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Addressing the problem of boredom

Dogs get bored just like adults and children

Assuming that your dog is happy to just lie around all day or stay on it’s own while you are at work could lead to a very unhappy animal.

While it’s not possible or practical for most people to have contact with their dog throughout the day, due to work and other commitments, a dog will always be a lot happier if it knows that at the end of each day it will get the opportunity to go for a walk in the park or a run along the beach.

The stimulation that it will get from this activity and the time that it is spending with you will help it to keep a healthy mind and a happy personality.

This time together is all important for building the bond that will ensure you both get the maximum benefit from your relationship.

Quality time with your dog will reap rewards, just as they would with a child, with a more obedient dog who is happier to please you than to misbehave. And a happier dog is a healthier dog that will tend to live longer and give you more years of pleasure.

You can relieve boredom and also boost your dogs intelligence with toys

There are many benefits in giving your dog the right toys to play with.

While most people think that dog toys are only to relieve boredom this is not the only use for these toys.

Sure dog toys are excellent for relieving boredom and are especially good where you might have to leave your dog on it’s own for periods of time, but there are other reasons why you should consider buying your dog toys.

Some dog toys are designed to boost their intelligence where they will only get a reward after they have performed certain tasks.

These toys are a very effective method of training.

Other toys help a dog to know what they can chew and in doing so you can save yourself a lot of expense by not having to replace expensive items throughout the house that can be destroyed at the teeth of your pet.

There are chewing toys that will help your dog strengthen and keep their teeth clean and there are toys that will help teach your dog with retrieval training.

You really need to decide what you want the toys for before buying and also to determine what the personality of your dog is before you can get the right toys for it.

Some toys are designed to last for a short period of time when they will be replaced by new ones, and these are often the chewing variety.

Some toys of the chewing variety are flavored so you will need to check first to see what ingredients they have used for the flavoring or you might be buying a toy that your dog is allergic to. These toys with flavoring often have preservatives in them so beware.

With such a wide variety of toys available on the market these days there is certain to be something that your dog will enjoy and make their life all the more happy.

#dog boredom #dog gets bored #dog toys

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Clever Dog Plays Dead To Stay At The Park Longer

This is really funny!

The Golden retriever made a decision that there was no way he was going home!

So how do you stop your owner taking you home….well you play dead of course!

The show went on and on until the owner pulled out his secret weapon – a stick. Only the stick-in-the-mouth trick is what got him to get himself up. I guess this dog would be an easy one to train !

“ I’d rather die than leave this heavenly place”

“Sorry, I’m dead”

The show went on and on until the owner pulled out his ultimate gun

“The stick-in-the-mouth trick is what got him to get his butt up,” writes the witness on Youtube

Watch the full video here:

#dog training

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How far can a dog Track a Scent?

We all know how powerful a dogs sense of smell is but do any of us know the reason why?

If you have ever wondered how dogs are able to track scents so far away then this article

How far can a dog track a scent at Petsnap will satisfy your curiosity.

Did you know that a dogs nose has two air passages?

and a dog can pick up a scent 80 feet below water!

This article at Petsnap will explain all!

#dog tracking #sense of smell #tracking

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How To Introduce A New Puppy to an Older Dog

Before you plan on bring your new puppy home try as much as you can to choose a puppy breed that is compatible with the breeds you already have. Bear in mind that any dog in your household considers the house to be his territory and so a new addition must be handled with care.

My Bodagero that I brought back from Spain and who does not allow the other 2 dogs into our bedroom is testimony to that!

Doing this correctly from the beginning will ensure an easy landing from day one.

Neutral Ground

It might be an idea to do the introduction on neutral ground so your resident dog does not feel threatened and territorial. For example a neighbors garden or yard and if either of these are not available then a park, field anywhere that is close and easy from the house.

As dogs are very good at picking up our emotions they will pick it up if you are tense and so it is better if they meet off the lead. Also when a dog is on a lead this can result in a fearful aggression especially if he or she feels that the lead will prevent them getting away from the new dog. If you can put some sort of barrier between them then it leaves time for the novelty factor to wear off before they come nose to nose.

This would be especially important if you were introducing a small dog such as one of the small terrier breeds to a great Dane as one friendly flip from the great Danes paw in his excitement could break the other dog’s back.

If you cannot find a neutral place then take them on a walk together with 2 different people handling each leash. Give them enough room to move but not enough to get into nose sniffing range in order to keep the tension of pulling on the leash low.

Have treats with you and if any eyeballing starts make sure you distract the dog with the treat. Do this for about 10 minutes before you allow any contact.

Once the dogs seem happy in meeting and no tension is in the air then allow them to touch and sniff each other and keep the leads loose. They will do the usual sniff greetings and watch them at all times to make sure that no conflict starts to rise. As they are sniffing in all sorts of places call each dog away for a treat and this makes sure that the mood stays calm and no tension develops.

If one of the dogs shows signs of playing then great news. The usual signs are when the front end goes down and back end up.

