Posts Tagged ‘dogs’

Pet Latest Fashion Rage:Spiked Pet Dog Collars

Saturday, January 16th, 2010

Dog owners have experimented with various styles of collars for centuries and started adorning their beloved pets with interesting and unusual decorations to set them apart from the rest. Spiked pet dog collars have been around for many years, and were used to protect working and fighting dogs from other predators. Today, they are still used for that reason, but they are also trendy and fabulous fashion accessories for pets.

Why do pet owners choose spiked collars? You may be wondering why anyone would want their dog’s collar spiked. The reason is pretty straight forward and logical, as spiked dog collars were and still are used to give dogs protection from potential predators and attackers. Following along with that thought process, it can be inferred that the earliest societies that started using the collars paid significant regard to their pets, even hundreds of years ago. Remember that in the 19th century, people kept dogs for specialized purposes. Dogs were used as either security or body guards, or as working companions. Farmers utilized dogs to guard their crops from smaller animals, and hunters used them to easily find the animals that they killed.

For these reasons, spikes were put on custom dog collars so that no predators could harm a dog, since the spikes served as a natural protection. Modern day uses for the spiked collar have truly evolved. Today, spiked collars are now worn by dogs not only for protection, but also as a fashion accessory. Many dog owners find great pleasure in dressing their dogs with trendy and novelty accessories that range from spiked collars to cute apparel that humanizes their pampered pooch.

A spiked pet collar will likely be made of sturdy materials, such as leather and steel, to make sure that it will endure the test of time. By making them extra durable and blending them into attractive colors and designs, spiked collars are a must have fashion accessory for many pets. The prices for spiked collars tend to vary. As with most things, the prettier and more ornate they are, the more expensive they will be. Leather collars are generally also more costly than synthetic leather versions.

Almost every pet shop and pet accessory store in your area, as well as online stores sell spiked pet dog collars. It has almost become a necessity for pet stores to carry them because many a dog owner, at one time or another will be lured into getting one such dog collar for their four-legged companion. This is why you probably won’t have a hard time locating and buying a spiked collar.

If you are a pet owner, then it is only natural that you would want to invest in dog accessories. Spiked pet dog collars are worth the cost, since not only is your dog fabulously fashioned, but he or she is also protected from possible attackers. You never know when an attack can occur. Why not kill two birds with one stone and invest in a spiked collar?

Want to find out more about dog collars, then visit Akitaman’s site on how to choose the best dog leashess for your needs.

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Why Bathe Your Dog?

Friday, December 18th, 2009

Most of us have one of two opinions about bathing a dog. Some people believe you don’t need to bathe dogs very often - maybe once a year. Others feel that their dogs should be bathed every month.

Bathing is good for dogs, but it can cause problems if you do it too often.

Just like us, dogs naturally have oils in their fur and skin. Bathing your dog too often will cause drying of the skin, which means itching, scratching and possible sores and injuries. Remember that the natural oils have some benefits, since they provide protection from bacteria and other elements.

If you want to make bathing fun for you and your dog, there are a few things to pay attention to.

1. Ear protection is important for your dog in the bath. If the ear canal gets soap and water in it, an infection could occur. This could be temporary, but serious damage could also occur. Infections can cause harm to the ear drum, leading to possible deafness. Some signs that your dog could be suffering from an ear infection, he may shake his head often or develop a discharge from his ears.

If you want to make sure this doesn’t happen, plug your dog’s ears with cotton. Do this gently - never force the cotton into the ear. Just place it securely at the entrance of the ear to keep water out. Dry the ears gently when the bath is over, too. This can be done using a cloth on your finger. You can also use a cotton swab, but don’t do this too deeply. You could cause damage to the ear drum.

2. Remember to use a shampoo that’s been made for dogs, since they’re formulated to protect the fur and skin of your pet. Soaps made for humans are often harsh or irritating, plus dogs may be allergic to the scents used in them.

3. The frequency with which you bathe your dog will depend on the breed you have. Dogs with long hair need to be washed more often than breeds that have short hair. That means that if you have a hairy breed, such as a spaniel, you may need to bathe as often as once every two months. Other breeds could go as long as eight months, but outdoor dogs will probably need more frequent bathing.

Start your dog off correctly when it comes to bathing and bathtime. Patience and compassion can be very important since a dog that’s frightened will be harder to bathe. Make the process fun - the majority of dogs enjoy getting wet, after all.

If you can, set the bath up outside and encourage your dog to play in it. Distract your dog from water with toys. When the dog calms down, you can start the bath. A leash may help with this process.

When you bathe your pet, get the shampoo, towel, soap and other tools together early, and avoid using the hose. Water from the garden hose is usually too cold. Use a bowl with water from the bath instead - it’ll be warmer.

