remove the tick yourself you may leave part of the tick still within your dog’s skin which will be irritating for the dog.
Dec
05
Lovable Dog Accessories at Online Dog Boutiques
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Being the most lovable animal dog needs an equal treatment like human being. It has the same basic needs of food, home and above all love as that of humans. However, people who love dogs are always interested in giving more their dogs. Therefore dog boutiques came into picture.
The name “Dog Boutique” itself explains its profile and reason of existence. There is not even a single utility product for dogs that has not been included in their collection. Dog boutique is a very interesting place to visit online or as a showroom in market, as the accessories and clothing presented by them for dogs is really stylish and cute, specially designed for your little darling and dog lovers are very well aware of it.
To name a few, dog couture stores present following dog couture items:
Luxury dog clothing Dog collars Dog harnesses Dog bandanas Dog costumes Dog life jackets Dog beds, blanket and furniture Dog carriers Feeding bowls Doggles Backpack for dogs Dog hats
And the list continues. Some of the dog boutiques deal with the brands like Christian Audigier, Ed Hardy, Chrome Bone, Bone Diggers and other trusted brands.
It is well known that dog is the most faithful animal on earth. Whatever happens in life, whether you have money or not, your beloved may leave you but your dog can not? Such trustworthy animal deserves trustworthy accessories, where quality and comfort are concerned.
There are a few online dog boutiques, which bring a wide range of dog couture accessories to you, without compromising with quality. In fact, quality is there first goal to achieve, then only they can win trust of their customers and this is applicable to every business. Customer satisfaction is must to boost one’s business.
The shipping service provided by these online boutiques, make every possible effort to deliver the order in three to five days; however, if they do not get success in it, they give you a call on the contact number provided. This sort of sense of responsibility they have.
Dec
04
Groovy Dog and Puppy Accessories!
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Many people have said that it is in fact “A Dog’s World” and after some research on the Internet, I am beginning to believe it!
My writing assignment was to find some groovy dog accessories and share them with you. I, being the ignorant dog person who I am, made the assumption that it would take a bit of time to find such unique items for the canine social group. Boy was I mistaken. Upon entering cyberspace I was inundated with the most interesting, and at times bizarre, doggie accessories out there. Who comes up with this stuff? Zit cream? I mean really? Who Knew?
I don’t have unlimited space to share with you the zillion dog accessories I discovered, so I have chosen the ones that possibly state the essence of a dog’s personality.
The first accessory I stumbled across brought back memories for me. It is a mood collar for dogs. Made with an embossed leather strap, and adorned with a mood stone that reacts to your pooch’s body heat, this accessory will send you back to the 1970’s. It even comes with a set of instructions that tell you what your pooch is feeling according to color. Red means he is agitated. Dark blue means he is happy. Amber-brown can mean he is nervous and needs to be fed or walked. This is just an example of the many other colors they describe on the list for his moods. The collar may be sold as a novelty, but it sure is groovy!
How about an ecopure spa relaxing bath set for your pooch? I mean after a hard day of chewing your shoes, eating, sleeping, sleeping and chewing some more, I’m sure he could use a nice relaxing spa package. Complete with aromatherapy shampoo, sage aromatherapy spray and a candle, your pet can be pampered and bathed at the same time.
After your doggie’s spa bath and aromatherapy treatment, you wouldn’t want to deprive him of a fluffy terry cloth robe with satin trim would you? The one that I found is made by the American Kennel Club. It is luxurious and is the perfect accessory for your pet.
If your dog isn’t into spa treatments and is aptly named “Killer,” “Moose,” or “Bruiser,” then how about sitting on the couch with dad and having a beer. Yes, you heard me correctly. I said a beer. It is named appropriately Doggy Beer, is manufactured in the USA and is a nutritious alternative to the real stuff. But if man can drink a bottle of suds now and then, man’s best friend can join in the action too. Oh, and if you dog wants to drink his Doggy Beer and eat a hot dog, Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs sells all beef pet treats for his hot dog cravings. Throw in a pack of Woofy Pop popcorn that comes in a variety of flavors and he will be set. Now there is no excuse for your pet to whine during the Super Bowl.
If you live near water or have a pool, then this is an accessory for your pet that is not only groovy but a necessity. I found a pet saver life jacket. It slips over your pet’s body and has a strap for you to grab for lifting him out of the water. The colors are bright so you can find your furry friend easily. What a clever way to show your dog you care.
I never realized how much fun it was to have a dog! Just seeing all the groovy accessories for them makes me want to go out and purchase some beer and hot dogs for my friend’s pets. Maybe for my next article I will have to do some investigating on cat’s stuff!
Dec
04
You are trying to tell your dog to come here. It ignores you. You try again getting a bit more frustrated. No matter how much you shout at your dog it does not seem to react. There are simple dog training tricks that can make this work so that your dog will come to you immediately, every time.
First, it is important to understand that you dog is ignoring your commands because it doesn’t understand you. You may have tried to teach your dog this command already, and it may now be that what it is thinking you want is different from what you actually want.
