Archives for May, 2009
Every dog loves to be outside. You also love being outside with your dog, even in the summer. When it is hot however you also need to protect your dog from heatstroke, just like you protect yourself. It is important to understand how dogs sweat. Unlike us, they excrete sweat only through their paws – specifically the pads. The only other way a dog has to keep their body cool is through panting. Keeping your dog cool is critical to ensuring that they do not wind up with heat stroke which is not only dangerous, but can be life threatening.
Water and Shade
The first secret to keeping your dog cool is making sure they have plenty of available clean and cool water. This means that weather you are at home, taking a walk or even playing in the park that your dog has a place where he can get a cool drink of water, preferably in the shade. If you are unsure whether your walking route will have water available, it is a good idea to carry water with you. A simple insulated bag can store your water as well as your dog’s water. Since your dog is not likely to know when he has had enough, it is a good idea to make sure that you try to slow him down and make resting a requirement of your outing. Remember, their little bodies are prone to not throwing off the heat and you will need to make sure you are cautious with your dog’s health.
Other Cool Tricks
Dogs love ice! You can add ice cubes to their outdoor water bowls or even find them frozen treats that they will love. Another fun option is to take their soft toys, soak them in water, and freeze them. Your dog will have a wonderful time playing with them and they will help him stay cool.
Dog cots and above-ground bedding is another good idea. Especially if you soak it with the garden hose a couple of times during the day. These allow air to circulate all the way around your dog and the water will cool the air (and your dog) as well. If your dog digs holes so he can lay in the cool dirt underneath, you can save your yard by offering him a cool pool to lie in instead. Cheap plastic kid’s pools (about eight inches deep or so) can be used or you can install a more permanent fixture if your dog really loves water. Keep the pool in the shade and keep the water fresh by emptying and refilling it daily. The dirty water can be used to water sections of your lawn, your garden, etc. If your yard doesn’t offer much in the way of shade, you can install some for your dog cheaply. You could plant a tree, build a small awning, or purchase a simple shade tent (or mosquito tent with removable sides) and set it up for him. A child’s light canvass tent is great, as it allows the air to flow easily but still provides a lot of shade. Often, you can find used tents at the thrift or Army/Navy store for a very good price. Finally, let your dog spend more time indoors, especially during the hottest parts of the day. A nap in the house on a cool, tile floor can’t be beat as far as he’s concerned.
What to Look For
Knowing the signs of heatstroke is important, as catching it early can mean the difference between a simple cool down and major medical problems. Dogs are normally operating with a body temperature of around 100-102 degrees Fahrenheit. Moderate heatstroke usually starts when the body temperature rises three to four degrees above normal and sever heatstroke is only two or three degrees above that. So a dog with a temperature of 106 degrees F is in serious trouble.
Watch for these symptoms and take steps to cool your dog immediately using the information listed at the end of this article.
Signs of Heatstroke:
• Rapid panting
• Bright red nose and gums.
• Thick, sticky saliva that drools heavily.
• Weakness, dizziness, or an inability to move or function normally.
• Vomiting, diarrhea, or uncontrollable dry heaves.
• Shock-like symptoms, disorientation, or frequent passing out.
If any of these signs occur, it’s better to be safe than sorry, so do the following immediately:
• Remove the dog from the hot area and into shade or indoors.
• Wet the dog thoroughly with tap-cool water. Never use ice or “dunk” the dog in water as this can restrict blood vessels and lower your dog’s natural ability to cool off.
• Fan the dog to increase air circulation.
• Wrap the dog in wet towels (again, cool tap water, no ice) and get to a veterinarian as quickly as safely possible.
If you follow the tips in this article, you can prevent heatstroke from ever happening, but if it does happen, know what to watch for and how to deal with it. It could save your dog’s life.
Keeping your bird dog safe is key, you should also take into consideration the training supplies you use for them too. Some great products are the Astro 220 tracking system and the Innotek 300 dog training collar.
