While chewing is a fairly normal activity for dogs it is not so normal that it is necessary for you to accept that your dog chews on things that you would rather he didn't. There are some easy steps you can take to deal with a chewing dog that will essentially train your pet what is acceptable to chew and what is not. Thereby preserving your valuables.
Here are a few easy steps you might consider trying.
First realize the dogs chew simply out of instinct. To a certain extent all dogs are chewers. Rather than looking to stop your dog from chewing a better option is to provide "chew safe" options for him. You should test several different types of toys. By experimenting with various replacement solutions you should be able to find one or two that almost instantly solve your problem.
Another solution, though sometimes a little difficult to undertake is to confine your pet to smaller quarters. This could be done by cordoning off rooms or areas where there are things you do not want chewed on and destroyed. This solution works extremely well when you're going to be away from home and unable to supervise your pet.
You should be aware that there is are a number of products available that act as anti-chewing applications. These are designed to make chewing a particular item a lot less attractive through taste. The anti-chewing substance is applied and when you dog chews he is treated to an other wise harmless bitter taste. After a few applications and encounters the chewing of the particular item ceases to be a problem.
Nylabones are another safe chewing alternative that are made from odorless from nylon fibers. They are available as edible and not-edible varieties. The edible nylabones are flexible while the non-edible one's are more durable and filled with chicken and other meat flavors. Nylabones are available in a range of size and colors so you can choose one that your dog will like.
Author Info: Dog Tricks Academy A pretty cool website that shows you how to train your dog to do tricks. Each trick is taught using an online video so it is very easy to do it yourself. There are many tricks such as roll over, stand, sit, give and many more to choose from. It is a free website so you can enjoy training your dog at home without paying a lot of money http://www.dogtrickacademy.com/members/
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Thursday, April 24, 2008
Training Your Dog Not To Chew
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Top 10 Signs You are a Dog Lover
There’s something different about you. People sense it the moment you walk in the door. Is it in your smile, or the way wear your hair? Truly, there are countless manifestations of your canine obsession.
Here are the top ten:
#10: Stray hairs on your clothes.
White hairs make a mess of your black wool skirt, while black fur collects in tufts on your white fleece pullover. You’ve spent a small fortune on lint removers, but have finally given up. Shedding isn’t just for the dogs anymore.
#9: Pockets full of old bread bags (or mutt mitts).
Dog owners live by the Boy Scouts’ motto: Be prepared. After all accidents do happen, even on Mr. Smith’s meticulously manicured lawn. You’ll be ready when they do.
#8: You whistle to call your dog...and your kid.
In fact, you find it hard to distinguish between the two. Your wallet, desk, and the wallpaper on your Windows XP Desktop are packed with photos of Caesar.
#7: You’ve been caught on more than one occasion talking to your dog as if he were a person.
You pause patiently while the dog “answers” you. And you insist that he does answer!
#6: You like people your dog likes, and hate those she hates.
Instead of your parent’s approval, your dates must win Muffy’s favor. This has made dating almost impossible for you, since Muffy tends to be jealous of anyone who takes your attention away from her.
#5: You give out gifts that your dog “bought,” and sign cards from you and your dog.
Having given up on teaching Buford how to hold a pencil, you now ink up his paw to leave his print. Unfortunately he got away before you could wash it off, and now there’s a line of permanent black paw prints across the linoleum in the kitchen.
#4: You greet dogs by their names, but can’t remember the names of their owners.
“Dude” and “Ma’am” seem to work well in a pinch.
#3: You sleep huddled in the far corner of your bed while your dog sprawls out in the middle.
You don’t even mind when she snores, drools on your pillow, and steals the blankets.
#2: Your phone is programmed to speed dial the vet, groomer, dog trainer, pet store, and kennel.
What’s more, the clerks can identify you by your voice.
#1: On Christmas, instead of cookies, you bake doggie biscuits.
You have a recipe file of Princess’s favorite kinds, and make plates to deliver to all her doggy friends. Incidentally, she gets more presents than you do, and the ones you do get seem conspicuously related to dogs.
Author Info:
About the Author Emma Snow is a prolific writer and writes for Dog Pound http://www.dog-pound.net
and Wildlife Animals http://www.wildlife-animals.com
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Sunday, April 13, 2008
8 Tips on Buying the Right Pet Door
By: Andrei Smith
Every pet owner should understand the importance of buying the right pet door for their favorite pet. Here are some ideas and tips that will help you in proper decision making. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or not, these pet door buying tips will definitely help answer your purchasing inquiries.
