Seven Common Household Items That are Poisonous to Dogs By Darrin Swain

There are many different items that can be found in virtually every household. Dog owners need to pay particular attention to some of these items since they can poison their pets. The following is a list of some of the most common.

Pesticides

Homeowners frequently make use of pesticides to keep a wide range of pests at bay. It's vital that you be careful when using them around your home. Dogs can be curious and a few licks of a trap can be very hazardous.

Chemicals

Other types of chemicals that you have around your home should also be kept away from your dog. Don't keep a bottle of bleach beneath the bathroom sink and let your dog go sniffing around unattended. You need to keep all types of chemical cleaners stored somewhere safe where your dog won't be able to access it.

Antifreeze

One of the most hazardous household items to dogs is antifreeze. It only takes a small dose to cause irreversible damage to the kidneys. Larger doses can easily be fatal. It's important to note that not all types of antifreeze have the same amount of danger.

The chemical ethylene glycol is used in some types of antifreeze and is very deadly. If you own a dog, it's probably in your best interests to put antifreeze in your car that contains propylene glycol instead. This chemical is also dangerous, but your dog would need to ingest more of it to to experience more severe consequences.

Fertilizer

Gardeners commonly make use of plant food or fertilizers to enhance the output of their hobby. Just make sure that you don't allow your dog to consume any of it. Be careful about the type of chemicals that you use on your lawn too. Don't let your dog go nosing around directly after you have applied any of these chemicals.

Plants

Speaking of gardening, dog owners need to note the different types of plants that are inside and outside their home. Some of them are very poisonous to dogs. Therefore, it would be a huge mistake to have them around since your dog won't know better than to eat them if he gets the notion. Mistletoe and azalea are two plant types that are very harmful.

Medications

Different types of medications are found in virtually every household too. It doesn't matter if it's a prescription medication or simple cold medicine. You shouldn't let your dog have access to any human medications. Pills aren't the only things that are toxic to dogs either. Creams and liquids can also be harmful.

Food

Feeding your dog is probably the most important task that you'll have. Don't make the mistake of feeding him scraps from the table. It's common for dog owners to give their dog a bone when they're having chicken, turkey, or another meat. Although dogs love bones, they have the potential to do major damage. Your dog may chew on the bone causing it to shatter. If he swallows the shattered pieces, they may lead to an intestinal obstruction. Internal punctures are also possible too.

Other foods should never be given to dogs because they're poisonous. Two of the most poisonous include chocolate and onions. You should also avoid giving raisins, grapes, alcohol, and salt.

Fast Way to Control Your K-9 Bark By Cody Crown

Human and canine are certainly close and inseparable since human begin to keep a wild wolf as their companion. The dog makes a wonderful buddy and can be immensely favorable both within and outside the house. Humans talk to show the thought while dog barks for the same reason.

Regrettably just like a few people who simply talk way too much and don't know when to be stop, there are dogs that also do the same. They bark excessively all day and through the night. You'd find it hard to have a good night sleep once they get started. You may also get lots of complain from the angry neighbors that are also gets disrupted because of your dog bark.

There's always good reason why your canine barks. They bark from fear, solitariness, anxiety and excitement. Whenever your canine barks from excitement sometimes it is not a real trouble unless your dog does it overly and over and over. Important note you will want to keep in mind is not to shout when the dog bark overly. The screaming will never get your dog stop the annoying behavior. Your canine will think that you encourage their crazy behavior and barking along with them.

Pick one word reprimands to correct his excessive barks. Do the correction every time the dog goes crazy with the barking. Everyone in your family member needs to utilize this same word, in order for him to understand the commands and situations, where it is alright to bark and when it is not okay to bark.

In case the dog stops the barking whenever you correct them, give a reward. Be diligent with your dog. Rome was not built in one day, so don't expect to change him right away. Every day the dog will improve and better and ultimately stop the behavior.

Every single dog requires attention because they are house animals. Only let the dog inside your home when you are home. Keeping your canine in the crate all the time and isolate them with outside world is not the best possible way to have a dog as a pet.

If your dog need to meet people, it talks to you in a language people will hear but not necessarily like and that is excessive barking. Leave the dog a chewable dog toys to make them occupied during the time you're not at home.

If you seldom walk your dog, then it's time to get started on the exercise. By giving a lot of exercise to drain their energy, your dog will most likely stops the outrageous barking. The energy remained right after walking won't be enough to spend to bark continuously. Acquire at the very least 30 minutes up to one hour of walks. Shortly after the walk you could see your dog calmer and more obedient.

Have a highest commitment to the training. Never start today just to stop tomorrow. Force yourself to the daily training as whole new behavior and make it something that is anticipated by your dog every single day. Stay with each step through and devote to yourself and you will paid by a wonderful calm and obedient dog.

Train Your Dog to Sit, Lie Down, and Rollover in Easy Steps By Douglas Bezyak

Many people like having pets, such as dogs. Young animals like puppies are known for being mischievous and sometimes destructive. This useful article offers all types of advice to help you train your dog to sit.

If you want to help your dog learn not to chew inappropriate objects, allow him to be successful from day one. Even more so, an inappropriately-chewing dog needs to be protected. Many things around your house like nylons, wires and hairbrushes can injure your dog by choking him, cutting his mouth or worse.

Your dog should be happy with everyone in your home so he does not suffer from separation anxiety. By forming healthy relationships with other people, the dog will be more likely to cease its unhealthy dependence on you.

Your dog should learn that nothing in life is free. Have him work to get goodies, no matter how small. Have your pooch "sit" and wait before meals are placed on the floor, and release with a command. Have your dog "sit" and wait by the door before walks. He'll learn patience, and he'll learn to wait for your cue.

Do not punish your dog when you train your dog to sit or any other basic commands. Try to make every attempt to prevent any bad behavior before it happens, but if misbehavior happens, then show him what you wanted him to do. Build a positive relationship with your dog during the training process.

When you want to train your dog to sit, be specific about what you want your dog to do. Using vague commands like "no" tend to be ineffective. No only tells him that you didn't like what he did, but not why. If you say "no" when he jumps on the couch, he may think you wanted him to jump higher. Use specific commands like stay and sit for better results.