If the dog yawns the signal to the other dog is “I am no treat”

Of course with a new puppy the puppy may lick the other dogs face and mouth and might roll over to his back telling the other dog that he is no threat.

Let them play for a short while and then cut the meeting.

Once they have met in neutral territory then take them to the house or yard and repeat above.

Of course it makes common sense that if you have more than one dog do this one at a time.

In addition if you are bring the new puppy into the house make sure all your other dogs are out of the house so that they find the puppy there when they come in.

Dog will work out their social status pretty quickly and as long as you are there to supervise then all will be under control.

Personally if I was not there I would leave the puppy closed off from the other dogs with a dog gate or something similar as jealousy can cause dogs to react and you need to be around to control this.

There are many of people who feel that getting a new dog is a great idea to keep their other dog company and then what happens is that fights start and behavior issues raise their ugly head.

It is a good idea to get another dog but make sure you but do it properly.

Here is a list of Do’s and Don’ts

• Take both the established dog and the new dog to a neutral setting. This will reduce any territorial issues

• Keep both dogs on leashes and approach slowly. If you do not have a friend to hold the other dog, keep one dog confined in a car or crate.

• If all is going well, bring the dogs home, but leave them outside for a while but make sure you watch them for any signs of territorial marking.

• Allow the dogs to establish their pack order without your intervention.

• Do NOT try to force sharing of toys, beds, or dishes. Each dog should have his own place and when you feed them feed and the dominant dog first.

Keywords *

puppy training, new puppy, introduce puppy, puppy and older dog, dogs home

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Is your pup trying to send you a message?

Are they sick, worried, bored, angry, frustrated, grieving, sad, confused… ?

We don’t always pay attention to dog signals… and it can be very frustrating for your pet.

“Hey you! I’m talking here… !”

Worse yet, it can wind up costing your dog their life if you don’t make an effort to understand their form of communication.

We have a tendency to assume our pets are “acting badly out revenge” or simply getting “old and grumpy” when they misbehave.

In fact, your dog will never do anything to deliberately upset or disappoint you.

So, when their behavior changes, you seriously need to have a conversation with them and find out what’s going on in their mind or their body. What are they aware of that you don’t know yet?

Here are 3 dog signals that tell you it’s time to listen to your pet

There are three common signals your dog will send when they need your extra care and attention.

1. Don’t touch me!

Does your dog duck their head when you try to pat them? There could be a number of things going wrong here, including social issues like dominance or submission, or medical problems like a toothache, headache, earache…

If their vision is impaired, anything moving towards their head will make them extremely uncomfortable.

Pay attention to body cues like this. If they suddenly avoid you grooming their back or legs, or shift away when you try to pat them, there’s definitely a reason.

Your dog doesn’t have an aloof or spiteful bone in its body, so if they’re avoiding your touch it’s a signal of something going wrong in their body or mind, or environment that worries them.

And they need your help to sort it out.

2. I can’t eat that!

Has your dog suddenly become a picky eater?

It’s sweet to cater to your dog’s tastebuds… but, honestly, if they’re feeling good physically and mentally, a dog will eat pretty much anything you put in front of them.

They trust you for their nutrition, except when they snatch that tasty bit of cat poop on the walk… , so if they’re turning up their nose at the food dish?

First confirm that the food isn’t rancid, but if it’s okay? Then that’s one of the clearest dog signals that something isn’t right.

It doesn’t just have to be about a tummy ache, though. Maybe it’s a pain in their jaw or anxiety about something going on in their human’s life. It could be liver or kidney problems, or ulcers. They could feel toxic or temporarily nauseous from something else they ate, or they could be getting sick.

Dogs are incredibly intuitive creatures. Are you stressing about getting ready to move, changing jobs, maybe ending a relationship?

Your dog senses all of these things…

Of course, you should consult a veterinarian if your pup suddenly goes off their food, but taking the time to have a conversation with them can throw a light on any stress or pain they’re feeling on your behalf, or in their own body.

How could you know without talking to them what their actual experience is and how they feel?

And once you do know about it, you can deal with it properly… together.

3. I’m so scared!

You’re going to have to fight your first instinct on this one.

Your dog appears fearful… so your instincts tell you to cuddle and coddle them. You try to comfort them.

Now your fur baby has been rewarded for their anxious behavior – and you still don’t know what caused it.

If you encounter any dog exhibiting fear or stress signals, your priority should be finding the source of the perceived threat, not babying them in order to soothe them.

Rewarding them with attention and affection when they are in an unstable fearful mindset makes them think they are doing the right thing.

Good intentions, yes, but this only reinforces their fear…

Keep in mind, there are 6000 documented cases of dog abuse every year, and that it’s hard to say how many are actually abused because most of it isn’t reported.

The range in severity of the abuse can go from a neighbor who yells at your dog to puppy mills and dogfighting rings.

Once you’ve established that there isn’t an immediate threat to their physical well-being – or you’ve handled it so the threat is gone – you can work to redirect them from their fear and build their confidence.