May 31, 2009 | | Pets
Aggressive dog behaviors can appear in even the sweetest looking pets. In order to deal with these potentially dangerous behaviors, you will need to start by finding out what the aggression triggers are. Dogs have lots of different kinds of aggression and just as many triggers for each of those types.
Your dog can seem as though he or she has a split personality, where there are times that he or she is a perfect angel and other times when the trigger is present, a little monster seems to take over the scene.
What are these potential triggers? Check out these most common forms of dog aggression and compare them to your pet’s behavior to help you to narrow down the triggers:
• Territorial aggression - Aggressive dog behavior of this kind is triggered by the dog taking issue with other people entering into his or her territory such as the house, the yard, or any place within his or her eye-line. You might find the paperboy being threatened by your pooch, or your guests being snarled at or even bitten.
• Dominant aggression - this aggressive dog will “bully” animals or family members that are smaller than the dog or that the dog feels are “beneath” him or her in the family hierarchy.
• Fear aggression - In this case, the aggressive dog is very reactive to disturbances from the norm, frequently feeling nervous or insecure and is quite ready to growl, bite, or bark. If this dog feels cornered, he or she will be inclined to bite.
• Possessive aggression - this aggressive dog has the most Jekyll/Hyde-like behavior because he or she will seem perfectly content until you try to take food or a toy from him or her.
• Punishment aggression - Aggressive dog leanings in this style occurs when a dog has been abused, overly dominated, or has experienced too much negative reinforcement and has built up aggressive behaviors that would not otherwise have been there.
• Pain aggression - In this case the aggressive dog does not have a behavior issue, but is instinctually reacting to pain he or she is suffering. These behaviors are involuntary and result from injury or illness.
• Predatory aggression - An aggressive dog of this nature is following hunting instincts and will interpret just about anything as prey that should be captured. Anything that moves becomes a target for this kind of dog, including joggers, children, small animals, birds, cars, bicycles, and just about anything else that isn’t bolted down.
• Maternal aggression - Aggressive dog behaviors are not uncommon in new mothers of a litter of pups as they instinctively feel the need to protect their babies from any form of threat. Mother dogs are very quick to assume that everything they see is a danger and so you should tread lightly around them.
Though this certainly isn’t a list of all of the possible reasons that an aggressive dog behavior can develop, it does give you an idea of the primary possibilities. It is possible to stop dog aggression in your pet, you just need to find out what’s causing it and then apply the right kind of behavior modification training.
If you are still struggling with your dog’s aggressive behavior, I urge you to read my review of an incredible program to train a dog that successfully helped me transform my aggressive dog into loveable pet in only few days. If you need more information about other dog behavior problems, such as excessive barking, chewing, dog digging and many more, check out http://www.squidoo.com/trainaadoginstantly
May 26, 2009 | | Pets
Pet owners have been showing a great interest in pampering their pets over the past twenty years. Keeping these aspects in mind, many new developments in relation to pet care have come into being, designed to allow your pet to enjoy its life. You may not find a suitable choice for your pet, but there’s no harm in looking at the important changes that are happening in the field of pet care.
Day care centers for doggies are exactly what they say they are. Pet owners also lead a full life just like the rest of us. People have such full schedules that they are unable to spend as much time with their pets as they want. Furthermore, the idea of leaving pets alone at home everyday is not very appealing to the pet owner. Read this site if you want art dog portraits information.
The typical doggie day care center operates rather like a day care center for children. There are various levels of pet care services available which the pet owner can pay for according to his preference. With a growing demand for dog day care centers in the cities, a number of them have come up recently.
A dog-friendly hotel is another trend that is increasing in recent years. People are now traveling with their pets. You can even take your pet along on vacation travel or a business trip; it is quite common these days. Traveling with pets on business trips is no longer a hassle because some hotels now make special arrangements for accommodation of such guests. Further information on pets portraits can be found there.
Hotels designed especially for pets are being opened at many locations. Besides accepting dogs, some of these hotels are now beginning to take in other animal ‘clients’ also. Pet hotels are just like advanced dog kennels, used by owners to keep their pets in the best possible luxury while they are away.
