Stop the Biting Behavior of Your Dog - What You Need to Know

It is always fun to have a dog companion because of their endearing qualities but no matter how cute and lovely they are, dogs still have inappropriate behaviors that can put pet owners to a lot of humiliation and biting is one of those bad behaviors most dogs have. Biting is a common behavior of dogs when playing with each other, to protect themselves when they are agitated by other animals or people around them and to secure their position as the leader of the pack. While dogs have thick skin and biting each other may not be harmful for them, it is different for humans as we don't have thick skin and can get hurt from their sharp teeth. Whether they just want to play, protect themselves or profess their position as leader of the pack in your home, they need to know what is appropriate and not appropriate when it comes to using their sharp teeth. It is important to stop the biting behavior of your dog to prevent him from causing harm to people around him. Dog bites are a serious problem and require medical attention.

The best time to stop the biting behavior of your dog is when he is still young or still in his formative years which is usually when a dog is still below six months old. Some pet owners usually take their puppy's biting habit as something he does because he is just playing or teething and so the bad habit is not taken seriously and not corrected. Whatever the reason for his biting habit, as a dog owner it is your duty to stop the biting behavior of your canine friend as early as possible to teach him the appropriate behavior and to let him know that you are in control and the leader. Biting is a bad habit that every dog must be taught not to do as early as possible.

Teaching your dog to socialize with other dogs and getting him familiar with other people is one of the best ways to teach your dog with the proper behavior and stop inappropriate habits like biting. Dogs are social animals and they should not be left alone. A poorly socialized dog have a greater chance of developing bad habits and may become aggressive or dangerous. It can be great if there are kindergarten classes and playtime for dogs in your community that your dog can join to make him more familiar and socialize with other dogs and humans as well. Gradually exposing your canine friend to a variety of social situations can help stop the biting behavior of your dog. Exposure to social situations must be under controlled circumstances and continue the exposure until your dog get used to social situations.

Provide your dog with appropriate things to play, chew and bite with. This is to help him with his teething problem and to teach him which things are appropriate to bite and chew. This will also help your dog beat boredom. Bored dogs have a high chance of developing unfavorable behaviors. If he is busy with a lot of things and not bored, he has no time to develop unfavorable habits like biting. To stop the biting behavior of your dog, keep him busy.

Be consistent in teaching your dog not to bite. Consistency is the key when teaching your canine friend with proper behavior. Your family and friends visiting your house should be well-informed that they are not allowed to tolerate your dog's biting habit. If one person allows your dog to chew or bite even if it is just some sort of playing with him while everyone else does not will only get him confused. If he starts to bite or chew on something inappropriate, teach him to bite the proper toys. Praise or reward him for biting the correct items.

Avoid punishing your dog. Punishing your dog may push your him to be more aggressive out of fear. Yelling and hitting your dog as a punishment for bad behavior is not good if you want to teach him not to bite because he may get more agitated and it may result to more aggressive behaviors. Instead, stop playing with him, withdraw all the attention and remove all the things that he likes most when he starts using his mouth or starts biting to give him the idea that his behavior is not acceptable.
Keep your dog healthy. Make sure to have your dog vaccinated against rabies and other diseases. He must be free from fleas and ticks to reduce the risk of getting skin and other diseases. Feed him with nutritious diet to keep him healthy. The health of your dog affects the way he behaves. A dog not feeling well may get irritated easily and may bite as an outlet. If you want to stop the biting behavior of your dog, make sure he will not use his bad health as an excuse to bite.

Do not encourage your dog to put his mouth on you. The majority of people bitten by dogs are not bitten by stray dogs but bitten by their own dogs or dogs they know. Although biting is a normal dog behavior, knowing how to stop the biting behavior of your dog can reduce the risk of dog bites. Let him know that playing with you or getting your attention using his mouth or sharp teeth is not acceptable.

If you find it hard to stop the biting behavior of your dog on your own, you may need professional help. To know more visit Secrets to Dog Training 

Helpful Tips to Remove Your Dog's Tear Stains

Dogs are naturally cute but their cuteness can be reduced with the presence of stubborn stains under their eyes. Tear staining is a common problem of dogs especially to some breeds. Stains under a dog's eyes are caused by excessive tearing brought by a number of eye problems such as dog eye infections, eye lids and eyelash problems, shallow eye socket problems, blockage in the tear drainage holes and food allergies. The long hair in the face and the hair growing in the skin folds around the eyes can also irritate the eyes resulting to excessive tearing. Whatever the cause of your dog's excessively watery eyes, it can lead to another problem which is the visible tear stains under their eyes. Of course it is best to consult your vet to resolve his watery eye problems but at the same time you also have to get rid of the tear stains and make him look cute again. So how to remove your dog's tear stains?

Eliminate the cause of excessive tearing. There are causes that cannot be stopped, for instance, it is impossible to stop your dog's excessive watery eyes if it is caused by conditions such as shallow eye sockets but there are causes that can be minimized or can be eliminated. If eye infection is the cause, this should be addressed with the help of a vet to treat the eye infection. If it is caused by eyelids or eyelash problems, surgery can help address these problems. Excessive watery eyes caused by excessive hair growth around the eyes can be addressed by regularly trimming the long hair around your dog's eyes. Eliminating the cause of excessive tearing can help prevent the formation of stains under their eyes. After eliminating the source of your dog's excessive watery eyes, it is much easier to remove your dog's tear stains.

Regularly wipe your dog's face. It is important to practice good grooming and cleanliness to remove your dog's tear stains. Wipe your dog's face especially around the eye area with damp cloth at least twice a day. Wiping your dog's face cannot remove the stains right away but by wiping regularly, the stains will eventually fade away. Wiping your dog's face regularly will not only help you remove the stains under his eyes but it is also refreshing for your dog.

Look for a good tear stain remover. Tear stains are more visible on white dogs so it is best to find the best tear stain remover for your dog. Stains are very visible on white fur making your dog look dirty. There are whitening products that can be very helpful to remove your dog’s tear stains. Hydrogen peroxide can help remove stains on white fur. Stain removal products like Angels' Eyes Natural Tear Stain Eliminaton and Remover has helped many dog owners to get rid of dog tear stain. It has natural antioxidants, antibacterial, and anti- inflammatory properties and can help get rid of dog tear stain by reducing oxidation released through tear ducts. Satisfied customers stated that they even use this everyday for years to keep tear stains at bay and achieve crystal clear dog’s eyes.

To know more about dog health and grooming visit Dogs Best Supplies

Angels' Eyes Natural Tear Stain Eliminaton and Remover, Chicken Flavor, 300 gm

Get Rid of Your Dog's Fleas and Ticks

The most common pet pests are fleas and ticks. Dogs are naturally cuddly and nice to hug but if they are infested with pests you'll have second thoughts of hugging them. Pest bites are not only a nuisance but they can be dangerous. Dogs can develop skin allergies, infections, permanent hair loss and other diseases from pest bites. Fleas can consume a large amount of your dog's blood in such a short period of time that may result to anemia and in rare cases, death. Pest bites can also result to changes in your pet's appetite and behavior. Humans can also develop allergies and diseases from pest bites that is why most people are hesitant to hug pets with pests. It is important to get rid of dog's fleas and ticks to protect yourself and your pet.

Fleas and ticks can be a challenge to control because they can reproduce in large numbers in such a short period of time. Fleas can lay thousands of eggs in a month to ensure their generation will last for a long time. It is important to eradicate them and prevent them to flourish as much as possible. The following tips can be very helpful to get rid of dog's fleas and ticks.

Get rid of dog's fleas and ticks as early as possible. Fleas and ticks season depends on your location. Dog's pests survive in warmer climate and it is ideal to start controlling them at the beginning of its peak season. In places where it is really hot all-year-round, pest infestation can be all-year-round too. In some areas in the Unites States, the worse season for fleas and ticks infestation is from May to September. It is ideal to start your pest control at the beginning of its peak season to eradicate the pests as early as possible.

Maintain a pest-free environment. It is important to continue protecting your pet from pests to totally get rid of dog's fleas and ticks. Create a healthy pest-free environment. Your home and yard are the best places where animals can be exposed to pests so make your home and yard pest-free. Practice cleanliness in your home and yard. Eliminate the things that can serve as breeding spot for pests such as leaves, pet hair, grass clippings and other trash. Keep your home clean and dust-free especially the carpet, floor and furniture where pests like fleas usually hide. Keep your dog house clean especially the bedding and check it for ticks and fleas. You may need the help of a professional pest control if you are unable to get rid of dog's fleas and ticks in your home and yard.