Your dog should enjoy his training and look forward to it. Remember that dogs have short attention spans, and keep your sessions short accordingly. Give him varied rewards, and don't be stingy. The more you reward your dog the more he will continue the positive behavior. If your dog perceives training as fun, he will listen to you more!

Dogs are commonly referred to as "man's best friend," but when they are unruly and untrained they can be a nightmare. The old adage that one cannot teach old dogs new tricks is false, but it is definitely easier to train a puppy. Dogs are ultimately pack animals and it is important for a dog owner to be the leader of that pack.

Well trained dogs are happy dogs and dogs that are trained make for happy dog owners. It is a win-win situation. Training your dog takes time, but it starts with house-training and moves onto learning how to walk on a leash. Simple commands such as heel, sit and return are important for any dog's safety. Dog owners can find pet trainers via their local big box pet store or the veterinarian, but it will take a lot of work from the owner regardless. A dog that is well trained makes a happier pet and really happy pet owner.

Use the dog's name as much as you can to make sure he pays attention. By using his name all the time in the first month of having our dog, he should associate his name with focusing on you. The name should be short and unique, so that he does not confuse him with everyday language.

The way dogs learn is by repeating techniques and being rewarded. You need to demonstrate proper behavior, then work with your dog over time and reward him when he does the right thing. This is the accepted method for teaching a dog a new behavior. You show them using rewards and repetition.

You should always keep the tone of training sessions upbeat and positive with lots of praise. Always reward a dog during training sessions. Never use punishments or negative words when training your dog. These methods will result in fear and anxiety which will make training more difficult.

Training your dog is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your pet. Teach your dog one command at a time. Tell your dog to sit, and when they do, give them a treat. Once they have mastered one command, you can move on to the next. Training your dog will provide a more peaceful relationship between you and your pet. Your dog will know that you are in command, and listen to what you want them to do.

There are a lot of tricks you can teach your dog to do; a common one is training him to hold a toy in his mouth without chewing it. When he does pick up and hold a toy in his mouth, reward him with a treat. After your dog succeeds in mouthing an object a few times, move on to rewarding the dog for picking it up with his mouth. Once he has performed, do your click and then give him a reward. Next, only give him a reward if he holds the toy using his mouth.

It is very easy to train some dogs in groups, but some dogs might have personalities that clash, making training them together impossible. If you've been trying to train your dogs together and it isn't working, switch to training them one by one first. After succeeding at individual training, you can work on group training.

To train your dog to sit, have him in a standing position and hold a treat in the air. Pass the treat directly above his head, moving your hand behind him. This will cause him to look up as he tries to follow your hand. When a dog does this, it is natural for them to sit.

Now that the people who are interested in training their new pet dog have, hopefully, learned some new tricks, they can proceed to pass them along to their pets. Once a dog is on its way to learning, the owner will begin to appreciate the dedication that he or she has shown for doing the right thing for man's best friend.

Controlling That Pesky Bark By Andy Gonzalez

Above anything else, a dog wants to please its owner. Dogs view their family as their pack, and they are biologically wired to provide and desire extensive protection for them. There are times when a dog's passion for protecting its 'pack', however, is translated through an excessive amount of barking, which may quickly become a nuisance for its owner. It may not be appreciated by those next door either and its owner may be met with a barrage of complaints from sleep-deprived neighbors.

Fortunately, there are a number of ways to achieve bark control which don't put our enthusiastic, four-legged friends in danger. Some of the most common tools for bark control are anti-bark collars. These collars have an assortment of designs, but the two most popular on the market are shock collars and spray collars.

Shock collars work by delivering a small, yet harmless shock to a dog when their barking is detected to be excessive in volume or length. Some models deliver a warning tone first so that they aren't immediately punished for what is, after all, their instinct. The shock collars often come with a number of settings so that the power of the shock or the sensitivity of the collar can be carefully adjusted to meet the owner's preferences, with the maximum settings still being safe for even the tiniest of dogs.

Just the idea of shocking a dog, however safe it may be, may come off inhumane for some owners. For those, there is the popular alternative of spray bark collars. The spray bark collar works in a way easily predicted from its name. Just like shock collars, it has the ability to detect nuisance barking and can be adjusted to meet a number of settings. However, instead of delivering a shock, it simply sprays the dog with a bit of liquid which the dog typically finds unpleasant.

The spray bark collar can be filled with many liquids, but the citronella bark collar is a highly recommended choice for any owner seeking a bark-controlling collar, as it is fully safe while still remaining remarkably effective. The liquid inside it, citronella, is colorless and has a lemony odor, making the citronella bark collar an even friendlier choice for owners who are concerned about ensuring their house looks clean and keeping the aroma of their house pleasant.

It may be a dog's instinct to bark in order to protect its 'pack', but a dog is also known for its extreme intelligence and ability to adapt. Dogs are certainly smart enough to adjust to anti-bark collars quickly, and they can be a perfect aid in the training of dogs at night when their owners are not present to guide them. Since dogs function as our best friends, showering us with love, attention and joy, it?s best that we treat them well in return. If excessive barking is an issue, anti-bark collars are safe, effective, and humane tools we can use to improve our and their environment alike.

Things to Consider Before Getting a Dog for the First Time By Darrin Swain

Are you thinking about getting a dog for the first time? If so, then hopefully you have thought the decision through thoroughly. There are a few things that you may not have considered yet. Keep reading to learn a few things to consider before you make your decision.

Dogs aren't goldfish. You can't buy one and expect to be rid of it a few weeks later. Although various breeds have differing lifespans, dogs live approximately 12 years. This is a lot of time to take care of something.

You need to realize that you'll be making a huge commitment before getting a dog for the first time. Dogs need to be fed and walked daily. Don't forget about other tasks such as brushing teeth and hair, especially for longer-haired breeds.

Owning a dog isn't for everyone's lifestyle. Do you spend all day at work? Your dog will get lonely without attention from you. Also, if you frequently travel out of town, you would need to make arrangements for your pet's care.

Before you get a dog, you need to think about your family's situation. Is everyone in the household fine with bringing in a canine? After all, they will likely care for and love him too. However, if there are small kids around, certain breeds won't be suitable.

The amount of space you have to offer is something else that you should think about before you get your first dog. This is especially important if you plan on getting one of the larger breeds. However, small dogs need space to run around too, since they're often more energetic.

