Dogs

2005-11-14T14:47:00.000-08:00

As a pet owner, no doubt you want to give your dog or cat the best care possible. And caring for your pet means feeding him the best diet you can. By making your own pet foods, you'll be saving money, up to 80%. And to top it off, it's easy; making pet food at home is probably a lot less time-consuming than you may have thought. With hundreds of websites offering free pet food recipes online, it's now easier than ever to make your own pet food.

To prepare healthy and nutritious food for your pet you should study your pet's natural habitat and food sources, and then prepare foods that most closely resemble their own natural or original diet.

Animals, because they are color blind, choose their foods by smell. Most dogs like gamey flavors best, as well as liver, fat, garlic, onions, horsemeat, lamb, beef, cheese and fish. Cats enjoy chicken, liver, fish, turkey, lamb, and yeast, and prefer fresh to aged flavors.

Cats are fussy eaters and it is not wise to continually feed them their favorite foods. Soon they will refuse to eat anything else; it is your job to see your cat has a balanced diet.

Animals do not need salt added to their diet as the natural salt in the food is enough for them.

Dogs may eat any vegetable they want, but cats should not have any starchy veggies, like peas and corn. Some dogs and cats even enjoy fruits!

It's a good idea to always add a grain, such as Kibble, wheat germ, cooked oatmeal or whole wheat bread to meat dinners. For dogs use 75% carbohydrate foods (grains and vegetables) to 25% meat; for cats use half carbohydrate foods to half meat.

You will find, once you begin making your own pet foods, that it is really relatively simple and you will save some money as well. Remember that all pet foods should be served at room temperature; don't serve food cold from the refrigerator nor hot from the stove.

Homemade pet food should take a ridiculously small amount of your time. As a general guide meats should be raw and vegetables must be finely chopped in a food processor or by a hand grater.

When it comes time for feeding, it is important that you let your dogs and cats eat as much as they want at the time of feeding. Once their body becomes nutritionally satiated, they will cut their food intake, sometimes by half the amount, and go on a maintenance diet. Incidentally, you should know that cats should be fed three times a day, while an adult dog needs only one meal a day.

To get started, find a good book with pet food recipes and use it to start preparing simple meals. You can also get free recipes from many websites online. If preparing your own pet food is not an option for you visit the website below for some healthy pet food: http://www.pet-care-supplies.co.uk/food/

About the Author

Copyright 2005. Bridget Mwape of
Pet Care Supplies UK: http://www.pet-care-supplies.co.uk/ which offers thousands of products to help you care for your pets. This article may be reprinted as long as all the above links are active and clickable and this author box (byline) is not edited.

2005-11-13T14:47:00.001-08:00

Why use a crate:

When used properly and not abused, crates are the fastest and most humane method of housebreaking dogs. Dogs are den animals that will instinctively seek out a small, cozy place to rest for shelter and security. Crates act on a dog's instinct to keep its den clean and unsoiled. Keeping your dog in a crate teaches him to "hold it" until he can go in an appropriate place, which helps your puppy develop his bladder control. For older dogs, crates act as a "bedroom" where they can relax and escape the hustle and bustle of kids, other pets, and everyday family life. Also, it's never too late to crate train! A crate can help break bad habits that improperly trained dogs may have developed over the years.

Plastic or metal?

Plastic kennels are good for travel, and are generally the only method of containment permitted by airlines. Metal wire dog crates are ideal for home use, however. They are generally roomier and more open. They're also sturdier, so they will stand up to your pet's movement/ activity and be able to last as your dog's permanent bedroom.

What size?

A crate should only be big enough for your dog to stand up, turn around, and lay down. If the crate is too big, your puppy will have enough room to soil one side and sleep in the other, which defeats the purpose of the crate. Buy a crate large enough to accommodate your dog's full-grown size and get a divider panel. This way, you can keep the one crate and have it "grow" along with your dog.

Accessories:

Always be sure to include appropriate toys and treats in the crate. This will keep your dog occupied and prevent your teething puppy from chewing on the crate's metal bars. It is also important to purchase crate bedding. A crate cover is great for lowering the number of outside distractions your dog sees, which can reduce barking and stress in the crate. A crate pad will be more comfortable than the crate's plastic pan. Finally, a bumper like the one included in Pet Dreams Cratewear will help protect your puppy from injuries caused by chewing or leaning against the crate's metal bars.

For more information:

In addition to Cratewear, Pet Dreams provides a wealth of Crate Training Tips, articles, and FAQs to help you crate train your dog. We�ve also recently launched Forums where you can discuss all aspects of training with others and get advice from the experts!