Regularly check your dog for pest infestation. Check your dog for ticks and fleas regularly especially when they spend time outdoors. One tool that you can use to check your dog for pests is a comb designed to caught fleas and ticks. Comb your dog's hair especially those areas where they usually hide such as the neck and the tail area. Remove and kill them right away. Wear gloves to protect yourself from flea and tick fluids.

Consult your veterinarian. Ticks can be hard to detect, if you need professional help, ask your veterinarian to conduct regular pest check on your dog. If you already know that there are pests thriving in your dog's skin and you are clueless on how to control them, it is best to consult your veterinarian about the best way to get rid of dog's fleas and ticks.

Fleas and ticks control products. There are a number of products available in the market to get rid of dog's fleas and ticks. They come in different forms such as spot-on products, shampoos, collars, sprays, powder, oral medications, etc. Some products like oral medications may need a veterinarian's prescription, so make sure to ask your veterinarian before giving medications to your pet. Make sure to follow the safety procedures in using pest control products. Read and follow the product label carefully and use the appropriate product for your dog. There are various fleas and ticks control products so make sure you pick the one for dogs only. You also have to take into consideration your pet's health and age when using pest control products. Carefully check the label for prohibitions such as prohibitions against aged, sick, pregnant or nursing pets, etc. After applying the product, monitor your pet for any sign of side effects. Keep the package or the label with the product so that you have the instructions on hand if you ever need it.

To find the best ticks and fleas control products visit Best Dog Supplies 


There are various flea and tick control products in the market, find one here:

Merial Frontline Plus Flea and Tick Control for Dogs and Puppies 8  weeks or older and up to 22lbs, 6-Pack





 Bayer Seresto Flea and Tick Collar, Large Dog

Giving Rewards to Your Dog - What You Need to Know

Most people are happy to be recognized on a job well done whether in school, work or home. This makes them want to do a good job over and over again because their efforts are recognized and rewarded. Dogs like humans also need recognition to reinforce their positive behavior. Giving rewards to your dog can be a great tool to help you teach your dog to behave properly but it is not that easy because you have to follow some rules to make the rewards more of a positive reinforcement than a bribe. The following guidelines can be very helpful when rewarding your dog.

Know the significance of giving rewards to your dog. Recognizing the good behavior of your dog serves as a motivation. Rewards encourage your dog to repeat the good behavior that was recognized and praised. Dogs need motivation to continue what they are doing. With the appropriate rewards, dogs are motivated to listen, follow commands, behave and do well on trainings.

Correct timing. When it comes to giving rewards to your dog, perfect timing is everything. The timing must be perfect to educate your dog that a certain behavior is commendable and worth praising. When your dog obeys a command or show positive behavior, it is important to reward him immediately after that certain behavior. Timely recognition and of a positive behavior will give him the idea that he is doing a good job. It will also give him the understanding that correct or good behavior means rewards. In giving rewards to your dog, a perfect timing teaches him the connection of good behavior to rewards.

Know the different kinds of rewards. As a dog owner you should know the different kinds of rewards that you can give to your obedient canine friend. Rewards can be given in different forms such as praises, giving him toys, playing with your pet and the most common that gives dogs high motivation is giving him treats.

Be consistent. Giving rewards to your dog is a great tool to help you train your dog to learn good behavior so you need to be consistent to effectively teach your dog and avoid confusion. You have to consistently recognize your dog with every correct behavior to encourage him to repeat the correct behavior. Consistency is the key in teaching your dog about good behavior.

Be in control. The important thing about giving rewards to your dog is to make your dog respond to you. Giving rewards is training your dog to understand that you are pleased with his behavior. It is important that you are always the one in control and not the other way around. It could happen that the dog will not perform the desired behavior unless he gets his treats which should not be the case. You should be always in control and not your dog controlling you.

Giving rewards to your dog if executed correctly can help you shape an obedient and intelligent dog. To find the best treats for your dog visit  Best Dog Supplies


There are a number of rewards and treats that you can give your dog. Take your pick
 

 

Taste of the Wild Dry Dog Food, Hi Prairie Canine Formula with Roasted Bison & Venison, 30-Pound Bag

   

Greenies Dental Chews for Dogs, Regular, Pack of 27

       

Zuke's Mini Naturals Dog Treats Roasted Chicken Recipe, 16-Ounce

Glucosamine in a Dog's Diet

As you stand in the store pondering the plethora of varieties of dog food for your dog's diet, your mind can truly become overwhelmed.  The numerous ingredients in dog food simply complicate things even further.  Who really knows what all of those ingredients really mean?  You see glucosamine on some of the dog food labels.  That sounds a bit familiar.  Haven't you heard of glucosamine in the news?  What exactly is glucosamine and why should it be in your dog's diet?

You have probably heard of glucosamine in the news.  Glucosamine has been beneficial to joint health in humans.  Research has also shown that glucosamine in a dog's diet can be beneficial to your pet's
Health. 

Glucosamine is a dietary supplement.  Glucosamine has been shown to encourage good joint health.  This supplement helps to maintain good joint cartilage.  Glucosamine is one of the key building blocks to produce joint lubricants.  The joint lubricant helps to keep the joints moving and functioning with ease.  Glucosamine in your dog's diet will ensure your pet's joints work at their peak performance levels for years to come.

How does glucosamine work to help your dog's joints?  Glucosamine hydrates and lubricates your pet's joints.  The added hydration and lubrication will help to prevent arthritis in your dog.  For this reason, glucosamine is a good supplement in your dog's diet.  Pet owners of large breed
Dogs that are predisposed to having joint and hip problems should especially consider adding glucosamine to their dog's diet.

Shellfish is a good source of glucosamine.  Another way to get glucosamine involves a unique process of fermenting corn.  This method to produce glucosamine creates a vegetable based glucosamine. 

Glucosamine is typically safe as part of a healthy and balanced diet.  Your dog's diet should include glucosamine to encourage joint health.  Your pet will not suffer from side effects or interactions with medications when glucosamine is part of your  dog's diet. 

Today, many high-quality dog foods, manufactured by reputable companies, have already added glucosamine to their food products.  Animal nutrition reports have discovered the benefits of glucosamine in your dog's diet and dog food producers have quickly responded.  If you find that your dog's diet does not contain glucosamine, or you feel your pet could benefit from additional supplementation in the diet, you should have no problem locating glucosamine supplements for your pet. 

Glucosamine supplements come in numerous forms.  You can even give your dog a treat specially designed to supplement your dog's diet with glucosamine.  The tasty treat eliminates the trouble of dosing your dog with pills.

Of course, it is always best to talk to your veterinarian about any changes to your dog's diet.  He or she can give you advice about what supplements should be added to your dog's diet and in what quantity.  Ask your vet about the advantages of glucosamine.

As you consider your dog's diet and the ingredients, consider your dog's health.  Glucosamine is often added to high-quality dog food.  Talk to your vet to determine if additional glucosamine supplements would be beneficial in your dog's diet.  Protect your dog's joints by monitoring the amount of glucosamine in your dog's diet. 

Does Your Dog's Diet Need to Include Supplements?

A healthy, balanced diet is essential for a long and happy life with your pet.  How do you know if your dog's diet needs supplements?  What types of supplements should you add to your dog's diet?  

In most cases, your dog's diet will not need to be supplemented.  Assuming you feed your pet a diet formulated by a reputable dog food company, your dog's food is specially designed for a healthy balance to ensure excellent health for your pet. 

Occasionally, some low-quality dog foods will increase the need for extra supplementation.  Your vet may recommend that you give your dog's diet a little boost.  Consider supplementing your dog's diet with a hard boiled egg a couple of days per week.  This simple step will add extra amounts of vitamins A and D to your dog's diet.  Such vitamins help to maintain good bone structure and healthy eyes. 

If you have decided to personalize your dog's diet by customizing a raw diet, cooking at home for your pet, or just want to make sure your dog's diet is at its best, you will want to know about the benefits of other supplements.  Your dog's diet can be supplemented with whole grains, green vegetables, and nuts.  These items will increase your dog's intake of vitamin B.  Other ways to supplement your dog's diet to increase the amount of vitamin B include beans, yeast, and liver.  Your dog needs vitamin B in a healthy, balanced diet to support healthy skin and muscles. 