If you teach your dog that bathing is fun and enjoyable, he’ll be excited about the prospect.

It’s also important to look into the right dog training tools to ensure that your pooch behaves the way you want him or her to. Click Here for a top-notch dog training program that is easy to use to improve your dog’s behavior!

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Dog Health Symptoms Information

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Nothing is worse than discovering your pet has a serious illness, and finding that if you had gotten attention earlier, it would have been less severe. Sometimes the smallest change in personality or behavior can signal the onset of an illness, so knowing what is and is not normal for your pet can be essential. When you see something abnormal, it can be helpful to know some basic things to watch for.

When considering dog health symptoms, remember that the best thing that you can do to be attentive to your dog’s normal behavior. The better you know your dog, the better off you will be when it comes to trying to help him heal. Think about whether your dog is outgoing and patient or more nervous and restive. You’ll find that a change in behavior can signify a great deal. For instance, if your dog is typically very friendly but has gone into hiding and whines at being petted, this could be a sign that he is in trouble.

Blood in your pets urine or feces is always a serious problem so even though it may seem somewhat gross to inspect it is a good idea to check it every once in awhile. Viruses such as parvo present in bloody stool and bloody urine can indicate kidney disease or failure. When you are talking about these types of illness time is of the essence so do not delay. Your attentiveness and quick action could very well save your pet’s life, get her to the veterinarian as soon as possible.

If your dog is throwing up, you’ll find that you need to think about taking him to the vet. Dogs will throw up mildly when they have eaten something that has disagreed with them, but if you notice your dog throwing up repeatedly and seems to be fevered or in pain, this is a sign that veterinary attention might be required. Remember that dogs have evolved to continue looking healthy as long as they can, so keep in mind the fact that you need to pay attention to how they are doing.

When looking for symptoms of poor health in your dog do not overlook their coat. A dogs coat should feel thick and look relatively glossy. If you reach down to pet your dog and find that the coat is oddly dry and brittle or there are bald patches you should check into the cause. One common cause of a bad coat is worms; this parasite robs the dog of nutrition and therefore leaves the coat unhealthy. Of course, if you have a dog whose hair is naturally coarse, like a wirehaired terrier then this rule does not apply.

This is not an exhaustive list of possible health problems your dog may face. So always, take the time to examine what is normal for your pet and what is not. This will keep you leaps ahead of the game and could possibly head off serious issues.

Discover the facts about dog health symptoms and dog information to maintain your dog’s health, go to HealthierDogs.com

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Thrill Trick-Or-Treaters With Your Dog’s Halloween Costume

Saturday, September 5th, 2009

If you’re the type that loves Halloween, you can bet that your best pal on four legs will too. Who says that Halloween should be about just humans? If you want to have a fun and simple to remember Halloween that is certain to make you snort, put your pooch in a costume this Halloween and take snap some shots of Fido running around dressed as a clown, or whatever costume you choose.

If you have children, a dog costume for their chum could be just what they need for a night of giggles and fun. Try and find a theme the kids can dress up in and include your pooch into the mix. If you have got a little quarterback and cheerleader, find a ref costume or a cheer costume for your pooch. The children will get a giggle and have lots of fun with this.

To find a truly good costume, look online . Here you are more likely to find the perfect costume for your pooch than if you shop a store. With more and more people dressing up their 4 legged friends, it is no wonder that the market is growing and the quantity of costumes is increasing all the time. Virtually anything someone could need can be discovered online, that means endless possibilities and fun for you and your pooch.

If you’re a real Halloween lover, you will adore the Halloween costumes available for your pooch. Even if you stay home and pass out the treats ( a particularly vital job indeed ), you can still dress up your pooch and watch the youngsters’s faces light up with smiles and giggles as they see your dog dressed within a costume. They will have something to talk about and your pooch will love all of the attention that he or she is getting from the costume that you choose.

Tons of sites exist to help find the right kind of costume for your dog. Remember that the size of the dog matters because all costumes will be sized differently. If you have got a larger dog, or smaller dog, you want a costume that makes since for the scale of the animal. As an example a huge Rotweiler is not the best choose for a bumble bee costume, but a smaller dog might be.

If you can bear in mind the kind of dog you have, make a fun decision to incorporate your pooch, and order sensibly, you’ll have a Halloween that is certain to bring lots of smiles to your face, while helping your pooch to participate in the vacation fun.

