Archives for February, 2009
Would you believe that the Silky Terrier got it’s origins from the ‘Land Down Under’? In the late 1800s, a lot of Yorkshire Terriers were brought to Australia from England. These Yorkie’s were tan and steel blue. The Australian Terriers were bred with these Yorkshire Terriers from England. Australian Terriers with their own tan and blue colors. You can find many dog supplies online for your silky terrier such as small dog clothes and dog pajamas.
The litters from these breeding’s had the sole purposes of creating a breed of dogs that would not only have a robust makeup but would have an improved coat color. The lineage that would come from these cross breeding’s of the Yorkshire and Australian Terriers began to appear slightly different. This look was enough to give them their own breed name, thus “Silky Terrier” was created because it was believed that this was a totally new breed of dog. They were of a medium size and build and their coats were similar to their original parents.
Through interbreeding, Silky Terriers began to emerge as their own unique breed. Since the breed had originated in 2 different areas of Australia there were 2 official standards drawn up. One breed standard for one type was created in 1906 and the other in 1910. The confusion was in the size and weight of the dogs. So to include both sides, the breed was officially called “Australian Silky Terrier”. However, back in America within the same year, Americans had dropped the “Australian” part of the description and the AKC recognized them just as Silky Terriers. Silky Terriers are not rare, but they are not as common as household pets.
They are mostly bred and owned for their show ability. Silky Terriers are darlings in the show ring, but they are not dulcette little darlings! They are feisty, playful, daring, and sometimes overconfident dogs. They are bold when it’s time to take action and can be aggressive towards to other dogs or pets. Silky Terriers do tend to bark(yap) a lot! They also can be quite contrary towards training. Due to their high energy level, they do have to have more exercise than most toy breeds. They love walks and benefit from being allowed to be off their leash in a secure area to play. Important note: This is not a dog breed that is not meant to live outdoors!
Grooming habits should include a good brushing every day and regular bathing with products that will not only enhance the natural beauty of their coats but will also keep their skin and coat clean and conditioned and free of mats. The Silky Terrier has been known in a healthy lifestyle to live up to 16 years. Surprisingly enough, this little dog has the esteemed reputation and notoriety of being the most healthy of dog breeds citing no major health issues. Minor health issues may include: Legg-Perthes and patellar luxation.
Feb 28, 2009 | | Pets
There are a number of things you need to consider if your dog is displaying chewing behaviors in order to effectively combat this destructive habit. The best way to learn how to stop a dog from chewing is to examine several factors:
First, what is he chewing? Cushions, shoes, his own feet? Some objects may need to be removed from temptation, especially while a puppy is still learning good behavior and self-control. Some things may be just too hard to resist. Others can be saved with the use of a bitter chewing-deterrent spray, which also works on feet and tails. Simply creating a terrible taste will likely be enough to stop chewing and prevent future episodes, without harming your pet.
Next, what is the underlying cause of the chewing? If a puppy is teething, she definitely needs something to work those gums on. Try offering a toy or treats specifically designed for this purpose. Even better, freeze the chew toy for several hours, then give it to your puppy. This will both relieve his teething pain, AND distract him from chewing other objects. Win-win!
There are, of course, other causes of chewing, including boredom, stress and loneliness. Your dog requires a certain level of stimulation, similar to a child. And just like a child, if your dog is ignored, this can lead to him getting into trouble if adequate activities and interaction are not provided.
Other Points to Consider
- When there are times in the day that your dog must entertain itself, tie your dog up outside or have it somewhere where it can not reach anything but its toys to chew on. Maybe give your dog a little chew treat, or even better, one he has to chew in to get some peanut butter or other food inside. Mental stimulation is key!
- Practice obedience training your dog everyday, and make sure he gets plenty of exercise. This will help stimulate your dog mentally and physically, and thereby reduce its boredom.
- Do not physically punish your dog, as this will only cause more anxiety, and most likely increase his chewing.
- Do not play tug of war or wrestling games with your dog. This will only encourage him to bite and chew - not a good thing!
- Never try to pull a toy from your dogs mouth. Instead, distract him with a treat, and remove the object once he has dropped it. You can also teach him the “Leave” command.
- Ensure that he has plenty of toys to keep him occupied while you are out. You may want to rotate them, for added interest.
- If you think he suffers from any separation anxiety, make your exits very low key, so as to cause as little stress as possible.
For more information on Dog Behavior Problems I suggest you check out this great Dog Teaching site.