To ward off immune system deficiencies, supplement your dog's diet with additional vitamin E.  Good sources of vitamin E can be found in wheat germ, bran, and vegetable oil.         

Vitamin K can be another important nutrient in your dog's diet.  Liver, fish, leafy greens, and seeds can provide vitamin K to your dog's diet.  This vitamin will help to enhance your dog's blood clotting abilities. 

Glucosamine can be a great supplement in your dog's diet.  Glucosamine has been proven to improve joint health and ward off arthritis in your pet. 

Supplementing your dog's diet can be risky if not done correctly.  You may think you are providing your pet excellent vitamins and low calories by tossing your dog a few grapes or raisins.  Some dogs have been known to die from renal failure due to consuming such fruit.  Always seek advice from a professional before supplementing or changing your dog's diet in any way just to be on the safe side. 

Calcium supplements can be dangerous when used excessively in your dog's diet.  Although calcium is good in moderation to form strong, healthy bones, too much calcium can create trouble.  Large breed pups given too much calcium may grow large bones, but these bones lack the strength they need.

Always talk to your vet about the supplements you are considering.  Your vet can advise you on the appropriate amounts of each supplement to add to your dog's diet.  Both you and your vet care for your pet and want what is best for your dog.  Providing a healthy and nutritious diet is one of the easiest ways to ensure good health for your furry friend.  

Benefits of Fiber in Your Dog's Diet

We know the benefits of fiber in our own diet, but is their any benefits of fiber in a dog's diet?  Fiber was consider filler and bulk in year's past, but today, the nutritional value of fiber in the dog's diet is finally realized. 

What exactly is fiber?  It is a part of carbohydrates.  Fiber is not highly digestible by the body.  Your dog's diet can benefit from fiber in appropriate amounts.  Just like humans, too much fiber in a diet can have negative effects on the digestive system.  It is always important to monitor your dog's diet to maintain a healthy level of fiber to suit your pet's needs.  Talk to your veterinarian about the benefits of fiber in your dog's diet. 

Obedience is prevalent in both humans and pets.  Too often, pet's become overweight.  Fiber in your dog's diet is a terrific way to help your pet lose excess weight.  Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial to the longevity and quality of your dog's life.  We know that fiber cannot accomplish weight loss on its own, but it can truly make a difference.  Fiber helps to keep your dog feeling full and content without large amounts of calories. 

The pets who achieve the desired weight goal may need a little extra fiber in the dog's diet to maintain the desired weight.  Combining fiber with strict portion control, you will be able to create a dog diet that is healthy and satisfying for your pet. 

Again, similar to humans, constipation does occur in pets.  Your dog's diet should contain fiber to  help prevent this medical condition from occurring.  As your dog ages, his or her diet should contain elevated levels of fiber.  Senior dogs tend to deal with issues of constipation more frequently than their younger counterparts.  For this reason, you will note higher fiber content in senior dog diets. 

How does fiber help keep things moving?  Fiber absorbs water.  With the absorption of water in the fiber, the contents in the intestine have more bulk.  This is what causes the movement along the intestinal tract.  The passage time through the bowel becomes more normalized and regular. 

Healthy amounts of fiber in your dog's diet will contribute to fecal consistency.  You will know when your pet is getting the proper amount of fiber when your dog relieves himself regularly.  Too much fiber in your dog's diet will result in loose and messy stools. 

Some studies indicate that a slight increase in fiber can assist in the management of diabetes mellitus.  The fiber helps to control blood sugar levels by slowing the absorption of sugar from the intestine.   

Take note that excessive amounts of fiber can have negative affects on your dog's health.  For this reason, it is important to buy high-quality dog food from reputable companies to ensure a healthy diet for your dog.  Watch for these sources of fiber in your dog's diet.  Beet pulp, soybean hulls, rice bran, apple and tomato pomace, and peanut hulls.  Grain such as oats and rice are also examples of indigestible fiber. 

Fiber does have benefits in your dog's diet when used in moderation.  Talk to your vet about the best amount of fiber for your pet. 

Avoid Table Scraps in Your Dog's Diet

We have all done it.  Our cute, little furry friend is practically smiling at us from beneath the kitchen table.  The ears are perked and the tail is wagging.  We know what our dog is after.  Just a tiny tidbit from dinner would be delightful, right?  What could it hurt?  It is just a bite or two after all. 

Hold Fido's ears he won't want to hear this.  A dog's diet really should not contain table scraps.  People food is just that...for people.  A dog's nutritional needs are not the same as a human's.  Sure, we eat some of the same things, but feeding your pet from the table is one of the biggest mistakes for  your pet.  A dog's diet doesn't require all the added goodies we put into our meals.

People have problems with obesity.  A dog can have this problem, as well.  If your dog's diet consists mostly of scraps from the dinner table, chances are high that your dog will have trouble maintaining a healthy weight.  Even a few pounds over weight can really make a difference in the quality and length of your pet's life.  Curb the begging and stick to your guns. 

When you have a dog who is not a picky eater, it can be tempting to let your pet be the garbage disposal in the home, but really, this is not a good idea.  Certain people foods can harm your dog and should never be a part of your dog's diet.  Grapes, for example, have been known to cause serious problems for dogs, even death.  Chicken bones and popcorn can also be a problem for your dog.  Permitting large quantities of chocolate can be dangerous in a dog's diet.

A poor diet even shows up out in the yard.  When your dog's diet is not at its best, your pet's outputs will be greater in size, smell, and mess.  Benefits of choosing a healthy diet for your dog will be noticeable in your pet's health, as well as, during those walks around the block.

There are a few occasions when a supplement or treat from the kitchen may be alright, but never in excess.  Talk to your veterinarian about healthy snacks for your dog's diet.  If you simply must continue feeding Fido at the table, many vets recommend you give your pet ice cubes or pieces of carrot to munch on between scheduled feeding times.  Providing your pet these healthy alternatives to pizza and cupcakes gives you the freedom to choose a healthy and nutritious snack for your dog's diet. 

So, the next time your beloved pet starts eyeing your grub, redirect his or her attention. Don't reach for your fatty steak or chicken leg.  Instead, toss your buddy a cool, refreshing ice cube to bat around and munch on.  A couple of baby carrots will keep Fido happy and leave you feeling good about your choices for the nutritional value of your dog's diet.  You will know that you are doing your best to maintain a high-quality diet for your pet.    

A Dog's Diet Influences Oral Health

Your dog is your very best friend.  Every single time you walk through the door your dog is so happy to see you that he wags his tail and practically smiles at you.  How can you show your pet how much they mean to you?  Well, one way is to take care of that smile for your pet.  Did you know that your dog's diet can influence their oral health?

Humans need to brush and floss their teeth regularly to keep their teeth, tongue, and gums in good condition.  Research has recently shown a link between good oral health in humans and a lower risk of heart disease.  If good oral health can have such a profound affect on people, then it only makes sense to consider the impact it can have on man's best friend.

It is important to brush your dog's teeth frequently to keep plaque and tartar from becoming an issue.  Even wiping his gums with a clean, damp cloth can be beneficial. 

Your dog's diet also plays a role in your pet's oral health.  Do you typically feed your dog canned or dry dog food?  What kind of treats and toys do you provide for your pet?  All of these things can affect the likelihood of trouble with your pet's teeth.

When your dog's diet is nutritionally sound, containing essential vitamins, nutrients, and enzymes, your pet's oral health will be at its very best.  Feeding dry dog food rather than a moist canned variety is best for your dog.  The tiny kibbles' hard surface rubs against the teeth to remove and reduce plaque.  The simple act of moistening the dry dog food with water or gravy eliminates this property from dry dog food.

The treats you give your pet are part of your dog's diet just like snacks are part of a person's diet.  As humans, we tend to want to overlook our snacking habits, so it can be easy to overlook the treats you give your dog.  This is not a good idea.  Carefully consider any and all items your dog will consume. 

Do you give your dog bones, rawhides, jerky treats, or dog biscuits?  Maybe your pet prefers greenies or corn starch chews.  You may not have considered it, but tossing Spot a rawhide chew is like giving him a candy bar.  The rawhide, for example, contains calories and is often provided between meals. 

