Responsible Dog Ownership

Responsible Dog Ownership

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With all the companionship and love that our dogs give so freely, it's hard to imagine that some owners just don't take responsibility for their dogs. But it's true. Millions of dogs—healthy dogs—are euthanized every year. Whether through owner neglect or owner ignorance, millions of healthy dogs will endure the same fate this year. So what's a responsible dog owner to do? The best thing you can do, as a dog owner, is to ensure that your dog doesn't become a statistic, and you do that through responsible pet ownership.

Welcoming a new dog into your house means taking on additional long-term responsibility. Many new dog owners find something cute or romantic about bringing that puppy in the window home until they realize that there's a modicum of work involved in caring for that cute, adorable little face, and a price to pay for those wet, slobbering kisses. You wouldn't expect to return a baby. Its' no less wrong to return a dog when the novelty wears off, and it ought to be criminal to leave a dog somewhere on its own. In many ways, dogs are as vulnerable as newborn infants are, but dogs are dependent upon their owners for their entire lives.

Listed below you'll find basic steps to responsible dog ownership, and many of them are just common-sense rules of the road.

1. Selecting Your Dog – Turn to a local animal shelter or rescue operation to select a puppy or dog. Remember that older dogs need loving owners too. Refuse to purchase a puppy or dog that started life in a puppy mill.

2. Test Your Dog – Contact a veterinarian and ask him to run the usual series of tests on your new companion.

3. Spay or Neuter Your Dog – Responsible pet owners always spay and neuter their dogs and cats. There are far more dogs waiting for adoption than there are owners to adopt them.

4. Provide Medical Care – Aside from the annual physical examination and vaccinations, protect your dog from heartworm, ticks and fleas. Talk with your vet about the many options available today. Contact your vet at the first sign that something is wrong with your dog.

5. Provide Adequate Food and Water – Provide food suited to your dog's age, size and condition.

6. Walk Your Dog – Your dog will let you know when it needs to be walked.

7. Provide Exercise and Recreation – Provide ample space, dog toys and opportunity for your pet to exercise. If you haven't thrown a Frisbee in twenty years, you'll be surprised at how much fun it is to try to outsmart your dog—unlikely!

8. Protect Your Dog from Abuse – Animal cruelty is serious business, and in some states, it's a felony. Even the FBI acknowledged that animal cruelty is a known marker (future indicator) of violence against humans. If anyone in your house intentionally mistreats your dog, seek help immediately. You could thwart the next school shooting.

9. Discourage Aggressive Behavior – You'll know the difference between hearty play and aggressive behavior. Contact your vet at the first sign of aggressive behavior to discuss your options.

10. Coping with Serious Illness and Geriatric Dogs –Geriatric dogs are prone to many of the same illnesses that plague geriatric humans. You'll want to do everything in your power to keep your dog comfortable at the end, but at some point, it may become necessary to end the suffering. If you've been a responsible dog owner throughout the dog's life, you'll want to end that life just as responsibly as you cared for it.

3 Essential Tips To Successfully House Train Older Dogs

3 Essential Tips To Successfully House Train Older Dogs

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House training older dogs is a more delicate process than with younger dogs. If you are looking to adopt an older dog that was not previously exposed to any house training at a young age, it is going to bring along its bad habits such as chewing, excessive barking, making holes in the yard or "marking" the territory.

Furthermore, you will also experience more difficulties in house training older dogs as they tend to respond and progress much slower to most training methods and commands than younger dogs.

Here are 3 useful tips that can help you in house training older dogs successfully.

* First and foremost, a complete check-up at the vet is necessary in order to eliminate any existing health problems or complications such as urinary tract or flea infections. Older dogs may also experience some form of diarrhea if there is a sudden change from their previous dietary habits. Do not punish him for these "mistakes". Instead be patient and allow your dog a week to adapt to the changes gradually. If conditions did not improve, consult your vet.

* Always establish a routine schedule for eating and drinking for your dog. This helps you to easily monitor your dog's toilet habits and decide when to bring your pet out for a walk every time he or she finishes its meals. Most adult dogs tend to eliminate 30 - 45 minutes after eating or drinking. Learn the signs and watch out for clues of circling and sniffing the floor.

* Older dogs have shorter attention spans therefore more repetitions are needed during the house training process to reinforce the desired habits. Never use violence on them if they make a mess in the house. Scolding the dog is pointless unless you actually see it eliminating indoors. Use a firm voice command "No" and guide the dog to its designated spot. Praise or reward your dog when it relieves itself outdoors.

Therefore, house training an older dog successfully depend a lot on your consistency, discipline and perseverance. Treating the dog with patience and understanding, using the appropriate house training methods are the main ingredients to developing a well behaved adult dog with good toilet habits.

Canine Training Tricks And Tips You Need To Use

Canine Training Tricks And Tips You Need To Use

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If you are thinking you wish to get started training your dog correctly, but may not be sure how, well then, your in the right location. One thing about proper dog training is the more knowledge you have, the more you might use when it comes to dog training. Take note with this article and find out precisely what info is applicable to both you and your canine.

Give your puppy dog time to be okay using a dog crate by taking the training just one little step at a time. First, place them on the inside with the actual gate still opened. Once they get accustomed to that, close up the entrance and give the dog a goody they enjoy. Keep the gateway closed for short time periods, and work your way up to lengthier periods. If your dog shows indications of distress, you might be progressing too rapidly.

When you are walking the dog using a leash, under no circumstances keep your lead too tight. A snug leash makes a counter pressure reaction and may cause the dog to grow uneasy or even irritated. Your canine might pull, and not walk correctly on your leash. Remaining significantly less limiting with your leash hold allows a far more pleasurable walking encounter. In case your canine really does seek to pull you, just stop as well as change directions. Your canine will quickly learn that pulling will get it nowhere.

Be consistent in your role as being pack leader together with your pet dog. Without the proper direction by you, the dog sees this as an chance to establish themselves as the pack leader. Everything you could actually do with regard to teaching your dog will need to stick to this concept. To be the pack leader to your four-legged friend is definitely a change in lifestyle that'll be rewarding for your family pet.

A training clicker plus some doggie snacks could be an extremely effective method of dog training. Because a dog clicker could be much easier for a canine to understand when compared to a voice command word, instruction could be rapid and effective. Training sessions really should not be in excess of roughly 15 minutes, considering that pet dogs do have shorter attention spans.

In case your canine is misbehaving, make an attempt to determine the reason why. It is essential to come up with the reason the dog does exactly what it actually does. Being aware of the actual cause for negative behavior will make training sessions substantially less difficult. It really is a lot more challenging to correct an action that you do not understand fully the reasons behind.

An essential command which virtually any dog should be aware of is actually 'stay'. Not only can this specific command word stop the dog from engaging in something risky like running directly into the road, it could possibly calm him down in a unusual location. To begin with, tell him to 'sit'. Keep your pet in the sitting position, saying the term 'stay'. Praise him by using a dog treat, at all times making certain he stays sitting.

