From the monthly archives:

February 2009

Separation Anxiety – Understanding Separation Anxiety Disorders In Dogs

by Pet Care on February 5, 2009


It’s an all too familiar scenario, your new puppy is so cute and loveable. He’s a well-mannered,playful, and happy little guy around you, your family, and friends. That seems to change though when you leave or you are preparing to be absent from the house. You probably have noticed that your pup begins to destroy your house like tipping the trash over, shredding your cushions and clothes, and chewing anything in sight. You even notice your puppy may start to whimper, whine, and even cry loudly as you go to leave. This is a common but serious condition known as Separation Anxiety Disorder. You may want to pick your doggie up some pop up dog camper or portable dog crates to help them with the anxiety.

Separation Anxiety Disorder is a panic disorder that occurs anytime a dog or puppy is left alone by their owner. The symptoms of separation anxiety can go from being mild to quite severe. There are a few ways to tell if your dog or puppy is experiencing separation anxiety such as: Destructiveness; excessive crying, barking, howling, whining, house soiling, pacing, depression, self mutilation, excessive salivation, hyperactivity, and scratching or chewing at walls, doors, windows, furniture, and other objects. Be sure to check out these memory foam dog bed for your doggie.

Why do some dog’s have this disorder and some don’t? Well the answer is simple, some dogs have had some sort of trauma such as an injury, thunderstorm, or alarm that may have went off while you were gone. Another reason for dogs developing separation anxiety disorder is the loss or addition of a family member. Dogs as well as puppies bond to their owners and families and when one of those members is gone either due to leaving the home or because of death, your dog takes notice.

Sometimes someone new or a new baby can cause anxiety within your dog; the whole fear of the unknown. Puppies like human babies bond with their mothers. In the case of a puppy they bond with their mothers and their litter mates and when they are taken from them prematurely the develop separation anxiety as well. New pets that have not been correctly introduced to your pup or dog and new attention towards that new pet can cause feelings of jealousy, abandonment, and as if they are not important anymore to you. Sudden changes in their schedules or routines and changes that occur during aging add to the list of reasons for separation anxiety for puppies and dogs. Another issue is shelter dogs, those dogs that have had some sort of abuse or neglect issues are more predisposed to having this panic attachment disorder as well.

For a Blessed Dog

by Pet Care on February 4, 2009


When it comes to blessing your dog, nothing quite beats getting them something new and fresh. There are plenty of new collars, beds jewelry, and accessories out there that will do the job quite well. The dog pampering business is growing by leaps and bounds and many dog owners have been able to get exactly what they want for their very spoiled dogs. A misconception is that getting new and fancy dog gear is really expensive. It is true that you can spend a lot of money on the really high-end stuff. However there are plenty of nice things you can get your dog that won’t break your budget. You just want to be careful to not go to cheap and get something that will only last a short time. At www.blingblingpuppy.com/ you can find plenty of great accessories your dog will love.

Dogs Are More Than Simply Our Pets

by Pet Care on February 4, 2009


Dogs are unique animals because they can immediately become a part of your family.If you have had your dog a long time then you know this is true. This animal and human relationship is so strong that it even goes back to the prehistoric times.

Just imagine, a prehistoric hunter finds a lost wolf cub and brings the cub home and cares for it.Eventually, they may have found out that the cub became a part of their family. To top it off the hunter probably found that the wolf was helpful for practical reasons as well.

Part of the reason for this is because wolves and dogs in general have similar social systems to those in the human world. They survive with the lead of an adult male who is dominant over all others in the pack. If the leader oversteps his boundaries then a strong and competent female will step in.

A dog pack must work together just like a human family. There are social bonds and loyalty on both sides.A group of dogs will always come together when it matters, even if they fight at other times.

Dogs have a great number of strengths.They are incredibly alert and have a strong sense of smell. Their ability to survive on something as small as food scraps makes them ideal to have around whether you’re referring to ancient or modern times.

Of course, the wolf pack that prehistoric man would have found isn’t quite as gentle and kind as the dogs we keep in our homes today.Wolves were suited to the personalities of prehistoric people, much like dog’s today are suited to us. It is our own domestication of dogs that makes them more and more suitable to living the family lifestyle with each passing generation of dog.

The bond between dog culture and human culture is very strong.It doesn’t matter what kind of dog you have, it is a friend that will stick with you for life.

