Pet Sitters Know Home is Better for Animals

There is something about home that is comforting to people and animals alike. Familiar surroundings, noises and routines have a calming effect on the day. Despite the benefits of being at home, many people regularly rely on outside boarding for their pets largely due to lack of knowledge of other options.

According to the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS), 60 percent of all households in the United States have some sort of pet, be it a dog, cat, bird or small animal. Most treat their pets just like a child or another member of the family, with the needs of the pet ranking highly. Decisions, then, about health care, grooming and pet sitting are very important

In the past pet owners had to rely on an animal hospital, private boarder or a family member to watch their animals when they needed to be away from home. This often required pets to be taken out of their familiar surroundings and placed in a different home or into a cage for extended periods of time - something that was against the norm. While some animals are more forgiving of being uprooted, many display feelings of anxiety when separated from their owners and home. This can result in erratic or destructive behavior. Upon pickup, the animal may act depressed or despondent toward his owner.

NEW OPTION: PET SITTERS

Pet sitters provide a better option for many pets, as experts agree that the in-home and personalized care a pet sitter can provide is more in tune with an animal's needs.

Pet sitters are individuals who visit the home and take care of a pet while an owner is away, whether at work or on a vacation or business trip. While many pet sitters operate independent businesses, NAPPS was created to provide education, networking and professional integrity, helping to foster success for pet sitters. The association promotes excellence among pet sitters and serves as a voice for the expanding industry. Participating members agree to a Pledge of Professional Conduct, and NAPPS can provide certification in pet sitting as well.

ADVANTAGES TO SITTERS

Besides the apparent benefits of a pet sitter, including keeping a pet in his home environment, there are other advantages to going the pet sitter route.

· Pet sitters eliminate the need to pack up the animal to transport to a boarding establishment. This is a plus for those who are time-crunched. Plus, some boarding establishments do not allow toys and food to be brought in. A pet who has to eat food that is not the norm could develop short-term stomach upset.

· Many pets do not like car travel. Since pet sitters come to the home, a pet owner needn't stress out their pet with a car ride.

· Pet sitters are professional individuals who take pride in watching a pet. They will not "forget" to check in on an animal as friends and family members may happen to do with hectic schedules.

· In addition to pet care, sitters also may be able to take care of other needs while a person is away, such as watering plants, taking in the mail/newspapers, and serving as a deterrent to would-be burglars, since it is apparent someone is visiting the home on a regular basis.

EASING THE TRANSITION

Communication is key to pet sitting. There are steps pet owners can take to make the experience go on smoothly.

· Talk about what is required of the sitter. Clearly spell out the pet's eating, playing and resting schedules. If the animal is taken on walks, mention those times as well.

· Leave all supplies in a designated space that is easy to access. This should include food, litter, treats, toys, medicine, etc. Also, post the vet's phone number and include emergency information.

· Talk about the pet's behavior and temperament. Point out favorite hiding places or things that may frighten him. Set up a meeting with the pet sitter in advance of a trip so that the pet becomes familiar with the sitter's appearance, smell and disposition and will remain calm when she enters the home without an owner present.

· Let the sitter know of any rooms or behaviors that are off limits.

For more information on pet sitting or to locate the services of a local sitter, visit http://www.petsitters.org/.

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Stopping Your Dog From Jumping Up

Many dogs jump up when greeting their owners, friends and other pets, but in many cases this is not behavior that should be encouraged. You, as the dog's owner, may not mind, but guests may well be annoyed, frightened or simply worried about hygiene issues of having a dog's face close to their own.

Some trainers have advocated kneeing a dog in the chest to stop it from jumping up. I DO NOT advise this – it may hurt the dog or your knees and it will almost certainly not cure the behavior. We need to look at the reason the dog responds and tackle the problem from its root.

The behavior usually begins with a trigger, such as a knock at the door or a doorbell ringing. The dog will be immediately alert and ready for a visitor – he thinks that it is his job to welcome a guest, to check a stranger, to keep the pack and the territory safe. This is where the problems begins, because it should be the owner who has the responsibility of welcoming, checking and maintaining safety, not the dog.

So, when the trigger occurs, put your dog away in another room. You have effectively controlled your dog's behavior and can now welcome your guest in your own way. You will have raised your status in the pack and reduced your dog's, showing him that you are in control of who enters the house and in what manner they are greeted. You will also have saved your guest from being jumped on!

When your dog is allowed through to see your guest, do this in a controlled manner and don't allow him to jump up. As soon as his behavior is anything less than acceptable, banish him to another room. He will soon realize that he must follow your rules if he wants to stay with you and the guest.

If your dog jumps up on you when you come back home, there are two strategies for dealing with this. The first is to ignore your dog for a good five or ten minutes when you the enter the house. Don't look at him, don't speak to him and don't react if he does something to get your attention. Just turn away and ignore even bad behavior. He will be very confused at first, especially if you're in the habit of making a big fuss of him on entering the house, but after five to ten minutes he will settle down and maybe even lay down quietly. Then you can call him to you, praise him and give him a little treat.

If your dog jumps up at you, it's because he has been rewarded in some way for this behavior. Even being told off or shouted at can seem to be a reward to a dog that's desperate for attention. So when he jumps up, hold his front paws and keep him standing up on his back legs. Don't let him down and stretch him upwards a little. He will wriggle and want to get down, even mouth your hands to make you let go of his paws. Let go and reward him when he is back on the ground where he belongs.

If he jumps up again, go through the same procedure until he learns that jumping up produces a situation he doesn't find rewarding. You must be firm, kind and consistent to ensure that the message is being received loud and clear.
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Tips for Safe Travel With Your Pet

Planning a road trip with Rover? Even the most enthusiastic traveler can become agitated and anxious on a very long ride. Here are some suggestions for making car travel safe and pleasant for you and your dog:

* Watch the temperature. Even with the air conditioning on, a dog riding in the back of a van can become overheated from direct sunlight shining into the vehicle. Sun shades will reflect heat and keep your traveling companion cool. And small battery-operated fans attached to the dog's crate will keep the air moving.

