Posts Tagged ‘pet’

Puppy Potty Training Like A Pro

Sun ,29/11/2009

Everyone loves a doe-eyed golden-haired puppy, who doesn’t? You bring them home and everyone is vying for the most puppy time. Then after a few weeks when you need to house train the little guy you look around and nobody is there. Yes, it’s time for the less than popular puppy potty training.

Potty training is the beginning of an awesome adventure you can have with your new dog (that’s how I convince myself). Sure it can be a little unappealing at times but it’s a chore much needed for the rest of his life. Here are several puppy training tips to get you started on the right track.

Understand that the young puppy has limitations that are not his fault. One of them is the inability of controlling bodily wastes well for long periods of time. There will be a couple of nights wherein you will need to wake up twice to bring him out to his toilet spot. This may be a little irritating but do not rush the puppy to go when he is not ready yet. What is important is setting of good habits he will carry as he grows older.

Schedule the puppy’s intake of food and water and follow it as closely as possible every day. You want to train his body to remember certain periods in the day when to eat and eliminate. Take him out for a walk and potty first thing in the morning and before you sleep at night. Fifteen minutes after meal times bring him outside in a designated area to do his business. As you walk around the spot keep saying a phrase you want the puppy to associate with toilet urges like ‘go potty’ until he does.

After he finishes eliminating on the right spot and with the right phrase, lavish him with praise. Let the puppy know how pleased you are and that he is the best dog in the whole world. Do the same thing again in an hour just in case another round is in order. Remember, right now the most important aspect of puppy potty training is the establishing of good habits.

Good. Now the puppy knows that going outside is what he needs to do when he wants to discharge. Now it is time to teach him how to ask permission to go out. You will need a rope, a bell and a bag of patience for this. Attach the bell at the end of the rope and hang it by the door. When you take him out for toilet activities, nudge the bell and say go potty out loud. Do this for around two weeks; at the end of this time, go to the door with him after meal times and say go potty and refrain from jingling the bell. If the puppy touches the bell praise him enthusiastically. If not, guide him to push the bell as you say go potty.

Keep doing this after meal times and each time you feel your puppy needs to go out and do his thing. He will understand after a while what you want him to do. Give him plenty of attention and play time when he does. Before long, your puppy will be tapping the bell or scratching the door on his own when he needs to unload.

When done properly and without fail, these puppy training tips will have successfully potty trained the dog. Enjoy this moment”before long its time for another episode of you and your puppys adventure!

Geraldine Dimarco enjoys watching puppy training tips that has helped her tremendously in raising her pets. Learn more about Puppy Potty Training today.

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Five Measures to a Better-Behaved Pet

Sun ,29/11/2009

Want to live a healthier lifestyle? Get a dog.

Studies indicate that pet possession helps reduce stress, lowers blood pressure and fends off feelings of loneliness and depression.

While nothing can top the love and companionship of a dog, there are some repellent behaviours that just won’t do – from barking all night to wetting the floor to chewing on your shoes when you are not looking.

If your dog is showing this type of behavior, it may be acting out due to boredom, suppressed aggression or because of lack of training. With particular life-style adjustments and enduring grooming, you’ll be on your way to have a happy, well-behaved pet. The following points will help your furry friend become more obedient:

* Spay or neuter. The Humane Society of the United States of America says that this common procedure can help your dog live longer, be healthier and have less behavior problems.

* Help your pet slacken. Just like individuals, dogs can get , agitated and upset. That is why some veterinarians suggest giving your dog a sedating product, such as Pluto Pet’s Pet Calming Spray, to help relieve hyperactivity.

Made with natural components, Pet Calming Spray acts speedily to alleviate impatience, fearfulness, jitteriness and aggression and helps nervous pets sleep through the night, according to the manufacturer.

* Have a physical exertion routine. Provide your canine fellow with regularly scheduled walks two times in a day. This will help your dog obviate boredom, which can lead to negative behaviour.

* Go to school. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Harshness to Animals, enrolling your dog in an obedience class will instruct you how to hold your dog’s behavior both safely and humanely.

* Be tolerant. Though teaching your furry friend to be more dutiful may take decision on your part, it’s worth it. After all, as man’s best fellow, your dog will value bonding with you during the process.