Even if you have a big enough yard, it's best that it also has a fence around it. Not only does it keep your dog from getting out, but it keeps other animals from coming into your yard to bother your dog too. Living in close proximity to a dog park will come in handy for daily exercise.

Even if you have adequate space to accommodate a dog, you need to consider the community that you live in. Not all of them are pet-friendly. Your apartment manager or home owner's association may have something to say about it. It's vital to understand the rules that apply to pet owners before you go about getting a dog for the first time.

Owning a dog can be relatively costly, so make sure that you have enough room in your budget. In addition to standard items such as food and toys, your dog may need medication for some reason. In fact, flea and heartworm medication on a monthly basis is often recommended.

Keep in mind that you don't always have to get a cute little puppy as your first pet. Older dogs are in need of rescue too. There are plenty of benefits like not having to go through the housetraining process.

Hungarian Vizsla - The Biggest Change In Life By Ellen Schmidt

The Hungarian Vizsla is a hunting, pointing and retrieving dog breed which is extraordinary intelligent and easy to train, good with children, other pets and even with cats.

This is the official description of this rare breed you can read everywhere about. The truth is, if you decide to adopt a new Vizsla puppy you will see very soon just how life changing this new member of your family will be!

These dogs are very intelligent, which shows in the ease of learning and training: after even only a few repetitions of a simple task with correct timing of a positive reward, they will do everything for you.

The downside of this is that they need this kind of mental stimulation every day, as otherwise they become easily bored and start to destruct and chew objects and furniture or develop signs of neurosis.

Magyar Vizslas, as they are named in Hungary, their country of origin, are very energetic dogs. This means they need more than the 20 minutes round the block: they need space where they are able to run, bounce around, retrieve something for you and much more.

Vizsla owners can tell you: You will walk a lot. And this means really a lot. You will probably spend most of your spare time outdoors with your dog, no matter what the weather forecast says. It doesn't matter at all if you've just completed your daily 5k walk, your dog won't necessarily want to lie down and take a nap for a few hours, no, he or she could actually just continue to run its next 10k instead.

If you don't mind to get fit, if you aren't sad to give up a mostly sedentary life style, this is certainly the breed to consider.

This dog breed is also called the "Velcro" dog, as it is going to be very attached to his or her human. Adopting a Hungarian Vizsla will get you a very close friend for life.

If you fancy this rare breed take the above described points into consideration and only if you really think you can meet all of your dog's needs, get one. You can be sure that your life won't be anymore the same as it has been before.

Neighbour's Dog Barking? How to Stop It By Ella Schwartz

At one time or another, most of us have experienced a neighborhood dog that never seems to stop barking. Whether it's working in a garden, having a picnic, or just reading, most people go outdoors to relax, and a barking dog is not a particularly relaxing sound.

The Reason Dogs Are Barking

The first step in solving the problem, is to realize that, unlike some humans, dogs don't bark just to hear themselves make noise. If a dog is barking, there is usually a reason, and to stop the barking you need to find out what triggers it. Is the dog barking when you, or other people are outside? If that is the case, and you're friendly with your neighbors, you might try to talk to them when they are outside, explain the problem, and ask if it would be possible for them to bring the dog outside. Dogs are quite territorial, and once he or she knows you belong, it won't see you as an intruder, and won't bark when it see's you outside(in theory). The same could be true if you have pets of your own. If neither animal is aggressive it may help to socialize them, or even let them play together if possible.

If you don't know your neighbors well, or are hesitant to bring up the subject, you could try leaving a nicely written note on their door. However you decide to proceed, do it rationally, and respectfully, an angry neighbor is the last thing anyone needs. You could end up having a complaint filed against you because your lawn in 2 centimeters higher than the city code allows.

Dog Whistles

Another thing to try is getting a good dog whistle. Every time the dog barks, give a few short blasts on the whistle. Eventually the dog will associate barking, with the unpleasant noise. There are also products available that attach to your house and emit the same high frequency noise whenever the dog barks. This is the same type of product that you buy to keep unwanted animals out of your yard, it is a high pitched sound that is painless, but annoying to the animal. A word of warning about the whistle or product that you use, try to find out, in an unobtrusive way, if anyone living close has a hearing aid. While you are feeling proud of accomplishing your goal without upsetting the owners of the dog, you could be unknowingly making the slightly grumpy, older gentleman next door, very unhappy (it seems that some hearing aids can also pick up that piercing sound.).

How to Complain

If none of these things work, you may be forced to call and complain. Do this very carefully, as a last resort, and do it anonymously. People tend to get very irate when they get complaints, even if you have spoken to them about the problem before, and letting them know who complained will just give them a target for their anger. Before you call anyone, look carefully through your city's codes, the noise laws may only apply during certain hours.

All in all, the best way to solve your problem is to work with the dog owners and try to keep a peaceful neighborhood. Contacting the authorities going to cause hard feelings, and if your neighbor reacts badly, you could find yourself dealing with something much worse than a noisy dog.

Pet proofing your home using indoor dog gates By Wilma Barrier

Most people know that when you have a toddler running thru your home you are going to need a baby gate to keep them safe. Well the same hold true for your furry friend, using indoor dog gates will keep them confined so your pet will be safe. When you bring a new pet into your home it can be overwhelming to figure out how to take care of them and give them just what they need. That is why I recommend that you do what new parents have to do with their homes, and I call it pet proofing, much like baby proofing, it is something you must do to keep your pet safe and secure.

Pet proofing can be a bit easier since most dogs are pretty smart and can be trained in a quick amount of time. Consistency and praise are the most important two things, when it comes to training a dog. I have four dogs, and this seems to be the best way in my opinion to get them trained with out your dog thinking you are being mean. Just like with children love goes along way when you are training your pet and this will make them try harder because that is a dogs nature, to make you pleased with them.

One other tool I have found to be most useful is indoor dog gates. They can be placed anywhere with ease and can help you to keep your sanity while keeping your pet safe and sound. I have seen some pet owners that decided to not use pet gates and found that their dogs will tear up their home, furniture or shoes. The pet gets into trouble for it and this is turn will make both the dog and the master feel bad. If you set boundaries for your dog at a young age they will respect you, and your home more. This will make for a happy and healthy relationship with your dog, which is a real rewarding experience.

