Archive for November, 2009

Do Your Dog’s Ears Smell Like Dorritos?

Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 8:18 am  
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Under normal circumstances, your dog’s ears shouldn’t smell bad at all. They shouldn’t be red, or itchy, or have a discharge. If your dog shows any of these symptoms, his ears need attention.

Up Close And Personal

One of the most enjoyable aspects of owning a dog is always having something to cuddle. It’s not so nice cuddling them when their ears are stinky.

Foul smelling ears are an indication that something isn’t quite right in the ear canals. When you bathe or groom your dog, it’s important that you get close to his ears and have a sniff. Identifying problems early will allow you to start treating the ears straight away, and have him feeling more comfortable very quickly.

Ear mites can cause a bad smell in the ears, as well as an obvious build up of dark crumbly material. They also make the ears extremely itchy, and are easily spread from one dog to another. If they’re not treated, a secondary infection can develop, which hurts and can be more difficult to resolve. You can easily treat ear mites by using an insecticidal ear drop from your veterinarian.

Ears that don’t dry out very well are a perfect environment for bacterial growth and infection, and the resultant bad smell. Examples are dogs with floppy ears which don’t allow air circulation, and even dogs who swim frequently. These dogs benefit from using a product that dries up excess moisture in the ear canal.

The third main cause of smelly ears is skin allergies. Irritation and inflammation of the skin due to allergies also extends to the ear canal. Your dog will dig and scratch at his ear with his foot, desperately trying to relieve the itch. These allergies lead to secondary infection with bacteria and fungi, which is also itchy, painful, and smelly. Smelly ears are often related to an allergy to food, or to dusts and pollens in the environment.

Get Some Fresh Air Into Those Ears

You can tackle your dog’s stinky ears by treating the cause of the smell, which is usually an     infection. To do this, you’ll need to take your dog to your vet for an ear exam. She’ll take a sample of his ear discharge and examine it to identify the bacteria that’s causing the problem. She’ll then clean the ears and prescribe an appropriate antibiotic, and also some pain relief.

You’ll still need to deal with the primary problem. If your dog is a water baby, then make sure you clean and dry his ears after he swims. If the infection was caused by ear mites, your vet will advise you on what to use to kill them. If he has allergies, it’s a good idea to start a food trial to rule out any food sensitivity. Your vet may prescribe anti-itch medication such as Benadryl to stop him scratching and traumatizing his ears, and encouraging further infection.

Ear Clear is a useful tool to have in your arsenal for treating ear infections. It’s an all natural product, containing antimicrobial herbs and tea tree oil, and will help to reduce any infection and swelling in your dog’s ear canal. Extra virgin olive oil will soothe the ear canal, and help break up any wax accumulation. Finally, lavender oil is anti-bacterial and anti-itch, and makes your dog’s ears smell a lot more pleasant.

A bad smell means that something is wrong in the ears, and that something usually hurts. Treating the cause of the smell will not only have you snuggling up to your dog again, but will have him feeling more comfortable. That’s a win-win situation for both of you.  http://www.happytailsspa.com/

Happytailsspa.com provides natural drug free solution to bring quick relief for Dog Ear Problems including dog ear infection, Canine Ear Infection, Dog Swollen Ears, Dogs Ear Smell, itchy ears , smelly and infected puppies’ears.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/do-your-dogs-ears-smell-like-dorritos-1493565.html

Potty Train Your Puppy Fast

Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 4:18 am  
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Potty train your puppy in a matter of weeks. Puppies are adorable animals that make great pets. They are affectionate, playful, and make great companions. When we bring home a new puppy, we are bringing a new family into our lives. He will be with us for years and share the joys and laughter of life. Take care of your puppy.

Life will be much easier if your puppy is properly trained. Remember that puppies do not come potty trained. They are not like cats. They need to be taught how to use the potty. They will not learn it themselves unless you teach them.

Young puppies have a weaker bladder and they will easily make accidents. Be patient. They are just like babies. In order to develop a routine such as going outside, the other daily activities in the puppy’s life has to be routine. Have him eat around the same time, sleep and wake up around the same time every day. This makes it easier for the puppy’s potty training process to kick things into gear.