I have received some huge treats on nearly all dog products, including dog grooming kit, dog medications and even dog grooming kit e-books. Try the website and check out for yourself.

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What Is Crate Training Dogs?

Fri ,27/11/2009

What exactly is crate training dogs? It sounds like something you do to a bad doggie for doing a no-no on the living room carpet. But its not. Crate training is actually based on the principle of the dogs’ innate need for security.

It is said that wolves are the dogs’ ancestors of old. This may or may not be factual but it still stands true that dogs are animals that lived in the open spaces before we adopted them into our homes. In the wild where there are dangers and perils at every turn- these dogs found caves and dens as a shelter and nesting area. This is the foundation of training dogs to use their crates in stressful and overly busy environments

Crate training is highly effective in house training dogs wherein you contain them to a place that you can feel safe leaving them in. The puppies in the crate will not be in danger of inflicting harm on them, other people or furniture in the house. You can go on long trips without much difficulty because your dog is tucked happily away in his crate. Remember, crates are his nesting area so there is no need to worry about feeling inhumane towards the dog.

Not all animals should be crate trained. Some dogs have had serious trauma in homes before and will get hysterical when placed in a confined box. It is advisable to not follow through if this is the case. Other dogs that are large will break the crate they are contained in and hurt themselves in their panic. There are some pet owners who are still uncomfortable, no matter what facts are presented to them, with the thought of putting their living pets inside a box.

Crate training dogs depends largely on how the dog owner feels about the matter at hand. If a dog in a box is distressing to you then don’t push through with this. However, if you feel that you and your dog will be better off having some space and disciple that crate training can give you, then continue reading this article for helpful tips on the best way to go about doing this.

Find a spot that is close to where people would be hanging out often. Ensure that the crate is a comfortable size that can hold the interesting things for the dog to play with. When he is inside, do not close the box just yet. Talk to him and pet him through his crate. Feed him inside. When it seems alright, start closing the door of the crate for several minutes while you are still in the room. If the animal starts to whimper and complain loudly, let him quiet down first before you let him out. This is of course a little frightening for the little pet so do not hurry him this whole process.

Never use this as a form of punishment for the dog. He should associate the crate as a calming and safe place for him to be in. If the animal is not getting upset being left alone in the crate, leave the house in short periods to gauge his reaction. If everything works out, you have accomplished the important task of crate training your dog. This will free you from worrying about your pet all the time. Moreover, you have given your dog his own special space of peace from the world.

Geraldine Dimarco is knowledgable of training dogs. Find expert advice on Crate Training Dogs the best way possible today.

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Worms in Dogs – Symptoms to Look For

Sun ,22/11/2009

Worm infestation is a common ailment in dogs. Worms are parasites that live inside of your dog and all cause different problems. It all depends upon the kind of worm your pet has. There are generally five major worm types: roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms and the heartworm. These worms can cause light to severe complications and must be treated. Let’s take a look at the different types of parasites and what each one does.

The roundworm is the most common infestation. This parasite will pass to pups from their mothers either before birth or while she is nursing. Roundworms can be passed to humans. In dogs, this worm causes a potbellied appearance and weight loss. These worms multiply at a very fast rate if left untreated. An adult female roundworm can lay up to 200,000 eggs daily for a year. This may cause an obstruction in the dog’s intestinal tract and lead to death. You should treat your pets with a regular schedule of de-wormer beginning when pups are weaned. Commercial as well as natural treatments are available.

The hookworms are like round worms in that they are an intestinal parasite. The hookworm however is smaller and feeds on blood from the intestinal wall. Since their diet is blood, the hookworm can cause anemia and occasionally death in dogs. There are few symptoms of hookworm and they will not be visible in stool or vomit. To determine an infestation, you must see your vet who will do a stool analysis. Although this is another parasite that can be passed to humans it will not cause the same problems in humans as in canines. In humans, the worm cannot penetrate much deeper than just under the skin, this causes an itchy rash with a worm like appearance.

The tapeworm is so named because of its appearance; it is long and flat looking much like a piece of tape. This type of worm is spread in dogs by the ingestion of an infected flea. For example, the flea feeds off an infected animal picking up the tapeworm egg, and then your pet eats the flea while grooming himself. Symptoms of tapeworm infestation are nervousness, abdominal pain, itching especially around the anus, vomiting and weight loss. If you see any of these symptoms, you may want to seek medical attention.

