Dog Information Archives - Page 38 of 62

Dog Fleas – How To Handle This Parasite At Home

July 25, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Do you own a pet dog? Apprehensive about fleas? Worry no more. This article is all about dog fleas. Its causes, symptoms to watch out for and a couple of helpful home treatments that you can try.

If there is one thing pet owners dreaded the most, it is dog flea. Fleas are yucky. It can trigger mild to severe itching and scratching to its host. They are not easy to eliminate. They measure approximately 1.5 to 3.3 mm long. They do not have wings. They suck on blood. There are about 2,000 species of fleas, but the most common is the Ctenocephalides felis, also known as the cat flea. Dogs are their linchpin prey.

Causes of Dog Fleas

Did you know that a dog can still fall victim to fleas though it stays at home all the time? Yes, your pet can get fleas particularly in a hot and humid weather. Since fleas are so miniscule, they can come into small screens or windows. But the most common way of transmission is via direct contact with other pets.

Fleas are generally found in dogs and cats. Tragically, human beings are not spared. When a pet is out or is already gone, fleas can plague humans. Without pets at home, fleas are in a hunt for a new host and this is when they begin to attack humans. They normally bite humans at the waist area, ankles, and armpits.

Symptoms To Lookout For

Can you identify if a pet is suffering from fleas? In fact, you can tell right away if the dog is suffering from flea infestation with just one look. First, you will see your dog itching and scratching. Then the affected skin of your canine friend may turn red and inflamed as a result of flea bites and the continual scratching and biting. Also, flea dirt is evident on your pet’s skin, on its sheets and bed-dings, or in other areas where your pet frequently hangs out. Flea dirt looks like little dark specks. Flea dirt is a mixture of desiccated blood and flea fragments.

To check if your dogs have fleas, get your pet’s comb and carefully run it through your little friend’s fur. If you spot tiny black insects finding its way back to your dog’s fur then it is confirmed. Your dog is infested with fleas.

Home Treatment For Dog Fleas

After confirming that your dog has fleas, do not lengthen your dog’s agony. Do something about these infuriating little critters. Following are some of the most common household treatments for dog fleas.

Avon Product – Skin So Soft
According to one analysis conducted in the University of Florida in Gainesville, this extraordinary bath oil, is an excellent flea repellent product. Basically cleanse your canine friend in the solution of Avon’s Skin So Soft. Your dog will surely be relieved in an instant.

Rosemary
Rosemary has anti-inflammatory property. It also helps stimulate the growth of hair. With constant scratching and biting, your dog can experience mild to severe hair loss. Restore your dog’s natural fur and use rosemary consistently.

Brewer’s Yeast
This commercial product is not yet proven nonetheless according to many pet owners this product can help keep fleas away.

Seeing your pets suffer because of flea infestation is very sad. Yes, fleas in dogs are very common. On the other hand there is something that you can do to deal with the condition. Follow the tips above and your pet will be relieved from fleas in no time.

Control ticks with Frontline for dogs. Frontline for Dogs treats all types of fleas and ticks and kills them quickly.

Learning To Like Dogs

July 24, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

To several ones, dogs are like their kids to them, the initial thing they check as they enter the house and the first thing that they search for in the morning. Passion for a dog can be naturally in one’s instinct. But for people who are not animal lovers, caring for a dog naturally may be hard but possible. But really, it is possible to learn how to love a dog? This question can have broad range of respones, but actually the answer to this relies on how willing a person is to do so.

To see dogs in a very optimistic way, get the hard work to educate them your way. For you to develop a great companionship with your dog, train him to be obedient to you. It may well be challenging at first, but if you do it cooperatively, you will get to succeed in the end. Effective coaching will ensure you of an obedient dog. Read Secrets to Dog Training review. It is all about an eBook that tackles all the necessary things about training a dog. So to be able to love a dog naturally, the dog itself needs to be lovable. The dog by itself needs to be obedient you. One more advantage of training your dog would be having the time to bond with your pet. Bonding is an essential component in the development of any relationship. This is as well a useful way to let your dog create its believe in to you. Dogs can be rather tender pets. They can safeguard you in every single way they know how. But for this to be achievable, they need to begin to believe in you, and the most effective way to obtain this is quality time by means of training.

Also, to refrain from becoming hassled by dog’s illnesses, it is significant to maintain his well being. It is challenging to take care of a sickly pet. Also, dogs are also capable of feeling pain. Put yourself in their feet so you can realize how they feel. As a pet owner, do your part in being in constant guidance of your pet’s wellness. Make sure that he is not suffering from any illness or weakened by any pain by taking him to the vet regularly. It is also vital that you do not neglect feeding him and feeding him right. Vitamins and supplements will also help you grow a healthy and energetic dog. Also, keep a first aid kit at home so that you can respond correspondingly in case your dog becomes injured or he is in an emergency condition. Your first aid kit have to consist of ointments and typical canine meds such as aspirin for dogs.

