Dogs & Puppies Blog

Archive for August, 2010

If you own a dog then you will have to do some grooming to help keep your dog well kept and to protect your dog’s health. If you have a dog with short hair then you will have fewer grooming duties than someone with a long-haired dog. However, no matter the length of your dog’s coat, there are still basic grooming tasks that must be done on a regular basis, including nail and teeth care.

Nail Trimming

Every dog needs regular nail trimming. You can trim your dog’s nail yourself, hire someone to do it or have it done at your vet’s office. If you are cutting your dog’s nails then you need to use clippers specifically designed for cutting dog’s nails.

You also need to be very careful about not cutting them too far back. If you cut the nail too much, your dog could bleed severely. If you are not sure how to cut your dog’s nails then it is a good idea to have your vet show you how to do it.

Bathing

The frequency of bathing will really depend on a number of factors. Some breeds need more routine bathing than others. If your dog goes out of doors a lot then he may need bathing more than a dog that mainly stays inside.

Obviously, when your dog gets dirty you will want to give him a bath. Every dog should get bathed regularly, so create a schedule based on your dog’s specific needs so you can be sure he is getting bathed as needed.

Brushing

Brushing, like bathing, will depend a lot on the breed. Dogs with short hair may not need to be brushed too much. Dogs with longer hair may need brushing everyday. The reason for regular brushing is to reduce shedding and to keep the fur from becoming knotted or matted.

You want to brush your dog when he needs it. Watch his fur and be sure to brush him before you see tangles or excessive shedding.

Teeth Care

Some people will buy a modified brush to brush their dog’s teeth. This is not necessarily mandatory. Many people never brush their dog’s teeth. In most cases, your dog will get adequate teeth cleaning on his own.

However, if you feel your dog’s teeth needs extra care then you may want to consider buying a tooth brush or you can try out the dental chews that are on the market. These chews are made in a special way that helps clean the teeth as your dog gnaws on it.

Your dog needs a lot of care. That is why getting a dog is considered a responsibility. Like a child, a dog can’t care for himself. You have to step in and watch out for his well being by ensuring he is getting the grooming and care he needs. Just set a regular schedule and caring for your dog will become second nature. You won’t even think about it, you will just do it as part of your regular routine.

All dogs have their own personality, so why not reflect this in the dog collars and leashes they are wearing. There are many cheap and cheerful pet collars on the market but that is not the best way to choose the right one for your pet as it will not last very long.

You need to take into account what your dog’s lifestyle is and the kind of wear and tear the collar needs to put up with. An indoor dog can get a perfectly decent amount of wear out of a crystal encrusted collar, as opposed to a dog that spends a lot of time digging holes and diving into lakes. You can’t blame the collar for not surviving what it wasn’t built to put up with. It is an important factor when choosing the collar to buy the right type of collar.

Many owners are unaware that there are several varieties of dog collars and leashes, and each serves a different purpose. Below, we’ll describe the most popular types and explain why they’re used. That way, you’ll be able to make an informed decision when buying one for your canine.

Traditional Collars

This type of dog collar is basic in design and may be constructed of nylon, leather, or cotton. They can be purchased in different colors and widths to suit your canine’s size, and are mostly used for everyday activity. The collar should sit high on his neck and be snug enough to prevent him from slipping out of it.

Halters And Harnesses

Halter collars provide owners with the most leverage over their dogs. It goes around your pet’s head, and the leash is attached to it under his chin. If he surges forward without your permission, the halter causes his head to turn. This makes it difficult – if not impossible – for him to continue forward.

Harnesses go around the neck, shoulders, and abdomen. Because of their placement, they are often recommended by veterinarians for dogs that suffer from respiratory problems. If your canine runs forward, the harness keeps him in check without irritating his trachea.

The Martingale

Martingale collars are designed to tighten around your canine’s throat in the event he lunges forward without you. It’s worth noting that they do not tighten completely and hence, there is no danger of suffocation.

Choke Chains

Some professional trainers still use choke chains, though their use has mostly fallen out of favor. Similar to Martingale collars, they are designed to close around your dog’s neck, and thus force him to comply. The drawback with these chains is that it is possible to injure his throat. If you plan to use one, make sure you ask a trainer to show you the proper method.