Whatever the situation, your job during it is to communicate clearly with your dog, explain to them that they’re safe with you, and that you as Leader of the Pack are going to find the source of the threat and take care of it.

Dog signals can be blatantly obvious – like suddenly barking and snarling – or very subtle – like shifting away from your hand when you try to pet them on the head.

If there is tension in their body or they are unable to completely relax, those are dog signals for “something is wrong”.

Keep in mind that your dog is reading you – your emotions and your physical well-being – as keenly as a dear friend might and you’ll learn from them.

If you’re feeling anxious about a life transition, battling an illness, worrying about your finances, your dog is worrying right alongside you.

So, if your dog starts to exhibit some unacceptable or odd behaviors, see them for what they are… a sign that something isn’t right in their world… or perhaps, in yours.

Would you like to learn more about the soul connection between you and your pet? Or, would you like to explore the possibility of having a meaningful conversation with your dog?

If you’ve learned how to communicate with animals, all of your interactions should be informative and enlightening.

If you can’t yet communicate with your pets yourself heart to heart, mind to mind as I teach in The Heart School of Animal Communication, not to worry. You can either learn how to start with our free eBook Hidden Secrets to Communicating With Pets, or consult a professional pet communicator.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/10383053

#dog behaviour #dog messages #Dog signals

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Does Potty Pad Training Work?

If there’s one thing that nearly all dogs have to learn it’s housetraining. But there are different theories about teaching housetraining or potty training. For some people housetraining may involve using a crate and teaching their dog not to soil in his bed area when he’s confined. For other people they may try to keep a sharp eye on their puppy and hustle him outdoors at the first hint that he needs to “go.”

Other people prefer to use paper training for their dog’s housebreaking needs. Does it work? Is it as effective as other housebreaking methods? Most people say that paper training doesn’t work as well as other kinds of housetraining that involve teaching your dog to differentiate between using the bathroom indoors and outdoors.

Many puppies have their first potty training experiences on paper. As they climb out of their whelping areas where their mother has been attending to all of their bathroom needs, their breeder will place papers down for them to use so they don’t soil their sleeping area. Puppies have an instinctive urge to keep their sleeping area clean so most of them toddle along and start to use the papers. They don’t really care about the papers, of course. They are simply moving farther away from their sleeping area.

After this point many breeders can’t wait to get the little guys out of the house and out in the yard, the sooner the better. It’s not easy to clean up after a litter of puppies, especially if it’s a large litter. When they begin eating solid food the task becomes enormous! And mama isn’t cleaning up after them anymore. The sooner they start to use the bathroom outside, the better.

But some breeders prefer to teach their puppies to keep using the papers, especially breeders with Toy breeds. These dogs are small and some people feel that it’s easy to teach them paper training and indoor housebreaking. It works for some people but some dogs are not good at distinguishing the papered areas from carpet or other places in the house where they shouldn’t use the bathroom. Some Toy dogs have a reputation for being hard to housebreak, perhaps because they have been kept using papers for a long time as puppies.

In fairness to people with Toy dogs, these are small dogs and there are sometimes concerns about allowing them outdoors with big dogs or letting them go outside when the weather is too hot or too cold. These are valid concerns.

If you plan to use paper training with your dog, whether he’s large or small, you should work with him on his housetraining just as you would with a dog that is going outside. Make sure that he knows he’s supposed to use the papers and that he can’t be careless or use the carpet or go anywhere he wants to go.

There are not many dogs that use papers as part of their housetraining successfully. If this is your preferred method you and your dog can make it work.

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What Kind of Dental Care Does My Dog Need

Although we may not think of it as often as we should, our dogs need regular dental care just as we do. According to the American Animal Hospital Association, about 2/3 of pet owners don’t provide the dental care recommended by vets.

More than 80 percent of dogs will develop gum disease by age 3.

The American Veterinary Dental Society recommends daily brushing of your dog’s teeth. They suggest that you have your dog’s teeth checked annually by your veterinarian. Your vet can clean your dog’s teeth to remove tartar, if necessary. Diet is also very important for good oral health.

There are some dog foods that have a special tartar formulation to help prevent build-up.

There’s really not much truth to the belief that feeding dry food will prevent your dog from developing dental disease. Dry food particles break down and become lodged in your dog’s teeth. They really aren’t hard or crunchy enough to provide teeth cleaning advantages. Feeding canned food, however, will make teeth develop problems even faster if you don’t brush.

People who feed a raw diet to their dogs can feel good that their dogs often have beautiful pearly white teeth. Eating raw food and munching on raw bones provides dogs with a great deal of teeth cleaning help. If you feed your dog kibble or canned food you can help your dog’s teeth stay cleaner by adding some raw chicken wings or other raw meaty bones to their diet on a regular basis.

You can improve your dog’s dental health by brushing. It’s not hard to do. There are special dog toothbrushes and dog toothpastes that you can find in pet supply stores or online. Dog toothpastes even come in appealing (to dogs) flavors like peanut butter and beef. Most dogs enjoy the taste and try to eat the paste.