When he starts to do his business inside, tell him in a firm voice, “No.” You might want to try to gently carry him outside and allow him to finish doing his business. Do not yell at him or spank him. But do let him know that he should not be doing that.

Be observant of your puppy. Watch for things like sniffing around. If he starts to stop whatever it is that he is doing and begins to sniff around, watch out! That is a sign that he is looking for a place to do his deed. Whenever he starts doing this, tell him to stop and carefully lift him outside. Let him finish his business outside.

Potty training should take no more than two or three weeks. If it proceeds longer, talk to your obedience instructor or veterinarian. See what else you can do to help your puppy on his way to being house broken.

It is important that your puppy knows when you are proud of him. If you keep rewarding him for his good deeds, the more effective the training process will be. When the potty training has been mastered, the same techniques can be used for other training methods. You can move onto more fun things like how to sit, stand, roll over, etc. Oh what fun you will have with your puppy! And potty training is just the start.

About the author: Remco van Reenen helps people to train their dog and on his website hondentraining.nu you can find all sorts of tips. You can also get all sort of tools to help you with dog training in the section puppytraining

Train Your Dog Yourself Using Dog Training DVD

Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 at 2:17 pm  
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A lot of pet owners enroll their dogs in training schools based on reputation. If they find a training center filled with dog experts who have trained and garnered recognition nationwide, it is natural for them to enroll their pets in those schools. However, with good reputation come expensive fees. While you would find the former desirable, you will be utterly disappointed in learning just how expensive these dog training schools can be.

Thank heavens for technology for now, there are dog training DVD available practically everywhere. You can use these dog training DVD to teach basic tricks to your dogs at home. By doing this, you would not have to pay for such expensive fees and still have a well-mannered dog at home. If you are worried about the usefulness of these dog training DVD, you do not have to.

As long as you find makers who are actually pet experts, you would get the same amount of dog training in other training schools and sometimes, even more. Because you will be doing the training yourself, it would be personalized. This way, your dog will only follow you and the other people involve in the training.

It would be better to look for DVDs that cater to the specific breed of your dog to ensure quality training methods. There are websites that you can trust regarding this. All you have to do is use your reliable search engines for pet websites and look for links to training DVDs for sale. There are a lot so the search would not be so difficult.

Discover How to Train a Dog The Right Way Yourself at Home With Dog Training DVD. Visit http://DogTraining-DVD.com For Free Dog Training Information, Resources, Articles, Tips, Advice and More.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/train-your-dog-yourself-using-dog-training-dvd-1489256.html

Learn How to Make Dog Treats

Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 at 3:05 am  
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The way to a mans stomach is his stomach and this same philosophy applies to their four legged brethren. Get your doggies unwavering obedience and adoration with these wonderful homemade dog treats. These helpful and easy to follow tips on how to make dog treats are sure to get you on the right path to pet owner superstardom.

Let?s begin with the more savory treats shall we? If you are having chicken for dinner then it will be a perfect time to prepare your doggie?s little snack items as well. Cut the chicken you can spare in little strips and spread them over a baking sheet with plenty of cheese sprinkled on top of them. Bake them in a pre heated oven of about 110?C until it becomes crisp. Let it cool and its ready to be served.

Boil meat organs like liver or beef heart and flavor with the seasoning of your choice. Let it simmer until it is thoroughly cooked or for about 2 hours. When done, chop these into chewable bites and store into an airtight plastic container and freeze until when you need them. Before feeding it to your dog, check if the snacks are totally thawed out to eliminate the risk of indigestion and painfully chilled teeth.

If organ meat or chicken are not available?hot dogs are great and cost efficient canine treats as well. Slice these edible dogs into ready to eat pieces and microwave them in the oven until they obtain a tougher consistency. Keep them with you anytime for those ready snacks you can give your pet. For those pet owners who hold the dog treats in between their teeth, these nibbles are fantastic snacks.

