My Dumb Dog

December 24, 2008

Aging Dog Needs Special Care

Filed under: Basic Information — admin @ 4:50 am

As your dog gets older, he or she will need special types of food to keep him or her healthy and strong. Always remember that old dogs have different nutrient requirements compared to younger dogs so you should make sure that your dog gets what it needs. Always remember that the stamina of your dog wanes as he or she ages.

Severe health problems may build up in your senior dog as some of the symptoms develop slowly. You can assist in easing a lot of the symptoms and keep your pet contented when it inevitably develops health problems.

The most common problem seen in older dogs and even cats is obesity. There are two ways to control obesity in your pet: give it only the amount of food its body needs or feed it bulky foods that are less caloric.

Here are some things you can do to prevent older dog health problems related to obesity:

* Have a blood work and a physical examination done to rule out medical causes for obesity

* Choose a diet low in calories but high in fiber. You can cook for your pet as well.

* Feed your pet several small meals instead of a single large one or food throughout the day

* Alternate small meals of your pet’s favorite food with meals of less caloric items such as cooked cabbage, carrots, string beans and peas

* You can continue feeding your dog on its current diet if you cut the portions by one-third

* Become a member of a dog association, fence your backyard, baby-sit a younger pet, and take walks so your canine can get more exercise

* Put your pet on a good multivitamin/multi-mineral supplement

You can also know something on importance of dog health care and see the full article at: www.indianpetdogs.com

December 23, 2008

Why You Should Consider Dog Training School

Filed under: Training Tips — admin @ 2:15 am

Dog training school has become a very lucrative business. This is because most people who own a dog simply do not have the time to train him how to obey.

Another Option Besides A Dog Training School

If you love your dog, then more than likely you are willing to invest in a good dog training school. If a dog training school does not work for you then a dog trainer may be what you need. He will come to your home to train your dog whenever you set up an appointment that is convenient for you. Regardless of what method you choose, you are still going to have to learn the commands that your dog is learning and the Dog Sexual Behaviour that is associated with them. As such, this really is a 2 way training.

Run Your Own Dog Training School After Observing The Professionals

Of course, you can always have your very own dog training school. If you decide to do this though you will first need to establish yourself as a professional in this business, otherwise people are not going to even bother thinking about using your dog training school. However, just taking the time to actually realize that there is a definite need for this type of a business may be the spark of initiative that you need in order to get to work establishing your professionalism. Once you decide that you really do want to own a dog training school, you will need to put together a concrete plan of what you are going to need to do in order to make this business venture work for you.

One such thing you are going to want to do is pay attention to what the professionals are doing in their Bird Dog Training school. This can sometimes be difficult, especially if you are clueless as to how to do this. If so, it is advisable that you are able to watch the professionals do their dog training. You can do this by enrolling yourself in training sessions to equip yourself with the proper knowledge and skills that you will need in order to set up your dog training school. Once you meet the dog trainer, you should use him to help you network, which will more than likely be where the majority of your referrals come from. This is because you can work out deals with other trainers wherein you pay them a certain percentage of the fee you earn from the referral. In this way, you can put up your own dog training school with minimal effort.

December 22, 2008

Where Can I Find Some Nice Large Dog Clothes?

Filed under: Basic Information — admin @ 4:58 am

If you have a xl breed doggie, then you already know and understand how much of a daunting task it can be finding the right clothes for large dogs for your doggie. Of course in the past, shopping for these items also meant driving around and checking out the various pet stores and specialty shops, however times have changed significantly and today it is so much easier just shopping online where there is tons of great looking and very affordable options that you can choose from for your doggie.

Just because you have a xl doggie, does not mean that he cannot also be in style with the latest trends and fashions in the doggie fashion industry. You will always be able to find great xl doggie clothes for your doggie no matter what season you are shopping for. If you want a doggie sweater or a doggie jacket to keep your doggie warm through the cold winter months, the available selection today is enormous. You can choose from denim or even camouflage. There are hooded sweaters for Be sure to take a quick peek at these dog pj’s and cheap dog clothes.

Your doggie is cute; you already know that, but when it comes to making your xl breed doggie even more adorable and irresistible to anyone, you need to get them xl doggie clothes because nothing says cute quite like a doggie all dressed up for a walk in the park or a night out on the town.

December 21, 2008

How Do I Potty Train My New Puppy?

Filed under: Potty Training — admin @ 11:20 pm

Some dogs just absolutely refuse to become house trained. No matter how long and hard you have tried to implement techniques to get your dog to use the bathroom in the proper areas, he still chooses to be “vengeful” towards you by not following your instructions, right?