Be sure you and your loved ones are constant using your commands. If one particular individual makes use of "down" to tell the pet dog to get off the couch when yet another says "off" plus a third is actually letting your pet lie down there, the dog is going to receive varying signals. This makes it far more challenging for him to learn the actual instructions.

Establish a solid plan with regard to what you need to complete with the k9 training. When you have objectives marked on your calendar it could offer you a technique to measure how you are progressing with the dog training, and offer you clues about whether or not you would need to adjust anything in the regime.

Next time your pet dog leaps on you in excitement, tell them "Off" with a firm (but not angry) tone of voice, gently shove the dog off, as well as turn your own back. The particular oral order as well as action involving moving the dog reinforces just what the command word would mean, and also turning eliminates their own having access to you. This does a couple of things: a) your canine is unable to jump up on you any more, b) the dog can feel that he loses your attention, which is the exact opposite of what your dog wants. This will teach your pet promptly not to jump up on you.

Ideally, after studying this article, you are feeling like you can begin forming some terrific procedures toward dog training. Keep in mind that the knowledge in this article is not all you should know concerning training your dog, and so be sure to regularly be looking for new information and facts to apply when it comes to your own training routine.

Great Ideas About Dogs That Anyone Can Use

Great Ideas About Dogs That Anyone Can Use

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Whether you already have a dog or are just looking for one, it is likely that you are aware of the care required by dog ownership. This is not something you can just jump into with no information. The tips presented here will help you be a better owner to your dog.

You may know that chocolate is dangerous for dogs, but you may not know the specifics. Chocolate is dangerous because of the stimulants caffeine and theobromine. Baking chocolate is the most dangerous, with a high amount of stimulants. White chocolate contains the least amount of stimulants. Take you dog to vet if he ingests chocolate.

Keep on top of fleas. Not only can fleas cause infection in your dog, if one is swallowed, your pet can get tapeworms as well. Speak to your veterinarian about the best prevention method, but remember that this is not a one shot deal. You will have to continue your efforts over the life of your pet.

If your dog is very rowdy or easily excitable, experts recommend that you don't bring them along on vacation. Many times the thrill and confusion of a new area filled with strangers is too much for the hyper dog and unpleasant incidents may occur. Find a great kennel to care for your pooch instead.

If you are interested in providing your dog with the healthiest of diets and making positive contributions to the earth's environment, make his food from scratch. You can buy locally grown organic ingredients and provide him all the proteins, carbs and fats he needs with no preservatives while reducing the waste from packaging as well.

Pick and choose when you are going to groom your dog. You do not want to attempt grooming when your pet is in a particularly frisky mood, because the process will not go well. Instead, do so only when your dog is calm and tired, like after you have taken him for an especially long walk.

Genuine meat bones may be tempting, but it's best to stick to rawhide. Bones can chip and hurt your dog if sharp fragments are ingested. Rawhide is completely healthy and improves the teeth, and therefore is preferable to animal bones.

It should be easy to take good care of your dog if you follow the tips presented here. With a lot of love and patience your dog will be happy and healthy. Keep educating yourself to discover more ways to improve your dog's life and make your time together more enjoyable.

Finding the Right Dog Food Online

Finding the Right Dog Food Online

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Dogs are great pets which are emotionally bonded to its master and to keep it fit and healthy it is important to keep an eye on their food and activity to maintain their vigor and stance. You can find dog food online from different brands offering in different compositions to choose one that best suits to the appetite of your dog. As branded food for dogs maintain a balance in the nutrients and minerals essential for the dog it is in fact the best choice compared to the home food that you may think of giving to your dog. You can also keep changing the flavors of this dog food over a period of time as the dog grows by slowly adapting them to the new taste with small portions to give them a change in diet based on its weight and age.

The branded foods on the online store also don't require any prescription from the vets but in case you need specific diet for any condition you can have a prescription and can find the right brand and specialist diet like organic, working, grain free or prescription food on the stores suitable for your dog's condition. By visiting the pet food online stores you can come across many brands on the same platform offering quality and genuine diet to dogs for you to compare the tasty ingredients that satisfy your dog's appetite and keep them energetic. You can check out brands like Acana, Alpha, Country kibble, Natures menu, Pedigree and many more for you to pick up.

There are hypoallergenic dog foods specially made for sensitive dogs with single protein source meat that is highly digestible by the dogs. Such foods avoid beef, wheat, pork, dairy, egg and wheat gluten without any artificial source of colors, preservatives or flavors that is very much for working dogs. There are is also special food offered by pedigree for senior active dogs, complete dog food with rich and chicken, food chicken for larger breeds, beef and veg combination and so on with added minerals and nutrients that keep your dogs healthy and jumping with energy. The amount of dog food to be given daily depends on the age and activity of the dog which you can check out with your veterinary.

By buying dog food online you can definitely cut costs by comparing prices and ingredients offered by different brands and also avail free delivery of the bags to your door steps on placing an order and making the payments online.

Keep Kids Safe Around Your Dogs

Keep Kids Safe Around Your Dogs

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Small children and dogs seem to go hand in hand. Boys and girls see puppies as huggable friends that are wonderfully cute plus furry. The truth, nevertheless, is that not all dogs are safe close to children. Children should be taught ways to respect puppies, and also to know that each dog is unique, with his or her own personality plus temperament. Educating children to respect dogs for who they are will greatly lower the number of dog attacks on children, which will probably bring peace of mind, and peaceful living, to all children and also parents.

Each time discussing puppies, "temperament" means that the normal attitude as well as personality traits. Breeds of dogs are proven to have certain temperaments, which usually allows people to understand each breed, however it does not stop there. Each individual dog will also have his or her own temperament, which dog owners will get to understand as they get to know their puppies.

For example, puppies that are working canines are known for their working temperaments. They will probably be active, and not like to be still or quiet, mainly because their work demands these actions from them.

In the event that you are picking a dog for your family, you must look beyond a dog's size, as well as whatever grooming requirements it may have. It is very important also take into account the temperament of the dog. Have you got younger children? In that case you will probably want a calm, peaceful dog that will not accidentally harm your children when they are playing together. Have you got older children? Then you may find that an active dog is a better fit for your family, considering that older children can deal with the higher-level of play which an active dog will have.

Consider also a dog's possible need for dominance. Dogs which want to be dominant will never be suitable for families with young kids or babies. However, dogs that are too submissive may be frightened of noisy children of any age, and nip at them in defense.

You will also want to consider how trainable a dog's temperament is. Generally speaking, the more clever a dog is, the easier he is going to be to train. On the other hand, remember that an intelligent dog will also get bored if not presented with enough mental stimulation. This kind of boredom will bring about destructive behavior, as the dog tries to find the mental stimulation in his environment that his family is not offering him.

