dog Archives - Pet Paw

Best Affordable Dog Toys For Strong Chewers

January 28, 2015/0 Comments/in Dog Accessories /by Cabbie Patch

Whether your dog is a pit bull puppy that simply must have massive toys due to his size or a sweet little sheltie that shreds toys in five seconds flat and looks as befuddled as you do when they fall apart, you’re clearly dealing with a strong chewer.

It doesn’t matter what size a dog is when it dawns on you that the ordinary cheap or cuddly toys just won’t do the trick. Of course, it helps if your dog doesn’t passionately hate squeakers to the point she tears up any toy with that feature just to get rid of them.

Preparing Your Dog for Your Newborn Baby

May 2, 2013/0 Comments/in Dog Training, Dogs /by Tristan G

Many people stress about what they should do with their dog when the baby comes – should they give the dog away or it’s going to be safe for the baby? It can all turn well if you prepare your dog for the new situation, so here are some things you should keep in mind when preparing your dog for the newborn baby.

Your dog will sense the excitement about the arrival of the new family member, but it’s not a bad idea to introduce him with the newcomer as well.

When he’s in the good mood give your dog something that belongs to the baby, such as shirt or a cap. Praise him while he smells baby’s things so he can develop positive and good feelings toward the baby.

When the baby is first brought home one person should hold the baby while the other one holds the dog on a short leash. If he behaves well let him smell the baby, if you however feel any form of aggression from the dog or the baby starts crying cut the introduction and postpone it for a couple of days. The dog should be kept under control but without tension. Later on, when both the baby and the dog relax you won’t need the leash anymore but don’t leave the dog alone with your newborn.

Every time you bring your newborn close to the dog, say his name gently, show him to the baby and interpret his behavior. If baby starts crying due to sudden bark take her to your arms, comfort her and explain that is normal and that’s the way dogs talk.

Before the newborn your dog had all the attention in the family and that will most certainly change, but pets usually behave well and know their place in the family so you shouldn’t worry too much about the dog being jealous. Whether the animal will feel mismatched, neglected and standoffish upon the arrival of the new member is completely up to you and your behavior toward the dog and the baby. If the family habits and customs you shared with your dog don’t change drastically and if you introduce the baby and the dog in the right way – there is nothing to be afraid of.

It might happen that the dog pees on the crib, stroller or a place where the baby spends a lot of time, but this shouldn’t be interpreted as jealousy or bad behavior, this is just a way the dog expresses fear of the baby and masks her scent with his. So don’t scold your dog for doing this but allow him access to the baby’s crib, clothes and blankets. Again, don’t make your dog feel neglected because of the arrival of the new family member.

While preparing your dog for the your newborn baby it is important to mention that, despite of the amount of time you plan to dedicate to the child (which is perfectly normal) you always have to find at least a little bit of time for your pet. Also, avoid any sudden changes of what the dog is used to, such as the feeding time.

Mariah Carey carrying The Russell Terrier

Russell Terrier Owned by Mariah Carey’s : Celebrety Pet of the Week

February 18, 2013/0 Comments/in Celebrity Pets /by Tristan G

Mariah Carey’s Jack Russell, called “Jack” ( or Jackson P. Muttley, to give him his full title) can be seen with her wherever she goes. Except when she flies these days. She lost her cool after she was informed her Jack Russell was “too big” and not famous enough to join her in the executive cabin. Mariah was furious at the airlines who won’t let her beloved dog Jack fly first class with her. “They actually won’t let me put him on a first class seat because he’s too big. They would only allow it for a famous dog. Please! He has three websites dedicated to him!”, fumes Mariah. Jack Russells are actually small dogs, and are energetic and devoted companions. Many a heart has been captured by their spirit.

Mariah Carey has certainly been in and out of the spotlight and made plenty of comebacks, but the limelight has still managed to catch her dog, the Jack Russell appropriately named.. Jack. This pampered pooch has made appearances in more than a couple of her music videos and even in her movie, Glitter, which sadly for Jack didn’t do too well. New mom Mariah Carey is trying to lose her post-baby weight, and her Jack Russell Terrier, named Jill E. Beans, is helping out.

Mariah recently tweeted a photo of Jill E. Beans joining her in the pool for some water aerobics last week. She also has four other Jack Russell Terriers: Cha Cha, Squeak E. Beans, JJ, and Jackie Lambchops. (nice names, Mariah!)

