Archive for the ‘Pet News’ Category
Sunday, July 26th, 2009
A doggie door can be a very convenient addition to your household. It’s convenient for your dog because it allows him or her to be more self-reliant, while it’s convenient for you because you will no longer have to get up in the middle of the night to let your dog out every time he or she needs to heed the call of nature. A word or two of caution though. If you think your dog is the type to just wander off from your backyard into the streets, then a doggie door might not be such a good idea. Also, if you are not confident enough about the security of the neighborhood in which you live in, a doggie door might not also be for you as it can be a means for burglars or other unwanted persons to get into your house- especially if you have a bigger dog, which will entail that you also get a large enough doggie door where people may be able to fit through. Once you have considered these disadvantages and feel that a doggie door can be beneficial for you, then read on and learn a few tips on how to train your dog to use his doggie door:
- Firstly, tape the flap of the doggie door to the wall so it just looks like an opening through the wall. Stay outside and leave your dog inside. Close the door and try calling him outside. If he doesn’t respond hold up a treat or a toy just a few meters from the opening. This will teach him to get to you through the opening.
- Once you have done step one a few times and are sure that your dog has learned to use the hole as a door, take out the tape so the flap is covering the hole again. Like in step one, stay outside while your dog is inside the house and call him or her. If he doesn’t respond or hasn’t figured out that the flap can be moved and he can still use the hole like before, move the flap with your foot or peek your head in so he knows that it is actually movable. Again, you can use a treat or toy to encourage him. Most dogs learn how to use the doggie door pretty quickly.
- Finally, repeat the same process with you inside the house and your dog outside. Train your dog so that he or she will know to head inside right away when you call him or her. It should be clear to your pet that outside is for relieving him or herself and for occasional playing, but that inside is really where he or she needs to be most of the time. Now that he or she has learned to go outside through the doggie door, you want to make sure he or she will know how to get inside as well- where he or she is safest and most secure!
Tags: advantages of a doggie door, benefits of a doggie door, convenience of a doggie door, disadvantages of a doggie door, dog, dog door, dog training, doggie door, doggie door safety, doggy door, dogs, how to teach your dog to use a doggie door, teaching your dog to use a doggie door, training your dog to use a doggie door, using a doggie door
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Sunday, July 26th, 2009
First things first- as we always advise, if you are not comfortable cutting your dog’s hair then please have a professional do it instead. However, it is easier than you think and if you do learn how to do it yourself, you can save a lot of money especially if your dog has long hair and needs regular grooming. Here are our tips for cutting your dog’s hair. You (and your dog) will be used to it in no time:
- Before you start, brush your dog’s hair to remove any tangles. This will make the whole process go smoothly.
- Make sure that the pair of scissors you are using is sharp. A blunt pair can be frustrating and a waste of time for both you and your pet.
- If your dog is small enough, put him or her on top of a table. This will give you a better view and keeping them at an elevation will prevent them from moving around. Just ensure that the table has strong enough foundations to carry the weight of your dog. We don’t want any accidents, especially when there are scissors and clippers involved!
- Before you start cutting, decide on an overall length and be consistent as you cut all throughout. Having an uneven coat is not a matter of life and death, but you want your dog to be presentable, don’t you?
- Start with just one area of your dog’s body and see how it goes before proceeding to the other areas. You don’t want to be cutting all over the place especially when it’s your first time trimming your dog’s hair.
- Always cut at an angle. This will ensure that you don’t cut the hair too short and it looks better as it grows too as opposed to a blunt cut.
- Finally, after you’ve trimmed your dog’s hair, give him or her a bath to get rid of excess hair! That’s pretty much it. See, we told you it’d be easy!
