Unless you are lucky enough to live out in the countryside with lots of private grounds you will have to travel to get your dog to a space open enough to give it a good run. Of course if you are in walking distance of a dog friendly park you can simply pop on a lead and go, but for many dog owners living in a busy town centre or city, a daily car journey is a necessity.
It is important that your dog is safe and comfortable during any length of car journey. This is a list of car accessories for dogs
Dog Safety
Dog car crates or cages specially adapted for cars not only makes your car journey safer for you but also for your dog, it also helps the dog feel more secure. Imagine how frightening it might be to your dog looking out the windows of a moving car!
It could be there isn’t room for a travel cage or maybe your dog is taken out in more than one car in which case a dog harness with seat belt adaptor is a good alternative. This is a great multi purpose travel accessory for your dog!
Word of warning: For those who think these are extreme, imagine what would happen if you were to have a car accident. If unsecured, your frightened dog could easily jump out of a car and run right onto a busy road.
Dog Comfort
The boot of a car is not designed for comfort so if your pet has to travel in the boot a dog bed is much nicer to sleep on.
It is also a good idea to keep a dog blanket in your car especially if you are planning a long journey in the colder months. (Keep a blanket for yourself too in case of break downs!)
Food and Water
Your dog will get hungry and thirsty during a long car journey and will certainly need to quench his or her thirst after a long run. Keeping water and a bowl is a must but instead of the bulky hard bowls consider investing in those special dog travel bowls made of material that fold up when not in use, you can also get disposable travel bowls.
Handy hint: The car engine might need water too! Keep a supply of water in your car for both dog and car engine especially during the hotter months. Large plastic milk or juice bottles are ideal for this. You can re-fill at a fresh water river or stream if out in the countryside.
Shade from the sun
Drivers and human passengers have visors to protect them from the glare of the sun so don’t forget your dog and fit a car window shade where appropriate.
Handy hint: Families with small children may already have car window shades which as perfect for pets too!
Dog Ramps
A dog car ramp can be a godsend! You might be able to lift your small poodle into your car but older dogs will struggle climbing in? You can choose from a number of dog car ramps that will fold away neatly when not in use.
Pet First Aid
As exciting as running in the countryside can be for your dog, there can also hazards including barbed wire, broken glass and sharp sticks. The first aid you apply to your dog if it gets a nasty cut will be vital in its recovery and if you are out in the middle of nowhere it could be a while before you can get your dog to a vet. Pet travel first aid kits often come complete with gauzes, wipes and bandages and fit in most glove compartments.
Swellpets.co.uk has many more great products for dogs. Give it a whirl.co.uk
Filed under Dogs by on Jul 20th, 2009. Comment. 
Understanding Your Dog’s Behavioral Problems
Dogs exhibit many behaviors that leave their owners scratching their heads in confusion. Whether it’s barking, digging, nipping, or a number of other annoying activities, canines do things that seem odd to us. However, by understanding why they do such things, owners can learn to modify such behaviors.
Below, we’ll discuss several behavioral problems that can frustrate owners, their guests, and their neighbors. I’ll explain why your pooch may be doing some of the things she’s doing so you can take steps to curb inappropriate behaviors.
Chewing
Dogs chew for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, they’re anxious. Other times – especially in the case of puppies – they chew because they’re teething. Still other times, they simply become bored or restless. They do it to work off excess energy.
If your canine limits her chewing to a chew toy, or Bully Sticks there’s little harm in it. When no chew toys are around, your house belongings are at risk for damage from a chewing dog. When you notice her chewing on things she should not be, sharply tell her. Take away (or remove her from) the item on which she’s chewing and give her a Odorless Bully Stick in its place.
Excessive Barking
First, it’s important to realize that your dog barks as a way of communicating. While it can become frustrating if she does so excessively, owners should understand that there may be a valid reason for the behavior.
That said, canines often bark excessively for a number of reasons that are inappropriate. For example, they may be bored or excited. The barking could be a response to other pets close by. Many times, your dog just wants to attract your attention.
