Archive for » December, 2008 «

Sunday, December 28th, 2008 | Author: admin

Hard-working dogs are those that participate in agility competitions as well as those that team up with law enforcement on a search-and-rescue mission. These dogs need a complete and well balanced meal because they lead a very active lifestyle and they demand more from their food source than the average dog.

Most of these sporting and working dogs participate in intermediate activities as well. These are activities that require low to moderate duration and vigorousness. Examples of these hard workers and super athletes are: herders of livestock, dogs who are regularly in Dog Sport competitions, law enforcement and rescue dogs, hunting, guarding, and detection. These dogs when they are at the highest pinnacle of health are real gladiators when it comes to their abilities whether it be in the show ring as an athlete, a search and rescue dog, a K-9 unit for the police, or as an extra “hand” on a farm or ranch!

For your active, working dog you will need some great dog carriers for your active dog.

To simply say these types are dogs that are on the “go” is a grand understatement! However, should you have one of these terrific dogs it is essential that their diet be rich in nutrients and protein sources. These dogs need larger doses of food and certain types of nutrients.

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A typical working dog would need about 2 – 5 times more calories than a less active dog. These extra calories are converted into energy that helps our dog athletes perform better. This is crucial for these dogs during the times when they are most active! Remember not all dogs can handle this lifestyle, so if you want a dog that has this lifestyle, you must get a breed or sporting class dog! You should never work another breed as these dogs are because again not all breeds can handle what these can! Remember these are the Sporting dogs such as your herders,retrievers,ect.

“What nutrients should my athletic dog be getting? What do I look for?” is a common question! We have outlined 4 basic and essential nutrients that should be in your Working/Sporting dog’s diet!

For your working dog you will need to pick up some dog supplies to keep them cool and collective.

The first essential in your busy guy or gal’s diet is Carbohydrates! Carbohydrates in minimal amounts are great for your dog! Your dog does not need alot of carbs and you should monitor how much your dog is getting because too many carbohydrates can make your dog’s performance sluggish and is bad for them. A little carbohydrate gives your dog that extra fuel to keep them going since they are working or in sports.

The next nutrient you want in your dog’s diet is PROTEIN! Protein is very important because it contains amino acids. Amino Acids are important because they are the building blocks for hormones, tissues and muscles, and enzymes. Proteins develop muscle mass and strength. Important to know though is too much protein can lead to excessive protein breakdown and that could pose health problems. You want high protein sources according to what your dog’s diet needs for muscle development and structrual repair! No more, no less!

Your dog’s diet needs fats. Not bad fats and not excessive amounts of fats, but the good fats! The main source of energy for working and intermediate athletic dogs comes from fats. This nutrient contains about twice as much energy as carbohydrates and protein provides. Adding more fat to your dog’s diet is the best way to increase his energy and strength. A diet high in fat is more appealing to your dog while at the same time providing him with better endurance.

Therefore, it is very important to supply him with adequate amount of essential fatty acids along with saturated and unsaturated fats. So far we have covered that your dog needs a little carbohydrates from healthy sources, how important protein is and that it is a necessity, and the difference from good and bad fats that are essential to the diet of your working and intermediate sportster!

The final essential nutrient is a definate no brainer, it’s Water! H2O is lost during laborous activity and hydration is crucial if not absolutely necessary! Water is packed with nutrients and minerals that are good for your dog and water also helps them to start the digestion process and their circulatory and coronary systems as well as their brains. So don’t forget to keep a boutiful supply of water for your dog to drink when they need some hydration! These 4 key nutrients will ensure your high performance Working/Sporting breed dog will have optimum and robust health and performance!

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Sunday, December 28th, 2008 | Author: admin

Guard dog training is used to Training Your Dog basically to stop unwanted guests. After your dog is trained to be a guard dog he will establish a long pattern and passion of protecting you and your family. Guard dog training is used to make your dog courageous, powerful and confident, as well as learning how to protect his family. Guard dog training should be done by a very competent trainer.

These courses are usually an in-house training where the dog will be boarded for the duration of the course. These trainers can train dogs for the home, business, family, personal, car yard protection and property. A protection dog is both a verbal and very visual threat to an unwanted intruder. These courses most generally have a lifetime guarantee.

