From the monthly archives:

November 2008

How Can I Train My Dog For Sports?

by Pet Care on November 19, 2008


All dogs can benefit from physical activities and sporting events. There are sports that every dog from Toy breeds to dogs that need a little extra motivation there is a sport for every dog!

Besides the benefit of more in depth bonding with your dog, your 4 legged friend by nature enjoys the challenge of sports and competition. It gives them a freedom and satisfaction that only sports and challenge offers.

Taking part in sports and dog competitions is fun for both dogs and their owners. Once you’ve determined on the sport, find out what the requirements are to enter the competition. Next, you need to find an instructor who can guide you through the process or help you get more information. The trainer may be able to refer you to an association or club that can help you pick the sport that best suits your dog.

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You will need to be taught how to utilize your dog’s skills and abilities as well as how to handle them in these sporting events. You have to realize that training means having patience and not getting angry at your dog. Just like you, your dog is learning something new and needs tender loving care, not anger and harsh scoldings! The trainer should be current as well on new and modern methods and should be able to teach them to you and your dog effectively! If you are new to Dog Sports; a novice you will want to observe some key factors.

For all the novices out there who are new to training with your dog for a specific dog sporting event, there are some key factors you must understand before beginning your training regimen.

The number one issue that comes up in the majority of dog owners who are new to dog sports is becoming overly frustrated when trying to teach dogs a new skill. It is important to remember that positive training is always the number one solution to your goals. Avoid getting angry and do not sweat the small stuff, especially when you and your dog are both learning something new together.

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Always remember that you have a choice in changing the sport if you see that your dog is not learning or enjoying himself. For example, if you start training for fly ball, and your dog is having a hard time by dropping the ball repeatedly, perhaps it’s time to consider teaching him disc dog or agility instead.

Spend as much time possible at teaching your dog. I realize that this sounds like a simple, common sense tip, but many people overlook it. The more time you spend with your dog, the more fun you’ll have, and the better he will perform.

Keep training for the specific sport of your choice fun for your dog. Use plenty of toys and dog treats, along with an abundance of praise and affection. Your goal is to motivate your dog to accomplish each small task for the sporting event you are training for. In time, he will be ready to rock ‘n roll and both of you can then take your chances at the next sporting event.

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A Classic Style for your Dog

by Pet Care on November 18, 2008


If it is time to get your dog a new bed, then the Canvas Striped Bed is a good one. It is a nice rectangle pillow bed that has been generously filled with a fiber made from recycled plastic bottles. This makes this bed very friendly for the environment. The cover is made from 100% organic cotton and comes in 4 striped colors: pink, brown, red and blue. It also comes in 3 sizes for your dog. Of course the cotton covers are completely removable and can go into your washing machine for cleaning. This great bed will be a comfortable place to sleep for your dog for a long time.

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Be Responsible Amongst Your Society, Train Your English Mastiff On Your Own

by Pet Care on November 18, 2008


When you have pet dogs in your house, especially an English Mastiff, you can’t expect them to behave like what you might have imagined. Dogs will be dogs. The way they behave is included in the crate but the bad news is there’s no owner’s manual that you can rely on when it comes to how to train your pet dog especially when it becomes bigger than your house. You wouldn’t like to get your neighbors and everyone in your society to be running scared and head off for the hills because you have a wild English mastiff with you now, would you agree? So, you better let him undergo some good training and the best trainer that he can have is you. That’s right, you, and you should learn some good English Mastiff training yourself. Nobody would want to train huge dogs except you and furthermore, training him by yourself can build stronger relationship between the two of you, right? But, the problem is, where can you find a good training guide for these gentle giants? Click the link above and you will find out exactly where.

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Teaching a Dog to Sit on Command

by Pet Care on November 17, 2008


Once your dog makes out when you’re calling out his name you’ll be able to set about working on the sit command. Commence by contracting your dog’s attention and then continue to slowly linger a dog goody over your dog’s head. As the dog sets about to keep an eye on the treat his legs will slowly go downwards. The moment that your dog’s butt touches the floor give him the payoff, and lplenty of praise.