Brushing the front teeth and canines is easy. Be sure to reach back and brush the teeth that are harder to see. This is where teeth often become diseased and have to ultimately be pulled so it’s important to keep them clean.

If you don’t like to use a toothbrush on your dog, or your dog doesn’t like it, there are also small rubber brushes that fit over your thumb. You can slip one of these brushes on and reach all around your dog’s mouth to brush his teeth.

There are even pre-treated pads that you can use to clean your dog’s teeth if you prefer them.

Regular care of your dog’s teeth can make an enormous difference. If you don’t take care of his teeth he may begin experiencing rotting teeth, bad breath and even teeth that break and come out later in life. Dental care later in life can lead to serious problems and can be very expensive since it can require anesthesia to do dental work. It’s much easier to take regular care of your dog’s teeth throughout his life.

If you find that your dog has very bad breath you should check his teeth.

Often bad breath is a sign of dental problems.

If your dog is refusing food or otherwise having trouble eating you should also check his teeth. Often an older dog will begin to refuse food not because he has lost interest in eating but because he is having teeth problems. Once his teeth have been fixed he will dive into his food again.

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Why do dogs Drool?

Just about all dogs drool but it’s much more noticeable in some dogs than others. The most basic reason dogs drool is related to the same reasons they salivate, or, indeed, why humans salivate: they are anticipating food.

Any time a dog starts expecting food there will usually be some drool soon.

But dogs drool for other reasons, too.

Your dog can’t sweat to cool himself the way that humans can. He has to pant to take in air and cool down. This panting can also lead to drooling, especially if your dog is very hot.

Dogs may also drool when they’re very excited.

Any time your dog reaches the point where his tongue is hanging out of his mouth, there may be drool. That can include excitement about seeing you come home, excitement about playing, excitement about watching a squirrel — you name it.

Some dogs do drool more than others.

This is often due to the shape of their muzzles and the amount of “flew” that they have.

Flews are the long, pendulous lips some breeds possess.

Examples include Saint Bernards, Bloodhounds, many mastiff breeds, Bulldogs, English Setters and others. If a breed has long, pendulous lips then it’s a good bet that they will be likely to drool a lot.

Your dog may also drool if he is sick or nauseated. If your dog rarely drools and he suddenly begins drooling you may want to consider taking him to the vet.

In these cases drooling can be a sign of poisoning. It may precede vomiting.

It’s also possible that your dog could have something lodged in his mouth.

See if your dog will let you check by gently running your finger around his mouth. In either case, it’s a good idea to go to the vet if it’s unusual for your dog to drool and your dog acts like there’s something wrong.

In some cases a dog may have a broken tooth or some other injury to his mouth that leads to drooling. Again, a visit to your vet is recommended.

If you have an habitual drooler there’s not too much you can do about it. If your dog drools when he travels you can help him by putting a window down for him. The fresh air may make him feel better. You can also talk to your vet about giving your dog an over-the-counter pill for motion sickness. Your vet can tell you how much to give your dog. A couple of ginger cookies helps some dogs if given before you travel.

If your dog drools while watching you eat you should consider banishing him from the room while you’re eating.

Otherwise, you can handle drooling by keeping a cloth nearby to wipe your dog’s face when he starts to drool. Some owners like to put a bandana on their dogs so they always have a cloth handy for wiping their dog’s face.

The good news is that drool does wash out of clothes and it’s easy to clean off your walls.

#dog drooling #dogs that drool #why do dogs drool

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Why Do Dogs Turn Around Before Lying Down?

It seems that you can take the dog out of the wild but you can’t take the wolf out of the dog. Modern, domesticated dogs frequently engage in behaviors that are left over from their ancient wolf ancestors. One of these behaviors is turning around, usually three times, before lying down.

No one is really certain why dogs follow this behavior but there are some theories.

According to one theory, dogs originally circled before lying down in order to tamp grass, sticks and leaves down and make a space more comfortable. Dogs who circle today, even when they have a comfortable, expensive dog bed, still seem to be trying to make their spot more comfortable before lying down. Even if your dog is sleeping on sheepskin or something soft and comfy, your dog will circle and perhaps paw at the material to make it to his liking.

Another theory suggests that dogs originally circled so they could claim their “territory” before sleeping. This would let other dogs know that this was their space and they shouldn’t bother them while sleeping.

Per another theory, dogs circled so they could rid the spot of any snakes or biting creatures before they laid down. This would make the behavior one of self-protection.

Others suggest that the behavior was done so dogs could look all around before lying down to make sure there were no predators or intruders nearby. Circling before lying down would allow the dog to take a good look around for safety reasons.

Still others suggest that while dogs circled they could test the wind both to find any potential intruders and so they could turn their noses to it so they could remain alert while they slept.

Circling and making a bed in high grass is similar to nesting behavior for other animals so dogs could also simply be following instincts to nest while they sleep.