It is most important to get your guard dog training done the right way the first time. It is an expensive training, as far as dog trainings go, and there is no need to have to repeat the course because the instructor was unable to train your dog. A good guard dog training course, and trainer, will train your dog properly the first time.

Stages

There are three different stages to guard dog training and you should decide which best fits your dog’s intended use of training skills. The first stage is the basic guard dog training work. There will be a test for temperament and an alert of strangers and intrusions. Outside yard work training is done with this training.

The second stage is the advanced guard dog training work. This training involves the bite and attack training. The third level is the advanced guard dog training with muzzle police training. Family protection, body guard training and stopping individuals is included in the third stage of this training. Though some of these training components may sound viscous and a little scary, the dog will be trained to only use excessive force only if absolutely necessary. This is why some research needs to be done before venturing into guard dog training.

The internet is a good place to research for a good trainer, as well as your veterinarian to train your dog without Dog Injury. Major chain pet stores are another source of finding good trainers. Most of these chains offer training themselves, but guard dog training is a little too intense for them to do in-house. However, they do have a list of established, competent trainers. Pets are their business, and it is only to their advantage to recommend the best trainers possible.

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Sunday, December 28th, 2008 | Author: admin

Add A Furry Friend (dog) To Your Family

I believe most people will prefer furry friend (dog) and cats, but now the trend is also to raise exotic pets like monitor lizard, snakes, frogs, spider and so on. But still the first preference will be furry friend (dog) and cats.

For people who desire to own a dog but do not want or cannot have a large dog due to their living quarters, the dog to consider is the Lhasa Apso breed. This small dog breed is a wonderful little dog that does not have many of the other small breed characteristics such as excessive barking.

The Lhasa Apso originally came from Tibet. They were used as personal guard dog to the holy men in the temples, as well as to the noblemen, because of their very keen hearing plus their loyalty.

The Lhasa Apso is highly intelligent and could often tell whether friend or foe was approaching and alert their master accordingly. In the early days you could not purchase one. It had to be given as a gift by the Tibetan ruler.

What are the physical characteristics of these little furry friend?

They have long, straight fur that cascades to the floor. Their facial fur gives off an appearance of having a mustache and beard and should be darker in color.

The color of their fur often changes from puppyhood to adulthood, ranging from gold, cream, honey, smoke, dark-grizzle, slate, and multicolor which includes white, brown and black. The muzzle of the Lhasa Apso is of medium length. Their eyes are deep set and the fur from their head falls over them. Their tail is plumed and curls to fall over their back.

A Lhasa Apso male grows to a height of approximately ten to eleven inches, and they weigh around thirteen to fifteen pounds. The female Lhasa Apso is usually slightly smaller in size.

Very intelligent, active, affectionate, devoted, and assertive, they are very loyal to their family but leery of people they are not familiar with. A family with children should think carefully about getting one because this particular dog breed does not like to be mishandled. But this problem can be avoided by teaching children to love and respect the dog.

Lhasa Apsos need to be socialized very early so that they will adapt well to children and other pets.

They can be stubborn when it comes to training. They do love treats so motivational training works best. Do not give up on training your Lhasa Apso, as you do not want them to control your household.

While fairly free of most ailments and genetic defects that plague many dog breeds, skin conditions can develop if their coat is not brushed regularly to avoid parasite infestations. Other maladies that may affect your Lhasa Apso include hip dysplasia, kidney trouble, problems with eyesight, and very rarely, bleeding ulcers. This breed tends to live a long life, anywhere from twelve to eighteen years of age.

All in all, if you want a loving and loyal furry companion to warm your heart and your lap, you cannot go wrong with bringing a Lhasa Apso into your home. This furry little mop will entertain you and love you for many, many years.

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Saturday, December 27th, 2008 | Author: admin

The benefits your dog will get from being in good shape are well worth the time and effort to make sure he gets lots of exercise. A dog that is physically fit will benefit on the emotional level as well as physically. It is important to allow your dog to routinely have time to get outside and run. Running is a natural activity for dogs and it will help to keep them happy and healthy.

And of course you must make sure your dog is properly house trained
how to crate train a puppy
Potty training puppies
house training puppies
Check these articles out for advice and tips on house breaking your pet. This task is essential for a healthy and rewarding relationship.

