Dog's life. Care, train, and love your dog.

Learn to train and care for your dog.

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Location: Edmond, Oklahoma

Friday, June 27, 2008

Essential Tips For Training Your Dog

While many animal lovers welcome puppies, and sometimes full grown dogs, into their home, many are blissfully ignorant to the care and nurturing necessary for training your dog to realize its full potential. Below, are a few tips for your dog's early life, upbringing, and prolonged, enjoyable existence! They are presented in chronological order.

1) Be Loving, But Firm

From its first days as a puppy to the moment you finally realize that your little angel is a full-grown canine, your dog needs to live in a nurturing environment. Shower your little friend with love and attention to make him or her feel special. Whenever he or she makes a mistake, lay down the law but never use cruel or harmful means of correction. Instead of smacking a dog when something goes awry, simply use the "tsk, tsk" ideology. Let the animal know a mistake is made by temporarily denying it love (emphasis on temporarily). But do not hold your anger for long.

2) Housebreak Your Dog Early

Anyone that has ever had an experience with an indoor dog knows that accidents are inevitable. The key is to realize that the presents and messes left by your dog are not its fault. To curb this trend, simply place your dog (or lead your dog to, depending on the size) on a particular item (newspaper is popular, but also an old pillow or blanket could suffice) whenever he or she begins to do his or her business. Gradually lead this item closer and closer to the door as your animal excretes, finally ending it with the item outside. If the training is done properly, the animal will now be used to heading outside to use the restroom. Naturally, there may be some more accidents here and there (for example: if you are away from home for an extended period of time), but this is one of the most effective ways to potty train your dog.

3) Provide Your Dog with the Proper Nutrition

Giving your dog quality food throughout its life is of paramount importance. Simply buying generic, cheap dog food will not suffice as an individual dog has individual needs. Certain animals may become crippled by arthritis; there are specific foods for that. Certain animals may develop heart problems; there are also foods for that. You cannot assume that all dog food is the same as it may become detrimental to your animal. Discuss the proper formula for ingestion with your veterinarian.

Obviously, there are many, many, many more variables to consider when deciding to adopt and raise your very own dog. But handling these problems will provide you with a smooth beginning, wonderful middle, and enjoyable conclusion to raising your animal. All of God's creatures are important and each one has its own personal needs. Be sure to take this into consideration when deciding to adopt a pet. Dogs are not toys that can be cast aside and picked up whenever you feel like it. They need love and affection from their owner to show that they truly matter.

Russ Hancock writes articles on a variety of subjects including dogs. For more information or to find products for your best friend please visit http://www.deliciousdogtreats.com and http://www.just-dogs.org

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Russell_Hancock

Potty Training Puppies - The Zero Frustration Method

How often have you heard yourself shouting - "Get that puppy outside before he wees in the house!"

Probably too often. This is probably one of the most misunderstood parts of dog training and the easiest to accomplish if you follow some basic rules.

Puppies respond well to routine, patience and gentleness. They desperately want to please you and shouting at them just makes them frightened and more prone to having accident.

Your first task is to calm down and realise that accidents do happen and that it is going to take some time before your puppy is completely house trained. In the mean time you need to remove carpets and mats where possible and put newspaper down to catch any mistakes so that it is easy to clean up.

Next, after a puppy has had a sleep, eaten his meal or had a drink and after being confined in an area for a period of time they are going to need to be taken outside for a wee or poo. If you forget to take them out or take too long it's your fault if they have an accident. Take responsibility for the fact and you will stop being angry at the puppy and concentrate on watching for the signs that he needs to go. After you have taken him outside a few times he'll start to get the picture and start to wait to be let out.

When he does have a wee or poo outside be sure to praise him and tell him what a good dog he is. Positive reinforcement works brilliantly with puppies. Try to get your puppy to go to the same place each day for his toilet. This will make your job easier when you have to clean up when he is older and is more hygienic than having mess all around your garden.

Each time they are taken out, remember to say "Go Wee" or some other appropriate words. This command will get your puppy to start doing it on cue in future and will avoid a lot of frustration on cold winter nights when you just want to get the job done and back inside to your warm cosy lounge.

Never scold your puppy or rub his nose in an accident. Not only is this cruel, but usually he won't know what he has done wrong. Quietly clean up the mess and make sure that you watch for the next time he needs to go outside and then praise him. As time goes on, he will recognise if he has made an accident and will be only too keen to show you that he can do it right next time.

You can find out lot's more about how to care for your puppy and what you can train him to do by checking out the resources listed below. A short article does not even cover a small part of what you need to know in order to bring up a healthy happy puppy. If you have young children or if having a puppy is a new experience for you then be sure to do your research so that you know what to expect and get the most out of your pet.

