Dog health basics: 6 signs of a healthy dog

Having a friendly, loyal dog in the household is a real joy. But as a dog owner and dog lover you must be aware of certain facts about your dog's good health. Your awareness of these facts will help you to ensure that your dog is always in top shape because when you are aware what are the signs of good health in a dog you can pretty easily note the
deviation from that and take precaution before the problem takes serious turn.

Here are the simple tips for every dog lover.

1. In general a dog's nose is always moist and cool. If you find it is hot and dry then it's sign of problem. Most common cause of this is dehydration. Give it sufficient amount
of water to drink. But don't give lot of water at one go. Preferably mix some electrolyte suitable for dog with the water.

Dehydration problem is common in hot summer months specially if the dog spends lot of time outdoor. But dryness of nose may be because of some reason other than simple dehydration, in that case you should consider consulting your vet.

2. Body temperature is a very good indicator of normal health. Body temperature of a healthy dog is around 101 degree Fahrenheit. It can be up to 102 degree Fahrenheit. But if temperature deviates from this range, you should consult your vet.

3. Another easy check is your dog's skin condition. Skin of a normal healthy dog is clean, free from dandruff and scurf, skin color pinkish white. Healthy skin also shows good mount of elasticity. When pinched or pulled skin should return to original place in no time.

4. Inside the ears should be light in color and free from infection. Deep redness or wax accumulation indicates help of veterinary doctor should be sought.

5. Much like human beings eyes of dogs also tells a lot if you can read. Eyes of a healthy dog is clear and alert. If instead of that you find there is an expression of pain and discomfort or eye membranes are deep red in color instead of healthy pink, it indicates trouble.

6. Teeth of a healthy dog is clean and free from tarter. Dirty, loose or infected tooth means trouble and should cause concern.

By any means this is not an exhaustive list of things one should be aware of about dog health. But these are easy to check (anybody can check these without being a vet) and would help to detect most common ailment at the outset.

Article Source Dog News Center and Article Directory

Keep Your Dog Fit And Healthy - Give Her The Best Dog Food Possible

What is the best dog food? Veterinarians are often hit by that question from scads of anxious dog owners. Every dog owner wants to feed their dog with the best that is available. However, the sheer variety of dog foods and the conflicting views on the best dog diet can leave you quite perplexed. While some experts assert that home made food is best for dogs, others argue that commercial dog food is better. Anyway, we have witnessed a shift towards commercial dog food, owing much to the fast paced life that we all lead.

Even if you don’t find time out of your hectic work schedule to prepare a home made dog meal, you can still provide your pet with the best dog food. The markets are buzzing with prepackaged real dog foods that are much like the home made dog meals. Either you can purchase a prepackaged meal to provide balanced nutrition, or you may buy a specific diet according to your dog’s individual needs. Prepackaged meals are formulated from natural or organic ingredients and are usually available in a dry form. Though this variety of dog food is rather expensive, feeding the best dog food entails significantly lower veterinary bills.

For some dog owners prepackaged real food is simply unaffordable. In such a scenario, the most viable option is to either prepare a dog meal at home, or go in for canned dog foods. The most affordable and easily accessible variety of dog foods is the canned variety.

Canned dog foods come in handy during travel and in emergency. The best dog foods consist of real, whole and known ingredients. Canned foods typically contain preservatives, since there might be a significant time gap between manufacturing and consumption. In general, canned food manufacturers cannot dispense with the preservatives. Hence, you must ensure that the preservatives used are natural, such as vitamin E and C.

The best dog foods are not only available at your neighborhood grocery store, you can avail them at vet offices & feed stores and natural food stores too. However, it is imperative that you conduct a preliminary research so as to gauge the efficacy of the brand of your choice. Manufacturers that offer the best dog foods are always willing to heed to the customer’s concern and inquiries. They would keep dog owners updated on their latest products and would be glad to offer advice on canine nutrition.

Some dog owners, which feed their dog with the best dog foods around, are often flabbergasted to see their pet’s health deteriorate over time. What they miss out on is the fact that appropriate fluid intake is equally important as a good diet. An adult dog’s body comprises of 60% water, while a puppy has an overwhelming 84% water content. It’s surprising to know that even a mere 10% water loss can be detrimental to a dog’s health.

Feed and water your dog with the best dog foods and ensure appropriate fluid intake, and you would never have to be anxious about your dog’s wellbeing.

By: Niall Kennedy

Keeping your Dog Cool and Comfortable

Relief from heat does not come easily specially for our furry friend. They do not have sweat glands so they cannot sweat to cool off. Most dogs will just simply give up the comfort of their bed and stretch out in the bare floor to cool off. Panting also help to cool them off but this is not sufficient. Dogs with thick, double-coats are more susceptible to heat stroke. Dogs can experience some serious discomfort during summer and hot months. A cooling pet bed is the ideal solution to this. Canine cooler bed can provide an ongoing therapy for your furry friend. It can be very helpful and bring much relief, especially if your dog suffers from bad joints, hips or one of many skin conditions affecting pets from all walks of life. A cooling pet bed doesn't have to be expensive either, and can be used all year around, especially in those hot summer months.

