Archive for August, 2010

Reasons why dogs eat rocks

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Dogs have great appetites and these animals have the inclination to eat questionable (at least to us humans) things. Dog experts call this habit of ingesting non-edible things as pica. Eating non-edible items is a normal behavior of dogs but dog owners would still be puzzled by this behavior more so if the pet is provided with enough food. One of the non-edible things that dogs love to eat are rocks.

Puppies are more inclined to eat rocks. Puppies are naturally inquisitive and one way of discovering their world is by using their mouth. The hard rock will be chewed by the pup as if it were a fruity bubble gum. Eating rocks though is dangerous. Because rocks are hard, the teeth as well as the soft tissues inside the mouth can be damaged. Swallowed, the rock can cause diarrhea as it can really affect the delicate digestive tract of the dog. What would be more alarming is the fact that a rather large rock ingested by the dog can be life threatening if an esophagus or an intestinal tract blockage is created.

We know that dogs are voracious eaters. We also know that man’s best friends can develop hazardous and socially unacceptable behaviors. Nevertheless we would still be puzzled why dogs eat rocks. A brain disease can be one of the reasons why the dog eats rocks. A dog’s rock eating habit that is not caused by a medical concern is probably caused by a behavioral concern.

The dog’s propensity to eat rocks can be caused by boredom, anxiety or stress. Dogs would always love to get the attention of the family because these are social animals. Dogs that do not get any attention from the family will be bored. Bored dogs will develop destructive behaviors. Eating rocks is a sign that the dog is bored. The habit of eating rocks can be the dog’s way of attracting the master’s attention.

For proper diagnosis, humans have to have a series of laboratory tests. Dogs don’t need any of these test as these animals can recognize what is wrong with their system. A nutrient deficient diet will entice a dog to eat rocks in an effort to correct the imbalance. The habit of eating rocks can be the dog’s way of calling the master’s attention to the nutrient deficient diet or to the attention that is being missed by the dog.

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robbie on August 30th 2010 in Dog Ownership, Health tips

Tick and Flea Control, Prevention and Remedies

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Ticks and fleas infestation on dogs can be irritating both to the pet and to its owner. These blood-sucking parasites also dwell on furniture, in the carpet or any place where your dog stays regularly . These creatures will not only bite dogs but humans as well. Frequent bathing and using fine-toothed pet comb should be part of your preventive measures rather than think of it as flea and tick remedies.

It is wise for dog owners to ward off ticks and fleas at the onset of infestation using dog supplies such as frontline spray treatment which can be very effective for flea and tick control for dogs and puppies. The product can be sprayed on your pet’s back, side, stomach, legs, neck and shoulders. Do not spray directly on the head area; instead, spray the product in your gloved hand and rub it in your pet’s head.

Most veterinarians suggest on the use of Frontline brand products because of its proven efficacy in fighting fleas and ticks. The use of frontline flea spray can give your pet the continuous protection by breaking the parasites’ life cycle.

Ticks and fleas bites on dogs can really get so itchy that it will cause our pets to itch and scratch really hard. Too much scratching can cause lesion on the skin which might eventually lead to infection and serious skin problems. Add to that problem is the fact that you are also going to have a terrible ordeal with those ticks and fleas because they will also prey on human skin.

Controlling ticks and fleas should not be focused on treating the dogs but on the environment as well. Thoroughly cleaning the areas where the dog sleeps and plays is is also one of the best ways in controlling the situation.

Vacuuming the carpet frequently and sprinkling it with insecticidal powder can remove adult fleas, therefore preventing the proliferation of the parasites. Pet bedding should be washed with soapy hot water.

If the above procedures will not give any positive results then seek the professional advice from a trusted veterinarian.

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robbie on August 27th 2010 in Dog Ownership, Dog products

Dog Training Careers: Here Are 6 Tips To Help You Get Started

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Are you researching dog training careers?

Do you have a love for canines?

If you answered yes to the above questions, a dog training career may be just right for you.

Here is the story: Canines of all ages require training, and their owners frequently don’t know how to train them. This creates a huge market for a high quality professional canine trainer.

Truth be told, anyone who loves animals can become a dog trainer as long as they are willing to work at it. However, getting to be a expert can and will take time.  It’ll require dedication as well as lots of studying and practical hands-on experience to become proficient and successful.

