Edie MacKenzie

Edie MacKenzie is a published author, traveler, dog lover, and tortoise enthusiast. Passionate about what she does, her books provide peopel a firm grounding in the dog breed and their unique characteristics with a nice touch of humor.

What Type Of Leash Is Best For Your Dog?

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What type of leashes are best for your dog? Well personally, I prefer leather leashes. Nylon leashes have a tendency to cut and burn your hand. They also slip through your hands more easily if your dog suddenly pulls at you. A leather leash gives you more comfortable control. A good dog trainer can look at a leather leash and tell how much the dog owners are working with their puppies. The more they practice, the softer the leash becomes.

Some owners don’t like leather leads because they are more expensive and puppies have a tendency to chew on them during a walk. There is nothing more cute than a puppy carrying his leash while you walk him. If your puppy puts the leash in his mouth during a walk, then let him carry it for a while, but maintain control of it. If he bites too hard on it or really starts to chew, then this is a good time to practice the “Drop it” command. With a firm voice say, “Drop it,” and substitute a stronger motivator to satisfy his needs.

I do not favor chain link leashes. They are hard on your hands when you move up and down the leash to control your dog. The only good purpose to link leashes is if you’re tying your dog outside for a while – dogs can’t chew through them.

I am also not a fan of retractable leads. I feel the owner has little control over a dog or puppy with such a lead. Some owners feel they are giving their dog more exercise and freedom with a retractable lead, since the dog can move ten to fifteen feet ahead of the owner. But accidents easily happen – a biker or runner can quickly go by and if your dog moves toward them, a person can trip on this long lead. Also, it is very difficult to control a dog and gain back the leash quickly if someone is coming toward your dog or if your dog is moving toward them.

A retractable lead is made of wire and you cannot grab on to it. I think the best use for a retractable lead is when you are in a field and want to give some extra lead to your pup so he can run about with a little more freedom. Otherwise, on city streets, I only see it as a nuisance for other people.

Retractable leads also create a problem if your dog gets loose from you. The plastic housing at the end of the lead will bounce along as it trails behind the dog. This can frighten some dogs, particularly noise-sensitive dogs, and they will run that much further away trying to flee from the very sound that they can’t escape.

Dog Care Tips for Grooming Your Dog

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The best way is start grooming your puppy is when he first comes home with you, but if you have an adult dog who balks at grooming here are a few dog care tips.

The first time you bring out the nail clippers hold the clippers in your hand next to the dog’s paw and give him a treat with praise. The next time hold the dog’s paw and place his nail in the nail clipper but don’t cut. Again praise him and reward with treats. When the dog calmly accepts you holding his paw and bringing the clipper to his nail, and placing the nail in the clipper, then cut the nail quickly and confidently. Don’t be nervous because your dog will pick up on that emotion. Praise your dog and give him a treat.

Do this with the other dog grooming tools as well. The dog will associate being groomed with praise and treats. Keep your first grooming sessions short. Right before his dinner is a good time. Your dog will be alert and hungry which means he’ll be more motivated. He’ll start to associate grooming with dinner as well as treats.

Don’t lose your temper. Keep a smile on your face and the sessions as pleasant as possible.

Most dogs don’t mind having their teeth brushed and actually like it. If your dog struggles, use the same method with the toothbrush as you did with the nail clippers. Your first session, hold a treat in one hand and the toothbrush with a bit of dog toothpaste by his mouth. Give him the treat and lots of praise. Then gently lift his lip, again reward with a treat and praise. Finally lift his lip and gently scrub his side teeth. The dog should get a taste of the toothpaste and your struggles will be over. Don’t overdo the toothpaste, a little is enough.

Veterinarians say that the most common pet health care problem is their teeth. If your dog has tarter it could turn into a serious problem resulting in infection, loss of teeth, and at the very least, very bad breath. Tarter is that yellowish soon to turn brownish hard build up next to the gum line. Prevention by brushing is much easier than getting rid of tarter. Most of the time that means a professional cleaning and it’s expensive. Dogs don’t sit still to have their teeth cleaned like people do, so they have to be under a general anesthetic and that’s costly.

One method that seems to work with some dogs to get rid of a mild case of tarter is gently swapping their teeth with a piece of gauze soaked in medicinal strength (not hair bleach strength) hydrogen peroxide every day.

When brushing your dog’s coat, hold the hair with one hand on the skin side of a tangle and use the brush with your other hand to brush out the tangle. That way your dog won’t feel the pull of the brush as much. Use a people hair detangling spray to make the brushing even easier.