Some dog have thicker fur than others, which makes it hard to keep cool. Unfortunately this can be the cause of your pet’s lack of energy, skin irritations, breathing difficulties and a variety of other concerns. Although they can lie down on the bare floor to cool off, this can bring other medical problems to them such as arthritis especially for aging dogs. Sleeping on the cold hard floor can cause chronic pain and additional discomfort.

There are two common types of dog beds, the cooling water bed and the cooling pads. Cooling water beds are filled with water provide a great relief during summer. Cooling pads are more like a thick mat that a fluffy mattress type of bed. The cooling pads are designed in such a way that they do not absorb heat thereby making the bed hot, but repel the heat so that your pet can always stay cool. Some of these pads are also the thermo-regulating kind, which means that they can be used as cooling dog beds in the summer, as well as heated dog beds come winter time. Make sure that the bed you get for your dog is made of high-quality and non-toxic materials.

How To Stop A Puppy From Biting

Most normal puppies will bite and chew. While you cannot completely erase this
behavior, they can regulate it and influence the puppy’s behavior. To control your puppy’s biting behavior, you should understand the reason behind it. Overall, puppy’s bite and chew because it is a learned behavior; however, learned behaviors can be changed.

Puppies learn biting behavior from his mother at younger age. Young puppies often play with their mouths by grabbing or biting one another. Controlling this learned behavior requires training your puppy because biting and chewing can be harmful for your family and friends.

How to train your puppy to stop biting

*Understand “bite inhibition.” Bite inhibition is the process of making your puppy know the difference between people and playmates. You need to train her and make her understand that biting hurts people whenever she tries to do it.

*Discover the reason behind her biting. One explanation may be anxiety or your aggressive behavior. You need to have patience while training your puppy. You should earn trust and socialize in a proper manner before your puppy is 4 months to teach her biting control. If your puppy trusts and respects you, the biting behavior can be alleviated. However, slapping or kicking your puppy for her biting behavior is not
the solution. Thes actions will lead to mistrust and disrespect and may make the puppy more eager to bite rather than control it.

*Allow plenty of time for your puppy to socialize with other puppies and dogs. Socialization will teach her restrain the biting behavior.

*Speak in firm tone whenever your puppy bites. A firm tone can minimize the intensity and frequency of her biting behavior.

*Avoid aggressive behavior such as yelling at or hitting your pupply. Yelling or hitting your puppy because of her the biting behavior minimizes your ability to alleviate her biting control. When a puppy does something right or wrong, you should show it by your behavior. For example, if your puppy does something right, then you should reward her. On balance, if she does something wrong such as engaging in biting
behavior, then you should show that you are unhappy by disengaging from her..

Every puppy behaves differently. Therefore, you cannot expect to use the same techniques to train two different puppies. You must adapt your training techniques based on the puppy’s behavior. Often, you need to be experimental and use trial-and-error to determine the best training technique to control the puppy’s biting behavior.

Only you truly know your puppy, so you will need to develop your own training techniques. Adapting continuous changes in your techniques is a good idea. Your puppy may try to gain your attention by nipping you with a “gentle bite.” At times nipping can also cause irritation, and you should make your puppy understand you don’t like this behavior by not responding to her nipping. Because biting can be harmful and dangerous to you and your family, you must adapt the necessary training
techniques to stop the puppy from biting.

Most normal puppies will bite and chew. While you cannot completely erase this behavior, they can regulate it and influence the puppy’s behavior. To control your puppy’s biting behavior, you should understand the reason behind it. Overall, puppy’s bite and chew because it is a learned behavior; however, learned behaviors can be changed.

Puppies learn biting behavior from his mother at younger age. Young puppies often play with their mouths by grabbing or biting one another. Controlling this learned behavior requires training your puppy because biting and chewing can be harmful for your family and friends.

Article Source: http://www.redsofts.com/articles/

How To Buy a Happy, Healthy, Good-Looking Chihuahua Puppy

The breeder you buy from plays a big role in how your Chihuahua will eventually turn out.

"You mean, not all Chihuahuas are created equally?", you ask. Exactly right. Anyone can "attempt" to breed a Chihuahua, there's no laws saying who can breed Chihuahuas and who cannot. This means that there are a lot of breeders out their who are breeding Chihuahuas who do not take the necessary steps to breed Chihuahuas that are temperamentally sound, healthy and confirm to the breed standard. This means that many Chihuahuas don't conform to the breed standard, they inherit diseases, and they have unsound temperaments.

Breeding Chihuahuas responsibly, to produce healthy and happy offspring, takes a lot of work and is very expensive. and this means that a lot of Chihuahua breeders take shortcuts.

So, If you want the best chances of getting a healthy, good looking, and happy Chihuahua then you must buy your puppy from a responsible Chihuahua breeder - not just any old breeder.

The breeders decisions before, during, and after breeding, play a huge role in how her Chihuahuas will turn out.

The three variables, listed below, are determined largely by the skill, or lack thereof, of the breeder whom you purchase your Chihuahua from:

1. Appearance - your Chihuahua should conform to the breed standard so that he actually looks like a good-looking Chihuahua. Not all Chihuahuas look the same, some are much more true to their type (the Chihuahua breed standard) than others.
2. Temperament - you want your Chihuahua to be confident and friendly. You do not want a nervous or overly aggressive Chihuahua who will be a handful around strangers and difficult to live with.
3. Health - you want a healthy Chihuahua who is free from the hereditary diseases commonly found in Chihuahuas

Whether you get a healthy, happy and good looking Chihuahua, like this, is determined largely, as i mentioned before: by the breeder.