The ultimate in animal luxury care is a pet spa. If you want to indulge your animal companion, why not give it a day at the pet spa? A companion animal will experience something like heavenly bliss at a pet spa, with all the good food and grooming it gets. Since spa treatments for dogs involve a huge amount in fees, you must be prepared to spend that much money. It is worthwhile to check out if your dog will really enjoy at the pet spa before you spend the cash on the spa treatment.
Instead of the pet spa, your dog may enjoy the simpler pleasures of playing with his doggie friends, so you could take him to the dog park close to your home. Dog parks are quite common in cities and towns. In fact, many recreational experts predict that within the coming five years dog parks will be a common feature in many communities the world over.
May 25, 2009 | | Pets
A responsible owner should always be prepared for the eventuality of needing the service of a dog boarding Seattle facility. There are instances that you and other members of the family have to leave town and you will need someone to care for your small companion. Gone are the days where you can ask for help from relatives and friends to care for your dog while you are away because of our hectic lifestyles.
This may leave you with a situation that is not healthy for your pet. This separation, though a temporary one, can be stressful to your dog. You will need the appropriate care and conditions to mitigate the impact of such separation.
With this major concern, it is important for every owner to seriously consider the right dog boarding Everett kennel if and when you have to leave town. In general, you need to look for kennel that is manned by technically trained staff and a veterinarian. The veterinarian can provide the proper care and help mitigate the stress that your absence may have on your pet. If you are going to keep your pet in a kennel, the right time to look for the perfect establishment is now. You don’t have to wait for the time that you will actually need one before starting your search.
A responsible owner who really cares for his pet must be ready with this eventuality of being separated from one another. You can start your search of the perfect kennel by checking out potential establishments listed on the Internet. Be on the lookout for the kennels that have the finest and safest facilities which are appropriate to your pet. You should consider those with the proper heating facility, manned by competent staff, offer nutritious food and provide other services that will make your pet as comfortable as possible.
When doing your scouting for the right facility for your pet, you have to look at some practical things that you have to take into consideration. There are several kennels that require an early enlistment to ensure that your pet will be accommodated. Thus, it is important that you start your search for the right kennel as early as possible. If your travel is an anticipated trip, one of the first things that you should do is to get an appointment with your chosen kennel.
While you are making arrangements for the accommodation of your pet, you should also inquire about their health care and medical treatment program. It is important that the program is appropriate for your dog. You should also inquire about the dietary program being implemented and other special services, if there are any. There are some kennels that offer dog spa and bathing services, and special grooming services. It would be a great idea if you can consider such special services. Finally, check out the technical competence of the staff. It is important that the staff is properly trained to handle and care your pet dog.
May 25, 2009 | | Pets
When you buy your first dog, you buy a lot of responsibilities and duties as well. You have made a vow to teach your canine obedience and take care of it. You are going to have to potty train and teach your dog how to be polite. You will need to properly care for your dog as well.pet stylists will groom and primp your dog for you. The vet should become a regular number in your phone. Also, when you take vacations for extended periods of time, you will need to enlist|look into enlisting} your dog into dog daycare. If you don’t, you run the risk of coming home to smelly carpets and trash on your floor.
One of the first issues you have to address with a new dog is their bad habit of jumping. If you fail to do so, your dog will hamper your social life. You wont be able to have parties none the less game night because your dog will attack your guests. One way to do this is to step on the dog’s back paw when it jumps up. This teaches the dog that jumping leads to negative reinforcement. Another way to fix this issue is to turn your back towards the dog when it jumps. Dogs act like children, a lot of what they do is for reaction. If you don’t acknowledge the dog when it jumps, it will give up on jumping.