Tags: caring for your dog's hair, cutting your dog's hair, dog, dog care, dog grooming, dog hair, dog hair cut, dog hair trim, dog hygiene, dogs, how to cut your dog's hair, how to trim your dog's hair, trimming your dog's hair
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Tuesday, July 14th, 2009
We (and many dog lovers, we’re sure) think that the best way to treat your dog is to really have him or her reside in your own home with you. Not only does it keep them safe from the elements, it also allows them to have a lot of bonding time with you and the other members of your household, thereby really letting them feel that they are not just a pet, but also a valuable part of the family. That said, we understand, that sometimes it is just not practical or feasible to keep your dog indoors with you at all times. If you have no choice but to let your dog live in a doghouse, the next best thing you can do for them is to ensure that they are safe, comfortable, and content even when they have to sleep outside. Here are our tips to help you get the best doghouse for your precious pet:
- Firstly, make sure that the yard in which the doghouse is located is secure and properly fenced in. Make sure the fence is high enough so your dog can’t just jump out of it and so that other dogs from the neighborhood won’t get into your yard either.
- The most important consideration when looking for a doghouse is the climate of the area you live in. If you live in a place with notorious winters, get a doghouse that is waterproof. A heating pad will make your pet a lot more comfy too on those cold, cold nights. Conversely, if you live somewhere really warm, make sure that the dog house is positioned in a shaded area of the yard and that your dog has enough water at all times. If you really want to go all out, you can even get your pet an air-conditioned doghouse!
- You should also carefully choose the size of your pet’s doghouse. It should be big enough for your dog to turn around and stretch in, but it should also be snug enough to keep him warm on colder days and nights.
- The safety of your dog is of utmost importance, so also make sure that the doghouse does not have any sharp edges where your dog can severely injure himself.
- It is also important to think about the material of the doghouse you will be buying for your pet. Plastic and metal ones are easier to clean than wooden ones. Moreover, plastic doghouses are also a lot lighter and thus easier to move should you decide to relocate the doghouse to a different part of the yard.
- Finally, you should do all you can to make your pet feel that even when he is not sleeping under the same roof as you, he is still very much loved. You can make the dog house a more welcoming place for your dog by associating it with things he or she likes. For example, you can start feeding your dog in the doghouse. You can also put his or her favorite toys in there so it becomes a fun, enjoyable place. Remember, your pet should not only see the doghouse as a piece of shelter but also as a home!
Tags: air-conditioned doghouse, best kind of doghouse, best material for doghouse, correct size of doghouse, dog, dog care, dog house, doghouse, dogs, heated doghouse, how to buy the best doghouse, how to choose the best doghouse, ideal size of doghouse, things to consider when buying a doghouse, tips on choosing the best doghouse
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Monday, July 6th, 2009
We often use the expression “dog breath” to refer to bad breath, but dogs do not deserve this reputation! Ok, so a dog’s breath may not be as pleasant-smelling as a human’s, but there is no reason it has be foul, too! If your dog has severely bad breath to a point where it becomes uncomfortable to be around him or her, you might want to check for signs of periodontal disease, which is one of the primary causes of bad breath in dogs.
What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease or gingivitis is the inflammation of gums and the loss of the support structures of the teeth, which may eventually cause your dog’s teeth to fall out.
How can you tell if your dog has this disease?
In healthy dogs, the gums are a pink color and although the breath may not be pleasant, it is also not extremely foul. In the early stages of this disease, you might find brown deposits on you dog’s teeth and there may be a red line running around your dog’s gums.
How do you prevent it?
Regular dental care (see our previous articles on the subject here and here) can go a long way in preventing your dog from developing this disease. Make sure you brush your dog’s teeth and gums regularly. Studies have also shown that dogs with dry kibble diets are less prone to the disease than dogs who eat soft food.
If you think your pet may have periodontal disease or gingivitis, please consult your veterinarian for treatment options.
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Monday, July 6th, 2009
Electric dog collars are primarily used in dog obedience training. How does it work? It comes with a remote transmitter that you, the dog owner, can control. Whenever your dog is disobeying your command or doing something “bad”, you can then activate the transmitter and the collar sends a small shock to your dog, thereby letting him or her know of your displeasure. Not surprisingly, there has been a lot of debate surrounding the use of electric dog collars. Some pet owners advocate their use, while others are against it. Here we give you the pros and cons and our two cents’ worth on the subject.
PROS
- Electric dog collars are a quick, convenient way of training your dog. Once he or she does something wrong, you can immediately let him or her know about the mistake, so they can learn to easily distinguish between right and wrong.