Traditional Leashes

Like standard collars, these leashes are designed for everyday use. They can be purchased in varying lengths, though most range between four and eight feet. If you intend to use one for training purposes, six feet is sufficient. You can find these leashes in leather, cotton, and nylon. If your dog tends to chew, leather is likely the best option.

Retractables

Retractable leashes are ideal for walking your canine. They are typically designed with nylon and extend to twenty-six feet. The line retracts into a special housing, so you can control the distance your dog is able to roam without taking him off the leash. As a side note, retractables are a poor choice for training because they allow your canine to pull away from you.

Adjustables

Adjustable leashes have a similar appearance to traditional leashes. The difference is that they can be shortened or lengthened using metal loops built into the line. A lot of professional trainers recommend them to owners as training tools because of their adjustability.

If you’re considering buying a collar and leash for your dog, think about the goals you’re trying to accomplish. Let your goals, and your canine’s needs, determine your choice.

As the outdoor temperatures begin to rise and the days get longer, there are a few things we can generally count on. We know that our homes will be messier, our animals will be smellier and our carpets will be dirtier. Although we may not be able to prevent these things from happening, at least there a few things we can do to improve the situation once it has occurred. Carpet stain removal, cleaning and deodorizing are things that will typically be required more during this season than any other. You should not assume that generic carpet cleaners are able to provide the kind of help you need for carpet stain removal. Some types work better on certain rugs. Here are a few tips.

Determining When and If Your Rugs Need to be Cleaned 

The concept of carpet cleaning can include so many different types of cleaning fluids that it is difficult to determine the best route to take. Although it’s generally advisable to use a can of carpet cleaner on a stain immediately after an accident, most carpets are also able to benefit from regular, professional care. In addition to the immediate improvement in appearance and texture, it is commonly believed that a rug will last longer if they have received regular care.

Immediate treatment of a stain is crucial. The first step should be to minimize the damage, specifically by blotting up as much of the stain as possible with a white cloth. Following up with a spray of carpet cleaner can mean the difference between getting rid of the stain or being forced to live with it for the life of the carpet. If the stain is still present after blotting and spray treatment; reapplication could eliminate the stain. It may be very tempting to use a brush but that should be avoided as that may encourage the stain to set. Brushes can also unravel the fibers of the carpet and leave you with an area of rug that looks different, or slightly fuzzy. Always check the directions to make sure the item is appropriate for carpet stain removal on your type of rug.

The problem with the inexpensive sprays is that they may help to minimize stains and odors, but those stains will still exist. They may not appear on the surface after carpet cleaning, but have contaminated the rest of the carpet strand. Instead of having to run to the nearest store and pick up a cheap bottle of cleaner that you know nothing about, its best to have a predetermined plan of action for emergency spot treatments. Our friendly and knowledgeable team of carpet cleaning experts will be happy to educate you on spot treatments for your particular type of carpet.

Those Smelly Summer Dogs

Typically, a larger dog will carry more potential for odor than a smaller dog and a long-haired dog can smell more strongly than a shorter haired dog. A long-haired dog will also shed more hair. The summer months may be a time when it is easier to hire a professional to perform your carpet deodorizing, instead of trying to do it yourself. Carpets have the ability to hold in quite a bit of odor. Our professionals can clean and deodorize in such a way that will leave your whole house smelling clean and fresh.

Regularly scheduled biannual cleanings will ensure that your home will be as fresh in the summer months as it was in the winter.

If you are looking for a carpet cleaning service check out these companies:

Carpet Cleaning Gainesville

Carpet Cleaning Jacksonville Fl

Carpet Cleaning Naperville

The Pit Bull terrier is an amazing dog and is extremely active and can actually prove to be a problem if not properly trained. American Pit Bulls are very trustworthy and when a relationship is made, it lasts for good. If you’re a new Pit Bull owner, you actually need to understand how demanding these dogs can be and notice that they want a large amount of attention and training so as to recognize their total potential as pets. Pits are very clever dogs and this can work to your benefit as you are going through the training process.