Many dogs will also do some digging when they are circling, especially in hot weather. In the outdoors this helps keep a dog cooler. So circling and sleeping behavior may be related to ways that a dog keeps himself warm or cool.

Most modern, domestic dogs do seem to follow the instinct to turn around before lying down. Not all dogs do it, but most dogs will do it some of the time. If you watch your own dog’s behavior when he gets ready to sleep you will probably observe him turning around before lying down at least some of the time. Try to discover how often he does this and under what circumstances. Your dog may not circle if he’s taking a short nap but when he’s getting ready to sleep for the night he will probably circle and make himself comfortable for a long sleep.

If you could ask your dog why he’s turning around before sleeping he probably couldn’t tell you.

But his wolf ancestors would probably know.

#dog turns in circles before sleeping #dogs turn in circles before lying down

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Your Dogs Diet

When you walk down the aisles looking for dog food, you are going to come across a wide range that is available in pet stores and supermarkets today. Choosing the best dog food can be an extremely difficult process as we all want the best for our dog. If you are like us, then you think of your dog as not only a pet, but a best friend as well as a member of your family. Many veterinarians are faced with questions about the best dog food. So, what is the best? Honestly, there is no true answer or definition.

That’s right, there is no one best food that is suitable for all dogs. However, you will be able to narrow that answer down by taking a close look at your dog. You see, dogs are a lot like people. Some of them are very active to the point that they have been labeled “hyper.” Then, you have other dogs that are build big and tough like the wonderful pit bull, while you have others that are small and not so tough.

Each dog will need to have a diet tailored specifically to their physical needs. You will need to really understand your pet and what he or she is in need of. First, the raw materials that are used in order to provide the nutritional value is something that you need to look into.

You are going to notice that those commercial dog foods are either meat-based or grain-based. Many experts will agree that in order to maintain a dogs good health, you should choose a diet that is based on meat.

Why choose a meat-based diet for the dog? Well, the dogs digestive system can easily extract the nutrient value from this type of food. Protein is a necessary component in order to keep dogs healthy. Those meat based foods are high in protein. Some of those foods are produced from fish, beef, lamb, turkey and venison. You have many in the field that feel that chicken-based dog food would be the best choice.

As you see, there is no such thing as one best brand of dog food for all dogs. Why? Because you just learned that each and every dogs nutritional needs are different. In order to determine the best food for your dog, we highly recommend you taking a look at your dog as well as the nutritional needs.

Buy blue buffalo dog food, hills dog food Online Now, on Sale Today!

#dog food #dogs diet

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Your Dogs Diet

Many veterinarians are faced with questions about the best dog food. So, what is the best? Honestly, there is no true answer or definition.

That’s right, there is no one best food that is suitable for all dogs. However, you will be able to narrow that answer down by taking a close look at your dog.

You see, dogs are a lot like people. Some of them are very active to the point that they have been labeled “hyper.” Then, you have other dogs that are build big and tough like the wonderful pit bull, while you have others that are small and not so tough.

Why choose a meat-based diet for the dog?

Well, the dogs digestive system can easily extract the nutrient value from this type of food. Protein is a necessary component in order to keep dogs healthy. Those meat based foods are high in protein. Some of those foods are produced from fish, beef, lamb, turkey and venison. You have many in the field that feel that chicken-based dog food would be the best choice.

#dog diet #dog food #dogs diet

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Doggys Dan's Halloween Safety Tips for dogs

Doggys Dan’s advice for Halloween

Halloween is a really fun holiday and there’s no reason your dog can’t join in on the fun, too!

That being said, all holidays do come with unique risks for pets, and Halloween is no exception. I want both you and your dog to be able to enjoy this spooky holiday, without any health scares for your dog.

For that reason, I decided to put together a handful of important Halloween safety tips that will help keep your dog safe.

TIP #1: KEEP YOUR PET AWAY FROM HALLOWEEN CANDY

Candy in general is not safe or healthy for your dog, nor should it ever be fed to your dog. Small hard candies are choking hazards and if you didn’t know already, chocolate is poisonous to dogs.

Just a few small nibbles can cause vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, and seizures. Always keep your candy bowls away from your dog’s. Treat your dog to a dog biscuit or a piece of cheese this Halloween, not something you picked up with trick-or-treating!

TIP #2: BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT DRESSING UP YOUR DOG FOR HALLOWEEN

Some dogs don’t mind being dressed up in costumes but many dog’s become anxious and stressed out when costumes are forced on them.

If your dog doesn’t like being dressed up,please don’t ever force him to wear a costume.

On the other hand, if you dog doesn’t mind wearing a costume, make sure the costume you pick out is safe. Stay away from costumes with heavy materials, costumes that cover your dog’s ears, nose, eyes or mouth, or costumes that have dangly materials (like buttons, pom poms, or plastic pieces) as they can easily be chewed off and become a choking hazard.

TIP #3: PREPARE A SAFE PLACE IN THE HOUSE FOR YOUR DOG

The constant ring of a doorbell due to kids trick-or-treating or the influx of people in your house due to a Halloween party can easily stress your dog out.

