Archive for the 'Home & Family' Category

Joint Diseases of Senior Dogs

Published
by
Ray Lam
on August 15, 2008
in Pets
. 0 Comments
by Ray Lam

Osteoarthritis or Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) is a progressive condition in which the cartilage in the joint is slowly broken down, and bony changes occur. Any dog with a developmental or congenital joint problem, like dysplasia or patella luxation, is more prone to developing osteoarthritis. Dogs who have had injury to a joint such as a fracture involving the joint or a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in the knee will be also more likely to develop DJD.

You can also give your dog a glucosamine and chondroitin table. It will help lubricate his cartilage. The normal dosage is a 500 mg tablet per ten pounds of body weight one time daily. MSM is an organic sulphur that studies have shown relieves arthritic pain, slows joint deterioration, and reduces inflammation. It hasn’t any negative side effects. Since dogs don’t usually get enough Omega 3’s in their diets, give your dog a supplement like fish oil tablets to get these fatty acids. It helps reduce swelling in joints.

The choice to help your dog get relief from arthritis or to prevent it from developing is yours. As you can see there are several ways to keep your dogs joints healthy that you can utilize. Really it depends on how much time you have whether or not you would make your dog’s food yourself, give him supplements, or feed him commercial dog food made to help treat arthritis. And definitely your vet’s opinion on your dog’s diet is a consideration. Many vets do recommend supplements and arthritis food formulas for treatment of arthritis in dogs.

Caring for a dog with osteoarthritis requires combating it on many fronts. These include: Weight control and exercise; Physical therapy; Prescription anti-inflammatories or non-prescription medication for treatment of pain and inflammation; Other supplements to reduce inflammation, including fatty acid supplements containing high levels of omega-3 fatty acids.

Arthritis doesn’t have to slow your dog down, take steps when they’re younger to prevent the irreversible damaged caused by arthritis.

About the Author:
Learn about Dog Separation Anxiety Cure and get a FREE “Dog Medicine Report” by visiting http://dogmedicinetips.info, popular website that provides free tips and advice on medicine for dogs.

Dog Behavior Questions - How Your Attitude Affects Training

Published
by
Lee Dobbins
on August 15, 2008
in Pets
. 0 Comments
by Lee Dobbins

One of the biggest dog behavior questions centers around training style. Your training style and attitude greatly affects your success of training your dog. Sometimes more so than your dogs attitude does!.

You must have patience when trying to develop good behavior in your dog just about as much as raising a child. For the most part we as humans don’t have that much patients. So when trying to train your dog to behave you may need to train yourself.

Be prepared to an invest the time daily at least half an hour but preferably an hour to developing the desired behavior in your companion. And when you feel you’re at your limit of patience whether at 10 minutes or an hour an end the session.

Your goal should be to increase the “time to boiling point” bit by bit every day. Don’t forget that you and your dog are working together in this training and that your dog is only able to understand commands at the level of a two-year-old toddler. This is even true for breeds that are easily trained. There may be exceptions to this, but those are few and far between.

In nature, dogs live in a hierarchical social structure, and many dog behavior questions can be answered by this. In their society, there is typically 1 leader in the “pack” - the alpha dog. In your house, you are the leader of the back. You must remember this when training and not let the dog take a leadership role.

When training your dog to obey, you should not be doing it for yourself, but for your dog and the safety of others. YOU will be rewarded with a constant companion. Once you begin training you must stick with it and continually praise your dog for its efforts. Remain diligent through failures and do not punish your dog for them.

This won’t an always be easy - some dogs are natural leaders. But an even in purely wild packs that role can and does change an among and an individuals when the more assertive an individual insists on taking it. Be consistent don’t give up and your dog will follow your orders.

No matter how well you train your dog, your dog still has a mind of its own and won’t always follow the commands you issue. You and your dog will get frustrated if you expect him to learn a command with too few repetitions or to always perfectly follow one that you taught him before. Your dog does not have the same memory as a human. It is even different from very young humans. Get to know your dog. Acknowledge your dog’s unique qualities, his learning capability, and any limitations he may have.