Your dog desire is to please it’s owner and the easiest way to teach your dog is to do it for a few minutes each day in the form of play. Make it fun and your dog will learn faster. Also, this is a great way to bond with your dog. Spend those few minutes a day to teach your dog to “come” as soon as you command it.
Use food as a motivator as one of the dog training tricks. Use small one-bite treats as a reward when your dog does something correct, and make sure that you praise with a positive voice at the same time. When you are watching TV, or anywhere in the house, tell your dog to “come” and give him a treat when he does. Only one treat, though! And don’t do it all the time or the training trick will no longer be effective. Make sure that you use a calm, happy voice.
Make sure that you are consistent in the way you train your dog to come, and be patient. Do this technique throughout the day, changing the rewards, and soon your dog will be happily obeying your command everytime
Sounds easy, doesn’t it? It is! That’s really all there is to dog training tricks to get your dog to come to you.
Many people often come to me for advice on dog training, dog training tricks and I find that the best advice that you can give them is by sharing my experiences with them.
I want to share with you dog training tricks and how to train a dog by inviting you to click on http://howtotrainadoginfo.blogspot.com/ and find out what dog training tricks I have done that are effective.
Dec
03
Dog Accessories – The Basics And The Extras
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When you buy a new dog, there are certain essentials that have to be bought. These are required so that you can take proper care of you dog and in certain cases comply with local laws regarding breeding dogs. It is up to the owner to decide which accessories that he needs. Some are very basic essentials while some are just for the convenience of using it.
There are several accessories that are very essential and very obvious. These include bowls for food and water for the dog. Slightly larger dogs tend to move their food bowls about as they eat and this makes a lot of noise and finally requires the owner to search for the bowl every time the dog needs to be fed. This leads to a lot of frustration. This can be resolved by using ceramic bowls which are heavy and hence difficult to move. The ceramic bowls have one flaw which is they can be broken easily. We can also use a strong plastic bowl with a rubber lining which will prevent the bowl from sliding all over the place. This will help the dog enjoy his meal in peace.
You will need a leash for a new dog. A collar will also be a recommended addition. There are many designs available and you can choose to your taste and you will also have to take into account the size and strength of the dog during selection. The collar should have a license or identity tag that will give out your name and contact details in the case that your dog gets lost. If you live in a major city life New York you will require the modern doggie convenience instrument or the pooper scooper. Many cities have laws that ban owners from allowing their dogs to excrete on city streets and some cities even impose heavy fines for failure to follow such rules.
There are many optional accessories that you can choose from for your new dog. These items may not be necessary but will help in making your life a little bit easier and your dog’s life a little bit more fun. Some items include the food bowls and water dishes which refill based on gravity which are very useful. Some purposeless ideas include the dog bandana which is more of a decoration for the dog.
An item that many owners have found to be very useful especially in the hotter climatic regions is the dog booties. This might seem like a pathetically useless item, but believe me it has its value. It does a great job in protecting the sensitive pads in a dog’s foot from whatever rocky and rough terrain that it may encounter. This invention may be scoffed upon in cool climate regions but will be really appreciated in places like desert cities Phoenix where the hot pavements can easily fry an egg and without doubt boil one’s feet.
Dec
02
To add convenience and trend to your dog’s feet you can buy the pretty and modish shoes which are easily available these days in the market. While I was surfing through the internet I found that there is a final clearance sale where they are selling many dog accessories. I just had a glance on all the accessories. Although I wanted to buy many accessories but my priorities were some attire and some shoes for my darling puppy! As I always have the habit of wearing a pair of slippers while I am at home and fancy and stylish shoes while I am officially dressed, so I wanted some good and pretty shoes for my puppy also. Her old shoes were worn out and I could not let her feet get spoilt. When I surfed for the shoes I saw that there are so many cute and latest types of dog shoes which were reasonably priced and were made of the best quality material. It was also mentioned very clearly that they were hand made which gave an additional excellence in the finishing of the shoes which also means that they were made with extreme patience. The shoes are very cautiously and carefully made using a paw shaped form which is known as a last; and every shoe is said to be independently expanded and given the form of a paw. The procedures of making the dog shoes are exactly the same as the procedures which are used in making the shoes which we wear. The only difference is that the dog shoes are made in small scales where as our shoes are made in much larger scales.
The sole of the dog shoes is non-slip which means they are very safe for our pets and the foothold provides safety against pricks, heat and cold. The ankle belt is adaptable and also the spongy, soft and stretchy stocking guard helps to keep the shoe cozily fit into our pet’s paw which additionally helps to protect the paw from twisting and turning or even the paw coming out of the shoe.
I placed an order for some beautiful attire and some matching shoes for my puppy through the internet and further all the products were shipped within a few days. I had placed an order for the Saddle Style Designer Dog Shoes which were priced for $ 25.99. These were excellently designed and were matching to some of the attire which I also placed an order for. Now my cute little puppy will also look pretty in her new pair of shoes because these shoes were made of a faux leather fabric which was also very easy to wash and clean. To give more protection to the dog’s feet a “tongue” is featured in between the fasteners. One thing which I was very particular about before placing the order for the shoes was that I measured the paw of my puppy very carefully so that the shoes would fit her very comfortably.