Your Dogs Health And To Get Rid Of Fleas

Article Title: Your Dogs Health And To Get Rid Of Fleas
Author: Colin Philips

All dog owners are familiar with the problems caused by pesky
fleas. Fleas are very small wingless insects, brownish red in
color, and have sharp mouths by which they obtain blood from
their canine hosts. Flea bites usually cause your dog to
scratch at affected areas and some dogs are more sensitive than
others and can have allergic reactions to flea bites.

In general, fleas do not transmit diseases from dogs to humans,
but the potential for this exists and they can and do bite
humans as well as dogs and cats.

Fleas and flea larvae live in warm climates and will live until
the ground freezes in cooler climates. They can live on in your
home well past this time also.

If you suspect that your dog has fleas, you should take him to
your veterinarian. Your veterinary staff member will first use
a flea comb on your dog.

Flea combs are wide tooth combs and "flea dirt" or dried blood
flea excrement is what they are looking for. If this is found,
your veterinarian will recommend treatment.

Most veterinarians recommend preventive treatment for fleas as
it is much easier to prevent them than to treat them.

For those of you that wish to treat your dog for fleas without
commercial products, there are a few recommendations.

One way is to comb your dog with a flea comb regularly. You can
put some petroleum jelly on the comb to help fleas stick to the
comb. Other people recommend using rubbing alcohol to slow down
the fleas so they are easier to catch.

Garlic and Brewers Yeast added as supplements to your dog's
food are recommended by those who prefer the natural approach
to treating fleas, however, the benefits of these treatments
have yet to be proven.

There are several over the counter flea treatments available at
your local pet store. However, many of these contain pyrethrins,
which are natural insecticides derived from the chrysanthemum
plant.

In the past, this kind of treatment of fleas was the only one
available to veterinarians. If you choose to use a product
containing pyrethrins, you should be aware of the potential
side effects.

There is a potential threat of toxicity when using a product
containing pyrethrins, not just to your dog, but to other
animals in the house and humans as well. Make sure you follow
the label usage directions and if you have any questions about
using these products, consult your veterinarian.

Today, there are much safer products available. Most of these
products are only available through your veterinarian. One of
the most popular treatments for fleas is Frontline Plus by
Merial. It is topically applied to the skin of your dog on the
back of the neck.

According to Merial, Frontline Plus kills 98-100% of adult
fleas within 24 hour and will also kill eggs and larvae to
prevent fleas from recurring. Frontline Plus is waterproof for
up to 30 days and is safe to use on puppies as young as 8 weeks
of age.

Another popular flea treatment is Sentinel by Novartis.
Sentinel is a monthly pill that also prevents heartworms.
Sentinel kills adult fleas, eggs, and larvae.

Novartis also makes the flea control products Program and
Capstar. Program is a flavored tablet that is given monthly,
and while it does not kill adult fleas, it does interrupt the
flea life cycle by preventing the development of flea eggs.

Program is safe to use in dogs and puppies four weeks of age
and older. Capstar is a pill that is given to kill adult fleas.
It can be given as often as once per day. According to Novartis,
Capstar will begin killing adult fleas within 30 minutes. One
pill should kill all adult fleas.

Capstar is safe for dogs and puppies four weeks of age and
older.

Remember that it is much easier to prevent fleas than to treat
them once your dog has them. As with all medications, follow
the advice of your veterinarian.

If you need more information about fleas and flea prevention,
contact a member of your veterinary staff or pet professional.

About The Author: Dog Health Revealed is an excellent place to
find dog links, articles and resource. For more information on
Dogs visit: http://www.doghealthrevealed.com

.

__,_._,___

[article_announce] Cabinetry - Easy Kitchen Cabinet Refacing

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Article Title: Cabinetry - Easy Kitchen Cabinet Refacing
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If you are hoping to remodel by tearing out your current
kitchen furnishings and fixtures then you may feel you are
facing a difficult task. However, for most people all they
need is a fresh feel and look for their kitchen, meaning that
they are facing wasted money and time replacing all their old
fixtures. The best and most cost-effective solution is to use
kitchen cabinet refacing to get the fresh look that you want.
Cupboards and cabinets that are in reasonable condition can
benefit greatly with refacing because you are simply giving
them a super an improved appearance and new life. Other people
will never realise that you have not completely replaced your
cupboards with new ones because there are so many choices
available. This will let you benefit from saving money by
getting a cost-effective makeover for your kitchen, and one
that you can show to friends and family alike.

Never before has giving your kitchen a complete facelift and
different appearance been so much easier than it is today as
there is such a variety of cabinetry styles available. It is
amazing how refacing can make that extra difference, and that
you can get that super look and ambient atmosphere using such
an easy procedure. You can find the perfect finish for your
cabinet doors by finding one that matches your personal tastes
and/or your overall home's décor. In fact, refacing your
kitchen is quick, affordable, can improve the beauty, and can
increase your home's value, once it is done. With the
kitchen's theme you can select the best drawer fronts and
cabinet doors that will complement it. So many people have
opted to reface and refinish their kitchens to give a fresh
look in one simple step. It has become a very popular way for
most people who wish to improve their kitchen's look without
decimating their saved money and forking out a fortune.

You can find excellent deals online if you are searching for
accessories, drawer fronts and/or cabinet doors for your new
kitchen. You can get the handles, doorknobs, hinges, finishes
of cabinet doors, and even the hinges you want that allow you
to begin your project and get it done with ease. No matter
which theme you decide upon, the options of products online can
help make life easier for you, getting you what you desire and
revamp your kitchen so it is both relaxing and a pleasant room
to work in. Also, besides saving needed money when you reface
versus making expensive replacements, you will also save more
money by getting the materials you need online, and you are not
stuck compromising the choice or quality so you can get those
savings.

