Entries Tagged 'Dogs' ↓

There are literally hundreds of different breeds of dog that one can choose from, but the Poodle is definitely a fan favorite. They are affectionate and loving dogs, not to mention absolutely beautiful. Poodle grooming is often considered as a drawback to owning these dogs however, because it requires so much time and effort.

Poodle grooming consists of a lot and Poodles need to be thoroughly groomed on a regular basis or tartar will build up on their teeth, their nails will get too long and their long beautiful coat will become matted and tangled.

There is also trimming, clipping, brushing their teeth and gums - there are a lot of components that need to be included in the Poodle grooming process in order to keep the dog looking and feeling at their very best.

With Poodle grooming one of the first and most important things that an owner needs to be concerned with is tearstain removal. Poodles tend to have very runny eyes, but it is important that owners realize that this does not mean that they were bred improperly or that they are sick in any way. This is simply a problem that is common among this breed and needs to be taken care of properly or else the fur around their eyes will end up stained and this can be permanent.

There are various different tearstain removal products that are available on the market these days, but there is also always the option of making tear stain removal home remedies. The ingredients that need to be used for these remedies can be dangerous and harmful to the dog however if not mixed and used properly, so the safest bet is to go with the commercially made formulas that can be found at pet supply stores.

No solution should ever be splashed into the dog’s eye or allowed to wick through the facial hair into the eye area because this can be very harmful to the dog. It is easy to see that the Poodle grooming process is one that requires a lot of time and a lot of skill. A Poodle hair cut can take practice and patience.

But for most pet Poodles a short, all over cut is best. This cut will keep your Poodle cute, soft and mat free. Weekly bathing and a minimal amount of brushing is all that is required with this short cut. Learning how to perform and maintain any Poodle cut takes a lot of practice.

There is a solution to this problem however, which comes in the form of dog grooming professionals. These are people who have been specially trained to groom all breeds of dogs, and there are even certain dog groomers who have been trained just for Poodle grooming. There will be a small price to pay for these services of course but it is well worth it to many owners to have their dog looking and feeling at their very best.

It happened again; you walk into a house and are rudely assaulted by four paws and a tongue! Most dogs prefer to greet people this way, and many believe these dogs are just trying to make friends, but jumping up on people is a dangerous habit for your pet to develop. A big dog that is allowed to jump up on guests can be scary and intimidating, and an unfortunate incident may be the result of your pet’s misbehavior which is why learning how to stop dog jumping behavior is critical for the safety of your family, friend, neighbors and, even your dog.

The reason your dog jumps up is to have a better view of you. You can minimize this behavior by lowering yourself so that you are at his eye level and then he will not have the desire to leap up at you. While this is a solution for you, there are also the neighbors or strangers that you encounter in public places and naturally you want to prevent your dog from jumping at them. In order to insure that this does not happen, it is necessary to train your dog properly so that he will respond to your voice commands.

‘Sit’ is an important and basic command. Mastering the ‘Sit’ is a foundation for other commands and may save your dogs life. Before teaching how to stop dog jumping, you and your dog need to master the ‘Sit’ command. It must be automatic and consistent in order to move forward to stopping any jumping behavior.

For the training you should begin with your dog standing in front of you. You can immediately determine when your dog is about to jump up. What you want to do is look for the signs - muscles tensing, tail wagging etc… When you notice that they’re thinking about jumping up command the dog to sit. If the dog jumps up on you regardless (and he likely will at first) bring your knee up to his chest and firmly tell him Off. You might be tempted to say down. However, that is the command to get your dog to lay down and should only be used for that purpose.

Try not to scare or hurt your dog, just gently knock him off balance. Lifting your knee a bit should do the job. This is just associating the command with the action. Make sure he gets rewarded with a treat and verbal praise when it is done. With enough repetition, he will soon obey the “Off” command.