An effective way to discourage continual barking to to provide your pet with daily exercise. When bored your dog’s behavior issues can increase because of pent up energy. Also, avoid encouraging her barking by giving her attention when she does it. Instead, clap sharply to let her know that her behavior is unacceptable to you.
Begging
Dogs love food, even if they’re not hungry. Given the opportunity, they’ll continue eating as long as someone gives them something to eat. The problem is that owners encourage begging each time they provide a taste from the dinner table. Remember, your pooch learns by repetition. When it comes to food, she learns quickly. When your dog is rewarded when they beg, they will learn this behavior and deem it natural.
You can discourage the begging behavior putting the dog into another part of the house during meal times.
The Value Of Obedience Classes
Most behavioral issues can be curbed by enrolling your dog into obedience classes. If you train them as a puppy, they will learn what is acceptable and what is not acceptable behavior and the training will “stick”.” If you enroll her as an adult, the training will be effective, but she’ll probably need periodic classes as a reminder of what constitutes appropriate conduct. In the end, a well-trained, well-behaved dog makes a more pleasant companion.
Filed under Dogs by on May 9th, 2009. Comment.
To the everyday dog owner, the rules and regulations of some nationwide dog registry associations like the American Kennel Club (AKC) can strike one as problematic. Whilst you would expect a puppy registered by the American Kennel Club to be a high-quality, healthy purebred, this is not necessarily the reality. You can only be certain of getting a pedigree puppy. The health of the puppy’s genetic line, and the quality of the breeder’s establishment, are not monitored by them. This can surprise a lot of people who would naturally assume that a prominent dog association like the American Kennel Club would provide such basic regulatory care. And it demonstrates why some breed clubs, such as those for the Australian kelpie dog breed, have decided not to finish the requirements for AKC registration. This means they’re not eligible for recognition by the AKC as a distinct breed, and these dogs are not allowed to compete in the many American Kennel Club official dog shows. It does, however, protect the breed’s health.
What the AKC wanted breeders of the Australian kelpie to do was effectively limit the natural genetic variation of their dogs. Pedigree dogs seem to be bred from a decreasing gene pool. And this is especially true for those most concerned with champion lines. The net effect is that a lot of these dogs cannot do the things for which they were once well known, such as hunt. It has also meant a lot of genetic health problems, the consequence of too much inbreeding to keep the lines ‘pure’. Dogs are bred back to their grandparents and parents, simply because it creates dogs that help do well in shows. An article on the University of Wisconsin website discusses this in detail. They write:
“First, the AKC defines quality in a dog primarily on the basis of appearance, paying scant heed to such other canine characteristics as health, temperament, and habits of work. Over the years this policy has led to destructive forms of inbreeding that have created dogs capable only of conforming to human standards of beauty. Many can no longer perform their traditional tasks–herding, tracking, hunting–while more than a few cannot live outside a human-controlled environment.” (Source)
Of course, this isn’t the reason some dogs aren’t recognized by the AKC as a separate breed. Some are considered a size variation of a larger breed rather than a separate breed. This is true of dogs like the small German spitz and the toy Manchester terrier.
In any case, unless you want a show dog, registration by the AKC is not as critical as buying a good quality dog from a breeder who breeds healthy dogs that still retain the abilities for which the breed was once (or still is), renown. Breeders who breed mostly to achieve a certain look are more likely to follow breeding practices that create genetic defects. And it could result in dogs that have less than desirable temperaments as pets. Whilst there may be some instances where this is not true, in the long term, excessive inbreeding can only result in long term problems for a breed.
Filed under Dogs by on May 9th, 2009. Comment.
Educating yourself about dog training is the first step one takes before actually training your dog. There are plenty of sources you can go to, but at times it becomes information overload.
Canine training is not really all that difficult. One thing to remember is that many dogs simply want to make their owner happy. The issue is communication. Obviously dogs and humans can’t talk to each other, and you need to get your pet to figure out what you want.
Canine training can be summed up with just a few tips. Lets take a look at some of the methods that I have used in order to train my dog, making both he and I happier.