About The Author: Focusing on news and information about
cabinetry, Peter Wilson publishes mostly for
http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com . You can find his
articles over at
http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com/cabinetrefacing.html and
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Dog Training Overview

Article Title: Dog Training Overview
Author: Mary Johnson

Owning a dog is a big responsibility. As a pet owner, you are
obligated, both morally and legally, to keep the dog sheltered,
well fed, and safe from harm. You need to keep your pet clean,
and provide him with necessary health care, including
immunizations. Above all, you need to provide the training
your pet needs to lead a happy, safe and productive life.

Basic dog training provides a problem-solving foundation for
your pet. By understanding simple commands like "sit" and
"stay", your dog will be able to develop the skills needed to
refrain from bad habits like incessant barking, chewing,
fighting, biting, and urinating or defecating indoors.

There are two main reasons that pets, and pet owners, fail to
succeed or follow through with dog training. First and
foremost, it is not necessary for you to dominate your dog. To
properly train your dog, you need to show patience, kindness and
support, rather than assuming the "alpha" role and commanding
respect through fear. Those "macho" tricks have been shown to
be false. The second most common misconception of dog training
is that you can't teach old dogs new tricks. You most
certainly can train a dog of any age, so long as the trainer
approaches the situation in the appropriate manner.

The first step in training your dog is finding the right
program. Check your local listings for nearby obedience
schools. You and your dog can become educated on basic
training methods in the classroom setting, and then practice
the lessons at home. After you have mastered the basic safety
commands including "stay" and "come" at home, you can move your
practice sessions to other areas, such as local parks. It's
nice to have a dog that obeys your commands and home; this
obedience is essential when you and your pet are in a public
place.

Short, positive lessons are always most successful. Try to
incorporate the dog training into regular daily activities and
situations. If your dog follows you in to the kitchen to watch
you make breakfast, ask him to sit. If he obeys, praise him and
give him a treat.

Ideally, training will become your dog's favorite activity.
Your dog loves to please you, so the key to successful dog
training is giving him a lot of praise. If you reprimand your
dog when he does something bad, but neglect to praise him for
his good behaviour, he'll concentrate solely on the negative
aspects of training and will miss out on all the fun.

When done consistently and correctly, dog training can be fun
and simple for both of you. The key steps are catching your
dog in a questionable act, giving a firm (never cruel)
reprimand, and redirecting his attention and energy toward an
acceptable activity. Don't nag your dog, and never spank him.
Praise him whenever you can. Even if he's just lying on the
floor minding his own business, take a moment to praise him and
tell him what a good dog he is.

Dog training is a great way to bond with your pet, and you'll
both enjoy a safer, happier life. With plenty of fun, too!

About The Author: Mary Johnson contributes to several online
magazines, including http://home-blog.com and http://tobud.com

.

__,_._,___

A Trick For Your Dog's Fun & Safety

Article Title: A Trick For Your Dog's Fun & Safety
Author: Sandy Schneider

There is a fun, simple trick that can entertain, impress, and
even protect our favorite four legged buddies!

It's "retrieving." Then expand the retrieve until our doggie
will happily bring us almost anything that can fit into its
little mouth.

Here are some reasons to teach this invaluable behavior:

*It's fun.
*It's good exercise.
*It can make some chores entertaining when your dog-pal
participates by bringing you a group of things.
*It's helpful for our little pooch to dive-bomb under the table
to retrieve dropped item.
*It prevents hassels for our little Einstein to brings an item
that might have otherwise been
used as a chew-toy.
*Most importantly, it can prevent illness or save a life if a
our pal grabs a potentially toxic item and proudly brings it to
us.

(By the way, you can see lots more articles like this at
http://bichonworld.com/bichon-dog-articles.html.)

Here are some tips to make learning to retrieve fun and easy!

This type of retrieving is a "play for pay" deal. In other
words, use food as a reward. Our little ones need an incentive
(beyond kisses, hugs, and sweet-talk) to give up something that
might have
been fun keep. Others may be very selective about what they
want to pick up. So start with a hungry pal and some tasty
treats.

If your dog already plays with toys, you're a step ahead
because they'll already be enthused to put certain non-food
items in their mouths. The next task will be to teach them that
picking it up
and bringing it is fun and profitable!

Consider size, texture, and hardness of each item. Begin with
smaller, lighter-weight, somewhat softer items that can be
easily picked up and comfortably held . These items usually
rank high on the "approval list" of most small fur pals: little
plush toys, socks, paper wads, crumpled napkins, cottage cheese
lids, paper cups, and short pieces of soft, knotted rope .

To add "pick up" incentive, add your scent! Put the items with
the dirty laundry.for about fifteen minutes.

Get down on the floor with reward treats in hand.
Enthusiastically show an item to your pal and toss it only 1 or
2 feet from you. If he/she picks it up, cheer and treat
immediately. Repeat this
procedure 3 or 4 times. When you know that he/she is going to
pick it up, attach a verbal cue, such as "Get it!"

If item-pick-up does not happen, reward looking at the item.
Quickly advance to rewarding item touches. As confidence
builds, the touch will become a little "bite", and the bite
with become a "pick up."

Principles for progress:
*Limit each session to 2 or 3 minutes.
*Have 3 or 4 training sessions daily.
*Increase the retrieve distance only 6" to 12" when the
previous distance has become easy.
*Slowly introduce new items to the "game."
*With each new item, go back to retrieving only 1' to 2'.
*When your pal grabs a "forbidden" item, treat the event like a
happy training session!