How about some sweet treats? Mix 2 Tbsp honey, 2 ? cups water, an egg and a dash of vanilla in a bowl. Add in a small jar of applesauce and blend all the ingredients well. In another bowl put in 4 cups of flour, 1 Tbsp baking powder and 1Tbsp nutmeg powder and combine all these together. Fold in the batter of the first bowl into the second bowl, thoroughly blending until it the whole mixture is perfectly incorporated into each other. Scoop out dollops of the prepared batter onto a grease lined tray and bake at 350? F for one hour. This delicious dessert is good for 12 servings?6 for Fido and 6 for you.

Feel free to add in or take out some ingredients according to your pet?s taste preference. Make certain that you research before doing so. Food like chocolate, grapes, raisins, among others– are listed as dangerous and hazardous to the animal?s health. Consult with your vet before giving homemade dog treats to be sure.

You will know a happy and obedient dog by the loving owner who raised him up. By learning how to make dog treats, you show that you are willing to do more to provide the best for your dog - any canine will give his right paw for a master like you.

Homemade dog treats are much more healthy for your dog than treats you buy from your local pet store or supermarket. And learning how to make dog treats is not as hard as you might think.

6 Steps to Successful Dog Training

Saturday, November 21st, 2009 at 8:39 pm  
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Dogs do want to be trained. They have an innate desire to please their master and this is accomplished through training. It is a win-win situation. The dog is happier, knowing how to please his master, and the owner is happy having a well-behaved dog.

Though it is true that some dogs can be trained easier than others, all dogs can be taught in some way. This training involves some simple steps or procedures. The first deals with rewards. Rewards teach your dog what choices he makes please you. If he gets a reward, he knows he did what you wanted. It reinforces the behavior.

Dogs, like children, must be trained with consistency and clarity. By clarity we mean that each command is directed by a single phrase. To use synonyms to teach the dog to come only confuses him. Instead, always use “come” when that is what you want. It might be good to use a gesture with a command at first, then wean the dog off the gesture as he learns to respond only to your voice.

The other word is consistency. Especially during training sessions, each obedience is followed by the same reward. If he does not do the command when it is expected of him, then something different must happen so he knows that was not an acceptable response. You must be consistent until the dog is consistent in obeying the command. Until he learns it, this means 24/7 consistency.

Basic needs must be met first. These include exercise, approval, safety, and, of course, proper food and water. If the dog is hungry, don’t expect his attention on learning unless your rewards are his favorite food. If the dog needs to relieve himself, don’t expect him to be interested in learning how to roll over.

Training involves a regular schedule. Daily training for five or six days a week is better than trying to teach him whenever you get around to it. Also, keep the training sessions to a reasonable length. Most recommend 15-20 minutes at a time of concentrated training. Each session would involve one focus though review is in order as well.

Don not be impatient. Remember that your dog is not nearly as smart as you are. Repetition is the key to training. Keep saying it over and over until he gets it. If he forgets the next day, start afresh.

Other tips will follow in another article. In the meantime, practice these religiously. No matter what trick your dog needs to learn, the training will demand that you follow these points. It will result in both you and the dog being pleased with the result. And if you want more detailed information, please check out our reviews of the best dog training books including the highly regarded Secrets to Dog Training.

Other tips will follow in another article. In the meantime, practice these religiously. No matter what trick your dog needs to learn, the training will demand that you follow these points. It will result in both you and the dog being pleased with the result.

And if you want more detailed information, please check out our reviews of the best dog training books including the highly regarded Secrets to Dog Training.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/6-steps-to-successful-dog-training-1488325.html

All About Heartworm Medicine For Dogs

Saturday, November 21st, 2009 at 3:45 am  
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A lot of people wonder what exactly heart worms are and why are they so deadly to dogs? The heartworm is a long parasite that survives by using its host for food. Heartworms are 6″ to–” long and live inside a dog’s heart to feed and grow.

Heart worm disease is often fatal if there isn’t some form of prevention in place in order to ensure your dog doesn’t have what it takes to harvest the microfilirae that are the heartworm babies so to speak. When these microfilirae or miniature heart worms make their way into an unprotected animal, it is considered heart worm disease because the parasites have the optimal conditions to spread.