No one likes a dog that misbehaves, particularly a dog who jumps up on any person they meet. A jumping dog will eventually knock someone over. The person could be badly injured, and you might be facing a lawsuit. For your own safety and piece of mind, it’s essential to take the time to learn how to stop dog jumping behavior. Doing so will ensure that your dog is an enjoyable member of your family.

If you have kids and want to adopt a dog, then training a dog for children is something you need to think about. There are a lot of families out there who have had an event happen between a dog and child that now causes tension and uneasiness. Children and dogs are not always compatible together. Certain dogs may not be comfortable around children or may not be trained properly at all, causing safety issues. Anyone who has children and has thought about adopting a dog has probably raised the concern as to whether or not that would be best, or if its better to forget the idea.

Luckily you shouldn’t have to forgo getting a dog just because you are afraid it won’t get along with your kids. You may have a dog that gets along quite well with your kids and one that your kids will love! Most dogs are well tempered and enjoy playing with children, the key is to pick one that likes kids in the first place.

Training a dog for children is not hard. However, it requires teaching the right behavior to both dog and children. You need to make sure your dog does not bite or nip - a task which may be a bit harder with a puppy as this behavior is natural to them. You should also be sure the dog is trained not to jump up as a large dog jumping on a small child can frighten the child and even cause injury.

A dog that does not display unnecessarily aggressive behavior is a good idea if there will be small children in the home. If they have a calm and easy demeanor they will be more easily trained to play and cooperate with your children and you. Children must also know that the new dog is not a plaything; it is never a good idea to subject a new dog to unusual rough play as they may become violent or scared. Your dog should not feel the need to defend itself by biting your child nor should they fear your child.

Although it’s extremely important to teach your children to be gentle and thoughtful with your new dog, you should not leave him unsupervised with very young children. The best way to acquaint them and help them form a compatible relationship would be to let your kids and new dog gradually get used to each other while you are present.

If you have young children, you should consider the prospective pet’s personality before making a final decision. Training a dog for children should be part of your pets basic training, but choosing a dog who is both playful and relatively well-behaved is the most ideal choice for your kids.

The Pug dog breed is one of today’s most popular breeds and anyone who is thinking about adding one to their family should become familiar with the specifics of pug dog health care.

This breed has been with us for over three thousand years, and this short haired animal has been a member of the AKC Toy group since 1885. You probably would recognize one on sight from its flat wrinkly face, thickset body, and curly tail. Pugs generally weigh between 13 and 20 pounds and are about 10 to 14 inches tall.

The features that distinguish the pug would be part of why they are so desirable (and why humans find them so cute), but unfortunately these features give pugs unique health problems that their humans have to keep an eye out for.

The folded skin of the pug is one of them. The wrinkles of the skin are prone to infections by nature. Therefore, always keep your dog well groomed and bathed properly and check with the Vet at the onset of any infection. Make sure to keep the area between the wrinkles dirt and dust free so that bacteria does not grow there.

Another factor which could cause pug dog health problems is its eyes. Because of its peculiar shape and location on the face, the pug’s eyes are not protected properly and are prone to injury and other problems. Look for any inflammation in the eye regularly and take the dog to the Vet immediately if you identify any problem in the surrounding area.

Weight gain is another problem, commonly found in pugs, which could have an adverse effect on their health. Pugs as a breed has a tendency to overeat, so be careful about your pets food intake and maintain its weight at healthy limits.

Pugs are also sensitive to very hot temperatures so you need to be careful not to keep your pet under extreme conditions for long time. Never keep your dog outside where there is no shade or locked up in a car during summers. Overheating can make breathing difficult for pugs.

Of course, like any dog, taking proper care of your pug and taking him to the vet for regular visits is the best way to insure good pug dog health. Take care of your pug responsibly and you’ll have your companion healthy and happy for many years to come.

If you have ever gotten a painful bee sting in the summer, your dog probably has too and it hurts just as much for him as it does for you! Here are some things you can do to alleviate the pain of dog bee stings.

