2009-05-09

Sprayed by a skunk? Don't panick!!

This is what you have to do,,,


How to Remove Skunk Odor From The Dog

Author: Jeff Nenadic

A skunk's spray is one of the ugliest smelling fragrances to the human nose. It is also the same with the dog. Even it feels the same when skunk sprays on it. When you hear a commotion in your backyard and find that skunk has sprayed on your dog, it is the time for you to get into action and remove the skunk's spray. The skunks spray is yellow in color and feels like oil. They spry when they feel they are in danger. Most of the times the dog ends up getting sprayed as it attempt to defend its own property.

Do not bring your dog inside the house after you find out that the skunk has sprayed on it.

It is extremely difficult to get rid of the skunk's smell from the house. The bad smell will seep into anything spongy and absorbent like beds, untreated wood, towels, sofas and plasterboard. First and foremost, check the eyes of your pet because the skunk spray will blind your dog's eyes. In case this has happened, the eyes of your dog will appear red, and this situation will last up to ten to fifteen minutes. The solution for this is, you will need to rinse your pet's eyes with a solution of saline or human eye drops or small amount of olive oil. After this first aid, take your pet to the veterinarian doctor.

This first aid treatment is very effective on your dog only if you perform this before the skunk's spray dries up. But, before you do this you will have to put on your old pair of clothes and a pair of hand gloves. This will prevent the odor from getting onto your skin.

After this you will have to shampoo your dog, during this make sure that you shampoo only the area where the spray is. You will not want the spray to spread around, right!

There is a combination of steps which are helpful in removing the odor of this spray.

In a big bowl, pour one quarter of 2% hydrogen peroxide, one teaspoon of any type of liquid dishwashing soap with one-quarter cup of baking soda or sodium bicarbonate.

This mixture when mixed together, foams and this is the best time to use it. Rinse the effected area with tap water after you apply this lather on the area. You will also find commercial skunk deodorizers in the market, but they are not always helpful.

In case the dog is sprayed by the skunk on the face, then very carefully remove the mixture off with a piece of cloth, while keeping it off your pet's eyes, nose and mouth. Make this solution only when you need it, and after the use please discard.

In case the skunk sprayed on your fence of your house, then there are commercial spray removers available in the market. To stop skunks sneaking into your backyard, make sure you keep the lids of the garbage bins tightly closed. Please refrain from keeping the dog food outside in the open.

Written by Jeff Nenadic from My Dog Shop - The best online selection of unique dog beds and elevated dog feeders is at Oh My Dog Supplies.

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_866164_54.html

2009-05-08

Best lead or Leash for your dog.

This article is about an information on how to find the best lead or leash for your dog training exercises.


Dog Training – Best Dog Leads and Leashes

Author: John Williams Dog Training

Dog leashes or leads are an extremely essential training tool or even just for general care and wellbeing for your dog. Whether you use your leash for taking you dog for long walks or only use it for teaching your dog right from wrong in the comfort of your back garden, a lead is always an important buy for you and your dog.



As a dog owner and a consumer, your choice of dog leads/leashes is as you might expect, huge. With so much choice and variations, choosing which lead or leash to use can be a bigger challenge than the actual training of your dog.



So what are the different kinds of leads and leashes? Well trust me there are thousands out there to choose from, I will only go through a few of the more popular types of leash as I’m sure there are many different types of leads being brought onto the market every week and it would be an impossible task to keep track of all of them.



In the next part of this article I will first go through the different types of lead then finish off with my personal views and preferences.



Extending leads



These do exactly what is says, they ‘extend’ away from the owner for a certain distance before running out of slack. With these leashes the owner has control of when to stop the lead extending further and can be used just like a normal leash if needs be.



Slip leads



These leads are a simple type of lead with a loop on both sides normally with and adjustable clip at the end that tightens when pulled or loosens around the dog’s neck for comfort when there is no pulling. Used by many for dog training.



Nylon leads



This is the cheaper option of dog lead, the simplest form of dog leash available, often causes rubbing and digging into your dog’s skin. Nylon leashes are best avoided.