Keeping your dog active and healthy will add to his well being throughout his life. When the time comes when your dog is getting old he will be able to deal with this phase of his life easier if he has been physically fit prior to becoming old. An important part of dog health care is to ensure your dog is consistently living an active lifestyle since he will be able to cope with arthritis or circulatory problems and other health issues much better than if he has led a sedentary life. Dogs get the same rewards from exercise as humans receive.

Healthy Weight
An important element in a dog health care program is maintaining his weight at a healthy level. Research has shown that dogs that lead a sedentary life are significantly more susceptible to illnesses and medical issues when compared to active dogs. As part of your dog health care program take your dog out for some jogging or play fetch with him and take part in some activities where he gets a chance to run, but don’t let your dog become too fatigued. If he has been sedentary for a considerable time start him on a gentle exercise program.

Physical Exam
One of the most esential and easiest parts of dog health care is to provide him a healthy diet. Make sure you feed him nutritional food which is meat based and do not overfeed your dog and don’t give him unhealthy snacks. Experts also suggest that part of a quality dog health care plan is to take your dog to your veterinarian for an annual physical examination. If your dog is obese it is important to have your veterinarian check his thyroid condition.

A urine test can provide information regarding bladder and kidney health and an annual blood chemistry panel will provide your veterinarian with information concerning the health of his organs. It is also a good idea to examine his gums as well as his teeth to ensure he doesn’t have painful problems such as an abscessed tooth. Some experts suggest that bad oral health in your dog can lead to debilitation in senior dogs.

If your dog suffers from arthritis check with your veterinarian about dietary supplements and other products that might reduce the pain that he is dealing with. To summarize regarding dog health care, keep your dog physically active, feed him a nutritional diet and take him to your veterinarian on an annual basis for a physical examination.

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Saturday, December 27th, 2008 | Author: admin

When you adopt a dog in your house, not just have to take care of them but at the same time, you would also have to control them as well. No doubt, you would like their notorious behavior, but still at times they get out of hands because of this behavior.

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For all these reasons, they are preferred to be trained properly. Most of the time, it is observed that puppies and older dogs are the notorious one. Therefore, it is important to train them as fast as possible. Many times, it is seen that if an owner adopts a new dog they get treated badly. Such new dogs are punished every now and then for their little mistakes, which is a wrong way to correct them. This is not a good type of house training for any dog.

When you are going to train your dog to stay in your house properly, you need to be sure that there is going to be some or the other destruction. You will also have to learn to predict when the dog will have to go for the toilet. The dogs have the tendency to go to the toilet after they have slept or had their food. Therefore, this will be the indication when you will be taking your dog to where you want it to go.

If this behavior is repeated by you then surely the dog will start get the exact suggestion of where exactly it is supposed to approach. For such training it might take sometime. Therefore, your role here in this training should be of a peaceful and patent person. At the same time, you should also be committed to the training of the dog.

It is also seen that owners have the tendency to train puppies to do toilet on newspapers. This is basically a bad method to train a puppy especially for a long run. Then later on a condition may also occur where the dog will start doing toilet other then the newspapers. Therefore, from the beginning itself you should train your dog to do toilet outside the house or the place you want.

For such a situation, you will have to be really patient. The work of training a dog is really not easy at all as the dogs have the habit of doing a lot of nuisance when trained. your success will be determined on the level of your patience.

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Friday, December 26th, 2008 | Author: admin

Training your pet and man’s best friend may best be accomplished with an electronic dog training collar, which is certainly a very popular method being used by more and more dog owners today. The electronic dog training collar helps in training the pet, or it can also be used for professional training as it allows the pet to attain a higher level of obedience. You may have your work cut out for you when trying to decide on one particular electronic dog training collar as there are many different types available which can be a bit confusing in the beginning.

Many Changes Have Taken Place

There is no doubt that the evolution of the electronic dog training collar has seen many advances and a good one must have a good range. You will get better results if you have your dog wear one of these electronic dog training collars for at least a few weeks and also make sure that you remove it four to five times every day. Removing the collar will aid in teaching the dog to remember the shocks that he or she feels when wearing the electronic dog training collar.

Once the collar is off and the dog does not experience any more shocks he will learn the difference between getting a shock and not having any and thus learn to obey the commands given to him to avoid dog health problems. You should also ensure that the nature of the shock should be enough to turn his head and using it should be like wearing a leash. Remember, that the electronic dog training collar has two functions – keeping the dog within boundaries and helping it to understand house rules as well as behaviors that it should conform to.