You might not use the dog as you primary means of survival like some groups did years ago, but it’s likely your dog has its own role. Some of the roles dogs take on today are:

* Herding stock
* Drug detecting
* Leading the blind
* Home protection
* Rescue services

Beyond those extraordinary roles your dog can develop a special, emotional bond with you and the other members of your family. Whether you’re ready to have a good time or need some extra comforting, your dog will be there.

It’s important to nurture and care for your dog so that they can thrive.As long as you give them food and attention you will have a friend for life.

Get more information about dogs.

Buy your dog pet supply.

How To Adopt A Labrador Through Labrador Rescue

by Pet Care on February 4, 2009


Labrador Retriever rescue is the perfect way to get your next Labrador. You’ll get a devoted new pet — and that wonderful feeling you get from rescuing a dog that needs a home — and the Labrador gets a new home and a devoted new owner. Finding your next pet at a rescue is a great lesson for kids.

Perfectly good Labrador Retrievers of all backgrounds and colors end up in Labrador rescue centers for any number of reasons. Some owners abandon their dogs, and they end up in Labrador rescue. Other owners reluctantly surrender their pets to Labrador rescue because they can no longer afford to care for them, or because their housing situation has changed so they can no longer keep a dog. A small number of owners give up their dogs because they have a new spouse or child that is allergic to the dog or, for whatever reasons the new relationship is affected negatively.
When you adopt a dog from a Labrador rescue organization, you will be asked to pay a scaled adoption fee based on the age and health of your dog. This fee helps cover Labrador rescue’s operating expenses. Labrador rescue organizations are independently licensed from state to state, but most if not all are 501(c)3 non-profit organizations.

Rescue Labs who are not already spayed or neutered have this surgery before they are put up for adoption. Your fee helps pay for the medical cost of the spay or neuter and for the cost of a foster family to care for your dog while it recuperates.

Labrador rescue works with families, owners, shelters, and veterinarians to make sure all rescue dogs are groomed, given a health examination, and are current in their vaccinations and heartworm medications. Your adoption fee helps defer the expenses that Labrador rescue incurred to rescue and care for your dog before you adopted it.
Labrador Retriever rescue has offices in every state, and the dogs that are available for adoption in each state vary from one location to another. Once you start looking at the dogs available for adoption, you’ll see how many there are to choose from.

Often, many older more than younger dogs are available for adoption. Lots of people like to keep puppies when they are young and small and cute. It’s the older dogs that tend to get abandoned, after their puppy appeal wears off.

If you want to adopt a Labrador from Labrador Retriever rescue, you must complete an application process that includes filling out a written application and submitting to a home visit. You must be twenty-one years of age or older, provide landlord’s written permission to have a dog if you rent, and commit to get regular grooming for the dog. The application also asks about prior dogs you have owned.

Don’t get your next Labrador from a mall or breeder. Contact Labrador rescue instead. For Labrador information on rescue donations, contact the Labrador rescue organization in your state.

Miniature Pomeranian: Your Best Friend

by Pet Care on February 4, 2009


The miniature Pomeranian belongs to the Nordic family. It is a squashed, short-backed toy dog that is very active in nature. The dog was actually used as a sleigh dog in Iceland and Lapland and then it became a companion of human beings. In earlier times, the varieties bred in Europe weighed nearly thirty pounds. However, the weight was greatly curtailed as breeders made tremendous effort to make smaller dogs. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC) standard, the dog now weighs around three to seven pounds, however, for a standard dog shows the weight may be limited to four to six pounds.

The dog’s size does not match the dog’s intelligence level. This dog is truly intelligent and has a great vivacious spirit. Despite of its miniature size, the miniature Pomeranian is very alert and attentive of trespassers. These qualities make the miniature Pomeranian an excellent watch dog. They are such an intelligent animal that they have been trained for a wide range of activities such as therapy and obedience. This dog is a perfect combination of beauty and brains. So it is a great show dog, and also a true companion.
The miniature Pomeranian has an exquisite double coat consisting of a soft and dense undercoat and a long, straight, glistering and harsh textured overcoat. The coat is significantly dense in the neck, forepart of the shoulders and chest portion. This makes the coat in these areas to appear like a frill. The body hair is longer compared to the hair in the head and leg area. The tail is really beautiful with the long and straight hair, which overflows extensively. The life span of a typical Pomeranian is around twelve to fifteen years, however they may even live up to twenty to thirty-five years in some cases.

