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Author: Mark S.

  • Pet-Friendly Home Decisions

    Sooner or later everyone needs to do home renovations, so why not make them good for your pet too?  Making pet friendly home decisions won’t only be good for house care, but also good for dog care.  Here are a few ways in which you can redo your home that will benefit you and your dog!

    Carpet

    When getting new carpet, it is important to consider if you will be able to tell if your pet has an accident.  Not being able to see where your dog has urinated will make the room smell horrible, and you won’t be able to tell where it’s coming from.  Also keep in mind that white carpet is generally a bad idea.  Many people adore white carpet for looking so clean, but that’s because it is clean.  Keeping a white carpet in it’s natural state is back-breaking, and with a pet, it is best to go for a different color.

    Furniture

    Dogs and cats love to lie on the couch and relax, but shedding can be an extreme issue.  Your dog’s behavior should depend on what you find acceptable, but if you have issues with pets lying on your furniture, you might want to look into Florida dog training.   I think I’m right in saying that everyone has been to a  house in which the owner lets their dogs hair stay all over their couch, and let me tell you…  it’s gross.  Not only do you get dog hair all over your clothes but it can be very smelly, itchy, and uncomfortable.  With this in mind, try to pick a couch that has a color similar to your dogs hair, and that is easy to clean.  Leather and materials of that kind are easy to clean, but if you have a leather couch, remember to trim your dogs nails regularly; dog’s nails are infamous for effortlessly scratching up pricey leather couches.

    Decorations

    Many people (including myself) have playful dogs.  This being said, anything within their reach is fair game for play, including household decorations.  Try to keep things away from where they can reach, so if you buy a nice vase, when placing it in your house, remember that your dog could easily run into the table it’s sitting on.  This is especially true with hanging curtains.  Dogs (and especially cat’s) can easily tear up curtains and ruin them.

    Making pet-friendly home decisions will make life easier for you and your dog!

  • Dog Barking

    Dogs bark for many reasons. They can be warning you of strangers, or greeting you home excitedly, but either way there should be a limit to how much you allow them to bark.  Many people have issues with excessive barking, and if this is something you need to teach your pet, it is best to start at an early age due to the fact that it will become habitual and sometimes even irreversible.   With some easy dog training tips, it will be simple to teach them to bark and be silent on command.

    Ways of Barking

    Dogs bark in many different ways for many different reasons, and it’s important that you can decipher what your dog means by the way that they bark in order to resolve the issue.  Dogs often bark because they feel that a threatening situation is in place.  Reasons for the ‘threatened’ bark can range from situations dangerous to simple, such as when a stranger is on what your dog considers his/her ‘property’ to seeing  you talk to an old friend they do not recognize.   This bark usually sounds loud and sharp.  The ‘threatened’ bark is very commonly used as a protection for your family, which can be good because it is used by many families as a warning.  Another reason for barking is playfulness.   The playful bark is used most often by puppies when they are playing, and should be easy to spot.  One other reason that dogs bark is just for attention.  Much like toddlers, dogs love attention and will be excessively loud to get it.  The last type of bark that we will mention is the anxiety bark.  Many dogs have separation anxiety, especially puppies, and bark out of self pity.  This type of high pitched barking is usually accompanied by whining.  All of these types of barking can get extremely annoying (especially the anxiety bark) So if you have a dog that constantly barks unnecessarily, there are many options you should consider.

    Solutions

    Once you have found the reason for your dogs barking, the solution becomes easier.  Putting your dog in a dog obedience class is always a good way to go, seeing as a trained professional will be able to better administer information and solutions to your problem, and teach you how to handle the situations.  A good idea is to get your dog plenty of exercise to release all that extra energy that may be causing them to bark.  If your dog has the ‘anxiety bark’ never give in, but also don’t leave them alone for long periods of time to teach a lesson; if they are barking, don’t pay attention, but feel free to once they stop.  You can also train your dog to react with a clap, a dog clicker, or a whistle, and give them treats when they don’t bark as a reward.  As a last resort, you may want to consider debarking your dog.  Debarking your dog will work by altering their vocal tract, in order to quiet a dog.  The coined phrase ‘debarking was created by animal rights activists as a way to put a negative connotation on on the surgical procedure, but it will not harm your dog.  Debarking your dog will not completely eliminate barking, but rather make it quieter.  Another common result of debarking is a raspy and quiet bark, sort of like a broken squeaky toy.  But remember that when dealing with barking, always look at surgery as a last resort.