- Some dogs have behavioral problems that no amount of training can solve. Some jump over the fence when they see anything that sparks their interest or tug at the leash so hard that you end up letting go and frantically running after them. There are dogs who won’t outgrow chewing the furniture or frantically digging through your lawn. If, after you feel you have tried your best training them and they still haven’t learned to listen, then maybe the electric collar is the way to go.
- The electric collar is also a cheaper training alternative than hiring a professional trainer, which not everyone will be able to afford.
- Contrary to some misconception, there have been no proven physical or neurological damage associated with electronic dog collars.
CONS
- Some pet owners see it as a quick fix. They don’t bother teaching their dogs the more conventional way (such as reward training) because they have an option that entails less effort and less time on their part.
- Many opponents of electric dog collars also say that some dog owners may abuse it, so they press on the transmitter and shock their dogs at the smallest hint of misbehavior. Dogs, like the rest of us, are not perfect and are bound to commit mistakes. The problem with using electric dog collars is that we become less patient and less forgiving with even the smallest transgressions and punish our pets unnecessarily.
- Others also question whether intentionally hurting your pet (no matter how minor the pains is) is humane or not.
- Another argument against the use of the electric collar is that it could potentially worsen behavior problems since some dogs may only end up being more aggressive when subjected to a little pain and discomfort.
In conclusion, as long as you properly educate yourself on how and when to use the electric dog collar, then it might not be such a bad idea. Our one advice though is to make sure that, when training your pet, you use other avenues first. Once those other methods don’t work, then consider the electric dog collar option. If reward training works though, then it might be best to continue doing that instead. After all, there’s no use in trying to fix something that’s not broken!
Where to get an electric dog collar? Click here!
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Thursday, July 2nd, 2009
Perhaps it will be no exaggeration to say that all dogs like car rides, and every pet owner can attest to this fact. Our German Shepherd, for examples, does not only like car rides, she loves them. In fact, she’s gotten so keen at observing the signs for impending car rides, such as me grabbing the keys. Even just hearing the words “car” or “ride,” will have her jumping up and down with excitement. Once in the car she barks her lungs out until the window is rolled down and until we are actually moving. Once on the road, she’ll bark at almost everything in sight especially other dogs, and she hates traffic lights because, I suspect, she just hates having to stop and prefers to have the car constantly moving along. Precisely because my dog is so obsessive about car rides, I decided to do some research on just why dogs like them so much.
There have been no scholarly papers written on the subject (I’m sure the experts have better things to do with their time), but there have been a few explanations offered, such as:
- Dogs love sticking their heads out the window and having the wind blowing in their face keeps them cool.
- Dogs have a very sensitive sense of smell. Apparently, studies show that a dog’s nose can be 1,000- 2,000 times more acute than a human’s. Thus, you can just imagine the things they must be detecting in the environment around them. Every street is a universe just waiting to be explored.
- Going on car rides makes them feel like they are on a hunt. This could explain why your dog is extra observant in a moving vehicle.
- And the other common explanation is that dogs just think car rides are enjoyable. There’s no need to overthink or analyze their behavior. Simply put, car rides are fun for your dogs, so take them along as often as you can. There’s no better reward for a dog owner than seeing his or her pet in absolute bliss and ecstasy!
Tags: dog, dog behavior, dog behavior explained, dog fun, dogs, dogs favorite things, explaining why dogs like car rides, fun for your dog, special treat for your dogs, why dogs like car rides, why dogs like sticking their heads out of cars, why dogs love car rides
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Thursday, July 2nd, 2009
As a responsible pet owner, there are a few things that you have to do in order to keep your dog clean and healthy. Some of these things may be inconvenient for you and uncomfortable for your dog, but that doesn’t mean you can just skip it altogether. One of these such things, along with clipping your dog’s nails (See our article on that here), is cleaning your dog’s ears. It can be dangerous if not done right, so here are our tips on how to clean your dog’s ears:
- Firstly, like we always say, if you are not confident that you have enough patience or skill to do it, then it might be best to let a grooming professional or a vet do it. Still, there is no reason why you can’t do it yourself. Just keep these tips in mind.