About the Author

Visit www.petdreams.com for Dog crates, Cratewear bedding and Sleep-ezz dog beds.

dogs
dogs
dogs

2005-11-11T14:39:00.000-08:00

Part2: Does your puppy want to be crate trained?

Yes! in fact, he does. Your puppy or dog will soon see his crate as a place of security, IF it's approached correctly.

The crate is NEVER to be used as a punishment. Introduce it gradually and gently; make the crate and your pet�s puppy potty training a positive and happy experience and he will come to view his crate like Linus views his blanket.

Make sure your puppy has a balance of crate time and activity time. He needs ample exercise to be healthy. This is an important part to crate training dogs and puppy potty training.

Being in the crate too much will have a negative effect on his personality and puppy behavior. And being loose all the time will get him into trouble and may also serve to make him feel insecure and overwhelmed.

A Few Crate Training Dogs Tips:
-------------------------------

1. If you can't supervise, your pup needs to be in the crate.

This goes for dogs as well. Until your dog or puppy is reliable with each stage of puppy potty training, freedom should be limited.

This doesn�t mean your pet should be in the crate all the time, but instead watched at all times. And make sure your puppy or dog gets ample exercise during this time. DON�T use the crate TOO much. This can also be detrimental to your puppy�s or dog�s physical and mental well-being.

In Puppy Potty Training I give an example of a step by step schedule for crate training puppies.

2.The crate should be an appropriate size for the weight and size of your puppy.

For crate training puppies you may have to find one that is adjustable, however I�m not a fan of these as they�re not enclosed and don�t promote the feeling of security near as much as the enclosed crates.

If using an enclosed crate during puppy potty training, then you can block off the back portion of the crate with something and allow more room as your puppy grows. Make sure that whatever you use to customize the size of your crate is safe and secure and won�t pose any danger to your puppy.

For crate training dogs all you need to do is make sure it�s an appropriate size for the dog. He needs to be able to turn around comfortably but not be able to go to one end of the crate and do his business and then return to a clean end. With puppies and dogs this is an important thing to remember when choosing a crate size.

3. For every month of the age of your puppy, that is how to get an idea of how long he can be crated at one time, (months to hours +1)

4. Never use the crate as punishment. Never bang on the crate to make your puppy stop whining. This can cause other behavior problems to be exhibited.

The Biggest Contributors to Behavior Problems:
----------------------------------------------

Yelling, scolding, hitting, swatting, especially rubbing his nose in it (which is the worst), or getting upset at your puppy or dog only causes him to become fearful of you, and to be confused (usually both). And this makes potty training much more difficult for both of you.

These archaic methods are the biggest contributors to problem dog behavior, (not just in their puppy stages, but lasting an entire lifetime). Real Training causes your dog to "learn", and a puppy or dog can't "learn" if they're afraid and/or confused.

The Best News About Appropriate Crate Training:
-----------------------------------------------

The greatest thing about my effective but gentle method of crate training dogs, (or crate training puppies) for puppy potty training is that you will be building the loving relationship you've always wanted with your dog based on positive and rewarding experiences together as opposed to him doing things out of fear, pain or punishment.

Instead of performing because he is "forced", your puppy or dog will come to please you naturally. This makes the dog's behavior much more reliable and consistent and gives him a more confident and cooperative personality.

Successfully crate training dogs, (and crate training puppies) can be done very simply through the natural and gentle methods I explain in Puppy Potty Training.

My gentle and effective methods of puppy potty training, applied in crate training dogs, will build a positive relationship of cooperation between you and your dog during his puppy potty training stage.

It's very possible to get your puppy potty trained without having to use punishment and without having to clean up messes all the time.

My typical experience with a new puppy is anywhere between 1 and 4 accidents-total. And the results are always a very reliably potty trained, healthy and happy canine companion.

Kathleen Amaro is the owner of http://www.puppy-potty-training.com. Her instantly downloadable ebook "25 Secrets to Raising the Perfect Puppy" not only tells you how to raise the perfect puppy, it presents the exact methods of how to crate train your puppy or dog using only positive and healthy learning techniques.

dogs
dogs
dogs

2005-11-10T14:37:00.000-08:00

I have encountered folks who have complained to me about their numerous (dog) `behavior problems.' And interestingly enough, I usually discover that most of the behavioral problems are linked to a common factor. That common factor being pet owners all too often miss crucial, pet communication signals because of their busy lifestyles.

What do I mean, "...miss crucial, pet communication signals...?" While many people love the idea of having animal companions, we also have daily responsibilities such as jobs, attending school, families, and other priorities. And usually, our pets end up last place on life's totem pole.