Have fun, and persist! Bit by bit, your buddy will be bringing
you the most surprising things!

About The Author: Sandy Schneider, author, is a devoted dog
mom. Agility, grooming, obedience, and just plain having fun
with her dogs are her passion. She operates
http://www.bichonworld.com and invites you to visit the site
for great information and articles.

.

__,_._,___

Useful Pet Travel Tips

Article Title: Useful Pet Travel Tips
Author: George Chao

So you are getting ready to go on that long-awaited and
much-deserved vacation. If you are a proud pet owner, you have
taken your pet into consideration while you planned your
vacation. Or have you? Below are a few pet travel tips you may
want to consider.

* Should you take your pet with you when you go off on
vacation? Consider how old your pet is. He or she may be too
old to travel. If you are going on a long journey or flying,
your pet may not be able to handle the stress brought on by
traveling long distances and long hours. It may be better to
leave your pet with a friend or arrange for a professional pet
care taker to take care of your pet while you are on vacation.

* If you decide to take your pet along, ensure that your pet's
health is good and that he can travel. A week or two before you
go on vacation, take your pet to his veterinarian for a thorough
check up. You want to make sure that your pet is in the best of
health when you travel.

* When traveling by car, make sure that your pet has a collar
on at all times. The collar must have your pet's name, your
name, your address and phone numbers. Keep in mind that when
you travel with your pet in a car, your pet can easily run off
while your back is turned. If your pet is wearing a collar with
all the right information, whoever finds him can easily contact
you for your pet's safe return. If possible, have a microchip
embedded in your pet as this is one of the best ways to have a
link to your pet if he ever gets lost.

* Ensure that your pet's carrier or crate is big enough for
your pet. Keep in mind that your pet dog may have a hard time
traveling in the car in a crate, and if your pet is a cat, your
cat must be in a cage while you travel by car. If you are
traveling by plane, you will be required to place your pet in a
crate. Make sure to get a crate that is airline approved and is
of the highest quality.

* Before leaving with your pet, groom him. Make sure your pet's
claws are clipped and his fur trimmed. Pamper your pet before
you embark on your vacation. Your pet will be much happier
traveling if he has been groomed and is clean.

* Bring plenty of water and dried food for your pet while you
are both on the road. Bring one of those traveling containers
that you can use to store food and keep them cold.

Follow the simple pet travel tips mentioned above and you are
guaranteed to have the most wonderful vacation with your pet.

About The Author: Pet Travel Tips and other useful information
can be found at http://www.digitalexcellent.com/pettravel/. The
best site for all of your Pet Travel needs.

.

__,_._,___

How To Help Your Dog When It Has Had A Stroke

Article Title: How To Help Your Dog When It Has Had A Stroke
Author: Jean Morgan

It may come as a shock to you to find out that your dog has
suffered from a stroke. Unlike humans, when a dog has a stroke,
he often won't become paralyzed or display any of the human
signs of stroke. In fact, with the right care and attention,
chances are he will bounce right back within a short period
after suffering from a stroke, especially if he has a little
help.

How To Tell Your Dog Has Had A Stroke?

Often, there are a few signs that will tell you that your dog
is suffering from a stroke. These usually include loss of
sight, falling over, and tilting and turning of the head. If
you notice your dog displaying these symptoms, you should take
him to the vet to rule out other serious health problems such
as brain disease, which may be the underlying cause of the
symptoms.

Often, pet owners are not aware that their dog has suffered
from a stroke. If your pet is advanced in years, seems off
color, or acting strangely, he may have suffered a stroke. The
best way to find out for sure is to take him to the vet for an
examination. Once there, the vet will put your dog under
anesthesia, and run some tests to find out what is causing your
dog to act strangely.

My Dog Has Had A Stroke, What Should I Do?

If your dog has had a stroke, it is important to remember that
dogs don't suffer as badly from strokes as humans do, and they
will recover faster than humans. Once your dog has had a
stroke, there is not a lot that your vet can do for him. In
most cases, there is no magical cure, or special pill, all your
vet will do is confirm that it was a stroke, and rule out the
dangerous diseases that may be causing your dog to suffer from
the strokes.

However, there are some things that you, the owner of your dog,
can do to help with his recovery. Because you share a close
owner-pet bond, your dog will recover faster if you are around
to care for him, and cheer him on as he starts getting better.
Make sure that he has a warm cozy place to rest, and plenty of
encouragement, and love from you, to remind him of why he wants
to get better.

You may also need to encourage your pet to eat, and drink soon
after he has suffered from a stroke, and help him onto his
feet, and encourage him to take bathroom breaks outside.
Exercise, especially strenuous exercise, should be avoided.
Once your dog is feeling well enough, he will soon tell you
when he is ready to start going on walks again. After a matter
of weeks, he will be starting to get back to his old self.

Don't forget that once your dog has recovered, he will still
need plenty of love, and encouragement, and may not be as agile
as he was before the stroke. Strokes can keep reoccurring in
dogs, so keep a close eye on him.

About The Author: Jean Morgan is a writer of articles
concerning pet health and the owner of
http://natureshealthypet.com

Potty Training A Puppy Without Going Crazy

Article Title: Potty Training A Puppy Without Going Crazy
Author: Gray Rollins

Getting a puppy is a wonderful decision for just about
everyone. However getting a puppy also means that you will soon
be taking on the task of having to potty train it. While potty
training a puppy can seem like a rather rotten chore to take
on. It really does not have to be as difficult as it often
seems.