- When cleaning your dog’s ears, make sure that you are using a solution that is made specifically for that purpose. From experience, I’ve also found that cotton pads work best because they are thinner and easier to manage than cotton balls.
- When you are about to clean your dog’s ears, also ensure that you have allotted a lot of time for it. Do not do it when you have to rush somewhere. You should be able to take your time and do the process calmly.
- Another important tip is to have your dog lie in a position that is comfortable for him or her. Having his or her ears cleaned is uncomfortable enough, so make sure that the rest of his body is. My dog, for one, prefers to lie on her side.
- When cleaning your pet’s ears, do not go right in the canal. Set the cotton pad and dog ear cleaning solution aside. The first thing you must do is to massage your dog’s ears. Most dogs will enjoy it and it gets them used to having their ears touched.
- Once your dog looks sufficiently comfortable, then you can start with the actual cleaning. Put some cleaning solution on the pad and start with the other parts of your dog’s ear, working slowly down. The further down you go, the more sensitive they will be so you have to be extremely gentle as you are doing it.
- Even as you are going further down, you should only be dealing with the outer ear area. Do not try going down your dog’s ear canal. This type of cleaning should only be done by a professional.
- When you are applying the cleaning solution on the cotton pad, make sure that it is just moist and not soaking wet. It would be quite uncomfortable for your dog to have the solution constantly dripping in his ear. This could lead to an ear infection later on. As you are cleaning your dog’s ears, he or she will most likely be shaking his or her head every once in a while to get rid of the excess moisture. It’s important that you allow your dog to do this to prevent future ear infections.
- Speaking of ear infections, please take note that the tips we have outlined here are not to be followed if your dog has one. You should not attempt to clean your dog’s ears if he has an infection. In this case, consult a professional. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Tags: advice on cleaning your dog's ears, cleaning your dog's ears, dog, dog care, dog ear cleaning solution, dog ear infection, dog grooming, dog health, dog hygiene, dogs, how to clean your dog's ears, tips on cleaning your dog's ears
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Monday, June 22nd, 2009
Cutting your dog’s nails is probably the one part of your dog’s grooming routine that you often overlook. It’s such a struggle to get your dog to stay put while you cut his nails that most of the time, you just don’t bother with it anymore. However, clipping your dog’s nails is more important than you think. Not only does it prevent your dog from hurting you and your family when he only means to scratch playfully, but it can also save your dog from a lot of potential pain. Long nails can lead to a nail bed infection and ingrown nails. Trust me, you’ll find that the hassle you are putting up with now is well worth it. And besides, clipping your dog’s nails isn’t all that difficult. You only need to know how.
- As with most things, you should clip your dog’s nails regularly from when he is a pup. If you do it as early in his lifetime as possible, you will grow up with a dog who is used to it and will consider it as part of his regular grooming schedule.
- Dogs usually hate getting their nails clipped because they are uncomfortable with having their paws touched. Before you cut your dog’s nails, why don’t you try and teach him to relax as you hold his paws? Once he gets used to this, try gently squeezing his paws and nails one at a time. Reward him after so he won’t mind the next time you do it. Also use a lot of positive reinforcement. Tell him, “Good dog” as you keep on stroking his paws.
- To avoid hurting your dog while you clip his nails, you should also learn what each nail is made of. Each nail consists of a hard outer cover, which is what you clip off, and the quick, which is the soft inner part comprised of blood vessels and nerve endings. If you are not careful and cut into the quick, you will be subjecting your dog to a lot of pain and bleeding. As a general rule, it is better to clip off a little bit of the tips at a time.
- Some dogs have light-colored nails, which makes it easier to detect where the outer cover ends and where the quick starts. The pinkish part should indicate where the quick is. However, most dogs will have black nails, which make this more difficult. One way to detect the quick is to look out for a dark area in the middle of a newly clipped part. But again, it is important to cut off a little bit at the tip at a time to ensure that there are no accidents.