Try to avoid the negatives that often come with training. Hitting or striking your dog, either by hand or with an object will only teach the dog to fear you. A stern verbal NO, is OK, but don’t go any further than that, or you risk alienating the animal. Focusing on praise and rewards when your dog behaves as it should is the better way to go.
Praising your dog will reinforce the correct behavior. Loving or petting your dog for acting positive behaviors is of course nice, but experience has shown even better results occur when food treats are given out at the time the behaviors observed. Think about it, food motivates humans, so to it works with our four legged friends.
Body language can also influence your pet’s reactions. Many canines can actually can actually sense and read your body language before any verbal communication is given. A method that works well in doing this is to match an audible command with a specific movement of either the hand or arm.
Refusing to give up is the final key to successful dog training. Sure at times it is frustrating. It would certainly be easier to give up, go sit on the couch and watch your DirecTV, but you need to persist in your training. Your dog is not going to train himself, and training always takes longer than you would like. It is so important to keep this in mind when things are difficult with your dog. Things will not always fall into place, so do not give up at the first sign of trouble.
Training your dog can be both a difficult and rewarding experience. Keeping these brief tips in mind will help you keep on track in your natural dog training efforts.
Filed under Animal Info by on Apr 30th, 2009. Comment.
Having pets around is like being with a friend or a family. They should be loved and cared for just like anybody else. Some people treat their pets as a part of their lives, while some are too busy to look out for them. Luckily when this happen there is always a pet sitter available to do the job for you.
Pet sitter is a service provider who takes care of pets in the comforts of their own homes. They devote their time and effort to make sure that your pets are well look out for. These pet sitters are trained to do their jobs well. There are a lot of advantages for you and your animal friend when acquiring the services of a pet sitter.
These are several advantages and services provided in hiring a pet sitter:
– Your pet will be more comfortable and familiar at their own home. They will not be distracted or confused with other animals and activities at the kennel.
– You can avoid the long duration of transporting your pet from the house to the kennel. And will allow the pet to evade certain travel traumas.
– Your pet will be cared and loved for by a pet sitter who they are familiar with. A pet sitter will also give the necessary attention for your animal friend.
– The activities of your pet and the sitter will make your home more protected and secured from burglary while youíre away for work or a trip.
– Some additional services like picking your mail and taking care of plants can be offered by the pet sitter.
– The pets are kept away from specific sickness and parasites from other animals in the kennel.
– You don’t have to oblige a relative, friend or neighbor to look out for your pet.
– Normal routines will be achieved because there are no sudden changes in environment.
– Some kennel recommends vaccinations to be taken, for pet sitting there ís no need for that.
– Walking and giving a proper exercise for your pet can also be done by a pet sitter.
– Managing feeding diets for the pets.
– Other pet sitters can train your animals with attentiveness. These are services that can be provided by a professional pet sitter
– Picking up the droppings and cleaning them is one of the jobs of a pet sitter.
These are the many positive advantages when getting the help of a pet sitter. And this is probably the best and effective way to prove and establish more love, affection, care, and concern to your animal friend while you are away.
Today, pet sitters are widely recognized in the market as an important provider of pet care services. You can get the services of these pet sitters from a variety of sources. You can look via the internet or find a pet sitter near your neighborhood.
You may be occupied or busy for work or a vacation lately, and you may definitely hire a pet sitter along the way. When you do that, always remember that your pet is very much secured and happily waiting for you when you get home.
Pet Sitting Long Island specializes in all kinds of Animal Care help. If you are in need of a Pet Sitters Long Island then you need look no further. For even more great advice and articles about Long Island Dog Walkers stop by today!
Filed under Animal Info by on Apr 29th, 2009. Comment.
Dogs should be vaccinated against the following diseases;
Young puppies should have a combination vaccination known as DHLP-P which will give them protection against parvovirus, hepatitis, leptospirosis, distemper and parainfluenza. It is also necessary that they receive a booster injection every year.