When it comes to picking out a dog, it is usually much simpler to predict the temperament of pureblood dogs, for the reason that their breed's general personality traits are known. Excellent dog breeders will be able to help choose a puppy dog for a family by matching up the demands of each and every family with the personalities of their pet dogs.

Looking for your dog is just the start. The moment you bring your puppy home, you need to start schooling your children good behavior close to your new dog.

You should not let your kids wake a sleeping dog, simply because this will probably take your dog by big surprise, what may end up in a bite. The phrase, "Let sleeping dogs lie" ought to be known and respected by all members of your family.

Any time your dog eats, he needs to be left alone. Dogs are very protective of their food. If perhaps your boy or girl tries to take his food, he may aggressively attempt to protect it. That is true of dog food, however especially of bones. Educate your children to never approach a dog which is chewing a bone, whether it is your dog or someone else's.

With regards to someone else's dog, it is far more important which you remind your children to behave and react respectfully. They ought to know that certain dogs are suspicious or perhaps fearful of strangers, and may bite anyone they do not know that gets near them.

Adolescent kids might not have an innate fear of dogs, yet quite a few young children do. Whenever dogs run at children, they may fully freak out, causing them to run from the dogs whilst screaming. This is totally the wrong thing to do, and also may cause an otherwise friendly approaching dog to all of a sudden become aggressive simply because the child is acting just as frightened prey.

Teach kids of all ages the way to react to an approaching dog: To stand still, stay calm ( do not scream! ), as well as to not look the dog in the eyes. They additionally have to know what to do in case a dog knocks them over. They ought to roll into a ball, just like a pill bug, plus stay quiet and still. They need to stay in this way till the dog losses interest in them and leaves. They need to continue to stay quiet as they stand up, to avoid getting the dog's interest back to them.

Undoubtedly you already know that your dog ought to go through dog training. It is also essential to include children in this training, in case they are old enough to participate. The reason this is significant is due to the fact it can help your dog to view your children as ranking above him in his pack (your family). This will lead to your dog treating your children with much more respect than he would treat anyone he views as beneath him in rank.

If perhaps you have kids and you take some time to think about a dog's temperament just before choosing one, you are going a long way to making sure that your dog and young children will live safely as well as happily for a long time to come.

All You Need To Know About Caring For Dogs

All You Need To Know About Caring For Dogs

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As a dog lover, you understand the joy such a pet can bring to your life. You will never be alone again, and you will always have a companion who thinks the world of you. In return, it is your job to care for them, and this article will teach you all you need to know.

Avoid insisting that your dog socialize nicely with every other passing dog. Experts recommend that your dog be able to tolerate introductions through sniffing and eying with another animal, but say forcing the issue can create problems. Accept your dog's lead when meeting and greeting other animals and allow for natural interaction.

Get your dog spayed or neutered. Research has proven that this can help your dog live longer and also specifically help prevent cancer. In addition, spayed or neutered dogs aren't as likely to roam away from your home, which can result in them getting run over by a vehicle, killed by a bigger animal, shot, or kidnapped.

Do you have a "wrinkly" dog, like a bulldog? If so, you have to be conscientious about the grooming process in order to help keep your pet clean. After you brush, take a baby wipe and use it to get in between the folds on their body. Make sure, though, to get them fully dry after doing so.

You should only try to teach your dog one new command during each training session. Even if you think your dog is good at picking up on things and will have no issues with that, it is much less confusing for you and him if you focus on just one thing at a time.

Don't buy cheap dog food. The cheaper dog foods have tons of additives and preservatives which aren't the best for your dog. You should contact an animal advocacy group or a consumer awareness program to get some recommendations for quality dog foods. Your dog will appreciate your research.

Pet boarding and day-care services are a billion dollar business, so make sure you get your money's worth if you have to leave home without your dog. Although kennels offer interesting opportunities to socialize, your dog will be happier with familiar surroundings. Thoroughly check references for a sitter-service and keep him in his own home if at all possible. Otherwise, put him in a reputable kennel and check up on him oft

When choosing a dog for your home, don't forget to estimate the size it will be as a full grown adult. This is especially true if you have small children at home. Although a small puppy will be cute, it may grow into a large, one hundred pound dog. Do some research on the average adult size of the breeds you are considering.

Rescue

If you are looking for a great family pet, but are on a budget, consider rescuing an animal.You can get one at a local shelter for minimal costs and the dog will come with a clean bill of health and all his shots. If you are interested in a specific breed, contact a rescue group specializing in only those pooches.

If you are not sure how your dog will react to other dogs, make sure you keep them on a leash during the first introduction. Rescue dogs especially can be unpredictable around other dogs. Keeping your dog on the leash will allow you to better control their behavior. Once you feel comfortable and your dog is adjusted, you can take them off the leash and let them play.

Caring for your dog starts with a good education, and this article is a stepping stone to true understanding of the species. Thankfully, you have read it in full, so keep these tips in mind as you continue loving your dog. Read as much as you can to learn more about your pet.

Does Keeping Dogs Easier With Dog Kennels?

Does Keeping Dogs Easier With Dog Kennels?

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For those who keep pets the word kennel is quite familiar to them. Actually kennel is a structure quite similar to a cage that houses pets like dogs so that they can be maintained and bred. A dog kennel can well be compared to a dog house. There are primarily two types of kennels and they are the boarding kennel and the second one being the breeding kennel.

Boarding kennels are those places where dogs are housed temporarily against a fee. In the boarding kennels often numerous dogs are placed thereby making it crowded. Therefore many people think that the dogs experience a stress kind of environment inside the kennel. In order to reduce the excessive stress on the dogs, the kennel owners are coming up with innovative ideas to make the kennel life for dogs interesting and stress free.

Instead of caged kennels often dogs are placed in open camps under strict supervision. In this way the dogs without being caged can be housed easily. This greatly reduces the stress on the part of the dogs. Nowadays, most of the boarding dog kennels provides additional services like grooming and training. These kennels are equipped with all the facilities to groom as well as train dogs. Thus a kennel can well be thought of as a one stop shop for boarding, grooming and training for dogs.

Besides the boarding kennels are the breeding kennels. These kennels are mostly used for the propagation of dogs that are purebred in nature. These dog houses are highly regulated and work as per the rules laid down by the breed club, kennel council etc. In every country there are kennel facilities for dogs. Dog owners use these facilities for their dogs. It is very important to maintain these kennels. And therefore to ensure proper health and hygiene to dogs, these kennels are cleaned regularly with cleaning agents.

With the changes in lifestyle many people around the world exhibit a keen interest to keep dogs as pets. They spend quite a lot of money for training, breeding and maintaining dogs. It is for their interests that kennel facility is provided so that they can keep their dogs against a charge. With the increase in the number of pets obviously there is a great demand for dog kennels. And in order to ensure that the dogs are not stressed out the kennel manufacturers are keen on keeping the kennels as large as possible. In recent years there has been considerable production of kennels. These kennels that are produced can be of different shapes and sizes.

