Archive for October, 2009

Chances are you have just gotten a new puppy and we wanted to say congratulations; after all there is nothing more exciting than adding a new member to your current family. One of the main things that people become concerned with when they get a new pup is learning some puppy training tips and if they should consider using puppy training pads.

With over a million people in the United States who own pets; many of them do not like the fact that they will have to learn how to train them. However if you plan on keeping them inside then you are going to want to concern yourself with how to properly train them.

What would you do if you woke up in the morning and she left you a little present on your brand new carpet; it could take just a few seconds of being left alone. All you have to do is leave them alone while you step out of the room for a quick second.

When you come back into the room where you left her; then you will notice that she has now ruined your new beige carpet. When people notice these types of accidents from their puppies they tend to become upset; however it can all be stopped when you learn how to properly potty train your new best friend.

If you are planning on using puppy training pads; then I would highly recommend that reconsider it. As a pet owner I know that these puppy training pads can easily cause your house to smell terrible and will only make it difficult to have you dog stop using them.

Your house will constantly smell because you will have dirty puppy training pads. As your dog begins to grow and become an adult; it will just get worse.

Potty training a puppy without puppy training pads is not that difficult and many people have chosen this path. Be sure to visit our site below for some great tips that can help you keep your new pup in the best health possible.

Puppy Training Pads Why You Should Not Use Them! Potty Training A Puppy

There are few dogs that are as sweet, loving, and intelligent as greyhounds. There certainly aren’t any dogs that are faster. Greyhounds are easily integrated into families that have other pets and small children. They are extremely loyal to their human counterparts and will form attachments to them. If you have a greyhound in your life and wish to show support to him or her, then you might want to consider purchasing personal bank checks with greyhound designs.

Greyhounds have been loyal and working with man since around the 5th and 6th centuries. In the past, due to their keen eyesight, they were used for hunting. The “hound” part of their name goes back to the Old English word “hund” which means “hound.”

Greyhounds are fast. They can reach speeds of 43 miles per hour-one of the reasons that they are the mascot for the American bus company. Their speed means that they are used for racing, however. While dog racing has its fans and protesters, the bad thing that can happen to a greyhound is that once it “retires” from racing it is sometimes not very well taken care of, and even abused. As a result, many greyhound activist groups have started up and there are various organizations that exist in order to rescue and adopt greyhounds in order to protect them.

Along with being the mascot for the bus company, the greyhound is also a mascot for Eastern New Mexico University, Loyola College in Maryland, Assumption College, and the University of Indianapolis.

There are several different types of greyhound checks available for purchase. Most feature photographs of beautiful greyhounds, many of them running.

Checks that bring awareness to greyhound rescue organizations can also be purchased. The “Support Your Local Greyhound Rescue” series does not support a specific organization, but it does bring awareness to the movement in general. This specific check series features beautiful photographs of greyhounds as the backgrounds to the checks. They come in four rotating designs.

A matching checkbook cover with the words “Adopt a Greyhound, make a friend for life” can also be bought with these checks in order to coordinate your accessories.

Some of the checks even let you add your own special quote or message to the checks. This is a wonderful way to make your checks personal to you and even more individualized.

Additionally, some check companies offer the “Security Photo” feature that actually puts a photograph of you right onto the check itself. This is a fantastic security feature and will mean that nobody can ever steal your checks and use them again.

It could be time-consuming and costly to order personalized checks in the past. A special trip to the bank had to be taken, they didn’t always have the images that you wanted, and then you had to wait what seemed like forever for your checks to arrive. Now, you can save money and time by ordering them on the internet. You can even save up to 50%.

You will need your routing number and checking account number when you purchase your checks online. They should arrive to you in the mail in about 5 days.

Before you purchase Greyhound checks, visit GreyhoundChecks.net to get coupon codes and to save 50% off your next purchase of Greyhound personal checks.

Dog Clicker Training

Dog Clicker Training is described by many, who have used it, as the most human method to train a dog. In addition to this it has been proven to be very effective training method and it is being used not only for dogs but also for many other species such as cats, whales, bear, lions and many others.