* Remember to never leave your dog in a closed car. It can take just minutes for the temperature to rise enough to kill an animal.

* Help your dog relax. If your dog becomes anxious, a calming product, like Pluto Pet's Pet Calming Spray, may help relieve his fear, nervousness and aggression. Made from natural ingredients, the spray acts quickly, causes no side effects and meets all Food and Drug Administration guidelines for good manufacturing practices.

Avoid tranquilizers, which can lower the animal's blood pressure and make the dog more prone to heat-related medical emergencies.

* Keep the dog contained. Your travel companion should either be in a crate or restrained by a seatbelt made especially for animals. Dogs riding unrestrained in a car can be dangerous to themselves, the humans riding with them and other motorists.

* Make two tags: one with your home address and another with the destination address in case the dog gets lost while on the road. You should also have your dog's rabies tag and certificate and medical records.

* Pack a doggie bag. Your dog will appreciate some familiar things from home - a favorite blanket, for instance, and some toys. Bringing drinking water and food from home will help avoid stomach upset. And don't forget the cleanup supplies, because accidents happen.

* If your dog is territorial and you spend a night in a motel, keep the curtains drawn so the dog won't feel the need to protect his new turf from everyone who walks by your windows.

* Have fun! A trip together can be a wonderful bonding experience for you and your dog.
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Is Your Dog Overweight?

Obesity is one of the most prevalent diseases affecting dogs today. The frequency of obesity has increased greatly in recent years, due primarily to overeating and lack of exercise. Dogs are not much different than people in this respect. But how do we know if our dog is overweight?

A check-up with your veterinarian is always best, especially since he has your dogs records from his last exam and can compare weight as well as any other clinical indicators. However, you can perform a similar examination at home.

Start by running your hands down the dog’s sides, over her rib cage. You should be able to feel the ribs with only a slight layer of fat over them. Each rib should be distinct to your touch. However, you should not be able to see the dog’s ribs. This would indicate that the dog is too thin and under-nourished.

Next look at your pet from above to see if he has a waist behind the ribs. If the area is slightly smaller than the rib cage, the weight is ok. If the area is larger than the ribs, a diet should be started soon. However, if the rib cage is pronounced, along with the upper leg, your pet is too thin.

Look at your dog from the side. Specifically look at the spine at the top, and the abdomen or stomach behind the rib cage. You should be able to feel the spine and the tops of the shoulders with only a slight amount of fat over them. Too much fat is overweight, too little is undernourished.

The abdomen or stomach should show a slight truck or taper up from the rib cage back to the hind legs. If your dog is overweight, he will have no tuck, if he is too thin, the tuck will be extreme, along with a pronounced rib cage.

A good rule of thumb to follow is simply if your dog looks healthy and nourished he probably is. Before you begin a diet on an obese animal or trying to force feed a too thin animal, please consult your veterinarian for a check-up. There could be an underlying medical problem causing either extreme.
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Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Randy Jones and his partner Brent Jones have been in the pet industry for a long time. Recently they formed Joncopets.com. On the site, customers can shop for the latest pink dog collars and more. Check it out at www.joncopets.com http://friskydog.blogspot.com

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ROTTWEILER

Over the past few years the Rottweiler has been unfairly described in the media as a vicious dog. In reality, a Rottweiler can be a great family pet.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

The Rottweiler is a medium-large robust dog with a massive, powerful body. Agile and athletic, the Rottweiler has a broad head with a rounded forehead. Her triangular ears lean forward. She has dark almond-shaped, friendly eyes. She usually doesn’t have a tail as it is usually docked at an early age.

A male Rottweiler is 24-27 inches tall and weighs between 95-130 pounds. A female is 22-25 inches tall and weighs approximately 85-115 pounds.

Coat: Glossy short thick coat. Coat is black with rust to mahogany markings. Although uncommon , a Rottweiler can be red with brown markings.

Life expectancy: 10-12 years.

PERSONALITY

The Rottweiler is a very intelligent dog. She is calm, confident and courageous.

A natural guard dog with a mellow personality. She has a reliable temperament

Fiercely oval to her owner(s).

Can be aloof to stranger, but will happily welcome friends and family.

Requires a lot of companionship to be happy.

Some of the Rottweilers talents are: guarding, police work, tracking, herding, and competitive obedience.

ROTTWEILER AS A PET

A properly trained Rottweiler can be a wonderful pet

She can be a great friend and protector to children.

Usually will tolerate cats and other animals in the home.

Can live in an apartment as long as she is properly exercised. She is generally an inactive dog while indoors.

EXERCISE

A Rottweiler will thrive with plenty of exercise. She has great endurance and loves to swim, run, and retrieve her ball. Let her run in a open field or in the woods and she will be ecstatic.

She loves to go for walks and will not wander from you when taken outside.

Can be aggressive toward strange dogs and should be kept on a leash in public places.

TRAINING

A Rottweiler is very trainable.

Firm and careful training is very important; otherwise you will end up with a very powerful and aggressive dog.

Training should start a young age; and great care should be taken to ensure that the dog is not vicious.

A Rottweiler needs a lot of socialization and loves to be with her family and friends.

NUTRITION

A Rottweiler should be feed a high quality dog food. She has a hearty appetite and tends to overeat so food should be monitored.

GROOMING

Coat is very easy to care for. Brush with a firm bristle brush and bathe only when necessary. She is an average shedder.

COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS

Rottweilers are susceptible to ACL damage. Prone to hip dysphasia. Also prone to entropion - a narrowing of the slit between the eyelids.

MISCELLANEOUS FACTS

Females often have large litters - 10 to 12 puppies are not uncommon.

Rottweilers tend to snore.

Often born with rear dewclaws, these are usually removed when the tail is docked.

HISTORY

The Rottweiler is probably descended from the Italian Mastiff.