Many of the treats and snacks you provide in your dog's diet can be just empty wasted calories.  Some treats, alternatively, provide excellent opportunity to improve oral health.  Greenies, rawhides, bones, and hard dog biscuits all help to keep tartar at bay.  The softer snacks, such as jerky treats, do not provide much relief from plaque.  The healthy treat, on occasion, will also prevent your dog from having bad breath.

Your dog's diet must be healthy to ensure excellent oral health.  Dry dog food is best whenever possible.  Don't forget to select treats for your pet that will enhance your dog's diet.  Consciously monitoring your dog's diet will positively influence your  best friend's oral health.

Caring For Persian Cats

These days, Persian cats are among the most popular breeds of cat.  Well known for their gentle and sweet personalities and their long hair, Persian cats have very attractive features.  They are great companions for virtually anyone, and not very demanding.  Unlike other breeds, such as the Siamese breed, Persian breeds need very little attention.

Although white is the color normally associated with Persian cats, they actually come in a variety of other colors as well.  During competitions, they are divided into seven color divisions – solid, silver and gold, tabby, shaded and smoke, particolor, bicolor, and Himalayan.  No matter what color of Persian cat it may be, they are best noticed during competitions by their long and flowing coats. 

Persian cats should always be kept inside of the house, to protect their coat.  If they travel outside, they can easily damage their coat.  They will also need to be brushed daily with a metal comb, or their coat can become tangled, which will lead to hairballs.  You’ll need to bathe your Persian cat on a regular basis as well, to help protect his coat.  Bathing works best when the cat is young, as it will get him used to it.  Bathing should never be overlooked, as it will keep your cats coat looking clean and healthy.  Although some breeds can maintain their coats on their own, Persians can’t. Their fur is long and dense and you’ll need to groom them daily to ensure their coat stays healthy.

The Persian breed is gentle and sweet, getting along great with everyone – including kids.  They have a pleasant voice that is always good to hear.  Using their voice and their eyes, they can communicate very well with their owners.  They are very playful, yet they don’t require a lot of attention.  They love attention however, and love being admired.  Unlike other cats, they don’t climb and jump much at all.  They aren’t destructive either; they just love being admired and lying around.  A majority of the time, Persian cats love to bask in the sun and show others just how beautiful they truly are.

Although most breeds can be kept indoors or outside, Persian cats should always be kept inside and never allowed to go outside of the house.  Keeping them inside with protect their coats and also keep diseases and common parasites away from them as well.  You won’t have to worry about cars or dogs either if you keep your pet inside. 
To ensure that your Persian pet stays healthy, you should always take him to the vet on an annual basis.  If cared for properly, such as grooming, shots, and checkups, Persian cats can live as long as 20 years.  One thing you’ll need to be aware of that’s common with Persians is their eyes.  Their eyes are very big and can sometimes be too much for the cat to clean.  This is a common healthy problem with the breed, and should be checked on a regular basis to ensure that it doesn’t get out of control.

When you compare Persians to other breeds, you’ll notice that the Persians are among the easiest to keep.  You don’t have to worry about things like jumping or climbing, as Persians don’t like to do either.  All you’ll need to do is feed your cat and groom him or him on a daily basis.  Even though grooming can be quite a bit of work in the long run – it’s well worth it when you have a healthy an beautiful Persian cat.

An In Depth Look At Siamese Cats

The exotic and somewhat mysterious Siamese cat hails from the country of Thailand.  They had always been a popular breed of cats, some even residing in royal palaces.  Siamese cats, in the past, were trusted to protect royal palaces and monasteries from evil spirits.  These cats were also thought of as bringing good fortune to their owners as well.

During the year of 1884, the very first Siamese cats began to make their way to England, when they were given as gifts to a British general.  After that, they eventually made their way over to America.  Now days, Siamese cats are one of the most recognized of the breed.  Siamese cats are without a doubt the most popular short haired cat and among the top 3 in the entire breed of cats.

Even though there are several different colors to this breed, some questions what makes a cat a true Siamese cat.  These cats have always been known for their bodies which are lighter in color, with darker areas throughout.  The more darker areas found on their bodies are normally around the feet, tail, legs, or face.  They can weight anywhere between 6 - 16 lbs, with bright eyes that are normally slanted - which is another clue that the cat is a true Siamese.

Traditionally, Siamese cats are robust, with round heads and a truly muscular build.  They are well known throughout the world for their color points and unique personalities.  Unlike other breeds, Siamese breeds have a talent for communicating with people.  If you are looking for a cat that is nice and quiet, you wouldn’t want a Siamese cat.  These cats love to play, love to make noise, and they also happen to be the most social breed of cats out there.

Siamese cats demand a lot of attention, because in their minds, they believe that the world revolves around them.  For this very reason, they can tend be quite dependant on their owners.  They love to play, and crave interaction.  If you leave them alone for too long, they won’t like it.  They like to get attention, love to play, and hate to be left by themselves.

Even though Siamese cats are emotionally high maintenance, they don’t need a lot of maintenance They need a minimum amount of grooming, which involves bathing every once in a while, and brushing maybe once or twice a month.  If you like cats with minimal maintenance, Siamese cats are perfect.  Their hair is short to their skin, so a gentle brushing is all you need.  They can get sick however, which is to be expected with any breed of cat.

Siamese cats have a life span that is similar to other breeds, which is normally around 15 - 20 years, sometimes even longer. As long as you feed him on a daily basis and take him to the vet for his regular checkups and shots, he will be around for years and years to come.  Most people who have their Siamese cat for over 10 years, find the cat to be more like a child than a pet.

No matter how you look at it, a Siamese cat is a great pet.  Although the Siamese breed does require a lot of attention, they are excellent pets that you can spend a lot of time with.  They are great for kids as well, simply because kids can spend a lot of time with them.  As long as you give your pet the attention he craves - he will be your life long friend for as long as you have him.

A Look At Cat Breeds

Over the last thousands of years, cats have pretty much handled their breeding themselves.  In the beginning, they were used for one purpose - hunting and killing rodents.  As the years progressed, we began to breed cats more to our liking.  Now days, there are several different breeds of cats - which you can tell if you look closely.

These days there are over 70 distinct cat breeds, which are recognized through cat registries.  There are several registries that will recognize around 40 breeds or so, as they exclude the more domestic breeds such as tigers.  There are also many variations as well, including wild cats that have longer hair.

There are some cat breeds who have roots going back quite a bit in history.  Some Japanese breeds, such as the Japanese Bobtail, can be traced back more than 1,000 years in history.  These cats were very common and well known throughout Medieval Japan.  Now days though, they are all but a myth throughout Japan and the entire world.

The more common cat breeds that are found in North America include the alley cat, long haired cat, and Persian cat.  Siamese cats are also common, although they are well known to be destructive and to have a foul temper.  Persian cats are very popular, proving to be loving companions.  Persian cats can be very expense, depending on where you get it and what type of Persian cat it is.

Alley cats are the most common in North America.  There are actually several different breeds, although most of us just refer to them as alley cats.  They make good pets, although there are literally thousands of them in existence.  Cats are known to breed more than any other pet, and they will continue to breed until they are stopped.  Alley cats are among the most bred, as there are hundreds of thousands of cats that are homeless - and have nothing to do but breed.

The look of the cat is the easiest way to tell what breed he or she may be.  Some people choose to go by color, although color isn’t as easy to identify.  Different breeds of cats have different looks, such as the Siamese and Persian cats.  Siamese cats are almost always black, and easy to identify by their color and their eyes.  Persian cats on the other hand, are easily identified by their body type and their hair.

Over the years, there has been quite a few breeds come along.  Cats were one of the first pets, and easily one of the most popular.  Millions of people around the world own cats, with many people preferring a cat over any other pet - including dogs.  No matter breed of cat you get - you’re sure to get a pet who make for a great companion for years and years to come.

Put an End to the Digging Habit of Your Dog

Even if we regard dogs as family members, dogs are dogs and have their unfavorable behaviors. Although many dogs love to dig and it is healthy to allow them to indulge in this activity and express their being dogs, digging holes everywhere in your yard or ruining your flowerbeds is another thing.  Your dog should know that expressing himself should not be at the expense of your garden or flowerbeds. You can keep your garden in one piece and at the same time allow your dog to express himself and indulge in his digging habit from time to time if your dog has developed the right attitude about digging. So how can you resolve this problem and put an end to the digging habit of your dog?