One of the most popular methods of house breaking a puppy is
the crate training method. Like most all animals dogs will most
like avoid soiling their homes or "dens". By giving them a dog
crate to stay in when it is not possible to supervise them you
are creating an artificial den for them. As this particular
instinct is very strong in most all dogs, crate training is a
hugely successful method to utilize when you are going to be
potty training your puppy. Keep in mind that a puppy needs to
be taken outside several times a day to be able to defecate and
urinate for crate training to be truly effective.

If you catch your puppy trying to eliminate anywhere in your
home you need to make a loud noise that will be enough to get
their attention and make them stop what they are doing. Take
them outside immediately and give them plenty of praise anytime
that they successfully use the bathroom outside.

Generally puppies can control their bowels one hour for how old
they are currently. For example if your puppy is six months old
it should be able to hold its bowel movements for at least six
hours before needing to eliminate. You should take your dog to
the vet immediately if they cannot manage to hold their bowel
movements for proper periods of time. For instance say your dog
has reached one year of age and is only able to control its
bowel movements for about an hour then it's likely that your
dog is having some type of medical problem.

Please remember that potty training your puppy can often be a
long process. Try very hard to become discouraged should your
puppy not take to your potty training methods right away.
Negative training methods such as yelling at your puppy are
rarely an effective manner in which to potty train your puppy.
Positive reinforcements such as plenty of praise and petting
when your puppy is doing well with it's potty training is the
best way to have a successfully house trained puppy.

About The Author: Gray Rollins is a featured writer for
DogTeachers - a site dedicated to helping you train you dog.
For more info on potty training a puppy, visit
http://www.dogteachers.com/pottytraining/ and for basic
commands like stay, visit http://www.dogteachers.com/stay/

Dog Training Just How Good Is It?

Article Title: Dog Training Just How Good Is It?
Author: David Peters

Dogs aren't really stubborn. But they often do not clearly know
what is wanted. Make it clear by quickly establishing alpha
(dominant leader) status.

Be willing to exercise the patience and modest, firm forceto
get the desired behavior. This can be particularly challenging
when training a 'dog'.

Dogs naturally want to explore the environment. They sniff
everything, turn things over, dig and snatch small objects.

As with any dog training session, minimize the distractions by
arranging to be as alone and far from other voices as possible.

A backyard with a clear area or a large room with few small
objects on the floor is best.

Take advantage of spontaneous behavior by observing when the
dog is heading toward you and execute a voice-command/hand
gesture pair that's unique for this behavior.

Try to select a hand-gesture and word that you wouldn't
normally use except during training.

Start by facing the dog, putting it in a sit. Execute the
'stay!' command, then back away a step or two. Issue the
hand-gesture and voice command. Praise lavishly for the correct
behavior, but never reward 'partial' or incorrect ones.

Repeat, stepping further away. If the the dog comes too soon,
put it in a sit/stay and try again. If the dog won't come at
all, encourage with a treat or favorite toy.

For the very slow learners or the, well let's not say stubborn
but just reluctant, leash and collar training can be a useful
supplement.

Put the dog in a sit/stay and back off a few feet reeling out
the slack leash. If the dog refuses to come, give a gentle but
unmistakable tug while executing the voice command and hand
gesture.

For the dog who comes a little to readily, get a long leash or
rope and wrap around a tree or post. As the dog lifts off too
early, give the leash a tug and execute a 'stay' command.

If you do not have a tree handy, try to find a partner to help
with the training. The downside to using a partner is the dog
will more readily become confused about whom to obey. Focus on
a single person is always more efficient.

As with any training, patience and consistency are essential.
Dogs don't spontaneously understand the usefulness of 'come' or
any other human-induced behavior. Speaking harshly when the dog
commits errors or is willful is usually counter-productive.

Establish alpha status by firmness of voice, body posture and
willingness to wait for compliance. Physical restraint or
leading is a less helpful technique.

Most dogs quickly prove themselves eager to please and
responsive to praise following the correct behavior. Just make
sure they're the ones 'coming', not you. If necessary, prove
that you're the stubborn one.

For more great information on Dogs Visit:
http://www.doghealthrevealed.com

About The Author: David Peters is a writer for
http://www.doghealthrevealed.com which is an excellent place to
find dog links, For more information go
to:www.doghealthrevealed.com

.

__,_._,___

Description & List Of Popular Designer Dog Breeds

Article Title: Description & List Of Popular Designer Dog
Breeds
Author: Kelly Marshall

If you have been following the latest trends and changes in dog
breeding you may have come across the term "designer dogs".
These are, in fact, simply mixed breeds that are crossed to
produce a specific physical appearance, usually easily
identified as a cross between the two breeds. The breeders
attempt to include only the desirable traits of the two parents
while minimizing the chance of physical or health issues between
the cross.

Some of the more common or popular designer dogs are:

*Labradoodle - a cross between a Labrador retriever and a
Standard Poodle. Considered to have the non-shedding and easy
care coat of a poodle combined with the poodle's intelligence
and the wonderful, loving personality of the Lab.

*Porkie - a cross between a Pug and a Yorkie. A small dog that
is heartier than the standard Yorkie with longer hair and the
easygoing temperament of the Pug.

*Cockapoo - a cross between a cocker spaniel and a poodle.
Often considered an intelligent, low shedding small breed that
is great for families.

*Schnoodle - cross between a Schnauzer and a Poodle, again with
an attempt to have an intelligent, non-shedding companion dog.

*Daisy Dog - a three way cross between a poodle and Shih Tzu
parent and a Bichon. These dogs are reported to be very calm
and excellent companion dogs for traveling or living in small
spaces.

*Poogle- cross between a poodle and a beagle. Small sized dog
that energetic and easy to train.

*Puggle - Pug and a beagle. These are very friendly dogs that
love to be involved in all aspects of the family.