During the middle ages it was used as a herd dog.

It was bred in the German town of Rottweiler in Wurttemberg.

The breed was practically extinct in the 1800’s. The breed population began to grow in the early 1900’s due to the efforts of dog breeders in Stuttgart.

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The Everything Rottweiler Book: A Complete Guide To Raising, Training, And Caring For Your Rottweiler (CLICK HERE!)

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Top 10 Most Popular Dogs

According to the American Kennel Club, here are the top ten dogs based upon registration numbers.

1. Labrador Retriever

2. Golden Retriever

3. German Shepherd

4. Beagle

5. Yorkshire Terrier

6. Dachshund

7. Boxer

8. Poodle

9. Shih Tzu

10. Chihauha

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See ya tomorrow!

Jasmine

http://friskydog.blogspot.com

Scams Play on Owners' Love for Animals

Purebred dogs such as English Bulldogs are especially susceptible to pet scams involving theft.

Most pet owners consider their pets part of the family. Such a bond can make for some scary moments if a pet decides to wander off. In such unfortunate circumstances, many pet owners will do anything it takes and pay whatever price to get their pet back home safe and sound.

That willingness, in turn, makes pet owners highly susceptible to scams. Unfortunately, it's hard to tell people not to think with their hearts when they're worrying about a lost pet. Here are some common pet scams that target distraught individuals.

· Found Pet ads. The age of technology has opened the door for scam artists in many arenas, and the lost pet arena is no exception. Upon losing a pet, many decide to head to the Internet or their local newspaper and search through the "Found Pet" ads. This can be a great way to find a lost pet, but it can also be a way to get scammed. Acting carefully is the best advice in these situations.

These scams typically follow the same pattern. A pet owner who recently lost a pet will find an ad saying a dog was recently found in a certain area. Pet owners will then respond, and someone will then say they found the pet on the highway, but due to the nature of their work (truck driver, salesman, even a vacationer) or travel they cannot return the pet without first being reimbursed for the transportation fees. Oftentimes, these scammers will even ask the pet owner to describe the pet and then tell them it is, in fact, the right animal. Excited pet owners will then agree to wire funds, only the scammer does not actually have the dog. The scammer will then keep the money and the pet owner will be left still looking for the pet and out a lot of money as well.

The best way to approach a situation like this is to remain rational. Anyone who found the pet and was willing to take it in and post an ad for it will no doubt be willing to return the animal in person.

· Lost Pet ads. Many scammers use "Lost Pet" ads as a source of information and to find their next victim. Anyone posting a "Lost Pet" ad, be it online, on a local community bulletin board, or in the newspaper should be careful what they include in such postings. Giving away all pertinent information, such as where and when the dog was lost, can make it difficult to determine if the person who has "found" your pet is really a scammer.

· Pet Theft. A common scam, particularly with dogs, is to steal a dog and then wait for a reward to be offered. Purebreds, which can cost upwards of thousands of dollars, are usually the targets of such scams, as con artists know they can demand higher rewards.

A way around this is to avoid leaving any dog outdoors unattended. All it takes is a few minutes for a thief to run off with a dog. While the thief may attempt to acquire a reward, an expensive dog can also be sold to other private individuals, or even worse, to dog fighting rings to use as bait dogs or medical testing companies.

High-priced reptiles and birds are also targets of thieves, who may purposefully break into a home to steal these pets and sell them to others who are willing to fork over big bucks.

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Until next time!

Jasmine

http://friskydog.blogspot.com

Dog Constipaton

A dog should defecate at least once in two days, with soft feces. The dog suffers from Constipation if it does not do so.

Mechanical obstructions such as tumors, strictures and foreign bodies are the most probable causes of initial Constipation. The ingestion of large meals of bones and some indigestible fibrous material can cause Constipation. If we do not notice it in time the feces accumulates in the colon, loses its moisture and becomes dry. It makes it all the harder to move the bowel. The older dogs are affected more. The dog may strain to defecate, and pass a small amount of liquid stool. Loss of appetite, vomiting and lethargy are other symptoms of Dog Constipation.

Frequent Constipation causes a condition called megacolon. When the feces accumulate in the colon, it dilates to hold the feces. Over a period it loses its ability to contract and expand to propel the feces out.

Clinical signs are the important methods by which the Constipation is diagnosed. Physical examination and, in certain cases, radiography can help in assessing the Constipation of the pet. First, treatment may involve enemas and or the physical removal of the feces in a veterinary clinic. If that doesn’t work then surgery may be used. The dog may need intravenous liquids to treat dehydration. Various laxatives are available for dogs, that soften the stools and improve colon contraction.

We can take several measures to prevent Dog Constipation. A high-fiber diet and the availability of water at all times are most important. Regularly exercising the dog is very important, and it also allows the dog regular chances for bowel movements. Encouraging the dog to pass stools by taking the dogs out often can improve the frequency. There are serious diseases that can cause Constipation. As the dog ages, the chance of Constipation also increases.

If the normal treatment is not effective, the veterinarian may do surgery to partially or fully remove the colon.

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Until Next Time!
Jas


http://www.e-constipation.com/ provides detailed information about constipation, cat constipation, causes of constipation, chronic constipation and more. Constipation is the sister site of Osteoarthritis Web Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristy_Annely http://friskydog.blogspot.com

GOLDEN RETRIEVER

The Golden Retriever is beautiful both inside and out. She is one of the best companion dogs in the world.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

A well developed dog with muscular thighs, broad head with a tapering, but wide, powerful muzzle. Scissor like teeth. She has medium sized brown friendly eyes and rather short, medium sized ears.

The female retriever is 20-22 inches tall and weights between 55-70 pounds. The male is 22-24 inches tall and weighs 60-80 pounds.

Coat - Medium length- can be wavy or straight. Dense and water repellent with good undercoat. Outer coat is neither coarse nor silky.

PERSONALITY

A Retriever has a charming personality. She is intelligent, and extremely loyal.