If the chaos of Halloween becomes too much for your dog, it’s important to have a place where she can go that’s quiet and free of people.

I recommend blocking off space in a room and placing a dog bed, a bowl of water, and your dog’s favorite toy in that room. A quiet space will help your dog calm down and

relax.

TIP #4: KEEP YOUR DOG’S ID TAG ON

Every year dogs escape from backyards through front doors as people are constantly coming in and out of houses for parties and trick-or-treating. If your dog does somehow get out, it’s important that he is able to be easily identified so he can be returned home safely.

TIP #5: BE AWARE OF CANDLES, JACK-O-LANTERNS, AND OTHER OBJECTS THAT CONTAIN FIRE

Halloween festivities can cause your dog to become hyper and excited. If your dog starts running around your home, it’s easy for him to accidentally knock over candles or anything else that has a flame.

This is a major fire hazard. To ensure an accident doesn’t happen in your home, make sure all your fire hazards are placed where your dog can’t accidentally knock them over.

TIP #6: SET YOUR DOG UP FOR SUCCESS

It’s your responsibility as a dog owner to set your dog up for success on Halloween night.

For instance…If you know your dog gets nervous and bites when he is overwhelmed by too many people, put him in a cage in a quiet room where he won’t be reactive. If your dog has a sweet tooth and likes to get into things, put your Halloween candy in a bowl with a secure lid.

If your dog gets nervous and has a tendency to run from things that make him nervous,make sure she is placed in a quiet room where she can’t get scared and run out the front door.

You get the idea… I wish you and your dog a very happy Halloween! Enjoy!

#dog safe halloween #dogs and fireworks #dogs at halloween #hallowen dogs #keep dog safe halloween

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Why Does My Dog Eat Poop?

If there’s one dog habit that genuinely disgusts most dog owners its poop eating.

When you see your dog indulging in this foul habit it generally makes you want to avoid doggy kisses forever. It usually leaves you wondering why on earth your dog would do such a thing.

Fortunately, eating feces (or coprophagia) doesn’t occur that often. Some dogs may do it in phases, but most healthy dogs eating a good diet don’t do it.

Your dog will always be interested in the feces of other animals (especially cats, it seems, and other household pets) but if your dog is eating his own poop then there is probably some other problem going on.

The exception, of course, is a mother dog that cleans up after her pups. That’s perfectly normal and the mother will stop when the pups start eating solid foods.

Dogs may eat their own poop for some of the following reasons:

1. If they are truly starving and there is no other food around.

2. If they are not getting all of the nutrients they need in their diet.

3. If they are eating poor quality food or getting little nutrition from it.

4. Dogs can eat excrement because they are anxious, bored or lonely. This kind of psychological or behavior problem can lead to a dog trying different things.

5. Puppies may taste poop just to see what it tastes like. They probably won’t do it again.

As you can see, the largest contributing factor for a dog to eat his own feces (or other feces) is because of a nutritional deficiency. When your dog’s body is lacking in certain vitamins, minerals or trace elements he may try to find them by sampling different things. Since the feces he finds was once food, it may seem appealing to him as a source of the nutrients that he lacks.

If your dog is regularly eating poop you should check your dog food and consider changing it. What is the protein percentage on the label? What is the fat content? What kind of vitamins and minerals does it provide? What are the ingredients? If the primary protein source is corn then your dog may not be getting much nutrition from it.

Dogs are only able to digest about 54 percent of the nutrition in corn. The remainder passes through them and is deposited in your yard. Change your dog’s food to a dog food that has meat protein sources and your dog will be able to digest more of the nutrients in the food. They may stop his desire to eat feces.

You can also discourage your dog from eating poop, of course, by picking up any droppings quickly, but do check your dog’s dog food to make sure that it’s providing your dog with the nutrition that he needs.

While eating poop is a very unappealing habit it’s one that can be changed. Try to figure out why your dog is eating poop and, if he’s looking for more nutrition, change the food you’re feeding. You should see your dog stop eating poop very quickly.

#dog eating poop #dog eats poop #stop my dog eating pop #stop poop eating

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Teach your dog to Retrieve

Lots of dogs love retrieving.

If you’ve ever spent any time with a Golden Retriever he may have brought you balls or sticks to throw for him. Many dogs will bring you things to toss for them — and look very disappointed when you don’t spend time entertaining them by throwing things for them to fetch. However, you should know that for many dogs retrieving is not a natural behavior.

They have to be taught to retrieve.

My Spanish Hunting dog is one of those dogs…..kind of looks at you like you have lost the plot!

Retrieving is a form of prey drive in dogs but it’s a very special form that has been bred in some dogs to become instinct. For other dogs retrieving is a learned behavior.

Prey drive is the instinct in dogs that they share with wolves and other predators that makes them hunt and stalk an animal that they intend to hunt and kill. It’s one of the most important instincts that a dog has since it is essential to his survival in the wild. Animals with a strong prey drive have a better chance of catching food so they can eat.