So, you should be seeking out a responsible Chihuahua breeder to buy your Chihuahua puppy from.

Responsible Chihuahua breeders aim to create happy, healthy, and true-to-type Chihuahuas.

However, keep in mind that nothing is guaranteed. Mother nature ultimately deals the last card... but... by choosing a responsible Chihuahua breeder you greatly increase the chances that your Chihuahua puppy will turn out to be happy and healthy.

So your mission is to find and buy your Chihuahua puppy from a responsible Chihuahua breeder - and overlook all the other charlatan Chihuahua breeders out there.

Yes, you could choose any old breeder to buy your Chihuahua puppy from, but beware that you are taking a larger risk of obtaining a Chihuahua will have hereditary disease and/or an unsound temperament and/or won't physically conform to the Chihuahua breed standards (faults in the way he looks).

Source:Chihuahua Puppies Guide

Dog Training Basics ? Training the New Puppy

Bringing home a new puppy is always an exciting time for the entire family. Getting that new puppy off the right start with proper training is very important to making that puppy a valued member of his human family. There are a number of talents that every new puppy must master, including going up and down the stairs, and how to accept a new collar as if she?s worn it her entire life.

It is best to introduce a new puppy to the household when everyone in the family is present, and when the household is as calm as possible. That is why animal care experts discourage parents from giving puppies and kittens as holiday presents. The holiday season is typically much too busy, with far too many distractions, for a young puppy or kitten to get the attention it needs. It is best to wait until the holidays have passed before introducing the new family member.

Once the puppy is part of the household, there are some things he or she will need to learn. One of the first challenges of a multi-story home will be learning to climb up and down the stair. Many puppies are afraid of stairs, and that usually means that they do not know how to climb them properly. It is important for the puppy?s owner to slowly build the confidence of the dog, starting off at the bottom of the stairs. In general, a wide stairway will probably be less frightening to the puppy.

To build confidence, the owner should go up the first step, then encourage the puppy to join them, using their voice, treats or a toy. After the puppy has joined you on the first stair, go back down and repeat the process until the puppy will go up that step on his own. It is important to build confidence slowly and not rush the process. Taking a one step at a time approach is the best way to teach the puppy to not be afraid of stairs.

Another thing every new puppy must learn is how to accept the collar. Learning to wear a collar is important to every dog, but many puppies are baffled, frightened and bewildered by this new piece of equipment. Many puppies constantly try to remove their new collar by pawing and pulling at it.

Fit is important when choosing a collar for your new puppy. A properly fitted collar, chosen for your puppy?s size, is more likely to be comfortable and accepted. While choke collars, slip collars and training collars can be good training aids, they should never be used as a substitute for a sturdy buckle type collar. And of course that collar should have an identification tag and license attached. This identification will be vital in having your puppy returned if she becomes separated from you.

The best way to introduce the puppy to the collar is to simply put the collar on and allow her to squirm, jump, roll and paw at the color to her heart?s content. It is important to not encourage this behavior by trying to soothe the puppy, but it is just as important not to punish or reprimand the puppy. The best strategy is to simply ignore the puppy and them her work through her issues with the collar on her own. Introducing distractions, such as food, toys or playing, is a good way to get the puppy used to the color. Getting the puppy to play, eat and drink while wearing the collar is a great way to get her used to it. After a few days, most puppies will not even know they are wearing a collar.

Article Source Dog News Center and Article Directory

Dealing With Puppy Behaviors Problem

Everyone who owns a puppy or dog will eventually have to deal with and correct less than desirable behaviors on the part of their companion animal. There are a number of behaviors that should be nipped in the bud, including:

Jumping up on people

This is one of those behaviors that many owners inadvertently encourage in their animals, since jumping up, wagging his tail and the like can be adorable in a young puppy. When that puppy is older, larger and heavier, however, this jumping up behavior ceases to be cute and begins to become annoying and even dangerous.

A large, heavy dog jumping up on people can be dangerous to young children and even to some adults, since a large, 100 pound plus dog can easily knock down a child or small adult. Since you as the owner are responsible for the behavior of your dog, it is important to nip this problem behavior in the bud.

The best time to do that, of course, is when the puppy is still small and easy to handle. When the puppy jumps up on you or someone else, gently place the puppy?s feet back on the floor. When the dog remains standing there, be sure to praise it extensively.

It is also important to give the puppy an alternative to jumping up. Puppies jump up on people to express their enthusiasm, so it is important to redirect this energy in a more socially acceptable direction. Try teaching the puppy to present his paw instead of jumping up.

When teaching the puppy to not jump up on people, it is important to be consistent. Consistency is important in any training program, and all members of the family must understand that the puppy is not permitted to jump on them.

Pulling, charging and tugging on the lead
One problem you definitely want to nip in the bud is this one. It is important that the puppy learn to respect the collar and leash now, when he is still small and light enough to handle. Teaching this lesson to a 10 pound puppy will be much easier than teaching the same lesson to a 150 pound dog.

Using a good strong body harness or head collar can be a big help when training a puppy not to pull, or to retrain a dog that has already learned to pull on the leash. When first fitting a harness, it is important to allow the puppy to walk around wearing it, so that he can get used to wearing it.