Singing Sensation and Pop Diva Mariah Carey has announced that she will become a proud mother this week of a new breed of dog. The multimillion selling artist has broken with tradition and asked for the help of genetic engineers to create the unique pooch. The dog which is a genetically modified cross breed of a chihuahua and a common English garden vole measures four inches from head to tail and is 95% blind. It is currently finishing its final stages of development in a test tube in San Diego, California.

Cats vs Dogs – Which is The Ideal Pet?

February 11, 2013/0 Comments/in Cats /by Tristan G

Cats or dogs? What makes an ideal pet? The truth is that it depends on a person. Recent studies show that people who have pets are much healthier than those who don’t. for that reason, if you can, you should definitely get a pet, just choose the one that best suits your needs.

Choosing a cat as a pet is a big decision. You should consider whether or not it will fit into your life style. Keep in mind that for the next 15 years or so it will be a part of your life and family, which means a lot of great time and fun, but also a lot of obligations.
Both cats and dogs have their pros and cons; it is up to you to decide which one works for you the best.
Some say cats are the best pets, so let’s see why. They are easily litter box trained; sometimes no training is required at all. You just pour the sand in a wide box and that’s it. They’ll remember its location almost immediately, and if they don’t – just show them a few times or dig in the sand a bit to get their attention. They are great if you live in an apartment because they are very clean. When it comes to moulting, brushing and washing it all depends. For instance, short-haired cats don’t require bathing (except for emergencies) because they are able to maintain their own fur. The problem may arise between your furniture and the cat, so if you don’t want the cat to win – get a scratching post!

As you can see, cats are small, quiet, cute and cuddly, but what makes dog ideal?
We all know the saying “Dog is a man’s best friend” and it is – you have a friend, someone to talk to and walk with. Regular walking improves the fitness of dog owners, as well as social interaction since you can make friends with other dog owners. Walks help you forget the stress of the everyday life giving you time to spend with your most loyal friend. He will also fill you with warmth of the unconditional love. Dog owners also have a stronger immune system which helps them fight the disease easily. People with dogs also have lower blood pressure compared to people who don’t, and have a much higher survival rate after a heart attack.

Apart from this, don’t forget that dogs are very entertaining, they can make you laugh, especially if you had a bad day, they are also there for an encouraging hug, if you need one. You’ll be equally happy to spend your free time playing with your pet in a park or simply resting at home, enjoying the company of one another. And the love you give him, the dog will return to you tenfold.

Both dogs and cats give a lot of love and warmth but they also require attention; have certain dietary and other needs so don’t just think about what you like and need, think about whether or not you can provide what they crave. And, have fun with your new pet!

Maltese Mross Poodle Owned by Jessica Simpson: Celebrety Pet of the Week

February 11, 2013/0 Comments/in Celebrity Pets /by Tristan G

Jessica Simpson is the pop singer turned country that the media razzes about weight issues, break-ups and daddy-love. Yet, with all of her “so-called” flaws, the public is enamored with her. One big reason why is that she is as American as apple pie. She’s talented, silly, eats greasy food and owns a cute, lovable dog.

Named after the character Daisy in the “Dukes of Hazzard”, Jessica Simpson’s dog is a Maltese-Poodle mix. This breed of dog is the latest trendy accessory dog of Hollywood “It” girls and wanna-be followers. Maltese-Poodles are small, attractive and easy to carry. They can fit into a large, fashionable purse and be toted all over town. Of course, this is exactly what Jessica likes to do with Daisy.

Daisy is a huge part of Jessica Simpson’s life, as the pop star/actress is frequently seen & photographed carrying around her dog Daisy in a Louis Vuitton dog carrier. Jessica Simpson even claims her dog Daisy is a lesbian because of Daisy’s “relationship” with a female dog named Bella.

Jessica Simpson`s adorable dog, Daisy, was stolen by a coyote right in front of her. The pop singer`s Maltipoo – a cross between Maltese and Poodle was snatched in Simpson`s garden in Calabasas, California, dailymail reports. The 29-year-old singer has had the 5-year-old Maltipoo for many years and seldom leaves home without her. The dog was a present from her ex-husband, Nick Lachey.