Use these dog care tips for grooming your dog and the sessions should be fun for both of you.

Find more about dog grooming tools. Dee Power is the author of several nonfiction books and the novel “Over Time.” She is the proud companion of Rose, the Irish Setter, and Kate the English Springer Spaniel. Read Rose and Kate’s blog.

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Adopting Your Dog From A Shelter? Be Prepared To Answer These Questions (Part 1)

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1. What kind of dog are you looking for? This is typically the very first question that a shelter will ask you. You should already be well- prepared to answer this question and can tell the staff members what sort of pup you want and why. Be thorough but flexible; as you chat, the staff may come up with new ideas for you, or they may be able to spot potential problems in your profile and suggest adjustments. Don’t let them talk you into anything you don’t want, but do let their knowledge guide you.

2. What are your living quarters like? The staff needs to know, for example, whether you live in a big house or a tiny apartment or something in between, so that they can help you find a dog of an appropriate size and energy level. They’ll be wary of adopting, say, a big, active dog to a family that lives in a twentieth story apartment, so if you’re interested in getting a dog who might seem unsuited to your living environment, you’ll have to convince them that you can make it work.

They’ll also need to know whether you rent or own your home. If you’re a renter, now is a good time to show proof that you’re allowed to have a canine roommate: either a copy of a lease with a “pets allowed” provision, or a signed statement from your landlord.

3. Do you have a fenced yard? If the answer is “no,” don’t feel bad; just explain to the staff that you understand that your dog will need exercise and outdoor play, and that you intend to walk her and have fun in the sun (or rain or snow) with her regularly. Tell the staff whether you have – or plan to build – an outdoor pen or kennel for your dog. And if you have special outdoor interests that you’ll be sharing with your new dog (hiking or jogging, for example), those, too, can make the absence of a fenced yard less of a drawback.

Even if the answer is “yes,” let them know that your fence is high enough and secure enough to confine the kind of dog you want, and that the yard provides adequate shelter from the sun, hot or cold temperatures and precipitation. And be sure the staff understands that you’re not going to leave your new dog by herself in the yard all day long.

4. Are you looking for an indoor or an outdoor dog? You already know that there is no such thing as an “outdoor dog.” No responsible shelter will adopt a dog to someone who intends to keep her outside all the time. Assure the staff that your dog will be a beloved family pet that will not be ignored outside.

Backyard Party ? How To Host A Successful BBQ With Dogs In Mind

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The next time you decide to put on a small barbecue party in your backyard during the warm, sunny summer months, make considerations for your dog and other guest’s dogs. Most friend and family gatherings are planned and entertained without a single thought of providing an atmosphere where both dogs and people can enjoy themselves together.

And consider for a moment just how more pleasant the atmosphere will be with your close friends and dear family members enjoying themselves with a drink and a good hamburger on the deck of your house, while just off the corner of your eye your dog is having the time of his life, chasing and being chased by other guest’s pet dogs.

Not only will your BBQ appeal to everyone attending, but how cool would it be to tell them that they can bring their family pet along for fun and games? So during your next backyard event, take some time to plan ahead and include these animals in the plan.

Plan For Success

According to the Hearth Patio and BBQ Association, the backyard party trend has blown up into a $55 billion dollar per year industry. Houses are becoming smaller and more and more families look towards their home for fun and relaxation. Lawn chairs, picnic tables, and cooking facilities are all designed to bring the inside party “out”.

What you want to avoid is having your dog or someone else’s dog jump up into people’s laps begging for food and annoying the guests. Such behavior can ruin a good time, especially when drinks are spilled and dog paws just ruined your best friend’s shirt

The key is to single out those guests that have dogs and other dog lovers from the group. A good host for such dog-planning would have new toys that can be played with between your guests and the dogs. Many people love to play fetch and tug-of-war with friendly dogs so why not offer this activity at your BBQ?

Provide a common area for both dogs and your guests. Invest in a fenced-in enclosure where the dogs can play with each other without annoying the rest of your guests. And for the dog enthusiasts of the party who would love to take a break from mingling and head over to the doggie hangout, a perfect common area keeps the fun and games in harmonious order.

Consider the seating arrangements you have made. Think about where each person will be seated and make sure that the dogs are secured in an area that faces the party. Your pets want to be in on the action, even if it’s just to see what’s going on.

If you are hosting a backyard party at night, consider the safety of your animals. Should you allow them to run free, attach a small flashlight to each of the dogs’ collars. This is a perfect way for your guests to see them coming without an accident by stepping on the dogs. You can also attach a bell that jingles which will give people more warning before a dog is approaching.

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