Do you agree that dog Halloween costumes are a super-fun way to celebrate Halloween? When I put my dog, Kera, in her “soldier uniform” costume last year, she loved it and we made a patriotic statement, too!You’ll find lots of great, fun and inexpensive dog Halloween costumes at my website, www.Gifts-For-Dog-Lovers.com

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Dog Steps For People On A Budget

Tuesday, July 21st, 2009
by Bella Holly

It’s no surprise with the financial crunch we’re all living in, that many of us pet owners are on the hunt for cheaper pet accessories. When hunting for cheap dog steps, we have two options, which are to buy them or make them ourselves.

Some may believe pet steps to be a bit frivolous when cash is tight, however pet steps could save your dog from painful (and expensive) health problems later on in life. It’s really more of a preventative for early arthritis and painful joints.

For instance, dog steps can be especially important if you have one of the smaller breeds of dogs weighing less than 20 pounds. Some breeds of dog, particularly the teacup and miniature breeds can have extremely fragile bones, and have been known to actually break their legs by leaping from furniture. Dog steps can reduce or eliminate this hazard.

Older and larger breeds of dogs can also benefit from pet steps. As older dogs tend to have trouble ascending and descending, a good quality set of steps could mean a world of difference in and older dog’s comfort. As with larger breeds of dog, they can easily develop conditions such as arthritis, which is quite common, but can be very painful and expensive to treat. A set of dog stairs would easily allow them to maneuver from furniture.

Most inexpensive dog steps are made from foam covered in carpet or other material. Many of these styles can be bought for $20 or less at many popular stores and online outlets.

Those with a knack for hobby projects may want to try building cheap dog steps. Once again, most of these projects are made from foam and covered with carpet or other suitable fabric. One pet owner even reported he covered his dog’s homemade steps with artificial turf. However, this can be expensive depending on the materials you use for the dog stairs.

Whether you buy your dog steps or make them yourself, one very important thing you will need to take into consideration is the size of your dog. If you have a large dog, he will require steps that are at least 16 inches wide. Medium-sized dogs (around 35 pounds) need a maximum step width of 14 inches, and for smaller dogs the step width should be no more than about 12 inches.

Height is also a factor. Dog steps work inversely according to your dog’s size. That means that smaller dogs may need higher steps, while larger dogs can ascend with shorter steps.

Last but not least, no matter where you get your dog stairs from, but sure that they are made of durable materials that will withstand the weight of your dog. You can easily check the weight restrictions on the stair’s packaging or on the website you wish to buy the stairs from. For more durable materials such as mahogany, you can expect that the price will go up quite a bit.

About the Author:
A great place to start your search for pet stairs is at helpyourpets.com.

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Critical Training Tips For Dogs

Sunday, June 21st, 2009
by Chad Murray

Dogs can be superb companions and great household pets. We have called them “man’s best friend” forever because of that. But in order to be a good doggy citizen and a loyal family pet you must teach your dog well.

As soon as your puppy arrives home you need to start off training him for obedience. You can expect your puppy to be effectively “fully trained” at about a year of age, though you will need to work with him to keep his skills sharp for the remainder of his life. A well-trained dog is fun to own and a delight for folks to be around.

The unconditional most imperative law of dog training is that you must be the “alpha dog”. The term “alpha dog” may not appeal to you but the fact is that dogs are pack animals and they follow a leader. You must be the “top dog” or the leader. Every human being member of your family must outrank your dog in the pack order. Dogs will do anything for adoration and acceptance from the pack leader and in order to have a happy dog and a happy family the leader must be you.

Never let your dog to show dominance. He must wait for his food until you are finished eating. This is a subtle but crucial thing. You must also never let him jump on you or other people either.

Do not ever permit your puppy to do stuff that you will not let him to do as an adult dog. This includes jumping and nipping at you. One of the most crucial things in training a dog is consistency. A dog cannot analyze like a human and he will not appreciate that it is all right to jump on you in your play clothes but not in your business suit. He also won’t appreciate why he could do something as a puppy but he can’t go on to do it as an adult dog. Be consistent.

If you get a crate all of your teaching will be easier. Dogs in fact feel protected and secure in a comfy and cozy place that they feel is their own. Your puppy may whine when he goes into the crate at the beginning but you need to just leave him there. He will adjust and he will in fact grow to like it very soon. A crate will make housetraining and obedience training easier.

It is crucial for your dog’s own safety to sit and stay. You must be able to get your dog to stop and stay if essential. It is significant to be able to control your dog at times and you will need to make sure that he is obedient with your commands in order to avoid troubles like running off or jumping all over the visitors to your house.

Walking on a leash and heeling are also part of the basic training that your dog needs. After that you can move on to fun things like fetching. Well-trained dogs are the most enjoyable to own and to be around so do not slack on your pet-owner tasks.

About the Author:
Learn important information about dog obedience at http://universitydog.com

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