Jessica Simpson may be having problems with her weight at the moment due to her admitted addiction to junk food, but her dog is certainly well fed, according to reports. Simpson, star of the much maligned Dukes of Hazard movie, asked a chef in a restaurant to cook her pampered pooch a gourmet meal.

Jessica was in the W Hotel in Arizona to discuss new projects, and while she was there she needed to feed her dog. Rather than opt for some canned dog food, or even some nice tasty chicken, Jessica had the hotel’s top chef cook up a meal for her dog, aptly named Daisy (Jessica’s character in Dukes of Hazard).

Teacup Yorkshire Terrier Owned by Britney Spears: Celebrety Pet of the Week

February 4, 2013/0 Comments/in Celebrity Pets /by Tristan G

Britney Spears went and adopted a new puppy and, wouldn’t you believe it, she is just the cutest little thing you’ve ever seen. Britney “adopted” the tiny black and brown puppy, which resembles a Yorkshire terrier, no other site is reporting that the dog was adopted and “Hannah” hasn’t mentioned this her own Twitter feed. Spears bought her tiny Yorkie from Barkworks in Thousand Oaks, Calif. The pet store has received a lot of negative criticism in the last few years for getting their dogs from puppy mills. The Animal Legal Defense Fund has a class action suit against the company. Barkworks has an “F” rating from the Better Business Bureau due to the number of sick animals found at their stores.

Britney Spears’s teacup Yorkie, Hannah, was rushed to the animal hospital last week for the third time in less than two months.Her latest visit to the hospital confirmed that she had an inconsistent temperature along with fluid on her lungs. Media reports say the dog is fighting for life. After an additional visit to the veterinarian the dog seemed to be doing alright but then on January 3, the dog was taken back to the vet for a battery of tests, including liver function, and had to be closely monitored after she was found to have ‘an erratic temperature and fluid in the lungs’. Since getting Hannah, Spears has taken her to the vet three times, but not for regular checkups. Apparently, Spears became concerned when Hannah was listless, had a loss of appetite and had trouble breathing.

How Your Dog’s Diet Affects its Lifespan

January 28, 2013/1 Comment/in Dog Health, Dogs /by Tristan G

Almost every dog owner doesn’t think of dogs as just pets but family members. Therefore, it is normal to provide best possible food you can afford for the members of your family. Just like people, dogs are what they eat, so dog’s poor nutrition can, in some cases, dramatically affect the lifespan of your four legged friend. Also keep in mind that even if your dog is slightly overweight it can reduce its lifespan.

What exactly is the best food for your dog is never an easy question. But, there are several things you should know when it comes to dog nutrition.

First thing you should understand is that you should always read the ingredients on the back of the dog’s food; that way you will get the picture if the food is good for your dog or if it’s just junk. Basic guidelines in choosing proper food would be checking the proteins – is it lamb, beef, turkey or chicken meal or by-product.

By-product means that the manufacturer is using any part of the chicken while in case of a chicken meal they are using only meat from the chicken to make the food. The other important thing you should check for is grain source. Certain dog foods contain corn as the others have rice or oatmeal. The best choice for your dog are grains which can be digested easily, so keep in mind that one of the hardest grains to digest is corn, while rice is much easier to process.

Note that some grains may contain pesticides which can cause odorous fur, fleas, mites, worms or other parasites. Also choose foods that have natural preservatives such as with vitamin E and not chemicals. If you follow these guidelines you will notice the level of improvement in your dog, its coat will be shinier, the energy level will be higher and the dog’s stool will be better as well.

Some of the generic dog’s foods may contain carcinogenic substance like BHT that is used to preserve food or higher doses of salt which can cause loss of kidney function. Equally bad is sugar since it can lead to tooth decay, bad breath and even diabetes.

Probably the best way to feed your dog is proper raw diet. This will consume a bit more of your time, but you will know exactly what your dog is introducing to its body. There are no preservation chemicals in raw meat and bones. The best way to organize your dog’s raw diet is to find a reliable butcher and make a deal with him to get scraps for a good price, which will result in healthier dog with a regular, dry stool and healthy teeth.

One of the most common mistakes dog owners make is overfeeding their dogs, studies have shown that reduction of calories in dog’s nutrition can extend the lifespan of your dog for about two years. Essentially what you need to do is find the food that your dog will eat, since they, as people, can be intolerant to certain things.