What exactly is heartworm disease and how can your prevent your good ole’ buddy Rover from contracting it? The first answer to that question is to make sure that Rover is on a preventative med that works to make the environment that the parasites live in hostile enough so they cannot thrive. By providing Rover with preventative medicine, his body will reject the microfilirae which in turn will cause them to die instead of flourish. Heartworms are fatal if left untreated and sometimes even if they are treated so the easiest way to prevent that is to make sure your dog is on heartworm medication. There are many types of preventatives on the market, but there is one that is recommended by many and works very well.

There are many types of heart worm medicines for every size dog. They come in many varieties from gels that you place on their tongues, to small treat like chews, to things you have to put on or near their genital areas. Each type of treatment or method works so the key is to choose the one that is going to be easiest for you to maintain in order to ensure that you dog is protected from heart worms.

Heart worm pills for dogs are another option that can give your pooch the protection against heartworms by getting a pill once a month. If the medicine is in your dogs blood stream it is an immediate stop against heart worms and you are not going to have to worry about Rover getting any nasty parasites from the outside.

Heartworms can come from anywhere, other dogs, other animals like squirrels, cats, ferrets, and even from a small mosquito bite. This is why having a good preventative heartworm pill for dogs is the best bet to keeping your dog safe.

The one medication that I talked about earlier is Interceptor heart worm medication for dogs. This stuff is the jazz, almost the best thing since sliced bread. It comes in numerous forms, from being the chewable treat, to the pill, even to include a gel that you put on the dogs neck, that will repel mosquitos from him. If you live near swampy areas, you definitely want the gel, because mosquitoes are the biggest carrier of the heart worm babies I wrote about earlier.

In conclusion, your dog does not have to die as a result of heartworm disease. There are excellent heartworm preventatives on the market. Preventing this deadly disease is the best way to show your dog just how much you care.

If you’d like to learn more about heartworm medicine for dogs, visit to DogTipsDaily.com now. DogTipsDaily.com has lots of useful tips and information on raising and caring for a well-adjusted and happy dog.

What Electric Dog Fence to Build?

Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 10:25 pm  
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By now, you may have heard of the electronic dog fence and their advantages. The idea of an invisible wall and sensors in order to keep your dogs at bay seems to be a nice solution to problems arising from pets getting too much freedom. These dogs become a reason for complaints by your neighbors. Their antics might even lead to injuries to themselves or to other people. Right now, there are two versions of the electric dog fence. Read on to find one which one will work for you and your pet.

Wired Electric Fences

The first type of electric fencing requires a long wire to be laid in the ground. This goes around your property and is connected to a device that facilitates the transmission of the signal. Basically, wires act as a low-powered antenna that emits the radio signal. The dog, on the other hand, wears the accompanying receiver around their neck. When the receiver detects the signal, this means your dog is on the boundary of your property or has already crossed. When they do, the receiver will sound a warning alarm and would proceed to deliver a mild static correction afterward.

This type of electric dog fence works best for owners who have large properties and would like to maximize the available play area for their dogs. The wires can follow any shape required by the owner and can even run across pavement. The problem, though, is that you may need the services of professionals as it needs an equipment to dig into the ground (even on cement) and simultaneously lay down the wires. It will take several hours or even days to do the installation on your own.

Wireless Fences

If you are willing to sacrifice the shape of your pet’s play area, a better alternative is to go truly wireless. In the absence of wires, a main transmitter is placed in a central location broadcasting a signal that encircles your property. The play area and boundary will depend on the adjustable strength setting of the transmitter. The transmitter is strong enough to withstand physical barriers such as walls, though it is advised to place them far from metallic objects as these may interfere with the signal. Receivers for wireless fences work the same way too. Also, just like in the wired fences, it is suggested to place boundary flags so that dogs can easily know if they are near the boundary.

The problem of a wireless setup lies on its strength too. The radio signal can only create an invisible round wall, which might limit the playable area for your dog. Increasing the range, on the other hand, could reach other people’s property. However, the wireless fence makes up for this minor issue with other advantages that wired fences simply cannot top. This includes the transmitter, which is very lightweight and small. This makes it portable, which means it is possible to bring your dog safely while you are in the outdoors camping or fishing.

