Wednesday, June 10th, 2009 | Author: admin

All pet owners go through one experience at least a few times in their lives and that involves finding a pile of puppy poop left by their puppy in various places in the house. Of course most pet owners successfully manage to train their dogs to use the bathroom in the right place and at the right time.

Unfortunately there are also many pet owners who go drastically wrong here by introducing the wrong types of training techniques. All you need to get by is some common sense to teach your dog about the correct bathroom manners.

The one thing that works in the favor of pet owners is the fact that most dogs hate to mess up their living space. They don’t want to leave puddles of urine and piles of poop in the place where they play and sleep. A young puppy may not understand this at the first go but eventually he will.

So to make life easy, let’s discuss a few simple house breaking tips that will help you to teach your dog where and when to do his job.

You may want to purchase some oatmeal dog shampoo or a wheeled pet carrier later on down the road for your puppy. Especially the oatmeal shampoo for dogs, its great for new puppies.

1. The first order of the day when you get up in the morning should be to take your dog to the designated bathroom area, or maybe outside. Once he does his job in the right place don’t forget to praise him and shower him with affection. This will show him that if he uses the bathroom in the morning he makes you happy. This will make it easy for him to remember the bathroom rule and he will be glad to comply since he is always eager to receive your love and affection

2. You will have to use a command word which your dog will later start associating with going to the bathroom. So use one single word other wise you will confuse your puppy. Some thing simple like “go potty” or “go pee pee” should do but stick to one and use it every time you lead him to the bathroom area.

3. Always use the same route when you are leading your pup to the bathroom area. In time your dog will also start associating this way with the bathroom. So when you lead him down that particular way he will know its time to go to the bathroom.

4. You can teach your dog a lot more with love and affection than with scolding and yelling. Always make training and house breaking a positive experience for your dog. Dogs really enjoy it when they are praised and loved by their masters, so do not forget to praise him when he uses the bathroom in the right place and at the right time. This will make him want to obey you everyday since he wants to earn your praises and attention.

Tuesday, June 09th, 2009 | Author: admin

Have you been asking yourself whether or not you need to put your dog on a diet?

The answer to that all too important question is…

As long as your veterinarian recommends it. Just as you are always told to seek the advice of your health care professional before attempting any type of diet, the same principle should apply to your dog. You cannot follow a proper diet while making sure your dog continues to get all the required nutrients without consulting with your vet.

Remember that your vet is an expert in the area of dog nutrition as well and has many special diets at their disposal. There are special diets for the dog with heart trouble, one with kidney disease, and of course one for overweight dogs. They also have access to prescription diet foods for puppies, for pregnant dogs, dogs with allergies, and dogs with sensitive stomachs.

Special diets come in all different varieties. There are both dry and canned diet foods for dogs. The canned variety comes in various sizes to meet the needs of different dogs, from the smallest to the largest.

Your vet may suggest mixing several different types of diet foods together. Special diets are often fortified with vitamins and mineral supplements. So you can trust that your veterinarian will suggest the best possible diet for your dog that will provide the best nutrition.

The Overweight Dog
There are not any quick fix diets for the overweight dog. If your pet is overweight it is your responsibility as a responsible dog owner to bring her weight back down to an acceptable range.

An overweight dog is quite similar to an obese person. They can be short of breath and always tired and sleeping. Moving around is a chore for the overweight dog since they have to carry around all that extra weight.

You should also remember that all that excess fat inside her body can lead to many other health problems as well. Excess fat in the body can cause a buildup of fatty tissue around vital organs like the heart, the lungs, or the digestive tract. This could eventually cause any of these organs to not function properly.

An overweight dog will need a diet that is low in calories so that she can lose some of the weight. Your vet will weigh your dog and determine how much she needs to lose. The vet will then prescribe the type of diet your dog should go on and how much she should be fed.

You will need to put in the time and effort to make sure that your dog is sticking to her diet. Make sure that none of the other members of your family are sneaking her snacks in between her feeding times. And absolutely not table scraps.

As long as you stick with it your dog will lose the excess weight and can go on to lead a long and happy life with you.

For all your the dog supply and other pet care supply stop by our store.

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Monday, June 08th, 2009 | Author: admin

A puppy can bring so much warmth and love to your life regardless of who you are, where you are and at what position you are in life you can never go wrong with a puppy. Thousands of very happy and content pet owners will tell you that getting a puppy enriched their lives in more ways than they had ever imagined. So whether you are old or young, a single person or a father looking for a pet for your kids, getting a puppy home can be the most fulfilling experience of your life.

So you have just retired…..