Another issue that certainly plays a key factor in how capable we are to understanding our animals' needs and wants is whether or not we have indoor or outdoor pets. Though indoor pets may pose a little extra patience with regard to training, I highly recommend (as does the Humane Society ) keeping pets indoors with family.

What most individuals do not take into account is that once a collective choice is made to adopt an animal, that is precisely what is being done: we are adopting a living, feeling, creature into our lives; thus, we must consciously realize that by adopting an animal, he or she is to become a permanent addition and family member.

We certainly wouldn't adopt a newborn and place him outside on a chain all day until we returned from work, would we? Therefore, we must always remember to treat our animals just as considerately and compassionately as we would our own children.

Puppies and dogs, like their human toddler counterparts, are innately curious, clumsy and tend to have accidents. When we understand that these commonalties exist and we anticipate this prior to welcoming Rover into our hearts and homes, we are better able to coexist and develop a long-term and loving reciprocal relationship with our animal counterparts.

So step one into understanding our pets is to unconditionally accept them into our homes. Having several, large canine companions, (whom all live indoors with me), I've learned to recognize and distinguish types of body language and visual dialogue that speaks volumes. When our dogs live indoors with us, we can interpret the language of love. Not only do we see their personalities unfold before our eyes, we learn to be intuitive to each of our pets' needs, similar to our own.

From experience, I can literally close my eyes and distinguish each dog's presence simply by touch and sense. Why? Because by having them alongside me, I've learned their individual motions, breathes, sounds and feel. And in turn, they present their comical and goofy sides, their playfulness and their unconditional love for us.

When we invite our dogs into our lives - truly into our lives - we discover a world of fascination, innocence, inspiration, laughter, amusement, and an indescribable love. So how can pet owners learn to better understand their dog's behavior? Give Beethoven a bath, bring him inside and watch how his character evolves. The more time we spend one-on-one with our dogs, the better we are able to recognize specific traits and how to employ gentle behavior training techniques.

Having seven huge dogs, I've come to terms that dogs are one of life's most precious gifts. They are here for just a little while. When we take time to get to know them individually, we gain more than just a pet; we gain a friend for life.

2005 - Why Don't I Understand my Dog?
By C. Bailey-Lloyd
aka. LadyCamelot
Public Relations' Director &
Staff Writer
www.holisticjunction.com
www.mediapositiveradio.com

About the Author

C. Bailey-Lloyd
aka. LadyCamelot
Public Relations' Director &
Staff Writer
www.holisticjunction.com
www.mediapositiveradio.com

2005-11-09T14:35:00.000-08:00

Travel season is finally here again and that means hundreds of cats and dogs will be lost and never again found by their heartbroken owners. Many years ago I lost a dog for three days. They were among the worst days of my life but I learned a valuable lesson. No matter how careful and protective you think you are, it still can happen�even to you.

Before you set out for your travel adventures this year, take some precautions to be sure your Chihuahua stays safely with you at all times. Make your travel as great for your Chihuahua as it is for you.

So, what are some of the things you can do to prepare for your trip with your Chi?

Bring a harness with you and be sure it is secured properly on your Chi before opening any doors. I prefer a harness because of the Chihuahua�s susceptibility to a collapsed trachea. The harness, if fit properly to the Chi�s size, will put less pressure on the throat, or possibly no pressure at all. They are also more difficult for the Chi to slip out of.

Bring plenty of bottled water for both you and your Chihuahua. You may not always have fresh water available to you on your travels. You don�t want your Chi to drink any water that you can�t be 100% certain is fit for consumption.

Take your veterinary records and information with you. Place the documentation in a sealable plastic bag to protect it from getting wet or damaged. This will be very helpful should you have any emergencies along the way. Your Chihuahua may have an allergic reaction to something or simply have an unexpected medical emergency. If this happens you will want to be able to have quick contact with your own veterinarian for advice. Be sure you have their emergency number, as well as their regular office number.

Pack an ample supply of fresh food and treats. Plastic containers, like Tupperware, are great for keeping food and treats fresh. Be sure to check the package for refrigeration needs, if any. Like people food, some pet foods require refrigeration once opened. Unless you have an RV or other means of keeping the food cold for long periods of time, you may want to be careful of what you bring. Not all pet foods will necessarily be readily available to purchase along your travels. Once opened, food can spoil very quickly.

Plan to make scheduled stops to let your Chi get some exercise and do their duty, so to speak. The fresh air and movement will be good for you too. However, be careful of where you walk your Chi. It is not uncommon to find broken glass and other dangerous items along roadside stops.