Here are six tips for anybody interested in a dog training career

Dog training careers tip 1: start by practicing on your personal canine.
If you are good at training your dog, you might be good at training other people’s dogs. But if training your dog leaves you frustrated and drained, then you might want to consider a different career path.

Dog training careers tip 2: Develop your people skills.
When you are training dogs, you are really training the owners more than the dogs. You’ll be regularly faced with individuals who are reacting adversely from their dogs behavior.  These otherwise logical human beings will be showing signs of overflowing frustration, embarrassment, and general grumpiness. And this bad temper will sometimes be directed at you. Will you be able to deal with these distraught owners smoothly, while at the same time tending to their canines? Give this some thought.

Dog training careers tip 3: Consider volunteering at your local shelter.
You will get an understanding for what a dog training career demands.

Dog training careers tip 4: Attend a dog instruction school.
You will find many schools and seminars obtainable in most metro areas. Do a web search to find a high quality school in your city. Hopefully their program is certified, and that you’ll have your own certification upon completion.

Dog training careers tip 5: Decide on how you can structure your new business.
Do you wish to  work with individual clients in their homes or provide canine training classes. Really, it’s a good idea to initially offer both. By advertising your canine training classes, people who want individual help training their dogs will hear about you too. Quickly your dog training career will be off to a great start.

Dog training careers tip 6: Advertise your services.
Focus your advertising efforts on veterinarians, dog supply stores, and pet shelters. Generally these establishments are willing to let you leave brochures behind where potential clients can find them. This way, your marketing budget will be essentially zero.

Congratulations!
If you’ve followed the steps above, you’ll have a flourishing dog training career. Many people globally pay good money to enroll their canines into dog training classes or hire personal trainers to train their canines. Should you genuinely love dogs and really want to work with them on a daily basis, it’s very possible for you to be a huge success, and make a decent living, as a canine trainer.

This and many other articles can be found here:  Dog Training Tools

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robbie on August 19th 2010 in Dog Ownership, training Tips

Satisfying your Dog’s Nutritional Needs

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For everybody who is bringing home a dog and / or puppy dog for the first time then congratulations! This is usually a happy and fascinating time for you and your loved ones. A new puppy is really a wonderful family animal and a brilliant companion for his master. They are able to deliver huge amounts of joy to a home and therefore the dependable owner would want to offer as much back to the dog as they themselves receive from him or her. Regardless of this being an enjoyable time period you will really need to take a moment to contemplate the new animal’s nutritional needs. Serving your dog the correct types of food will have a big impact on their health, his eyes, skin and fur which means you need to get it right.

If your new family dog is actually a small puppy dog you’ll want to buy a top quality puppy food. It’s not a trick – pups have got completely different dietary needs to more mature dogs, demanding increased amounts of proteins and fats simply because they are exceptionally lively and also developing at a super fast rate. Dry dog food is going to be perfect for your new pet, though if it’s too hard at this particular young age you can add a bit of tepid to warm water which can make the dry food easier to chew. To begin with, your puppy needs somewhere between 4-6 meals each day. This reduces to 3 to 4 bowls when the puppy dog reaches 3 months old. As soon as your adorable puppy reaches his 1st birthday two dishes everyday really should be sufficient.

From a year you may make the switch to an adult dry dog food. You may also begin to give treats for example gnaw sticks and even chewy bones. In spite of this, never offer left over bones from chicken or lamb. These bones are generally quite small which means they can choke the dog if perhaps he or she swallows it. Purchase your doggie snacks from a professional dog food outlet and steer clear of anything sugary. Gnaw sticks can be an essential treat because they keep the dog’s teeth in great, clean condition. It’s also advisable to not encourage your pet dog to consume your own food. They may position themselves using pleading eyes while looking at you eating your dinner however this behavior shouldn’t be invited.

For anyone who is serving a complete dried commercial dog food then always provide a dish of fresh, clean drinking water at every meal.

For anyone who is uncertain with regards to the sort of foods your dog ought to be consuming, or if he appears to be over weight or under a healthy weight then seek advice from a veterinarian who should be able to provide you with suggestions about serving sizes and protein levels required by your particular breed.