I have also found that I can clean up my house or have a dinner party a lot easier with the use of indoor dog gates, which I know some of my guest appreciate since I am well aware that not everyone is going to be a dog person. Dog gates can make a better experience for your dog, and your guest so that you can avoid any awkward situations.

I do have a fenced in yard I can put them in when I have guests. But when it is raining or really cold outside I do not feel right about putting my furry friends out there to suffer since my pets are used to being indoors. In contrast I do not want to lose my friends just because they are not comfortable around a dog.

With the proper love and encouragement your pet can be a really well behaved member of your family. Just remember that a lot of love and praise, and setting boundaries will make your dog respect you more and give them a feeling of trust that will make them a better pet for you. And safety first when it comes to dog gates, just check out http://indoor-doggates.com for more about indoor dog gates and what types you may find the most useful for your home.

Orthopedic Dog Bed By Aisle Murad

The problem with dogs is that they are not able to tell their owners what they are feeling so people have to watch their dogs carefully to know if they have pain or other discomfort because dogs just like people can have arthritis or hip dysplasia that is a sort of abnormal formation of the hip joint. The first one is noticed when dogs get older, but the second one can be developed at a younger age. The characteristic of both diseases is stiffness in the joints, inflammation and pain.You can reduce the pain by buying an orthopedic dog bed. Here you will find some tips what type of bed and why is good for your pet.

People in the past did not care much for their pet dogs which is different nowadays. Now people accept their dogs as a part of the family and look after their needs very carefully. Dogs need different food when they get older and they also need different bed, too. The first signs of arthritis or hip displasia are when we notice that our dog walks slower or walk much smaller walks , if he never starts to run anymore or leap as quickly as he use to even for a treat . Together with all these , you will notice that your dog doesn?t lay as comfortably anymore as he did before.

Types of beds

You will find so many different shapes and sizes dog beds available. Most orthopedic dog beds are made from high quality materials like memory foam, some have electric heater systems to give dogs a soothing warmth against joint pains.

There are different shapes for dog beds like:

Cuddler dog beds , excellent for dogs who like to curl up . They are also knows as nest beds because their walls and little legs prevent draft in colder climates

The most common available dog beds are mattress or pillow dog beds but there is a great difference in quality. The best form is rectangular in shape, its size should be slightly bigger then the diagonal of the dog when he lays down. Choose very high quality material like memory foam or a mixture of different materials.The underground of the bed should be firm and shock absorbing , cedar is a good solution for example. The top should be made from a thick layer of orthopedic or memory foam. The material of the bed which you should choose needs to have a long lasting crush resistance.

You can use an electrical blanket especially designed to be put on the dog mattress if your dog gets cold quickly.

You can buy an orthopedic dog bed in a lot of places nowadays but the best place is online because web shops usually have all sizes of the bed of your choice which is very important because there is much difference in dogs size.

Train Your K-9 to Stop Barking At the Door Bell By Cody Crown

As well as how people talk to express the thought, a dog use barks to convey their thought. Every barking definitely occurs from a reason. But in the case you see your canine barks overly over no reason then you are dealing with some serious behavior issue. A hyperactive dog barks at everything, including when a bell rings.
This everyday barking behavior will give you headache unless you are living far from everyone and nobody ever visits you. The very last thing we want to get from your dog when a person pay a visit to your house is to bark over and over. This really is a true stressful moment for us being a host.

Only just some people might stay and tolerate the noise the dog is making. Along with such barking sound you would not manage to hold a proper conversation with your guest. This is besides from your dog jumping on your guest and frightening the living daylights out of them. We might never hope for that situation to occur. It is challenging to stop this sort of behavior. However with a technique labeled as desensitization this issue can be resolve easily.
There are some stages required for a total desensitization. You should teach your dog the basic sit and heel command first before you can move to the next phase. If for example the dog is familiar with these commands then you could proceed to the following stages.

Step 1
Use the sit command that you have taught to tell your dog to sit away from the door from where the door bell rings comes. Give your dog a reinforce if they can remain sit and remain on their position for some time.. Dogs are really smart creatures. He understands that whenever he is doing your command he gets a treat. Proceed to the second step only when your dog obeys you consistently.

Step 2
Now tell your dog to sit before the door while you open the door simulating a visitor. When your dog rises from his sit position, correct him with soft poke while saying "NO" to make him back. A leash would be really necessary for the training to lead your dog to return the first sit position every time they steer away.

Step 3
This now involves a person at the door. Take your dog to sit on their spot. Wait up until your canine in a relaxed state prior to open the door. In case the dog gets up, correct using a NO. And command again to sit. Wait until your dog well-behaved before you can let the guest to enter the door. Of course, you only train with someone who's in on your dog obedience training. An actual guest will think if you missed your appointment with the doctor.

Step 4
Once you have a success on all 3 steps then you may include a real door bell to the exercise. This final phase is quite challenging, so you may need to be a little patient and focus. When your dog hears the doorbell ring and responds, reprimand with a NO and tell him to Sit or Heel whenever he is doing this correctly reward him. Over time your dog will understand how to act whenever the doorbell rings.

Tips for Litter Box Training a Dog By Darrin Swain

Smaller dogs obviously have smaller bladders. That means that they have to go outside more often than their larger counterparts. One way to avoid frequent trips outside is to teach your small dog how to use a litter box much like a cat.

Be aware that your dog's won't have a cat's natural instincts when it comes to using a litter box or burying waste. Therefore, it will take a lot of patience when it comes to litter box training a dog. The following tips should help somewhat though.

Many people are surprised to learn that there are litter boxes designed especially for dogs. However, you can still use those designed for cats. Just make sure that it's one of the largest that you can find so that your dog doesn't have space issues.

Your little one won't just go running to the litter box whenever it's time for him to go to the bathroom. You will need to pick him up and take him there instead, at least until he gets used to the process. This means that you'll need to keep a watchful eye on your canine.

Dogs typically start walking in circles or sniffing the ground whenever they're about to go. Dogs also have to eliminate whenever they wake up in the morning, so take him to the box then too. A few minutes after he eats is another time that he needs to be taken to the litter box.

You may not want to go about litter box training a dog right from the start. The old method of using newspaper will help considerably. Once your dog gets used to going on the paper, you can just switch it out to a litter box.