She is not very aggressive and loves to be around people. She is moderately active.

Usually quiet but will bark loudly to signal a strangers approach

Talents - A Retriever has many talents such as hunting, retrieving, agility, performing tricks, and narcotics detection.

RETRIEVER AS A PET

Perfect family pet. Patient and loving with children.

Usually will get along well with other animals.

Can live in apartment but needs plenty of exercise.

TRAINING

Very intelligent and easy to train. A retriever cannot do enough for her owner(s) so obedience training can be fun.

EXERCISE

Retrievers need daily exercise. She loves to retrieve toys, and swim, so exercise is fairly easy.

NUTRITION

Will thrive on high quality dog food. She tends to gain weight easily, so food consumption must be monitored.

COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS

Prone to hip dysphasia, and congenital eye defects.

Skin allergies are common in retrievers and require veterinary attention.

MISCELLANEOUS FACTS

Life expectancy is 10-12 years.

The golden retriever was originally form the British isles. It is believed she is a cross between a yellow flat-coated retriever, the spaniel, the setter, and possibly a bloodhound.

Many of the top obedience competition dogs in the country are golden retrievers.

A great bird dog - both land and water.


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Until Next Time!
Jasmine

http://friskydog.blogspot.com

The Magnificent Akita

An Akita will always make a memorable lasting impression. The combination of size and elegance makes this dog truly distinctive.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

The Akita is a large powerful dog: the male is 26-28 inches tall and weighs between 100-125 pounds. The female is a bit smaller. She is 24-26 inches tall and weighs about 70 to 100 pounds.

*Color: No particular color. Akitas can even be pure white.

*Coat: Short moderate in length, but very dense and consists of two layers. The undercoat is very soft and is the primary insulator, while the outer coat is slightly longer and coarser.

*Head: The Akita has a very large head with small erect ears. She has very distinct small triangular shaped eyes with black rims.

*Tail: Large full and curled.

PERSONALITY

Very intelligent and dignified.

Extremely protective and loyal - An Akita will live her life as if her only purpose is to protect and spend time with you. She will thrive on human contact.

Since an Akita is so loyal, she usually will not show affection toward someone that is not a member of her family.

Typically Akitas are not aggressive towards people, but do have a well developed guarding instinct.

Akitas are very quiet and will not bark unless there is a reason.

Will show aggressive tendencies toward other dogs of the same sex. Can live peacefully with a dog of the opposite sex. However, some Akitas want to be the only dog.

Will usually get along with cats.

AKITA AS A FAMILY PET

An Akita would make a wonderful addition to most families as she is usually very gentle and patient with children - she will be a great friend, and protector.

Akitas are extremely clean and easily housebroken.

A very calm demeanor and do not require a lot of exercise. However to maintain her proper weight, an Akita needs regular exercise.

An Akita is not suitable for apartment living.

TRAINING

Very easy to train - No professional dog training will be needed.

Akitas are extremely intelligent and tend to get bored easily; so short training periods are suggested.

NUTRITION

An Akita has a very large appetite.

She is very food possessive so she should not be feed with other animals.

Akitas should be feed a good quality meat and bone based food and do not thrive as well on a soybean based dog food.

COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS

Many Akitas have a problem with Hypothroid disease - this can be treated very easily with hormone replacement therapy.

Other diseased found in Akita s include: impaired night vision, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (blindness), hip problems, and kidney problems in older dogs.

MISCELLANEOUS AKITA INFORMATION

With proper care and nutrition an Akita should live 10-14 years.

Most Akitas like to carry things in their mouths - including your wrist! It is not unusual for an Akita to take you by the wrist to lead you to her food bowl or a favorite place. (She does this out of love rather than aggression.)

An Akita can easily be trained to carry in the newspaper or mail.

HISTORY

An Akita is Japanese bred with a very long history (one of the most primitive breeds).

This breed is considered a national treasure in Japan. It is believed that a home with an Akita is a symbol of prosperity and good fortune.

Helen Keller brought the first Akita to the United States in 1937.

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Live with Passion!

Jasmine

http://friskydog.blogspot.com

Training Your Hunting Dogs

Producing a “finished” hunting dog, one that will perform the tasks of pointing out game or retrieving game, is not a simple matter. In some cases, it can take several hunting seasons and specialized training equipment to achieve the desired results.

It would be ludicrous to begin training a dog to perform hunting skills without first teaching it basic obedience. Your dog must be able to sit, stay, remain quiet and come on demand before moving into the more complex areas of the hunt. The success of the hunt, as well as the safety of the dog and its handler, is directly correlated to the dog’s performance and self control. For example, an unruly dog that barks at incoming geese will not only spoil the hunt, but will not be invited back again. Further, a dog that bolts out of a blind too quickly can jeopardize a shot and even cause a shooting accident. Control is most essential.

When the hunter is ready to begin training his dog for the hunt, there is a variety of equipment that will prove valuable. Probably the first and most essential item is a piece of 3/8-inch polypropylene rope of about 30 feet in length. The rope allows the handler to maintain control of his dog during exercises and eliminates the chance of having to chase the dog and correct him for straying.

Most dogs have a natural fear of loud noises, especially gunfire. Therefore, the trainer will have to involve a training pistol or firearm in his training program. A handgun is preferable; a shotgun is too large and difficult to handle while holding the lead line and juggling other training devices. When training the retriever, training “bumpers” or dummies are utilized to teach the dog to fetch. These aides come in various colors and sizes. White bumpers are generally used for “marking” drills where the dog is being taught to retrieve by sight and colored bumpers are used for “running blinds” where the dog is sent blindly into an area to retrieve a downed bird that fell out of sight.

The retriever should be trained to respond to the sound of a whistle. The voice of the dog’s handler will not always be loud enough or distinct enough to alert the dog to give up the search and return to the handler’s side. Some of the more elaborate whistles come with built-in megaphones that allow the sound to be heard more easily and direct the blaring sound away from the hunter(s). They are usually well worth the extra cost.