Distemper is an extremely serious disease which can lead to death unless the animal has been vaccinated. It begins with respiratory problems in the animal which can be followed by seizures and lead to the dog dying.
Leptospirosis is a disease that affects the organs of the animal namely the liver and the kidneys. This disease is not prevalent in dogs.
Parvovirus which attacks the immune system of the dog by destroying the white blood cells is a deadly disease. The Doberman and Rottweiler breeds of dogs are particularly susceptible to contracting this disease and in smaller dogs especially the mortality rate can be as high as 1 in 4. Continuous retching and bloody stools as well as severe hydration are serious consequences of this disease.
It is important to have young puppies vaccinated against rabies when they are between 4 – 6 months of age. Older dogs normally would receive a rabies vaccination on a yearly basis. This is a viral disease that is deadly on the central nervous system of the animal and is a public health threat if not contained.
Dogs that are boarded at kennels on a regular basis or who often come into contact with other dogs e.g. at grooming parlors should be given a bordetella vaccination as a protective measure. This disease also known as kennel cough affects the respiratory system of the animal and causes it cough. It is a highly contagious airborne disease
Booster injections are also available as and when they are necessary. Consult your veterinarian as to how often they should be given.
Vaccinations against Coronavirus should be given to young puppies and an annual booster injection should follow. This intestinal disease leads to peritonitis.
It is always best to consult your veterinarian for dog health advice as to how often vaccinations should be given depending on what has already been administered and at what age. It should not be underestimated how essential vaccinations for certain diseases are. Neglecting them or the follow up booster injections could have devastating and fatal consequences for your animal.
Related Information on Shots for Dogs
VACCINATING PUPPIES–16 Weeks – YorkieTalk.com Forums
In the August 2008 issue of The Whole Dog Journal, Dr. Ronald Schultz reports in an article entitled, Vaccinations 101, by Lisa Rodier, "Research shows that less than 50 percent of puppies will respond at six weeks; 75 percent at nine…
Precaution Is Better Than Cure
KENNEL COUGH: it is the next vaccination which your dog needs. It leads to loud dry cough. It affects the bronchi and trachea of dogs. It is not a fatal dieses but it is really contagious. It is also known as BORDETELLA…
Dog Owners Understand Lyme, Not Prevention
While most dog owners appear to have a general awareness of the prevalence of canine Lyme disease, many don’t understand preventive measures, such as vaccination, according to a new survey launched by Merial of Duluth…
Rabies Deaths From Dog Bites Could Be Eliminated Globally
"Achieving vaccination coverage of 60 per cent or more in dog populations in Africa is both logistically and economically feasible through annual vaccination campaigns," the scientists said in the PLoS paper…
If your dog has been affected by this then he is cured by this vaccination and the antibiotics are filled inside him to help him fight against this disease. There have been many debates on the topic that whether dogs should be…
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Guides on Dog Vaccination Schedule
As a dog owner or enthusiasts, you are highly obliged of your dog vaccinations. The importance of vaccinations for your dogs is not just primarily for your pet’s sake but also for other animals that get to contact with your pet…
Michigan Humane Society: Protect-A-Pet
Since the program’s inception in 1991, the Michigan Humane Society “Protect-A-Pet” clinics have assisted dog and cat guardians by providing age-appropriate vaccinations protecting against Distemper, Parvovirus, Rabies and other deadly…
Filed under Dog Health by on Mar 18th, 2009. 4 Comments.
One must be extremely careful about medicines purchased from your drugstore being given to your dog.
Aspirin is dangerous to dogs especially when used indiscriminately.
Depending on what the dog is suffering from there are circumstances where aspirin could be given.
It needs to be stressed however that it is absolutely necessary to have the dog examined and assessed by a veterinarian before any medication purchased over the counter at a drugstore is administered to the animal. Even then the dosage would have to be strictly controlled by someone knowledgeable such as a veterinarian.
A large number of dog owners whose animal are suffering from arthritis and are in pain believe that aspirin can help with the easing of the pain. If this is in fact the case aspirin would help if it is administered by a veterinarian and the correct dosage is given. One should note that aspirin is an anti-inflammatory, non steroidal substance and dogs are extremely susceptible to the side effects of this drug when it is in their gastrointestinal tract.