The first thing your puppy must learn, and the basis of all subsequent training, is teaching your dog to heel. Teaching your dog to walk quietly at your side on a loose lead is the basis of all dog training, and until your puppy has mastered this vital skill he will be unable to move onto more advanced training.

When walking with a puppy on a leash, it is important to always keep slack in the leash. If the puppy begins to pull on the leash, the handler should quickly change directions. The puppy will then find itself lagging behind instead of forging ahead. The least will be loose except for the split second it takes to change directions. It is important for the handler to use a quick tug of the leash, followed by an immediate loosening, when teaching this lesson.

When teaching the puppy to walk properly, it is important to never allow the puppy to pull you around, or to forge ahead on the leash. Allowing the puppy to pull you around will teach him exactly the wrong lesson.

Sallie McConnell has been a dog lover all her life. Her specialty is puppy training. Visit this site for more information:
Dog Training Clinic 

Article Source Dog News Center and Article Directory http://www.dognewscenter.com

3 Important Things to Remember when Training your Puppy

There are as many ways to raise a puppy as there are to raising a child. In fact, one way per family in general! But most of us agree that when it comes to children, certain things are universal and undisputed. Here are three things that a lot of people just do not think of when it comes to raising their dogs, however. How many times have we heard, "My dog just won't listen to me", or "He just won't behave!" 


1. Dogs do not understand English until we teach them.

The thing we all love about puppies the most is the way they live for us, the way they focus all they have on us, the way our lives become theirs. in the beginning, they study us to learn our body language, our facial expressions and our language. Until we teach them the English language, it's all they have. If we say, "Wanna go out?" one day, "Have to go potty?" the next day, and, "Hafta pee?" the third day, if they DO figure out what we want, it is because we have picked up the leash and moved toward the door with a happy face! If you want to speed up his training by three-fold, teach him YOUR language. Pick a command for EACH behavior and stick with it. Tell all in your family to use the same words and commands, and your puppy will amaze you at how much faster he learns.

2. A young puppy's metabolism is racing along faster than we think.
The younger your puppy is, the faster he is growing, the more food and water he needs to fuel his metabolism, and the more often he has to go potty. Do not punish your puppy when he makes a house-breaking mistake. These are YOUR fault. Your puppy's age in weeks and his breed size determine how often he must go out. Once an hour is not too often for a large 6-week old puppy, especially if it is summertime. Dogs love the exciting smells outdoors, so there is no excuse to not have him housebroken by 7-8 weeks of age. Right after a nap, after he eats and after grooming are the key times, and he will signal you. If he is happily chewing a toy and gets up suddenly with his nose to the floor, move quickly! And every time he goes potty outside
, praise him to high heaven! "What a good BOYY!", "GOOD go potty!" and the like. Dogs love our happy faces, and they will do anything to get it.

3. Dogs live for our facial expressions and body language.

Because of this, the worst punishment you ever need to give your dog is a scowl and to turn away from him. You can see his tail fall down and his face get so sad. He will learn the lesson, I guarantee it. But his attention span is only 3-5 minutes, so do not scorn him any longer. Love him up and give him your happy face again. Physical punishment is never necessary. Use consistent commands and loving praise and he will know what you want of him before you know. He will become a master of your body language and facial expressions in no time at all.

Naturally there are many aspects of training your puppy well. Loving kindness works just as well for puppies as it does with children, creating a happy, well-adjusted and obedient dog for life. These three important tips, used consistently with confidence, will start him well on his way.

Dy Witt has shown, bred and trained standard poodles for 25 years. Her puppies' new vets and groomers sent word back that they had never worked on such well-adjusted dogs. To read more free articles and all about her new dog training ebook, visit: http://www.DogTraining15MinsADay.com 

Article Source Dog News Center and Article Directory http://www.dognewscenter.com

10 Things In Your Home That Can Kill Your Dog

Dogs are very curious animals and as omnivores and natural scavengers, can get into and eat just about anything. However, there are many toxic substances found in your home that could potentially kill your dog. The following is a list of ten common household substances that you should make sure to keep out of your dog's reach.

1) Antifreeze: Many people do not realize it, but common antifreeze kills many pets each year. It smells and tastes very sweet to your dog and is very appealing to him. Ethylene glycol is toxic however, and each winter, many animals are killed by it. Symptoms of toxicity include seizures, vomiting, stumbling and lethargy leading to kidney failure. Make sure to keep your antifreeze out of your dog's reach. If you suspect that your dog has ingested antifreeze, take your dog to the veterinarian immediately.

2) Chocolate: Chocolate contains a substance called the obromine which is toxic to dogs. Baking chocolate and dark chocolate is especially dangerous. While it usually takes a somewhat large amount of chocolate to kill a dog, poisoning and death does occur with smaller amounts ingested. Signs of chocolate poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, increased urination, and increased activity. This can progress to seizures and unusual heart rhythms. Call your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your dog has eaten chocolate.

3) Bleach: As you might imagine, household bleach is toxic to dogs. Keep all products containing bleach out of your dog's reach. Symptoms of bleach poisoning include drooling, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Do NOT induce vomiting if you suspect your dog has ingested bleach and contact your veterinarian immediately.