There has been an ever-growing need for kennels for the dogs to maintain their lifestyle. Keeping pets is not only an expensive task but also is a task that demands a sense of responsibility on the part of pet owners. Besides, keeping dogs as pets, there are many people who prefer to keep other creatures like cats as their pets.

Important Tips for Summertime With Dogs

Important Tips for Summertime With Dogs

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Those who own dogs often consider these creatures their best friends or simply a hairy family member. There's truly no comparable bond to the one shared between a dog and their master. From devotion after a long absence to the look of shame when they've gotten into mischief, your dog truly loves unconditionally and without fear. The summertime is the best season to take full advantage of this relationship, with trips to the ocean or even up the mountain for a day of exploration. Your dog will love the ability to spend extra time with you, but also the long hours outside in the sunshine. However, no matter how much pet owners love their dogs, there are common mistakes that befall them for lack of education about summer safety. Just as you take the time to protect yourself from the sun and the elements, your dog requires specialized care to be certain he too is safe from harm during this sunshine-filled season. Preparing yourself for the hotter months will ensure your best friend is safe from these common pitfalls and will fully enjoy the season.

* When weather gets warmer, bugs become a severe issue for both humans and dogs. Be extremely careful when you take your dogs out for a walk, especially long hikes in the woods. Ticks, fleas, mosquitoes and other insects are prone to attack dogs that aren't protected with parasite prevention. Those who are extremely active outdoors need to talk with their veterinarian to discuss the best type for your pet. There are lots of brands on the market, and they can also make sure your dog is up-to-date on all of his shots for greater protection.

* Car rides should be limited only to long trips where your dog won't be left unattended in the car. It's completely safe to keep your dog with you on a long trip in your vehicle, with the proper restraining mechanisms and the windows down. However, you cannot leave your dog in the car, when temperatures begin to rise outside, even with an open window. The temperature in your car is much hotter than what the thermometer reads outside.

* Most dog owners focus on safety in regards to the temperature, but neglect to care for the skin of the dog that's affected by the sun. In fact, many dogs can get sunburned, as the ears and nose are susceptible to painful burns. Find pet-safe sunscreen for your dog to safeguard against sores when they are outside for long periods of time.

* Keep your dog cool throughout the summer by providing them with ample ways to keep their body temperature down. Place ice cubes in their water bowl and feed them ice as treats. You can keep a dog cool outside by freezing his favorite toy in water to help them hydrate, keep their mind active and cool them off. While inside you'll need to purchase and use fans in each rooms if you don't have air conditioners. You can even wet their fur with water to naturally reduce their body temperature. Leaving the windows open will not only reduce the temperature indoors, but will help you to take advantage of the breeze. Always remember to provide ample water, as well.

Taking Care of Your Dogs the Best Ways Possible

Taking Care of Your Dogs the Best Ways Possible

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When you invite a dog into your home, you are getting more than a pet. This animal will quickly become your best friend and a member of your family. Knowing the best methods of caring for him will help both of you learn to live together in peace. Keep reading to learn some tips about caring for your new friend.

Groom your dog regularly. A dog requires constant grooming to keep his coat in tip top condition. Make sure that your dog is completely relaxed before you start the grooming session; this is especially important if he is excitable. Keep the session quite short (5 to 10 minutes at most) until he is comfortable with the idea of being groomed. Most importantly - be sure to praise him and offer a treat after a successful grooming session!

You need to take your older pet to the vet at lease once a day. Dogs can't talk, so how do you know he has arthritis, for example? You need to go to the vet every year to get a check up.

Keep your dog in good shape. He can suffer with the same weight-related issues that you can, so make sure he gets plenty of healthy exercise and eats a well-balanced diet. Remember that walking will benefit you as well, so make it a part of your daily routine together to be happier and healthier.

Pet-proof your home before bringing a dog into it, just as you would for a crawling toddler. You need to move anything toxic to a higher shelf and consider the danger that plants may pose if nibbled by your dog. Remember that anti-freeze is deadly and that leaving things like pennies or crayons on floors can pose a choking hazard to curious pups.

Genuine meat bones may be tempting, but it's best to stick to rawhide. Pieces can break off of the real bone, which may cause your dog to choke. Rawhide is much safer and also cleans teeth.

When choosing a dog for your home, don't forget to estimate the size it will be as a full grown adult. This is especially true if you have small children at home. Although a small puppy will be cute, it may grow into a large, one hundred pound dog. Do some research on the average adult size of the breeds you are considering.

You should now have a better understanding of what is necessary for the proper care of your furry friend. Keep these tips in mind as you live your day to day life. Soon, you will not have problems of any kind and will have a healthy companion to enjoy and love.

Dog Tricks: Where To Start

Dog Tricks: Where To Start

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When it comes to teaching your dog new tricks this can be great fun for all involved. You can start off by doing something simple like weaving in and out of your legs or fetching some article by name or teaching your dog to shut a door.

There are a few people that find it is demeaning to the dog by teaching them tricks but I can assure you that dogs love learning and especially being appreciated and by learning to do something new it will cover both of these needs. Whatever you going to teach your dog both of you will benefit from the experience and it will be a time that you will learn more about each other.

Suggested Tricks could include:

• Close the door 

• Roll over

 • Catch

 • Give a paw

 • Open a box

 • Find members of your family or toy by name

 • Bark on command

 • Weave through your legs

 • Jump over objects

 • Crawl under a low object or a chair

With any trick, split it into small sequences and teach each one a step at a time. If the task is complicated start with the last sequence first and then add the previous element to the beginning and build up from there. This method is called reverse chaining. It is excellent as it helps the dog learn as he always ends with the familiar part. Rather than waiting until the whole sequence is learnt reward every step for getting closer and closer to your goal. Each step you are asking a little more of your dog.

The use of clickers can work extremely well as you are able to reward your dog at the correct time even if he is still some distance away from his goal. While tricks can be fun they can also be a benefit to anyone that is disabled and not being able to pick something up off the ground or fetch some sort of aid to help the disabled person.

There are many people that are sight impaired that use seeing eye dogs that had started just like you are with simple to learn tricks and then graduated to more advanced training. The whole process should be imaginative, have a think of what your dog enjoys and develop this to include a whole collection of tricks.

The dog will enjoy learning something different and will certainly enjoy all of the praise in getting something right. All that is needed is a dose of persistence and time invested in her training and by doing this you will be rewarded.

Basic Dog Grooming Tips

Basic Dog Grooming Tips

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The act of grooming your dog is one of the fundamental things that your dog requires. The essential grooming requirements depend on your dog's breed and its characteristics. The first thing a pet owner must manage with is the dog's hair.