When sitting outside during “bug season” you will always see your pet “playing” with bugs by snapping at them. They may be trying to play with their prey before they kill it or just trying to get the bug away from them. We really have no way of knowing, but what we do know is that this way of playing can lead to stings in our pets’ mouths, which can be very painful.

When your dog reacts to a sting in his mouth, he will scratch and paw at the area that was stung. Your dog may also react by heavy drooling, which can alarm some owners that are not aware of the wasp or bee sting.

If your dog gets bit, here are some steps you can take to relieve them from the pain of dog bee stings:

Clean the sting site with a mixture of warm water and baking soda. One tablespoon of soda to two pints of water is a good formula to use, and don’t worry if your dog swallows some - it’s harmless. Repeat the cleansing procedure every 10 minutes until the sting seems to be less bothersome to your dog.

You can also directly apply Ammoniated quinine to the area.

Bee stings might not bother some dogs; however, if your dog has been stung and needs some relief, potassium bromide is a good antiepileptic medication.

If you can actually see where the stinger is, and the dog will let you, you could try to remove the stinger with tweezers.

It’s perfectly alright to bring your dog to the vet for a professional examination of the area. She might decide to administer a shot of anti-histamine to you dog to reduce some of the swelling and itching, and keep systematic disturbances at bay.

People typically do not think of dogs as getting stung by bees, but dog bee stings do happen. Dogs are seen all summer long trying to “eat” bees, so it’s no wonder they get stung every so often. It is great if they do not get stung, but if they do now you know ho w to treat it.

Some people think that dogs and cats are pretty enough as they are without any other adornment. Personally I feel that pets are a bit like people; some look great natural style others can look pretty fancy with a bit of sparkle.

Collar Charms are one of the easiest way to make your dog’s look, and there are lots available so you should be able to find something to suit.

It’s worth noting that charms work best on cats or more petite dogs.

Big dogs usually look better in big collars without fripperies such as charms, and on the safety side too, you have to consider they could get lost in a game.

The first choice for charms would be Aria, who make glittery, fashionable charms for pets.

Take the Aria Enamel Bone Charm, which comes in Blue, Pink or White - all studded with tiny rhinestones and fastened onto the collar with an easy lobster claw clasp. Each charm measures an inch.

Aria also do a regal range, with the Majestic Crown Charm, a fabulously elegant crown either in crystal or pink, detailed with glittering rhinestones.

Available in two colors, with easy and secure fastening. This is a fabulous design against gray fur for a really sophisticated look.

Aria have designed a half inch long pawprint charm, available in dark blue, white or pink rhinestones for added sparkle. They are more suitable for boy dogs, as are the Skull and CrossBones designs in silver and brass in two sizes.

The heart shape is a perennial favorite; and how cute it would look sparkling off your dog’s collar, especially this rhinestone studded one. With a lobster claw clasp this one inch wonder is bound to get some attention.

Pet Studio is another supplier with a line in collar charms for your pet, such as the Crystal Crown charm. With flower designs, open heart designs and funky star designs, you will ahve more than enough to choose from.

Adorning your dog with small trinkets doesn’t have to cost the earth either.

Pet Studio also have a truly classy charm in their showcase, the Open Heart Silver Charm, which if you look carefully you would swear it’s from Tiffany.

Charms are great fun just for everyday wear, but can be especially useful for fancy dress parties, gala parades and dog/cat shows. They add a little bit extra to the look, and provide some dazzle when it’s needed.

And if you are a cat lover, don’t get jealous, there is a complete range too for cats in the same designs!

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

Give your dog a distinctive look with some trendy canine apparel, or get something practical such as a car harness.

Your dog will be turning heads with the selection of fab dog accessories on offer.

Make a collar something special with the addition of a cute charm; The Bone Charm, Pawprint Charm and Majestic crown all made by Aria are wonderful, sparkling additions to any collar.

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

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

Remember that your dog is part of your “look” when you go out, after all Hollywood starlets tuck a tiny pup into their handbags as the nip out to go shopping or meet friends, as if the tiny dog is an integral part of the overall look.