Prey drive has been very important in the human-canine relationship because humans have been able to adapt the prey drive in dogs to develop other desired behaviors. Guarding flocks, hunting birds and small game, herding, protection work are all forms of prey drive that have been diverted to other purposes to help humans.

The same is true with retrieving. During a simple game of fetch your dog is using his prey drive to “hunt” the ball, just as his ancient ancestors would have hunted an animal for dinner. But because of millennia of selective breeding by humans, your dog doesn’t kill and eat the ball (the “prey”). Instead, he brings it back to you, either instinctively or through training.

Of course, some dogs will race out, grab the ball and chew on it. Other dogs will snatch it up and run away with it. However, it only takes a little bit of training to have these dogs overcoming these prey drive urges and returning the ball to you for a fun game of fetch.

You can teach your dog to retrieve in one of several ways.

Often the easiest way is to simply walk him through the motions to teach him what you want him to do. For instance, with your dog on a long leash next to you, you can throw the ball for him. Walk or trot with him to the place where the ball landed. You can encourage him to pick up the ball or, simply put the ball in his mouth.

Give him lots of praise and some treats when he keeps the ball in his mouth for a couple of seconds. That’s all you need. This is especially easy to do if you are using a clicker so you can mark the behavior that’s wanted. Your dog will quickly learn to associate keeping the ball in his mouth with the treats and praise.

If you repeat this a few times — throwing the ball for your dog and getting him to pick it up — you are halfway home. Try throwing the ball for your dog and letting him go get it himself, without walking him to it. Keep the long leash on him. If he goes to the ball and picks it up you should click the clicker and praise him. Offer him treats for being such a good boy. Chances are that your dog will come to you for the treats. If he brings the ball with him, you’re doing great. If not, you have a little more work to do.

Throw the ball for your dog and send him to pick it up. Make sure that he’s still wearing his long leash. When he gets to the ball and has it in his mouth call him back to you using the “Come” command and start reeling him in with the long leash. When he gets back to you, with the ball still in his mouth, praise him and give him lots of treats. He should quickly start putting the whole lesson together — to go

out, pick up the ball and to bring it back to you.

Once he has it figured out and knows that you will be happy with him for doing this he will probably become addicted to fetching.

#dog retrieving ball #retrieve ball #teach dog to retrieve ball

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Pros and Cons of Electric Dog Fences

There’s no question that electric dog fences are a “hot” subject and they make some people uncomfortable.

So lets ask that question —-Should you use an electric dog fence to contain your dog?

Lets look at The Cons

Critics of electric dog fences say that there are many kinds of fences available to dog owners: chain link, wooden, farm fencing, invisible fencing.

With so many choices, why would an owner want to use an electric fence?

An electric fence carries a small electric current that shocks a dog (or anyone else) when he touches the wire.

Is that humane?

The Pros

Proponents of electric fencing say that the current in an electric fence is very small and does not injure a dog (or anyone else).

These fence wires are also used for fencing cattle, horses and other animals without any problems.

Proponents also say that electric fences for dogs are often used as a last resort.

These owners may have other fencing up in their yards. They may have chain link fences but their dogs dig under the fences or climb over.

There are some dogs that are real escape artists and won’t stay in a yard no matter how good the fences. When owners have a dog like that they fear that the dog will be lost or hit by a car if they don’t use electric fencing to keep the dog contained in the yard.

In these cases the owner may add a string of electric wire along the base of the fence and/or along the top of the fence to keep the dog from getting out.

the question is …..Is electric fencing humane?

Yes, it probably is. It is widely used by farmers and others with animals.

In most cases an animal will touch it once and doesn’t go near the fence again. If a person touches it they receive a small shock — enough to make them jump back but certainly not enough to harm them.

Electric dog fences are not pleasant or attractive but they probably do save the lives of some dogs who would otherwise dig under fences or climb over them to get out and frolic around their neighborhoods.

Although they may not be desirable or anyone’s first choice of containment for dogs, electric dog fences do seem to serve a necessary purpose. They are not necessarily a sign of a bad or negligent owner. Instead, they can be a sign of an owner who is trying his best to keep his dog responsibly contained instead of allowing him to run loose.

In many cases an owner will put up a string of electric fence and, after the dog has touched it once and decided to keep away from the fence, the owner will unplug the fence.

Simply having the wire up along the fence is enough of a deterrent to keep the dog from digging under the fence or trying to climb over it to get out of the yard.

If you have a dog who repeatedly gets out of your yard you will have to make your own decision about whether you want to use an electric dog fence or not.

There may be other options but none of them are simple. Some people have dug several feet under their fences and poured concrete to prevent their dog from digging out.

If your dog tries to climb the fence, some people have put up coyote rollers on the top of the fence that will make your dog roll off if he tries to go over. The simple fact is that it’s hard to contain a dog that wants to get out of a yard.

Electric dog fences are one option.