Some trainers will use a friend or “bird boys” who position themselves some distance from the trainer and toss the bumpers high into the air to simulate a falling bird. For those who train without assistance, bird launchers are a big help. These launchers come in single or multiple bird capacity; however, they are usually bulky and can be expensive.

Electric dog training collars are effective but controversial. These collars have a small electronic device attached that administers a remote controlled mild electric shock to the dog. The control is hand held by the trainer. These pieces of equipment allow an immediate correction when the dog fails to respond to the more conventional command. The level of shock involved has been compared to the static shock one receives from a carpet or from touching a car door handle in cold weather. Actually, the electric collar could be considered a humane alternative to the aggressive tactics or brute force used by some trainers.

One of the best ways to embark on training your hunting dog is learn from the experts. Training tips and guidelines are now available on tapes that show the student step by step training procedures. These instructional tapes should be on every novice trainer’s list of essential training equipment.

When you’re training your dog in the wilds you should be prepared to care for him if he is injured. Therefore, the final thing on our list of essentials is a First Aid Kit. Many of the items you’ll need for your dog are also appropriate for use on humans, so the kit can be mutually beneficial to both you and your dog. Fill the kit with such items as: sterile bandages, topical solutions, tape, scissors, tweezers, antibiotic ointments such as Neosporin, ibuprofen (safe for both humans and canines) and possibly a veterinarian prescribed anti-inflammatory such as Deramaxx or Rimadly. A well stocked First Aid Kit has prevented many a pleasant hunting trip from becoming a nightmare.

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Until Next Time!

Jasmine

If you want to add this dog article to your website, you must include the following author information with the dog article - including the links: Dog Article courtesy of I-Love-Dogs.com http://friskydog.blogspot.com

Pets Are Often More Than a 'Best Friend'

Family pets can wear many hats for children, helping them develop socially as well as emotionally. Pets Are Often More Than a 'Best Friend'

Though pets play an important and often familial role in the lives of adults and children alike, the role a pet can have in a child's development is especially important. Children learn many of life's lessons from caring for animals, learning how to both take care of a pet and care for it emotionally. Dr. Gail Melson of the Center for the Human-Animal Bond at the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine points out that children learn empathy and nurturing behaviors as a result of having a pet. The latter lesson is particularly important for male children, who typically do not participate in nurturing games such as playing dolls or house, and often view nurturing activities as signs of weakness. When it comes to male children and pets, however, that nurturing bias disappears.

Dr. Alan Beck, who directs the Human-Animal Bond center at Purdue, notes that pets provide other lessons for children as well, whether it's how to cultivate a friendship or deal with the inevitability of death.

"For children, animals teach responsibility and compassion," Dr. Beck said in a 2005 online forum for WebMD. "They can be a best friend, a source of learning about life, and are often the first exposure to death, which is still important for children to understand."

Though pets can play such an integral role in a child's development, it's important parents understand which pets might be the most appropriate for their children. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) notes that choosing an appropriate pet is essential to how beneficial your pet can be for your child's development. For instance, the ASPCA suggests parents of toddlers or infants avoid choosing a pet that is also in its infancy or toddler stage. Having a pet and child at such a similar learning and developmental stage can be detrimental to both child and pet, as each is learning its respective boundaries and how to interact with others. Child and pet, then, are both more likely to overstep their boundaries, perhaps making the relationship between child and pet strained and quite possibly dangerous.

The ASPCA also suggests parents keep a watchful eye on the interaction between child and pet, particularly if your child is younger. For young children, responsibility can be instilled with the simplest of tasks, be it filling a water bowl each day or simply coming along for the daily walk. As time goes by and children get older, increasing their responsibilities with respect to the family pet will only foster their sense of responsibility.

Children can also learn a sense of social responsibility from having a pet. As Dr. Beck points out, animals encourage social contact between people.
"We are a social species, and we find great comfort in each other's company," Dr. Beck says. "Our studies and others have shown that people with animals are actually viewed by others as being nicer, better people."

While that's a definite benefit, animals could also increase the likelihood of a child succeeding in social opportunities. According to the ASPCA, parents of young children should encourage appropriate behavior between child and pet, such as not playing too roughly and not disturbing the animal while it's sleeping or eating (both of which could be dangerous to a child, as animals, dogs in particular, may respond to such disturbances with aggressive behavior). By encouraging your child to behave appropriately with your pet, you'll help your child get a better understanding of how best to behave around other children and a stronger sense of what is appropriate and what is not.

Dr. Beck also notes that pets can often play a calming, healing and even nurturing role for their owners. For instance, simply petting a dog or cleaning a fish tank has been shown to lower blood pressure. While children are not necessarily prone to high blood pressure, everyone, including toddlers and younger children, has bad days, making the calming effects of a pet all the more beneficial. An animal's ability to recognize when a person is having a bad day is also an interesting thing to note.

"Many social species, including humans, dolphins, and dogs, notice when a member of the group needs more attention," Dr. Beck says. "And dogs are particularly sensitive to human behaviors and often even anticipate it. They are incredibly observant of the most minor, nonverbal behaviors. It is common that a dog senses a 'pack' member who is behaving differently and orients to that person and tries to bring comfort."

While many people love a pet simply because of the way they look, it's good to know as well that your pet, be it a dog, cat or even some fish, is paying dividends you might not even be aware of.

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Live with passion!!!
Jasmine

http://friskydog.blogspot.com

Pet Overpopulation a Prevalent Problem

(MS) - Many animals are forced to spend months in shelters, or are euthanized in the prime of their lives. The chief reason for this is the overpopulation of cats and dogs throughout the country.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) estimates between three and four million cats and dogs are euthanized each year. Part of the problem in addressing overpopulation is a failure from pet lovers to realize just how damaging it can be, and how quickly things can get out of hand.

Please help reduce the pet population by having your pets spayed and neutered.