Electric dog fence are very durable available at http://www.petdepotonline.comArticle Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/what-electric-dog-fence-to-build-1484998.html

How to Get Your Dog in Shape

Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 4:48 am  
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You know that feeling you get when you’ve eaten too much and it’s been a while since you’ve hit the gym? You feel absolutely awful about yourself. Well if you’ve got an overweight dog, he or she probably feels the same way. Obesity rates in dogs are on the rise, just as it can be seen in their human counterparts. Why not combat this unhealthy trend by pushing your dog to get in shape. Dogs don’t feed themselves and they usually can’t go out for exercise without a little help, so it’s your responsibility to make sure your dog is at a healthy weight. There are tons of fun ways for you and your dog to workout together. Check out my list below for some suggestions.

1. Go for a jog together. This can be a refreshing activity for the both of you. Jogging simply isn’t that fun unless you have a workout buddy. So grab your running shoes and a leash. If you think they may be a little too strenuous for you or your dog, take it easy. You can start out walking first and then gradually work your way up to a fast paced jog.

2. Play Frisbee in the park. This is a relatively low intensity workout, but as long as you dedicate about an hour of your time, it’s burn tons of calories for you and your dog.

3. Go swimming. You don’t actually have to get in the water, but take your dog to a local lake. Brings some toys with you, throw them out into the water and watch your dog chase after them. If your dog is a little water shy, then may want to bring your swimming gear as well. If he or she sees you get in, they’ll be more likely to follow.

4. Teach your dog tricks. Make sure they are physical tricks. Commands like ‘speak’ simply won’t do, but if you can train you dog to rollover or to walk on their hind legs, it’s sure to get them more active. Anything is better than having them curled up on an orthopedic dog bed all day.

Well there you have it. Whether you like it or not, you’re going to have to make a little effort if you want to get your dog in shape. If getting more physical activity doesn’t seem to be helping, then maybe you’re feeding your dog a little too much. Avoid the table scraps and get outside with your dog. Who knows, you might even lose a pounds in the process as well.

Our authors work as a team that focuses on attention to detail, devotion and an honest degree of aptitude.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/how-to-get-your-dog-in-shape-1480125.html

Fleas, Ticks and Worms

Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 4:25 am  
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Fleas and other parasites have always to be given the top priority by dog owners. The all too common incidences of flea bite allergy in dogs causes worry to many dog owners every year, especially in the summer. This is because flea bites often induce allergic reactions in the area bitten by the fleas, which is often on the back above the tail. In these cases, the affected skin becomes hairless due to the dog scratching itself very vigorously.

Heavy flea infestations can cause severe dermatitis in dogs. If the flea bites produce an allergic reaction or even dermatitis in your dog, he/she really ought to be taken to the veterinary doctor, because mostly, the dog will be experiencing extreme discomfort by now.

The vet will provide a cream to ease the itching and powder or a spray to kill the fleas. Therefore, prevention is better and medicated collars are available to treat and prevent an infestation of external parasites like ticks and fleas.

Besides fleas, other parasites like ticks and lice in addition to the internal parasites like hook worms, round worms, whip worms etc. can affect the health of your dog. For example, if hookworm infects a dog, that dog will usually suffer from anaemia. The signs of anaemia become more prominent depending on the degree of infection by the hookworm.

Hookworm larvae can enter directly through the skin and cause severe problems inside the affected dog. Such dogs may reveal lesions on the paws and on the skin due to dermatitis. Frequently, skin rashes result in such cases and the infected animal may also pass runny stools, which are tinged red with blood.

Most dogs and all puppies get round worms, which is why dogs can sometimes be seen rubbing their bottoms along the ground. However, if round worms are present in very large numbers, infected puppies show a pot belly, which is easily noticeable by the dog’s owners themselves. A dose of piperazine salts is given orally for the treatment of this condition. However, broad-spectrum anthelmintics like pyrantel pamoate, fenbendazole etc. are also used to cure this very common condition.

Lately, many drugs have come onto the market to treat fleas and other parasites. Nowadays, the medical agent called ivermectin is highly preferred by many dog owners to treat fleas and other parasites in dogs. This drug is available in injection form and oral form. The drug is available for external application also.