Be sure to always do the drill employing the same words to your dog. Your dog’s name followed by the command word “sit”. Dog instructions require that you be unchanging and that they are clearly spoken. It is likely a good idea to set out practising this exercise as part of your puppy leash training procedure while your dog is fastened to his leash. Doing so will guarantee that your dog doesn’t lattempt to eave during his training session, as well as, assist tin keeping him focused. If your dog does not react to your attempts forthwith, merely keep at it. Do not ever thrust or shove on your dog in an attempt to get him to sit. This will typically bring about an immediate inverse response from your dog.

Above all, stay with and don’t give up. Your efforts will pay off for you and your dog.

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A Step Up for your Dog

by Pet Care on November 17, 2008


If you have a dog that has a hard time getting up on the couch or your bed when you want them to have access, then there is a product for you. It is called the 3 step. Basically it is a set of foam dog stairs that give your dog access to higher places. It not only gives them access to your couch or bed, but studies have shown that it is not good for dogs to hop down from higher places. The reason is because dogs can develop hip and joint problems from it. Some dogs are prone to this problem more than others but it is a good idea to prevent it from happening at all. This great procuct also comes with your choice of 4 designer fabric covers to choose from to match your decor.

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Picking The Right Dog Carrier

by Pet Care on November 16, 2008


Your dog is like a fashion accessory if you are seen carrying them on the street these days.. You can see celebrities like Paris Hilton carrying her dog around wearing the cutest outfit ever. It is also a hit on runways of big cities like Tokyo, Paris and London.

While it may be a fashion accessory for these people, a dog carrier has the advantage of having the dog transport from one spot to the other in an easier way. These dog carriers comes in different sizes, shapes and styles. For example, if you would like to look sporty you can opt for dog shoulder carriers, dog backpack carrier or dog stroller sports. Dog stroller sports are like any other baby strollers but it carries only pet like dogs and cats of course.

While the market carries so many of these dog carriers, which carrier you choose depends largely upon the size and the which dog breed you have, and the lifestyle you wish to include your dog in. If money is your main concern, there are a selection of inexpensive dog stroller and dog carriers in the market. Or if you can afford a better looking and a more comfortable dog carrier, you can look for designer dog carriers online or in your local pet store.

To know which dog carrier suit you and your dog best, here are a few things you must consider before buying one.

1) Do a research and get as much information from the manufacturers or retailer before making your investment. The three most important aspect you should look for are safety, comfort and security.

2) When obtaining a dog carrier you should also need to pay close attention to the size, length, and weight of your dog. Bear in mind that not all dog carriers may fit your dog. For example, a big dog may not fit in the standard size strollers, backpack and designer dog carriers. Big dogs are normally better to be carried by crates . While on the other hand, small to medium size dogs may fit comfortably into any dog shoulder carriers, dog backpack carriers, or any carriers at all.

3) To know if the carrier is suitable for your dog, the dog carrier must have enough room to move around and yet not too big to allow him to shuffle around inside especially if you intend to bring your dog for hiking and jogging.

4) It is also important to know that your dog carrier has good ventilation because if you don’t, your dog may end up getting sick and dehydrated especially during hot summer days. Ensure they get plenty of fresh air when they are caged up in the crate or while they are being carried. Check for durability, detachable shoulder straps, rubberized fabric and four mesh viewing panels. And more importantly, check to see whether the dog carriers could be removed and cleaned easily..

While there are many expensive designer dog carrier available in the market, you can also find a lot of inexpensive dog stroller, dog shoulder carriers and dog backpack carriersavailable in the market. Although they are slightly cheaper than those designer’s carriers, you can still look hip and cool carrying them around..