If you are close to retiring or have already retired, a dog may be the perfect companion for you. You will have a lot more time on your hands so you will be able to take care of your new pet. Also most people start experiencing health issues once they retire due to inactivity so getting a pet will certainly take care of this.

Once you decide to get a pet, take some time out to get more information on the various breeds available in the market. This will help you to choose a pet that suits your needs. If you intend to lead a peaceful but generally sedentary life certain breeds may not be right for you. But don’t worry, there are hundreds of breeds and dogs out there so you are sure to find one that is perfect for you.

If you are just getting started in life

Getting a pet can be a perfect solution for a young adult going through college or for a person who is just getting started in life. With all of life’s trials and tribulations, imagine coming home to the loving warmth of a loyal companion who also happens to be a good listener. A dog may be just the reprieve that you are looking for but getting a dog has its fair share of responsibilities and you need to make sure that you have the time for them before you get a puppy home. You need to also get some dog accessories for your dog. You can get some crate covers and some cheap dog cages for your dog. These are essential to training a dog.

Remember that young puppies need constant attention and care. You will also need to invest time in their training and well being.

Getting a dog will put a strain on your wallet. Pet food and regular veterinary check ups are necessary expenditures related to dog ownership. So if you are living on a shoe string budget you may not be able to afford a dog

Once you pet a dog he is your responsibility and it is a commitment for the rest of his life at least. So if you are not sure about your future plans or if you just look at pets as temporary acquisitions or playthings, a dog is certainly not for you. The normal life span of a dog is between 10 to 20 years so get a dog only if you are willing to commit yourself for years to come.

If you are a family man with kids

Dogs make wonderful companions for your kids. They will help you to teach your child important values such as patience and responsibility. And of course kids love animals. So if you are planning on getting a family pet you are certainly treading in the right direction. But before you bring a little fur ball home make sure to get more information on the various breeds. Certain breeds like the Great Dane are perfect around children even though they are massive but there are some breeds that are not the right choice for a family pet.

Sunday, June 07th, 2009 | Author: admin

Puppies are little trouble makers just like young children. They are very curious and full of energy and this often gets them into trouble. Usually adult dogs have the wisdom to stay away from potentially dangerous situations but young dogs and puppies have an adventurous streak in them and see an element of fun in everything. This often results in injuries. Look at xxl dog beds or designer dog bed for your dog’s comfort.

Three of the most common types of injuries which puppies face are electric shocks due to chewing on electrical wires, head trauma due to heavy objects falling on them while they reach out to play with them and cuts and scrapes as a result of playing with sharp objects.

In this article, we will talk about handling the bleeding resulting from a cut. The three different types of bleeding that your dog may suffer due to an injury and the procedures to treat the different types of bleedings. We will also take a look at a quick way to treat a cut so that the bleeding can be stopped immediately. A elegant dog beds is a great way to comfort your dog.

Some of the tips are-
To begin with we will talk about a minor cut or scrape that your dog may receive in the course of a normal day. This is a small cut and shouldn’t be a cause of concern. However it is essential to treat it to avoid an infection. Use hydrogen peroxide to clean the wound and as a disinfectant twice a day till the wound heals. The hydrogen peroxide keeps infections away and also helps in healing.

Your dog or puppy may also get a cut which will cause continuous bleeding in a flow or stream. This is a major injury and you should immediately take your pup to the vet for proper treatment. Time is crucial here because a lot of blood can be lost very quickly through this cut so it’s important that you get in touch with your vet immediately. As a first aid, raise the part of the body which has the wound to a level above the heart. Use a couple of clean pieces of gauze to soak the blood and apply pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding.

The next type of bleeding is the most dangerous of the three. In this type, blood keeps spurting out of the wound continuously. This type of bleeding may cause your puppy to go into a shock and can prove fatal if immediate medical attention is not available. The only thing that you can do if your dog has suffered from this type of a cut is to stop the bleeding by applying pressure on the wound and to raise the wounded body part above the level of the heart. It is imperative in this condition to find immediate medical attention for your dog so immediately take your dog to the closest veterinarian or animal clinic.

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Saturday, June 06th, 2009 | Author: admin

Today, we are learning more and more about training hunting dogs using the relatively new technology called electronic shock collars. These collars have changed the way that working dogs are trained, especially hunting dogs.

One of the greatest values these collars give to the trainer is the increase of interaction between the trainer and the dog. They allow for remote training, without a traditional leash, which greatly increases the options a trainer has in training a working or hunting dog. Let’s look at why these collars are so effective.