Looking for the Best Dogs for House Guards?

October 17, 2012/0 Comments/in Dogs /by Tristan G

Looking for the Best Dogs for House Guards? Here Are Our Top 10.

Since they were first domesticated, dogs served men as guards. In the whole animal kingdom, dogs are at the top of the affection list. A good guard dog should be loyal to the owner, intelligent, strong and courageous. Many dogs will alert you to approaching strangers, but few can handle an intruder. Small breeds like Chihuahuas and Terriers are considered to be brave dogs; still what are their chances against the heavyweight dogs? Exactly – none.

Here is our list of 10 best watch dog breeds:

10. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier was made to fight bulls and bears. This short-haired medium-sized English breed is similar to the American Staffordshire Terrier, although much smaller. Staffordshire Terrier can be very aggressive and, like all the other terriers, has powerful jaws that can bite with immense force.

9. Kuvasz, Hungarian white sheepdog was bred in order to protect large sheep flocks from wolves. Extremely brave, protective and territorial dog with strong connection to the family is easy to train by a patient master. If he is properly trained, he will defend family from any danger.

8. Rhodesian Ridgeback, also known as African Lion Hound has strong, independent nature which makes him almost impossible to train at adult age. This breed doesn’t bark often, but when you hear Ridgeback barking, it’s time for red alert.

7. German Shepherd originated in Germany at the end of the 19th century which makes this breed relatively young. German Shepherd is a hard worker originally developed for herding sheep flocks. His thick fur can be very useful in winter conditions to protect his body from blizzards. His ability to learn quickly makes him favorite police dog for K-9 units.

6. Giant Schnauzer always requires strict training and constant body and mental exercise. This responsible guard dog bonds with a family for life. The Giant Schnauzer is a territorial dog whose only role is to protect and please owners.

5. Puli (Hungarian Water Dog) is a Hungarian herding breed well known for its long fur similar to dreadlocks. Puli’s nature is not aggressive, yet he will bark vigorously at the intruder if he senses a threat. Needs bathing on regular basis without any coat brushing after.

4. Doberman Pinscher is a medium sized muscular dog with short hair. His high intelligence makes him very easy to train. He loves human closeness and bonds easily with owners. Great family and companion dog.

3. The Komondor has natural instinct for protecting and guarding livestock and property. Represents one of Hungary’s national treasures. This devoted breed is loyal, powerful and courageous.

2. If trained properly, Rottweiler can be reliable and loving guard dog. His bad reputation comes from some irresponsible owners. Exposure to new people and situations in early stage of development is crucial. Probably the smartest guard dog in the world.

1. If you want the best guard dog who’s afraid of nothing, than Bullmastiff is your dog. His protection instincts, intelligence, loyalty, mental and physical strength are the perfect combination for the best guard dog in the world. Despite his size, he is very agile and quick.

Want to know the top 10 most intelligent dogs? Read this article.

What Are the Top 10 Most Intelligent Dogs?

October 11, 2012/2 Comments/in Dog Facts, Dogs /by Tristan G

Every dog owner thinks that his dog is the smartest dog around (well at least a few we know!). Of course only a few of them would be right. Don’t despair if your dog’s breed isn’t on the list. Some highly intelligent dogs are very hard to train or act destructively when alone in the house. Intelligence of the dog comes in various forms.

Here is our list of the 10 smartest dog breeds.

10. Australian Cattle Dog.

This smart dog is very active and in constant need for mental and physical exercise. The breed was developed two centuries ago by crossing wild dingoes with Dalmatians and Collies. These dogs are very playful, happy and they are perfect to herd cattle.

9. Rottweiler.

This dog has a fearsome reputation, but when you see Rottweiler around the kids, you will know that this reputation is undeserved. Being highly loyal and family friendly, this dog is a great choice for police or guard. Rottweiler possesses a strong character and it’s always eager to work.

8. The Papillon.

Also known as Dwarf Spaniels because they reach a height of only 11 inches. This miniature breed is one of the oldest European breeds. In order to stay out of trouble keep this dog’s mind always occupied by mental stimulations.

7. Labrador Retriever.

This intelligent and very gentle dog represents an ideal family pet. With aristocratic looks, Labradors are very sociable and easy to train with strong will to please owners. Golden, black and chocolate are three basic colors of this world’s most popular breed.