Breeds vary in their ability to be trained as do individual dogs. There are dogs more energetic and spirited by nature such as terriers, retrievers and Dalmatians. Some are more calm like basset hounds and collies. Age plays an important role too. A ten-week old puppy will not pay attention the same way a three-year old dog will.

You are trying to teach the dog good behavior, so don’t create any confusing dog behavior questions in your pet by exhibiting bad behavior yourself. Help your dog understand that good behavior will be rewarded and keep punishment to a minimum. Your dog should not be learning to be afraid of you, but to trust you completely.

About the Author:
Want to learn more about having a perfectly trained, happy and healthy pooch? Get your free dogcare eBook at http://www.dogcareandtrainingtips.com/

Remedies for Dog Separation Anxiety

Published
by
Ray Lam
on August 14, 2008
in Pets
. 0 Comments
by Ray Lam

Contrary to popular belief, our family pets can suffer from anxiety just as much as their human counterparts. Anxiety is a response to stress and nothing can bring out anxiety in a dog as much as separation from an owner. Needless to say, a great deal of panic can set in with a family dog that seriously misses it owner. Also, the separation does not even have to be very long in duration. Some dogs may fly into separation anxiety panic simply waiting for an owner to return home from work. This can lead to the dog causing serious damage in the home. Obviously, this would not be a good situation. So, it would be wise to take a few dog house training steps to reduce the onset of separation anxiety.

Bach flower essences have been safely used by both people and animals in order to calm their nerves and bring a sense of general well-being. For this reason, it is very effective in the treatment of dog separation anxiety. The bach flower essences are heavily diluted and can be combined with many other ingredients in order to create numerous combinations for a variety of medical concerns. In fact, there are 38 different combinations that are effective in treating different ailments. Bach flower essences can be found in many health food stores and are widely available on the Internet.

Positive indications of separation anxiety are bad behavior primarily when your dog is left alone, he follows you everywhere you go, he becomes overexcited when you return home, he becomes excited or depressed when you prepare to leave home, or if he dislikes being alone out of doors.

Separation anxiety is not due to disobedience or lack of training. It is an instinctive behavior and should not be punished. The key to treating this problem is to gradually train or condition your dog to get used to your absence. When you leave home or return home make it a low key event.

Kava kava has also been used by many people in the treatment of dog separation anxiety. It is safe for use in humans, but there are not enough studies to indicate whether or not kava kava is safe for use in dogs. For this reason, proceed with caution if you do decide to use kava kava treatments for dog separation anxiety.

About the Author:
Learn more about allergy dog medicine and get a FREE “Dog Medicine Report” by visiting http://dogmedicinetips.info, popular website that provides free tips and advice on medicine for dogs.

Get the landscaping plan first

Published
by
Andrew Caxton
on July 18, 2008
in Landscaping
. 0 Comments
by Andrew Caxton

Good Landscaping Plans

A good and efficient landscaping plan is a pre requisite for perfect landscaping. The best way is to lay out the entire design before the digging and the planting starts since it will exterminate the chance of having to move items later or create certain obstacles. A good plan can come up on its own, all it requires is some creativity and imagination with of course, ample time to ponder over.

Not Time Bound

Take up sufficient time for your settings and equipment required. Make it a point to note down all the materials you require before you start and keep them handy in order to avoid confusion when you start. This way you can do your work smoothly without waiting for your supplies to come halfway through.

Iterate - Think and Plan carefully

Make good use of you time. Think twice before you proceed. If your work is not disciplined it will be a total havoc at the end. Your yard reflects your set up, your attitude and people form an opinion about you also through your maintenance of the yard. The appropriate time to start your yard work is spring. Then you would be able to enjoy the summer better since it will be ready by then.

Foregather Beautiful Ideas and Designs for Your Landscape Plans

Go trough some interesting books and magazines to gather ideas. Some even provide step by step instructions for the same. But, one basic thing is, to have a personalized yard, give your own finishing touch ups. This will give it quite a different look.