Another issue that needs to be nipped in the bud early on is yard training your dog.If you don’t wan to have to take your dog on a leash everytime it has to use the bathroom, you will have to teach the dog its boundaries. Electric fences are one of the most common ways to train them. The first step is arranging flags when the fence will be, in order to show the dog where the fence will be. The fence isn’t a means of tormenting your dog, but to teach them boundaries. Hopefully the flags will show your dog where to avoid before it learns the hard way.
Make sure to become a regular visitor to the vet as well. You and your dog want to spend many years together and regular doctor visits will help make this possible. A dog who visits the vet frequently will be able to maintain a low weight, healthy organs and bone strength. In addition, being close with the vet better prepares you for an emergency. The vet will know the dogs and its health issues.
Being a pet owner is a huge commitment. You are responsible for teaching it to be polite. Also, house training has to be done while it is young. Also, keep your dog in close relations with your vet. If you don’t do this, you will be fighting with your dog for years to come. If you take the steps to train your dog in the present, it will surely pay off in the future. If your dog is happy and healthy than you to will be happy and healthy.
May 25, 2009 | | Pets
Most dog owners recognize the importance of dog agility in the overall growth and development of their pet dog. It is a specialized developmental intervention that provides for the improved agility performance of our pets. This specialized training is done by technically equipped individuals who have the knowledge and skills in the implementation of an appropriate dog agility training training program.
The overall concept of a sound program transforms the routine as a fun activity for your pet dog. This program for our dog should only be handled by properly trained professionals to avoid injury to the animal and the possibility of improper training. It is important that you provide proper training whether you are looking at the program as a part of your pet’s daily routine or seriously considering entering into major show competitions.
Training has been a regular practice for most dog owners in the US for more than a decade, while in England, it is a regular part of the dog’s growth and development and is a much older practice than in the US. Most of the early advocates of the got their inspiration from equestrian enthusiasts. Classes is made up of various obstacles, series of performances and competition scores. You will definitely find unmatched fulfillment and joy when you get to see your pet respond positively.
If you enroll your pet to program, you are giving your pet the opportunity to join timed race competitions and also promote the proper development of your pets social skills. This will contribute to the overall development of your pet. Classes follow various levels of competitiveness while maintaining the appropriate atmosphere that will induce the right response from your pet.
They are by nature active animals. They will definitely enjoy a daily routine that involves a lot of action-based routines. The program involves the use jumps, poles, ramps and tires as obstacles that should be negotiated by your pet dog during dog these sessions. Your pet can only undergo a program when he has completed the obedience class. It is also important to remember that your pet faces possible exclusion and disqualification from the training if he exhibits serious signs of aggressiveness.
A typical class is composed of one-hour weekly session which will run for one and a half months. As with us humans, the sessions usually start with warm-up exercises and fun activities to allow the animals to adjust to the new environment.
The session starts when the handlers are able to get the attention of the pet. A regular program will involve such activities as jumps. The sizes of the jumps will increase as the dog advances in skill during the training program.
There are two elements of the program. These are control and obstacles training. The program will also teach the owners on how they can follow through with the training of their pet.
May 24, 2009 | | Pets
What is the best dog food? Choosing the best dog food requires a little information. The best choice depends on the size of the breed and the dog’s age. Weight and physical health should also be taken into consideration. Simply choosing canned, dry or moist might not be as easy as you think. Here are a few suggestions.
What is the best dog food for a puppy? Puppy chow is obviously the best choice for a puppy. It should contain all of the nutrients that are needed for growing bones and developing organs. Just like a baby, they need softer food, because their teeth are not fully developed. If you choose to feed dry, you will need to moisten it, at least at first. For a freshly weaned pup, there is special “puppy milk” that has reduced lactose to prevent stomach upset and diarrhea.
When choosing the best dog food for adult dogs, you need to consider the size of the breed. Small kibble is more easily chewed and digested by small dogs. Larger breeds may enjoy larger kibble. If your dog has digestive problems (tends to throw up after meals or has frequent diarrhea), you may need to switch from dry to canned-food or vice versa. But, once you find a brand and type that works, stick with it. Frequently changing foods makes dogs finicky and causes digestive problems.