Most of the designer dogs have a poodle in the mix simply
because poodles are know to be excellent non-shedding dogs and
also are very intelligent. The three different sizes of poodles
also make them a great breed for mixing with various dog breeds.

It is important to remember that these crosses have occurred in
the past; it is just now that they are being recognized. As with
all breeds of dogs there are good breeding dogs and dogs that
should not be crossed due to health conditions or temperaments.

A designer dog, also called a hybrid, is not recognized by the
Kennel Clubs, although many agencies are trying to develop
registries for these breeds. Be aware that many of these dogs
are more expensive than either one of their purebred parents,
but do not have any standing with breed registries. Many
shelter dogs are mixed breeds that are looking for a loving
home and are available at a fraction of the cost that some
breeders are asking.

Designer dogs may also have a variety of health concerns and
conditions. Do not mistakenly believe that all hybrids are
naturally healthy and immune from genetic conditions, in fact
they may have just as many health concerns as purebred dogs. Be
sure to check the temperament of the parents, and choose a breed
that is one you really want, not just the "trendy" dog of the
day.


About The Author: Kelly Marshall is a featured author at
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelly_Marshall

Dog Training And Why It Is So Important

Article Title: Dog Training And Why It Is So Important

The word 'vital' has its roots in the Latin word for life. That
gives us a clue to why dog training is so important, both for
owner and dog - it enhances the quality of life for each.

Though dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years, they
still have much of the wild in their natures.

They adapt well to home life, but they are still dogs, not
furry small children. Training helps maximize peace and
security for both the dog and the family.

Dogs are by nature hunters and therefore are inclined to chase
things. Young dogs especially are prone to take off after
another animal, a car or a child.

Any of these scenarios can result in harm to your companion, a
person or property. Training a dog early on to listen to voice
commands from everyone in the family lessens the odds of bad
consequences.

Teach your dog to obey 'halt' or 'stop', then 'come' and you'll
be much less likely to have accidents as the dog responds to his
sudden surge of emotion.

At first, it might be necessary to use a leash so that you can
physically jerk the dog sideways at the same time you issue the
command.

Try to avoid jerking backward against the dog's throat. Then,
as they associate the command with the physical action, they
will come to obey by voice alone.

Techniques like that help ensure the security of other animals
and people, but also that of your own dog as well.

Many dogs will race after another who, in fact, can do them
great harm.

Their emotions take control - as when the other dog has entered
his 'territory' - and they don't judge, as we might, whether
they have any chance of chasing the animal away. They simply
react.

But the importance of training your dog goes well beyond the
very basic level of safety and security, or the avoidance of
physical harm and property damage. Dogs are by nature pack
animals.

They recognize a social hierarchy that is established very
early in life. You must be at the top of that hierarchy, for
the sake of your own sanity and that of your dog.

Some dogs will naturally try to take the so-called alpha role.
That has evolutionary advantages when they live in the wild.

But in a domesticated situation you have the greater ability to
forecast consequences. You and your dog will be better adjusted
if you never let even the most assertive dog be your master.

Peace of mind comes from teaching your dog that, no matter how
treasured they are, you are at the top of the heap.

That means they must come when you say so, stay when you
command and do as you wish. Among adult humans, that sort of
behavior is very dictatorial and many are reluctant to assert
themselves that way. When dealing with your dog, it's
essential.

Being the leader of the pack gives the dog a sense of its place
in the group.

It can follow your lead, secure in the knowledge that you will
keep it safe from harm and well-fed. You're acting like the
alpha dog would. Training is the only way to bring that about.

About The Author: http://Doghealthrevealed.com is an excellent
place to find dog links, articles and Resource. For more
information go to:www.doghealthrevealed.com

.

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Dog Training Just How Good Is It?

Article Title: Dog Training Just How Good Is It?
Author: David Peters

Dogs aren't really stubborn. But they often do not clearly know
what is wanted. Make it clear by quickly establishing alpha
(dominant leader) status.

Be willing to exercise the patience and modest, firm forceto
get the desired behavior. This can be particularly challenging
when training a 'dog'.

Dogs naturally want to explore the environment. They sniff
everything, turn things over, dig and snatch small objects.

As with any dog training session, minimize the distractions by
arranging to be as alone and far from other voices as possible.

A backyard with a clear area or a large room with few small
objects on the floor is best.

Take advantage of spontaneous behavior by observing when the
dog is heading toward you and execute a voice-command/hand
gesture pair that's unique for this behavior.

Try to select a hand-gesture and word that you wouldn't
normally use except during training.

Start by facing the dog, putting it in a sit. Execute the
'stay!' command, then back away a step or two. Issue the
hand-gesture and voice command. Praise lavishly for the correct
behavior, but never reward 'partial' or incorrect ones.

Repeat, stepping further away. If the the dog comes too soon,
put it in a sit/stay and try again. If the dog won't come at
all, encourage with a treat or favorite toy.

For the very slow learners or the, well let's not say stubborn
but just reluctant, leash and collar training can be a useful
supplement.

Put the dog in a sit/stay and back off a few feet reeling out
the slack leash. If the dog refuses to come, give a gentle but
unmistakable tug while executing the voice command and hand
gesture.

For the dog who comes a little to readily, get a long leash or
rope and wrap around a tree or post. As the dog lifts off too
early, give the leash a tug and execute a 'stay' command.

If you do not have a tree handy, try to find a partner to help
with the training. The downside to using a partner is the dog
will more readily become confused about whom to obey. Focus on
a single person is always more efficient.

As with any training, patience and consistency are essential.
Dogs don't spontaneously understand the usefulness of 'come' or
any other human-induced behavior. Speaking harshly when the dog
commits errors or is willful is usually counter-productive.