Flowers and plants

Another pre requisite- make a list of the plants you feel will suit the yard. Also choose and decide your plants based on your soil condition and the atmosphere in which the plants will bloom flowers the best. Also remember to take a note of the sunlight availability for your plants and check the drainage system too. Choose plants and flowers which douceur each other and give the yard a bright and pleasant look.

Adequate Help in Getting on With Your Landscape

Be sure you have help with the bulky items once you start up with your project. This is especially essential if you are compassing for your new landscape plans and want to move certain items. This help would be of good use if you are planning a vast landscape plan and get the work done faster. Now that you are well equipped in terms of plans, supplies, aide, you will now be improving your place and it will prove to be a good investment to your property. It will be a long lasting effort and pleasing too. Good Luck!!!

See more details about landscaping and tips for perfect planning on landscaping.

About the Author:
Andrew Caxton is the journalist of consumer websites, who has written more articles on lawn care for http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com .A website with tips on landscaping and gardening plans.

Dog Divas Love Canine Accessories!

Published
by
Rebecca Foxton
on July 18, 2008
in Pets
. 0 Comments
by Rebecca Foxton

Now is your chance to be a stylist - for your pet dog.

You get to choose some great designer apparel for your pup, and get your hands on some innovative and wonderful accessories fresh for the cream of canine designers.

A wide selection of innovative products are available online to give your dog the edge.

Take designer charms for example; they come in all kinds of cute shapes such as the Aria Enamel Bone Charm or Pawprint Charm, or for especially regal pooches you might want the Majestic Crown.

Your tiny dog is just begging for a pretty decoration for example, a cute charm to wear around the collar, to look charmingly pretty in its own right but also maybe to complement your look, in a variety of colors and designs.

The Sweetheart charm in pink, blue or crystal is ideal for small lady dogs whereas you might prefer the Skull and Crossbones for roguish boys.

It’s not just your outfit which you have to take into consideration these days, with the rising popularity of tiny dogs such as chihuahuas as a handbag accessory for rich heiresses is spreading to the mainstream too.

For girls, a pretty little dog with the right accessories can speak volumes about urban chic. Remember too that a well cared for dog will convey that the owner is responsible and caring too.

Time to address personal grooming with a selection of products almost too good for your dog.

Your dog can smell less like a dog and more like Crisp Apple, Coconut and Pineapple and Fresh Berry with 8in1’s scented sprays, which are intended to be used in between bath times to freshen up your dog’s natural smell.

Maybe it’s time to get some very individual accessories to complete your look; cue Pet Checks.

Choose the dog or cat design and use like normal checks - I am sure you can think of someone who would love to get these for Christmas.

The best gift for your dog would be life, and here’s a product that just might be able to deliver that.

By law we are required to wear seatbelts so why not extend that safety to your pet too?

Cruising Companion make these ingenious harnesses to keep your canine VIP safe.

There is a seemingly endless range of clothing, bath products, charms and gadgets for dogs on the market.

You will just love creating that new look for your pet with all those great accessories.

About the Author:
About the author: Rebecca Foxton can help you give your pet better health with Fortiflora. Check out her health tips for people with dogs and cats and read her dog accessories articles on Dog Buffs.

Taming a Dominant Dog

Published
by
Joseph Then
on July 18, 2008
in Pets
. 0 Comments
by Joseph Then

Just like any new pet owner, you are excited because there is an addition to the household.

And then after picking up the dog of your choice and bringing your pet into the house, it dawned upon you that your dog is quite dominant and hard to control. What do you do next? You embark upon training your dog to do your bidding. Wait! Before you do so, do you really know what you’re up to? Do you know what you are going to train? You may say it’s a dog. You’re going to train a dog. Just like with any tasks, don’t come unprepared. Understanding and knowledge are both essential so take the time to know why dogs behave that way.