As your dog ages in your company, you will certainly feel being attached to him. Dogs never fail to satisfy their owners by being loyal and protective to them. There is almost no possibility that you could not learn loving your dog when you give in to the idea. So to repay your pet with his faith in you, do your duty in providing him his basic needs such as food, nutritional vitamins, health needs, appreciation, affection, and quality time. Give substantial focus to your dog’s health because it degrades as they grow old. Sicknesses like arthritis may start. Common arthritis meds include etodolac 400 mg tablet. Never lose contact with the vet to ensure your pet’s wellness.

How To Care For A Senior Canine

July 23, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Taking care of an old dog is far way different when compared to taking care of a puppy or a younger dog. The major reason behind this is associated with the older dogs’ health, as they are more prone to catching diseases or get injured. Due to this fact, you should increase the attention you give your dog as he ages. It is pretty painful for pet owners seeing their dogs suffer from any form of pain triggered by getting old. Because of this, you should prioritize giving your dog the optimum convenience he can get. Here are some factors that needs consideration for senior-dog owners:

Is your dog getting enough physical activities?

If physical activities are important to humans, the same goes with dogs. Deprivation of such will lead to the dog’s body’s regression and poor health. Likewise, physical exercises such as walking and running will not just give the dog a healthier body, it will as well provide enjoyment and fun for dogs in their senior ages.. Try placing yourself in a canine’s feet, apart from walking, what else can you do to enjoy? Pretty much none right? So give your canine enough exercise, for his wellness and for his leisure.

Does your canine show signs of arthritis?

Arthritis is the most common culprit of the pain felt by older dogs. Because of arthritis, a dog could no longer enjoy his usual habits. Mere getting up or moving places can be very painful. If you see that your pet’s usual routine seems very hard for him to follow, or he suddenly became weak and lazy, then he might be attacked by arthritis. In cases like this, bring him to a vet. Remember, a pet owner’s best friend would always be the veterinarian. With the help of a vet, you would get to find out the appropriate medicines for your pet. Common arthritis medicines for dogs would be Etodolac 400 mg, Rimadyl, and many more. Avoid rushing to give your dog any med you discover online. A vet’s prescription is an important thing to give your dog safe medicines. Arthritis is a painful condition for dogs and negligence to deal with it can result to difficulty in curing.

Is your canine getting enough attention and affection?

If you own many dogs, aged and young, always deal with them all equally. Canines can be sensitive and when they get smaller attention, they feel bad. When dogs feel bad, their wellness might get affected. If they lack love and attention they could possibly result to having bad behaviors just to capture your focus. They could possibly likewise lose their appetite in eating, therefore resulting to poor wellness and lifestyle. So give your canine enough love and attention. For your younger canine, reading Secrets to dog training review can help. But with your senior canine, mere caring and continuous attention will be enough.

Having a senior canine is a challenge. In dogs’ senior years, more meds and different maintenance will come as well. This is the time that you say hello to a lot of issues like home treatment medicines such as aspirin for dogs and much more vet checkups due to a lot of random issues such as arthritis. But as a whole, attention and love will turn out to be the basis of your canine’s healthier and longer life.

Incredibly Practical Ideas On Training Your Puppy

July 22, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

All of us dream of parenting the perfect dog, a pup that is a CGC or canine great citizen and is well behaved and dependable at all times. Nicely dreams do come accurate if the training is accomplished with care and dedication. Bear in mind pups understand from day 1 and need to be taught what is correct, what is wrong, and appropriate socialization.

Pups are like kids, they want constant supervision and training. Training a pup want not be an ordeal all you’ll want to maintain in mind are several easy rules. Teach the pup to respect you. Dogs live in packs and instinctively follow a leader. If you establish your leadership in no uncertain terms then training will grow to be easy as the pup will obey you at all times and not challenge your authority. Aids can be bought at any Dog Accessories store.

Use only positive training strategies. By no means shout at, hit, or punish a dog. It is not just cruel but can result in behavioral difficulties. Use of electric shocks, prong collars, sprays, and so on could hurt the animal. Teach the meaning of No, from day 1. Do not encourage behaviors like jumping, mouthing, tug-o-war, barking, or running out of open gates and doors. Praise great behavior and ignore or walk away when there is bad behavior. The pup will understand that if he misbehaves he will lose his playmate.

To correct a behavior you must catch the pup within the act and startle him by rattling a can of pebbles. When you’ve accomplished this make him correct his behavior and right away supply him a treat and praise. Pups do not recall what happened earlier so scolding him soon after an event is of no use. Usually call/use his name positively. By no means say Bad TOM, or No Tom, this can trigger confusion and also the pup will think that in the event you call his name then it is some thing bad. The pup must associate his name with happy events like hugs, petting, walks, treats, and such. If this happens he will come willingly whenever you call out his name. You can get treats from any Online Pet Store

Bond using the pup and both of you will take pleasure in your lessons. The pup must appear forward to spending time with you and not avoid you by running away or hiding. Make sure to socialize the pup early. Socialization is one of the most important lessons. The pup must understand to be about other animals, folks, sounds, vehicles, along with other activities. So, slowly introduce the pup when he is little to everyday activities and sounds. Take him to the mall/ park, introduce him to kids along with other pets, and make him unafraid of the vacuum and garden hose.