As with any type of training, you will need to be patient with your dog. Whenever things go right, make sure that you praise him for it. Give him a nice treat or two whenever he successfully uses the litter box too.

Conversely, make sure that your dog gets the message whenever he messes up. Don't worry about scolding your dog if you find an accident at a later time, since doing so will do no good. Catch him in the act and reprimand him, just not physically.

When there are accidents, make sure that you're prepared. You will need to clean up messes thoroughly. Dogs have an amazing sense of smell, and will be drawn back to spots that they've eliminated on in the past.

Litter box training a dog isn't the easiest thing in the world to do. However, it will save you a lot of trouble if you can do it successfully. Good luck.

Characteristics Of A Good Hospital For Your Pet By Olsen Flowers

When you get sick, you go to the best doctor who can make you heal or recover from your illness. You should apply the same thing to your best friend, your dog. You will be obliged to find the veterinary doctor that can provide the right medication to your pet in case it gets sick. But since the veterinary clinics are not as many as the ordinary hospitals for humans, it may be difficult to find a pet doctor. You might have difficulty in finding the reliable vet clinic and a doctor who is equipped with good training.

What would be the best animal hospital? This medical facility should be able to afford the pet a complete excellent medical and veterinary health services. Even if the hospital is well equipped with facilities and amenities, the capability of the attending doctor is very paramount. He should be able to easily diagnose any problem with the animal. This could be done through adequate physical examinations. This procedure is also a way of finding the necessary preventive medicines which can be primarily in the form of immunizations.

Physical examination may start from visual inspection of the animal. This will provide the doctor an initial assessment of the condition of the animal, whether it is a wellness or an illness evaluation. Next to the visual inspection is the implementation of different tests which is usually done when the pet is sick. A good veterinary clinic should have all the facilities to provide the tests and examinations.

Among the important laboratory facilities are the X-ray equipments. Through this, you can detect serious damages or fractures to the bones of the animal. As in the case of human beings, the X-ray will enable the doctor to diagnose emergency situations pertaining to the pets.

Young dogs and other pets need preventive medications and they would need regular vaccinations. The clinic or the doctor should be able to administer the necessary vaccinations at any scheduled time.

In the event the clinic is not equipped with all the necessary equipments, it should have affiliation with other animal hospitals where your pet can be admitted in case of severe illness. You can never discount the possibility that your pet would need hospitalization due to illness. There are animals that would need blood transfusion or intravenous medication. Not all clinics would be able to provide this treatment thus the need for hospital affiliation is very essential. The pet owner will know where to take his pet in emergency cases.

A good doctor should be willing and able to provide counseling to the pet owners. In the treatment of illness or health care for the animal, the doctor should involve the pet owner. The counseling will include advices on nutritional needs of the animal. Your duties as pet owners are not only about feeding and providing shelter to the animal. You will also need to take your dog for leisure walks in order to provide them with necessary exercise. Dogs especially the younger ones are like children who love to play and you should be able to provide your pet with this. Do you have time to indulge in playing with your pet?

Crate Training Benefits - Not just for housebreaking. By Anna Hernandex

Crate Training Benefits #1 - Housebreaking a puppy

Puppies have a natural instinct to not soil in their den.
This instinct can be used to your advantage for housebreaking.
If you leave your puppy in a small room, you'll notice that the room usually has two sides. One side where she plays/rests and the other where she relieves herself. Clearly, a room is too big to take advantage of the "clean nest" instinct. The same result can happen in a crate that's too big for your puppy. In this case, your little guy will be resting on one side of the puppy crate and soils on the other. If the puppy is confined to a properly fitted crate, she is likely to "hold it" until she is taken outdoors.

Crate Training Benefits #2 - Deterring Destructive Habits

An untrained puppy should never be allowed to roam free in the house.
Leaving him unsupervised in your home puts him and your possessions at risk.
Your puppy could encounter dangerous items such as toxic chemicals, toxic plants, electrical cords, fans and medicines. The most common danger I've seen has been when they swallow an everyday item that you would normally deem harmless and it gets stuck in their digestive track.
He may make confetti from the Sunday comics or turn your favorite sneakers or the leg of your antique chair into a chewing toy.
These bad digging, tearing and chewing habits are difficult to correct once they have started.
The best approach to preventing these unwanted behaviors is to confine the puppy. Keep him in his puppy crate with a couple toys when you're away from home. When you are with him at home and he is running around free, it's your job to teach him which items are off limits.

Crate Training Benefits #3 - Give your puppy his own space

A puppy will easily and happily learn that the crate belongs to him.
It's his private place where he can go when he feels tired or grumpy.
He can take his favorite toy or chew item there without the family cat or another dog interfering. The crate is also a place of security for the new puppy, giving him a sanctuary when you have unruly children or a friend's incompatible pet visiting. In situations like these, the puppy may go to the crate on his own. You may want to give him a treat in the crate so that he can enjoy himself without being bothered by the visitor.
If the puppy crate is wire, you can put a blanket over the top during the visit to ensure privacy.
Doing this with a wire crate is recommended for it's strength and because it allows for proper ventilation. If visiting children seem likely to poke about the puppy's crate, simply tell them that your puppy is taking a nap and shouldn't be bothered.

Crate Training Benefits #4 - Travel Safety

If you need to take your puppy somewhere in your car, a crate is a safe method of confining him. Your puppy could interfere with your driving. Crating allows you to open the windows for ventilation without the risk of him jumping out.
It also keeps your car damage and potty free, if you need to leave the parked car for a bit. (Be sure to park in the shade and crack the windows, of course)
If you need to leave the puppy at a friend's house, a boarding kennel or a veterinarian's office, his own puppy crate will help to alleviate anxiety he may feel when separated from you and his home. The crate becomes his own portable "room" and place of security.
If you take your puppy on a vacation, you will find that many motels and hotels permit crate trained puppies, since they cannot damage the room if they are confined.
Many families have fenced in enclosures in the rear of their car for their pet. A crate serves the same purpose, but it's also portable and offers a safe, familiar, comforting environment.

Crate Training Benefits #5 - Time Out Area

A puppy is often overly rambunctious. If a long walk or a play session doesn't calm him down, you may choose to redirect his energy by giving him a toy and puppy crate time out for a short while.
A very important rule when crate training is to NEVER let your dog think he is being punished or banished when he is put in the crate. When bringing him to it, be friendly and encouraging to him. You should also give him one or two of his favorite toys.
Giving him a treat each time you bring him to the crate is a good practice also.