If you are considering buying a new pet, why not visit your local animal shelter. Or visit www.petfinder.com

Until next time!

Jasmine

http://friskydog.blogspot.com/

Your Dog's Bad Breath

A dog's bad breath usually has basically the same cause as bad breath in humans: anaerobic bacteria break down proteins in the dog's mouth and release volatile sulfur compounds (VSC), which smell like rotten eggs. These bacteria live in airless pockets in the back of the mouth, between the teeth and the gums and on the back of the tongue. In dogs more often than humans, however, the worst problem lies with a layer of tartar on the teeth.

Tartar is made up of mineral
deposits, bits of food, and live bacteria: if you could magnify the tartar on a dog's teeth, you would be able to see that it is actually very rough with numerous hollows and cavities where bacteria can live, digesting the little bits of food that are caught there as well. When the tartar is very advanced, it extends beyond the gum line, creating ideal conditions for the proliferation of bacteria that flourish in the absence of oxygen. This is often the source of halitosis in dogs, and because older dogs often have a considerable buildup of tartar, dogs bad breath is particularly associated with elderly dogs.

It's best to try to prevent halitosis in dogs by avoiding the troublesome buildup of tartar in the first place. There are several ways to do this: get into the habit of brushing your dog's teeth when the dog is very young - Toothpastes
are available especially for dogs and cats that contain enzymes to break down the tartar and prevent it from advancing. Take your dog to the veterinarian regularly and have his or her teeth professionally examined. Dental cleaning is available to clear away accumulating tartar before it gets too bad. You can also purchase a variety of chew toys and bones that help dogs scrape the tartar off their own teeth while they are chewing. If you do all of these things, you should be able to avoid dogs bad breath.

If tartar is already a problem, and you are starting to notice your dogs bad breath, you will probably find yourself paying for an extensive cleaning, probably under general anesthetic, by the veterinarian. There is some risk involved when the dog is old, but heavy tartar on the teeth comes with high risk of health complications anyway, so in most cases, it is worth taking a chance. Aside from improving your pet's health, the procedure is effective at putting an end to severe halitosis in dogs.

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Dog Toothpaste (Click Here!)-Available in beef or poultry flavor

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Until Next Time!

Jasmine

R. Drysdale is a freelance writer with more than 25 years experience as a health care professional. She is a contributing editor to Bad Breath Cure, a blog dedicated to the treatment of bad breath.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=R._Drysdale http://friskydog.blogspt.com

Skunk Odor and Your Dog!

Oh no! Your pet got sprayed by a skunk. What should you do now? The first thing many people think of is tomato juice. Don't bother, because it doesn't work. I will explain why later in this article. So, if tomato juice won't work, then what will? A 2% solution of vinegar will help a little, but it won't really do that much.

You need to Neutralize the Skunk odor NOT mask it. Here is the formula to change the chemical structure of the compounds in skunk spray that make it smell so bad, and stick around for such a long time. The Formula was invented by Illinois chemist Paul Krebaum. By the way, this is not just for pets; it will work on you too, if you're unlucky enough to get sprayed!

Skunk Odor Removal Formula

1 quart 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (found in any drug store)
¼ cup Baking Soda (sodium bicarbonate)
1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap (like Dawn or Palmolive, but any similar dish soap will work)

* This solution must be mixed in an OPEN wide mouth container like a bucket. It will bubble or fizz profusely, so DON'T mix it or store it in a closed container or bottle. This formula will produce pressure in a closed container and cause it to burst. Use it as soon as you make it, because it will lose all effectiveness if it is stored. It must be freshly made in order to work properly.

* Wet your pet's coat with warm water then thoroughly massage formula into pet's coat. Be sure to massage it in very well so that you neutralize every trace of skunk spray. Be VERY careful not to get any of the formula into his eyes nose or mouth. You may use a wash cloth to CAREFULLY wipe it onto his face. Leave it on for about five minutes then rinse off thoroughly (do not get into eyes). Repeat if necessary.

Your Pet's Eyes

Call your vet immediately if the skunk sprays your pet directly in the eyes. You will know because your pet's eyes will be very red, irritated, and probably watery. The spray will make his eyes sting very badly. Your pet will not be permanently blinded but it is very painful.

What Is Skunk Spray Made Of And Why Is It So Strong?

Skunk spray contains compounds called Thiols and Thioacetates. Our noses are very sensitive to Thiols, so sensitive in fact that we can detect then in parts per billion! Thiols smell so horribly noxious because of the sulfur they contain.

The Thioacetates in Skunk spray decompose very slowly into; you guessed it.....Thiols! So the reason that Skunk spray has such staying power and lingers for so long is because of the slow decomposition of Thioacetates into Thiols. In essence you are getting "timed release" Skunk odor because of the slow release of Thiols.

Why Doesn't Tomato Juice Work?

You may have heard that tomato juice is the magic potion to get rid of Skunk odor, but it isn't magic, it's just an illusion. It is an illusion because strong odors such as Skunk tend to cause something called "olfactory fatigue". Olfactory fatigue happens when an odor binds very strongly to the odor receptors in your nose.

For example olfactory fatigue can occur if someone is wearing strong perfume and you are in the same room for an extended period of time. The odor receptors in your nose become fatigued and you stop noticing the smell, but if you leave the room for a while and return, you will notice the perfume again. The same thing happens with many other odors even strong cooking odors.

So when you use tomato juice, perfume or room or fabric deodorizer sprays on skunk odor. One strong odor is replacing another and it fools your odor receptors. So if you use tomato juice or a deodorizer on your pet, chances are YOU will think your problem is solved but it isn't. Just ask a friend or family member if they smell skunk. They will!

What Do I Do About The Odor In And Around My House?

Clothing, fabrics or surfaces that can withstand bleach may be deodorized by using one cup of bleach per gallon of water. NEVER USE BLEACH ON YOUR PET!

You can also use the peroxide formula to remove the odors from washable items but please remember to spot check the item for color fastness.