Choosing the best dog food for an older or overweight dog may require a reduced calorie formula. As dogs age, they need fewer calories and being overweight puts too much stress on their joints. Less active dogs (exercising less than an hour per day) benefit from a reduced calorie formula, as well.
In March of 2007, many pet owners were wondering; what is the best dog food in terms of safety. Many cats and dogs were sickened and hundreds died as a result of eating tainted food. The contaminant was melanin, the same poison that turned up in infant formula in China. You could say, don’t buy dog food made in China, but one of the companies involved was a US manufacturer. Those involved have since been indicted by a federal grand jury.
Choosing the best dog food really just requires some common sense. When some brands are a lot cheaper than others, there’s a reason. They are lower in quality. The brands included in the recalls were mostly less expensive, inferior brands. If you’re wondering; what is the best dog food brand, I think that’s a matter of personal preference. Just don’t give up quality to get a lower price.
May 23, 2009 | | Pets
When dog digging gets bad, it’s hard to keep your cool. After all, just because you own a dog, it doesn’t mean that you don’t want to enjoy your garden or have a yard that is free of holes. The problem is that some dogs don’t realize that your carefully designed landscaping doesn’t include gaping holes in your yard.
Before this horrible dog digging behavior drives you completely insane, there are some important things that you should know and try. Certainly, you might already feel as though you’ve tried everything there is to try, but if dog digging continues to be a problem then you’ve simply not found the proper technique for discouraging the behavior.
Discovering the true source of the dog digging is the key to putting a stop to it. This means that you’ll need to observe your dog and consider his or her condition at the time when he or she begins to dig.
There are two major causes that make a pet begin dog digging: loneliness and boredom. These problems can both be cured with the same solutions. Give your dog lots of love and attention every single day to relieve any sensation of solitude or tedium, and play lots of fun games together. There will be times when you can’t be there or that you’re busy, so be sure that your dog has toys with which to entertain him or herself.
If it isn’t loneliness or boredom, you might find that your dog is digging for a purpose, such as to investigate the other side of a fence. Many things could be attracting your dog, such as children, food, or activities and smells on the other side of the fence. In that case, you might want to lay some bricks down along the ground in the offending areas to discourage the behavior.
Should dog digging holes be popping up all over the yard for no particular reason and in no specific pattern, the problem may be too much energy. Try adding another walk to your daily routine with your dog – or simply take a longer route on the walk you’re already enjoying. You may also add other activities that will burn energy including fetch, Frisbee, and other fun games.
Of course, it’s always a good idea to make the dog digging locations as unappealing as possible, so sprinkle them with cayenne or red pepper, and make a loud noise every time your dog seems inclined to dig in them. A spray with water may also put the dog off the spot if you give him or her a squirt every time dog digging starts.
Some dog owners are challenged with more problematic dogs, but the issues should always be suppressed the moment they start. Sometimes common methods for dog digging prevention simply fail to work. Before you give up on your dog you should always seek professional help that specializes in certain behavior problem.
Dog digging was not a strange behavior for my dog. When it grew out of control I was forced to take some action. After helping me eliminate my dog’s other behavior problems, I once again turned to Secrets of Professional Dog Trainer that swept away dog digging in my back yard for good.
I urge you check out my review of this amazing train a dog program, that has proven itself to work for any dog behavior issue (dog digging, stop dog barking, dog aggression), several times.
May 22, 2009 | | Pets
How do you go about picking your dog food? Most people don’t know how to read the ingredients list nor do they understand what they really mean.
Because my dog soundly started to have seizures I stared to look for a cure. This lead me to start to do research on different dog food.. The facts about what goes into dog food is sickening and I decided I needed to help educate pet owners about this danger.
Relax I’m not going to try and sell you some upscale dog food, but I am going to show you how you should be choosing your loved ones food.
If you take simple steps and learn to feed your dogs healthy food, you can add around 8 years to their lives That’s 8.3 more years of tail wagging, tongue liking unconditional love.