4) Tylenol: As little as two regular strength Tylenol tablets can kill a small dog. Dogs lack the proper liver enzymes to break down acetaminophen. Signs of toxicity include drooling, lethargy, and abdominal pain. If you suspect your dog has ingested Tylenol, call your veterinarian immediately.

5) Watch Batteries: If your dog ingests a watch battery, it can cause a potentially fatal ulceration in the stomach within 12 hours. All other alkaline batteries are toxic to dogs as well. Symptoms of toxicity include drooling, lack of appetite, vomiting, and lethargy. If you suspect your dog has ingested a watch battery, contact your vet immediately.

6) Moth Balls: Moth balls are very dangerous to dogs. They contain an insecticide that causes central nervous system excitement and seizures. When metabolized, ingestion of moth balls can lead to liver failure. Symptoms of poisoning by moth balls include vomiting and seizures. If your dog has consumed moth balls, do NOT induce vomiting. Seek veterinary care immediately.

7) Fabric Softeners and other detergents: All sorts of household detergents are toxic to dogs at one level or another, but fabric softeners fall into the highly toxic category. Signs of toxicity include vomiting, lethargy, burns to the mouth, drooling, muscle weakness, and even coma. Do NOT induce vomiting if your dog has ingested any detergent. Contact your veterinarian immediately.

8) Mouthwash: Mouthwash can contain boric acid which is highly toxic to dogs. Symptoms of poisoning by mouthwash include vomiting, drooling, seizures, and coma. You should take your dog to the veterinarian immediately if you suspect poisoning by mouthwash or other household item containing boric acid like contact lens solution or denture cleaner.

9) Peach Pits: With most fruits, the pits and the seeds are toxic to dogs. Signs of poisoning include drooling, vomiting, and lethargy. If you suspect your dog has eaten a peach pit or the pit or seeds of any fruit, take him to the veterinarian immediately.

10) Household Plants: Many common and popular household plants are highly toxic to dogs. A partial list of toxic plants includes poinsettias, lilies, ferns, devil's ivy, aloe, and ivy. Symptoms of poisoning due to ingestion of toxic plants include vomiting and central nervous system excitement. Many of these plants are fatal if ingested. Please contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your dog has eaten a toxic houseplant.

With diligence on our part, we can help prevent our dogs from getting into substances that are toxic to them. Many veterinary school websites offer lists of things that are toxic to dogs and what you should do if your dog ingests such things. As always, if you think your dog may have eaten something dangerous, contact your veterinarian immediately or take your dog to the closest emergency clinic.

Source:Dog Article courtesy of I-Love-Dogs.com

Housebreaking Your Puppy

You're the proud owner of a new puppy. Unfortunately, you are also the not so proud owner of a soggy living room carpet. It doesn't take long to realize this can't keep happening. So what do you do? It might just be time to housebreak your new pet.

Housebreaking may sound painful but relax. It really isn't all that difficult. It is your dog's natural tendency to want to keep its living area clean so once the home is firmly established in your pets mind the problem will be resolved. There are several ways you can assist the process to move faster.

The first thing you want to do is be sure your pet is healthy to start with. If your pet has not been to the vet already, make an appointment. Your dog should be checked for overall healthiness and for conditions that would make house training difficult, such as cystitis and kidney or bladder dysfunction. While your pet is visiting the veterinarian, ask to have them checked for worms and parasites also by way of a fecal exam. Also bear in mind the truthfulness behind mothers' wisdom when she said "You are what you eat." A poor quality dog food, in addition to contributing to a poor nutritional state, can cause digestive problems resulting in loose stools, thus contributing to your pup's inability to control itself.
The most important part of housebreaking your pet is close supervision. This is necessary because your puppy learns by repetition. If you see your dog showing signs of needing to relieve itself, then immediate action must be taken to get the animal outside to its designated area. Consistency in training is critical. Do not think being lax because it's cold or dark outside is acceptable or your pet will adopt these same attitudes.

Close supervision during housebreaking is also necessary because it gives you time to learn your dogs special quirks such as needing to urinate right after eating or a certain action they take prior to soiling the floor so you can watch for these actions and respond in the future. Also it allows you to correct a situation while it is still fresh in the dogs mind. While being very intelligent creatures, short term memory is not the strong point for most animals of this species and correcting them after more than a few minutes have passed serves no real purpose.

Another key to Housebreaking is giving your dog a limited amount of space. Baby gates across doorways or a pet crate help to make a more confined area and help your pet to recognize this as his living space. Their natural tendency is to go outside of their own living space to urinate so making this association for your pet will make your job easier. Lining this space with old news papers is a good idea at first as it facilitates a much easier cleanup of any accidents your pet might have. Also be aware that some surfaces are more pet-friendly than others. Try to confine your new pet to areas of the home with tile or vinyl floors which are much easier to clean. Avoid letting them have access to carpet or hardwood floors which retain odors and can be extensively damaged by an errant pup.

Remember to limit the amount of water your dog has access to at the end of the day as you will otherwise be making a walk with your pet in the middle of the night. A quick walk outside at regularly timed intervals is advisable to training as this helps your pet to set an internal schedule. Be certain to use a consistent keyword to tell your pet why you are out in the yard such as "potty" or "toilet" or anything you choose and do not return indoors until they have relieved themselves. Also remember to give praise when your dog relieves itself in appropriate places such as on newspapers or outdoors.