Crate Training Benefits #6 - Give your puppy some flexibility of location

Who doesn't love the idea of falling asleep with a super cute puppy and waking up with his cute face right next to you? For many people, this becomes a habit that's hard to break. What's more natural than a den animal sleeping with his pack?
If this isn't what you want, there's a way to still allow your puppy to bond with you, in the bedroom, without actually being on your bed. I'm sure by now you've guessed that I'm talking about a dog crate.
Let's face it, puppies are a handful. If you have chores to do, most people will keep their puppy in another room. In the crate, he can be safely in the kitchen, while you're chopping food for dinner. Try vacuuming with a puppy in the room and you will understand what I mean.
Your puppy will still need training for proper house manners and family etiquette, but using a crate may help you maintain a sense of loving companionship while he learns acceptable behavior.

Crate Training Benefits #7 - A safe place to recuperate

When your puppy or dog needs to be confined because of illness or injury, a dog crate can really be a blessing. After all, when you're sick, don't you prefer to be in a private, familiar, safe place until you are better? The crate will shield your recuperating friend from other pets, children, or anything that will interfere with him getting a really good rest.

Dog Urine Killing Your Grass? Read This By Darrin Swain

You definitely don't want your dog using the bathroom inside your home. That's why owners readily take them outside when they see signs that it's time for Fido to go. Some will become dismayed at the fact that their dog's urine seems to be killing their grass.

This happens because of the fact that urine is composed of a lot of nitrogen. If your grass is growing well, then the soil has all of the nitrogen that it needs. An excessive amount will cause the grass to become colored most commonly to brown or yellow. This problem is really made much worse if you're using lawn fertilizer that adds additional nitrogen to the soil.

The sex of your dog will also affect how much of your grass gets discolored. Both sexes output urine with similar concentrations of nitrogen and uric acid. However, males tend to urinate on trees, mailboxes, hydrants, and other objects.

This isn't the case with their female counterparts. Your female dog will squat down and put all of her urine in one spot. Such a high concentration will dramatically increase the risk of dog urine killing your grass. There are a few things that you can do to help prevent this problem.

You don't want to start messing around with your dog's pH for any old reason. You definitely don't want to do so without consulting your veterinarian beforehand. Your vet can simply recommend that you switch to a different dog food. Foods that contain protein that's more digestible will probably help avoid the problem with your grass.

Supplements also exist to help with the problem of dog urine discoloring your grass. You would especially need to seek advice from your vet before giving your canine any of these though.

Another option to save your lawn is to train your dog to use more inconspicuous areas. At least you wouldn't have to deal with lots of discolored spots in your front yard. After your dog uses the bathroom, you can use the hose to rinse the area which will go a long ways towards preventing discoloration.

As you have already learned, lawn fertilizer contains nitrogen. If you make use of fertilizer, then make sure that it doesn't contain too much. With your dog urinating in a fertilized yard, you would most likely have problems with spots appearing.

You should also be aware that your dog urine killing your grass may not be caused by your pet alone. Other animals may come onto your property to alleviate themselves. The main way to avoid this scenario is to erect a fence around your yard. However, fences won't be able to keep out more agile animals like cats.

When Dog Preparation Training Really is Needed By Lauren Schmitt

Dogs can be very sociable. In fact, they sometimes get too sociable and get aggressive. That is why it is important to train the dogs to control their behavior.

Moreover, dog trainings are important to avoid dog biting incidents. Statistics show that 77% of dog biting cases are mostly those that are within the family.

Hence, with dog training, bad habits are removed and dogs have better control with their feelings and behavior towards environmental and social variables...

Dogs can be extremely sociable. In fact, they occasionally get too sociable and get hostile. That is why it is significant to train the dogs to manage their behavior.

Moreover, dog trainings are vital to avoid dog biting incidents. Figures show that 77% of dog biting cases are typically those that are within the family.

Hence, with dog training, awful habits are removed and dogs have improved control with their feelings and behavior towards environmental and community variables.

However, implementing dog guidance is not that easy. Certain things must be employed to boast positive results. The idea needed in dog training is what nearly all experts define as "positive reinforcement." This refers to the way people prize their dogs with treats, praises, or fancy dog collars whenever their dogs show optimistic behavior.

Through positive reinforcements, dogs will be capable to comprehend that treats and praises will come whenever he shows respectable behavior. For example, when the owner gives his dog a few treats for obediently obeying his commands, the dog will believe that obeying instructions when told equals treats.

But this does not essentially mean that when the dog did not comply with the owner's commands, punishment is wanted as counter-reinforcement. This must not be the case because punishments will merely make the matter worst.

What will occur is that the dog will be confused and it will start to doubt your feelings.

The next thing that humans must keep in mind when training their dogs is that people should stay away from training their dogs into bad habit. Actually, numerous people are not aware they are doing it but there are instances where the people's response towards some behavior of the dogs will unintentionally train the dog in a unpleasant way.

For example, when dogs bark, it is ordinary especially when they do that because they see something odd or unfamiliar things. But, when dogs persist to bark, even if it includes a recognizable person, that becomes a crisis.

In this case, most people have the preference to yell and tell their dogs to shut it or shut up. This particular response of dog owners will puzzle their dogs and will only make them comprehend that the reason why their masters are yelling is because they also like the shouting prospect and that they are "barking" beside with their dogs.

The main point here is to steer clear of paying attention to the dog. In time, he will discontinue. It's when the owners should gift their dogs.

Boiled down, dog preparation training is all about constructive reinforcements. And, as they say, encouraging reinforcements reap encouraging results.

Seven Common Household Items That are Poisonous to Dogs By Darrin Swain

There are many different items that can be found in virtually every household. Dog owners need to pay particular attention to some of these items since they can poison their pets. The following is a list of some of the most common.

Pesticides

Homeowners frequently make use of pesticides to keep a wide range of pests at bay. It's vital that you be careful when using them around your home. Dogs can be curious and a few licks of a trap can be very hazardous.

Chemicals

Other types of chemicals that you have around your home should also be kept away from your dog. Don't keep a bottle of bleach beneath the bathroom sink and let your dog go sniffing around unattended. You need to keep all types of chemical cleaners stored somewhere safe where your dog won't be able to access it.