Long hair dogs that shed require more frequent grooming than short hair dogs, or those who shed on a seasonal basis. Dogs who frequent the outdoors pick up debris and should be brushed or combed daily. It can often be an effort to untangle the hair as well as remove those bits or particles stuck in the dog's coat after the dog has been outside.

If you're looking for something more convenient and don't mind laying out some cash, you could use a professional groomer. You should be aware that professional dog grooming can get really expensive if you use it weekly. But if you want the best for your dog, you may chose that option. If you want to go strictly for convenience, you can hire mobile dog groomers who have full grooming stations equipped with all your dog's needs in their vehicles. The groomers park their van on your driveway or in front of your house, so you don't even have to leave home. If you're unable to handle grooming tasks yourself, this is the ultimate in convenience. Another benefit to using professional groomers is that you don't have the mess or "damp dog" odor in your home.

To save money, groom your dog yourself. Just equip yourself with the basic grooming tools. It's not a good idea to use your old hairbrush on your dog. Get proper brushes and combs that are designed for your dog's fur. If not, you are likely to incur vet bills if you use your discarded brushes since they could potentially create damage to your dog's skin.

If you're not sure of the correct way to bathe and brush your dog's hair, search online for some resources that can help you through the process. There are many articles and forums available to you, or simply ask a dog groomer or your veterinarian. You could also take a course from a pet store or vet's office to learn the correct procedures and get some expert tips on dealing with your dog's anxieties during grooming as well.

Some may think that grooming your dog is optional, but it's not. Not grooming your dog consistently leaves him at risk for illnesses, parasites, damage to his skin or hair or both. Your dog may be unhappy about having a bath, but you can't let that stop you.

Note that rough scrubbing should be avoided when giving your dog a bath. It can reduce the natural oils that are there to protect your dog's skin and hair follicles. Also, be cautious what types of powders or fragrances you use on your dog. Many are not made for dogs and can cause discomfort or infection. Avoid use of any product that isn't fit for your dog and your dog's breed.

Patience is what is needed when grooming your dog. Take time to gently talk to your pet while you are grooming. Try to make grooming a playful time by rubbing his belly and patting his head. It's best not to initiate the grooming process if you don't have much time or you don't have the needed patience to complete the process. Remember, whatever attitude you project towards the grooming session, your dog will know and it will impact how he approaches them in the future.

How To Find Good Dog Training Videos

How To Find Good Dog Training Videos

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In today's society, with dog being commonly referred to as "man's best friend", many methods of dog training are now available for dog owners and dog trainers. Professional dog training services are available, but can be costly and it will also take away the bond between you and your dog. This has lead pet owners everywhere to seek out aids, to help them train their dog at home. These aids include:

dog training book reference
electronic dog training collars
electronic fences
dog training video reference

You can find tons of resources on the internet if you're willing to spend some time researching them. You'll find anything from short course, to professional course online and you can even find professional dog training coaches that will teach you to train your own dog.

The following paragraphs will discuss how a good dog training video can be helpful, and tips on how to locate the dog training video that fits you and your pet best.

A good dog training video will provide you with so much valuable information pertaining to training your dog. But since there are a variety of methods of dog training used by various dog trainers, finding the right dog training video may take more than one attempt. It is important to first establish the method of training you would prefer to use before purchasing a dog training video. By deciding on a method of dog training beforehand, you will narrow the selection of dog training videos you will have to chose from. For example, if you do not wish to use an electronic dog training collar to aid in training your dog, you can safely eliminate any dog training video that includes dog training methods that involve the use of one.

The next step in locating a dog training video that will work for you and your pet is knowing where you can locate such a dog training video. Most commonly, the best dog training video can be found at pet supply stores. Some pet supply stores will devote entire sections of their store to an excellent selection of dog training videos. A good dog training video can sometimes be found in other places, including but not limited to:

video rental establishments
libraries
department stores
video stores

The benefits of a good dog training video are many. The dog training video will generally be less costly than professional training, and the dog training video will enable you to train your own dog at home.

Essential Dog Bowl Buying Tips

Essential Dog Bowl Buying Tips

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A dog bowl is necessary for giving food or water to your dog. Available in various forms, and designs, dog bowls must be selected after careful consideration, but finding the right dog bowl is easier than you may have thought.

Whether you have brought a new puppy home, or have a dog for many years, dog bowls are necessary to give food or water to your pooch. Just like with any other dog item, you should stop to consider a few important factors before you buy dog bowls for your precious pet.

Dog Bowls - Why Do I Need One?
Dog bowls are really convenient and offer your dog the means to get nourished and quench his thirst. Imagine, if you dog didn't get water to drink when he was thirsty, he'd probably get very sick due to dehydration. But now all you need to do is fill the dog bowl with fresh water, every morning and evening, and let you precious pooch quench his thirst whenever he wants! Dog bowls are also a necessity because they ensure that your dog is trained to eat, drink, and urinate outside the house. Dog urine could be problem is the pet is not house trained properly.

Since there are dog bowls for all dog breeds, the bowl size is a crucial consideration depending on the needs and requirements of your dog. Most pet owners opt for dog bowls that have a water bowl on one side and food bowl on the other. But don't limit your choices, because there are some really exciting choices for dog bowls in the market! From stainless steel to plastic to glass, dog bowls need to easy to clean, rough and tough, and should defeat bacteria from growing.

Small dogs require small dog bowls, while larger dogs require larger dog bowls because they require more food and water.

Dog Bowls - Here's What You Need To Look For
1. Easy to clean
2. Spill proof
3. Durable
4. Easy to maintain
5. Dishwasher safe
6. Perfectly sized for your breed
7. Safe to use

Dog Bowls - Best Tip Ever!
One of the best types of dog bowls is those that are made of stainless steel and have a rubber bottom with tapered sides. While these bowls are heavy, the rubber bottom ensures that your dog is unable to push his bowl and spill its contents on the floor. The tapered sides have been designed to prevent tipping. And best of all, stainless steel used to makes these dog bowls is not just durable, but easy to clean, dishwasher safe, and can't be chewed, broken or tampered with. Remember to buy a dog bowl that is large enough to contain at least enough water to last a day depending on the size of your canine friend.

Dog Bowls - Top Shopping Tips
If your dog doesn't drink enough water, dog urine may become a problem. An attractive, yet functional dog bowl will not just invite the dog to consume water, but also offer him comfort while drinking water. Here's what you need to look for:

* Durable and indestructible dog bowls that can't be broken, chewed, or thrashed around. Must avoid - light weight plastic, glass, and pottery dog bowls.
* Consider buying bowl holders that prevent the dog bowls from sliding, overturning, or skidding on the ground or floor.

Tip: A dog drinks about 25 ml of water per pound/day or less than an ounce/pound. A 15 pound dog would require a dog bowl that can hold around 15 ounces of water.