Wrong! The common misconception that your dog is trying to be vindictive and countermine your house training efforts by refusing to follow the rules is a complete myth.

Do you need some great deals on dog clothes and advice about your pet

Dogs only have the capacity for simple, direct emotions, such as being happy, sad, or scared. Their minds are not capable of plotting ways to seek revenge for that swat on his rear, or how you scolded him an hour ago.

If you want to dress your little pooch up get her some dog dress

Dogs do, however, remember and draw upon past experiences that they associate with current situations. But it is important to understand that these associations only create an emotion in which they will feel when going through a similar experience.

You want to make sure also that you don’t scold to the point of instilling fear in your pet. Positive reinforcement is the key! You want them to feel confident about going on the paper or going outside and doing it right! They will learn to do this when they see how much it pleases you and because they get a reward for doing so.

For this reason alone, it is important never to punish or yell at your dog when he uses the bathroom inside the house. Most house training problems actually stem from owners who completely instill fear in their pets when they go potty on the floor. This creates enough trauma to completely halt all of your housetraining efforts.

The key is trying not to react. Instead, remove your dog from the room and take him outside in a very calm and relaxed manner. Be sure that he does not see you cleaning up his mess. Quietly clean the area and be sure to use an enzyme-containing house cleaner. Vinegar or liquid soap will do just fine as well. By completely removing all of the older, this helps reduce your dog’s need to urinate and mark the same spot over and over.

Tip: Avoid using ammonia because the smell is very similar to that of a dog’s urine and can stimulate him to pee in the same area.

When all else fails, schedule a visit with your veterinarian so that the doctor can do a complete health checkup of your dog to make sure that there is not a health-related reason for his inability to become house trained.

Some dogs can be harboring illnesses that may prove to be the cause of not having the ability to control their bowel movements. Such illnesses could be caused by ticks, such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, or the most common reason: a urinary tract infection.

Shih Tzu Problems You Can Expect

Filed under: Shih Tzu — admin @ 4:04 am

You love your new little Shih Tzu but you can probably expect some problems, if you haven’t already begun to experience them. Shih Tzu problems usually stem from the dog’s hereditary disposition and personality as much as anything else. Environment usually does not have much of an effect on a Shih Tzu unless that environment is very negative. So the better you understand your dog the better equipped you will be to deal with any potential problems that may spring up during training.

Shih Tzu dogs are high-strung little animals that do not respond well to noises and commotion of any kind. The natural response for a Shih Tzu that feels excessive stress or any other tension from their environment is a biting response. They will bite anything in their path and it doesn’t matter who or what it is. This is one of the main reasons why Shih Tzu dogs are said to not be great dogs for kids. Of course not every dog is the same but for the most part the Shih Tzu is not a great dog for kids unless you take the time to train it very well- and it does take time.
The Shih Tzu is a very proud and regal dog that descends from the dogs that used to find favor with Chinese royalty. They can be very arrogant and stubborn and this is probably the only Shih Tzu problem that can lead to more problems than anything else. They will do what they want to do and they take a long time to learn that you are in charge and not them. As was said it takes patience to train a Shih Tzu.

Shih Tzu dogs can be playful when they want to be but they do not require a lot of exercise so any activity they do get is on their terms. They are not very likely to fetch a stick for you and they certainly won’t be playing catch with a Frisbee thrown by you any time soon. If you are looking for a rough and tumble play dog then the Shih Tzu is probably not for you.
This stubbornness and high-strung personality are detrimental to important tasks like housebreaking. A Shih Tzu normally can take months to housebreak and if anything happens to upset them during the process, or they just decide that they don’t want to learn anymore, then you are usually back to square one. Your only weapon is positive reinforcement and a lot of praise because if they don’t understand what you want then they will do whatever they want.

Shih Tzu problems can come from any direction and it usually has to do with their independent personalities. They carry themselves very well and are very self-assured animals, which means they usually do not care what you have to say. It takes a lot of time and patience to overcome these issues and it can cause a great deal of frustration as well, but no one ever said it was going to be easy.

Many of the challenges of Shih Tzu training are in this article. This article will augment the information you can find in many dog training books.

December 20, 2008

Do You Know What Is In Your Dog Food

Filed under: Health — admin @ 2:55 am

Information about dogs - Dog Food

A good dog food for your dog meets with a specific, high quality ingredient base that provides a high level of optimum nutrition for your pet. Dog food ingredients are selected based on their quality, and are human grade, meaning that they are also used for human consumption.