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How To Cope With Your Dog Bad Breath

by Pet Care on November 16, 2008


Bad breath isn’t just something that people experience. Having a pet with bad breath can make your life very uncomfortable. Some of the common reasons for bad breath in dogs are caused by gum and tooth problems. However, bad breath in dogs can also be an indication of other health problems. The important thing to do is determine why your dog has breath that is less than pleasant.

Dogs will often develop a build up of tartar around their teeth. After eating, particles of food will remain in your dog’s mouth. These particles will start to decompose and it’s this decomposition that will create a great environment for bacteria to thrive. The bacteria will then multiply to form plaque. Plaque is a combination of decomposed foods, minerals, and bacteria. And it’s the plaque that will affect your dog’s dental hygiene and cause him to have bad breath. Plaque is the leading cause of tooth loss for dogs since it will stick to the bottom of the teeth, causing the gums to recede and become inflamed.

When your dog is affected by plaque you’ll find that he eats less. During the early stages of plaque disease there will be a yellow or brown coating on the sides of the teeth particularly around the large molar teeth. Smaller breeds of dogs seem to have more problems with plaque than larger breed dogs. Good dental hygiene is essential for dogs so that plaque doesn’t have a chance to develop. Make sure that your give your dog an annual dental examine. You’ll be saving his teeth as well as avoiding bad breath.

There are other causes of bad breath in dogs besides plaque. When your dog is shedding his baby teeth you may find that he drools and has bad breath. This bad breath problem will disappear when all of the baby teeth have been replaced by adult teeth. During this stage of your dog’s life you can brush his mouth with a solution of diluted baking soda and water. This will give your dog some relief from teething pain as well as freshen his breath.

Older dogs may have medical conditions that can affect their breath. This includes liver and kidney problems. A dog with these medical problems will be very thin and have a small appetite. Your vet will be able to determine if your dog’s bad breath is a symptom of organ failure. A dog with organ failure will need special care to be taken with his teeth. Their teeth will need to be cleaned and a course of antibiotics administered to be sure that infection doesn’t set in.

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Purchasing A Soft Dog Crate

by Pet Care on November 15, 2008


Dog crates used to be available in only two styles: wired or plastic. Nowadays there are numerous designs, colors, and different material that make up a wide range of dog crates to choose from. Each dog carrier model has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending upon your needs.

Soft Sided Dog Carriers

The soft-sided dog crate is very popular and are praised for their convenience and ease of use and portability. They are very lightweight and some even fold down for extra storage when not in use. Your dog has plenty of ventilation with the mesh window compartments and the base of the crate or floor is padded and most come with zippers to close the door.

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Soft sided dog carriers are great so long as your dog is inside while you are around. Otherwise, because of the material used, many dogs have been known to completely chew or claw their way out of the plastic mesh sides. If your dog gets a little rowdy with the tendency to chew and claw when left alone, then you may want to consider a different type of crate.

What Size Should You Get?

Soft sided crates are no different than any other type of dog crate when it comes to choosing the correct size. Just make sure that it is large enough so your dog can stand up on all fours without hitting its head. He must be able to turn around, stretch, and lie down.

Any size larger than that is not recommended, especially if you are still working on house training your dog. Having too much room inside the dog crate will cause your puppy to use the bathroom in the back without worrying about the mess. Remember that the point of crate training as used to housebreak a puppy is to give him no choice but to wait to be released from the crate in order to use the bathroom in the proper location.

These soft-sided crates have the same sizing guidelines as other crates. You want to make sure that it is large enough that when your dog stands up they can do so on all four paws without bumping it’s head, it should be able to turn around completely, stretch, and lie down completely. The carrier shouldn’t be any larger than that especially if you are house training your puppy, if they have alot of room they will get the urge to use the bathroom in the backside of the crate and they won’t even mind the mess!Remember that the point of crate training as used to housebreak a puppy is to give him no choice but to wait to be released from the crate in order to use the bathroom in the proper location.

If your dog does claw or chew at the crate, you may want to consider getting another type of crate such as a plastic one. Should you desire a larger crate than what you normally would need, keep in mind that you will have to adjust the space inside for maximum effectiveness and to keep your dog safe. Some crates come with divider panels to accomidate different sizes of dogs.