How To Stop Your Dog Digging

How To Stop Your Dog Digging

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Dogs have a natural inclination to dig holes. It is instinctive behavior, but can be extremely destructive and inappropriate for dogs that spend a great deal of time in yards. A digging dog can ruin a great landscaping job, creating both great annoyance and expense for his owner. If your dog is a problem digger, there are three effective means by which to combat this frustrating behavior. These three guidelines, used in concert, will often eliminate digging behavior in dogs.

Address Your Dogs Comfort

First, it is important to realize one of the most common motivations for digging. Dogs often dig holes as a means of personal climate control. On hot days a dog may dig himself a cooling well. His newly dug hole will be a place for him to rest on a surface that is cooler than the rest of the ground.

If your dog's digging habits seem to be related to heat, it is easy to solve the problem simply by addressing his needs. By providing a cool, shaded location in the yard, your dog may no longer feel a need to dig. Many have found that the use of a kiddy pool or other larger tub containing some water may also be of use in this endeavor. By making the dog's surroundings cooler, you can easily eliminate his need to remove chunks of the yard to relax.

Likewise, dogs will sometimes dig to create a warm space during cold weather. By digging a small pit in which they can rest, the dog creates a space removed from brisk winds. Again, it is relatively easy to address the situation. Providing a warm space, such as a well-insulated doghouse can reduce the dog's need to dig holes throughout your lawn.

By tending to their comfort, one can reduce a prime motivator of digging behavior. Keeping a pet adequately cooled during the summer and sufficiently warm in the winter is one of the most simple, yet effective, means of eliminating digging.

Exercise Your Dog Adequately

Dogs will also dig when they are inadequately exercised or are overly confined. A dog with excess energy to burn may turn to digging as a means of release. A dog who feels confined in his yard and yearns to run free will be likewise attracted to the prospect of digging those annoying holes.

This cause for digging can be addressed simply by making sure your dog is adequately exercised. Regular walks, play opportunities and other exercise outlets will leave your dog better rested and less inclined to dig. The value of exercising a dog is immeasurable. It produces a happier, calmer dog who is more receptive to training and who is likely to be considerably more healthy than his under-exercised brethren. Thus, exercise should be pursued in all cases with all dogs. However, it brings with it the additional advantage of decreasing the level of interest the dog will show in digging.

Keep Your Dog Entertained

Digging can also be symptomatic of boredom. A dog with little to do may find the instinctive behavior of digging holes to be a great way to occupy his time. The bored dog is more likely to seek solace in the instinctive act of digging holes than is the appropriately engaged pet.

As such, one can combat digging simply by making sure the dog has sufficient alternative sources of entertainment. As previously mentioned, regular exercise and activity offers hope in reducing digging behavior. Additionally, the presence of attractive and entertaining toys can provide a dog with other ways to spend his time and can reduce the likelihood that he will dig holes.

Dogs who are simply left alone in a yard with little else to do are, not surprisingly, apt to invent their own diversions. As digging is an instinctive activity, it is often latched upon as something to do for an otherwise bored dog. By providing more attractive play activities, one can remove this frequent cause of destructive digging behavior.

There are certainly other reasons why dogs dig and there are certainly problem dogs whose digging behavior will not immediately cease simply by following the three rules covered here. However, most dogs will curtail their destructive digging if their climate is appropriately managed, they are adequately exercised and they are provided with alternative diversions.

Though instinctive, digging is not necessarily inevitable. By tending to needs of the dog, one can reduce instances of inappropriate digging.

Feeding Aggression on Dogs

Feeding Aggression on Dogs

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A lot of dog owners really love feeding time. Dogs know when feeding time is, and they are very demonstrative about how happy they are when feeding time comes around. While all dogs are happy about the prospect of being fed though, some dogs tend to behave quite aggressively once their food has been served. Some dogs growl if someone is too near them while they eat, worse still, some dogs go to the extent of snapping at anyone they perceive as "too close" while they are feeding. This type of aggression in dogs is quite common, but it should not go uncurbed, as it could deteriorate into other forms of aggression if simply left unchecked.

The key to checking such aggression early is in showing your dog who the boss is. You don't need to actually punish your dog to get that message across. The best way to demonstrate you are the boss is by establishing a consistent feeding schedule. Feed your dog only at certain preset times, don't deviate from your routine. Don't feed your dog anything in between meals, and get the cooperation of other household members who interact with your dog. In the event that your dog is too full to eat during mealtime, don't leave the food out, feed your pet again only at the next scheduled mealtime.

Establishing a rigid schedule will give your dog a clear picture of who dictates when and how much he or she eats. This is essential if you want to curb your dog's aggression while eating. A second important thing to establish is the order of importance; always feed your dog after your family and not before. If your dog begs at the table, don't allow him or her to be fed. Feed your dog after your family is finished eating. That way, the dog will understand his or her rank in terms of superiority in the house. This again will go a long way towards toning down your dog's aggression.

Giving table scraps is never a good practice for many reasons: First of all, it's unsanitary, your dog will probably end up taking the food away and trying to eat it somewhere else and wherever he or she does eat, it will be a mess after. Secondly, dog food is nutritionally balanced to be ideal for dogs, and scraps from the table will upset that balance. Third, it is disastrous from a behavioral standpoint, your dog will feel that you can be manipulated and this will upset your established schedule and undermine your credibility as the master. When feeding time does come around though, make sure that while training your dog, someone is there to watch him or her eat, this will also help drive home the point that people will not try to take away their food.

With young dogs the tips we've given should be enough to eventually eliminate this sort of aggression early. If however, you are trying to train an older dog, you may need to use and additional method: that of not giving the food all at once. Let your dog have a small amount, and when he or she finishes, give more, repeat until your dog has eaten the correct amount as prescribed by your vet, or the packaging of your dog food; that way your dog is more likely to deduce that you are a giver of food, not somebody who takes it away.

Aggression at feeding time is a primal instinct, after all, in the wild, dogs are largely predators, and their instinct is to defend their food against other predators. With patience and consistency though, your dog can be taught that he or she shouldn't misbehave at feeding time.

Dog Training And Why It's Important

Dog Training And Why It's Important

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Most dog owners would love to have a well-trained dog, yet many dogs are not trained very well! Firstly, you should understand that it IS very possible to train your dog, if you understand properly how to do so.

If you've already tried and not succeeded as well as you would like, don't worry, this is not your fault. When you get information that is correct enough and complete enough for you to really understand how dog training works, it will work easily and effectively.

If you might be worried that training your dog is too difficult or time-consuming, then please understand that, like many things in life, it's only difficult until you learn how to do it right. Once you have all the right information, and understand how dog training works, it is easy and effective to do in practice.

Dogs are naturally pack animals (since they were originally descended from wolves and wild dogs), and have an instinctive need to understand what the leader of the pack (that's hopefully you, the owner) wants it to do. This is one of the reasons why training your dog is good for both of you.