Although health complications are not so common in the miniature Pomeranian, they may still suffer from few complications such as luxating patella. This is somewhat common among miniature breeds. In addition, Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome, hip dysplasia, patent ductus arteriosus and collapsing trachea may occur in the Pomeranian. They are also susceptible to skin diseases like acute moist dermatitis, hot spots, follicular dysplasia and few others.
Like any other long coated breeds, the miniature Pomeranian also requires regular grooming. If you own a Pomeranian, you must not forget to brush it daily in order to keep its hair free from matting. If you brush its hair regularly, it will give a plushy bounce to the hair and cause it to thicken. While shaving is not at all required, you may consider trimming the hair occasionally. Like the coats, the Pomeranian also needs ear, teeth and nail grooming. However, you are not advised to bath your Pomeranian too frequently. If so, it may lose its exquisite glow on the coat by removing essential oils from the skin glands.

Many popular personalities like Sir Isaac Newton, Queen Victoria, Michelangelo, Paris Hilton, Sharon Osborne, Maria Sharapova, and many others have owned Pomeranians. The Pomeranian belonging to Michelangelo, the grand Italian Renaissance painter, watched him to create the great art in the Sistine Chapel. On the other hand, Diamond, the little Pomeranian of Sir Newton, upended the candle onto the precious scientific paper and caused the scientist to have a nervous breakdown.

Breeders use the terms teacup, miniature or toy to define different available Pomeranian types to their buyers, however there is no such definition available from AKC. If you are seeking basic Pomeranian information, this article will provide it to you.

Why The Shih Tzu Makes A Perfect Pet

by Pet Care on February 4, 2009


The popular Shih Tzu breed has rich origins in royal Chinese history. Today’s Shih Tzu descends from dogs bred by Dowager Empress Tzu Hsi of Tibet, who rose to power in 1861 and died in 1908.

The Empress bred her dogs for traits like loyalty, good disposition, and perfect facial features. She gave Shih Tzu puppies as gifts to Chinese nobility and foreign diplomats. Tragically, when the Empress died, her successor resented the dogs and the era they represented, and many dogs were killed.

Information about Shih Tzu survivors indicates that the dogs began to appear in England and Scandinavia during the late 1920s and early 1930s, spreading in later years to the United States and Canada. Some of the dogs immigrated to North America after World War II, when soldiers who had developed a fondness for their Shih Tzu pets brought the little dogs home with them after the war.
The Shih Tzu is a small, lightweight dog, weighing from nine to sixteen pounds. Its size makes it well suited as a lap dog and a pet for city dwellers. The dogs have been bred for centuries to provide human amusement and companionship. They are eager to please and thrive when they are the center of attention.

Sometimes known as the “Tibetan lion dog” or “chrysanthemum dog” because of their regal bearing and wrinkled faces. Shih Tzu dogs have flat faces, bulging eyes, bowed front legs, and fierce facial expressions.

The Shih Tzu’s long, wavy coat adds elegance to its appearance. Acceptable colors for the breed’s coat are solid gold or black, or a variety of multi-colored combinations. Diligent daily grooming is required to keep the coat from tangling and matting, but the results are well worth the effort, as the Shih Tzu’s coat is a hallmark of the breed.
The Shih Tzu breed has been recognized by the British Kennel Club since 1935 and by the American Kennel Club since 1969, and is a popular favorite at dog shows with its long, flowing coat. Shih Tzus show in the Toy Group, competing against dogs like the Maltese, the Pomeranian, and the Shih Tzu’s cousin, the Pekinese.

The breed is a good family dog, but its strong desire for attention from its master makes it a better choice for families with older children than families with infants. Some Shih Tzus have been known to develop problems with jealousy when living in a home with young children. However, most Shih Tzus are affectionate, friendly and outgoing, and are only to happy to play the role of valued family pet.

The Shih Tzu breed survived a dangerous period in the twentieth century to become the one of the twenty-first century’s most popular dog. The Shih Tzu is the ninth most popular registered breed in the American Kennel Club’s 2006 most popular breed list, and this little dog’s popularity continues to grow.