The first thing you should do is see where the origin of your dog is. A dog is a descendant of wolves. Although dogs have been domesticated thousands of years before, there is no doubt that there will be some characteristics similar to a wolf that is by instinct ingrained within your pet. An example would be its sense of smell. It uses its sense of smell to do basically do everything. Unlike us, we use our five senses to understand our surrounding. Therefore, we learn that even though dogs are domesticated they still retain some of their most basic instincts. That is the most important thing that you need to keep in mind before taming a dog.

So what do you do when you feel that the time is right for you to train your dog? Wait! There are a few thing s you need to keep in mind. They are: Focus, Take Control and claim all things as your possession that is inside the house, of course.

Let’s begin with focus. Why do you need focus? Well, if you start training a dog, you may lose your cool as dogs do not understand simple English like sit down or stay. I bet you will find it very annoying. Some people think that the best way to deal with this is to beat the pet or even yell at them, Stop! You should not do that as it won’t do you any good. All you need to do is to be calm, steady and always remain firm. The most important thing that you should remember is that you should always remain calm when training your dog.

The next part of training is taking control. How do you take control? No, you do not yell. Instead, you should always maintain eye contact and make sure that you are firm when teaching your dog new things. By maintaining this, you will let your dog know that you are in charge and the one who has the authority. The submissive dogs will look away but not the dominant ones. Therefore, you should always remember to look your dog in the eyes and be firm.

Last, claim all things as yours whether this is about toys, food, rugs and so on stand your ground. Only once your dog understands that you are the one in charge should you allow your pet to share things with you.

Now that you are aware of these things, you can continue teaching your pet until the desired results are achieved. However in all things, remember to keep a little tender loving care for your pet, after all we are talking about your dog.

About the Author:
Dog training is not easy. However, if you have a good training guide it will make things easier. Go to our website as we provide expert dog training reviews which you will benefit. Visit us at ==> http://www.dogtrainingtipsonline.net

The Real Secrets To Train Your Dog Today!

Published
by
Dr. Alfonso
on July 18, 2008
in Home & Family
. 0 Comments
by Dr. Alfonso

Do you know that there are lot important dog training secrets which can be used in the time of modifying the behavior of your little monster in order to get the best results? May be you are not aware of this. But it is true. You can apply these essential dog resources while training your dog. This may prove to be very beneficial only when the dog learns all those secrets of training that can signify the difference between an obedient dog and a nuisance. In this article I am going to explain you about some of the imperative information about some of the chief resources such as dog training CD and dog training e-book.

CD for Dog Training

If you are planning to buy a CD which will helps you in the training secession of your pet, then it will be a great idea. This kind of dog training CDs will present you the effective dog training secrets that have been implemented by several years ago by different experts. Not all trainers who wish to share their thoughts, only few specialists who will just reveal their training secrets. I have found a lot of websites which are providing dog training CDs through internet. These CDs will help you to learn a lot of things while training your dog. Below are some of the details which I experienced at the time of using the resource:

1. At the time when you are training your dog, the very important thing is that you should train them by the use of optimistic fortification.

2. As per the study it has been proved that, the problem during the training session occurs and people will not be successful to train their dogs because of the natural results of the individuals who use pessimistic fortification.

3. Here you can find several successful strategies where you can make sure that your dog is listening and responding to what you are saying. This will helps your training to become simple.

4. Through the help of this CD you can recognize the fundamental psychology behind dog and puppy training. Also you will come to know why you need to conduct training in a particular way.

5. Through this Dog training CD you can solve the different problems and many complications which may arise at the time of dog training.

If you are tired of all the ideas to train your dog, then you can try using free dog training CDs. Today there are 1000s of websites which are providing free CDs. These CDs will help you to discover some effective dog training secrets for FREE!

About the Author:
Dr. Mayra Alfonso, a medical doctor and has completed residency training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. She is also a proud owner of the website Puppy Training Secrets. If you really want to turn your dog into well mannered dog, just click here.