Many wonder what is so special about Dog Clicker Training and how is it any different from other positive training methods.

In this method dog isn’t bribed to do action but is rather told exactly what action has earned him the reward and dog than offers that behavior over and over again to earn the reward. This type of conditioning is called “Operant Conditioning”.

How is dog told which action has earned him a reward?

Every time dog performs wanted action it needs to be marked by click. The timing of the click is essential for the success. If the click comes too late than dog will associate that with some other action that it was doing at the time of the click. However, if the click is done in timely manner, dog will learn that click means something good and he will be rewarded for it therefore he learns very quickly what action had earned him a reward. It is believed that the click is much more reliable than let’s say voice to mark desired behavior due the fact that the click remains the same all the time and therefore is preferred way of communication.

In order to be successful with Dog Clicker Training we should follow three simply steps and they are:

1. Getting the desired action/behavior
2. Mark that behavior with the click
3. Reinforce this behavior

One of the biggest misconception about Dog Clicker Training is the assumption that this method will work only if we have clicker available all the times but nothing is further from the truth. As with any other dog training methods, here also, dog is given some time to learn & understand the behavior and than the “cue” which could be voice or hand signal, will be introduced to dog that in the future would trigger desired action. The click is only used to learn new behavior and when dog has mastered it the clicks will be replaced by other cues such as words or hand signals.

Also in this method, should the dog fail to do what he was asked to do, it is not assumed that dog had disobeyed but rather it should be re-examined if the dog understands the cue and/or if the treat is desired enough by dog that he will do requested action.

Lastly, while it is recognized that physical correction will decrease unwanted action it is also feared that if the timing is not right dog would be confused and wouldn’t know what he is really being punished for. In this method it is believed that relation between dog and dog owner is much stronger if focus is kept on positive aspect rather than negative.

If you would like to find out more about Clicker Training , Dog Clicker Training and How To Train A Dog please visit http://www.dog-obediencetraining.org Good Luck With Your Training.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/dog-clicker-training-1351426.html

Dangerous dog food is not something we think we give to our treasured pets. They are our family. Our children. Our loved ones. Our friends. It wouldn’t occur to us that the kibbles Buttercup is chomping on are actually bad for her.

Doesn’t she deserve the best? When it comes to caring for our canine friends, all natural dog foods would seem the best option. However, if you’re like I was, we tend to shop for our dog’s food in grocery or chain stores.

In terms of our pet’s health and longevity, this could be costly.

The media has been broadcasting a slew of information concerning the bad ingredients in some dog foods, and it would benefit our pet’s to be a bit more particular.

Maybe we should get a clue and be a little more diligent and research the foods we give our canine children. Choosing natural dog food over chain store brands and actually reading the ingredients list could provide our pets with access to a longer life.

Watch the ingredients list for things that seem off or just make you think: “What in the world is that?” One trick I have always used is to implement the same mentality used when looking for foods for my two-legged family — if I can’t pronounce it, I’m not eating it.

Simply put, the dog food label ingredients must contain things that I can pronounce and would give to the rest of the family.

To keep our pets as healthy as possible, it is up to us as their parental units, to feed them all natural dog foods and avoid the dangerous dog food that lurks on the market.

Perhaps, we can assist in extending our dog’s lives by only a few months. But wouldn’t it be great if we could keep them around for several years longer?

Learn more about Dangerous Dog Food. Stop by http://www.squidoo.com/dangerousdogfood now to learn what you can do to save your pet!

Why Your Dog Needs Toys

So you’re getting ready to bring home a new puppy or dog and you want to make sure you have everything your new pal will need. You have picked out the perfect collar and chosen the right kind of leash.  You have a crate  and a bed for the pup, and his own special bowls.  The only other thing your pooch will need is toys. How do you know what to buy? What is best for puppies? Should you get hard chew toys or soft, squeaky toys? If you’ve been in the local pet store, you’ll know there are tons of things to choose from. This may not seem like a very important decision, but in fact having toys for your puppy or dog is  crucial to his  health and development. 

