What's Your Most Troublesome Dog Problem?

If you have pets it's just a matter of time before your campanion gets fleas. Getting rid of those pests can be a daunting task! Not only do you have to fite them on many fronts besides you pet (your carpet, your lawn etc.) you will have to decide what product you'll use.

There are many flea products on the market, some natural and some not so natural. Plus, some work well and some not so well. And on top of that, if some of the products are used incorrectly, you can cause serious harm to your pet.

Rather than go into a lot of detial on this subject, I've found a site that does a pretty good job of detailing the threat and the solutions for ridding your home and pest of fleas. Yes I know this is a dog lense and I'm linking to a cat site, but cat fleas are the most common flea in the United States and love chewing on your dog as much as chewing on a cat.

Here is the link:

"Get Rid of Fleas" Protect Your Family and Pets From Fleas!

Before you realize that the first virus of winter has taken up residence in your body, chances are, you feel cranky and impatient. That can be an early warning sign that you're getting sick.

The same thing happens to your dog.

Before you notice any serious symptoms, your dog starts to feel out of sorts. He's slow to come when called. He doesn't want to go outside to potty.

He plays with his food and makes a mess all over the kitchen floor. You might mistake those behaviors for dog disobedience and react in the wrong way. Behavior changes in dogs (just as in humans) can be a sign that something outside the norm is taking place.

If you have a perky dog that begins to be lazy or an inquisitive dog that suddenly doesn't care about the new box you brought into the house, then you need to find out what's wrong.

Check the dog food to make certain it's not too old or expired. Reduce table scraps or unusual foods. Inspect your dog for signs of insect bites, sores, swollen stomach or watery eyes.

Is your dog favoring a leg or whimpering when walking or jumping?

Make a careful note of all symptoms to inform the Vet!

After a complete exam by the Vet, you'll know whether any health problems are the cause of disobedience.

Once your dog feels good again, you're likely to see his old behaviors and good training return. For more great dog owner tips on caring for and training your dog, visit the dog training hub on the 'net!

Can you teach an old dog new tricks? Maybe yes... but maybe no!

One thing is certain - it can take more effort to correct a dog's behavior when it's older than it would take to train as a puppy.

Just remember that the jumping up and rolling in the sofa pillows that seems so cute for the 2-pound puppy won't be so cute with a 40-pound slobbering dog. Some breeds are quick to pick up new behaviors at any age, while other breeds are best trained in the first year.

Get some good resources on the characteristics of your dog. Talk with your Vet about the best approaches to correcting troublesome behaviors or teaching new tricks.

Ask at local pet stores about obedience training classes or get the names of dog trainers who will come to your home to help with training if there aren't classes in your area.

If you have an older dog in the home, don't be surprised if the second dog picks up the same behaviors. So if you aren't pleased with the older dog's actions, work on his re-training before you bring home a new puppy.

And while you're at it, dog owners sometime need re-training as well. Find out the proper way to teach your dog to walk on a leash or sit on command. Click Here to Get FREE Dog Obedience Training Tips!

If you love dogs you will love these screen savers! They are made with high quality images and are easy to install. There is a gallery so you can preview the images in each one before you download them. The downloads are free and can be found here.
Free Dog Screen Savers

The screen savers allow the user to customize the way the screen saver looks. You can change the duration of each image as well as the transitions between them. You can even add an MP3 file to play with the screen saver. Enjoy!

Here are some great gifts that I recommend for your pet or those you know with pets. For more information, just click on the picture.


Tufted Cushion Dog Bed (many styles available)
* Tufted dog bed keeps MiracleLoft® polyfil from shifting - helps retain shape
* Economical, long-lasting dog bed offers snuggle-up comfort
* Throw entire bed into washing machine when soiled


Paws Coordinates
* The perfect complement to morning coffee or tea with friends or pets
* Matches Wire Feeder and Collars and Placemat perfectly
* Microwave and dishwasher safe


Seattle Dog Slicker
* Nylon dog coat keeps out rain and wind
* Protects head, flanks and back from inclement weather
* Reflective back strip makes your dog noticeable to passing cars


Christmas Scarves for Dogs
* Let your dog celebrate the season with festive holiday scarves
* Fashionable, yet functional to keep pets warm
* Adjustable for complete comfort


Bottoms Up Waste Disposal Bags & Dispenser
* Convenient waste bag dispenser attaches discretely to your dog's leash
* You'll always have waste bags during walks
* Dispense easy-tear bags with one hand


Gourmet Dog Cookies
* Delicious dog cookies with wholesome ingredients
* Four scrumptious flavors to please any dog


Dura-Ruff%u2122 Travel System Dog Stroller
* 3-in-1 pet stroller, car seat, and soft carrier
* Carrier can be used with seat belt for auto safety
* Stroller boasts drink holders, storage basket, safety brakes, and more!