#dog fence #electric dog fence #electric fence

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Moving with your dog

Moving With Your Dog

Moving is usually stressful enough for humans but it’s also a stressful time for your dog. However, there are some things you can do to make a move easier for your dog. Here are some tips for moving with your dog.

1. Make sure that your dog has his own crate.

Whether you use it for traveling or as a safe place for your dog to go to during the move, the crate can be an invaluable investment. If your dog isn’t used to using a crate, get the crate several weeks before the big move and help your dog get used to it. Put treats and toys in the crate and encourage your dog to go inside. Leave the door open so your dog can explore. Put food in the crate. Let him learn that the crate is a good place.

2. If you’re moving locally, take your dog to the new place and let him look around.

Take him inside and let him sniff the new place out. Let him look over the new yard or take him for a walk around the neighborhood. Allowing your dog to see the new home when it’s not as stressful as it will be on moving day will help him adjust.

3. Have new identification made for your dog.

Get new ID tags for his collar with your new address and phone number. If your dog has

a microchip make sure you call the chip company with your new address. Call your vet to update your dog’s information. Updating your dog’s data can help in case your dog gets loose during the move.

4. Before the move inspect your new home and yard for anything that might be harmful to your dog.

People often leave behind old cans of paint, antifreeze, junk and other things that could poison or otherwise injure your dog. Check the place out thoroughly and properly dispose of anything harmful. Check for plants that could be toxic, too.

5. If you have a fenced yard be sure to check the fence out meticulously to make sure there are no areas where your dog can escape.

Check wires, look at the ground to see if your dog can dig his way out, and look for gaps. You’d be amazed at what small spaces dogs can squeeze through sometimes.

6. When moving day comes, try to keep things as calm as possible for your dog.

Do you have a friend who could dog sit your dog for the day? If so, try to leave your dog with your friend while you move and simply pick him up at the end of the day. If not, it’s best to keep your dog crated while people are going in and out of the house with furniture and boxes.

This will prevent your dog from slipping out the door when no one is looking. Put the crate in a quiet room so your dog won’t be disturbed. Make sure you provide him with some water and toys. Check on him regularly. If he seems upset try giving him a few drops of Rescue Remedy.

7. Once most of the commotion is over and people moving furniture and boxes have left, you can let your dog out to investigate his new surroundings.

It’s best if you supervise, especially when you let him outdoors in case he finds something he shouldn’t. Your dog will soon settle down and begin to relax in your new home together. If you have boxes and drawers open remember that your dog is still a dog and he may pick up something to chew on, so start putting things where they belong and setting up areas that will be off limits to him just as in your former home.

If you follow these tips for moving with your dog your move to your new home should go smoothly for you and your dog. Dogs are much more adaptable than many people realize. From your dog’s point of view, as long as he is with you then he can be happy. Just help him over the actual move and he’ll be fine.

#moving dogs #moving house with dog #pet moving

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Get rid of urine marks on the Lawn

Rid The Lawn Of Dog Urine Spots

If you’re like many dog owners you may be plagued by unsightly yellow spots in your yard where your dog urinates.

Whether you’re a lawn fanatic or you’d simply like to have a nice-looking yard, here are some tips to help you get rid of these urine spots in your lawn.

Your dog’s urine is full of waste compounds but many of them are rich in nitrogen. As you may already know, fertilizers are rich in nitrogen, too. However, when your dog urinates on your grass it is simply too much in one place at one time.

Your dog’s urine essentially burns your lawn. Instead of fertilizing the grass, your dog’s urine is overly concentrated.

There are several things you can do to overcome this problem.

If you are already fertilizing your lawn consider how much you’re fertilizing in the area where your dog potties. It may help to cut back on fertilizer in this area slightly to decrease the overall amount of nitrogen in the soil.

Water your grass regularly. If your dog has just urinated then flooding the spot with water will help dilute the urine and its nitrogen concentration. It will be far less likely to burn the grass or cause any damage. The area should continue to grow as normal.

If the spot on your lawn has been in place for a while then you can dig out the area and flush the soil with water to dilute the extra nitrogen. Then reseed the spot or apply new sod.

Since you love your dog and you also want to keep your yard looking nice think about seeding your yard with a grass that is more resistant to urine spots. Fescues and perennial rye grasses are less susceptible to damage from urine than other grasses.

You can also train your dog to use one particular area in your yard in order to keep the rest of your yard looking nice. Use grave or mulch in this area so it’s easy to pick up and keep odor down.

Make sure your dog has access to water at all times. By keeping your dog well-hydrated you will also keep his urine less concentrated and it will do less damage to your lawn.

Many people believe that the urine of female dogs does more damage to lawns than the urine of male dogs. This may be because female dogs urinate in one place while male dogs tend to sprinkle a little everywhere.

Some people also prefer to walk their dogs to allow them to urinate elsewhere. You may wish to consider this if it’s a possibility in your case, although it may not always be convenient.

If you follow these suggestions you should be able to eliminate all or most of the urine spots in your lawn.

#dog training #dog urine stains #toilet training #urine marks on lawn

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