Toys and chews provide a puppy or dog the ability to enjoy something that is natural for them. Make sure your pup knows which things are his to chew on, or he will go look for something on his own. Toys and bones provide an outlet for a dog to release pent up energy or relieve boredom.  Chewing is good for their teeth and jaws, as well as being a good stress reliever.

The types of toys you will need to buy will depend several things. Puppies are teething and as their permanent teeth come in, they will lose the puppy teeth. Toys for a small  or medium breed  puppy or  a small breed dog need to be small enough for the dog to carry around and small enough for them to get their mouth on it.   A large breed puppy can be bigger than a small breed full grown.  There are toys and chew designed specifically for puppies or small breeds and toys for large breed, powerful chewers.

Another thing to consider is what type of toys will your dog need.  Should you buy bones, or balls or rawhide or squeaky toys?  Once you decide what is the best size for your puppy or dog, consider how he or she will play with the toys. You should provide a variety of toys. A ball or a tug toy is great for playing with your dog. An appropriate size bone is good for your dog to keep himself occupied. Most dog experts recommend some  type of puzzle toy where the pup has to figure out and work the toy to get  a  treat stashed inside.  Many puppies, and even older dogs like to have a soft, stuffed animal toy.  It becomes a comforting toy and they will not chew it or tear it up. My 3 Dobermans and probably other  large breeds, like to tear apart anything like that, so we have no stuffed toys in my house!

Always keep an eye on your pup and his toys. Be aware if they are broken or torn in pieces and throw them out as needed, to prevent him or her from swallowing something that could obstruct the esophogus or intestines. Rawhides and certain other chews  can cause problems for some  puppies and dogs so always ask your veterinarian for his advice and recommendation.

 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_M_Sabol

Joseph M. Sabol is a world class Doberman breeder. Please go to http://petvitamins4u.com or to http://theroadhousedobes.com for further information.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/why-your-dog-needs-toys-1350038.html

From churches to ball clubs and organizations, almost everyone has a fall soiree of some kind. Be it festivals for family fun or fundraising for those new uniforms or a church roof repair, we don’t normally think of our pets as “helpers”. While your dog may not be able to become the spokesman for the church picnic or the cookie salesman for your daughter’s Girl Scout troop, he can give back too. You’ll love the help . . . and he’ll love the extra time with you.

Get Him Involved

Move over Madam Mystic, here comes Wizard Wagging Tail! If you have a well behaved pet who is good with strangers and quite obedient, let him join into the festival fun and offer a good giggle for the little ones.

Pick up a doggie wizard costume at your local pet shop or create one yourself. (You can find the directions for a super simple “Hairy Pupper” costume right here on our website.) Sit with Fido over a Magic 8 Ball in a booth that promises to “predict your future”. Of course, your Chihuahua can’t speak human - but that’s ok. Simply act as though you are whispering with one another and give the reading yourself. “And now the great Fur-dini will read your future . . .”

Kids will go gaga for this adorable idea and parents will be lining up for the fun too!

Shear Perfection and Yummy Treats for Needy Pets

The approaching of the holidays is the perfect time to give back to the community. While there are plenty of outreach programs this time of year for needy families, often times these programs don’t include help for their pets.

Get involved together this year and encourage your club to reach out to pets too. Hold a “come one, come all” gathering offering pet haircuts and free dog food. It’s the perfect way to give back and spend a little quality time together in the process.

Help with Fundraising

Car washes are a thing of the past . . . doggie washes are where it’s at! In addition to your human efforts, sell tickets to your club’s first ever “Dog Wash” and watch the money roll in. Church members, friends and family will love the chance to bring their pets along to fundraising and youth groups and youngsters will enjoy washing pups, sans cars. After all, cars don’t wag their tails at a job well done!