For the house training dogs information, please visit this blog.
Feb 28, 2009 | | Pets
Dog food is the best possible meal that you can give your dog during House Breaking a Dog. This is because these foods are well balanced and adjusted to meet the requirements of our animal companions. Dog food ingredients need to be the right measurement to be bale to give the right kind of nutrition to the dogs that eat the food. Manufacturers of food for dogs need to be knowledgeable regarding the nutritional needs of dogs in stages.
The kind of dog food ingredients that are integrated into the meal will depend on the age of the dog. Puppies have different nutritional needs compared to older dogs while senior dogs also need different dog food ingredients to help them in their senior years.
Vital Dog Food Ingredients
One of the more needed dog food ingredients is carbohydrates. Dogs need this to be able to have energy to function well and perform to the best of their abilities during Dog Excercising. Carbohydrates are what humans need to burn into energy and the same goes for dogs, too. Carbohydrates take the form of corn, wheat, rice and other staples.
Chicken is also one of the more popular dog food ingredients. Chicken gives the dogs their supply of protein, iron and other necessary minerals. Almost all byproducts of the fowl are used for dog food ingredients. These do not usually include the feathers, heads feet and entrails of the chicken although some dog food brands do include all chicken byproducts except for the feathers. Other animal byproducts and meats are also included as dog food ingredients such as beef, poultry and lamb.
Vegetables are also essential dog food ingredients that are added to the mix. The usual vegetables are potatoes, carrots, corn, oats, wheat, soybeans and others. Manufacturers may add other vegetables as dog food ingredients depending on the nutritional requirements of the dogs in question and the capacity of the vegetable to add the vitamins or minerals.
Puppies and Diabetic Dog need more carbohydrates because they are usually more moveable than older dogs and senior dogs need fewer carbohydrates because they do not move as much as puppies. Some athletic dogs also need more carbohydrates than sedentary dogs because sedentary dogs do not use up as much calories and carbohydrates. The right balance and nutritional value of the dog food ingredients must be maintained to be able to meet the needs of the dogs. They also have daily requirements which are computed for them by researchers and veterinarians.
Feb 28, 2009 | | Pets
If you have just become the proud owner of a puppy who you plan to train to be a hunting or gun dog, you might be wondering what supplies you are going to need to help get your puppy off to a great start in his new home. Before you bring your puppy home there are some things you will want to purchase right away.
Dog Crates
Because puppies don’t come housebroken, you will have to get a crate as a puppy home. This is acceptable practice because puppies aren’t fully potty trained until they are 12 months old. A crate is a great way to leave your puppy safely unsupervised and protect your house and furniture.
No matter how big or small your new puppy is, crates are very user-friendly and come in all kinds of sizes and formats. For ease, some crates are collapsable for storage and travel purposes. Many puppy owners use crates until the puppy is housebroken; then, they stow it away or use it on occasion.
The good thing is that most dogs like the experience of a crate. Crates will help dogs feel more protected and secure, and will soon become their choice spot when they need a safe retreat. In fact, most dogs begin to treat their crates as a den. As long as the size is correct, it won’t matter whether you choose aluminium or metal wire. If the crate is too small, your dog will be uncomfortable because turning will more difficult, and when it is too large, your dog won’t get the den-feel of safety and may be scared of the crate. You can opt for a dog crate with removable panels which you can add or remove to the size of your dog.
Dog Training Collars
Let us be honest, dogs do not train themselves! For those who are training hunting dogs, you will want to find the best possible dog training collar that can be found in the same supply store that you purchase your other hunting dog supplies. Whether you elect for an electric dog collar to teach your dog to hunt or a simple choke collar for simple obedience training, make sure that the collar is the right one for you and your dog.
You will have to decide if your dog responds best to positive discipline (i.e. give him a treat when he does the right thing) or if electronic stimulation offered through electronic collars are best for him. Many owners of hunting dogs (especially larger ones) find that the electronic stimulus collars work best.
Other Hunting Dog Supplies
When you first bring your puppy home, you will want to start working with him early to train him to be the most effective hunting dog possible. There are a number of products that are available wherever you shop for your hunting dog supplies that will help you train your dog effectively. Some of these products include:
1. Dog whistles – to teach him to pay attention to you at home and in the field
2. Dog training bumpers/dummies – for teaching retrieval and flushing, they simulate the bird to be hunted.
3. Launchers – for sending the dummies into the field or from hidden positions to better train your dog for outdoor hunting and retrieving.
