Posts

Why You Should NEVER Let Your Dog Decide What It Eats

/0 Comments/in , /by

As a pet owner, you probably want to treat your companion the best possible way. You want him to be happy, to be well cared for and to eat the finest food. This makes it easy for dog owners to slip into trap of allowing their four-legged friends to eat whatever they like. But, is this always in their best interest? When it comes to food, it certainly isn’t. The dog, just like the kid, doesn’t always know what is best for him and it’s the owner’s responsibility to take care that his pet’s food intake is healthy and nutritious. If you wouldn’t allow junk food to your child, why allowing it to the dog?

Why You Should NEVER Let Your Dog Decide What It Eats

Many dog owners claim that their pets are picky eaters and that they would rather starve to death than eat healthy food. I have only one thing to say – your dog doesn’t know what’s good for him. It is your responsibility to keep your pet in good shape. Of course, if your canine friend suddenly starts refusing food and skipping meals or changes its behavior in any other way, take him to the vet. He might suffer from some health issues. But, if it turns out that he’s fine, it is time to reconsider his diet. It is possible that he got bored with the same type of food. Or he may just got spoiled because you usually mix in something he likes in order to improve the taste of food he isn’t fond of. By doing this on regular basis, you’ve created a picky eater.

But, it’s not the end of the world, there’s still much room for improvement. The fastest way is to start offering your dog some quality food and to be persistent. If it refuses to eat it, just take away his bowl and don’t give him anything till the next meal. If he refuses to eat again, pick the bowl up and put it away. He’s probably holding out waiting for something he likes better and if you give in, he will become even choosier. But, no dog will starve himself and when he’s hungry enough he will eat.

You have to keep in mind that “junk” food will certainly harm your dog, both long term and short term. Fat trimmings, small bones and sugary food might sound like a real treat to your dog, but you have to know that such food will do no good to your dog’s health. Even commercial pet food can be of poor quality. So, when you’re buying it be sure to read what’s written in the back of the package. It should have very high meat content and minimum of waste and by-products, as well as food additives, colors or anything artificial.

Remember, if you offer your dog decent food, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t eat it. However, if it shows any hard-to-please behavior, think about the possibility that you are confusing him by sending the unclear messages.

how to bath your dog

The Psychology Study of Successful Dog Bathing

/0 Comments/in , /by

How to bathe your dog? Sounds very simple but sometimes bathing doesn’t go the way you intended, especially if you’re bathing the dog for the first time. However, some little and practical things can be of great help.

Before bathing, place a blanket or some rag on the floor, you’ll prevent the water and hair getting on the carpet. Have everything you need – two towels, a shampoo and a conditioner – near the tub or shower. When it comes to bathing a puppy for the first time, put some of his toys in the tub, make it a game for him.

If your dog’s hair is all tangled up, it will be even harder to untangle it after the bath, so do it before.
dog bathingSome dogs get really scared when you put them in a tub full of water; they jump, slip, shake and look all together miserable and sad. During the bath you might even get wetter than your dog and you’ll spend most of the time trying to keep the dog in the tub. Instead of immersing the dog into water, it is much easier to give him a shower. The dog will feel safer if he’s standing firmly in the tub and you won’t be as wet. It is much easier to shampoo and rinse with a shower.

Before you start with bathing it is recommended to put a rubber mat in the tub, or at least a towel so that the dog doesn’t slip. Some people prefer drenching their dog in the yard using a hose and a bucket, but this is recommended only if it’s a warm and sunny day.
It is recommended to wash the dog’s head and snout with a sponge or a towel. Beside the fact that this is more comfortable for the dog than having water poured over the snout, you won’t get the inside of the ear too wet.

Ideally, wash the dog with a pet shampoo customized for his hair type. However, if you’re not currently able to obtain such shampoo, use that intended for babies. If your dog has long hair add some conditioner, that will help you comb his fur more easily.

After shampooing, it’s necessary to rinse and then rinse some more. Any shampoo residue will cause itching. Pay special attention not to get the shampoo in your pet’s eyes or snout. When you least expect it, your completely wet dog will shake and spray the entire bathroom, and you won’t be spared. To dry the dog and avoid wet-dog shake, place one corner of the towel over its head and use the other side to wipe him.

After you’ve dried him the best you could, put him on the blanket. Although he will try to get away and wipe himself on something, hold him gently, dry completely with a blow-dryer or towels and enjoy! You pet is gorgeously clean and ready to get dirty again.

Some Ideas for Naming Your Dog

Some Ideas for Naming Your Dog

/0 Comments/in , /by

Some dog owners rack their brains out trying to name their dog, sometimes they even think more about dog’s name than the name of their child.

One of the best ways to find that perfect name is to think about your dog’s character, it will often give you some ideas for the name. If that doesn’t help, maybe there is a trick your dog can do which you can use to find him a name. Keep the name short, it will be easier for the dog to remember and understand it.

Some Ideas for Naming Your DogDogs are vocal and not verbal animals. To them it is important how the word sounds, which is something you have to keep in mind while naming them.

It is best to let your dog choose its own name. There are two ways to do this. First, spend some time with him so you can get to know him and his nature, character and choose appropriate name accordingly.

For instance, when a friend of mine got his husky mongrel he was all over the place! Not only he would jump all over him but he also used to pin him against the wall and get things out of his pockets, so he was always joking “I’m being mugged” thus he named it Mugger. A colleague of mine had a very spirited and playful little rascal who never gave her any time off so she named it Chaos.

Let your dog earn its name.

One way is to put together a list of your favorite names and try them out on your dog with a playful and cheerful voice. The name which your dog best reacts to is the name for him. And believe me, he will react differently to various names. Try it and you’ll see!