The main components of electronic training collars are transmitters and receivers. The transmitter is completely controlled by the trainer while the receiver is easily worn in a specially designed collar by the dog. For the trainer, correcting a dog whether at home, during a show or while your dog is hunting is done through sending a signal that issues a small electrical jolt to your dog. Before you become concerned let us put your mind at ease – these corrections do not cause pain to your dog, they merely provide a distraction so that your dog can be quickly corrected. It’s been well documented that those who use these electronic methods of training their dogs have had great success in training their dogs at a quicker pace and that the dog remembers the training for longer periods of time than other training methods.

When you are searching for an effective electronic training collar for your dog, you want one that is reliable and safe. Innotek is the premier electronic dog training collar supplier. Whether you need a backyard system that allows you to train more than one dog or you want a simple system to train your pet at home, Innotek has a product that will meet your needs.

Durability is a great trait of Innotek brand products, and you can also expec high quality which is guaranteed by the way of the best components. With the Innotek Ultra Smart Training collar, you can choose from 15 levels of stimulation, which will allow you to train more than one dog. It is also equipped with sounds in conjunction with electronic stimulation as a reminder for your dog.

Innotek UltraSmart training collars provide the best value through the IUT 300 series. This system is ideal for those who need to train two dogs at a time for field training or even show training where your dog needs to be able to be a reasonable distance from you. These collars work up to 300 yards away and still allow you to correct your dog with either the sound or electronic correction.

The IUT300 offers a number of features that are not available in any other collar including self diagnosis, electronic fit testing, battery strength display, a built in receiver and lithium ion technology that is not found in any other collar. In addition, the nine stimulation levels make this collar one of the most versatile for those owners who want the control of both electronic and sound correction.

If you are concerned about your dog’s hair being too long, the system also offers extra long probes, and there are some extras that you will not find in any other system including lanyards, test lights, and instructional DVD’s. Innotek is committed to ensuring that you and your dog are getting the most from their product when you select them to train your dog.

Friday, June 05th, 2009 | Author: admin

Dogs like to play in open spaces like parks and gardens. They are particularly fascinated by unexplored places that have dense vegetation. They are completely oblivious to the creepy slimy creatures that inhabit these places. There is always a chance that these dangerous reptiles or insects may bite your dog. Look at dog shirt and dog sweater to help prevent your dog from some of these bites.

Normally most insect bites are trivial. They don’t usually cause any harm besides some discomfort. Their effect usually lasts only for a day or two. But, if you care for the safety and health of your dog or if you feel that your dog is in quite a bit of pain, here are some tips that will teach you to deal with all these types of injuries.

When an Insect stings you dog

Very often when your dog gets stung by an insect it may just feel irritated like the way human beings feel after they get a mosquito bite. You may just notice small swelled up red spots. Both the red spots and the swelling will vanish within a day or two. But these stings or bites can prove to be very dangerous if your dog is allergic to them. If your dog is allergic to insect bites getting one can trigger a serious response which can be quite dangerous. So if your dog is showing symptoms like joint pain, vomiting, fever, swelling and diarrhea you can be sure that your dog has got an insect or reptile bite and he is allergic to the bite. In some cases dog shampoo will help your dog escape some of these bites.

Many a times you will see that your dog feels very breathless after he has got a bug bite or sting. In this kind of situation you need to take your dog to the veterinarian immediately. Because these type of reaction is usually noticed only in dogs that are violently allergic to insect bites to the extent that they trigger a respiratory failure. In this case your dog will only be a few minutes away from death unless he is rushed to the hospital. This kind of reaction is called anaphylaxis and it requires immediate medical attention.

When your dogs gets a snake bite

Snakes often like to stay in areas with thick vegetation like bushes and trees or small rivers. They are very rarely heard or seen in open places. Make sure that your dog does not go to such places where snakes can pose a danger to your dog’s life.

Since most snakes are nonpoisonous, their bite may just give your dog or puppy slight pain for a few days. But if your dog is bitten by a poisonous snake he will get very ill.

There is some information given below about snake bites. If you go through it carefully you will learn to distinguish a poisonous snake from a non poisonous one.

Many snakes are dark colored or have stripes on their body. Such snakes are usually believed to be nonpoisonous. North America has many such snakes.

The poisonous species of snakes found in North America are water mocassins, cottonmouths, rattle snakes and copper heads. Most of these snakes can be identified by the colored stripes on their entire body. Alternatively they may also display blotchy colored patterns all over. The most common type of pattern is the diamond back which is always seen in poisonous snakes.