  • Food to Keep Your Dog Away From

    A healthy diet can be very important in dog care.  Everyone knows not to feed your dog certain foods, such as chocolate, because they act as dog poison.  However, there are many other things that you want to steer your dog clear of to keep him or her healthy.  For this purpose, here are some foods within certain food groups that they should stay away from.

    Fruits and veggies

    Onions and garlic are a big no-no in the veggie group.  These foods destroy dogs’ red blood cells and can leave their system unbalanced.  In addition to onions and garlic, it is a smart idea to stay away from all fruits with pits.  Peach and plum pits contain cyanide, which is poisonous to humans and dogs alike.  Eating fruit pits can also cause issues in the digestive system.

    Meat

    Fat trimmings and bones are something you want to keep your dog away from.  Both have been known for causing pancreatic problems, and bones often cause lacerations in the digestive system. All raw meat is also a keep-away.  Raw materials can cause food poisoning, and if it isn’t treated properly, the disease can be fatal in 2 weeks or less.

    Beverages

    As far as beverages go, it’s pretty clear to keep your dog away from caffeinated or alcoholic beverages.  This is because these two drinks have the same effect on dogs as they do on humans, but work faster and more aggressively on a dogs system.

    Other foods to avoid

    All foods or beverages containing dairy are something you should keep your dog away from.  Dairy causes dogs to have diarrhea, and an upset stomach (often resulting in vomiting).  Another result from dairy is often food allergies which can result in itchiness, so save them some pain and don’t feed it to them.  One other food to avoid is Macadamia nuts.  This food should be avoided at all costs! Six types of nuts can cause illness in dogs and result in muscle tremors, vomiting, high fever, rapid heart rate, and even death, so be careful with macadamia nuts.  Just as well, keep your dog away from dough.  Dough rises before it is baked, and will do the same in a dog’s stomach.

    Take care of your dog by keeping him away from harmful foods!

  • Animal Shelter Adoption

    We’ve all seen those heart-breaking commercials advertising adoption from pet shelters, and there are many reasons to do so. Here are some dog adoption tips that will help you save the life of an animal.

    Saving a Life

    So many people realize that they don’t have room for a dog in their life and decide to rid themselves of the ‘burden’ in the wrong way.  Because of this, about sixty percent of all dogs in shelters are euthanized each year.  If more people made the decision to adopt a pet instead of buying one, millions of animals could be saved every year.  Not only would you save the life of one animal by adopting, but two by the space you opened up at the shelter.

    Getting a Healthy Pet

    Animals in pet shelters are regularly healthy and happy, waiting for new owners  to take them home!  Many shelters spay or neuter their animals, and scan them in order to administer all shots prior to any adoption.  Many shelters even check their animals temperaments in order to give them to the right family, so you can be sure that you are getting the right pet for your living situation.  It’s often an idea that animals are in a pet shelter for being bad, but things such as divorce, family issues, moving or financial difficulty are often reasons for pets being sent to a shelter. Also it is often that in pet shelters that the animals share cages with several others, so they are tame and friendly in dog socialization.

    Cost

    Pet stores are known for making a pet cost a fortune.  At a pet store, you can pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars for a companion.  However,   at a pet shelter animals come at a drastically lower cost.  In addition to the advantage of low cost, (as stated before) the animals are also generally spayed or neutered, leaving less for you to worry about.

    So save a life, save some money, and feel good about your decision to change the life of an animal that needs you.  Adopt a pet!

  • Thinking About Getting a New Dog?

    When you are thinking of getting a new dog, there are many things to take into consideration.  Becoming a dog owner is a big decision, so before you get one, there are a few things you want to be sure of.  Firstly, make sure you have room for a new pet in your life.  A dog is a big responsibility, and you should be committed to if you are going to get one.  Also think of the cost of owning a dog. If getting a dog suits your life style, congratulations! Here are a few dog adoption tips.

    Size

    When most people consider getting a new dog, they have a size in mind.  Dog sizes span from those adorable little lap dogs to the goofy big dogs, so make sure you have a type in mind.  Different dogs can live comfortably in different living situations.  If you live in a small house or apartment, it is probably best to get a medium, or smaller sized dog for the animal’s comfort.  No matter how much you may like big dogs, they can wreak havoc in smaller houses.  Also consider that small dogs are very fragile, and often are seriously injured by clumsiness. Additionally, Cool climates are more ideal for larger dogs, while small dogs tend to live better in warmer places.