If the odor has drifted into the air in your home, try to air out your house as much as possible, time and ventilation will remove the smell.

Any outdoor areas such as decks or concrete that can tolerate being bleached may be deodorized by using one cup of bleach per gallon of water. NEVER USE BLEACH ON YOUR PET!

Fun Site:
See What's New at Active K9! (Click Here)

Until Next Time!

Jasmine

Karen Gluberman has been a dog trainer and Breeder of Dobermans for the past twenty years. Find out how to have a happy, healthy, and well behaved dog or puppy at: http://www.dogtrainingadvice.com/ Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Gluberman, http://friskydog.blog.com

Canine Hip Dysplasia - Signs, Symptoms, and Tips To Prevent It

Canine hip dysplasia is a genetic issue that starts to appear from the ages of 4 to 12 months. Not all puppies in a litter will develop it, though if your dog has canine hip dysplasia, she should not be bred.

Larger breed dogs have a higher risk of developing hip dysplasia, due to the greater weight these joints will have to bear. But it's important to realize that small dogs can be affected also. Large breed dogs at risk include rottweilers, german shephards, golden retrievers, dalmations, and blood hounds.

Canine hip dysplasia affects the ball and socket joint of the hip. The head of the large bone in the dog's leg doesn't fit snugly into the hip socket. The problem is that the socket itself is not well developed, and it creates a lot of stress on the joint. The muscles don't develop as quickly as the bone grows, and a situation is created where the weight the joint has to bear is greater than the capacity of the ligaments, tendons, and muscles around the joint. Thus joint instability develops. This in turn leads to a greater wear and tear than the joint would normally experience.

Canine hip dysplasia ranges from mild to moderate. In mild cases, the space between the joints is greater than normal and the ball at the top of the hip bone is part way out of its socket. Fortunately, in mild cases, there are no associated arthritic changes in the joint.

In moderate canine hip dysplasia, the top part of the normally rounded hip bone begins to flatten, and it sits only loosely in the joint. Bone spurs begin to develop, and arthritic changes start to happen.

Unfortunately, in severe hip dysplasia, there is definite arthritis present. And once arthritis appears in the joint, the condition is irreversible. In the severe cases such as this, the hip bone is completely out of the joint. The silver lining is, however, that not all dogs with hip dysplasia and arthritis will become lame. Some may become lame as puppies, some may not ever become lame.

Symptoms of hip dysplasia include:

* walking with a limp
* a swaying gait
* bunny hopping when running
* difficulty in the back legs when getting up
* pain in the hip
* when the puppy is lying on its back, its back legs may not extend towards the front legs without pain

The only way to find out if your dog definitely has hip dysplasia is if he has an x-ray by a vet. This normally means the dog will have to be heavily sedated, or go under anaesthetic.

Tips To Prevent Canine Hip Dysplasia

* Don't feed a growing dog a diet too high in calories. It's important that the growing dog's nutritional needs are met, but excessive weight, and rapid weight gain, create more of a load for the joints to bear. If a dog is genetically predisposed to hip dysplasia, this can delay the beginning of symptoms, or reduce the chance of it developing into a more severe form.

* Be careful about the type of exercise growing dogs get. Jumping up and down from heights, and standing on their back legs, such as when they stand against a fence or window to look over it, can aggravate the joints whilst they are growing quickly.

* Buy dogs from a reputable breeder. If one parent dog has hip dysplasia, the risk of it occurring in the litter is doubled. Good breeders take care to prevent this situation from occurring. The pedigrees of dogs can be checked to see whether they have been certified as normal by the Orthopedic Foundation For Animals (OFA) in the US. Their website is www.offa.org

Other organizations that check for markers of hip normalcy in dogs are PennHip and the GDC (Genetic Disease Control in Animals). Large breed dogs have a greater chance of developing hip dysplasia, and prospective owners would be wise to take this precaution.

Fun Site:

Unique Dog Gifts (Click Here!)

Until Next Time!

Jasmine

References: J Griffin and L Carlson, Dog Owners Home Veterinary Handbook

http://www.articledashboard.com
Whilst large breed dogs are more susceptible to canine hip dysplasia, buying from a reputable breeder can prevent this developing. Find out more about some of these loveable breeds here at The Dogs Bone. Large breed dog articles, with photos, include these on the bloodhound dog, and the dalamation. http://friskydog.blogspot.com http://friskydog.blogspot.com

When Should I Start Training My Puppy?

If you have a puppy, you must start training early, but do it gently.

Your puppy has to have confidence in you before he can begin learning. Remember that puppies are like children - they have growing bodies, short attention spans, and will only learn things when the conditions are right and when they understand what it is you're trying to teach them.

That said, the earlier you start training dogs, the better. More specifically, it's best if you start “socialization” from 8 weeks, simple commands like “come” and “sit” from 12 weeks, and more intensive training at 5 to 6 months.

**************

While some early training can be started as soon as you bring your puppy home, the optimum time to begin obedience training is somewhere around 9 to 12 weeks of age.

Keep in mind that training can cover a broad range of topics – I’m not suggesting that you begin training your puppy at 8 weeks of age for agility competitions! Your training should start off with the basics – teaching him “No!” and beginning house-training.

Socialization skills are next – experts tell us the best window for your puppy to learn socialization skills is between 3 and 16 weeks – that’s the best time to insure that your puppy grows into a well-adjusted adult.

And remember, socialization isn’t about teaching him the right fork to use at the dinner table – it’s about giving your dog the self-assurance to deal correctly with any social environment he finds himself in is one of the most valuable and lasting lessons you can teach him.

A well-socialized dog will interact well with all types of people and situations, even those he has never been in before. With appropriate social skills, your dog will show little or no fear of most objects, people or other animals, and even if startled, will recover quickly and won’t panic.

Bottom line, a well-adjusted dog is one that is comfortable in a variety of situations and surroundings. He may be excited in a new setting, but not fearful. The key here is to create positive experiences as you expose your dog to more and more new situations.