If you are having problems getting rid of fleas on your dog, please follow the previous link or if you just want to read more about dogs or training dogs, please go here: Man’ Best Friend - the Dog Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service

Ensure Your Dog is Safe This Thanksgiving

Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 12:56 pm  
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Ah, the leaves are changing from shades of green and melting into amber hues yellows and bright, bold reds. Add that to the backdrop of a crisp, blue sky and it’s as if heaven’s paint box has spilled over! From pumpkins and spice to pies and turkey filled tummies, the arrival of the holidays bring a sense of excitement into the air . . . but what about our furry friends? How can we make this special time of year sweet, safe and salvia provoking yummy for them too? Read on to find out . . .

Turkey Table - Dogs Welcome

Admit it. When we banish Fido to the basement for holiday gatherings we feel pretty crumby. Sometimes, we can’t even have fun thinking that they are down there moping around while we are upstairs living it up.

When it comes to doggies and the dinner table . . . we all know that it can be a little strange to guests when our dog is given a seat at the head of the table. But, just because we shouldn’t sit him next to Uncle Tim doesn’t mean that we have to banish him from the gatherings all together.

Create a special little place for your pet at the end of the dining room or in his favorite spot. Make it festive and bright. A good way to do this all while keeping all those wayward kids at bay while you cook? Cut out a big piece of cardboard and let the kids draw on a cute autumn scene from the dining table. Place crayons into sandwich bags for each child to avoid the age old fight over the red crayon.

Dining Safety

Bones and birds and gravy . . . oh my! Thanksgiving is a dog’s dining dream and those “begging” eyes make it no secret. But what thanksgiving treats are safe for dogs and which ones should be avoided?

Foods to Avoid:

• Spicy, oniony and greasy food - these items can cause pancreatitis in pets, a painful and sometimes dangerous inflammation of the pancreas

• Bones - they break or splinter and become lodged in the digestive track, in some cases they can even puncture areas of puppy’s delicate tummy

• Nuts - these can cause swelling in legs, tremors and other numerous pup illnesses

• Chocolate and Sweets - chocolate can be especially toxic and sweets that have been sweetened with xylitol can be just as deadly

• Grapes or Raisins - these unsafe treats can cause kidney failure in pets

• Mushrooms - some types may prove toxic to animals

Foods Perfect for Pets

• Green Beans - a perfect treat both healthy and safe for doggie snacking

• Cottage Cheese and Plain Yogurt - the pro-biotics are great for doggie digestion

• Apples - it’s true even for dogs, an apple a day keeps the vet away

• Low Fat Peanut Butter - (healthy even though it sticks to the roof of his mouth)

• Turkey - and the dogs of the world said “amen!” Poultry when thoroughly cooked and not covered in greases is a great treat for pups

Adorable Ensembles

In today’s modern world festive fashion isn’t just for pet mommies. Turn your furry sweetie into a gobble-gobble “he’s so cute” gush waiting to happen with this adorable do it yourself doggie thanksgiving tee.

Tail Wagging Thankfulness

Start out with a simple doggie tee that you already have in your pet’s closet. You will need five sheets of peel and stick felt - brown, red, yellow, white and orange.

Start out by cutting a “peanut” shaped piece of brown felt and sticking it onto the back of your tee shirt. This will be your turkey’s head and body. Second, cut two “feet” from your orange felt and stick it onto the bottom of turkey’s body. Continue by cutting feather shapes from your orange, red and yellow felt. Stick the feathers on around the head and body.

Once your turkey’s body is complete, cut out two eyes from your white felt along with an orange beak and a read “dangler” to match. For added fun cut out small letters to spell “Gobble” and place them above or below your turkey to finish your look.

From yummy yams to tees filled with thanks, from our families to yours, we’re wishing you a thanksgiving truly filled with so much to be thankful for!

David Beart is the owner of the PetYak. Our site covers pet related topics from cat and dog health to raising tropical fish and caring for birds.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/ensure-your-dog-is-safe-this-thanksgiving-1478968.html

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