Antifreeze

One of the most hazardous household items to dogs is antifreeze. It only takes a small dose to cause irreversible damage to the kidneys. Larger doses can easily be fatal. It's important to note that not all types of antifreeze have the same amount of danger.

The chemical ethylene glycol is used in some types of antifreeze and is very deadly. If you own a dog, it's probably in your best interests to put antifreeze in your car that contains propylene glycol instead. This chemical is also dangerous, but your dog would need to ingest more of it to to experience more severe consequences.

Fertilizer

Gardeners commonly make use of plant food or fertilizers to enhance the output of their hobby. Just make sure that you don't allow your dog to consume any of it. Be careful about the type of chemicals that you use on your lawn too. Don't let your dog go nosing around directly after you have applied any of these chemicals.

Plants

Speaking of gardening, dog owners need to note the different types of plants that are inside and outside their home. Some of them are very poisonous to dogs. Therefore, it would be a huge mistake to have them around since your dog won't know better than to eat them if he gets the notion. Mistletoe and azalea are two plant types that are very harmful.

Medications

Different types of medications are found in virtually every household too. It doesn't matter if it's a prescription medication or simple cold medicine. You shouldn't let your dog have access to any human medications. Pills aren't the only things that are toxic to dogs either. Creams and liquids can also be harmful.

Food

Feeding your dog is probably the most important task that you'll have. Don't make the mistake of feeding him scraps from the table. It's common for dog owners to give their dog a bone when they're having chicken, turkey, or another meat. Although dogs love bones, they have the potential to do major damage. Your dog may chew on the bone causing it to shatter. If he swallows the shattered pieces, they may lead to an intestinal obstruction. Internal punctures are also possible too.

Other foods should never be given to dogs because they're poisonous. Two of the most poisonous include chocolate and onions. You should also avoid giving raisins, grapes, alcohol, and salt.

Fast Way to Control Your K-9 Bark By Cody Crown

Human and canine are certainly close and inseparable since human begin to keep a wild wolf as their companion. The dog makes a wonderful buddy and can be immensely favorable both within and outside the house. Humans talk to show the thought while dog barks for the same reason.

Regrettably just like a few people who simply talk way too much and don't know when to be stop, there are dogs that also do the same. They bark excessively all day and through the night. You'd find it hard to have a good night sleep once they get started. You may also get lots of complain from the angry neighbors that are also gets disrupted because of your dog bark.

There's always good reason why your canine barks. They bark from fear, solitariness, anxiety and excitement. Whenever your canine barks from excitement sometimes it is not a real trouble unless your dog does it overly and over and over. Important note you will want to keep in mind is not to shout when the dog bark overly. The screaming will never get your dog stop the annoying behavior. Your canine will think that you encourage their crazy behavior and barking along with them.

Pick one word reprimands to correct his excessive barks. Do the correction every time the dog goes crazy with the barking. Everyone in your family member needs to utilize this same word, in order for him to understand the commands and situations, where it is alright to bark and when it is not okay to bark.

In case the dog stops the barking whenever you correct them, give a reward. Be diligent with your dog. Rome was not built in one day, so don't expect to change him right away. Every day the dog will improve and better and ultimately stop the behavior.

Every single dog requires attention because they are house animals. Only let the dog inside your home when you are home. Keeping your canine in the crate all the time and isolate them with outside world is not the best possible way to have a dog as a pet.

If your dog need to meet people, it talks to you in a language people will hear but not necessarily like and that is excessive barking. Leave the dog a chewable dog toys to make them occupied during the time you're not at home.

If you seldom walk your dog, then it's time to get started on the exercise. By giving a lot of exercise to drain their energy, your dog will most likely stops the outrageous barking. The energy remained right after walking won't be enough to spend to bark continuously. Acquire at the very least 30 minutes up to one hour of walks. Shortly after the walk you could see your dog calmer and more obedient.

Have a highest commitment to the training. Never start today just to stop tomorrow. Force yourself to the daily training as whole new behavior and make it something that is anticipated by your dog every single day. Stay with each step through and devote to yourself and you will paid by a wonderful calm and obedient dog.

Controlling That Pesky Bark By Andy Gonzalez

Above anything else, a dog wants to please its owner. Dogs view their family as their pack, and they are biologically wired to provide and desire extensive protection for them. There are times when a dog's passion for protecting its 'pack', however, is translated through an excessive amount of barking, which may quickly become a nuisance for its owner. It may not be appreciated by those next door either and its owner may be met with a barrage of complaints from sleep-deprived neighbors.

Fortunately, there are a number of ways to achieve bark control which don't put our enthusiastic, four-legged friends in danger. Some of the most common tools for bark control are anti-bark collars. These collars have an assortment of designs, but the two most popular on the market are shock collars and spray collars.

Shock collars work by delivering a small, yet harmless shock to a dog when their barking is detected to be excessive in volume or length. Some models deliver a warning tone first so that they aren't immediately punished for what is, after all, their instinct. The shock collars often come with a number of settings so that the power of the shock or the sensitivity of the collar can be carefully adjusted to meet the owner's preferences, with the maximum settings still being safe for even the tiniest of dogs.

Just the idea of shocking a dog, however safe it may be, may come off inhumane for some owners. For those, there is the popular alternative of spray bark collars. The spray bark collar works in a way easily predicted from its name. Just like shock collars, it has the ability to detect nuisance barking and can be adjusted to meet a number of settings. However, instead of delivering a shock, it simply sprays the dog with a bit of liquid which the dog typically finds unpleasant.

The spray bark collar can be filled with many liquids, but the citronella bark collar is a highly recommended choice for any owner seeking a bark-controlling collar, as it is fully safe while still remaining remarkably effective. The liquid inside it, citronella, is colorless and has a lemony odor, making the citronella bark collar an even friendlier choice for owners who are concerned about ensuring their house looks clean and keeping the aroma of their house pleasant.

It may be a dog's instinct to bark in order to protect its 'pack', but a dog is also known for its extreme intelligence and ability to adapt. Dogs are certainly smart enough to adjust to anti-bark collars quickly, and they can be a perfect aid in the training of dogs at night when their owners are not present to guide them. Since dogs function as our best friends, showering us with love, attention and joy, it?s best that we treat them well in return. If excessive barking is an issue, anti-bark collars are safe, effective, and humane tools we can use to improve our and their environment alike.