Again consistent training is the key. If your pet does have an accident indoors, correct the animal immediately and then clean the area using non-ammonia based products. Instead use an Enzyme based deodorizer to clean the area and be sure to remove all odor of the accident or the animal will repeat the behavior again.

If you follow these simple rules, your carpets and your new pet should be able to coexist peacefully and relatively free from stress.

Source: Dog Article courtesy of I-Love-Dogs.com

Exciting Activities For You and Your Dog

What are some fun and exciting things to do with your dog? This article has all the answers you are looking for to keep you and your dog active and leading a fun and healthy lifestyle together. 

Being a pet owner can be a great experience. They can lighten up your mood, they get you outdoors, finding new places, and they are excited to see you no matter what you look like. They can also help you to experience new things too.

There are many different activities designed with the dog owner in mind. So if you are looking to start a new hobby and you would like to include your loyal friend, here you will find some of the best dog-related activities available. Just remember to make sure that your dog is trained before you take part in outdoor activities!

Some of the Best Dog Activities

There are a number of different activities which you can take part in with your dog. Some of the most popular include:

• Agility
• Hide and Seek
• Fetch
• Obedience Shows
• Hiking
• Dog Camps

There really are a limitless number of things that both you and your pet can enjoy and the above are just a few of them. 

Agility is one of the most popular activities and most breeds can take part. It would best suit energetic breeds such as sheepdogs and terriers. However every dog can enjoy a little agility, you just have to find out what your dog likes the best and incorporate it into the agility routine. Usually agility consists of jumps, tunnels and climbing frames. It can be extremely fun and there should be a local agility group near you which you could be a part of. 

Hide and seek is another activity which you can take part in. Either you can hide and get your dog to find you, or you could hide objects for your dog to find. This type of activity really stimulates your dog's mind and that can also help with energetic breeds. Many dog problems are caused because the dog is bored. By stimulating its mind you will be helping to tire them out too!

Obedience and fun shows are another activity you could take part in with your dog. Some dogs love to be shown and they love the attention that they receive both before and after. Entering small, fun shows will give you an idea of whether this type of activity suits your pet. Obviously your dog should know the basic obedience commands if they are to do well in a show environment – even if they are only tiny shows!

Playing fetch with your dog is an obvious activity to take part in. Terriers and sheepdogs again will love this type of activity. Chasing a ball is a natural instinct for dogs and they love nothing more than a game of fetch. 

Less obvious activities which you can take part in with your dog include hiking and dog camps. The latter are not overly well known but they are designed for dog owners to meet each other and to let their dogs to socialize with other dogs. They can be great fun both for the dog and for you so it could be worth looking into a dog camp if you enjoy the great outdoors! Hiking is another outdoor activity which you can do with your dog. If you plan to go on a significant hike then you could always take a tent and camp out. Always remember to take plenty of water for your dog if you do choose to take them on a hike – especially on a hot day.

There are so many different activities that you can enjoy with your dog. It would be a great idea to find out what interests your dog the best. Are they energetic? Would they prefer a hike over agility? Agility is suitable for most dogs but not all dogs will enjoy it. Do not force your dog to do any activity as this will make it a nightmare instead of enjoyable for your pet!

Overall if you take the time to try out different activities you will get to see which ones are best suited to you and your dog. People who take part in activities with their pet find that it strengthens their bond with their dogs. If you and your pet have a good bond then your life will be a lot more enjoyable as a result. 
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Training an Adult Dog - Is It Ever Easy?

They always said you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. This article shows how it’s possible to train an old dog, the reasons why it’s so tough, and different methods to get the success you are looking for.

When you think about dog training, usually you imagine training younger dogs. However, older dogs still need to be trained; especially if they have received no prior training before you bring them home.

Many people follow the saying “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”. They simply leave the dog to do whatever it likes as they feel that it would be too much of a process to change the behavior. However it is possible to teach an older dog new tricks, it just requires a little more patience than it would with a younger dog.

Why it is more difficult to Train an Older Dog

The main reason it is more difficult to train an older dog is because they are used to doing things a certain way. The longer the dog has been behaving a certain way, the longer it will take for you to change that behavior. The same can be said of humans. When you have been doing something for so long, it becomes a strong part of your routine. Changing can be difficult and that is exactly what it is like for older dogs. They get confused because they are suddenly being told that what they have done all of their lives is incorrect.

However while it may be more difficult training an older dog, it is still achievable. The techniques are the same as what you would use to train a younger dog; you just need to be a little more patient and persistent.

Housetraining an Older Dog

It is important that each time the dog has an accident indoors that you clean it up immediately. This is because if the dog smells the accident again, it is likely to go to the toilet in the same area. Completely clean the area to ensure that there is no smell left over. Then once the house is clean, it is up to you to take notice of when the dog will need to relieve themselves.

Usually an adult dog will need to relieve themselves first thing in the morning, last thing at night and every hour or two throughout the day. That is just while they get used to their new home. Once they have learned that they are to relieve themselves outdoors you should find that they tell you when they need to go out by going to the door or by coming to you and whining.

Other Training

If the dog is housetrained then there may be other training that is required. Do they know basic commands? Commands such as “Sit”, “Down” and “Stay” all come in extremely handy in everyday situations.