The Shih Tzu is as well known for its delightful personality as it is for its long, flowing coat. Breeders, libraries, and the Internet are all resources for more Shih Tzu information.

Treat Your Puppy Special By Getting Her The Smocked Dress From The Small Dog Clothes Boutique

by Pet Care on February 2, 2009


When any particular Dog Costumes is perfectly and elegantly designed then it can be the fabulous attire for our charming little furry puppy. If you are very fond of collecting good dresses for your puppy, then obviously you will log on to the website of dog accessories where you will find that there are varieties of different types of dresses which you can buy for your dearest furry little puppy. There are so many types of party dresses as well as casual dresses which are not only beautiful but affordable too. There are so many dog costumes that you can buy them for each and every occasion because they are particularly designed keeping in mind the season and the event. If you want something for the birthday then there are birthday dresses, if you want to buy the dress for the wedding of your puppy, then there are wedding dresses and even if you want to buy the dress for the Valentine day, then there are many beautiful dresses even for this occasion. Now shopping online has not only become instant but also a fun and a time saving experience. Many people are opting to shop online than to spend several hours in malls to select for a few Designer Dog Clothes or some other dog accessories.

I wanted to buy some of the best small dog costumes for my puppy because I was to throw a party for my daughter’s birthday this month end. While I was going through some good dresses for my daughter on the internet I even took a chance to have a look for some good dresses for my puppy also. There I found that the Mariposa Hand Smocked Dress was looking very beautiful as it was completely hand-smocked with perfection. The dresses were in dazzling light pink color and in soft lavender color. I liked the pink colored dress because somehow I felt that my puppy liked the pink color the most. Wearing this Hand Smocked Dress my puppy would certainly look very fashionable . And why I liked this dress very much because it was so carefully designed and the butterflies which were embroidered were looking very attractive. The butterflies which were embroidered were also hand- beaded with the help of crystal bars. The lace was also matching along with the dress and the sleeves were also beautifully laced. This dress was also fitting into my budget as it was hardly priced for $ 74.99 which means it was not at all expensive.

My daughter and I were very excited and we were eagerly waiting for the birthday to arrive so that we could enjoy every moment of the party and we were also sure that all our guests would definitely compliment us for my daughter’s dress as well as my puppy’s dress. Finally when all the guests arrived, my daughter came out of her room carrying our sweet cute little puppy in her arms and all our guests were much surprised because my daughter and my puppy were really looking very beautiful in their dresses.

How To Choose A Puppy

by Pet Care on February 2, 2009


There is no universal breed of dog that just is perfect for everyone! However, there are many breeds that have their own characteristics, energy levels, grooming needs, personalities, temperments, ect. to choose from! Before choosing a puppy, think very carefully about your own lifestyle! You will definitely want to pick your dog up some bolster pet beds as soon as you can.

You want to match your lifestyle with a breed that will compliment it! Too many times people buy a certain breed of dog out of impulse, fashion fad(dogs are not fashion accessories but this is a fast growing trend leaving many dogs in shelters), and unrealistic expectations.

If you are a laid back person that is mostly an indoor person, then you will want a dog that has that same type of lifestyle. There are many breeds that require little exercise and do not have high energy needs. If you are the outdoor type or you can dedicate yourself to devoting lots of time to exercise and playing and providing a large area for your high energy guy or gal, then a dog that belongs to a sporting or working breed like a Labrador Retriever would be a good choice to make.

Many small dogs such as Jack Russells demand alot of attention because they are high energy dogs but are commonly mistaken for the ultimate indoor pet. This is the furthest thing from the truth! Size does not determine what makes a great indoor or outdoor dog! You will want to get some luxury dog beds for your Jack Russell. You have to do your homework and research. Choosing too rash or not putting any thought can result in a bad match and potentially a dog ending up at a shelter or worse as a stray! Dogs that do not match their owner’s lifestyle usually end up under socialized, poorly trained, and can be aggressive!

This is what you definatly do not want! Breeds that are the best suited for indoor living are : English Toy Spaniel, Boston Terrier, Shih-Tzu, Chihuahua, and Yorkshire Terrier. If you prefer a larger dog, go for a Clumber Spaniel, Afghan Hound, Mastiff, Sussex Spaniel, or Bulldog. For all you outdoor folks or those of you who prefer sporting breeds some choices to keep in mind are : Labrador and Golden Retrievers, Australian Shepherds, Shetland Sheepdogs, Belgian Sheepdogs, Border Collies, Cardigan Welsh Corgi and Pembroke Welsh Corgis.