The author has been breeding and training puppies for years. Visit his blog for more easy-to-use tips on how to potty train puppies. Visit http://www.all-about-dogs.blogspot.com for the latest news and reviews on puppy training methods and books.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Mulder

Proper Grooming Tips For Your Dog

There are various ways to groom your canine to make him or her look his or her best at all times. These grooming tips can clean your dog and make him or her feel great and confident. Grooming is a great way to make your dog look and feel the best that he or she possibly can.

Combing
One way to improve the looks of your dog is by combing its coat of fur. Combing long enough to pull out loose hairs and undo all tangled fur can make your dog look healthier and younger. Doing this can also force you to provide a checkup on your dog, allowing you to note any inconsistencies with skin or fur. This means grooming can also keep your dog's health on the up and up.

Brushing
Much like combing, brushing can be a great way to make your canine's coat look its best. However, brushing focuses mostly on matted hair. This has the same benefits as combing, but it is more specialized than the former.

Nail Trimming
Cutting your dog's nails is a simple yet effective way to keep your dog properly groomed for the long haul. For years, using old fashioned clippers that chop off the nail have been the norm. However, too many times dogs have been severely hurt by clippers that chopped to far, effectively creating a canine hang nail. To avoid causing pain and bleeding to your dog, look into purchasing some of the new nail trimmers on the market today. Rather than chopping at the nails, these new products simply shave them off gradually. This allows more control and rounds the nails, making them less sharp and thus more beneficial to you and your pet.

Shampooing
While combing and brush your dog's fur coat is a great way to keep it properly groomed, sometimes, a thorough cleaning is in order. It is hard telling what exactly sticks to a canine's coat without a consistent cleaning. Giving your pooch a bath is the best way to make your animal germ-free. Finding a specific dog shampoo is a must. After that, the occasional shower (once a week should suffice) will keep your dog looking its best.

Frequency
Now that you have some helpful tips towards making your dog looking well, establishing a schedule is next. It is never a good idea to sporadically groom your dog. Make an effort to groom at least once a week. You have your animal looking its best constantly and you show the canine that you care.

There are multiple ways that you can groom your dog so that is always looks good. Whether you decide to brush or comb it, clip its nails, or give it a thorough wash, you will improve the looks of your canine. You can also improve the well-being by giving your animal routine checkups and keeping its body germ-free. Just be sure to establish a consistent schedule and provide your dog with the attention it needs to be properly groomed.

Russ Hancock writes articles on many subjects including dogs. For more information or to find products for your best friend please visit us at http://www.just-dogs.org and http://www.deliciousdogtreats.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Russell_Hancock

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Why Dog Food Nutrition Could Be the Missing Ingredient From Your Dogs Food

For thousands of years, man's best friend ate just like his master. Dogs fed the same foods that man ate managed to live long lives and dog food nutrition was simple. The pet food market started with good intentions when James Spratt sought a food when traveling with his dog. He created a dog cake and used meat, beetroot, wheat and vegetables so his dog could eat well when they journeyed. The concept of dog food didn't take hold until after WWII. Soon advertising jumped in and dog food filled with preservatives sold with catchy commercials.

The animal feed regulations remain the laws that govern the production of dog food The Association of American Feed Control Officials controls the pet food industry and is composed of people that work in the industry as well as government official. The agencies demand that label ingredients are correct but don't get involved in dog food nutrition beyond the label. Many required canine vitamins and minerals fail to show up in their dried bag of kibbles. However, companies cannot label their product as "complete and balanced" unless it has a specific nutritional profile.

If the product uses the words with or flavored as in beef flavored, the dog food usually contains less than 3 percent of that ingredient in the total contents. The tricky wording comes from the marketing department to lead the purchaser down a false utopian path. You must read the label and discern for yourself how much nutrition your dog actually gets when he eats that particular dog food Just like human foods, label ingredients list the foods by the amount contained and the first on the list is the most prominent product in the food.

Many times companies use chemical testing and add additional minerals and vitamins in a quest to reach the magic numbers. Unlike the nutrition of food, the added vitamins often pass through the body of the animal unabsorbed due to the fact they are unchealated.

Often food from the rendering plant and manufacturing plant smells bad enough that dogs turn their back on it. To solve the problem, some companies give the food a nice spray of fat. Many times the fat considered unfit for human consumption acts as glue to hold the wisp of other flavors onto the food. When you open a bag of dog food notice the feel of grease on the inside of the bag. These additions of aromas and flavors trick your dog into eating something he wouldn't otherwise give a second look.

Today's manufacturers don't allow for difference in dogs' bodies. Each breed has specific needs. For example, if a dog shed frequently, he needs more protein and B vitamins for the increased production of hair than the dog that never sheds.

Beware when you purchase dog food there are many things in the processing of dog food that would make you cook your dog his dinner and never buy another bag of commercial food. Our canine friends are too valuable to receive poor dog food nutrition when so much money goes into their care. It only takes one missing vitamin or nutrient to create malnutrition.

Want to know more?