Usually a greater price tag goes along with the purchase of premium dog food as the cost to find, evaluate and test a high quality ingredient can be more expensive, and because of this, some dog food manufacturers substitute quality for quantity and opt for the cheap alternative.

They do this because they know that the uneducated public will, often times, opt to buy the cheaper alternative when given the choice. Also, it is more convenient to purchase your dog’s food as you are buying your own groceries.

When you select the best dry food for your dog, is it better to go with the chicken meal than the pure chicken?

Chicken meal is better because it is simply chicken that has been baked to remove bacteria and other toxins. Chicken is simply pure chicken.

What you might not know about chicken, is that it is made mostly of water. If a label on a bag of dog food says 60% whole chicken that is quite misleading as that does not take into account how much of that 60% of chicken is left after baking it to remove unwanted substances!

When you read the label on the bag of dog food and it says 60% of chicken meal, you are getting more of the chicken because the product has already been baked to remove unwanted affects such as bacteria.

December 19, 2008

Is My Dog Pregnant?

Filed under: Basic Information — admin @ 4:38 pm

Unsure if your pet is pregnant? Of course the easiest thing to do is to take your dog to the Veterinarian. The veterinarian have a few options available to them to determine if your pet is pregnant. Ultrasound is the most reliable since the doctor can actually see if there are any puppies. Depending on how far along the vet may be able to feel, the dog’s uterus to determine pregnancy. This is not something pet owners should try because you do not want to damage any puppies. The other thing the vet might try is a blood test. Or your doctor might decide to do an x-ray on the animal. One big advantage about talking the dog to the vet is that he may be able to give you a better idea about when the puppies will be born.

How to Tell if Your Dog is Pregnant - Some indicators.

There are signs that a pet owner can watch that are good early detection signs that your dog is pregnant. Many dogs lose their appetite during the first few weeks. They may sleep a lot more during this time. Another good indication is swollen nipples. A dog that is not pregnant will normally have small flat nipples. A pregnant dog’s nipples will start to swell. You might also see that there is a color change.

Some dogs will even display behaviour changes. They may want to be left alone. This is normal. Try not to be concerned. Or your dog might become overly affectionate. They might want to be with you all the time.
Once you have determined that your dog is pregnant a trip to the vet is recommended. They can offer advice about diet and address any pre-natal treatments that your dog may require.

Now all you can do is wait. If you are wondering how long are dogs pregnant - the normal length of pregnancy is between 54 and 72 days depending on the breed. Congratulations, you are having puppies.

December 18, 2008

Do You Know These 3 Things About Choosing Your Puppy

Filed under: Puppies — admin @ 2:48 pm

As you start thinking about getting a new puppy it is important that you know what your expectations and requirements are when it comes to the personality and needs of your new friend. This step is essential if you are to have a long and happy relationship with your puppy and is an important piece of information about dogs.

Here are 3 things you should be thinking about…

Do You Have Children?

You should know the time commitment a young puppy demands. Quite often that amount of time may be more than the time your own child needs. And it can be difficult to have both a young child and a new puppy at the same time.

Having both of them together requires constant supervision. This is to make sure that none of them hurts the other. You should keep watch at all times to prevent roughhousing, pulling, biting, and other potential injuries.

Are They Ready for a Dog?

Most experts - both trainers and breeders - do not recommend getting one of the toy breeds if you have a toddler at home. This is because a toy breed puppy is so tiny that they run the risk of being squeezed too hard, being stepped on, or being dropped. However, if you really have your heart set on getting a toy breed then just to make sure you choose one of the gentler and easy going breeds.

Do you have the time to take care of a dog?

Dogs are naturally social by nature. This is one of the main reasons that they are so popular as pets and companions. Knowing this, please do not get a dog if you plan on keeping her outside all day long. This is even more important if you are getting a puppy since they need much more attention and supervision. They also demand more interaction and regular training so that they can become a more socialized member of your family.

On an average, most dogs will spend at least eight hours a day home alone. This is usually the case at least five days of the week. Some breeds are better suited to this type of lifestyle. Most terriers, for example, will find ways to entertain themselves if you provide them with enough space to roam. Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes are also pretty adaptable.

Are you looking for dog to provide security?

A dog that barks when someone approaches the door may be just enough for most dog owners. It provides them with a sense of security since a dog barking, whether she is a small breed or a large dog will serve to deter most burglars. Dachshunds and most other toy breeds make excellent watchdogs. Terriers are also good at being protective.

If you are looking for a dog that can provide protection through their bark as well as their appearance then consider choosing a puppy from the herding group or one of the working breeds. Dogs from these breeds are protective of their owners and have the appearance that will scare away a burglar. These breeds are usually high skilled and easily trained.