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robbie on August 18th 2010 in Dog Ownership, Dog products, dog food

Choosing Memorable Urns for Dogs

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Dogs have a way of holding a special place in our hearts. There is truly a reason we’ve granted dogs the name, “Man’s best friend”. Remember all the great times , the walks around the neighborhood , supper time, the cuddle time, and even the talking time? Dogs can truly become an crucial part of our lives.

The passing of a great pet is not easy. Many people like to cherish a memorial for their dog to help cherish the memories. A memorable cremation urn is a special way to pay tribute for your pet. There are many kinds available and if you’re looking for some ideas, here are some that might help.

Wooden box urns for dogs can be adorned in many ways. There are some out there with a toy on the top, paw prints, or other decorations. This is where you could get creative. How about adding a locket of fur, a favorite toy, or a collar for extra sentiment?

Metal urns are another choice. Brass or silver really give a solid look for your pet’s tribute. Look for ones with free engraving to add that extra sentiment. There are also selections with burnished copper and aluminum that are very sturdy and have the appearance of wood.

For a more elegant look, there are more traditional urns that have marble finishes and are hand engraved. Ceramic urns also have an elegant expression .

Finally, picture urns for dogs are a great way to tribute your pet. Typically the photo urns will have a frame on the outside of a wooden box. Perhaps adding a digital frame to a box urn will also add a pleasant memorial.

The loss of a pet is difficult, but their memories can always stay with us. Creating a tribute for your dog is a great way to keep those memories alive!

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robbie on August 16th 2010 in Dog Ownership

Why Your Dog Or Cat Wants A Flea Collar

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Many people take into account their pets a crucial a part of their lives. Cats and canine alike are part of the household, with their pleasant, loyal personalities and comforting companionship. Similar to family, we don’t want them to suffer. Sadly, tens of millions of cats and canines endure yearly life threatening flea and tick infestations.  Some circumstances are so unhealthy that the animal is constantly itching and biting himself, inflicting much more harm. What’s worse is that the fleas and ticks may be simply transmitted to folks and their homes. In this state of affairs, the proprietor might find yourself paying hundred of dollars to fumigate their home. All this discomfort might be prevented with a simple visit to the pet retailer – getting flea collars for his or her pets.

Flea collars are one of many many wonders of recent science. Produced from plastic resins and pesticides, a flea collar is simple to make use of and can last both three, six, or twelve months! Best of all, it’s non-toxic to your beloved pet.

When shopping for a flea collar for your pet, there are two points to consider – does the animal already have fleas, and do you could have youngsters? If the first is true, you will want to present your cat or canine a preliminary bathtub in flea and tick killing shampoo. In some other case, the flea collars will be ineffective.

If the latter is true, you must to maintain the animal away out of your child. Youngsters are way more sensitive to chemical substances than adults, and may by likelihood ingest the powder that coats the collar.

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Flea collars work by attacking the explanation for fleas – larvae.  When fleas infest an animal or its bedding, they lay their eggs. Resulting from this, an animal could also be infested with as many as 1,000,000 fleas inside a year. Flea collars nip this disadvantage in the bud.

A mistake that many house owners make is that they may put flea collars designed for dogs on cats, and vice versa. This could not at all be carried out, as a result of the doses of flea killing medicine are different. Collars designed for dogs would possibly kill a cat, and cat collars are ineffective on a dog.

Utilizing a flea collar is simple. With its versatile and durable construction, you don’t need to fear about cracking or breakage.  When you take away the collar from its pakage, you’ll find that the collar is normally much too long your pet. That is to make sure that the fit is totally tailored to your pet. When inserting the collar in your canine or cat, ensure you can simply slip one finger between the animals neck and the collar. As quickly as buckled, use a pair of scissors to cut off any extra measurement of collar. Now you’re able to benefit from bonding time with your furry pal, comfortably and safely.

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robbie on August 16th 2010 in Dog Ownership, Dog products

How do dogs mate

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Dog mating can be embarrassing to some people but it is actually an impressive act. Dogs’ odd mating process is nature’s way of ensuring the survival of canines. There are many reasons why dogs are breed. Breeding of dogs can be undertaken for financial reasons. It is certainly understandable if a dog owner would want to care for dogs produced by the pet.