Your new puppy will be a part of your home and hunting experience and will become your best friend for many years. Make sure you have the right hunting dog supplies and tools to make your training effective and fun!
Feb 28, 2009 | | Pets
The massive pet food recall of early 2007 scared the willies out of most pet owners. One of our worst nightmares had come true. Some responded by feeding other brands of food. Others responded by making their own dog food recipes and being chef to their dogs. The argument for making your own dog food recipes and Training Your Dog is that you have total control over what ingredients go into your dog’s dinner bowl. But you might wind up only making things worse for you and your dog.
The Complexities Of Canine Nutrition
Think of how difficult it is to feed yourself a healthy diet. Scientists and nutritionists still can’t decide what the best diet is for people, let alone for dogs. All animals, including dogs, have complex nutritional needs that need to be addressed. For example, your body can’t make Vitamin C, so you need to eat foods that contain Vitamin C. Your dog, however, makes Vitamin C all by himself, thank you very much. So adding any Vitamin C would be a mistake.
Vets caution owners against cooking up their own dog food recipes for Fido for many reasons. The first, is that you need to be aware of the ratios of protein, carbohydrates, vegetables and fats your dog needs. Secondly, this changes as the dog ages or develops any illnesses like Dog Vomiting. Can you do the research and keep up with these changes and make sure your dog food recipes have exactly the right proportion of nutrients?
Practical Considerations
Another reason vets caution against pet owners cooking up their own dog food recipes is that most people are lazy and stupid. Cooking for your dog takes a lot of hard work, money for the best ingredients and dedication. Sadly, most people are not capable of this, due to natural laziness or perhaps an illness like advanced arthritis.
Commercial dog food is actually healthier for you than most people food. This is one reason why some low income and homeless people turn to pet food in order to survive. Some brands are better for you and your dog than others. And the nutrients are more or less balanced for dogs.
If you start cooking dog food recipes for your dog to avoid Dog Worms, get used to it and be committing to cooking meals for your dog every day of your dog’s life. Once they get used to people food, they can really put up a fuss about going back to dog food.
Feb 27, 2009 | | Pets
There are a variety of dog supplies on the market and some are important and some might be a little frivolous. A comfortable, quality bed that is selected based on your dog’s specific criteria will help provide him with the appropriate amount of sleep he needs to stay healthy and happy. If your dog could talk he would probably tell you to buy him a comfortable bed when you are purchasing dog supplies.
Comfort
Let’s take a look at the criteria you might want to consider while choosing a bed for your dog with Dog Constipation. When people choose a dog bed one of their major priorities is finding a bed that will look cute in their house, but the comfort of your dog should be the first priority. After you select the bed based on the needs of your dog, you can go about selecting the attractive colors that match the d?cor in your home.
Size
When selecting a dog bed you have to consider the size of your Sick Dog, his usual sleeping habits, his behavior and any health issues he might have. Make sure the bedding provides an ample amount of cushion and is also easy to wash. Selecting a bed which provides enough surface area for your pet partially depends on the way he places his body while sleeping.
It is a good idea to measure your dog while he is in his usual sleeping position. If he sleeps in a curled up position then it is important to measure his diameter and you might want to select a round pillow bed or perhaps a nest bed. If he stretches out while taking a nap, choose a rectangular shaped pillow bed or a cushioned mat.
Dogs with Arthritis
As with other dog supplies find a bed that is resistant to chewing and doesn’t have any substances that might harm your dog. If your dog sheds a lot of fur, a bed made from smooth fabrics will make it easier to remove the fur. If you have an older dog you might have already purchased dog supplies that help with his arthritis and you might consider adding an orthopedic dog bed which is typically provided with more padding than the typical dog bed. Some are made with high density foams that will provide your dog with the extra cushion that will help his arthritis.
Dogs with Fleas
If your old dog has a problem with fleas, purchase a dog bed filled with cedar chips due to the chips being somewhat effective as a flea repellent. A sense of security seems to be vital for some dogs and you can provide him a little more security by providing him with a bed with raised up sides such as a lounger or a nest style bed. If your dog enjoys burrowing down in the bed, add a blanket to the bed and some pet stores that carry a large selection of dog supplies actually carry what are known as burrow beds.
Feb 26, 2009 | | Pets
When your new puppy has had it’s first arrival to your home, make sure to give your child(children) some easy tasks to do so. These tasks should be age appropriate and something they can do easily and requires little to no help from you!