First you have to know why dogs dig. There are common reasons why dogs dig and knowing the reason behind your canine friend’s unfavorable behavior can be very helpful if you want to put an end to the digging habit of your dog. Under-exercised dogs tend to dig as a way to burn off nervous energy. Dogs that are bored may use digging to keep them bus or entertain themselves if left alone in the yard for long periods of time and digging gives them a sense of purpose. Loneliness can also be a reason for his digging habit when he is usually left with no playmates or toys. Knowing the reason behind his digging habit is the key in solving your dog’s unnecessary behavior.

Create a bigger world for your pet. As a pet owner it is your duty to expand the world of your pet to prevent him from developing unfavorable habits.  You can do this by helping your dog spend more time with people. Have a regular walk with your dog to make your dog more sociable.  You will not only solve the boredom and loneliness of your dog but a regular walk is also a good exercise for you and your dog. Teaching your dog new commands or tricks can be a good way to bond and interact with each other. He will eventually forget his unnecessary digging habits if he is not always confined around the yard. It will be easier to put an end to the digging habit of your dog if your dog has a wider world to explore.

Praise your dog when he is not digging. This positive reinforcement can be very helpful to encourage your dog to behave properly. Of course you should let him know when he is displaying unfavorable behavior by saying the word “No” with a firm voice but punishment like physically hurting your dog or pushing his head down the hole he created is too abusive and may create tension in your relationship. Your dog might grow distant with you if punishments are too abusive and this is not good because as a pet owner you should strengthen the bond between you and your pet. Praising him for not digging is a positive way to put an end to the digging habit of your dog.

Provide an appropriate place for digging. It can be hard to end the digging habit of your dog if you will not provide an alternative. As mentioned earlier, dogs may need to dig and exercise their true nature especially those breeds that are more of a digger like Terriers and Nordic breeds. You need to teach your pet what is appropriate and what is not acceptable. Provide a sandbox or appropriate digging area for your dog. Teach him to learn the command “Dig” when he is on the area where it is okay to dig and praise him for doing so. If he digs on prohibited areas, firmly say the words “No dig”. Be patient and he will soon learn the proper behavior.

It can be really stressful to put an end to the digging habit of your dog but with love and patience, your canine friend will soon learn your rules. But if you are losing hope and cannot handle the bad behavior of your dog by yourself, there is nothing wrong in seeking professional help. Do you want to learn more secrets? To find out visit Secrets to Dog Training 

Stop Your Dog’s Destructive Chewing Behavior

Chewing is a normal behavior when eating but if this becomes a habit even when not eating then it becomes a destructive behavior. This unnecessary chewing habit can be formed by your dog for many reasons but whatever drives your dog to have this habit, the end result can be really stressful. With the strong jaw and sharp-pointed teeth of your dog, his inappropriate chewing habit can damage your appliances, household items and personal possessions. Before all your things get damaged and before you lose your temper, you have to learn how to stop your dog’s destructive chewing behavior.

Teaching dogs the right behavior can be really stressful if you do not know how. First, you should know the reasons why dogs usually form the habit of inappropriate chewing. Dogs make chewing a habit because they find chewing a pleasurable and rewarding habit. It is fun to chew things and rewarding if it makes them happy especially if they chew something that tastes good.  Chewing can also be an outlet for a bored and lonely dog; the rhythmic cycle of moving his mouth, jaw and sharp teeth over and over again to chew on something is soothing and like a therapy for his boredom and loneliness. Sometimes dogs that lack exercise make chewing a way to keep them active and burn energy. It would be easier to stop your dog’s destructive chewing behavior if you know the reason behind it.

The good news is that dogs are capable to unlearn their bad habits and replace them with the proper behavior.  So what can you do to stop your dog’s destructive chewing behavior?

Dog-proof your home. If you decided to raise a dog and keep it to become part of your family, you need to prepare your home. Manage your personal belongings and household items and keep them away from your canine friend. Even if you have a well-behaved dog, you are tempting your dog to develop destructive chewing habit if things in your house are easy to access or reach by your dog. Important things like cameras, cell phones, remote controls, shoes, clothes, watches, books, notebooks and laptops should be kept properly on places that your dog cannot reach even when he jump or climb. Do not leave food on easy to reach tables or counter tops to avoid your dog from messing with your food. If there are rooms that are off-limits for your dog, keep the door closed to discourage your dog from entering those off-limits areas.  You may need to confine your dog in a dog-proofed area to avoid him from reaching the furniture in your home and to let him understand that he does not have the freedom to chew your sofa, chair leg, pillows, etc. Keep things in your house away from your dog if you want to stop your dog’s destructive chewing behavior.

Provide an alternative for his chewing habit. Dogs need to chew especially a puppy under one year old. You cannot just stop your dog’s destructive chewing behavior without offering an alternative for him to divert his chewing habit. If he has something else to chew, your personal stuffs will look less attractive or less tempting to him. Ask your vet for the best chewing toys for your dog and buy at least three toys for him. He may get bored if you will only buy one type of chew toys so buy at least 2-3 types of chew toys that you can rotate every few days.

Interact with your dog. If you want to stop your dog’s destructive chewing behavior, you cannot just cage him in his crate or keep him out because your pet needs supervision and interaction not only for him to learn good behavior but for him to also feel loved. He will not know how to integrate himself into your life as a new member of your household if you just keep him boxed in the dog area. Interact with your dog. If he did something wrong, let him know that it was wrong and if he did something right, reward him or praise him for behaving properly. With the correct interaction and supervision, your dog will understand that your stuffs should not be chewed. It will be easier to stop your dog’s destructive chewing behavior if you and your dog are interacting with each other. Dogs cannot talk but they surely have the smarts to understand their owners.

Walk your dog out regularly. Your dog needs to go out to ease his boredom. As mentioned earlier, boredom or loneliness can be a reason why dogs find destructive chewing pleasurable and therapeutic. Spend some time to walk your dog out every morning or on a regular basis. He will be less bored and he will learn to behave more properly if he can socialize with people and other dogs.
It is also important to be realistic that you cannot stop your dog’s destructive chewing behavior overnight. You and your dog are not perfect and before he could totally forget his bad habits he may chew or damage some of your precious possessions. It will take a while before he could completely learn not to chew your cherished possessions and learn your house rules so be patient with your canine friend. If you need help in teaching your dog, do not hesitate to seek professional help. If you want to know more secrets in raising an obedient dog, visit Secrets to Dog Training 

How to Handle a Whining Puppy

Raising a puppy includes teaching him good habits for him to be a valued member of his human family. Puppies usually form bad habits that need to be corrected to make him live harmoniously not only with his owner but also with the community.  Barking and whining are normal dog behaviors but these behaviors can be a problem if your puppy is continuously barking and whining day and night.  Whining is a bad habit that could be really so disturbing and dog owners should know how to  handle a whining puppy Here are some tips.

Check for obvious reasons why your puppy is howling or whining. He might want to do something but restricted to do so because he is confined in his crate and he feels he need to howl or whine to get your attention. Does he need to go to his toilet area and do his business? Is the water and food dish empty? Is his favorite toy unreachable? Or is he sick? To handle a whining puppy, you should look for obvious reasons why your puppy is whining for you to address the problem immediately and stop your puppy from whining.

Aside from the obvious reasons why puppies whine, there are also deep psychological and emotional reasons why dogs whine and loneliness is one of them.  Dogs or puppies that are confined for long periods of time may become lonely.  They need an outlet for the isolation or loneliness and in most cases they find barking or whining a good outlet. A good way to handle a whining puppy due to loneliness or boredom is a good exercise and daily walk with your dog. Dogs are social animals so they need to interact with people and other dogs to avoid loneliness and boredom.  A well exercised puppy is a happy dog and tends to forget to whine. He will be content to sleep when he gets home after a fun exercise and socializing with other people and dogs than whine.

The best way to handle a whining puppy is to engage him in obedience training. This kind of activity stimulates his mind and makes him busy, so busy that he will forget about whining.  There are many dog commands that you can teach your puppy to be more obedient.  One important command that you can teach your dog is the “quiet” command. This command can be very helpful if you want to handle a whining puppy.