    Age

    Age is a big deal when trying to choose a dog.  Puppies can be really cute, but if you don’t want to put in all the extra time and effort into training one, you may want to consider getting an older dog. Just in case you do want to adopt a puppy, here are a few puppy tips The first six months of having a puppy will most likely be the hardest.  The first few months involve potty training, teaching them not to chew furniture and clothes, coping with other house animals, and many other things.  Also keep in mind that puppies may seem calm when you first see them, but with a puppy you want to see it a few times before deciding, seeing as they can be unbelievably tired and then eccentrically energetic.  Adopting an adult dog can be an excellent choice if you want to know the dog’s regular energy level, and temperament.

    Type

    Lastly, you want to look at the type of dog you want.  There is a surplus of dogs to choose from, so do your research! From Rhodesian ridge backs to French bulldogs, there is a big difference in every type of dog.

  • Why to Train Your Dog

    Dogs are notorious for peeing on floors, chewing up clothes, barking at neighbors, and so many other unfortunate qualities they hold.  Dogs are animals, and unless they are properly trained, they’ll act like a one.  Obedience training can improve your dogs behavior by setting a standard for them. Training sets a foundation to solve problems so that you can keep them out of trouble and handle them with ease. Florida Dog Training will also open up communication between you and your dog so you can understand each other.  This will benefit you by keeping them from becoming a job instead of an enjoyment, and will help you understand how to interact with your pet.

    Puppies

    When you first get a dog, you begin to learn how they act and cope with your home surroundings.  Many people automatically notice behavioral problems in their pets, and think that they will work them out in time because it’s a puppy and they can’t help it.  But beware, because what you initially see as a small issue can become a BIG problem.  Puppy training, as opposed to training them when they are grown, can be very beneficial.  It will insure that your pet will not become aggressive when they grow up along with establishing that they are indeed not the alpha in the house.  By taking a few classes, you can easily solve future behavioral problems, and make having a dog more fun and less work.  Teaching your dog while they are young will also help your dog interact with others and learn how to handle unfamiliar situations without feeling threatened.

    Family

    A dog should be not only a pet, but also essentially a family member.  Classes can help them become a well-tempered friend for you, and will make your dog safe and appropriately friendly around children.  Obedience classes will teach your dog to obey simple orders, such as sit, stop, and lay down.  These easy commands will save them from potentially dangerous situations such as darting out into the street when you open the door, slipping out of their leash when you go on walks, or chasing wild animals as a back-yard game.

    Keep your dog safe and happy by enrolling them in an K9 obedience course today!

  • Shampoo For Your Dog!

    Shampoo

    There is a surplus of dog shampoos on the market these days.  Many people may not think of shampoo as a big deal for a dog, but it can easily affect their overall health and well being.  With so many shampoos, making a decision for your dog may be difficult.  This choice is made very simple by knowing that dog skin is very much like human skin in the way that there are many different types, such as dry or oily.  Picking the right shampoo for your dog can give them healthy skin along with putting a shine in their coat, just as picking the wrong shampoo can irritate your dogs skin and damage their coat.  These dog care tips will help their hair stay shiny and healthy making them live a happier longer life.

    NEVER Use Human Shampoo!

    Dog health is often negatively affected by using human shampoo on their coats.  A reason for this is that humans have a lot more water in their bodies than dogs do, so consequently our shampoos tend dry out our skin much more, while dog shampoos moisturize their skin like crazy.  Using your shampoo on them once or twice when you run out of theirs wont be the end of the world, but it will easily cause irritation, and make your pet itchy and irritable.  These pet care tips come in handy when you are making the decision of using your shampoo or going shopping.

    Different Types of Shampoo

    It is easy to tell what a pets skin type is simply by feeling it!  If their skin feels dry or flaky when you touch it, your dog is likely to have dry skin.  If you find that your dog does have dry skin, it is best to choose a shampoo that has an oatmeal or jojoba base.  These shampoos will help gently moisturize dry skin without making their coat oily.  On the opposite end of the spectrum there is oily skin.  If their fur has an oily residue on it, it is best to look for refreshing shampoos that go into deep cleaning on dog skin.  Additionally, it is best to look for shampoos that do not use conditioner, because they tend to make oily skin worse.