Have a Pup Party

When it comes to our clubs and organizations, we all love to get together for a good gathering – but doesn’t it seem like we always do the same thing every year? This year have a pup party where everyone brings their pets along – this idea is perfect for women and girl’s groups. Play pet friendly tunes like “What’s New Pussy Cat” and “Who Let the Dog’s Out”. Do each other’s hair and give your pet’s funny hair-do’s too. Take lots of photos for a club scrapbook. You’ll enjoy getting together with all your friends and your pet will enjoy getting to come along for a change!

Spread Some Cheer

If you don’t have children or your own have flown the nest, you can still spread a little cheer with the “wee ones” in your life . . . the wee furry ones that is. Perfect for the women’s group at church, this idea is sure to be a giggle inducer for everyone involved!

It’s a little known fact, but many nursing homes hand out candy for Halloween in hopes of lifting their resident’s spirits. They have several appointed residents who greet children with handfuls of candy. Why not surprise them in full Halloween garb and a dressed up pooch to boot! (You’ll love getting to dress up and feel like a kid again.)

The nursing home will be so surprised when you come in for a visit and with treats for them! (Steer clear of candy as some can’t have it. Try socks, handmade crafts or even pictures of your pet!) It’s the perfect “give back” way to spend Halloween. Bring along your camera and take resident’s photos with your little “pumpkin”. Bring along a few “readymade” costume props like a witch hat so each resident can be festive for their photo too. Then, bring the photos back for another visit with the group.

When it comes to furry friends, they are often capable of a lot more than we think. When it comes to involving your pets in your activities, think outside the box. With a little creativity you will find that they too can give back whether it be helping to fund raise . . . or simply helping to put a smile on someone’s face.

David Beart is the owner of the the <a rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank” href=”““>http://www.petyak.com/””> PetYak. Our pet site covers everything from <a rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank” href=”“quotations”>http://www.petyak.com/dogs/general/quotations-about-dogs.aspx””>quotations about dogs to training and dealing with behavior problems.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/ways-your-dog-can-give-back-to-the-community-1346991.html

Dog Door Shopping for Man’s Best Friend

There are many important reasons and advantages for a dog owner to consider purchasing and installing a dog (or cat) door. A dog door can provide your pet with an easy way out in case of preference or an emergency such as a house fire and an easy way in for the same basic reasons, preference or safety from predators.

These doors come in as many sizes as do dogs. So not to worry, your pet isn’t too big, or too small, for the convenience and safety offered by a dog door.

Knowing your budget will also help, as there will be thousands of hits when you do a basic search and knowing these details will help you zoom in on what you need and can afford. You will want to have an idea of what you are looking for before you go out shopping.

Knowing where you intended to have the dog door installed is a good first step, along with a sense of your budget. Additionally, you have the option of installing the dog door yourself, or having it professionally installed.

A dog door can be installed in most styles of windows or doors (Screens, French doors, sliding glass doors, insulated metal doors, garage doors, kennels, etc). Depending on the style of door, pricing can range from @$115 - $700+. This can certainly be a “do it yourself” project, if you choose. Not so handy? There are several companies who will do the installation for you.

If your dog is small, medium, or large, you can find a door that will be for that reason accommodating to your pet. Just make sure you have the proper measurements in width and the height of your dog.

As you search the various styles, you will find simple door flaps, to electronic, and automatic. The more sophisticated ones use sensors that are placed on the dog’s tag and collar. Making it very convenient for your dog to travel freely from inside the house to outside the house.

As a pet owner it’s important to keep your dog’s ultimate safety and well being the priority so make sure you are confident with the dog door company before you actually make the purchase. Very important issues to keep in mind would be the company’s customer service, whether they offer a warranty, whether they offer training advice, and whether they have replacement parts available.

If you are looking for a small dog door, visit Dog Door Biz before you buy.

Last Minute Halloween Costumes for Dogs

When it comes to Halloween, there’s nothing more fun than carving a few pumpkins, dressing up the kiddies and creating the perfect scarecrow to grace our front yard. While we dish out so much dough for all those  bewitching home additions and store bought costumes for the kiddies, when it comes to dressing up our adorable “fourth child”, aka our charming Chihuahua or our dashing Dalmatian, often times the cash just isn’t there.