If you want to go a bit smaller, perhaps miniature or toy sized, then try a Papillion, Toy Poodle, or Miniature Poodle. These little guys are not only very intelligent but they are known for agility and speed. They are little athletes! If you have children and you are looking for that forever family friend, then you want a genteel breed dog. You want a sweet disposition but yet you want a breed that is large enough that small children can’t hurt or injure the dog. Breeds that make ideal family pets that are especially good with children are: Newfoundland, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Bulldog, Collie, Basset Hound, Standard Poodle, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Scottish Deerhound, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, and Bouviers des Flandres.

If you want to try a dog that is going to also double as a good watch dog and protector of the home, then these dogs would be a welcome addition and many of them are still great dogs to be around children because they are herders meaning that they are used to watching and caring for those whether they be animal or human in their charge.

Some examples of these herding breeds are: Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiler, Bullmastiff, Belgian Tervuren, German Shepherd, Great Pyrenees, Boxer, Mastiff, Belgian Malinois, Canaan Dog, and Standard Schnauzer. Be sure to pick up some pet crate beds for your dog right away.

Dogs that make great service workers or training partners that are high energy are : Golden and Labrador Retrievers, English Setter, Brittany, Weimaraner, Vizsla, Flat-Coated Retriever, Australian Shepherd, Siberian Husky, Basenji, Akita, Dalmatian, Norwegian Elkhound, Kerry Blue Terrier, Australian Cattle Dog, English Springer Spaniel, Welsh Springer Spaniel, and Irish Setter.

Not everyone has a traditional home setting, perhaps you either spend the greatest amount of time near or at the beach or lake or you live on a boat, then these water canines are a great choice: Labrador Retriever, Curly-Coated Retriever, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Otterhound, Irish Water Spaniel, Portuguese Water Dog, American Water Spaniel, and Newfoundland.

There are as you can see a vast selection of breeds for every lifestyle, and with a little time and research such as talking with breeders or your local veterinarian or visiting your library you can find the right forever friend that is the right fit for your lifestyle!

Varieties Of Dog Clothes For All The Occasions

by Pet Care on February 1, 2009


As Valentine is proceeding nearer and nearer I wanted to give something to my wife as well as my dearest cute little Dog. While I was surfing through the internet for some gifts for my wife this valentine season, I also found that there are varieties of Designer Dog Clothes which have already arrived in the market for dogs also. I just had a glance at some of the dresses but the dress which I liked the most was the Valentine Dress because it was so lovely and it was designed especially for the Valentine occasion. This dress is priced for $ 34.99 only. The reason why this dress was looking so special was that it was decorated with lovely and beautiful red bow and buttons. Definitely my dog Robbie would look amazing in thisDog costumes. Robbie had to be the attraction of the party which we celebrate every Valentine occasion.

When Robbie was indeed looking gorgeous in the Valentine Frilled Dress I even wanted something more. So I had even bought a pair of matching shoes for my cute little Robbie and was contented that she would be the center of the attraction. Everybody were praising Robbie’s Dog Apparel and even we were proud that our puppy was looking the best and she had even won the prize in the competition in which it was suddenly on the spot announced that the best dressed dogie would win the competition. Obviously Robbie had to win because of the beautiful Designer dog clothing which she had worn. She was looking very appealing and people were coming and pampering her and even she was feeling very comfortable and happy that almost all were correspond and express their feelings through words but their actions can express many messages to us. There are so many animals in the world and if we take a initiative and aim to adopt them and take their care then this would be a wonderful act from our side and even we will get good friends for ever because it is proved that dogs are the best friends and they are always faithful to the masters.

One of my friends had lost his family in an accident but fortunately he survived but he was much disheartened and he was always feeling lonely. He did not want to come out of the depression but when I tried to convince him that he should adopt some one by which he can try to come out of the situation. I was trying to encourage him to adopt a baby from an orphanage but whenever he used to see my Robbie he would cheer up to some extent and then eventually he decided that he will adopt a small puppy and that he will take care of it as he had taken care of his child before he met with an accident. At last I was happy that my friend was trying to come out of the depression and was eager to adopt a puppy because even dogs can change the life of an person individual.