Bungee leads



These leads help to eliminate the slack that other leads cause so that your dog does not trip over the leash and there is less pulling on your arm from a dog in the training process.



Leather leads



This is a popular type of lead that is comfortable for your dog and gives you full control of how far your dog can wonder. A good lead for training but can be tiring on your arm if your dog tends to try and pull you around.



My Conclusion

It is the preference of the trainer in hand at the end of the day but I feel leather leads are best for me and show your dog sum gentle authority when starting to train. Letting your dog wonder too far on walks can give your dog too much freedom and chance to misbehave.



If you are interested in training then I would go for a leather lead to begin, if you just like going for walks in the park or your dog is well behaved then you could maybe opt for an extendable leash.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/dog-training-best-dog-leads-and-leashes-256111.html

About the Author:
For more information visit our dog training website at this link... Dog Training

2009-05-07

Shedding a lot??

Find out why your dog looses its hair and what normal shedding behavior is.

Dog Shedding

Author: John Williams Dog Training

Dog shedding can be a big pain in some households, and depending on how disciplined you are about your dog clambering around the furniture the fur mess can be more than expected sometimes, and can get absolutely everywhere.



Dog shredding happens as a result of a few different situations, the first and common in all breeds of dogs is to make way for a new shiny coat every now and again, and to get rid of dead hair that is no longer needed. Another cause for shedding is seasonal changes like some breeds are used to in their natural habitat, in theses situation there can be lots of hair being dropped at an almost worrying rate twice a year, but it is actually quite normal for this to happen.



If you are worried about how much hair your dog is loosing, then do some research or go to the vets and find out the different types of dogs that get affected by this seasonal change. In rare cases loosing large amount or fur can be caused by a poor diet and insufficient amounts of vitamins to keep the fur alive. All these can be answered by your local veterinarian.



If you are tired of all this fur and the effects of your dog loosing its coat, keeping your dog well groomed will help to stop the spread of hair and keep your dogs coat healthy at the same time and is always recommended to stop knots or matted hair along with keeping your dog healthier and happier.



To summarise, if you are worried about your dogs shedding and have looked to find the shedding habits of the breed of dog you have then visiting a vet is the best option and they will be able to give you a more in-depth analysis of the situation after an examination of your dog and keep your mind at rest about the health of your dog.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/dog-shedding-256088.html

About the Author:
For more information visit our dog training website at this link... Dog Training

2009-05-06

Male dog? or Female dog?

Should I Choose a Female or a Male Dog?

Author: Jeff Nenadic

There are a lot of variables that help you determine what type of dog to bring home as a new pet. Certain factors that you will need to consider regarding gender

include:
• disposition and temperament
• genetic issues which lead to health issues
• level of attention and care required
• average lifespan
• overall size

Typically, the question arises regarding the gender or the dog and deciding on whether you want a female or a male. If you are more concerned about the dogs character and personality, then gender is an insignificant issue. Your decision will then be based on how the puppy integrates into your household.

Typically, females are smaller in size and have warmer personalities, but there are some males that have the same characteristics. Female dogs are usually the better choice for a home with children, but again, certain males will integrate well, also. Most likely, females do better with children due to their inherent maternal instincts, which make them the ideal choice for the scenario.

Some potential pet owners shy away from the idea of owning a female because of their heat cycles and the bleeding that accompanies the cycle. Getting the female spayed as soon as it is feasible is always the solution to this concern and it is something that should be done anyway, unless you are considering becoming a breeder yourself. And don’t kid yourself when it comes to protection issues. Some female breeds can be just as tough as the males.

Choosing a male oftentimes presents a few more obstacles compared to choosing a female. For one thing, males are extremely adept to escaping their confines, especially if there is a female dog in heat nearby. This can be a serious issue for the dogs owner - not to mention the fact that the animal is exposed to hazardous situations when they are roaming free in the neighborhood. There is always the possibility of the dog being seriously or fatally injured when they are out and about chasing after that female.