If you’re thinking of dressing up your fuzzy one, you don’t have to break the bank. With a few simple add-ons and items that you may already have lying around the house, you can have your pup sporting the most spook-tacular look in the family in no time flat.

The Sweetly Spooky Spider

This costume idea is super simple. Requiring only a small amount of simple sewing our sweetly spooky spider design will turn your little pooch into an adorable arachnid quicker than you can say “Abra Cadabra!”

Start out with a simple doggie t shirt that you already have in pup’s closet, a yard to two yards of fabric (according to the size of your dog. Large dogs will require two yards. Small lap dogs will require only one) and a small amount of pillow stuffing. Measure your pup from the middle of his back down to his feet. Subtract one inch from this measurement. This will be the length of your “spider legs”.

To create your spider legs, simply cut out 8 “legs” according to the measurements you just took. For a smaller dog, create skinny legs to avoid “puppy overload.” (You don’t want any toppling mini-poodles!) For larger dogs, you can create heftier legs.

When cutting, just keep in mind that you will want to create enough width in your legs to sew and stuff each one. If you aren’t sure what width to use don’t worry. The charm of homemade costumes is that they do have flaws which make them even more kitschy and adorable.

Once you get the right length and width, fold the “leg” strips in half length wise and begin to sew the edges shut. If you aren’t one for sewing and plan this as a one-time use costume, you can simply use a small strip of hot glue instead. Once you get about one inch to the top, begin to stuff the legs. You can use a pencil or ruler to help you get the stuffing into the longer areas. Then sew or hot glue the “leg” shut. Once you complete all eight legs, attach four legs to the both sides of the tee shirt. Make sure to leave enough room on the very top for your spider’s eyes and mouth.

Finish with your choice number of eyes created with simple felt and a cute smile made from ribbon or fabric paint. And wah-la! A sweet spider costume for your little sweetie in less than thirty minutes!

Last Minute Looks

No time for sewing, prepping and buying? Here are several looks that are as simple as pie and still every bit as adorable as the real deal.

“Last Minute Moo”

Got a black or white doggie tee and a few fabric scraps or spare pieces of felt in the craft box? Then you have all the makings of the cutest moo cow in town! Simply cut out a few “spots” from those white or black fabric scraps. Hot glue the spots to the back of the shirt for an instant moo-moo in the making.
*Hot Howl-o-ween Tip: Got a little bell lying around the house? Slip it on your pup’s collar. Have some pink fabric either in the sewing room or from an old t-shirt? Cut out an “utter” shape, hot glue the sides together, stuff with fluff, toilet paper or cotton balls and attach to the underside of pup’s shirt.

“Hairy Pupper”

Got an old solid color t-shirt and scissors? Then you’ve got the beginnings of Hairy Pupper, the great doggie wizard! Simply cut a “cape” shape from the t-shirt leaving “strings” on either side at the top of the cape. This will be the cape’s tie. Use other old scraps to create stars for the back of the cape. If you have fabric paint or glitter this works even better. Attach the stars to the cape and you have conjured up the perfect “spell” for cuteness!”

From spooky spiders to marvelous moo cows and everything in between, with just a little creativity you can dream up the perfect bewitching looks for your four legged friend sure to “charm” the socks off everyone they meet. From our family to yours, we wish you a very happy and oh, so spooky safe Howl-o-ween! 

David Beart is the owner of the PetYak. Our pet site covers everything from <a rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank” href=”“facts”>http://www.petyak.com/dogs/general-facts-about-dogs.aspx””>facts about dogs to dealing with <a rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank” href=”“dog”>http://www.petyak.com/dogs/dog-health/dog-diarrhea.aspx””>dog diarrhea and other health problems.

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What is the Best Treatment for Kennel Cough? Do Not Pull Out Your Money Until You Know This!