Training an older dog these commands will not always be easy. However you just need to follow the same methods as you would with a younger dog. For sit when you give the command you can use a treat to make it simple. Hold the treat in your hand and close your fingers around it. Allow the dog to sniff the treat and as you say “Sit” pick your hand up above the dogs head. This usually causes the dog to sit down. If it doesn’t, you can use your other hand to gently push down the dog’s bottom as you repeat the command. As soon as they do, give them the treat and praise them. You will need to repeat this exercise quite a few times before the dog will realize what you are asking them to do.

The main thing that you need to remember with older dogs is that they can learn, you just have to be a little more patient and understanding with them. As long as you persist with the commands and you commit to training every day, you can teach an older dog how to behave. So if you are looking to train your older dog, just be patient and persistent and you will get the results that you are looking for.

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Choosing The Right Dog For You

Owning a dog needs dedication, time and effort. As you all know, dogs are domesticated animals that need to be nurtured and loved. So before you consider owning one, it is very important that you assess and think about what type of dog you really want.

Choosing the right dog breed should match your needs, lifestyle or status in life. Are you an active person or a home buddy? Do you like a good running partner, a dog who can accompany you when you jog outside? Do you want a little toy dog to match your cute personality? Or do you want a large dog to guard your house against burglars? These are just a few questions you should answer in selecting the right dog for you.


Many people tend to choose a dog solely on the way it looks or on the way it is perceived by the public. But there’s more to the physical appearance of a dog. You should also consider other important factors such as breed, age and sex. Bear in mind that dog breeds and their behaviour vary. Some dogs might be a little more aggressive than the others. There are also dogs that need more training and require more attention.

In selecting the right dog breed for you, decide first what size of a dog you desire. Will it be big, medium-sized or small? Different dog sizes match different needs. If you are the sporty or active type, then opt for medium-sized or large dogs that would be great companions on outdoor exercise or running in the park.

For those who are the hippie ones and enjoy the grooming part of dog ownership, it is best to own a little toy dog that can be brought to events and parties, and whose fur can be transformed in various colors.

The age of a dog should also be among the considerations. It is more enjoyable to nurture a puppy as a pet, but this requires more supervision and time for potty training and other behavioral issues. If you don’t have the luxury of time, then go for adult dogs that don’t have behavioral problems anymore like excessive barking and chewing things.

You should also choose between male of female dogs. Well, it’s just matter a personal preference. There are some generalizations and articles which you can read over the internet and it’s worth the time to read over them. Some say female dogs can be trained easily than males and that they more docile. Male dogs, on the other hand, are more affectionate and tend to long more attention. They are also very outgoing and motivated by food, treats and toys.

By: rayter

5 Things Should Know Before Buying First Puppy

 Bringing a new puppy into the home as a new member of the family is an experience that everyone should have. Kids absolutely adore puppies, all of your neighbors have puppies, and now it's time for you to take part of this joy and fill your house with puppy love!

But before you bring home your first dog, there are five key items that you must consider before making this large commitment to raising another life in the house, even if it is just a dog:

Puppies Need Plenty Of Your Time Invested

Puppies are like raising toddlers - they need constant supervision and require plenty of time to be devoted to training and housebreaking. And even when your puppy becomes familiar with basic training principles, he will still need additional supervision well into his adult years.

Entertainment is another factor to consider. Keep in mind that if you and your family are gone most of the day, at work or for any other reason, buying two dogs may help keep the animals entertained by each other.

If You Have Children, They Too Will Need To Be Trained To Handle The New Puppy

As mentioned above, puppies need an abundance of your time for training and care. If you have children in the house then you must factor in their need to be taught how to handle the puppy, what not to do in terms of improper guidance, and safety tips when playing with the dog.

Puppy classes are an ideal choice to make for both you and your children. There is nothing better than hiring a professional dog trainer to help guide you and your children with proper puppy care.

Puppies Are Expensive

Perhaps the term "expensive" is a bit over the top, but for many families that are on a budget, raising a new puppy can take quite a bit from the old bank account. You will need to buy toys, treats, bones, registrations, training aids, food, and of course, veterinarian visits which consists of checkups and shots.

Puppies Do Not Stay Small Forever

Although this tip is obvious, you would be amazed at how many people gave up their dog because it grew too big, too fast. For some reason, we like to bring home a new puppy and forget completely that it may grow into a very large pet, depending upon the breed. Make sure that you do your due diligence and find out how big your new dog will grow when he becomes an adult.

Most Dogs Are Not For Lazy People

With the exception of a variety of toy breeds and miniatures, the vast majority of dogs will need plenty of daily exercise. These little guys need plenty of room to run around and play. They also need people to play with and toys to keep them entertained. This means you! If by any chance you prefer to live a sedentary lifestyle and cannot offer your time and energy to daily exercise, consider purchasing a breed that does not need much activity. 

 by: Daniel Waser

6 Things You Should Do When Having A New Puppy

Adopting a new puppy can be one of the most exciting things that can happen to a person or a family, but that cute little fur ball can also cause a lot of stress, especially in the first few days of coming to his new home. If you have just adopted a puppy, there are a few things you need to keep in mind to make sure that this new addition to your family grows up healthy and happy. Below are 6 things you should do for your newly-arrived puppy:

1. Give your new puppy plenty of love and attention, particularly when he does something "right." Start communicating with your puppy the moment you bring him home. Don't wait for your puppy to make a mistake or do something wrong before starting communicating with him. If you start communicating with your puppy this way, you are essentially training your puppy that you are nice some times and not nice at other times.