Establish alpha status by firmness of voice, body posture and
willingness to wait for compliance. Physical restraint or
leading is a less helpful technique.

Most dogs quickly prove themselves eager to please and
responsive to praise following the correct behavior. Just make
sure they're the ones 'coming', not you. If necessary, prove
that you're the stubborn one.

For more great information on Dogs Visit:
http://www.doghealthrevealed.com

About The Author: David Peters is a writer for
http://www.doghealthrevealed.com which is an excellent place to
find dog links, For more information go
to:www.doghealthrevealed.com

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Deadly Indoor And Outdoor Plants Harmful To Dogs

Article Title: Deadly Indoor And Outdoor Plants Harmful To Dogs
Author: Kelly Marshall
Many dog owners don't consider that harmless little house and
garden plants may be a potential source of danger to your dog
or puppy. Usually poisonous plants are more deadly to small
puppies, but some plants, even in small amounts, can be toxic
to dogs of any size. By taking the time to understand the
various plants and their levels of toxicity for dogs you can
avoid costly vet bills and even more serious conditions.

Depending on the type of plant either the leaves, stems, bark,
roots or fruit can be toxic. Some plants are only toxic at
various times in their growth stage whereas others are always
poisonous. For information on each type of plant the internet,
your vet, or even a plant and gardening book is great resource.

Garden Plants

Believe it or not some of the most common garden plants are
also the most deadly. Tomato plants, both the leaves and the
stems, can be toxic to dogs. St. John's Wort, an herbal plant,
is very toxic leading to vomiting and seizures. Other garden
plants that can be problematic include:

·Apricot
·Avocado
·Black Cherry
·Black Walnuts
·Castor Beans
·Catnip
·Chokecherry
·Eggplant
·Garlic
·Mushrooms
·Mustard plants/greens
·Onion
·Peach
·Plum
·Potato
·Pokeweed
·Spinach

Fencing the garden area or monitoring if the dog is actually
eating the plants within the garden is important. When in doubt
completely isolating the garden from the area the dog is kept is
a great idea.

Ornamental Outdoor Plants

Everyone loves to have their yard area looking great, but not
at the expense of his or her animals becoming ill. Some of the
showiest of the flowering plants are also the most deadly,
including Oleander and many of the flowering shrubs. The list
of the most common flowering and ornamental plants that are
frequently found in gardens are:

·Amaryllis
·Baby's Breath
·Bird of Paradise
·Black Eyed Susan
·Bleeding Heart
·Bluebonnet
·Boston Ivy
·Calla Lilly
·Chrysanthemums
·Cyclamen
·Daffodil
·Daisy
·Elephant Ear
·Easter Lilly
·Ferns
·Flamingo plant
·Geranium
·Honeysuckle
·Hyacinth
·Hydrangea
·Ivy
·Jade plant
·Lantana
·Larkspur
·Marigolds
·Morning Glory
·Peony
·Primrose
·Rhododendron
·Tiger Lily
·Yucca

There are many other beautiful garden flower that can also be
deadly, so be sure to check with the nursery or garden shop
before planting them in the same area that you are planning on
keeping your dog.

Indoor Plants

Many of the houseplants including ferns, dieffenbachia, pothos,
ivy, philodendron, and even poinsettias are very toxic to dogs.
Corn plant, peace lilies and any of the ornamental tobacco
plants can be very dangerous for both full-grown dogs and
puppies.

If you think that your dog may have consumed a poisonous or
potentially poisonous plant immediately get them to the vet.
Bring a small amount of the plant with you, including the leaf
and the flower, to help with identification.

About The Author: More important information can be found at Oh
My Dog Supplies at this url:
http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/xnews.php - also shop for dog
beds at http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/dog-supplies/dog-beds

Bull Dog Health Problems

Article Title: Bull Dog Health Problems
Author: Rich Fuller

Bulls are national dogs of England. These dogs were bred as
fighting dogs of yore. Of late these dogs are trained and used
as guard dog. These bulldogs are powerfully built animals and
are aware of their strength and use them when it is necessary.
These dogs will love to play with children and get involved in
the game totally. Let us discuss here about the bulldog health
problems.

The muzzle of the bulldog is delicately shaped that these dogs
cannot breathe perfectly. The pet owner must keep this in mind
and never indulge these dogs in over exercise. Extra care needs
to be provided for these dogs at puppy stage and when the
climate is hot and muggy. Subjecting these dogs for brisk walk
is more than enough.

These dogs tend to become lazy and easily become overweight. In
order to avoid this, keep the animal busy as much as possible
like allowing the dog to play with children, taking while you
go for morning walk.

It is better to keep the dog in tether, as these dogs loves
fighting with other dogs, in that melee, they may get injured.
These dogs do not need special care for grooming, once in a
bathing will suffice. The males will weigh nearly 25 kilos and
the females will weigh 22-23 kilos, usually two to three kilos
less than the males.

Like all other diseases the canine distemper affects bull dog
breed also. This is a highly contagious disease caused by
paramyxovirus. This disease can affect the bull dogs at any
age. The virus enters by direct contact and through inhalation.
The virus thus entered the respiratory tract multiplies in the
bronchi and tonsils. Find out more information at
http://www.aboutdoghealth.org where you can identify symptoms,
prevention and treatment for your dog's illness.

The incubation period for the virus is for four to eight days.
There won't be any symptoms during this period. The fever [40
degree Celsius], yellow discharge from the eyes and nostrils
and pustules in the region of abdomen can be noticed once the
incubation period is over. The animal will have these symptoms
for three to four days and enter in to the clinical stage.