Have you been looking for a treatment for kennel cough that will not involve hundreds of dollars in vet bills? If so, you should be looking at symptomatic treatment at home to help ease your dog’s suffering.

Dogs who have kennel cough will have a dry, hacking cough about 3 to 7 days after they have been exposed to the disease. It sort of sounds like the dog is trying to clear his throat, and can be triggered by any physical exertion.

Some dogs will unfortunately cough all day long for what seems like an eternity. Typically, there will be no fever or other symptoms such as loss of appetite. The symptoms of kennel cough will typically last about 7 to 21 days.

The coughing noise can be very irritating for both the owner and the dog. It is rare, however, that kennel cough would be life threatening. Most dogs will recover on their own over time, however there are supplements and medications that can help ease the symptoms.

The transmission of kennel cough happens much the same way as the passing of a cold does in humans. Airborne organisms are carried through air and water vapors. If the dog inhales these tiny particles, they can contract kennel cough rather easily. The organisms love the warm, moist surface of the trachea lining and upper airways of the dog.

The disease is called kennel cough because it points to the fact that when dogs are confined together in areas such as a kennel or animal shelter, it is especially easy for it to spread. The same thing is true of humans: during chilly winter months when humans are inside more, it is easy to spread a illness from person to person.

One little known fact about kennel cough is that the infected dog can continue to spread the organisms for days or weeks after they have totally recovered. For this reason, an infected dog should be kept away from other healthy dogs for a good period of time.

It is critical to note that kennel cough can occur in the cleanest of settings. Do not automatically criticize the kennel owner for the illness. As acknowledged above, many times a seemingly recovered, well dog can still pass the organism on to other dogs.

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Stop Dog Whining With Ease

Are you one of those people sick of dog whining? It can be a nuisance but there are some ways to stop dog whining for good.

Many people find that one of the best steps to take in order to stop dog whining is to simply ignore the dog. This is actually a good step to take in many instances you need to know that a dog needing attention may whine and it may be in pain as well.

A lot of people view a dog that constantly whines as being an extreme irritant. Dogs will normally start whining when they desire attention from their owners. A dog can need your help for a numerous amount of reasons which include security, food or even physical stimulation. But it can still be very irritating none the less.

A lot of puppies start whining when they need something from their mothers. This is natural behavior between dogs. But as a dog begins to mature in age, you should be hesitant to accept this tiresome behavior. You need to ensure that your dog knows that you are its owner; you don’t want your dog owning you

To stop dog whining, you need to be able to analyze your pet. You will need to sort out what is causing your dog to make a noise. Consider the circumstances when doggy starts to whine and what it generally means.

Just about every dog will begin whining when they realize that their owner is eating food and they are not. If your dog whines every time that you eat, you need to find a means to get the dog to stay away from you when you begin to eat. It is your responsibility to train your dog to know the difference between your meal time and theirs.

Many dogs whine over certain things that they don’t particularly like. A dog that is put into a crate may whine a little bit at first, simply because they [do don’t like the feeling of being caged up. You need to assure your dog that everything is fine and in no means are you punishing them.

To stop a dog whining, consider whether it might be insecure or uncomfortable and solve that for them.

Ensuring that your dog feels a sense of comfort wherever it is, is a great way to help them to cease their whining. Many people have found that by giving their dog a blanket or a toy can allow them to feel secure in whatever surroundings they find themselves in.

Remember always that you are in control of this situation and your dog has to learn that whining will not achieve anything. As long as you are confident that your dog is not in pain, then anything else has to be treated as attention seeking behavior and treated accordingly.

Stop dog whining can be something of an issue when the dog is a puppy and it can lead to many sleepless nights but if you decide on a game plan at an early stage and stick to it then you will stop dog whining for good.

Martin Moore writes on dog training issues. For more about this topic and dog related issue visit him at trainingdogshelp.com and for more about whining dogs go and have a look at stop dog whiningArticle Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/stop-dog-whining-with-ease-1339337.html

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