One the other side of the relationship, when your dog understands what you want, and obeys you when you wish, this makes you happier with your dog, and the dog loves your positive feedback, so again this is better for the both of you.

Another reason is that both you and the dog are happier if you can be sure your dog will behave as you require in social situations. This makes you proud of the dog, the dog proud to get your admiration, and once again, you both win.

Finding and Hiring a Dog Walker

Finding and Hiring a Dog Walker

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If you work more than 6 hours a day and own a dog, you need a dog walker!

Urban life can be hard for dogs. Many of us keep pets in cramped city apartments and work long hours, resulting in a dogs life which is a far cry from that of a rural or suburban dog who usually has an outside yard to roam during the day -- or if they're really lucky, acres of open land in which to frolic.

Yet there is no reason why a city dog cannot enjoy a fantastic quality of life. Living in the city has its disadvantages but also brings with it levels of stimulation -- sights, sounds and smells -- which suburban or rural dogs never get to experience. City dogs are also also blessed with far more social opportunities, whether they be with other dogs on the street or with a pack of their buddies at the local dog park or dog run.

But many owners work long hours and enjoy active social lives, meaning long periods in which their pets are alone. For a dog, this means hours of inactivity -- especially in a small apartment or studio which has little space to play or run.

For this reason, most urban dog owners hire a dog walker. Having someone take your dog out for exercise and relief at least once a day makes all the difference. It breaks up those long solitary hours and gives your dog a chance to get out into the fresh air, stretch their legs and burn off some of the calories they have ingested for breakfast. For many dogs, their daytime dog walker is their daytime buddy.

But with the profession of dog walking becoming more and more popular, there are increasing numbers of dog walkers to choose from in cities. Dog walking and pet sitting services are springing up everywhere and in most cities dog owners are spoiled for choice. Yet all dog walking services are not the same -- there are differences in quality and type of services provided. Here are some tips for choosing the right dog walker for you:

* Make sure you know exactly what you want before you start looking It's important to be clear about the kind of service you want. A large, established dog walking service is likely to provide peace of mind and more security, but if they're too big you may find their services a little too impersonal -- some guarantee the same walker every day, but some don't. If you want your walker and your dog to build a friendly, trusting relationship, it's worth asking about this. A good dog walking service will assign a regular dog walker to your dog and inform you of any changes in staffing well ahead of time. The downside is that they may be slightly less flexible with scheduling. On the other hand, a local independent dog walker who works alone is almost guaranteed to build a close relationship with your dog and you are likely to build a friendly relationship with them yourself, which brings familiarity and peace of mind. The disadvantage is that lone walkers rarely have anyone to provide a back up should they become sick or take a vacation.

* Establish an ideal schedule, then be prepared to compromise Let's face it, the vast majority of dog owners would prefer their dog to be walked around the middle of the day, which generally means between 11am and 3pm in the dog walking business. This means that midday time slots are in great demand and it's unlikely that you'll find someone who can promise your ideal schedule. Be prepared to compromise with a leeway of around an hour either side of your ideal. Additionally, even when you settle on a time you should be aware that dog walking is a profession the nature of which means it is almost impossible to stick to a schedule 100% accurately every day. Walkers often have to travel between dogs and can be held up by a million and one different situations. Don't be too disappointed if your dog walker arrives a little early or late every day -- most of the time it cannot be helped. Be suspicious of any dog walking service that promises punctuality to the minute -- most of the time they're not being honest with you!

* Dog walking in packs or individually? This is where opinion is split firmly down the middle! It's a common sight in urban centers like New York City to see pack walkers with up to twelve dogs at a time -- but is this really what you want for your dog? The advantage to this kind of service is primarily price -- pack walk rates are sometimes half the price of individual or small group walks and sometimes last longer. On the negative side, your dog will not receive anywhere near the same level of attention it would in a smaller group or alone -- and often much of the walk is spent sitting tied up in large groups on the sidewalk as the dog walker takes a dog upstairs to its apartment. There is no doubt that there is a strong social aspect to such walks which many dogs enjoy, but for the most part the majority of dog owners prefer their dogs to be walked in smaller packs or alone. Many people also worry about dogs fighting in large packs and while this is rare, it does sometimes happen. An individual, private walk brings with it the walkers undivided attention, but you should also consider that most dogs appreciate some kind of socialization -- so consider choosing a service which walks pairs or small groups of no more than three. Many dog walkers will tell you that dogs who have behavioral "issues" on the street with their owners benefit greatly from being walked with another dog, whose presence often acts to "center" the other dog and induce a good level of focus and attention. However, there is no avoiding the fact that some dogs just will not abide the company of other dogs no matter what! At the end of the day you know your own dog better than anyone and the decision is entirely yours to make.

* Conduct interviews in person Choosing a dog walker is an important decision to make, not least because you're entrusting the welfare of your precious pet to a stranger but also because the service entails allowing someone access to your apartment on a daily basis. For this reason, you should always look into a number of services and insist on meeting first the business owner, then should you decide to go ahead and use the service, the walker who will be assigned to your dog. A good service will allow you to meet the walker at no cost to yourself. Never feel pressured into agreeing to a schedule over the telephone -- you'll feel much better when you know who you're dealing with personally. All good dog walking services appreciate that you're looking around and shopping for a service and will be happy to submit their pitch to compete with others. Don't be surprised or feel offended if the business owner will not give you full contact details of the walker however -- they're not trying to put one over on you. It's standard practice in the business to insist that the client conduct all communication (schedule changes, updates etc) through the business owner themselves. This ensures that the owner is kept "in the loop" and is always aware of what's going on. If you do have the walkers contact details however, it is always good practice to notify the owner of all communication between you to prevent misunderstandings or confusion later.

* Have questions prepared in advance Before you conduct an interview, make sure you have everything you're going to ask written down and prepared beforehand. Ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable. Don't be afraid to bombard the business owner or walker with requests for information regarding the nature of their service, their philosophy, their practices, their policy and their history. A good dog walking service will also ask you questions about exactly what you want, your likes and dislikes -- and most of all, your dog. Make sure they ask you about your dogs nature and about health issues which may be relevant. If they take notes, that's a good thing! A good dog walking service will keep information about your dog on file, including medical history, favorite treats, command words, things to watch out for, vets information etc. If they don't seem interested in any of this information then it's probably a good idea to choose another service. Be sure to get everything out in the open regarding prices and fees. Make certain you're both on the same page regarding rates and frequency of payment, about any hidden or supplementary fees (many dog walking services have a surcharge for early morning, evening and weekend walks), about their range of availability (do they cover evenings or weekends?) and about their policy regarding cancellations (most services request that you give 24 hours notice to avoid being charged). The last thing you want is to spoil a good relationship with a reliable dog walking service due to a misunderstanding later which should have been cleared up at the beginning.