6. Shetland Sheepdog.

Very devoted to the owner, this lively dog can be used to herd sheep and cattle. Shetland Sheepdog is medium sized dog originated from Scotland. Breed, known for great sense of hearing and tri-color fur, are very trainable. Most of Sheltie’s owners claim that this dog is as smart as humans.

5. Doberman Pinscher.

This medium-sized dog is alert, incredibly smart and very loyal. If you train your Doberman properly from an early age, you can get brave dog ready to do anything to protect the loved ones. This guardian dog with a short hair comes from Germany and it is often used in military and police.

4. Golden Retriever.

One thing is very interesting with this energetic and great companion dog – it almost never barks. Golden Retriever represents everything we adore about dogs. Eager to please, loves children, sweet, loyal, carefree, easy to train. Can be used as a hunting dog, rescue dog, guide dog and drug sniffing dog.

3. German Shepherd.

For numerous reasons, German Shepherd deserves the third place on the top 10 intelligent dogs list. These dog breed is capable of doing every dog’s job there is. You name it! Their loyalty, intelligence and fierce nature make them perfect work dogs.

2. Standard Poodle.

Many people are not Poodle fans, but they have to agree that this breed deserves runner-up position. Thanks to good looks and intelligence this French breed became very popular all over the world.

1. Without any doubt Border Collie is the most intelligent breed on the planet.

In fact, on nearly every ranking of dog intelligence, Border Collie comes out on top. If you give this workaholic a job and purpose, you’ll make it happy. Collies literally live to work. They come mostly in black and white color.

Dogs Lifespan Vs Human Lifespan – A Comparison

October 10, 2012/0 Comments/in Dog Facts /by Tristan G

Dogs Lifespan Vs Human Lifespan – A Comparison

Relationship between a dog and a man is probably the closest in the pet’s world. There are hundreds of situations which confirm this theory. No man can love his golden fish, miniature turtle or parrot as much as a dog. Unfortunately, our pet’s life is shorter than ours and the hardest part of the relationship is dealing with the dog’s death.

There is an old calculation which says that one dog year is equal to seven years of human life. This ratio isn’t quite accurate. For example, two months old puppy is indeed developed like a 14 months old human baby but ratio decreases as the dog ages. So, a one year old dog has aged about as much as a 15 years old human. Still, a 14 years old dog matches an 82 years old man, which corresponds to a ratio of only about 5.8.

Several factors can contribute to the dog’s lifespan. Depending on the breed structure, health and genetics, some dogs can live longer than others. It is interesting that smaller dog breeds live approximately 1.5 times longer than the bigger ones. It’s much easier to Chihuahua’s heart to pump the blood than the heart of a Great Dane. If we make comparison between genders, we will notice similarity to humans. Female dogs are expected to live a year or two longer than males, just like people.

The key to longer and healthier life of your dog is quality nutrition. Top quality dog food will extend dog’s life, especially if combined with neutering or spaying. These methods can reduce the risk for cancer of the reproductive organs. Mental and physical exercise on daily basis can affect your dog’s life span in a good way. Be sure to take special care of your dog’s teeth and gums. According to some veterinarians it can extend your dog’s life up to 4 years. Very good idea is to get your dog vaccinated. Just as it is with humans, many stressful situations can affect dog’s health.

Average life span of dogs is between 13 and 14 and for humans it’s about 67.2 years. Due to better medical care and food, dogs and human life span has increased dramatically over the past 100 years. People of Japan live the longest with average life span of 82.7 years, while in Mozambique it is only 39.2, which is 40% below world average.

It’s all about the evolution – it dictates how long both humans and dogs will live. Both species have changed and developed over millions of years, with the big difference that humans have slower metabolism and for that reason live longer than dogs. In the coming future it will be possible to extend both life spans. I’m looking forward to see 1.000 year old man with 200 year old dog on the porch in front of their future house.

Average Life Span of Top 10 Breeds

· Labrador Retriever (12.5 years)

· German Shepherd Dog (11 years)

· Golden Retriever (12 years)

· Boxer (10.5 years)

· Bulldog (7 years)

· Poodle (12 years Standard) (15 years Miniature)

· Chihuahua (13.5)

· Rottweiler (10 years)

· Doberman Pinscher (10 years)

· Cocker Spaniel (12 years).

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