- But what to do if there has indeed been an accident and you’ve clipped off too much thereby hurting the quick? Well, firstly do not panic at the sight of blood. Most of the time it’s really not as big a deal as most people make it out to be. Just calm down your dog, soothe his nerves with kind words and a treat or two, and hold a tissue against his paw until it stops bleeding. The bleeding should last for about 5-7 minutes. If it persists for longer than this, then take your dog to see a vet.
- One last word about clipping your dog’s nails- If you’ve tried the abovementioned steps and are still uncomfortable and unsuccessful at clipping your dog’s nails, then don’t force the issue. Take your dog to a professional groomer instead. There’s no shame in it! With some pet owners, this is just a better – and also, safer – option!
Tags: clip dog's nails, clipping dog's nails, components of a dog's nail, cut dog's nails, cutting dog's nails, dog, dog care, dog grooming, dog health, dogs, how to clip your dog's nails, outer cover, parts of a dog's nail, quick, techniques for how to clip your dog's nails, what does a dog's nail consist of, what is a dog's nail made of
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Monday, June 22nd, 2009
Almost all dogs go through a shedding cycle, which is perfectly normal especially during warmer months. They shed off their winter coat and grow a thinner coat for higher temperatures. Your dog’s shedding cycle could be very inconvenient. You soon find yourself rolling around their shedded fur on your bed and on your couch. You wake up with their fur sticking to the sides of your mouth or end up going to work with hair (that’s not yours) all over your work clothes. How do you deal with it?
- Firstly, there is no way to prevent or stop it completely. Shedding is going to be a regular occurrence in your pet’s life so for the most part, you just have to deal with it. Make your lint brush your best friend
- Secondly, although all dogs shed you have to be observant and find out if your dog is shedding as much as he usually does or if he is shedding more than usual. If it is the latter, it might be a good idea to take him to the vet. Excess shedding can be symptoms of skin parasites, allergies, or malnutrition.
- To minimize the chances of your dog leaving excess hair around the house, groom him regularly. Do it at least once a week and make it a routine for both your dog and you.
- Find the right brush for your dog. Different brushes work for different dogs. For example, a fine comb will work well with short hair, while brushes with long bristles and wide-toothed combs are best for thicker coats.
Shedding is unavoidable, but these tips ought to lessen the inconvenience and help you better deal with your dog’s shedding cycle.
Tags: correct grooming brush for your dog, dealing with your dog's shedding, dog, dog care, dog grooming, dog health, dog shedding, dog's shedding cycle, dogs, excess shedding, excessive shedding, how to deal with your dog shedding, regular grooming, right comb for your dog, right grooming brush for your dog, shedding fur
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Saturday, June 20th, 2009
Dogs can be very sneaky especially when it comes to food. You may be at the table having a nice, quiet dinner when suddenly he jumps up from the floor, pounces on your plate, runs off and eats the chicken bones he has stolen. Although usually chewing on bones is good for them, chicken bones are an exception. They are potentially dangerous because they are very brittle, may splinter off and damage your dog’s intestines and internal organs. If your dog has eaten some chicken bones, here are some tips that will hopefully help you deal with the situation:
1. As with all emergency cases, do not panic. The first thing to do is to find out whether the chicken bones were raw or cooked. Raw chicken bones are not as brittle as cooked ones and in most cases, raw chicken bones should give you no cause to worry.
2. If, however, your dog has eaten cooked chicken bones, what you should do first is observe his behavior. Does he seem to be in pain? Is he choking? If yes, immediately call a veterinarian.
3. If your dog seems fine, it still won’t hurt to observe extra caution. Many vets will advise you to feed him canned pumpkin. This stuffs them up and induces vomiting, which will hopefully get rid of the bone. Also look at his stool and see if the bone is there or if there is any sign of blood. Blood will probably mean that he has hurt his stomach. Take him to a vet immediately if this is the case.
Tags: bloody stool, canned pumpkin for chicken bones, cooked chicken bones, danger of chicken bones, dog, dog and chicken bones, dog care, dog health, dogs, induce vomiting, raw chicken bones, what to do if you dog eats chicken bones
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