1. Measure your door or wall frame to know what type of pet door you have to purchase
2. To give you easy steps and proper installation, look for a pet door that doesn’t need to be assembled. And for your better advantage, our cat door and dog door provides easy installation.
3. Be careful in choosing the right pet door. The size of your dog or cat matters. Therefore, choose the one that is in accordance with the size of your pet. There are patio pet doors applicable for small, medium or large-sized dogs. Cats are flexible enough so the right patio pet door for them is almost of the same size.
4. Before finalizing the deal for pet doors, there are other few things to consider. This includes the pet door frames, material used, color that matches the color of the portion where it is to be installed, your budget, the level of security you desire and the quality that can uphold all types of weather.
5. Make sure that a limited lifetime warranty and product installation manual are provided by your chosen retailer. This will gradually help you follow the right methods in properly installing pet doors onto the door or wall.
6. Although patio pet door comes naturally to any pet, I still recommend that you make them familiarize with their new means of entrance and exit. Teach them how to properly use these patio doors at all times while giving them motivation and praise afterwards.
7. Generally, look for a pet door that is known and proven for its safety, convenience, protection as well as privacy for both the pet and the owner.
8. Always double check the pet door product on the exact day of delivery to check if it’s a wrong item, the item has damage, or incomplete parts. This is in order for buyers to immediately return the item and retailer can instantly replace it.
The author is a pet lover and web copywriter connected to a company that sells top-notch pet door at affordable rates. Visit PetDoor-4Less.com for more petdoor information and other effective pet door tips. Article Source: http://www.articlebiz.com/
Friday, April 11, 2008
Common Mistakes in Home Pet Grooming
By: Estee Andrew
When dog owners attempt pet grooming at home, there are several common mistakes that are made. Pet grooming is a skill, but with the right equipment and patience it can become a household duty that will save both time and money. You have to be careful. A slip of the clippers can cause injury to your animal. This is not only physical injury, but emotional. Trust is loss once pain is inflicted and your pet may not treat you the same afterward.
The first common mistake is getting to close to the skin while shaving. The clippers can leave a nasty razor burn that can open its way to later infections. If you accidentally give your pet a burn while grooming, stop and apply first aid. Put on some anti-bacteria salve and if possible clean the wound. Hug you pet and let it know that you are sorry and it was an accident. Though they might not understand the words, your pet will understand the tone and will react accordingly. The emotional pain is just as bad as the physical. Watch the wound carefully and if it becomes red or issues puss, contact your veterinarian immediately. If the animal licks or otherwise irritates the wound, you might want to get a protective plastic collar to stop the behavior.
Another mistake in novice pet grooming is getting shampoo or other chemicals in your pet’s eye. Either from your mistake or from the animal’s head movement soap can splash. This unintentional act will sting your pet’s eyes and lead to an unpleasant pet grooming experience. Wash the soap out with water or saline solution and dab the corners of the eye with a sterile cloth. Sooth you animal and try to take the focus off their eyes and maybe gain their attention by showing them a favorite toy or ball. Hold the toy up so the pet can see it. Move the toy back and forth. As your pet tracks the toy, look into their eyes for signs of irritation.
A possible fatal mistake in pet grooming is leaving your animal unrestrained or loose during grooming. Some animals, especially cats hate baths and will run at any opportunity. Your dog and cat can put themselves in dangerous situations by trying to escape the pet grooming activity. They may run out in the street and be hit by a care or be attacked by a stray animal. Make sure your dog is at least on a leash. You may even want to put a muzzle on your pet to protect both you and them. If you wash your dog outside, wash it in a fenced yard so that the temptation to run will be short lived and safe.
Pet grooming is best left to a professional. The temptation to do it yourself may lead to a successful experience that will be cheaper. The bonding time with the animal is another perk to grooming your pet yourself. It can be rewarding for both parities involved if the proper safety tips are followed and you as the owner fill comfortable in the enterprise.
http://www.thenitropack.com Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
How Healthy and Safe Is Your Dogs Food?
by Jeffrey Wolf
Content: This article seeks to give you a solid knowledge base regarding the healthiness and safety of your dog's food, no matter what your previous experiences on the topic. With the issue of the healthiness and wellbeing of your dog's food inside the last 12 months, the question still stands. How healthy is your dog's food?