Whipworms live in your pooch’s colon and cannot be seen by the naked eye. They feed off of your dog’s intestinal wall and cause many ailments. dog worms symptoms of the whipworm include diarrhea which contains blood or mucous, flatulence, weight loss and anemia. The whipworm is the hardest worm to get rid of but both pharmaceutical and natural treatments are available. Our dog, Lucy, not only had parvovirus but was infected with whipworms, too. An oral medication was given to her.

Finally, the most serious of dog worms is the heartworm. This worm is passed from one animal to another through the mosquito. The key to survival of heartworms is prevention. People who live in warm damp climates that are prone to heavy mosquito activity should especially be concerned, and take precautionary measures. Once infected there are few good treatment options, most include giving the animal limited doses of arsenic, the treatment alone can kill the dog. The infection is so serious because the heartworm takes up residence in the heart and arteries to the heart causing it to enlarge and eventually fail. Symptoms can include coughing, weight loss and a potbellied appearance much like other dog worms symptoms. No matter which type of parasite you think you may be dealing with get some help either veterinarian or natural but be pro active for better canine health.

Dog worms are an ever present problem for your dog. Dog worms symptoms depend upon the type of dog worms that are present in your dog. Heartworm is without doubt the most serious parasite, but all types of canine worms can make your dog sick. Discover how to prevent symptoms of dog worms by preventing the worms.

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Labrador Retrievers Are Wonderful For Families

Wed ,11/11/2009

The Labrador Retriever, affectionately known as a Lab, or a Labby by their owners, was originally bred as a hunting or gun dog but are now considered by many to be the perfect family pet. Lovable and excitable by nature the Lab is highly dependable, extremely obedient and of course gifted with a multitude of doggy talents.

Labrador retrievers are statistically one of the most popular dog breeds in the world with a huge proportion of dog owners having a lab at home. Its friendly, placid, bright, and bouncy good nature makes it a wonderfully delightful companion as well as being perfectly suited for other tasks outside the home such as police work.

The Labs friendly nature and desire to please their human masters makes them ideal assistance dogs for the disabled or the deaf and they often used as therapeutic aids for people suffering from all manner of both physical and mental ailments.

Labrador retrievers typically love water and they are incredibly strong swimmers. Their coat and otter like tail make them feel right at home in the water and they like nothing more than splashing around in ponds, rivers or in the sea.

Unsurprisingly Labs are great retrievers and their breeding as gun dogs has left them with the ability to carry even the most fragile of objects in their mouths without damaging it. My Lab often brings me my reading glasses without a problem and it is said that they can carry an egg in their mouths without breaking it. Though they are likely to eat the egg as they do have quite ferocious appetites!

Though they were bred as hunting dogs Labs do not have the inherent aggressiveness and poor temperaments of some other breeds and have very few, if any, negative traits in their nature.

Labrador retrievers are especially wonderful with children because the Lab has an intense desire to not only please, but its desire to play is almost equal with its desire to eat! Children can spend hours playing catch with a ball, or a Frisbee, and the dog will appear to be tireless. They seem to literally thrive on human interaction, affection and attention.

As a general rule Labs are very easy to train as they are highly intelligent and adaptable. But they can also be stubborn and more than a little mischievous ” which I suppose makes them all the more lovable!

Labs are also very curious creatures and they will happily investigate any new surroundings with great glee. If something attracts their attention, particularly the scent of food, they will determinedly seek it out. Similarly they will happily trot after a person they havent met before simply to check them out.

Because of their friendly nature and tendency to roam they can often go missing or, worse, be tempted away from their homes. It is highly recommended therefore that Lab owners arrange for their dogs to be micro-chipped or, at the very least, to have the owners contact details on their collars.

Labs are basically a healthy breed, though they are highly prone to becoming overweight as they have a tremendous talent for begging or finding food. But, like all dog breeds, Labs are susceptible to certain conditions and they can be prone to hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis and other joint problems as well as suffering from diabetes.

Thankfully, most Labs will not encounter any health problems and will prove to be the perfect companion for all members of the family from the youngest to the eldest.

For more information on Labrador Retreivers visit the Labrador Retriever Guide the ultimate resource for lab owners searching for hints, tips, articles and advice on everything Labrador from health to Labrador Retreiver training tips

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