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Thursday, June 04th, 2009 | Author: admin

Buying a Puppy That Is Older Than Six Weeks

Most puppies on sale are usually around six to eight weeks old. Breeders and buyers prefer the puppies to be between six to eight weeks old because this doesn’t allow the puppy to get too attached to its mother. Also when you bring such a young puppy home it gets easier to get him used to living in the new environment and getting used to you. Also at a young age a puppy will quite easily start recognizing you as his mother and accept you. You will be interested in picking up some dog apparel and dresses for dogs for your doggie.

But there are always some puppies left behind and they stay at the kennel or with the breeders till they are 3 to 6 months old. Of course they are still puppies but there are some pros and cons to getting a puppy that is over 3 months old.

The Information that you need to look at while buying an older puppy

Older puppies are calmer than their younger counterparts. Also they are used to socializing with humans which makes them easier to handle. Since they are already used to living in the kennel or the breeders you may not have to through the gamut of things like potty training that you may have to undertake with a younger pup. You will want to get some of these small dog clothes for your dog.

But before you buy an older puppy take some time out to find out more about his background. More often than not, if you are not dealing with a professional breeder, the old owner may just be selling the puppy because he wants to wash his hands off him. You can imagine the kind of life that this puppy must have had with this owner. And there are strong chances that the puppy was neglected for a long time and is now being given up because the owner can’t take care of his needs.

Unfortunately a history of abuse and neglect can harm a young puppy’s mental well being. Most puppies that face neglect and bad behavior are either hostile or overtly shy. Of course you will not be able to discover his nature in one meeting. So it’s important that before you buy this puppy, get your entire family along to see him. You need to see how he reacts to them. If you see any signs of aggression or passiveness you will have to decide if you are willing to take on the added responsibility. There is also always the possibility that the breeder could not find a good home for him in time which means that even if your puppy is older he may be as even tempered as any other puppy.

Before you buy this puppy make it a point to get some background information on him. Some of the pieces of information that will help you to find fruitful answers are-
• Find out if the dog has received any sort of training
• See if you notice any bad habits such as excessive barking, chewing or aggression and ask the seller about them.
• You will also need to know if the puppy was owned before and if yes what made the previous owner give him up.

These are just a few pieces of information that will help you to make the correct choice. Of course you can add more to the list depending on what you are looking for in a puppy.

Wednesday, June 03rd, 2009 | Author: admin

Heartworm, or roundworm, is very serious can affect all types of gun dogs. With gun dogs, working dogs, and other outdoor dogs, you must be especially concerned because they are more susceptible to heartworm. The worse case scenario is that an affected dog can pass it on to humans, as well as other dogs. In turn, you can also pass on heartworm to your own dog.

Known as a parasitic disease, roundworm can be transmitted from mosquito bites or other animals. It doesn’t affect dogs exclusively; other animals like foxes and coyotes can all contractg roundworm, meaning that should an affected animal come in contact with your dog, he will likely get heartworm. Because treatment is very difficult, heartworm prevention is the safest “treatment”. Heartworm can even kill your dog.

Preventing Roundworm/Heartworm

Prevention can come in the form of tablet or food additive when given to your dog as a preventative measure. A tablet can be ingested orally and mahy come in the form of a dog treat, and food additives can be added or mixed with food. Most of these treatments are monthly applications. Remember to give it to your dog each month. Use a calendar if it helps you remember.

In areas where there are four seasons, the primary carrier of roundworm is mosquitoes, which ingest infected blood and then give it to another animal as they sting them. In areas with less harsh seasonal changes, roundworm is more often transmitted from animal to animal. In all cases, giving your gun dog preventive treatment every month, no matter the time of year, is a best practice.

Symptoms of Roundworm

Unfortunately roundworm infection is not necessarily easy to identify. It may be a few months after being infected with roundworm that your dog shows any symptoms at all. While this is the period of time that roundworm is most easily treated, it is often the time when they are noticed the least.

Symptoms will begin as a cough, a loss of energy, and weight loss. You will see your dog become weaker and less interested in normal daily activities and fun. Take your dog to a veterinarian immediately if you notice these symptoms, as they can be many sicknesses, including roundworm.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Roundworm

Blood tests are needed to confirm a roundworm diagnosis. It is an easy test and most vets are able to administer a blood test right in the office. Once confirmed, the vet will have to find out what stage of the illness your dog is affected with, determine whether or not the infestation is male or female, and make a final decision on the best course of treatment.

Once diagnosis has been made, treatment can begin. If the infestation has gone on for a while, it can become costly and extensive to treat. The roundworm must be destroyed completely and this is usually done through drug treatments and sometimes dialysis. It’s very taxing on your dog’s system and will result in weight loss and listlessness, especially when the worms begin to be discharged through your dog’s stool. Follow up treatments can last for months to ensure that all the worms were eliminated.