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Cat House Training Reviews

by Pet Care on November 15, 2008


Kittens make a great addition to your home, but they can be difficult. Finding out what the right cat care choices are, and making sure that your kitten is well trained can be difficult. While most cats catch on to the litter box pretty quickly, some will have trouble with cat house training. There are many reasons why you and your new pet might be having a problem. Some of them are more serious than others, and some are easier to deal with.

Cats tend to be creatures of habit. That means that if things they’re used to change, or if they find themselves in a stressful situation, litter box behavior can suddenly go downhill. If your cat has recently been moved to a new house, has a new person or animal to deal with, is on a different schedule than usual, or is even confronted with a new piece of furniture, accidents may happen. This doesn’t mean your cat house training has failed. It just means that stress is causing your cat to forget his or her manners.

The best way to avoid this sort of problem is by reducing the amount of stress your pet goes through. If you need to introduce a new person or animal, do so slowly, and in short bursts at first. Let your cat get away if he or she needs to. Moves should be accomplished as quickly and easily as possible. Be sure to keep the same sort of litter box arrangement as your cat had before. For new cats and kittens, it’s worthwhile to find out how their previous boxes were set up. This is a simple kind of cat care that can make your pet happier, and reduce your headaches at the same time.

Most of the time, cat house training is easy. Older cats that already know how to use the litter box will take to a new one quickly. Kittens may need to be placed in it and taught how to scratch in the litter, but they’ll catch on fast, too.

In the case of house-training problems, it may also be worth examining other members of the household, human or feline. Cats can bully each other sometimes, and the stress can result in all sorts of undesirable behavior. Similarly, if you have added someone new to the household, your cat can become annoyed or jealous. When steps have been taken to introduce and reconcile parties involved, it may also take care of the house training problems.

Keep in mind that using a litter box tends to come very naturally to cats, and if your cat has prolonged issues, it may be time to see a veterinarian. For the most part, however, if you keep these cat house training tips in mind, your kitten’s arrival to your home will be sweet and trouble-free!

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Aquarium

by Pet Care on November 15, 2008


The right aquarium isn’t hard to find. The factors varying every choice of aquariums are all about personal preferences. In the first place, is it for spatial decorative purposes or is it a hobby?

If it is for decorative purposes, then the focus on aesthetics and design will come first. The tank shape itself will be a critical aspect to consider. It will turn out to be without justice, but sometimes even the color and breed of fish will be affected by it. If the owner is conscious with popular practices like Feng Shui, placement of aquariums will be very sensitive. One typical point is all about placing the fish aquarium at the center of the house (water). This is a no-no to Feng Shui believers.

Granted that the owner doesn’t have any orientation then choosing the right aquarium won’t be hard to decide on. In buying a right aquarium, you must consider the scale with respect to where it will be placed. As a focal point, it is empowering as emphasis. Exploiting decorative colors and add-ons to aquariums will definitely make a powerful and elegant design treatment in a room. To find the right design, it is best to consult with an aquarium expert who can best judge the elements to make the aquarium a good decorative choice as coordinated with your interior designer. The expert will consider not only the aesthetic benefit but also the maintenance accessibility. It may look good in a room, but will it cause nightmare during cleaning time? This has to be thought over before deciding to buy one.

If the aquarium is intended as hobby, then the aesthetic factor is also important but not as critical. The location of the aquarium could be in another room. Actually, aquariums are all automatically considered for public showing and not to be hidden far from the public.

The right aquarium is always customized to what the owner wants. It could either be glass or special plastic. The tank must be able to sustain the activities of a balanced ecosystem for the fish. It shouldn’t give in to impact easily. Items placed inside the aquariums aren’t just plain fillers but has significance to the life of the fish. With some creativity, an aquarium could blaze with life and color. At the same time, the life cycle of the organisms in the water has to be a part of continues maintenance of aquariums.

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