  • Bad Dog Breath

    Bad dog breath is often a staple in dogs and can be hard to cope with.  Big or small, our furry friends are often not so good on the dental hygiene scale.  Luckily, treating bad breath in dogs is very easily done with some good dog care tips.

    Causes and Cures

    Bad breath in dogs isn’t just caused by lack of dental hygiene, but also by things such as periodontal or gum disease, intestinal problems, digestive problems, or even just a lacking diet.  Before jumping to conclusions over the cause of your dog’s bad breath, it is always a smart idea to see your vet about it.  The most common problem to bad breath in dogs is gum disease.  Gum disease can be easily cured, but first you should try scheduling a teeth cleaning with your vet.  Also there are bones that act as floss that your dog will enjoy as a yummy treat.

    Home Remedies

    Usually a home remedy would not be suggested, but these few are simple and harmless.  Giving your dog some fresh squeezed lemon juice is a simple way to freshen up their breath.  However steer clear of bottled lemon juice, because it has preservatives and sugars that can stick to the dog’s teeth and cause decay or cavities.  Another easy solution is switching your dog’s food.  It is a handy tip to know that by eating dry food rather than wet food, due to the fact that wet food leaves residue while dry food usually cleans their teeth while they eat.  If you’re already using dry food, check what kind of foods your vet has in stock and give it a go instead of a store bought brand.  The last and somewhat awkward suggestion is to brush your dog’s teeth.  It’s not unusual, so if your vet suggests it, the process is just like brushing your own teeth. These pet care tips will not only help their breath smell better, but have a significant impact on their overall health.

    Love your pet!

  • Want to be Healthier in 2011? Adopt a Dog!

    The health benefits of owning a pet are well known – even watching a fish tank or stroking a cat can help lower blood pressure and create a sense of calm.  However, when it comes to the health benefits of having a pet, nothing is better than owning a dog!

    According to the well-respected resource WebMD, the health benefits of owning a dog include:

    1. Lower blood pressure
    2. Reduce stress
    3. Lower your risk for heart attacks
    4. Lower your risk for strokes
    5. Prevent and cure depression
    6. Help keep you physically fit
    7. Develop fewer allergies
    8. Strengthen your immunity to allergies
    9. Improve mental health
    10. Build stronger bones

    An overlooked way that owning a dog can help keep your wallet healthier is the savings in prescriptions and health care costs associated with illness.  Additionally, if you walk your dog twice daily, you’ll receive your daily recommended dose of cardiovascular activity.  To ramp up  that activity level, consider engaging in Florida dog obedience training, or even Florida Dog Agility Classes.  Both you and your pet will benefits from the physical activity involved in these training courses, and have fun while doing it!  Like any form of exercise, the key to keeping it up in having fun while doing it, and engaging in these types of activities with your pet are definitely enjoyable!

    Whether you are a senior citizen living alone, a stay-at-home-parent, or a young single person, your health and happiness can increase considerably by bringing a canine companion into your household.  Don’t delay…  it’s just what the doctor ordered!

  • A New Year’s Resolution for You and Your Dog

    Like most people, you may be considering making a New Year’s Resolution about losing weight or becoming more active.  Take a good look at your beloved canine companion…  does he or she need to lose weight or become more active as well?  Doing it together could be just the ticket for both you and your dog, and it can be extremely fun as well!

    Enrolling in dog agility classes is a great way for both you and your dog to spend more time in physical activity.  Come learn how much fun your dog can have crawling through tunnels, tipping a seesaw, scrambling over an A-frame and jumping over hurdles and through a tire.  Both you and your dog will spend the entire class period running, jumping, and having a FUN, exciting, active time together.  Moreover, you will be helping create a more responsive, well-trained dog while you’re having such a good time bonding together.

    If you’re a Florida resident, make sure to check out Florida dog agility training.  By the end of the course, you will learn to teach your dog to pay attention when asked, greet strangers and known visitors alike politely, come when called, walk on a loose leash, lie down, wait and stay. If you’ve ever encountered problems at the dog park or while out on a walk, you’ll be happy to know that agility classes also stress management skills, socialization, “MANNERS” and problem solving.

    Best of all, the human companion also benefits from the physical activity of dog agility training!  Make 2011 the year for a fit, healthy You and a fit, healthy, happy pet as well!