Due to their high intelligence, Pit Bulls can have a stubborn streak in them; but do not let this frighten you when it comes to obedience training time. You as the owner must not forget that there’ll be times when you ask him to do something and he’s not going to obey, although he knows what you want him to do. Don’t forget to remain patient in these times and don’t get frustrated. The earlier you begin training your Pit, the better. At 8 weeks of age, you can begin basic training and socializing your Pit Bull puppy. Remember, make sure to keep the training activities fun and use positive reinforcements to inspire desired behavior.

Socialization is one of the key areas of focus for Pit Bull training. Pits can be intensely friendly and affectionate animals but they can be dog assertive if not correctly socialized. The simplest way to socialize your puppy is to join training classes. Training classes allow your Pit to be trained side-by-side with other dogs.

When your Pit Bull puppy reaches the age of 13-16 weeks, you can begin a rather more serious training routine. During this age, your Pit will likely test his boundaries with you and explore the area of dominance. He may nip and try and think the alpha dog role. It’s important to be robust during this time and maintain the dominant role in the relationship.

Pit Bulls are truly lovable family dogs that if properly trained and can make a great pet for anyone. They’re excellent dogs that love being around their “people”. Be certain to train your Pit Bull as soon as possible and don’t forget to stay consistent.

For answers to other questions about Doberman training, go to the following Collie Training

We all love our dogs and want to give them the best life has to offer. But with so many variations of dog food in the market, it isn’t always easy to identify the best food for our dog. Who can possibly feel confident when so many brands trumpet buzzwords that hit the human aisles not long ago, such as “rich in antioxidants,” “highly digestible,” “Omega-3 fatty acids” and “Ultra Premium Formula”?

What we can do, though, is to conduct a simple dog food comparison to determine which foods best fit our dog’s requirements and our personal schedule. After all, some foods offer much greater convenience than the more natural, less processed types of food which may require freezing, thawing, cooking and preparation.

Convenience aside, the best food to give your dog depends not on the brand or the style, but rather on your dog’s age and any special requirements he might have. For example, older dogs require food containing a careful balance of protein, fat and fiber. Most commercial dog food companies address this need with offerings such as senior dog food, containing about 18% protein, and food for dogs diagnosed with renal failure, containing about 14% protein.

Dare to Compare Dry Dog Food

The vast majority of dog owners go for dry dog food. Between the supermarket and specialty pet stores, owners enjoy many brands to choose from. Dry dog food consists of kibble typically made from one primary ingredient such as chicken, beef or lamb. More specifically, the main ingredient is usually a meat byproduct that’s been processed, dried and sold in packs or bags for easy dispensing. Needless to say, meat byproducts are far cheaper than meat, so this type of dog food is not only easy to store, it’s much less expensive than other types.

Hard kibble comes with some advantages. For example, it gives your dog’s mouth some exercise, and kibble’s less likely to contribute to plaque than softer foods.

When comparing brands, it helps to remember that there are essentially two types of dry dog food on the market: premium dog food and economy dog food. A smart owner will avoid purchasing the economy food, which is made from lower grade ingredients (for example, economy dog food will often substitute cheap corn for the more expensive meat byproducts). The “end” result, as it were, is that your dog can’t absorb many nutrients but simply passes the food through his body. So in addition to enjoying less nutrition, your dog will produce larger stools — and you might find yourself with more frequent vet bills.

Other Popular Contenders: Canned, Semi-Moist and More

Other categories of dog food include the semi-moist type and canned food. Many owners like to mix in some canned food with dry food, to potentially cover more nutritional bases without taking too big a hit to the pocketbook.

Semi-moist food is attractively convenient to owners, and dogs love it. Unfortunately, it may cause dental problems in the mid-term and worse in the long term, because semi-moist food is loaded with corn syrup and other sugars, which dogs just aren’t designed to process.

Recently, more natural, “premium” dog food has been introduced to the market, in which higher quantities of quality, nutritious ingredients are used to manufacture the food — often human-grade, in fact. Since vegetables, fruits, real meat and quality grains are used as the primary protein source in the highest-quality dog foods, these foods are a fast route to healthy skin and beautiful fur. For the most part, they contain no artificial coloring and preservatives, but are chock-full of vitamins and minerals instead.

Although this food costs more, you can feed your dog less of it, because it’s more nutritionally dense. So in terms of both convenience and nutrition, a premium, natural dog food is one of the best choices available to your dog, whether off-the-shelf or purchased online.