Did you know that you can have a rice-sized microchip implanted in the scruff of your Chi�s neck for tracking purposes should he/she become lost? Check with your Veterinarian or local animal hospital for more information on this unique tracking device. Many pets have been reunited with their rightful owners because of this tiny implant. These chips can be scanned by veterinarians and other medical facilities for the information necessary to bring your pet back home to you.

Pack your favorite shampoos and drying towels.

Don�t forget flea and tic treatment. While these may not be necessary at home if your Chi is an indoor dog and using a litter box, when traveling they may need to go outdoors to relieve themselves.

Bandages are a good thing to have along in case they step on a small piece of glass or other sharp item at the many stops you will be making along the way.

Pack your Chi�s favorite sweater. Depending on where you live, where you�re traveling too, and when you are leaving, you may have a cool evening or two. Chihuahuas get cold very easily so have a coat or sweater just in case.

Bring a carrier or two. If you are traveling by plane you will want an airline approved carrier that can fit under the seat of the plane while in the air. When on the ground you may prefer a purse style carrier to keep your Chihuahua from being stepped on while shopping or in a crowd. These are available in various styles and sizes.

Okay, I know this seems like a lot of packing but it will be worth your while. Following are items you need to consider bringing with you when traveling with your pet:

Bandages and wound treatment
Bottled water
Carrier (airline and/or purse style)
Crate (if your Chi is used to being in one and you have room for it.)
Crate bedding material
Feeding dish and water dish
Fresh food and treats
Grooming needs (brush or wipe cloth)
Harness
Pet Blanket, bed or pillow
Sweater
Shampoo
Drying Towels
Medication (flea, tic, skin, other)
Toys
Veterinarian: regular phone no. and emergency phone no.
Veterinarian: medical records (history)
Veterinarian: list of ones along the route you are taking.

The bottom line is take precautions, prepare ahead of time, have a check list to be sure nothing is left behind by accident, and have a great vacation or trip with no mishaps along the way that can�t be handled quickly and easily.

A long trip is much more pleasant if you are properly prepared and if everyone is able to stretch frequently so don�t be in a hurry to reach your destination. Enjoy the trip from start to finish.

About The Author

Joanell is the founder of Weller Solutions, a company dedicated to pets, and a lover of Chihuahua dogs. For more information and products please visit http://www.aboutchihuahuadogs.com

Visit Joanell�s Blog at: http://www.aboutchihuahuadogs.blogspot.com

This article may be freely reprinted without any changes made. The links to aboutchihuahuadogs.com and aboutchihuahuadogs.blogspot.com must be kept, as they are, in the article and must be clickable. A courtesy copy to weller752@cox.net would be appreciated.

weller752@cox.net

dogs
dogs
dogs

2005-11-08T14:31:00.000-08:00

Because every dog is unique, it's sometimes very difficult to determine what causes food-related allergies and what doesn't. Common pet food culprits include wheat, corn and soy. Various proteins also create their share of problems in certain dogs. I was shocked to learn that some dogs are allergic to chicken, while I know from first-hand experience that my Jack Russell Terrier Lucy used to be allergic to beef. Here's an approach worth trying if your dog is exessively itching and scratching.

If excessive itching and scratching are the problems, that may simply be the lack of Omega 3,6 and 9 fatty acids in your dog's diet that's making their skin and coat dry. Winter indoor heating may also be exacerbating the condition. Adding simple food additives to your dog's food may be the key without switching diets. Supplements like Mrs. Allen's Shed Stop, Flaxseed Oil, Pet Botanics Skin

About the Author

Gene Sower is the author of the ebook "The Dog Food Report: Do You Know What You're Feeding Your Dog?"
Download your free copy here: http://www.lucythewonderdog.com/dogfoodreport.htm
Copyright 2005. All Rights Reserved.
This article can be reprinted as long as this resource box along with the link remains intact.

2005-11-05T14:23:00.000-08:00

I hope the reason you�re here is to be proactive, rather than having a sick dog. My heart breaks every time I see one of my dogs in pain or not feeling well. Luckily it doesn�t happen too often, but when it does, I get very upset. Doing research on your dog�s health problems and symptoms can help prevent the problem from getting worse. And I must stress, when in doubt, see a veterinarian. I know quite a bit about dogs and I still hesitate before going to the vet, so you�re not alone.