The other issue with dog food is will your dog eat it and will they get tried of eating the same food every day through out their life. I know of numerous dog owners that did just that, fed their dog the same food through out the dog's adult life until the dog has been eating the same food for over ten years. Then marvel why their dog stops eating their food and start eating table scrappes.
Many world-renowned Doctors of Veterinary Medicine and Published "Dog Care Experts" universally allow any dog that eats commercial dog food is at a much serious threat of failing prematurely and by the time symptoms are noticeable, it's regularly too late to stop an agonizing death excluding by lethal shot.
We hope that you have gained a clear grasp if the subject matter presented in the first half of this article.World-Renowned vet and dog care novelist Alfred Plechner, says the meager nutritional politeties of commercial dog food inevitably advance to disease. Raw Ingredients vs. Cooked Ingredients: People who supply their dogs raw food diets feel that nature planned for animals food vs. cooking human food. That all of the nutrients are still active in cooked food providing healthy meals for animals.
People who consider in supplying their dogs raw food feel that no additives are wanted and that their animals are receiving all of the nutrients they oblige. They feel that the commercial food companies use additives to enhance the palatability of their food effectively "addicting" a dog to it.
Commercial food advocates say that additives such as omega 3 and 6 greasy acids are central to the dog"s health system, while raw food is gone some central vitamins and minerals.
It is little things, such as this that may aid you in your search. So, sit down and decide which avenue would be best for you to take for your dog.
About the Author: Jeffrey Wolf is affiliated with: thedogfoodconspiracy.com
Article Source: http://www.getmyarticles.com
How To Prevent Dog Bites
It is very certain that there is no guarantee that your dog will never bite someone under any condition which you may not even predict. However, you can reduce the risk attached to dog bite. The popular saying is that prevention is better than cure.
Since prevention of dog bites is not the responsiblity of dog owners alone, here we will be discussing preventive measures the prospective dog owners, dog owners, parents, and general member of the public can make instant use of.
Preventive measures applicable to potential dog owners
The first thing you must do before you think of bringing in a dog to your househood is to first evaluate your environment and your lifestyle.
Though their is no breed that will not under any condition which you may not predict, however it is still very important for you to consult professionals like veterinarian, dog behaviorist and breeder to determine the breed that will be suitable for you, your family and most especially that will be suitable for your environment. Obtainning breed specification will help you alot in avoiding any possible future trouble.
Prospective dog owner should not buy a dog that is bellow 8 weeks of age. Puppy bellow this age will not have the opportunity to learn bite inhibition from his litter mate at all.
Buying dog that is above 4 months is a bit risky to be introduce to your home as you may not predict the dog behavior. However, if you are to buy older dog at all make sure that you did not purchase a do with any history of aggression.
If any of your children exhibit any fear or apprehension of dogs, make sure you delay bringing in a dog. You should know earlier if you seek your children’s opinion during your evaluation of your environment. However, if your child is no yet 6 years of age it is adviciable to hold the purchase of large dog.
Preventive measures for dog owners
According to Human Society of the United States resports spayed and neutered dogs are three times less like to bite. Thus is is highly essential for you to spay and neuter you dogs. Doing this will reduce their frequent aggressive tendency.
As a dog owner it is very important that you socialize your dog. If you socialize your dog well it will be much likely you will experience dog bite. Socializing you dog help boost it’s confidence and reduce it’s been nervours or frightened under normal circumstances.
So socialize your dog very well by introducing your dog to your member of family, other people, and experiences that could possibly course nervousness and fear biting in future. Do this and make it feel at ease with people and other dogs.
Dog training will also help you in preventing dog bite. You have to learn proper training techniques by attending dog training class. Attending these classes will help you socialize your dog. Train your dog to respond to some basic comands such as “stay, “leave it” and “come”. Also train you dog to drop his toys on command . If you don’t do this you will have to retrieve it from his mouth. Thus taking risk of your finger been bitten.
Teach your dog acceptable behaviors by enrolling in an obediece class. Attending this class you dog will be trained to be submissive and respect your leadership in the house. Games like “tug of war”, “wresling”, “siccing the dog on another person” should not be avoided as it encourages aggression.
Article source: http://www.nextarticle.com