If you wish to teach your dog to stay within the boundaries while using an electronic dog training collar, make sure that you install an electronic fence in the yard. On the other hand, for teaching it correct behavior you can operate it by sending shocks to the dog thereby teaching him that some types of behavior are not condonable. You can also use a remote to send the shock. In any case, these collars will be of great help in teaching the dog proper behavior. Nevertheless, there are voices that are raised concerning the inhumane treatment meted out to the dog.

The electronic dog training collar can also be used to stop the dog from becoming a nuisance when it barks excessively is called Anti Bark Collars. The important thing to remember is to use the electronic dog training collar in the proper way if you want the best results. It is thus necessary to first know how to operate it correctly before using it on the dog.

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Thursday, December 25th, 2008 | Author: admin

The little Pomeranian breed of dog is always fun to watch and play with at first but after a while their real personality shines through and that is when many owners experience Pomeranian problems. Before you bring one of the little toy breeds home you may want to discuss these Pomeranian problems with your breeder to make sure that a Pomeranian is the right dog for you. Not all dogs are good for all people so be sure you check out the Pomeranian before you bring it home.

If you have kids you may want to not consider a Pomeranian because a Pomeranian will not be able to tolerate kids at all. The constant movement will unnerve the little dog and the games kids like to play like pulling the dog’s hair will not stand at all with any Pomeranian. So if you have small children you may want to consider a different breed of dog.
Pomeranians make lousy watchdogs because they love to bark at everything whether it is a threat or not and sometimes whether anything is really even there or not. One of the big Pomeranian problems is their love of barking whenever they sense anything is near and they will use that shrill little bark to wake the neighbors. So if you live in an apartment building, or you have neighbors that are close by, then you may want to consider not getting a Pomeranian if you want to avoid making enemies very fast.

A toy breed of dog like the Pomeranian is a very fragile animal. If you put too much physical pressure on it by sitting on it or squeezing it too hard then you can kill it. Even something as seemingly minute as the leap from your arms to the floor can kill your Pomeranian so always make sure to keep an eye on your dog to avoid it from seriously injuring itself.
A Pomeranian will test your will because they are an extremely smart little breed of dog and one of the Pomeranian problems that you may experience is that it has a mind of its own and really doesn’t care what you have to say. You will find yourself repeating yourself a lot and if that does not sound like what you want to be spending your time doing with your pet then you may want to consider not getting a Pomeranian.

Pomeranians come with a wide variety of issues and problems that can only be dealt with through time and repetition. The dog is too smart to let simple punishment deter it so you should never punish the dog. Always use positive reinforcement or strong consistent behavior with your Pomeranian to let it know that you mean business. But if you are not looking for a challenge then you may want to avoid a Pomeranian.

If you want a little insight into Pomeranian training then read this article. You can use this article along with dog training books to help train your Pomeranian.

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Thursday, December 25th, 2008 | Author: admin

No matter what breed of dog you own, you are going to want to make sure that they are properly trained so they will be obedient and have proper behavior skills. Especially if you have children you are going to need to make sure that they are going to be well behaved and not present any sort of danger.

There are some very important aspects involved with Yorkshire Terrier training, which you are going to want to be aware of and remember if you want to have success training your own Yorkie. Really the first step to Yorkshire Terrier training is getting your dog to respect you. Only once you have established this will you be able to get them to listen to you and obey your commands. You must make your dog understand that you are the leader, the one in charge, and not allow them to be the dominant one of the household.
Yorkshire Terrier training really does not have to be all that difficult. There are a few aspects in particular that you are going to want to take seriously when it comes to Yorkshire Terrier training, one being socialization. If you do not socialize your dog properly they are going to grow up to be timid and afraid, not only of other dogs but people as well.

To socialize them properly you want to care and adore for them, but at the same time make sure that you give them space and do not play with them constantly when they are young because they need a lot of time to sleep. Keep them to a schedule so that they know what to expect and when, as dogs will really abide by a given routine. It is good for them to know what time they should get up, eat and go to bed.
To avoid many Yorkie problems and also get a well-behaved and polite pet, then Yorkshire Terrier training is going to be a critical step of your raising them. There is a great importance to training your dog to be obedient, especially if you have children in the home. Yorkies are really adorable dogs and you want them to live up to their reputation as kindhearted and lovable pets.