A dog is partly the reflection of its owner, well cared for, properly clipped and manicured, and with nice accessories, it will also reflect on you as a good owner!

And it’s not just ladies who like to pamper themselves in the bath - there’s a wide range of dog bath time products to make your beloved hound smell less like.. well, a dog.

8in1 produce some excellent products such as Crisp Apple Spray, ( also available in an array of alternative tantalising fragrances) to keep your dog smelling fresh between baths.

The gifts on our wishlist don’t have to be for your dog, just take a look at these pet checks.

These checks can be used just like regular checks, and make a great and individual gift for a friend or a relative, especially for dog or cat lovers at Christmas or birthdays.

A great gift you can buy for your dog online is a travel harness.

While the whole family is belted up in the car, the poor dog is loose and could jump out the window or be thrown about in an accident.

Cruising Companion Harnesses are a must for any dog who travels.

More and more great gifts and accessories for dogs are becoming available to consumers.

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

Have you ever imagined how it feels like having a pet? Well, maybe you have. I am sure you will be very excited because there is an addition to the household.

What am I talking about? Well, I am talking about you getting a new pet! After picking up the dog of your choice and bringing the pet home, you realize that your pet is quite dominant and hard to control. What should you do? The first thing that comes to your mind is that you should train your dog. But, before you start on anything, ask yourself this; do you really know what you are doing? Do you know what you are going to train? Do you even know how to train a dog? Well, just like with any tasks, don’t come unprepared. You should understand and also acquire the knowledge first.

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

If you feel that the time has come to start training your dog and show who’s boss then by all means start teaching your pet but remember three things for pet training: Focus, Take Control and claim all thing as your possession that is inside the house, of course.

Let’s talk about focus and why you need this. Sometimes it can be challenging to keep your cool especially if your dog is too annoying. So do you resort to using a stick and beating up your pet? Or yelling at your dog? That won’t do you any good. What you can do instead is be calm, steady and always remain firm. Whenever you start training or working with your dog remain consistently calm.

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

The last thing, claiming all things as yours whether this is about toys, food, rugs and so on stand your ground. You should only share your things with your dog only when it understands that you are the one in charge.

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

It is finally time to get yourself the Rottweiler you have been talking about and all you need now is a handy guide to all of the Rottweiler breeders in your area. You can always just use the phone book but there are many other ways you can use to find good Rottweiler breeders in your area.

So think outside the box a little and if you do you will realize there are a lot of ways to find good breeders. The Internet is the greatest resource tool ever created and you can find just about anything you are looking for with the Internet.

If you take the time to look for Rottweiler breeders you may not only find breeders listed but you may also find their websites will give you important information on the breeder as well. You can also use the various national breeder registries on the Internet to find a breeder as well.

There is no better source for quality information on prospective Rottweiler breeders than your vet. Your vet is just as interested in your dog’s health as you are and they are only going to give you the names of breeders that they trust so therefore you should trust them as well. If you do not have a vet then the search for a breeder is a great time to start up a relationship with the vet you intend to use for your pet.

Many times a reputable breeder, and not so reputable breeder, will advertise in the local newspaper. You can use these ads as more information for your collection but always keep track of which breeder you find in which paper for future reference. The breeder may ask you what paper you saw them in for their own advertising purposes or you may want to let the paper know about a less than reputable breeder.

Many times good Rottweiler breeders only work on referrals so you may want to ask local farmers or current Rottweiler owners if they know of any good breeders that you can talk to in your search.

Sometimes the best Rottweiler breeders can be the most difficult people to get a hold of so be persistent and try and get that referral to that one breeder that will supply you with the dog you want.

Always collect as much information as you can in your search for Rottweiler breeders. Be creative as there are a lot of ways to get the information you need and you will want as much information as possible so that you can talk to as many breeders as possible. The more you have to choose from the better your chances of getting a breeder you are truly happy with.