If left untreated, roundworm infection can lead to organ damage and treatment for a lifetime. Detecting symptoms as soon as possible is very important and treatment must start right away.

When you have any sort of hunting dog, you should always keep in mind that you should always keep your dog’s health as top priority. There are also lots of different hunting dog supplies that you should have on hand for your dog such as shock collars or dog collars.

Tuesday, June 02nd, 2009 | Author: admin

It is not unusual for all dogs to suffer from an endo parasite problem at least once in their life. Dogs lead a fairly adventurous life as compared to human beings. All that sniffing and smelling can cause many parasites to be inhaled. A particularly vicious parasite is the heart worm which can be fatal if left unchecked. But there are also others which are responsible for a gamut of disorders. Some of these parasites are-

Round worm: Round worms are found in the liver, lungs and heart of your dog’s body. Once they mature they migrate to the digestive system particularly the small intestine and live there deriving nutrition from the food that your dog eats. The usual signs associated with a round worm problem are gas, a conspicuous increase in appetite, bloating and diarrhea.

Whip worm: Whip worms are found in the digestive system of a dog’s body. They live and reproduce in the large intestine. Whip worm infection is caused when the stools of an infected dog is ingested by your dog. It can all happen accidentally for example if your dog steps into the feces of an infected dog and then licks his paws he will also get infected. The usual symptoms of a whip worm infection are bloody stools, dry fur, an increase in appetite and diarrhea

Tapeworms: Tape worms can be seen in stool and coming out of the rectum or other orifices of the dog’s body like the ears. They are white and look like a grain of rice. They also cause symptoms similar to other parasite infections like an increase in appetite, weight loss, and rectal inflammation and itching. These male dog clothes and airline pet carriers are great for your pet.

Hookworms: Hook worms also reside in the digestive system of your dog’s body they feed off the food that your dog eats and also suck the blood from your pet’s body. A hook worm infection can also be attributed to ingesting the stools of an infected animal. This infection causes gas, loose stools, dry brittle fur and an increased appetite in dogs.

Giardia: These parasites are usually found in water bodies such as ponds or lakes. View this elevated dog bowls for your dog. They can be picked up if your dog drinks out of an infected pond or river or if he swims in the water. They enter the body only when they are ingested and find their way to the small intestine where they live and eat off the lining of the small intestine. The usual symptoms are mucus covered stools, inflammation, bloating and weight loss.

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Tuesday, June 02nd, 2009 | Author: admin

For dogs and other animal toys are not for their luxury, but a necessity for them. Toys helps in fighting against boredom, which arises in Dog when left alone, Toys also, helps in preventing some problem related to behavior or developing. Often more than willing to “play” with any object they can get their paws on .which means you will need to be particularly careful when monitoring your dog’s playtime to prevent any “unscheduled” activities.
Dogs love to play with different types of toys, you can buy your pet all different colors, and types of Dog Toys so that they can be busy playing with them and do not always need your attention. Dog Toy come in different sizes and each has different utilities. You can get special unique holiday dog toys for the holidays to make your dog feel more special.
There are many factors, which contribute to the safety or peril of a toy, and a number of them depend upon your dog’s size, activity level, and preferences. Another factor to be considered is the environment in which your dog spends his time. Although no guarantee can be given for your dog’s enthusiasm or his safety with any specific toy, but still we can offer the following guidelines.
Cautious measures for dog toys
The things that are usually most attractive to dogs are often the most dangerous thing. This can be proven when dogs at your house remove string, ribbon, rubber bands, children’s toys, pantyhose, and anything else that could be ingested.
Small Dog Toys should be appropriate for your dog’s size. Avoid balls and other toys that are too small and can easily be swallowed by them or can get blocked in their throat.Avoid or alter any toys, which are not “dog-proof” .Remove toys that start to break into pieces or are torn.
Avoid Rawhide Toys
If you are thinking about giving your dog rawhide chew toys, be sure about it and get it checked with your veterinarian, about which ones are safer and appropriate for your dog. Because these toys may cause choking which may lead to fatality, it should only be given under your supervision. Also, be aware that many rawhides are byproducts of the cruel, international fur trade. For human toys, which are made, are of very hard rubber and they are safer and long lasting.
Some more Safety Measure tips
Take note of any toy that contains a “squeaker” buried in its center. Your dog may feel that he must find and destroy the source of the squeaking, and he could ingest it. Supervise your dog’s play with squeaky toys.

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