Here in addition to the fever and discharge the dog will have
diarrhea, inflamed mucous membrane, and tracheobronchitis.
Rhinitis, bronchial pneumonia, conjunctivitis, dermatitis, and
vomition may develop soon. Some animals will show nervous signs
such as convulsion, paralysis; coordination problems and
involuntary muscle contractions etc. Since this disease is of
viral origin, immunizing the dog against the dog is the best
solution.

Bulldog health problems are many like the one mentioned and
discussed above. By proper care, nutrition and immunization the
bulldog health problems can be minimized.

About The Author: Learn more about
http://www.aboutdoghealth.org/doghealthproblems/shih-tzu-dog-health-problem.html
on our site. You'll also find other information such as
http://www.aboutdoghealth.org/dogbreedhealth/Pomeranian.html.

.

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Behavior Training For Your Teacup Puppy

Article Title: Behavior Training For Your Teacup Puppy
Author: Dean Shal

So now the fun and hard work begin. It is time to train your
Teacup Puppy. The key points to remember with your teacup dog
breed is to be consistent, don't spend more than ten minutes on
any training period, don't try to teach to many things at once
as this will only confuse your puppy, be patient, and show your
excitement at your puppies ability to follow through with your
commands.

First we will start with behavior training. It is good to
start this training as soon as you get your "Teacup Puppy"
home. In all dog breeds there always has to be the Alpha pack
member. That is YOU! If you don't establish the Alpha
position right away, your Teacup Puppy will learn how to push
you around and make you spoil them rotten. Once you have
established your Alpha position (you are the leader, master,
etc) you will have a much easier time working with your teacup
puppy breed. Your teacup puppy will work hard to please you.
Although spoiling is great to some extent don't over do it,
this will only cause your teacup puppy to be naughty and really
bother people when they come over for a visit or if taking your
teacup puppy outside. If you live in an apartment complex or
condo you must remember courtesy for you neighbors. You want
your Teacup Puppy to be the best puppy in the world, and with
your patients and diligence you will get just that. The funny
part is that you are actually teaching the owner how to train
their Teacup Puppy.

Just for an example, we had a neighbor that had a Lab and they
were always bragging about their dog having had taken obedience
classes and how smart he was. Well unfortunately they wasted
their money because they did not work with their dog on the
things that were taught in the classes. You must be
disciplined enough to work with you teacup puppy or teacup dog
breed everyday. As in my example, if you are not consistent
with what you want your teacup puppy to do and go through daily
training, it will only end up hurting your loving companion the
most. Get the mind set that you are doing this in the best
interest of your Teacup Puppy.

So here are some of the basic commands, as you don't want to
start with anything complicated, that you can start with.

Sit

To start it is best to sit down on the floor with your teacup
puppy. Make sure you have your teacup puppies undivided
attention. You might have to play with him a little bit at
first, especially if he has just gotten out of his crate. Give
him some time to burn off the pent up energy. Place your teacup
puppy in front of you and say, "Sit". Your teacup puppy will
have no clue as to what you want him to do. Making sure your
teacup puppy is standing in front of you, gently push his hind
quarters down and reward him or her. Try doing this several
times. Another technique is to have your teacup puppy standing
in front of you and hold a treat just out of reach. When you
say, "Sit" move the treat guiding towards the back of the
teacup puppies head to the point where he is almost leaning
back. If he falls over or doesn't do it quite right, use the
pushing the hind quarters down again. Once again, I can't say
enough, you need to do this everyday. And Praise, Praise,
Praise. Your teacup puppy should be able to learn this command
in a short period of time.

Lay down

This technique is pretty much the same for training you teacup
puppy breed to sit except that you also want to get the front
end down. A very important reminder, that with teacup puppy
breeds you have to be gentle and don't force them very hard.
Since they are smaller puppy breed, their bones are more
fragile than your average dog, so their bones will break much
easier.

Come/Heel

What I have found as the best technique for this command is to
train your teacup puppy breed indoors. Make you teacup puppy
sit and move away a very short distance. In an excited tone,
tell your teacup puppy to come or come here to start. You
teacup puppy should be happy to come to you. Reward with a
treat. Keep this up until you Teacup Puppy has mastered an
understanding of this command. Once your Teacup Puppy has
mastered this command, it will be safe to work on this command
outside as well. Just to be on the safe side when outside,
please use a leash. An extendable leash will come in very
handy for this training exercise.

Stay

I have found this command a little bit harder for puppies to
get the hang of. I believe this is true because all they want
is to be next to you. This command will take a little bit
longer for you Teacup Puppy to grasp. The first step is to get
your teacup puppy breed to sit and be relaxed. Then while you
have your Teacup Puppies undivided attention, hold out your
right pointer finger saying the command "Stay", while looking
them straight in the eye. Back away one or two steps. Your
"Teacup Puppy" will not immediately understand what you are
trying to tell it to do and will get up repeatedly to follow
you. Start from square one with the sitting position and
follow the above mentioned steps. Eventually you teacup puppy
will understand. As the command gets easier for your teacup
puppy, use you best judgment on distancing yourself farther and
farther away. You can also implement the Come/Heal command as
your teacup puppy understands what "Stay" means, thus working
on two commands at once. And Give you teacup puppy lots of
love and praise.

Well these are just a few of the basic commands that you need
to teach your new teacup puppy breed. After a couple of months
the training period should be done with. One important thing to
remember especially for the first year is to always praise for
good deeds. As a matter of fact I think we could all use a
little praise sometimes.

About The Author: Check out Dean's
http://www.dogsandpuppies.info website and my
http://teacup--puppies.blogspot.com blog

.