Effects such as bleeding, development of ulcers or pain and other dog health problems could occur if overdosed with this drug due to the susceptibility of their abdominal area.
At all costs giving aspirin to a dog that is pregnant should be avoided as this action could result in birth defects within the litter. There are safer alternatives then aspirin such as glucosamine and chondroitin which are more preferable to use. Note also that aspirin if given is a substance that can react with certain other drugs in the dog’s body that the animal may be taking such as cortisone, phenobarbitol and certain antibiotics.
In the case of arthritis in dogs the drug cosequin has been known to be effective in cases in helping with the arthritis and any joint difficulties the dog may have. If treating the dog yourself the best bet is to avoid aspirin completely.
Tylenol, Advil and Nadproxen can all cause different problems for dogs so avoid giving them these medications. Liver or kidney disease and ulceration of the dog’s stomach could well result from the indiscriminate use of these medications.
Additional Articles of Interest:
Dog Arthritis is a degernative joint disease that afflicts them, usually when they get older, just like with humans. There is another common related arthritic condition called hip dysplasia. This is caused when the back hip joint starts.
Natural Ways to Treat Dog Arthritis
Be it dogs or human beings presently there is no permanent cure available for arthritis. According to research studies alternative or natural remedies are much better and effective as compared to dog arthritis medications.
Health problems of the larger dogs like arthritis are more common. Arthritis is noticed more in larger dog than the medium sized or small sized dogs, as the weight of the larger dogs is the predisposing factor.
Rimadyl and Dog Arthritis. By joeyhaney6219. Are you familiar with Rimadyl for Dogs? Dogs can’t convey to owners whether they are in pain, hence it is the caretaker’s duty to be alert of changes to behavior of the dog.
Dog Arthritis Symptoms, Prevention and Treatment
Statistics say that in US about 25% of pets are affected by arthritis. As a dog owner and lover, you should pay attention that your non-human friend is always in good mood, playful and that it eats well and healthy food.
Dog arthritis, a canine illness characterized by a pain in the joint, is a common problem among senior or old dogs. It comes with age and mostly affects large dog breeds. A dog with arthritis or hip dysplasia faces difficulty in moving.
Dog Arthritis Medicine, Glucosamine
Glucosamine as a dog arthritis treatment is now recognised after some research as a safe and effective option.
Filed under Dog Health by on Mar 17th, 2009. Comment.
Common Genetic Diseases in Dogs
Pedigreed dogs are particularly vulnerable to genetic diseases and as a result of this some breeds are unable to be registered with a large number of national kennel clubs.
Different breeds of dogs inherit genetic problems relating to their specific breed. Some of the common genetic defects are hip dysplasia which most often occurs in the larger breed of dogs.
A disease which affects blood platelets known as Willebrand disease is known to be prevalent in Doberman Pinschers.
A disease which causes the eyelids of a dog to curl known as entropion occurs in Shar Peis and also other breeds of dogs.
Many pedigreed breeds of dogs have a genetic disorder known as progressive retinal atrophy, a dog sickness which affects their eyesight and as they age gets progressively worse.
Epilepsy and deafness are inherited disorders which often occur in St Bernard, German Shepherds and Cocker Spaniels.
A serious genetic heart related problem occurs in Golden Retrievers and some other large breeds such as the Newfoundland Dog which disrupts the flow of blood from the heart to the Aorta and could result in cardiac arrest and the death of the dog.
Pedigreed Collie dogs can inherit a genetic disease which prevents their nervous system from functioning and developing properly. If two of these dogs with the same inherited disorder were mated, any puppies which were born would almost certainly, if they survived, have damage to their organs and nervous systems.
More on Genetic Dog Diseases
Maybe in a new registry system, some breeds cannot be registered until they become mature and are deemed free of genetic diseases. This means that small dogs can’t be registered until they are one year of age.