2. Puppies love to chew so give your puppy lots of chew toys. You can make chew toys for your puppy or you can buy a few from your local pet shop. This way your puppy learns early one to chew on his toys instead of your shoes!

3. Have comfortable, warm bed for your puppy. If you intend for your puppy to live outside the house, make sure to provide him with weatherproof doghouse. The doghouse should be spacious too. If you decide to let your puppy sleep inside the house, you can use a rectangular wooden box for his bed. You can also check out crates and kennels sold at local pet stores..

4. Keep an eye on your puppy when small children are present. Puppies are practically no match for rambunctious small kids. Puppies can easily get injured and even killed when they are left alone with small children. Small kids generally don't realize that puppies are very fragile animals and that they should be handle with extra care and gentleness.

5. Start your puppy on a regular feeding schedule the first day it arrives in your home. If your puppy is six months old or less, provide him 3 to 4 solid meals each day. During each feeding, give your new puppy all the food he can consume within 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, take away any leftovers. It is very important that you provide your puppy plenty of fresh drinking water in between meals.

6. Start training your puppy to go on regular bathroom breaks. Take your puppy to the same bathroom spot at the same times every day, if at all possible. It is recommended that you take your puppy on bathroom breaks after every meal and two to three hours in between his meals, and after he has taken a nap. At night, take your new puppy on late-night bathroom trips. This will train your puppy early on to go to his bathroom spot if he needs to urinate in the middle of night instead of doing it right in his crate.

Select Puppy or Adult Dog?

Depending on your financial situation, the age of children in the home, and the amount of time you can dedicate to training a dog. 

Adult: Adult dogs have reached their full size, coloration, and coat so usually what you see is what you get. Their personalities are already established, however many of their learned behavioral manners can be changed. Adjusting to a new family and environment can be traumatic to older dogs. 

6 things to consider when acquiring and adult dog 

• Adult dogs most likely have had their vaccination shots, although they may need boosters. 

• Spaying or neutering probably has been done, which will cut down on your expenses. 

• With an outdoor dog thats fully grown, you have a good idea what type of fencing and the size of the doghouse you will need. 

• Inside adult dogs are likely to be housebroken with adequate manners. 
• Eating habits are usually already established in adult dogs, but you may have to change them to suit your lifestyle. 
• Usually adult dogs are accustomed to collars and leashes, and may have had some obedience training. A grown dog with bad habits will take patience and a great deal of time and effort changing their conduct. 

4 things to consider when acquiring a puppy

• A puppy in a household with children should be carefully monitored when together. Petting and wrestling with a puppy is great fun for children but puppies are fragile and their bones break easily so make sure children understand this when playing with them. 

• Housebreaking a puppy takes time and is particularly tedious and aggravating for the uninitiated. Days or sometimes weeks will be spent on cleaning up after a puppy before it is housebroken. 

• Puppies are vulnerable to diseases not usually associated with adult dogs. They must be checked regularly and will need vaccinations and booster shots. 
• Spaying or neutering represent additional expenses of puppy ownership. 

 by: Lamar Deane

Things To Consider Before Selecting Your New Dog

Before purchasing a dog for a pet you must make a sincere, thoughtful commitment. Try to match your desires to the needs of the dog.

Before you start your search for a new dog there are the following 18 things to consider.

1. Obligation and Dedication:

Owning a dog requires a long-term commitment. Adopting a dog on impulse often ends in disaster. Dogs don't make very good birthday or Christmas presents. The decision to acquire a dog should be discussed with all family members.

2. Time:

Do you have the time to spend with a pet? Unfortunately, this is not thought out and frequently overlooked, especially when there are young children in the family. Puppies and dogs need adult supervision and a five or six year old child is too young to responsibly care for them. Do you have time to train a dog? Taking time to train your dog is an obligation that must fit into your daily schedule. If you can't spare the time in training, playing, and exercising a dog maybe, you should re-consider acquiring a dog.

3. Facilities:

Do you have a large enough space for a dog? An outdoor dog needs at least a fenced in yard and a warm, dry doghouse. Do you have the space needed for keeping a dog inside?

4. Cost:

Can you financially bear the cost of a dog? Not only the cost of purchasing a dog should be considered but the cost of routine health care, veterinary fees for annual vaccinations, food, dishes, leashes, collars, beds, toys, etc.

5. Patience:

Owning a dog is a labor of love, but it takes ample patience and persistence in raising one. Having a hot, quick temper that flares up repeatedly isn't compatible with owning a dog.

6. Training:

You must give your dog at least some basic training (either by you or a professional trainer) on behavior and manner or he will be a liability rather than an asset. House-breaking, collar and leash control, obedience is necessary training. Without proper training your dog will be a nuisance and an embarrassment to you.
7. Puppy or Adult Dog?

Depending on your financial situation, the age of children in the home, and the amount of time you can dedicate to training a dog.

Adult: Adult dogs have reached their full size, coloration, and coat so usually what you see is what you get. Their personalities are already established, however many of their learned behavioral manners can be changed. Adjusting to a new family and environment can be traumatic to older dogs.

by: Lamar Deane