As mentioned earlier, barking, howling and whining are natural dog behaviors as birds sing and cats meow but as long as the whining is tolerable and acceptable, there is no problem with the behavior. You should teach your puppy that whining is acceptable until you command “quiet” and by that time he needs to stop whining. Your puppy must learn this rule for him to know that his whining is no longer funny and the behavior is becoming a nuisance.

Having a puppy at home is a great joy but it also includes great responsibilities. Your puppy’s behavior is a reflection of you as a pet owner.  Your puppy could humiliate you if his bad habits are not corrected. Learn more on how to raise an obedient and happy dog, visit Secrets to Dog Training 

Teaching Proper Dog Behavior- What Pet Owners Should Know

Dogs are originally wild animals but humans learned to domesticate them so dogs usually live now with their owners and their families.  Although they are domesticated now, dogs still have their wild behaviors because it is their nature so they need to be trained properly to live harmoniously with their owners and the community. Teaching proper dog behavior is necessary to raise an obedient and well behaved dog.

When dogs are well behaved and interacting properly with their owners and their families, aggression with humans or other dogs and damaging personal properties of their owners can be prevented. It is a joy to live with an obedient dog and the community love a dog that is not a threat to the community. Dogs are good companions and most people want to have them as their loving pet but raising an obedient and loving dog is not easy and it needs some work.

Teaching proper dog behavior needs some authority. First you must know that dogs are pack animals and they should regard you as the leader of the pack that they need to follow. It is important to earn the respect of your dog for him to follow your commands without hesitations. Dogs can sense if your actions are confusing and if you are uncomfortable in being the leader and once he sense this, he will take over the position and be the leader of the pack. You must be firm and have the authority with your commands to let him know that he is a subordinate and not equal with you. It should be clear to him that you give the orders and make the rules. In teaching proper dog behavior and not letting your dog get away with disobeying your commands, you will be able to gain the position as a leader of the pack that he needs to follow.

Teaching proper dog behavior needs some understanding. In dealing with bad behaviors of your dog, it is important to understand the reason behind the bad behaviors. There are unwanted dog behaviors that are a result of illnesses, stress, separation anxiety, boredom and fear. You have to look at the factors that contribute to those bad behaviors to know how to deal with those unwanted behaviors. For instance, a dog may exhibit excessive barking problem due to fear or anxiety. Knowing the reasons behind his behavior will help you more to address the problem.

Teaching proper dog behavior needs some patience. Although dogs are intelligent creatures, they are still animals and do not have the intelligence humans have. You need to be patient with your canine friend when teaching them the proper behavior. Your dog needs time and practice to learn good habits and behavior.
With proper trainings, dogs can develop good habits and proper behavior. As dog owners it is our responsibility to give time and efforts to raise an obedient dog. Discover a comprehensive dog training techniques and raise an obedient dog, visit Secrets to Dog Training 

Dealing with Fear Biting in Dogs- What You Need to Know

Some people view dogs that bite as aggressive without realizing that dogs themselves can get afraid and they can bite out of panic.  Fear biting in dogs occurs when they feel panic and the only way for them to express this fear or panic is to bite. Not all dogs that bites are aggressive, they are just scared.

Biting is a defense behavior of most fearful dogs. Things that make a dog fearful are loud noises, strangers trying to confront or approach them, cars or anything that they are not familiar with. Dogs cannot speak and they cannot tell you to stay away when they feel scared and want to be alone. People sometimes push dogs to the edge by approaching them or getting closer thinking they can comfort them and make them feel that there is nothing to be afraid of and so in most cases they become the victim and get bitten.

Fear biting in dogs does not happen without a warning but in most cases humans tend to overlook or ignore the warnings.  When dogs are faced with unfamiliar people, things and scenarios, there are usually warning signs that they are scared or in panic. Some obvious signs are dogs fold their tail between their legs when they are afraid, the ears are flat or down against the head and they also avoid eye contact. Dogs may also urinate, defecate or run to hide due to extreme panic or fear.

There are a number of reasons why dogs become fear biters. Age is one factor because fear biting usually occurs when they are on their formative years, usually on their 8^th weeks and may occur again when they are on their 14^th weeks. Dogs that are shy and rarely socialize tend to be more fearful of unfamiliar things, people and scenarios so fear biting in dogs may also occur on shy dogs. History of abuse or trauma can also cause fear biting in dogs

How to deal with fear biting in dogs? It is important to know that there are no trainings that can teach a scared dog not to bite because biting is dog’s natural defense and instinct when they get scared and you have to be realistic that fear biting in dogs may stay with them until the rest of their lives. What you can do is to help your dog to reduce or overcome his anxiety. Know what triggers their fears and know how to desensitize them to lessen or avoid the occurrence of fear biting in dogs.

It can be very helpful to boost his confidence for him to be less anxious. This is where obedience training can come in because it is a good medium for your dog to build up his confidence. Your dog can learn to modify his behavior, learn new commands and gets rewarded which in turn will boost his confidence. The more confident he is the less anxious he becomes.

Slowly exposing or making him familiar to his feared objects or situations is one way to desensitize your dog and make him less anxious. Remember to be patient, do this in his own pace and do not push him over the edge that could result to panic and fear.  Do not rush your dog because even dogs need time to confront their fears. You may need professional assistance if you cannot do all of these things on your own.  Know more about dog behavior trainings visit Secrets to Dog Training 

Training Your Silky Dog: A Terrier Anti-Terror Basics

It is essential to have a dog that knows how to follow the right rules and how to live around your house. To achieve this, dog training must be considered.

Most people think that training a dog is hard and expensive. Moreover, dog training requires a lot of patience and creativity for your dog. We have to remember that dogs may be intelligent but they can not be as intelligent as us. The article provides some of the basic things dog owners need to know so they can do the training themselves. However, to maximize the full potential of your dog, a dog trainer should be hired instead.

What are the differences between a submissive dog and a dominant dog?

A submissive dog normally:

•    avoids eye contact.
•    rolls on its back.
•    crouch down, ears back and tail lowered.
•    is comfortable on its back in your arms.


On the other hand, a dominant dog:

•    maintains eye contact.
•    is unwilling to move from his place on the couch.
•    dislikes grooming and petting.
•    is possessive of dishes and toys.

Training your silky terriers requires kindness and consistency. Silkys respond actively to praises and to rewards. In addition, they become harsh and unresponsive towards punishments and animosity, respectively.

Trainings with obedience classes can be intensely beneficial in petting your silky terriers. In many dog training schools, classes for puppies are available. Young dogs are taught to get accustomed with other dogs and people using limited trainings. However, there are areas that do not conduct formal obedience training unless the dog is at least half a year old. Always remember that a dog is never too old to benefit from training when a good trainer is available, or if the owner is fully committed to the task. 

Here are the recommended ways of training silky terriers:

1.    Reiteration or Repetition

Reiteration is the name of the dog training game. In here, dogs are asked to do a task over and over again to achieve mastery. Dog tricks are best learned when reiterated and reinforced through rewards.

2.     Persistence

Patience is a virtue that requires you to tolerate hardships. Persistence is trying to be patient for a longer time until a goal is achieved. Apparently, dog training requires a lot of persistence from the owner or from the trainer Physical and psychological aspects of the owner and/or the trainer must be sound.

3.     Commendation and Amendation 
       
Simply put, if a dog does the right thing, it should be said aloud. Otherwise, the dog should hear, "No, that's not it!" when the trick is not complete or appropriate for the command given. These words reinforce correct responses and diminish the unwanted ones.

4.     Rewarding

Bits of cheese would really be good treats for dogs who responded correctly to a given command. Other food can be bought at pet sores. However, if you are able to get the respect of your pet, commands will be executed even if there are no longer involved treats. Likewise, these things reinforce warranted responses.

If your lifestyle permits being in charge of training your own pet, you can do the training as long as you have gathered enough patience and commitment by:

    1. spending time grooming your dog.
    2. having regular training times on the leash.
    3. stroking its belly and toes and rolling it on its back
    4. hand feeding some food to ensure that the pet is taking treats gently and slowly.

In asserting dominance, always practice consistency and firmness. Afterwards, you can be a master and a dear friend to your own pet.

Some Information Regarding the Kerry Blue Terrier Pet Dog

The Blue Kerry terrier pet dog is one of the most mysterious breeds of terriers. This is because of the fact that even though the breed has been known by the Irish for at leas 150 years, nobody really knows where they came from or how they were first bred.