As a pet owner it is possible to decide on to train the dog yourself or register at a skilled training school. Training a dog has numerous stages: kindergarten, obedience training, doggy sports, showing and conformation, also as other aspects like therapy dogs, hearing dogs, and so on. What level you decide on to train depends upon you also as the learning abilities of your dog. As you know, distinct dogs like humans have varied talents. Select well and both you and your pup will have fun times together.

The Elegant English Golden Retriever

July 21, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

There are only two pure breed golden retrievers recognized by most of the kennel clubs and associations; the English golden retriever and the American golden retriever.

Though there may be other references like the European golden retriever, the English golden retriever is really the pure breed in most cases. In fact the American golden retriever has minimal subtle differences from the English type which I like to call the ‘original’ golden retriever.

The golden retriever as a breed was first developed not in England, but Scotland around mid 1800s. You may perhaps be wondering why it was not named after its country of origin, so do I. Lord Tweedmouth is credited for developing this breed primarily for hunting, reportedly from a cross of the water spaniel and the bloodhound.

It was used for retrieving the birds that were shot during the then increasingly popular duck hunting spot in both the fur and feather and water retrievals. This was because of their characteristics like being good swimmers, their waterproof coats, and very high intelligence levels.

Though it was developed to fill a need, it is one of the most popular pets in the world over two centuries later. It is now available across the globe as a pure breed or as a cross.

The English golden retriever is slightly heavier and shorter, has a blockier forehead, a slightly wider muzzle than the American type. It has a deeper chest, a shorter tail, and a less hairy and firmer coat which is predominantly light cream or any of the lighter shades of gold color.

This further became a key characteristic which enabled the golden retrievers to traverse the rugged and wet terrains to retrieve the birds. It is now a stunning spectacle of the golden retriever that every owner loves to brush and rub.

Perhaps its most endearing qualities include its warm temperament and versatile nature that have made it quite popular as a family pet and even assistance for the handicapped. Its relatively high intelligence has made it a top choice for a rescue dog, drug sniffing dog, tracking and hunting companion and of course an excellent show dog.

It has a knack for banging the obedience and conformance awards in several competitions. One of the kennel associations beautifully and accurately describes the English golden retriever in the ‘general appearance’ category in this manner;

“A symmetrical, powerful, active dog, sound and well put together, not clumsy or long in the leg, displaying a kindly expression and displaying a personality that is eager, alert and self-confident…”

I recently saw a UK kennel club cum British Small Animal Veterinary Association Scientific Committee report about the health of the English golden retrievers. I thought it was quite impressive that just shy of 20% of the golden retrievers had run out the clock or died of age related complications. Cancer took up the largest chunk of deaths, about 39% of all the deaths.

So it really is correct to say that every other golden retriever breeds are really a variation of the English golden retriever.

Kevin Taylor is a Golden Retriever Trainer and breeding enthusiast, and enjoys helping others get started in this amazing hobby by sharing information about the English golden retriever

His newest book,”The Ultimate Golden Retriever Training & Care Guide,” teaches Golden Retriever owners and trainers everything they need to know about training and caring for their Golden Retriever. http://www.goldenretrievercentre.com

The Most Common Dog Training Can Be Solved Right From The Comfort Of Home

July 20, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Some of the most common dog obedience problems can be dealt with and controlled by proper dog training techniques.

Even if you know absolutely nothing about how to train a dog…the good news is you can learn home dog training easily.

There are dozens of high quality online dog training courses that will teach you how to deal with some common dog behavior issues every dog owner faces at some point in time.

If you have a problem with aggressive dog behavior, uncontrolled barking, digging or if your dog is using your favorite shoes as his latest chew toy…you can learn how to train your dog not to engage in destructive habits.

Now if you’re not quite ready to commit to buying a dog training course…there are several dog sites that provide free information on several different training issues. site has a lot of great information on dog behavior. Also check out the American Kennel Club site at and for training articles.

While these site provide valuable information keep in mind they typically only provide enough information to scratch the surface. Sometimes even a limited amout of information will be all you need. Other times you will either have to consider buying a dog training course or seek the services of a professional trainer in your city.

Another good reason to check out dog training sites is to learn more about your specific breed get answers to common health questions and even information on grooming are important.

Take some time to read as much information as you can. Then try out different training methods and see how well they work for you.

Once you begin training you’ll find yourself enjoying your dog even more and having hours of entertainment.

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