I searched for a long time before I found reliable non bias information on how to read labels found on dog food. The good news is the FDA does regulate dog food labeling… well sort of. The weak regulations are so weak that ingredients labeled not fit for human consumption can be the main ingredients for dog food..
The regulations for dog food labeling seemed to be written to help the industry hide certain ingredients they use to enhance flavor and prolong shelf life. These regulations allow the pet food industry to play with words and unless the pet owner educates themselves there is no way to tell what is really in the dog food..
Here is one example of how they play with words. If the food is named Beef Dog Food it would have 70% of some kind of beef, but if its name is Beef Flavored Dog Food it would have 0% beef..
Other ways the FDA’s regulations allow them to fool the pet owner is if you see the words Nugget or Dinner in the name of the dog food it only has 3% of that ingredient in the food.
The truth is the dog food industry has been allowed to deceive the pet owner into thinking they are purchasing quality ingredients, when the truth is we are purchasing ingredients not fit for human consumption.
Turning toxic waste into a valuable by-product sounds like a good think; until you find out they are feeding this waste to our beloved pets as pet food ingredients. These ingredients are illegal to sell as human food so why would we buy them to feed our dogs?
Sometimes it seems like the FDA is in bed with the dog food industry with these weak regulations that allow the industry to list toxic ingredients using words that sound healthy. One would think that when they read Dried Egg Products as an ingredient in their dog food, that that would be a good thing. In reality this ingredient is a waste by-product of the egg industry first marked unfit for human consumption before it is sold to the dog food companies.
You would be surprised the number of healthy sounding ingredients listed on dog food labels that are actually toxic waste.
After doing my own research I have decided I needed to switch my dogs to a homemade dog food, but I know that is not particle for everyone. Therefore it is even more important to understand exactly what is in your dog food. The link below will take you to a website that I found that will explain every word listed on the label of the dog food you are using.
Do yourself and your dog a huge favor and learn what is really in your dog food and be prepared for the next dog food recall by clicking this link now.
May 22, 2009 | | Pets
If you are constantly stepping in puddles of pee with your bare feet, you absolutely must know about the great resources out there to help you potty train a dog. When you start, you need to recognize two facts about your dog. First, by nature a dog goes to the bathroom when it wants to and where it wants to so you are going to have to change his or her nature. Second, every dog wants the approval of their owner and will do almost anything to get it. You will use the fact that your dog wants to please you to overcome his or her natural tendencies. If you are looking for a complete dog training course, check the links in the article for some great resources.
How to Potty Train a Dog
There are three main ways to go about potty training a dog. If your dog spends a lot of time in a kennel, you can train him to go in a corner so it is in one spot. If you have a fenced in yard and will just let your dog go outside when she needs to go to the bathroom, you can train her to go to the door and let you know when she has to go. The third way, which is the detailed more below, is to potty train your dog using a mat.
Potty training a dog to go on a mat is a simple concept that works really well if you don’t have easy access to an outdoor area where you can take your dog. For those of you who live in an apartment, especially if it is multiple floors up, this may be the only way to go.
The concept is simple. You put a mat in a corner of a room and train your dog to go to the bathroom on that mat. Your mat can be as simple as a bunch of newspaper or as elaborate as an artificial grass mat that simulates the outdoors. As with anything you want to train your dog to do, positive reinforcement is the key. Yelling at a dog won’t change behavior nearly as effectively as positive reinforcement when your dog does what you want him or her to do.
When you are house training or potty training a dog, remember that you got the dog to love. Your dog will do anything to get your affection and if you use that to your advantage, potty training a dog can be a quick and easy task.
Training your pet can be one of the most rewarding experiences you ever have with your pet, but also one of the most frustrating if you don’t have all of the right resources. Got to ObedienceTraining4Dogs.info for great resources to help you learn how to train a puppy - or dog. If you are looking for articles on almost every topic including pets, head over to http://www.knowledge-share.org/blog/ for some more great reads.
May 22, 2009 | | Pets