Remember, you don’t want to give too much responsibility just yet, so start off slow! If you have toddlers in the home, they can easily pick up the puppy’s toys and place them in their basket and you can even purchase cheap dog clothing such as pajamas for dogs, shirts and more. They can also hand out treats as rewards to puppy for good behavior. When you take your pup to get their vaccinations, it’s a good learning experience for your toddler to see that even puppies get shots like they do and can be there to offer hugs and kisses!
Preschoolers and young kids(4years old to 8years of age) can help with feeding and watering with supervision, take pup outside for bathroom breaks on a leash, and assist during bath times. Children that are 9 years old and older should be able to do all the tasks previously mentioned as well as the following: help clean up after the puppy and help with house training and basic training commands, such as “Sit” and “Come”. An essential tool in house training a dog is having a xl dog crate or a small one to start out with and you will easily be able to potty train your puppy.
By having your children assist in these simple tasks for your puppy, you are helping them to be responsible and respectful pet owners and people. They realize that these are just things that go hand in hand when owning and caring for a dog or any pet. It forms that bond; that friendship between your child and your new family pet that lasts through both of their lifetimes! Two other puppy tasks that a child of any age can help do is keep pup mentally and physically fit! This can be done by regular exercise such as playtime and through proper socialization.
Feb 26, 2009 | | Pets
The trick of “sitting up” is easily taught to small dogs, but should try not be included in a big dog’s education, as it is difficult for them to preserve their balance.
The training of sitting up is one of the first tricks to teach and forms the groundwork for many other dog tricks. To train a dog to sit up, prepare some treats as a reward, and set your dog on his haunches in a corner, so that he cannot fall either backward or sideways and has very little or no space to lose balance.
Keep him from pitching forward by holding one hand under his chin and with the other hand hold the treat above his nose and keep repeating distinctly and deliberately say, “sit up.” Do not make him sit up too long at any one time, but repeat the lesson frequently and reward him often with plentiful of praise and treats.
During his first lesson he will require considerable assistance from your hand to prevent him from pitching forward, but as he gets control of the balancing muscles and understands what you want, he will depend less and less upon your hand to keep him in position and you can gradually render him less assistance until you will only have to keep one hand in position two or three inches from his neck or chin, so as to be ready to prevent him pitching forward; later on you can withdraw this hand entirely and simply hold the treat just above the level of his head.
By constant practice he will sit up well after you set him up; then he should be set up against the wall, so as to afford him a support for his back only, and after he has been well schooled at this and can keep his position easily, practice him against chair legs, cushions or other objects that afford him less and less assistance, until finally he learns to preserve his balance and sits up without anything to lean against.
During all these lessons the words “sit up” have been impressed upon his mind by frequent repetition, and now comes the final lesson to teach him to sit up as soon as he hears the words, and the chances are, if he has been diligently drilled, it will be necessary only to call him out in the room, show him a treat, hold it up a suitable distance from the floor, say “sit up” and he will do so, when he should be given the treat while still in position.
The only necessity to perfection is to practice him several times a day until he will sit up at the word and without being shown a reward; that can be given him after he has obeyed.
You have now a foundation for many other tricks. He can be taught to beg by moving your hand up and down just in front of his paws, which he will move in unison with yours. He can also be taught to salute by bringing one paw up to the side of his head, or to hold a wooden pipe in his mouth, or to wear a cap on his head or other articles of wearing apparel.
In teaching a dog to submit to being dressed up, do not attempt to get him to wear too many things at once; try him at first with a cap and after he becomes accustomed to that you can put on a coat and gradually accustom him to the other clothing articles.
Enjoy teaching your dog the “sit up” trick and most importantly have fun along the way!
*****************************************
Want a FREE “5 Dog Training Myths” Report? Visit how to stop a barking dog to find out more!
Read about house training dogs.
Feb 26, 2009 | | Pets
You have brought home a wonderful puppy which initially was just a sweet looking animal for your 10 year old son. However, within a short span of just two months or so, this puppy becomes as dear to you as your own son. Is that possible? Is it really possible for a completely rational person to set out relating to an animal only to find out that in due course of time it becomes part of his/her family?
The answer is a definite ‘yes’. This is the conversion that millions of Dog Owner’s experience all over the world. Why dogs, there are people in this world who love their gold fish just as much as a person loves his son, daughter, cat, dog or ferret.