Understanding Panic Attack In Dogs

Understanding Panic Attack In Dogs

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Panic attack in dogs comes on suddenly and can be triggered by booming noises such as the sharp sound of gun shots, fireworks or even rumbling thunder. The fight or flight instinct kicks in big-time, but since fighting an invisible entity is not possible, some dogs will panic and blindly run for survival. For dogs who are protected within a fenced yard or confined inside a building, there is nowhere for them to go. So they turn all of that "flight" energy into outward detrimental behavior or they internalize it, causing severe shaking, whining, panting, and raised heart rate.

No one really understands why some dogs experience these panic attacks and others show no signs of anxiety during the same circumstances. In a home of two or more dogs, one may sleep right through a powerful thunderstorm, while another dog has a panic attack and seems to be totally lost within its fear.

If you have adopted a rescued dog, its previous history may be unattainable. It could have included some type of incident that caused a deathly fear of certain situations or abrasive sounds. If only they could tell us. On second thought, I'm not sure I would want to know. Anyway, you may never know the reason behind the panic, but it's really not as important as helping your dog learn to relax rather than react.

I honestly believe that a panic attack in dogs is much the same as it is in people. I don't believe we really understand why a number of people suffer from panic attacks and yet others don't. Fortunately for us, humans are able to seek out guidance to help us conquer our anxieties.

Dogs don't have any methods or dealing with an anxiety or panic attack. They have no means of working through it or of understanding how to overcome this panic they are experiencing.

That is where we, as their caretakers, must intervene and find methods to help overcome this panic attack in dogs.

To begin with, I have to emphasize the necessity of not chastising your dog for running away or destroying something during a panic attack. Your dog is reacting to something he doesn't understand. By punishing him you will be adding to the already high level of anxiety your dog is experiencing, possibly escalating any further episodes.

I do believe that a dog who has undergone some obedience dog training will have an advantage over an untrained dog in that your trained dog may be able to be distracted from its fear somewhat by obedience commands. This is not always the case with extreme anxiety, because it does seem to dominate any previous training, but with mild cases of panic attack, distraction with obedience work may help.

Sedatives are one option for calming a panic attack in dogs. This is not a method I would recommend because it doesn't solve the problem. It will only temporarily mask the situation. Your dog will be listless and debilitated for a few hours and each dog may react a little differently to each sedative.

Some sedatives will slow down your dog's reactions yet not calm the panic within. He will still experience the distress caused by the noise or other stimulant without being able to do anything about it. If you have tried other options that have failed and decide to use a sedative, please do some research on the side effects of the specific sedative you will be using.

The ultimate goal is to help your dog defeat its terror and get through a nerve wracking event without the anxiety that has plagued him in the past.

Another tool for helping overcome a panic attack in dogs is the anxiety wrap. You can find this as the Original Anxiety Wrap and the Thundershirt. The anxiety wrap is a snugly fitting shirt that exerts deep touch pressure on pressure points to soothe a dog during stress. It is similar to the swaddling of an infant to help it feel secure. This does not work for every dog or every stressful situation, but it may help many dogs. Some are helped immediately, others might take several times of using the anxiety wrap to slowly lessen the extreme panic they have experienced so many times.

One other option for helping your dog to get over its extreme fear is by gradually exposing it to the very thing that terrifies it, such as rolling thunder. You would begin with a tape recording of thunder. Play it at a very low level, offering your dog treats, to play ball, to dance around and have fun. Your dog will learn to associate fun things with the noise it has previously deemed terrifying. Increase the stimulation gradually, but not until your dog has accepted each level with no signs of anxiety.

There are a number of options to work through a panic attack in dogs. There really is no reason to simply watch your dog deal with the terror it feels. It may take some research, seeking advice from trainers and an abundance of patience, but it will be worth it on that day when you are in the middle of a thunderstorm and your dog is lying peacefully on its bed.

About the Author

Karleen Lindsey has worked with dogs for many years. In her work fostering rescue dogs and in her grooming career, she has observed many behavior issues. She works extensively to help each dog break through the barriers of fear and anti-social behavior, with patience being the primary key to success. To learn more, visit her site at http://www.anxietywrapreviews.com.

A Good Night's Sleep: A Guide to Dog Beds

A Good Night's Sleep: A Guide to Dog Beds

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Beds are one of the most important pieces of furniture you can own. Their comfort level allows you to get a good night's sleep and wake up to be productive and energetic the following day. The same goes for your dog. While many people don't realize it, your dog can develop health problems or have trouble sleeping if not given the proper bedding. There are several factors you must consider when looking at dog beds, different types to choose from, and different methods of purchasing them.

Size Does Matter

One vital factor you must consider when selecting a bed for your dog is your dog's size. If the bed is too small for your dog, this could create a problem. Your dog might wind up lying partially on his bedding and partially on the hard floor. Just as you wouldn't want to lie halfway off your bed, your dog wouldn't want to either. This can create soreness the next day, and over a longer period of time, can lead to bone and joint problems that your pup just shouldn't have to endure. If you have a medium, large of extra large breed, you will need to make sure that you find an appropriate sized bed that is large enough for your dog to lie on and move around a little bit. One other factor you must consider for a smaller dog is giving them too much space. If a smaller dog has a bed that is kept in a kennel, the dog may be tempted to urinate on the bed if it is too big. Sometimes if dogs are given too much space in their kennel, and if the bed is much bigger than the portion they are actually lying on, the dog will use part of the bed as a restroom. While this isn't common, it does happen from time to time.

Special Needs

Besides size, another important thing to consider are the specific needs that your dog has. If you have a puppy or an extremely healthy younger dog, most any well-padded bed will do just fine. Some older dogs, or dogs that have developed bone of joint problems, may need a little extra care from their bed. Make sure that if your dog has any sort of bone or joint problems, or has exhibited any signs of them, you take him to the veterinarian to get everything checked out. In some instances, a vet might recommend an orthopedic dog bed. These are available in all shapes and sizes and are soft and moldable for the best possible comfort your dog could imagine. Even if your pet doesn't necessarily need an orthopedic bed right now, it is always a good option to prevent future health problems.

Where To Go

If you are looking to treat your dog to a new bed, the first thing to do is to check with your regular veterinarian for his or her recommendation. Your personal vet knows your dog better than anyone and will be able to make sure that you get the best possible product for your pet. Once you have obtained a recommendation, you have a couple of options. You can call or tour local pet stores in search of the bed that your vet prefers, or you can search online. Finding the bed at a local store ensures that you can get the bed sooner, but internet searches often yield better financial results. There are tons of web sites out there for pet lovers that offer great marked-down prices with reasonable shipping. Really, it's just a matter of personal preference. Whichever way you decide to go, just make sure you get the best model of bed for your dog. After all, his sweet dreams depend on it!