If you have dog health questions, your vet is the best person to ask. However, some common health problems in dogs can be addressed at home. Skin care for a smelly dog, for example. This can often happen due to skin allergies. Chinese Shar-pei can be bad for that, and I�ve been lucky so far. One of the best tips I�ve heard from breeders though is to not bathe her too often, as it can dry out the skin. This is perhaps quite the opposite if you have a long haired dog. I suggest visiting and joining online forums for your dog�s breed, or at least dogs in general � you can get invaluable information there. For the record, when I do bathe my Shar-pei, I use an oatmeal shampoo. No skin problems in 3 years. You be the judge.

If you�re looking for dog care for a mouth sore, it would depend on the kind of sore. My Shar-pei has �puppy pimples� which aren�t dangerous and cause no pain to her, so I just dab some peroxide on them, and that does the trick. Of course, I got this tidbit from a breeder who got it from a vet. Please don�t just blindly follow what I say � it may not be appropriate for your dog.

If you want more information about products related to the health of your dog, visit our website, http://www.a1-dog-info.com/dog-health-problems-symptoms.htm

About the Author

Tara Pearce is the author and webmaster of A1-Dog-Info.com. Please visit us for all kinds of information about dog food, toys, health, books, supplies and clothes.

http://www.a1-dog-info.com

dogs
dogs
dogs

2005-11-04T14:18:00.000-08:00

Training your dog can be time consuming and frustrating at times, but it's well worth it. Here are several tips that should help things go much smoother and faster... plus reduce the frustration both you and your dog feel!

Conduct "play training" where by the training tasks are made into fun games and your dog's play drive is used as motivation. There are a lot of really good books available on this type of training.

Intelligent dogs can also be stubborn, so you may have to outwit them!

While training your dog, you have to make him want to do what you want him to. You can't make him do stuff unless it is fun. Otherwise you are wasting both your time and his.

Try to make your dog's training so fun that it becomes his or her favorite activity. This will make learning much easier and more enjoyable.

Most dogs love to play! You can make your dog the happiest just by spending some time with them, giving your undivided attention each day. Without this, your dog will feel ignored, bored, or think they're in trouble. When this happens they're more likely to chew, tear things up, and not listen to you.

Here are some tried and true tactics you can use to make your dogs listen to you more:

When playing with your puppy, play at his level. If play is encouraged at ground level, this builds your role as the dominant, or "top dog", when you are standing and training your puppy. If the puppy is allowed to jump up and initiate play, then this can lead to unwanted jumping up as your dog gets older.

From the very beginning, make sure your dogs know you are the master. This is usually accomplished with simple tasks such as teaching the dog to raise it's paw for a handshake; kissing your hand; or rolling over on command to show submission.

There is no need for extreme measures to prove you are the boss. Obedience training should be both fun and rewarding for you and your dog.

Make sure your dog always eats after you do. This is one of the easiest ways to show your dog who is the boss. This is especially important if you share your food with your dog, because if you let them eat while you are, they could develop the habit of taking food right off your - or someone else's - plate. You may need to train your family to follow this rule too... and that could be harder than training the dog ;)

Very active young dogs have short attention span, and some breeds are worse than others. So it's best to have several short 5-10 minute training lessons instead of one long one.

Start the training at quiet places familiar to your dog, and be sure there are very few things and people around to distract him. Gradually move the training to places with more and more distractions so he will learn to obey your commands despite those distractions.

Speak to your dog strongly but not in an angry voice. Be kind but be firm while training and never give in to what they want. It seems cruel but in the long run you will have a much better relationship with you dog.

Celebrate after every training session for a good job done. Have a big play by running and throwing his favorite toys. If you give them a lot of playtime with yourself they'll listen to you more.

Don't confuse your dog by trying to use different words for one command. One word commands work best, and they should always be consistent. For example, when your dog gets on the lounge with you, say "sit" and he should sit. Then if you want him to lay down, say "lay" and he should do so.

Also note how well your dog seems to understand your command words. Some dogs may not be able to distinquish between two words that sound the same. For instance: "lay" and "stay" sound very similar. With one of my own dogs, I've had to use the word "sleep" in place of lay, in order for him to understand me fully.

To keep your dog from charging the front door each time it opens, try putting up a door or gate that he can't see through or hop over. Have him wait until people enter and come up the stairs. Then give him a treat for waiting.

In closing: no matter how well trained you think your dog is, he usually has an attention span of seconds. So be careful not to let him run away, because some dogs will simply keep going and going as they find new things to chase.

Always keep your dog leashed securely when they're outdoors, unless you have a secure fence. Beware though: Some dogs can actually jump fences, even when you think they're high enough, and some even climb trees too. And most dogs run much faster than any human can so if your dog gets loose, it could be quite dangerous for him.

About The Author

Amy Howells

For more information about training your dog visit: http://www.dog-owner.net.

2005-11-03T13:54:00.000-08:00