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How To Prevent Dog Chewing

Article Title: How To Prevent Dog Chewing
Author: George Kane

Do you have a dog that has a habit of chewing literally every
object in the household? Make no bones about it! As part of
the dog training process, it is absolutely important to train a
dog to stop the nasty chewing habit also known as gnawing.
Chewing is a natural instinctive reflex of almost all dogs and
they must be trained effectively in order to save your house
and your possessions from getting chewed up. Dogs will try to
chew on the furniture, mattress, shoes, or anything that will
come their way as part of their maturing process and curiosity.
So how in the world do you stop a dog from this terrible
chewing problem? There are some proven techniques that will
answer this question.

Just like human babies, teething is considered to be the most
common cause for a dog's chewing habit. Teething process gives
severe pain to dogs; as a result they will try to chew on
anything to overcome the pain. If a dog is not trained to be
active, the sheer boredom of sitting around the house will make
things worse. The dog will form a habit to keep chewing without
actually suffering from an extended teething problem. Certain
dogs also suffer from loneliness and anxiety; this becomes a
mental problem that will eventually make his chewing habit
worse. Chewing can be controlled by keeping the dog in a good
mental and physical state.

Moving on to the preventive methods and techniques, a chew toy
can be a dog's best friend for eliminating the dog's desire to
chew on your possessions. Train the dog to keep his chewing
habit limited to the chew toy; this will save your furniture
and other household items from getting attacked. Make sure to
pick up a chew toy that is considered to be the safest in the
marketplace. You must also get the right size and color to fit
the dog's mouth and personality.

Among the harmless chew toys available in the market are as
follows:

Nylabones - Nylabones is made out of odor free nylon fibers,
which is safe and tender for your dog's mouth. They are easily
available in edible or non-edible forms. The non-edible
nylabones are stuffed with chicken or turkey meat for added
flavor. With different shapes and sizes, nylabone will be
suitable for different kinds of dogs. Galileo is among the
best known nylabone chew toys available currently.

Kong toys - Kong toys are a perfect match for those dogs that
are suffering from insecurity and anxiety. These sterilized
bones have a hollow in the middle to stuff different kinds of
dog food.

Make sure to spend quality time with your dog and make him feel
great by praising his good behavior. It is never too late to
teach a dog how to stay away from chewing certain objects. Dog
chewing can definitely be controlled with the above techniques
and preventive measures.

About The Author: George Kane writes for
http://www.DogTraining-AtoZ.com

Putting Your Dog On A Diet For Weight Loss

Article Title: Putting Your Dog On A Diet For Weight Loss
Author: Kelly Marshall
Most dogs will begin to be less active and will self-exercise
less as they age. Some breeds are naturally more likely to gain
weight and be couch dogs rather than active pets, so it is
important to help them eat only the food they need, not all
that they want. Some dogs are naturally able to regulate their
food whereas other dogs simply eat until they can't hold
another bite. Understanding how your dog eats and how much they
eat can help you determine how to best help them manage their
weight or how to effectively help them lose weight.

To get your dog started on a lifestyle change and diet that is
needed to help an already overweight dog start to get in shape
consider the following:

· Cut out all snacks, treats and food items other than the
actual dog food. This means no high carb or sugary treats, no
extra little scraps from the table or even any dog cookies.
High quality treats can be reintroduced to the diet on a very
limited amount once the weight has been lost.

· Unless there is a reason why your dog must be on wet food
switch to a high quality premium dry food only, but not
necessarily a weight loss formula. Most dogs will lose weight
even on regular kibble provided all the other aspects of the
plan are followed. Ask your vet for recommendations for foods
that would be beneficial to your particular dog. Switch the
food slowly and gradually to avoid digestive problems. Don't
worry if the dog refuses to eat the dry, especially if it is a
picky eater, it will eat when it gets hungry. If the dog does
not eat for two days and you are exercising the dog as outlined
contact your vet before proceeding with the food selection.

· Increase exercise - and this involves your participation.
Most dogs, especially those that are overweight, simply do not
exercise themselves. Putting them outside in the yard for an
extra hour doesn't count since they will likely take a
leisurely stroll around the yard, find a comfortable spot and
rest. You must make them keep moving. Take them on a leash for
a walk around the block at least twice a day. Once they can do
one block, increase to two and keep increasing the distance and
the pace of the exercise. Start slow and gradually increase to
avoid stressing both the dog and yourself!

· Increase play times. Try throwing a ball or a stick for the
dog, or playing a game of tag or chase. Start slow, even just
rolling the ball to get the dog involved. Lots of praise and
attention during the game will help keep them motivated and
engaged.

· Plan a regular "play date" for your dog with another dog if
he or she is an only dog in your house. Running and playing
with another dog is great exercise and gives you a chance to
supervise and relax.

· Cut down on the dog food by a quarter to start. If you are
normally feeding 1 cup twice a day feed ¾ of a cup twice a day.
Never cut out a meal, simply cut down on each meal. It is
recommended to feed two smaller meals rather than just one meal
to keep blood sugar better regulated for the dog.

· Check your yard and house for hidden food items. Many dogs
have learned to get into the garbage, get into cupboards and
raid the treat boxes or even get into candy dishes left on the
coffee table. Remove all sources of food from where the dog can
access.

Keep on the plan for two weeks, decreasing each mean by one
quarter and doubling a reasonable level of exercise. You should
notice a slight weight loss in this period. You can either weigh
the dog by using a standard bath scale or, for large breeds,
simply use a measuring tape around the widest part of the their
body. If you have followed the plan and are decreasing food,
increasing exercise and cutting out all treats and do not
notice even a slight decrease in weight after two weeks see
your veterinarian immediately to rule out any medical problems.

About The Author: Find more articles on dog health at
http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com