Dogs are mated to produce a dog with the good looks and ideal disposition. Whatever reasons these dog owners have for breeding the dog, one thing is common. A healthy litter would be the common goal of pet owners and professional breeders for breeding the dog.

The mating of dogs would be considered as an ordinary occurrence by dog experts. An owner watching the pet being mated for the first time may be alarmed at the pet’s behavior. The owner will be concerned if the bitch would whine as if in pain. A dog owner not conversant to the dog mating process would be alarmed at the pet’s obvious sign of distress thus the owner may try to separate the dogs in an effort to help. The mating dogs may appear to be hurt or distressed but no effort must be done to separate them. Being stuck together end to end is completely natural in mating dogs and attempts to pull them apart can cause injuries.

Unlike male dogs that are always eager to mate, female dogs would only accept males if they are in the estrus stage. Female dogs cannot be forced to mate,  if they are ready, they will show flagging or  lift their tail to one side to invite a male dog. The bitch will allow the favored dog to mount her from behind in seconds the vulva will be penetrated. After penetration, one of the dogs will twist around so that they will be tied in their rear ends while facing opposite directions.

Canine copulation is different from human copulation in that human male member has to be erect to gain penetration while this is not necessary for dogs. Dog’s male member has a small bone called baculum that aids penetration by keeping the male member erect. The mating tie will take place after the male member has penetrated the vulva. The tissues at the base of the male member get swollen with blood trapping the male member inside the vulva. The dogs will remain stuck together for about 20 or 30 minutes until all the sperms have entered the vulva. With the mating tie, the survival of canines is ensured.

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robbie on August 12th 2010 in Dog Ownership

Three Necessary German Shepherd Training Guidelines to Help You Have a Good Dog

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German shepherd training is absolutely vital if you want to raise a well-behaved and loyal dog who obediently follows your commands without question.  With effective training, you can have a german shepherd who doesn’t jump on your furniture or bed, won’t bark at strangers, claws at the rugs and scratches up your belongings, or goes to the potty when and where he shouldn’t.  Contrary to what many dog owners believe, not much of this is dependent on the dog’s personality; training is something that can be done with any dog, and german shepherds are dogs that are very responsive to training because of their breeding.

If you genuinely want to avoid the frustration of a dog that chews up all your furniture and poops all over the place, it’s very important to follow these german shepherd training recommendations.

1. Begin the training from your first day

Do not waste any time with thinking your puppy is so cute and adorable that he does not need to be corrected when he jumps on you or your furniture.  Recognize that this is the temptation, but it must be avoided or else your puppy will have a hard time with training down the line.  If you only correct him some of the time, how will he know when he should or shouldn’t do something?

2. Understand how important positive feedback is

A lot of dog owners think that dog training means telling the dog “NO” constantly and slapping them around or being abusive to the dog.  That is very much not the case; in actuality, negative enforcement doesn’t work as well as positive reinforcement.  This is very important in german shepherd training.  When you see your german shepherd doing something you want to encourage, give him praise and a treat – and you will see much better results when you encourage this good behavior in your german shepherd puppy.

3. Socialize your puppy

This is one of the most vital of german shepherd training strategies.  By ensuring that your dog is constantly in contact with other people and dogs, you are ensuring that he won’t be confused or startled when new people or dogs enter your house, and won’t feel the need to jump up on them or bark at them.  Your german shepherd puppy needs to get used to seeing new dogs and people all the time.  You can sign up for a training class or simply start taking walks to the park (preferably a dog park if you have one).  Your dog will love this, as dogs are naturally social animals.

Training a german shepherd puppy might seem like a lot of work, but remember you signed up for this when you got the puppy to begin with.  Having a well behaved dog is a lot of work – at least at first.  Eventually, as days pass, your training process will become easier both for you and the dog, as these good training habits will be second nature to you and your dog, and he will recognize you as the pack leader.

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robbie on August 10th 2010 in Dog Ownership, Working Dogs

Make Your Dog Be Quit

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The most troublesome aspects for many dog owners can be barking , especially those that reside in apartment complexes or close-knit communities, which is why it is absolutely crucial that one knows how to train your dog to stop barking. While there exsists a lot of dog training devices on the market today, not many work or are humanine. Following the most basic dog training advice, you will be able to properly train your dog to stop barking.
Shock collars are some of the most popular methods . If you have never tried a shock collar on yourself, then do so first before using it on your dog. Being able to train your dog to stop barking should be painless, for both you and your pet. The shock treatment can often create other side effects, such as irritability and a distrust of you that can linger for the rest of your pet’s life with you.