Just remember that your pet is your precious companion, and they are really like another member of the family. They are a friend more than a creature to dominant and control, and remember to keep this mind the entire time that you are training them. Obedience training is critical when it comes to nurturing a healthy human-animal relationship between you and your beloved pet and also in terms of raising a socially adept pet. You will love your Yorkie even more if you train them properly, so it will definitely be worth all the time and effort you put into it.

Yorkshire Terrier training is going to be a vital step in the raising of your dog. Using dog training books can be very advantageous, especially if you are new to this and not sure where to start.

Wednesday, December 24th, 2008 | Author: admin

Brand new puppies literally absorb everything that passes through their senses. Whatever they see, hear, taste, smell, and touch, it all gets stored in their brains just like a computer.

Just because puppies are small, does not mean they have undeveloped intelligence! Actually puppies are very smart and it’s in these critical months that is the best time for training and if you take advantage of this time, your training will go much smoother and easier!

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Most new dog owners completely underestimate the intelligence of their younger puppies. Do not waste this remarkable learning time. Make good use of your dog’s capacity to learn and absorb information by teaching him good manners and healthy behaviors that will help guide the pup towards a civilized and respectful member of the family.

It wasn’t too long ago that most dog owners and dog trainers did not consider puppies to be trainable until they were well past five or six months old. However, that theory has been totally disproved.

Puppies who are kept in crates or isolated areas, limited to no mental stimuli, and receive no training or positive approaches to discipline do not have increase mental ability, can be either timid or aggressive, are not socialized, and can be troublesome pets that most often end up in shelters on the streets.

Studies have shown that a puppy’s early experiences can mold and shape the brain’s physiology. Puppies that are raised with lots of toys to play with and problems to solve, along with positive behavior training, ended up having a higher learning ability and amazingly enough, grew slightly more developed brains than similar puppies that were raised in limited learning environments.

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Think about this information. Evidence clearly shows that the puppy which learns various training protocols at an early age, such as climbing stairs, meeting different people, etc. will be better developed both mentally and physically then the puppy who is confined to a crate or room all day long and only interacts with its family members, without being stimulated mentally.

What Does This Mean?

The good news is that this does not mean that your puppy should have total freedom and domination over the house to do what he or she wants. However, it does mean that your new dog should spend as much time as possible around you and other people as you go about your day.

Do not make the mistake of giving the pup too much freedom. This will encourage problems with behavior and when this behavior becomes a habit, it is increasingly harder to break these characteristics as your dog gets older. You have to let your puppy know that you are in charge and while he has free reign to express himself, a clear understanding of who is the boss (pack leader) must be constituted.

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Wednesday, December 24th, 2008 | Author: admin

Unsure if your pet is pregnant? Of course the easiest thing to do is to take your dog to the Veterinarian. The veterinarian have a few options available to them to determine if your pet is pregnant. Ultrasound is the most reliable since the doctor can actually see if there are any puppies. Depending on how far along the vet may be able to feel, the dog’s uterus to determine pregnancy. This is not something pet owners should try because you do not want to damage any puppies. The other thing the vet might try is a blood test. Or your doctor might decide to do an x-ray on the animal. One big advantage about talking the dog to the vet is that he may be able to give you a better idea about when the puppies will be born.

Pregnant Dogs - Some indicators.

There are signs that a pet owner can watch that are good early detection signs that your dog is pregnant. Many dogs lose their appetite during the first few weeks. They may sleep a lot more during this time. Another good indication is swollen nipples. A dog that is not pregnant will normally have small flat nipples. A pregnant dog’s nipples will start to swell. You might also see that there is a color change.

Some dogs will even display behaviour changes. They may want to be left alone. This is normal. Try not to be concerned. Or your dog might become overly affectionate. They might want to be with you all the time.
Once you have determined that your dog is pregnant a trip to the vet is recommended. They can offer advice about diet and address any pre-natal treatments that your dog may require.

Now all you can do is wait. If you are wondering how long are dogs pregnant - the normal length of pregnancy is between 54 and 72 days depending on the breed. Congratulations, you are having puppies.

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