Even training your puppy for 5 – 10 minutes per day as soon as you bring him home will make a big difference in the social skills and adaptability of your puppy.

Keep in mind that puppies have very short attention spans, so keep your lessons short and fun. How short an attention span? That depends on the age of the puppy, his breed and how mature your individual puppy is – but a good rule of thumb is to keep the training sessions within that 5 -10 minute range.

Depending on your puppy’s age and maturity level, sometime between 3 and 6 months of age you should be moving the training into the area of the basic commands such as Sit, Heel, Down, etc.

It’s important you have realistic expectations about your dog’s capabilities at this point – I don’t expect a puppy to be responding to the basic commands with any degree of regularity until they’ve reached 6 months of age.

Fun Sites:

Animal Den (Click Here)

Until next time!

Jasmine

2004 by Charlie Lafave, author, "Dog Training Secrets!"
To transform your stubborn, misbehaving dog into a loyal, well-behaving "best friend" who obeys your every command and is the envy of the neighborhood, visit:

Dog Training (Click Here!) , http://friskydog.blogspot.com

The German Shepherds

As their name implies, German Shepherds were bred as herding dogs. As such they were bred to work closely with people and to control large moving masses. Herding dogs were bred to work and need work; if you don't provide them with it they will find their own work to do. Also bred to think independently at times, these dogs can be smart problem solvers.

From their background as herders, you can expect these dogs to chase moving objects like bicycles and cars. They also have a tendency to nip at running children the same way they would nip at the heels of livestock. This is known as movement-stimulated nipping.

German Shepherds are very intelligent and versatile. They can be trained to be police dogs, guide dogs, seeing-eye dogs, protection dogs and so on. They can make wonderful companions. Even though highly trainable, German Shepherds require professional assistance at least for the first two years. They need constant, daily training and socialization sessions. Intensive early socialization is required to offset the problems of shyness and noise sensitivity that is common among all herding breeds. One should definitely not reward aggression or cowardice in this breed. Male German Shepherds should be neutered early.

German Shepherds have been an extremely popular breed for many years which has led to problems associated with overbreeding and poor breeding. Widespread genetic and temperament problems has left the Shepherd breed abounding with dogs who suffer from health and behaviour problems, excessive shyness and aggression. German Shepherds often become over attached to their owners which leads to separation anxiety, over protectiveness and fear of new situations.

The average height of a German Shepherd is between 22-26 inches and their average weight ranges from 65-100 pounds. Some, of course, can get much larger than this. Most Shepherds are black and tan in color, but some can be solid black, white, or gray. These dogs are double-coated breeds and as such shed profusely. When shedding occurs, usually in the spring and fall, German Shepherds need to be brushed daily. Shedding lasts a couple of weeks, during which time the dogs will shed an amazing amount of hair.

As previously mentioned, these dogs need work and that translates into plenty of exercise. At least two sessions per day would be a minimum requirement. Daily training sessions would also be highly recommended.

Due to the high volume of breeding over the years, the behavior of German Shepherds around children and other pets can be quite unpredictable. Some dogs can be fantastic around kids and pets and others can be the opposite. Some of this behavior can be attributed to inherited traits but training and early socialization also play an important role here.

German Shepherds are prone to a vast array of health concerns. Here is a small list: hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, spinal degeneration, auto-immune disease, thyroid dysfunction, subaortic stenosis, skin disorders and gastrointestinal problems. Poor temperament has now become so common that a stable, confident and calm Shepherd is a very pleasant surprise.

At their best, German Shepherds are second-to-none for their companionship and devotion. They can be trained to do almost anything. It is a sad situation that these good specimens are hard to find with so many unhealthy and unstable dogs out there.

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Until Next time!

Jasmine

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Dogs
Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell
http://friskydog.blogspot.com

Siberian Huskies

Description

Siberian Huskies are strong, compact, working dogs. The Siberian Husky comes in all colors from black to pure white are allowed. A variety of markings on the head is common, including many striking patterns not found in other breeds. Color choices include Black and White, which ranges from light (dilute) to dark (jet), Sable and White (which is red-orange with black tips), Agouti and White (which is sometimes referred to as the coyote color and contains a lot of dark gray coat), and White (not to be confused with a Samoyed). The face mask and underbody are usually white, and the remaining coat any color.

The eyes are almond shaped, moderately spaced and set a trifle obliquely. It is a common misconception that all Siberians have blue eyes. They can have eyes that are blue, brown, amber, or any combination thereof including eyes which are half blue and half brown, which is referred to as being parti-eyed. Having one blue eye and one brown eye is referred to as being bi-eyed.

They have large "snow shoe" feet with hair between the toes for gripping the ice. It's ears are set high and erect, with a sickle shaped tail. The Siberian Husky has a thick, wooly undercoat and a soft outer coat.

Temperament

These dogs are gentle and playful, but willful and mischievous. This cheerful dog is very fond of his or her family. A puppy at heart, they are clever, sociable and loving, easy-going and docile. Though they do generally have a lot of energy, especially as puppies. Good with children and friendly with strangers, they are not watchdogs, for they bark little and love everyone. Huskies are very intelligent and trainable, but they have a mind of their own and will only obey a command if they see the point.

Huskies make an excellent jogging companion, as long as it is not too hot.This breed likes to howl and gets bored easily. They do not like to be left alone, so if this is the breed for you, you may want to consider having two. A lonely Husky can be very destructive.

Remember that the Husky is a sled dog in heart and soul. They are good with other pets if they are raised with them from puppyhood. Huskies are thrifty eaters and need less food than you might expect.

This is not meant to be a comprehensive list, as even the top breeders in the country will tell you that they learn something new about their dogs every day! They have a lifespan of up to 15 years.

Fun Sites:


Bark Magazine (Click Here)

www.Siberianbreeders.com

Until Next Time!

Jasmine

For more information and links regarding Siberian Huskys visit Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dy_Loh http://friskydog.blogspot.com