Download your FREE special report “keep your pet healthy” today!

December 17, 2008

Dog Training Methods Produce Results

Filed under: Training Tips — admin @ 12:26 pm

Dog training methods differ from one trainer to another, but they are all intended to produce results. Expert professionals for example, use dog training methods so these wonderful animals will not make messes in the home. They also use their dog training methods so a dog will learn to obey their owners. Different methods are used for different kinds of training, for example to stop a dog from being aggressive, or to stop a dog from barking when they shouldn’t. Some dogs get in the habit of just barking for no reason, but dog training methods will make sure that a dog knows this is not appropriate behavior. Dog training methods should provide each owner with a dog that behaves properly in all circumstances, especially the ones important to their owners.

One dog Obedience Training method commonly used, is to provide treats when the dog demonstrates acceptable behavior. This signals to the dog that the trainer approves of the behavior. If a dog is supposed to sit, the trainer will make this command. If the dog sits on the command, the trainer gives the dog some kind of a treat. If the dog does not sit, the trainer often repeats the command and provides some guidance to the dog. When the dog eventually follows the command, the trainer gives the dog a treat to reinforce this good behavior.

Some Dog Training Methods Have Different Tools

Some dog training methods use some specific tools to help the dog demonstrate appropriate behavior. The clicker method is a very interesting method that some trainers believe in wholeheartedly. This dog training method uses only positive reinforcement of good behavior and never any punishment for bad behavior. Owners can use this method at home once the technique is learned, and a clicker can be found at most pet shops.

Many expert trainers of marine animals such as whales use this method. The trainer for Dog Excercising makes the click when the dog does something right and then gives the dog a treat. The dog comes to associate the clicker with a treat and tries to repeat the good behavior to hear the click again along with a treat.

Some trainers use negative reinforcement to train their dogs, but many people think that this method is not very effective because the dog will only behave properly if the trainer is present. This means that a dog may learn to stop chewing on the couch if the trainer is present, but if the trainer is not present, the dog will chew on the couch. Many dog trainers avoid this type of training because they believe that this is not very helpful for the dog or the owner. However, you’ll need to make sure and create a list of questions important to you when looking for a dog trainer, to ensure you choose the right fit.

December 16, 2008

Buying The Right Dog Toys For Your Pooch

Filed under: Basic Information — admin @ 5:11 am

When you decide to look for a dog toy for your new pup,, you may only then realize how many hundreds of dog toys available in the market. Big ones, small ones, colored ones that comes with different shapes and materials. With all these amazing dog toys available, how do you know which one to choose??

Here are a few ideas to guide you into buying a safe dog toy for your dog :-

a) Do a research on the breed of your dog internet. If he is a guard dog like a Rotweiler buy them dog chew toysindestructible dog toys/dog chew toys. Knowing what traits your dog own is a key ingredient to picking the right dog chew toys that your pet will grow to love. A bit of research on the internet will help you save money by picking the right dog toy for your pup.

b) The size of your dog toys matters too. If you have a small size dog, choose a smaller dog toy for them. But make sure it is not too small because they may end up swallowing the fall out bit and accidentally choke themselves. Plush dog toys are normally suitable for them because they are soft and comes with vibrant colors and shapes. Small little puppies are like children, when they look at these special shapes and colors, they will feel excited and happy.

If your little puppy have teething problem and they seem to chew on whatever they could reach it is advisable to buy dog chew toys such as dog Kong toys or toys that could be chilled and let your dog chew or bite for teeth and gum relaxation. Normally Kong toys allow you to stuff dog biscuits, so that your little pooch can gnaw on and at the same time, taste the yummy treats you give them. These dog toys are normally made out of rubber and they are harder to destroy. The rubbers used are non-toxic, nonabrasive, non-splintering and does not get sharp when chewed. It also satisfies a dog’s natural need to chew and also cleans the conditions the gums and teeth.

For dogs who are active and known to be intelligent, puzzle and treat teaser toys will test their minds. These toys are specially made for educating dogs through play and also test their minds by solving puzzles. Always make sure that the toys you buy for them are durable and won’t come loose and have it swallowed when left unsupervised.

After reading this, you would have known by now what are the positive aspects of buying a dog toy for your dogs. They are made to stimulate your dog’s mind and at the same time they are also made to entertain your dog when you are not around to accompany them. Once again, take into account about the size, likes, chewing strength and intelligence of the dog toys. Make your purchase worthwhile at a discount pet supplies and also at the same time keep your dog’s playtime interesting and fun.

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