Another critical issue is territoriality. Male dogs are much more territorial than the female save for when she has given birth to a litter of pups. Regardless of the breed, males at times will stop at nothing when it comes to protecting their territory, their stuff (so to speak), and their families. Humans and other animals are perceived to be a threat in the eyes of the territorial male hence their inherent need to defend their family, personal space, and property. What’s even worse is when a male starts to exhibit their territorial instincts by urinating inside the home.

Keep in mind that what I have listed here is not an attempt to discourage bringing home a male dog or puppy. For what its worth, males have a significantly higher energy level so you can exercise them for longer periods of time. They are also more active and have a greater amount of stamina compared to the female. It should also be noted here that these personality traits of males is exactly the reason why they are typically chosen over females for working in a law enforcement capacity.

Written by Jeff Nenadic from My Dog Shop - check for current specials on chew toys online.


Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_877548_54.html

2009-05-05

Best toys for dogs

Best Toys for Dogs

Author: John Williams Dog Training

Dog toys are essential to keep your dog occupied to stop barking problems, boredom issues and through teething times for your dog. Finding a good toy for your dog through these times is essential, leaving your dog with a bad chew toy that they don’t like will leave your dog with no option but to chew something else, there are many chew toys available so the choice is endless.



Dental health for your dog will be greatly improved by chewing toys so it is important to keep your dog interested in the toy choice you give them. Popular toys usually contain something that tastes good, smells good, some light up, and others make noises to keep you dog entertained. If the toy is fun for your dog then you can use it to reward your dog for good behavior or take it from them when they are bad.



Different Dogs enjoy different textures and tastes, you will need to find what your dog likes to chew and try your best to find a similar product but without it being as destructive to your house like their old toy, the table leg, was.



Avoiding tugging toys may be a good idea in some cases, more excited breeds of dog and puppies especially will get the message that tugging is fun for you as well as your dog, thus encouraging him to tug at you trouser legs when they’re in need of attention and curtains when they’re bored. Personally I would avoid theses toys.



When looking for a good toy for your dog, here are some good suggestions:



1. Look for a dog toy with something different like sound, taste, or lights.

2. Pick a dog toy that is tough enough to withstand your dogs chewing and biting

3. Choose dog toys that you think your dog will enjoy, using experience of what he normally chews is a good idea.



Remember that choosing a dog toy all depends on the dog in question, each dog will have different tastes and experiences of what they enjoy, something as cheap and simple as a tennis ball could be enough to keep your dog occupied for hours on end.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/best-toys-for-dogs-256035.html

About the Author:
For more information visit our dog training website at this link... Dog Training

2009-05-04

How old is your dog??

Have you ever wonderd how old your dog is in human years??

Dog Years Human Years
Author: Dog Care Tips
The life expectancy of any dog is commonly expressed in terms of dog years by us and it depends entirely on the dog's breed, size as well as the dog's surroundings. Various other factors affect the life expectancy of a dog. A dog's life span changes according to the diet provided to him and also by the number of medical problems the dog tends to face over the years.

The average life span of the small dog like Chihuahua is about 15 to 16 years, while medium sized the dogs like Border Collies have a life span of 10 to 13 years. It can be noticed big dogs like Great Dean live up to only 7 to 8 years. The calculation of the life expectancy of particular dog can be accurately done with the help of "size or the specific breed calculator", which is said to be one of the most accurate age measurement schemes available. The size or specific breed calculator gives approximate results about the dog's predictable lifespan based on the size as well as the breed of the dog.

It is generally assumed that, on an average, "one human year equals to seven dog years". This statement may not be appropriate, since the first two years are jointly represented by 18-25 years in such schemes and because the entire ratio cannot be generalized for all the dogs though, they belong to different sizes and breeds. An exact ratio of dog years vs. human year cannot be formulated. However, some obvious features remain similar between both aging humans and dogs.