The Real Role Of Dog Food Ratings
When you realize how much your dog means to you and knowing that these animals live for only 10-15 years at best, you become desperate in your quest to make its life as good and as comfortable as it can ever be possible. The first thing anyone starts from is the dog food.
Look around you and you will see a sea of leading brands all offering “the best” dog food for Dog Vitamin. How do you find out which one is the “real best” among all this dog food? Try to analyze the dog food ratings that you will find both online and offline. Before you go through these dog food ratings it would be good if you knew what exactly you should look out for so you can make your decision:
The first and most important on the checklist is the quality of ingredients that goes into the food. The dog food ratings would be able to point out how many of the ingredients are organic and how many are not; whether there are any antibiotics in it; whether there are health supplements included; whether it has adequate proportions of grains and even fruits extracts to give the dog a completely and closest to its natural type of food.
Secondly, you should watch out in the dog food ratings whether there is any mention about preservatives (these are usually very harmful chemicals), especially the BHA, the ethoxouin or the BHT as well as food coloring which has been found to be a possible trigger for fatal diseases in dogs and other pets.
Another very important factor that the dog food ratings should be able to throw a light upon is whether the food has been thoroughly tested for allergens and suitable for Pregnant Dog. There are many instances where some of the ingredients – especially grains – create terrible allergies in your dog, which could sometimes end in the death of the animal.
Feb 25, 2009 | | Pets
You have given almost everyone a gift, how about giving your best friend a present, too? I mean giving someone’s pet dog a gift basket. Got qualms on how to go about the putting together of one dog gift basket for your dog-lover pal? Here’s some simple tips or ideas that won’t cost you much:
How about a dog gift basket for more TLC for your friend’s dog?
One can never go wrong with a spa gift basket that will surely help your buddy pamper his or her pet. Aside from the thoughtfulness on caring for your friend’s best pet pal, the benefit of a nice smelling dog is a plus, too. Here’s how to create that pat-worthy dog spa gift basket:
Select quality dog grooming goods. Look for products with labels that indicate the ingredients. Products with the owner’s fave scents should be considered also. A dog shampoo and conditioner, a complementing pet perfume, a dog hair brush or detangler can also be a good option, too, especially if the dog is a long haired one. Some balm for the dog’s paw pads, an ear cleaner, a nail clipper, and other pet care products can be nice additions to fill your dog gift basket with.
Choose a basket or container for the products. Flea markets or garage sales can be good places to see when you’re looking for excellent rustic baskets or containers to place the dog grooming products in. A tote that is waterproof may be a good alternative, too. Choosing a color that will complement the dog owner’s house might just make your dog gift basket one great home decor thus more appreciation for your thoughtful gift. Just make sure that all the products will fit comfortably. Now if you found a big basket, including a dog towel to fill out the large basket is one great tip to follow. Shredded paper can be an alternative filling also.
Top the gift basket for the dog with a toy that the nice little fellow can play with while enjoying the water. Dog grooming books can be particularly helpful to newbie dog owners. So you might want to include that in your dog gift basket, too.
Cover the gift basket with a cellophane. Choose either a clear or a tinted cellophane to cover your dog gift basket with. This will add to the put-together look of the dog gift basket and will eliminate the awkward look of the odd shapes of the items placed in the basket. Also, the cellophane can serve as a protection against rain.
Don’t forget to include a card and a nice big bow. The ribbon can also be used in securing the cellophane wrap. The card will remind your friend how thoughtful you are when it comes to the well-being of his or her pet. If you want to go a bit farther with your efforts on putting together a dog gift basket for your friend’s dog pal, search for a card with a humorous theme.
Other substitutes to the spa gift basket idea is putting in gifts that will also benefit the owner such as dog calendars, novelty items with a dog theme, e.g., action figures, mouse pads with a dog picture, T-shirts with paw prints, dog magazines, and photo frames. Including more dog toys such as doggie bones and chew toys for puppies will be more than appreciated, too.
Also, if you prefer the gift items to be more of a surprise, wrap each of the items with a gift wrap that has a dog theme. You can also cover some of the gifts completely with some shredded paper filling to add more surprise to the gift basket.
Now you can easily customize a dog gift basket for the delight of your dog recipient and its owner.
********************************************
Want a FREE “5 Dog Training Myths” Report? Visit click here to find out more!
You can find even more information here —> click here <---
Also read about house training dogs.
Feb 25, 2009 | | Pets