Dog Rescues

Published
by
Rebecca Foxton
on July 18, 2008
in Pets
. 0 Comments
by Rebecca Foxton

What happens to abandoned dogs, or those who run away, or get lost? Many end up in pounds where it is only a matter of time before they are put down.

An alternative is an animal shelter, a much happier option as they care for abandoned dogs and attempt to find new owners, and they have been instrumental in encouraging spaying and neutering. This alone has resulted in a reduction of stray dogs reproducing unwanted puppies.

Still, some animals will end up in shelters, often through no fault of their own. Their owner may have died, or become unable to look after them, or worse, been unwilling to look after them.

Aggressive dogs also end up in shelters when the owner can no longer cope; it must be said though that training and environment play a great role in the temperament of the dog.

Adopting from an animal shelter is a really worthy way of getting a new pet. Why buy a new puppy when there are hundreds of animals wishing desperately for a new home.

The points to remember when you choose a dog from a shelter are something to think about. Usually there is no clue as to treatment or health of the animal prior to its arrival at the shelter, so you might be in for a surprise in terms of chronic infections or inherited disease.

The personality of the dog too is somewhat a gamble, so if you have children you might want to study the animal carefully and choose a breed who are tolerant with kids. He may have also gotten into bad habits in his previous house so a little training might be in order.

In addition, be prepared to have to do a little dog obedience with your new pet, to iron out any bad habits his former owner allowed him to have. Your new pet might be anxious or hyperactive in the first days and weeks as he gets used to his new circumstances.

The Humane Society is the largest organization for animal protection in the USA. Its central offices are based in Washington DC. It works on a local level with many regional branches across the USA. It is funded by donation.

The work of the Humane society includes looking after the rights of both wildlife and domestic animals. It carries out its wok through legislation, litigation, investigation, education, advocacy and field work.

Both domestic and wild animals are in the remit of the work of the Humane Society. It defends animals through the courts, the classroom, the senate, the authorities and more. You can find many unwanted pets at regional branches, which should be your first place to look for a new pet.

If you want to help the Humane Society you can do so in several ways. You can adopt an animal. You can give a donation. You can volunteer your time.

These are the contributions you can make to the Humane Society. If animal shelters didn’t exist, the fate of unwanted animals would be a lot bleaker. So extend the same humanity to animals as you would expect to receive yourself.

About the Author:
Author Rebecca Foxton wants to help you bring your pet brilliant health with Fortiflora. Check out her health tips for people with dogs and cats and visit her dog arthritis articles on Dog Buffs.

How to Care for Your Havanese

Published
by
Fiona Kelly
on July 18, 2008
in Pets
. 0 Comments
by Fiona Kelly

Are you thinking about adding a Havanese puppy to your family? These cute little creatures can make wonderful family pets, whether your clan consists of adults only, a brood of kids or even other animals in the house. But any new pet will come with its own unique set of concerns and care issues, and Havanese are certainly no exception to this rule. If you are seriously considering a Havanese, the first thing you will want to do is research the various aspects of Havanese care to ensure that you will be able to offer your new puppy the best home possible for him to grow and thrive.

There are a number of concerns regarding Havanese care specifically and dog ownership generally. First, there are certain Havanese health risks with this breed that you will want to be aware of, so that you can screen your breeder for potential genetic issues. Havanese will also require regular grooming, and a regimen of a nutritious diet and plenty of exercise to keep them healthy and happy.

All purebred dogs come with a handful of medical problems that they have a genetic predisposition to, and the Havanese is no exception. Part of taking responsibility for Havanese health is to be aware of these problems before you ever begin the selection process for your puppy.

These might include eye problems like cataracts and progressive retinol atrophy, which can cause blindness. It may also entail issues with hip dysplasia, or a condition known as patellar luxation, which is a slipping of the kneecap. By becoming aware of these conditions, you can ask your breeder about the history of these issues in his lines of dogs.

Another aspect of Havanese health is to keep your puppies coat clean and groomed. This required daily brushings and monthly baths to keep your pup looking and feeling his best. It may also include visits to the groomer if you choose to keep his coat clipped shorter, but you can do this job yourself if you learn how to do it properly also.