It is generally assumed that the human equivalent of a one-year dog is supposedly fully grown by both mental and physical aspects. Dogs like humans tend to develop advance muscular features as they grow along with a similar mental development. Through a major dog study, it has been estimated for dogs of all breeds and sizes that, nearly "64 percent of dogs" were euthanized because they were affected with some kind of diseases. Only 8 percent of the total dogs live beyond 15 years and nearly 16 percent of them die yearly due heart diseases and cancer. Human lives are not terminated even if they suffer from rare and incurable diseases; and this is the main reason why the lifespan of an average human being is reasonably long.

The effects of aging in dogs is said to be dormant for several years. But like humans, dogs to undergo physical changes as well. The first sign of aging in dogs is said to be the decrease in its activity levels. The sleeping period in these dogs also becomes longer. The canines experience a drastic change in their skin condition, limb usage, appetite and they experience tooth loss as well. Their sense of hearing and vision also diminishes gradually. Older dogs tend to experience stiffness in their body. All these obvious signs of aging can even be found in humans. The human years are extended only because of advance modern medicine and various other drugs that are designed to deal with symptoms of old age.

Dogs and humans may not have the same physiology, yet some obvious similarities can be noticed when both species age. Dog years and Human years may not be directly related by some advance equation, but to the naked eye the equivalence of corresponding features of Dog years and Human years are quite visible.



Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/dog-years-human-years-301243.html
About the Author:Now that you know dogs grow old faster than we do, learn how to care for your dogs the best you can and give them a good life. They deserve it. Learn more at: http://www.2knowabout.com/dog/how_to_care_for_a_dog_with_a_broken_leg.php

2009-05-03

Can you communicate with your dog?

My dog always trys to tell me something using a lot of different method.
I was just wondering what he wants to tell me...
This article helps me understanding my dog better.


Know Your Dogs Body Language
Author: Jeff Nenadic

Generally dogs use their body to communicate. Given below are a few examples to help you know what your dog is trying to say.

When your dog wants to tell you that he wants to play, he will stoop down with his front legs elongated, will raise up with his head close to the ground.

If your dog wants to say that the place belongs to him and if he is ready to fight it out, then he will keep his legs stiff and stand in an upright posture.

If he is slightly bending his body with his feet ready, then it mean he accepts the challenge and is ready for the fight.In case, your dog starts rolling on one side showing you his underside, then he means to say that, he does not wants to argue and accepts that you are the boss. This is a kind of dutiful answer to show that he does want any kind of conflict. You might have noticed this kind of a posture when a dog is among a pack of dogs, showing that he obeys his leader. And if he starts rolling onto his back and rubbing it then he means that he accepts you as a leader.

If you find your dog keeping his head or paw on another dogs shoulder, then it means that he wants to sort out as to who the boss is. These indications are usually found in dogs who are very dominant, who are leaders of the pack or aspirants to become leaders.

Mouthing: This kind of body language is commonly found in dogs while they interact with humans. They will mouth your hands, when you walk along with them showing you the lead. Mouthing may be a serious sign of showing how dominant they are, and that they are not happy in accepting a human as their leader.

If he places his mouth on your knee, then he is looking for your attention. However he has many ways to seek attention from you like showing their paws in front of you or slowly sliding their head on your hands.

Bristles of hair on the shoulders and back: It is a signal of foreseen assault. A crease of hair raging down his back means that he is angry and does not want him to be pushed. In case the raging extends to his shoulders he means to say that he has had enough of you and it is an indication of immediate attack.

If your dog is sitting and holding his front paw slightly upwards then he means that, he feels insecure and stressed out. It also means that he is feeling uneasy, agitated and interested.

If he starts rolling onto his back and rubbing his body on the ground or if he is rubbing his nose and eyes with his front paw, he means to say that his master is preparing food for him or he does this sometimes when he looking forward to some pleasing activities.

Many a times the dog will scrape the floor when he has defecated. The glands that are present at the bottom of the dogs feet have a different scent. In this case he means to say that he is available and is leaving his card.

Written by Jeff Nenadic from My Dog Shop
Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_872923_54.html