Some people claim that mixed breeds dogs are healthier than purebred dogs but this area is not as clear cut. Purebred dog breeders go out of their way to test their dogs for health problems and genetic diseases.
The Scary Reality of Dog Genetic Disease
One of their priority goals now is to identify the genes responsible for causing dog genetic diseases, defective genes, carrier states of hereditary disease and much more.
University World News – BELGIUM: Dog study may unveil genetic secrets
Veterinary clinics from 12 European countries will collect 10000 DNA samples from a large cohort of dogs either healthy or suffering from a range of 18 defined diseases of relevance to human health such as cancer and heart disease.
Pedigree dog owner sounds alarm about genetic diseases
Six years ago, when Sandy Smith brought home a silky-furred, fef floppy-eared puppy, she had no idea what was ahead of her.
Filed under Dog Health by on Mar 16th, 2009. Comment.
Canine Heart Disease
Heart disease affects dogs as well as humans. While many dogs have an acquired heart defect or murmur at birth, many other canines develop heart problems when they are middle aged or older.
In dogs, two particular heart diseases have a tendency to occur. One difficulty that occurs is a problem with the heart valves of the dog which do not close effectively thus creating blood flow difficulties.
The other heart condition that is problematical occurs when the walls of the heart muscle in a dog’s heart lose their thickness and become weak and fragile. These occurrences take place over a period of time and can result in the animal having canine heart failure if untreated.
It is estimated that over 3 million dogs in the United States who are treated by veterinarians have an existing heart condition for which they are being treated.
If the heart is unable to pump blood to the body at the rate at which it is required an increased amount of pressure is placed on the heart to meet this requirement. As a consequence of this further harm can be done to the heart.
Dog Heart Symptoms
Heart diseases in dogs can be detected on examination by a veterinarian. In the early stages of heart disease, x-rays would show if the heart was enlarged. Other symptoms such as coughing, the dog laboring when breathing and a general sluggishness in the dogs mobility could be indicators of a developing or existing heart condition.
As with any other dog diseases, early detection of canine heart problems could prevent serious heart problems in the dog before it’s too late. Owners should therefore be encouraged to have their animals checked out at regular intervals by a veterinarian.
Regular exercise, good nutrition and a well balanced diet are important factors in keeping your dog’s heart healthy. A dog in good shape that has been well cared for and is in good condition will give its owner many years of happiness and companionship.
More information on canine heart failure:
Dog Health Information: Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs
Dogs are man’s best friend and there is nothing more important than our dog’s health. Today’s topic will cover congestive heart failure. We will learn to know and understand what it is, what it does and how we can prevent such a disease.
Dog Sicknesses Symptoms & Diagnosi
Being an animal the dog cant communicate its health related problems so it’s up to the owner of the dog to keep a regular watch over it and diagnose its sickness or any health related problem just after observing a few of its symptoms. … Ear Scratching(Dog Ear Infections, Fleas and Dog Allergies); Eye Infections / Problems / Discharge (Distemper, Canine Eye Infections, Conjunctivitis, Entropion, Kennel Cough and Dog Allergies); Fainting
If your dog is in the early stages of this disease, naturopathic treatments are likely to be very effective. If the disease had progressed further, I’d recommend going with your vet’s recommendations for conventional drugs.
Holistic Vet and Pet Nutrition Journal
These can include pancreatitis, anemia, heart disease, liver issues, allergies, etc. It is not advisable to use a recipe or commercial diet intended for any pet with kidney disease because it may not be the right one for your pet.
Break-through Drug for Heart Failure in Dogs Reaches Market
CHF is one of the most common heart problems in dogs, especially older, smaller breeds. Heart disease affects up to 11 percent of the almost 75 million dogs in the United States, and the incidence of heart disease could be as high as 60
Healthy Homemade Dog Food Recipe for pets with Heart Disease
When our beloved pet is diagnosed with heart disease, a special diet is always recommended. This healthy homemade dog food recipe should meet with your vet’s approval and benefit your family pet.
Filed under Dog Health by on Mar 10th, 2009. Comment.