Big Hoof Dog Toys
* Plush dog toy with oversized feet to grab and tug
* Multiple squeakers tempt your dog to play
* Easy care dog toy is machine washable


Euro Barrie-Aire
* Economical pet barrier contains pet safely behind driver
* Designed for easy visibility - won't interfere with driver's view
* Installs in your vehicle in minutes - pressure mounted


Quick-Klip Adjustable Nylon Harness
* Adjustable harness grows as your dog grows
* Makes difficult dogs easier to handle
* Three sizes to choose from ensures custom fit

Berber Dog Toys
* Machine-washable dog toys
* Polyfil interior creates a softness just right to cuddle with
* Long-lasting & economical

While to many it may seem that all dogs should be trained alike, there are in fact different things you need to consider depending on the size of the dog. There are many basic training techniques that apply to both large and small sized dogs, however, different sized dogs have different challenges and special considerations.

Whether you have a small or a large dog, you should always treat your dog with kindness and use positive reinforcement. Never hit your dog as this will do little to enforce training. While some dogs are harder to train than others, all dogs can be trained with patience and persistence.

Small Dogs

Small dogs can be transported easily which will give you more choices for training locations both inside the home and out of it. One consideration was small dogs is that they tend to bark a lot so extra effort may be needed towards bark suppression. Often times small dogs are very fearful and you want to take that into consideration your training. On the other hand there are many small dogs that are too bold which you should also take into consideration. Read More

My grandparents had a little white dog, a poodle I believe, that would only eat frozen peas, but not any "ol" frozen pea, it had to be a specific brand. While no one would advocate this as an adequate diet for any living being, the reality is (as pet owners) we sometimes give in to our pets desire for something other than what's best for them. When choosing the right food for our pets there are several things that need to be considered.

What is your dog's activity level? My dog "KC" is a Brittany Spaniel, an active breed, but when winter hits and the days get shorter, he doesn't get as much activity as he does in the summer. If we aren't careful, he has a tendency to put on extra weight, as does his owner. Durring this time we look for a dog food designed for a less active dog, that way, he doesn't "pack on the pounds."

How old is your dog? Puppies have a different nutritional need than older dogs. The amount of protein, vitamins and minerals as well as other nutritional values should be considered. Is the food you've chosen right for the age of your dog?

Is there a pet food standard? The "Association of American Feed Controll" (AAFC) has established standards for nutritional values for pet food. Check to see that your food is based on this standard. If not you might consider finding one that is.

Choosing the right food for your dog isn't as easy as just grabbing a bag off the shelf. Consult with your veterinarian or the professionals in your local pet store. After all, we choose what we eat carefully, why wouldn't we do the same for our pets?

Kerry

Healthy Food For Dogs: Homemade Recipes

It seems that most of us will do whatever our veterinarian recommends for treatment to get our dogs back to their happy, healthy, lives. Therefore you should give serious consideration to buying dog insurance in case your little love ones get sick or injured. If you really think of your dog as part of your family it is inevitable that certain things will be demanded of you in making your dog's life as comfortable as possible. As we all know, life is unpredictable and things do not always go as we hope they will. This is why as dog owners we must realize that dog insurance comes with its benefits and therefore not something you can afford to ignore. Read More

Pet Insurance Ebook

Dog allergies are one of the most common conditions affecting dogs. Dog allergies can be very frustrating for both yourself and your dog. The constant itching and scratching, paw licking and chewing, skin rashes or chronic ear infections can make life very unpleasant.

Dogs allergies become noticeable when your dog's immune system reacts excessively to substances (called allergens or antigens) to which she has been exposed. Generally, allergies show up in three ways. The most common is with the skin - your dog will itch and scratch either in one area or all over, or you will see skin sores or lesions. Another way involves the respiratory system and your dog may cough, sneeze, and/or wheeze, and there may be an associated nasal or eye discharge. A third type of allergic reaction involves the digestive system, when your dog vomits or has diarrhea. Read More