Train Your K-9 to Stop Barking At the Door Bell By Cody Crown

As well as how people talk to express the thought, a dog use barks to convey their thought. Every barking definitely occurs from a reason. But in the case you see your canine barks overly over no reason then you are dealing with some serious behavior issue. A hyperactive dog barks at everything, including when a bell rings.
This everyday barking behavior will give you headache unless you are living far from everyone and nobody ever visits you. The very last thing we want to get from your dog when a person pay a visit to your house is to bark over and over. This really is a true stressful moment for us being a host.

Only just some people might stay and tolerate the noise the dog is making. Along with such barking sound you would not manage to hold a proper conversation with your guest. This is besides from your dog jumping on your guest and frightening the living daylights out of them. We might never hope for that situation to occur. It is challenging to stop this sort of behavior. However with a technique labeled as desensitization this issue can be resolve easily.
There are some stages required for a total desensitization. You should teach your dog the basic sit and heel command first before you can move to the next phase. If for example the dog is familiar with these commands then you could proceed to the following stages.

Step 1
Use the sit command that you have taught to tell your dog to sit away from the door from where the door bell rings comes. Give your dog a reinforce if they can remain sit and remain on their position for some time.. Dogs are really smart creatures. He understands that whenever he is doing your command he gets a treat. Proceed to the second step only when your dog obeys you consistently.

Step 2
Now tell your dog to sit before the door while you open the door simulating a visitor. When your dog rises from his sit position, correct him with soft poke while saying "NO" to make him back. A leash would be really necessary for the training to lead your dog to return the first sit position every time they steer away.

Step 3
This now involves a person at the door. Take your dog to sit on their spot. Wait up until your canine in a relaxed state prior to open the door. In case the dog gets up, correct using a NO. And command again to sit. Wait until your dog well-behaved before you can let the guest to enter the door. Of course, you only train with someone who's in on your dog obedience training. An actual guest will think if you missed your appointment with the doctor.

Step 4
Once you have a success on all 3 steps then you may include a real door bell to the exercise. This final phase is quite challenging, so you may need to be a little patient and focus. When your dog hears the doorbell ring and responds, reprimand with a NO and tell him to Sit or Heel whenever he is doing this correctly reward him. Over time your dog will understand how to act whenever the doorbell rings.

Tips for Litter Box Training a Dog By Darrin Swain

Smaller dogs obviously have smaller bladders. That means that they have to go outside more often than their larger counterparts. One way to avoid frequent trips outside is to teach your small dog how to use a litter box much like a cat.

Be aware that your dog's won't have a cat's natural instincts when it comes to using a litter box or burying waste. Therefore, it will take a lot of patience when it comes to litter box training a dog. The following tips should help somewhat though.

Many people are surprised to learn that there are litter boxes designed especially for dogs. However, you can still use those designed for cats. Just make sure that it's one of the largest that you can find so that your dog doesn't have space issues.

Your little one won't just go running to the litter box whenever it's time for him to go to the bathroom. You will need to pick him up and take him there instead, at least until he gets used to the process. This means that you'll need to keep a watchful eye on your canine.

Dogs typically start walking in circles or sniffing the ground whenever they're about to go. Dogs also have to eliminate whenever they wake up in the morning, so take him to the box then too. A few minutes after he eats is another time that he needs to be taken to the litter box.

You may not want to go about litter box training a dog right from the start. The old method of using newspaper will help considerably. Once your dog gets used to going on the paper, you can just switch it out to a litter box.

As with any type of training, you will need to be patient with your dog. Whenever things go right, make sure that you praise him for it. Give him a nice treat or two whenever he successfully uses the litter box too.

Conversely, make sure that your dog gets the message whenever he messes up. Don't worry about scolding your dog if you find an accident at a later time, since doing so will do no good. Catch him in the act and reprimand him, just not physically.

When there are accidents, make sure that you're prepared. You will need to clean up messes thoroughly. Dogs have an amazing sense of smell, and will be drawn back to spots that they've eliminated on in the past.

Litter box training a dog isn't the easiest thing in the world to do. However, it will save you a lot of trouble if you can do it successfully. Good luck.

Orthopedic Dog Bed By Aisle Murad

The problem with dogs is that they are not able to tell their owners what they are feeling so people have to watch their dogs carefully to know if they have pain or other discomfort because dogs just like people can have arthritis or hip dysplasia that is a sort of abnormal formation of the hip joint. The first one is noticed when dogs get older, but the second one can be developed at a younger age. The characteristic of both diseases is stiffness in the joints, inflammation and pain.You can reduce the pain by buying an orthopedic dog bed. Here you will find some tips what type of bed and why is good for your pet.

People in the past did not care much for their pet dogs which is different nowadays. Now people accept their dogs as a part of the family and look after their needs very carefully. Dogs need different food when they get older and they also need different bed, too. The first signs of arthritis or hip displasia are when we notice that our dog walks slower or walk much smaller walks , if he never starts to run anymore or leap as quickly as he use to even for a treat . Together with all these , you will notice that your dog doesn?t lay as comfortably anymore as he did before.

Types of beds

You will find so many different shapes and sizes dog beds available. Most orthopedic dog beds are made from high quality materials like memory foam, some have electric heater systems to give dogs a soothing warmth against joint pains.

There are different shapes for dog beds like:

Cuddler dog beds , excellent for dogs who like to curl up . They are also knows as nest beds because their walls and little legs prevent draft in colder climates

The most common available dog beds are mattress or pillow dog beds but there is a great difference in quality. The best form is rectangular in shape, its size should be slightly bigger then the diagonal of the dog when he lays down. Choose very high quality material like memory foam or a mixture of different materials.The underground of the bed should be firm and shock absorbing , cedar is a good solution for example. The top should be made from a thick layer of orthopedic or memory foam. The material of the bed which you should choose needs to have a long lasting crush resistance.

You can use an electrical blanket especially designed to be put on the dog mattress if your dog gets cold quickly.

You can buy an orthopedic dog bed in a lot of places nowadays but the best place is online because web shops usually have all sizes of the bed of your choice which is very important because there is much difference in dogs size.