A nutritious diet is an important component in good Havanese health. Your breeder or veterinarian will probably have some suggestions and recommendations in this area, but it is generally thought that a high-quality commercial food from the pet store will be sufficient. It is best to keep your puppy on the same food that he ate at the breeders, at least during his first few weeks with you.

It is best to find a brand that both you and your dog like and stick with it. If you must switch food, transition your pet slowly and gently, to avoid giving your dog stomach trouble. Most breeders and veterinarians will provide a dry food over a canned product, especially for young dogs.

Along with the nutritious diet, your pup will need regular exercise, and he will enjoy it more if he gets to do it with you! Take him for a walk every day, or play a few rounds of fetch in the backyard. With daily exercise, regular grooming sessions and a healthy diet, your pet will be the healthiest and happiest that he can be.

About the Author:
Fiona Kelly is an avid lover of the Havanese and owns a popular website where you’ll discover how to have a happy, healthy and well behaved Havanese. Among other topics at this website, you will find out more about Havanese Health plus a whole lot more.

Chihuahua Breeding And Your Dog

Published
by
Sandra Dean
on July 18, 2008
in Pets
. 0 Comments
by Sandra Dean

If you have decided that a Chihuahua puppy is the best pet for you, you will not have trouble finding a Chihuahua breeder to purchase your puppy from. However, during your search you might also come in contact with a number of breeders who do not breed their Chihuahuas in a responsible fashion. When it comes to Chihuahua breeding, it is important to shop around and ask the right questions when selecting the best breeder for you. There are some guidelines that you can follow that will help to determine whether a breeder is breeding his dogs responsibly to help ensure that you receive a puppy that is healthy, good tempered and attractive.

When you begin the hunt for a reputable Chihuahua breeder, take the time to ask plenty of questions and conduct the proper research into each breeder that you consider. By selecting your Chihuahua breeder carefully, you will be much more likely to purchase the friendly, healthy dog that you are hoping for.

There are plenty of steps that you can take to ensure that the breeder that you select practices responsible Chihuahua breeding. First, check with your state or national Chihuahua clubs for a listing of reputable breeders in your area. The American Kennel Club is another good source for responsible breeders of all kinds of dogs. Your veterinarian may have names of good Chihuahua breeders and friends with Chihuahuas might be able to guide you in the right direction as well. Publications will also have listings in them for Chihuahua breeders, so check your local pet supply store for these magazines and trade publications. If you go to dog events like obedience classes and agility trials, you might be able to collect names of breeders as well.

There are also ways to find reputable Chihuahua breeders on the Internet, but if you decide to purchase your Chihuahua puppy online, you will want to take a few extra steps in the process to make sure that you have found a reputable breeder. Make sure that you at least have the opportunity to talk to the breeder over the phone, and ask for plenty of documentation to ensure you are getting the dog that you expect.

Once you have tracked down a breeder that looks promising, it is time to investigate his Chihuahua breeding practices to ensure that he handles his dogs in a responsible way. A reputable Chihuahua breeder will ask you as many questions as you ask him, so that he knows his precious puppy will be going to a good home.

If he has dogs that have tested positive for these issues, they should not be used in the breeding process. Responsible breeders will also let you meet with one or both of the parents of your puppy if possible, so that you can see the dog’s temperament and appearance.

It is also good to visit the breeding site to see if it is well maintained and the puppies are well cared for. The pups should be kept indoors with the family much of the time, to ensure that they are well socialized. Your breeder should spend time quizzing you as well, so that he knows his pup will go to a good home.

If you follow these guidelines, your chances of finding a person who is responsible in Chihuahua breeding is good, and you will be able to purchase a puppy that will bring you years of enjoyment.

About the Author:
Sandra Dean is a passionate lover of the Chihuahua and has a popular website that can show you how to have a happy, healthy and well behaved Chihuahua. Among other topics at this website, you can also learn all about Chihuahua Breeding concerns plus a whole lot more.