Various legends are told in order to explain the appearance of the Kerry blue terrier breed. Some say that the peasants bred them for hunting purposes since noblemen monopolized the use of wolfhounds. Thus, noblemen hunted with their wolfhounds while peasants poached with their Kerries.

Another legend speaks of a wrecked Russian ship that contained a blue dog. This dog swam into Irish shores and there, mated with the local terrier population. This, of course, started the genetic pool of blue Kerry terriers.

Whatever the case, the blue Kerry terrier sure has a colorful history. It started as a working dog, helping hunters bring in prey. It would also be trained as a police dog by the English. Today, it is considered to be one of the best breeds of dogs that one can own. This is in part of its excellent abilities as a watchdog.

One thing that is so cool about owning a Blue Kerry terrier pet dog is the fact that this breed is adaptable to every situation. It can be a hardworking hunter’s dog. It can become the vigilant watchdog. If you want companionship, it can also provide that. People who are fortunate to have a Blue Kerry terrier pet dog even say that once you are a Kerry lover, you are forever a Kerry lover.

There are some terrier characteristics which may cause a bit of trouble for your dog. Like all terriers, the Blue Kerry terrier pet dog can get into fights with other dogs. In order to prevent this, you need to make sure that the Blue Kerry terrier pet dog is properly socialized. Usually this is done by the breeder.

Most people, when they are getting a pet often ask the question of whether or not a pet can be housebroken easily. Thankfully enough, the Blue Kerry terrier pet dog has a disposition that is easily house trained. The Blue Kerry terrier pet dog is actually quite eager to learn. This means that you will be able to train it very quickly.

Although a Blue Kerry terrier can become an excellent playmate for children, it must be taken that the children do not show any cruelty to the dog.

The Blue Kerry terrier is also one of the more hardy types of terriers. This is because the Blue Kerry terrier has very few genetic problems. Before buying one, however, you need to ask for eye certifications and hip x-rays. These are the most commonly afflicted parts of the Blue Kerry terrier.

A Blue Kerry terrier is not really for everyone. Some people may find it a bit too playful. Some people may not really get used to the Blue Kerry terrier’s curiosity. People may not really understand its habit of following everyone around. Today, the fate of the Blue Kerry terrier dog lies in the hands of the breeders who care for them, nurture them, and make sure that they have great homes to stay in.

Feeding Your Golden Retriever

All Golden Retriever puppies will nurture from their mother until they reach the age of seven weeks.  Once they reach the age of three weeks, they should be fed with puppy food, which you should soak and mix into a warm grubby compound.  This way, it resembles the food they get from their mother, and they will learn quickly how their food tastes and how they should eat it.

Once you bring your puppy home, you should always make sure that you use the same food that he has become accustomed to.  The breeder will start training the puppy with food, and it’s up to you to ensure that he gets the food he has come to know.  Golden Retriever puppies have very delicate stomachs, and they can be very receptive to any changes in their food.

When you first bring your new Golden Retriever puppy home, he or she may not be too interested in eating for the first few days.  Being in a new home can be stressful for the puppy, which is why you shouldn’t force him to eat.  The puppy will also realize that he doesn’t have competition at the food bowl, because he is away from his litter.  You shouldn’t worry if he doesn’t immediately eat, as it will take him some time.

Once your puppy has slept through the night, you should take him outside and let him relieve himself, then bring him in and give him some food.  You should also plan feedings throughout the day, such as the morning, middle of the day, then at night.  Once you have planned feedings, you should make sure that you stick to this plan so that your puppy will get used to it.

Keep in mind that the last feeding of the day doesn’t necessarily need to be set in stone.  You should always aim to feed your puppy at least a half an hour before you head to bed, so that you can take him outside after eating.  If you time it just right every night, you can feed your Golden, take him out to use the bathroom, and still have plenty of time to get ready for bed.  At night, when you sleep, you should have puppy pads or newspapers in an area that your Golden is familiar with so he can use the bathroom if he can’t get you to take him out.

First the first few weeks, your Golden will eat a little bit of the food.  Once he has reached 8 weeks of age, he should be on dry food with a little bit of warm water added to it.  The best way to feed is to keep adding a little bit of warm water to the food, and let the pup eat until he is finished.  If you continue to do this throughout feedings, your Golden will begin to eat all of his portion.

Keep in mind that you should never rush him, or change anything about the way he feeds.  Golden Retrievers will eat their share, although it will take them a bit of time to develop the proper eating habits.  As the puppy gets older, his stomach will grow and he will begin to eat more.  During this time, you won’t need to add any water to his food.  Golden Retrievers are a truly unique breed, a breed that loves to be fed - and craves attention.  If you stick to your plan when your puppy is little - he will be a healthy eater as he gets older.

Choosing The Right Breeder

When you decide to get a new Golden Retriever puppy, the first choice you will face is where to get your puppy from.  No matter how hard you try, it’s nearly impossible to know whether or not the puppy you are buying will grow up to be healthy and strong.  In order to even assume that your puppy will grow up to be healthy, you’ll need to trust the individual you get your Golden from.

There are three options available to you, in terms of breeders.  You should carefully think about each one, as they all will vary.  Below are the three options you have to choose from, and a little bit of information to help you make this very important decision.

Dealer or pet shop
A pet shop is simply the worst place that you can get your Golden Retriever puppy.  The puppies they have for sale here are bred poorly, and raised in poor locations to say the least.  At these types of places, the puppies are thought of as a profit and nothing more.  There is little to no emphasis on quality here either - as pet shops prefer quantity over qualify.

Due to the way the puppies are bred and raised, pet shops make quite a bit of profit.  With there being so little that goes into the breeding and care of the puppies, pet shops make a lot of money.  They mainly rely on impulse buying, not giving you a lot of time to evaluate the puppies that they have for sale.  If you’re looking for an addition to your family, and a puppy that you know is healthy, you’d be better off looking somewhere else for your puppy.

Backyard breeders
Backyard breeders are considered to be yet another poor choice for your puppy.  Almost all backyard breeders are people who own a few Golden’s and find it to be fun to breed their female for the fact of having puppies, or breed her once or twice before they decide to go ahead and get her spayed.  Backyard breeders don’t look for quality or go out of their way to care for their litters, as they are more or less breeding to make money - and nothing more.

Normally, backyard breeders know very little about the breed in general, and even less about how to properly care for their Golden Retrievers.  Backyard breeders normally aren’t familiar with the problems associated with breeding, and most could care less.  Their only goal here is to breed Golden Retriever puppies.  Once the puppies have been bred, their remaining goal is to sell the puppies as fast as they can - for the highest possible price.

Hobby breeders
A hobby breeder is the ideal way to get your Golden puppy.  Hobby breeders are loyal, committed, and think of their pups as more than just a hobby.  Although they do make money breeding, they could honestly care less.  Hobby breeders care more about the quality of their puppies than anything else, and they commit themselves to helping you get the best Golden Retriever pup possible.

Hobby breeders accept responsibility for each one of their puppies, and they stand behind each and every one of their pups.  If you want the best pup you can get for your money, you need to visit a hobby breeder.  They very rarely produce poor quality Golden Retriever puppies, as they care a lot about quality.  If you get your Golden puppy from a hobby breeder, you can rest assured that you getting a healthy puppy from the start.

Adopting An Older Golden Retriever

Those of you who want a Golden Retriever but aren’t ready to go through the trials and tribulations of a puppy, should look into adopting an older Golden.  Older Golden Retrievers are mature, and prove to be great in homes where they need to spend a quality amount of time by themselves.  They are a very adjustable breed, being good tempered.  No matter how old the Golden may be, he will quickly become a valued member of your family in little to no time at all.

Many times, breeders will have older dogs for sale.  There are several reasons for this, which include show dogs that have lost their potential, studs that have been used for breeding, female Golden’s that have been bred a few times then retired, or other types of special conditions where a breeder is helping a friend get rid of his Golden Retriever.  There are other reasons as well, although whatever they may be - the adult Golden Retriever will be available for anyone who wants him.

Most older Golden Retrievers are already housebroken, and known a lot of behavior patterns and how to adapt to a new and loving family.  Although it will be a little hard on your new dog at first, if you give him plenty of love, attention, and patience, he’ll be just fine.  You need to keep reassuring your new Golden on a regular basis, and let him know that you are his new owner and that you love you and you are glad he’s a member of your family.