On the contrary to what people think, a dog’s name should be changed with the owner. It is considered that once dog gets used to its name it shouldn’t be changed. Wrong! Many dog owners make the mistake of using a dog’s name with contempt or as a warning, so if you keep that name dog will see you as one of them, previous owners. Therefore, if the dog is yours now, you can’t assume that the previous owner did everything right. If he had, you probably wouldn’t have to dog now. You’re trying to tell dog new house new rules, right? So, say it with a new name, especially if the old one was used with a negative connotation.

Teach him the new name while enjoying nice things like treats, meals, cuddling or playing, and don’t choose a name that sounds like the previous one.

If this doesn’t work for you, you simply can’t get any ideas; pick up a dictionary of native or foreign names, maybe even some mythology books and try finding or combining something that works for you and especially for your dog. Remember – it’s not just about what you like and what sounds good to you but what the dog likes best.

Dogs – A Look at Why They Truly Are Man’s Best Friend

/0 Comments/in , /by

Dogs and humans have been inseparable for many thousands of years. Wherever you find humans in the world, you’ll almost certainly find dogs accompanying them. These amazing creatures proved to be smarter than we have ever imagined. Astonishing new researches reveal that dogs are more than just tamed wild animals. Their ability to read our emotions so effectively is what makes our relationship special. Some even claim that dogs possess a special kind of social intelligence which allows them to get along with people in the way that is unique in the whole animal kingdom.

Mans Best FriendEvery dog person will tell you that dogs feel humans’ emotions like anger, happiness, despair, fear, and so on. Dogs were once fearsome predators, but today they are the most loving pets. Right now, there are almost half a billion dogs and we treat them as members of a family, almost as human beings. We share our lives, our homes, even our beds with dogs. Many a dog owner would agree that his pet is not just part of the family, it is family.

According to a research published in the Animal Cognition journal, canines are responsive to human emotions more than any other species, including humans. Asking for no reward, dogs will approach strangers in distress trying to comfort them by nuzzling and licking. That specific dog’s behavior was tested in the experiment that included 18 pet dogs. Those dogs were faced with two unfamiliar persons – one who was pretending to cry and the other who was talking casually. All of the 18 dogs responded to the person who was pretending to cry and offered comfort.

Loyalty to their owners is common for all dogs, but one breed stands out. Akita is a large fluffy dog originating in the northern Japan. Unbelievable and sad life story made an Akita a legend among dog breeds. An Akita named Hachiko followed his owner to the train station every day. His owner was a professor in another town. At exactly 4 p.m. Hachiko would arrive at the train station to meet his owner. Some years later, the professor died from stroke at work, but loyal Hachiko waited at the train station every single day for the next ten years until he passed away. Statue of Hachiko in bronze at Shibuya train station in Japan reminds us why dogs truly are man’s best friend.

Unlike humans, dogs have no tendency to criticize, to be racists, to stab in the back, to murder or have prejudice. Without any question dog will accept the owner no matter if he is poor, blind, crippled, old or young. Dogs give everything and ask very little in return – food, water and place to sleep. If you take good and proper care of your dog and you treat him with love, be sure that love will be returned. You will mean the whole world to your dog and your dog will mean everything to you.

Tips to Make Caring for Your Dog a Breeze

/1 Comment/in , /by

The dogs provide their owners with the unconditional love, loyalty and pleasure. However, they don’t ask much in return. After the adjustment period which takes up to two weeks, caring for your dog should become a routine. In exchange for a lifetime friendship, you have to provide shelter, water, food, veterinary care and exercise to your canine companion.

Get your dog as many dog supplies as he needs. Since your dog needs less accompanying items than you, don’t be stingy when it comes to dog accessories.

One of the most vital things your puppy needs is proper feeding. Most of the dogs are ravenous and they will eat everything you give them. Act wisely and do a research about what dog food will bring the best to his health and energy. Always pick a top quality food made of pure ingredients including vitamins, minerals and protein.

dog care

Dogs don’t care about getting messy which makes you responsible for their bathing and cleaning. Try to make bath time gentle and pleasant, so both the dog and you can enjoy. Always use shampoos specially designed for dogs.  Besides the simple bathing, the dog’s eyes, ears, teeth, nails also need care. Regular cleaning of your dog’s ears will help prevent mites and ear infections. During the process of cleaning you should gently massage the base of the ear for about half a minute. Treat your dog well afterward. Long nails can be painful to your dog, so you should consult a vet for trimming tips.

Be sure that the collar is always around your dog’s neck. A name tag containing the dog’s and the owner’s name, and home address should be attached to the collar. Think how desperate both of you would be if your dog got lost.

Many veterinaries agree that flea collars can be dangerous for your four legged buddy. More effective protection from the boring fleas is topical application of treatments such as Frontline, Advantage, Revolution, etc.

Regular visits to veterinary clinic are necessary. Good idea is to implant a microchip in your dog because this way you can be sure that he will be returned to you even if he loses his collar.

On hot summer days don’t force your dog to run or exercise. Instead, provide him with a shelter in the coolest place of your yard. Large amounts of fresh drinking water are of the utmost importance in order to avoid accidents such as a heart stroke.

Spaying or neutering your dog will help him live longer and healthier life. Those procedures also influence dog’s behavior in the way that he becomes less aggressive.

Don’t let your dog eat much of human food because it may cause obesity, hyperactivity or intestinal problems.

If you’re planning to go for a long trip with your dog, don’t forget to bring his blanket. Favorite blanket with familiar scent will keep him relaxed and comfortable.

Spend some quality time cuddling and hugging with your pooch so that he feels loved and cherished. You won’t regret it because the dogs know how to return the favour.