Then grab the Free Mini-Course "5 Simple Things You Must Do Right Now To Protect Your Dog From Death By Disease" - and discover the 5 things you must do now to increase its life by 134% and learn more.
Discover the Dog Food Secrets that reveal why you should start making changes to the way you feed and care for your dog - beginning today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Philips

Shiba Inu Rescue - A Great Way to Adopt

Shiba Inu rescue is a world wide effort to make sure that every one of this breed that is born, has a happy, safe, and loving home to grow up in. There are many organizations that focus on canines as a whole, but there is one organization that deals with Shiba Inu's alone. Shiba Inu Rescue Resource of America is leading the cause and are on the frontlines when it comes to the rescue and adoption of these great dogs.

The organisation wishes to facilitate such rescue by various means. Each means is aimed to provide a home for every Shiba Inu that lacks one.

One such way is in coordinating fundraising events. These fundraisers will then assist those individuals in this breed specific canine community who work at both Shiba Inu rescue and adoption.

They also act as the main provider of resources aimed to assist in the rescue and adoption process. These forms include adoption papers, surrender papers, breeder notifications, and frequently asked question forms. They also provide informative information that teach their rescuers how to handle situations that they have never encountered.

The Shiba Inu Rescue Resource of America certainly lives up to its name by acting as the central hub for contact to shelters and individuals seeking assist in this breeds placement in homes. Using this method, the SIRRA can provide meetings and contacts for individuals within the seekers area. This makes the process of rescue an easier task to accomplish.

With a focus on the Shiba Inu breed alone, the SIRRA has put their best foot forward and is doing some great things in the canine community. Without their knowledge and know how, hundreds of these lovable dogs would remain homeless, go hungry, and could end up passing away due to health concerns.

One of the great parts of SIRRA, is that it introduces this breed of dog to a wider array of dog owners throughout the states. This is excellent for Shiba Inu enthusiasts world round, who wish that others could experience the joy and honor of serving as Master to this exquisite breed of dog.

The lovability, obedience, and character of the Shiba Inu is enough to have anyone hooked the moment they lay their eyes on one of these dogs. They truly are a unique breed that are more than worthy of being both rescued and adopted.

Almost every state and major city has a rescue center for the breed, or affiliates who can assist in the placement of homeless or injured dogs.

Adoption is one of the keys to providing such homes to the Shiba Inu.

Every day families visit animal adoption agencies and pounds in search of that perfect companion to add to their home. If it were possible the SIRRA would be sure that every family looking to add a dog to their home would have first picks at acquiring a Shiba Inu.

Steve Peters is a caring and loving dog owner and runs a number of pet related websites. For more information about Shiba Inu Rescue or to claim an extensive ten part must have course, filled to the brim with shiba inu tips and secrets goto: http://www.inu-dogcare.com/Shiba_inu_rescue.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_E_Peters

What is the Best Dog Food For Your Dog

The best food for dogs can be debated from one dog owner to another; arguably, each owner has his own idea as to what is best for his dog. Some prefer to use a dry food and others who prefer a wet food.

Eukanuba is a leading brand of dry dog food that many people use. There are also many more brands of dog food on the market that are equally good but less expensive. The only difference is that real chicken is used in eukanuba and contains 25% protein. The fat levels are much higher than other brands with a content of 16%, including fish oil necessary in keeping your dog's coat healthy and shiny.

An advantage of dry food over wet food is to help keep your dog's teeth healthy. The biscuits are crunchy in a dry food This can help to reduce tartar building up and helps to remove plaque as the dog eats. This is an important factor as problems with the teeth can result in an expensive vet bill.

Owners often feel guilty because dry food looks so boring and bland. Also, feeding the dogs the same dry food everyday may make some owners wonder if they are doing the right thing for their dogs. If you have started feeding dry food from when they were a puppy, they don't know any different. To introduce dry food to an older dog may take a little time for them to get used to it, but when they become hungry enough they will soon adapt.

Those who prefer to give their dogs canned meat may decide dry food is better if ever they have experienced their dog having tummy or toilet problems, which can occur. A lot of vets today have bags of dry dog foods of different brand names for sale in their offices. Most foods contain all the balanced ingredients and oils that are necessary for the dog's health.

There are a lot of choices when choosing dry dog food with respect to your dog's age and needs. You can start from puppy hood with added essentials for growing bones, food for the adult dog right through to adulthood. Also, there is food for the working dog that burns up a lot of energy, like the sheep dog. All that energy has to be replaced.

The answer to the question of "What is the best dog food" has to be answered by the owner. All loving dog owners will have more than likely asked friends or their vet for advice. And the answer is that some owners prefer dry food and the others may prefer wet food it is down to the owners themselves to decide. Since the introduction of dry dog food many people now use this type of food for their dogs.

Want to know more?

Then grab the Free Mini-Course "5 Simple Things You Must Do Right Now To Protect Your Dog From Death By Disease" - and discover the 5 things you must do now to increase its life by 134% and learn more.
Discover the Dog Food Secrets that reveal why you should start making changes to the way you feed and care for your dog - beginning today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Philips