If you have been thinking of adopting an older Golden Retriever, you should make sure that you learn everything you can about him.  You should also determine his temperament, and whether or not it’s compatible with your family.  You should also learn important things as well, such as his diet, likes, dislikes, daily routine, and his habits.  Before you decide to take him, you should always make sure that the members of your family meet him as well, so you can talk it over and decide whether or not everyone wants the dog to be a member of your family.

With an older dog, you need to take care of him for the first days, and let him know where everything in your home is.  You’ll need to show him where he sleeps, where he should use the bathroom, and where his food is.  Take your time and be patient with him, as will normally take him a few days to learn how things in your home work.

You should always give your new Golden Retriever at least a month or so to get used to his new environment, before you start his new obedience training.  Even though your new dog may have some prior obedience training, you should still enroll him in a new class.  This way, he can brush up on training and you can work with him to help him understand.  Once you have finished training, he’ll understand your commands better and you and him will get along just fine.

All Golden Retrievers, regardless of their age, love attention.  Older Golden’s on the other hand, may have medical problems that you aren’t aware of.  You shouldn’t let this stop you from getting one though, simply because the rewards that you’ll find are far greater than any cons that may come to mind.  Although many people don’t give a lot of thought to getting an older Golden Retriever - they are perfect for families who don’t want to put up the time and troubles of raising a puppy.

Newfoundland- The Aristocrat Among Dogs

The dogs which take their name from the island of Newfoundland appeal to all lovers of animals.There are now two established varieties, the black and the white and black. There are also bronze-colored dogs, but they are rare. The black variety of the Newfoundland is essentially black in color; but this does not mean that there may be no other color, for most black Newfoundlands have some white marks. In fact, a white marking on the chest is said to be typical of the true breed. Any white on the head or body would place the dog in the other than black variety. The black color should preferably be of a dull jet appearance which approximates to brown. In the other than black class, there may be black and tan, bronze, and white and black. The latter predominates, and in this color, beauty of marking is very important. The head should be black with a white muzzle and blaze, and the body and legs should be white with large patches of black on the saddle and quarters, with possibly other small black spots on the body and legs.

Apart from color, the varieties should conform to the same standard. The head should be broad and massive, but in no sense heavy in appearance. The muzzle should be short, square, and clean cut, eyes rather wide apart, deep set, dark and small, not showing any haw; ears small, with close side carriage, covered with fine short hair (there should be no fringe to the ears), expression full of intelligence, dignity, and kindness.

The body should be long, square, and massive, loins strong and well filled; chest deep and broad; legs quite straight, somewhat short in proportion to the length of the body, and powerful, with round bone well covered with muscle; feet large, round, and close. The tail should be only long enough to reach just below the hocks, free from kink, and never curled over the back. The quality of the coat is very important; the coat should be very dense, with plenty of undercoat; the outer coat somewhat harsh and quite straight.

The appearance generally should indicate a dog of great strength, and very active for his build and size, moving freely with the body swung loosely between the legs, which gives a slight roll in gait. As regards size, the Newfoundland Club standard gives 140 lbs. to 120 lbs. weight for a dog, and 110 lbs. to 120 lbs. for a bitch, with an average height at the shoulder of 27 inches and 25 inches respectively; but it is doubtful whether dogs in proper condition do conform to both requirements. 

When rearing puppies give them soft food, such as well-boiled rice and milk, as soon as they will lap, and, shortly afterwards, scraped lean meat. Newfoundland puppies require plenty of meat to induce proper growth. The puppies should increase in weight at the rate of 3 lbs. a week, and this necessitates plenty of flesh, bone and muscle-forming food, plenty of meat, both raw and cooked. Milk is also good, but it requires to be strengthened with casein. The secret of growing full-sized dogs with plenty of bone and substance is to get a good start from birth, good feeding, warm, dry quarters, and freedom for the puppies to move about and exercise themselves as they wish. Forced exercise may make them go wrong on their legs. Medicine should not be required except for worms, and the puppies should be physicked for these soon after they are weaned, and again when three or four months old, or before that if they are not thriving. If free from worms, Newfoundland puppies will be found quite hardy, and, under proper conditions of food and quarters, they are easy to rear.

The Decorative Deerhound- What You Ought To Know

The Deerhound is one of the most decorative of dogs, impressively stately and picturesque wherever he is seen, whether it be amid the surroundings of the baronial hall, reclining at luxurious length before the open hearth in the fitful light of the log fire that flickers on polished armour and tarnished tapestry; out in the open, straining at the leash as he scents the dewy air, or gracefully bounding over the purple of his native hills. Grace and majesty are in his every movement and attitude, and even to the most prosaic mind there is about him the inseparable glamour of feudal romance and poetry. 

From remote days the Scottish nobles cherished their strains of Deerhound, seeking glorious sport in the Highland forests. The red deer belonged by inexorable law to the kings of Scotland, and great drives, which often lasted for several days, were made to round up the herds into given neighbourhoods for the pleasure of the court, as in the reign of Queen Mary. But the organised coursing of deer by courtiers ceased during the Stuart troubles, and was left in the hands of retainers, who thus replenished their chief's larder.

Head:-

The head should be broadest at the ears, tapering slightly to the eyes, with the muzzle tapering more decidedly to the nose. The muzzle should be pointed, but the teeth and lips level. The head should be long, the skull flat rather than round, with a very slight rise over the eyes, but with nothing approaching a stop. The skull should be coated with moderately long hair which is softer than the rest of the coat. The nose should be black (though in some blue-fawns the colour is blue) and slightly aquiline. In the lighter-coloured dogs a black muzzle is preferred. There should be a good moustache of rather silky hair, and a fair beard. 

Ears:-

The ears should be set on high, and, in repose, folded back like  the Greyhound's, though raised above the head in excitement without  losing the fold, and even, in some cases, semi-erect.The ear should be  soft, glossy, and like a mouse's coat to the touch, and the smaller  it is the better. It should have no long coat or long fringe, but there  is often a silky, silvery coat on the body of the ear and the tip.  Whatever the general colour, the ears should be black or dark-coloured. 

Neck and shoulders:-

The neck should be long that is, of the length  that befits the Greyhound character of the dog.  The nape of the neck should be very prominent where the head is set on, and the throat should be clean-cut at the angle and prominent. The shoulders should be well sloped, the blades well back, with not too much width between them.

Stern:-

Stern should be tolerably long, tapering, and reaching to within 1-1/2 inches of the ground, and about 1-1/2 inches below the hocks. When the dog is still, dropped perfectly straight down, or curved. When in motion it should be curved when excited, in no case to be lifted out of the line of the back. It should be well covered with hair, on the inside thick and wiry, underside longer.

Eyes:-

The eyes should be dark: generally they are dark brown or hazel.  The eye is moderately full with a soft look in repose, but a keen, far-away gaze when the dog is roused. The rims of the eyelids should be black. 

Body: The body and general formation is that of a Greyhound of larger size and bone. Chest deep rather than broad, but not too narrow and flat-sided. The loin well arched and drooping to the tail. 

Legs and feet:-

The legs should be broad and flat, a good broad forearm and elbow being desirable. Fore-legs, of course, as straight as possible. Feet close and compact, with well-arched toes. The hind-quarters drooping, and as broad and powerful as possible, the hips being set wide apart. The hind-legs should be well bent at the stifle, with great length from the hip to the hock, which should be broad and flat. 

Coat:-

The hair on the body, neck, and quarters should be harsh and wiry, and about 3 inches or 4 inches long; that on the head, breast, and belly is much softer. There should be a slight hairy fringe on the inside of the fore and hind-legs, but nothing approaching to the feathering of a Collie. The Deerhound should be a shaggy dog, but not over coated. 

Colour:-

Colour is much a matter of fancy. But there is no manner of doubt  that the dark blue-grey is the most preferred. Next come the darker and  lighter greys or brindles, the darkest being generally preferred.  Yellow and sandy-red or red-fawn, especially with black points i.e.,  ears and muzzle are also in equal estimation.

Height:-

From 28 inches to 30 inches, or even more if there be symmetry without coarseness, which, however, is rare. Height of bitches: From 26 inches upwards. There can be no objection to a bitch being large, unless she is too coarse, as even at her greatest height she does not approach that of the dog, and, therefore, could not well be too big for work, as over-big dogs are.