A better way to train your dog to stop barking is …

Yes, there is a better way and something that will give your dog something to work toward and enjoy. This puppy training advice is called positive reinforcement and usually comes in the form of tasty treats. Dogs bark for a number of reasons. Warning you of strangers in the neighborhood and potential threats are one reason that they will bark. Two, they bark because their instincts tell them there’s another dog in the area or animal that their genetic code tells them they should chase away. Three, they bark when they are anxious, when they’re alone, or when there is loud noise in the area.

If you want to train your dog to stop barking, then you will need to be prepared with some treats for the moment they start barking according to most dog training advice expects. When they bark, walk over to your dog (often, unless the dog is well trained, they won’t pay attention to a ‘come here’ command when something else has their attention). Look to see what the dog is barking about. Command him to stop barking after you let him know that you are aware of the danger and to thank them for keeping an eye out for you.

When your dog does indeed stop barking, reward him or her with a treat . Take a step or two away and wait for your dog to refrain from barking. Odds are he or she will continue to look out the window for what distracted them in the first place. Gently remind your dog to stop barking and when they remain silent, give him or her another treat.

The more you do this, the more your dog understands the command to ‘stop barking’ and will begin to only bark once or twice if there is a perceived threat. Under no circumstances are you to drag your dog away from the door or window or to hit your dog. Positive reinforcement is always the right track to take.

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robbie on August 10th 2010 in Dog Ownership

Dog training guides for New Dog Owners

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Dog training tips for new dog owners brought to you by our Dog Training Site – www.bestdogofall.com

If you are searching for some great dog training ideas, it is a good idea to first know exactly where to begin. Understand what your dog really needs from you in a training scenario and then learn how to train him.  A number of people make the false assumption that a dog is a lot smarter than it really is.  In reality, a dog merely reacts to you.  He is one of the pack and wants to be accepted, but he is still an animal with animal instincts.

So, should you wish to adjust any bad behaviors, the best technique is not to scold them or yell at them, but to focus on changing their natural instincts into an acceptable behavior.

Core Dog Training Tips

You will find several basic points that every dog owner ought to think about when training their furry friend. These tasks can make dog training much simpler across the board.

Crate Training – Crate training provides your dog with a den that it can call its own. Never use a crate like a punishment and make certain to spend time in the house together with your dog in the crate so he can get used to it. As most dog trainers will tell you, a crate can make toilet training, barking, and anxiety problems much much better.

Leash Training – If you are getting issues with your dog on a leash, the most important point you can do is to teach him to reach a managed, calm state. This controlled state will permit him to respond to your commands without getting too excited about the upcoming walk. The majority of dogs with leash problems are simply permitted to rush outside and pull. If your dog pulls on the leash, make them sit and wait by your side before resuming the walk.  This means they will associate that pulling means a stop of their stroll.

The Alpha Position – The most important dog instruction ideas is the position you hold inside the home. In spite of what most people think, puppy instruction is not the burden of one’s puppy. He does not know what you want and doe not generally understand what you are saying. The burden is on you to teach your dog that you are the leader of the pack and have control of the situation. They can then relax, follow your commands and quit worrying about who will guard them.

Obedience Training – The best dog training ideas you will get can come from an obedience class. These classes teach new dog owners how to sustain the alpha leadership position in their home, teach how to  manage their new pup and give them specific, strong commands. If you have a brand new puppy or are merely getting difficulty controlling your older dog, join an obedience class to supplement your home training.

The Importance of Consistency

Dog training needs to ber consistent. A dog might appear wise, and in a lot of  time they are, but a lot of what they discover is in response to some repeated, steady training.  Should you set a rule, be consistent with it and make sure everyone in your house does exactly the same. Great puppy training can really be tougher for you than for your puppy, but it is almost usually well worth it.

For more dog training tips including learning about how to stop dog aggression, please visit the dog training site.

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robbie on August 9th 2010 in Dog Ownership, training Tips