Animals, Fleas, Ticks and Worms

Fleas and other parasites need always to be awarded the top priority by dog owners. The very common incidences of flea bite allergy in dogs causes worry to many dog owners every year, especially in the summer. This is because flea bites can induce allergic reactions in the area bitten by the fleas, which is often on the back above the tail. In these cases, the affected skin becomes hairless due to the dog scratching itself very vigorously.

Heavy flea infestations can cause severe dermatitis in dogs, because the dog will scratch and scratch the area until he bleeds and can also introduce infection. If the flea bites produce an allergic reaction or even dermatitis in your dog, he/she really ought to be taken to the veterinary doctor as soon as possible, because usually, the dog will be experiencing severe discomfort by this time.

The vet will provide a salve to ease the itching and powder or a spray to kill the fleas. Therefore, prevention is better and medicated collars are available to treat and prevent an infestation of external parasites like ticks and fleas.

Besides fleas, other parasites like ticks and lice plus internal parasites like hookworm, round worm, whip worms etc. can affect the health of your dog. For example, if hookworms infect a dog, that dog will usually suffer from anaemia. The signs of anaemia become more prominent depending on the degree of infection by the hookworm.

Hookworm larvae can pass directly through the skin and cause problems inside the affected dogs. Such dogs may have cuts due to dermatitis on the paws and on the skin. Frequently, skin rashes are the result in such cases and the affected animal passes loose stools, which are tinged red with blood.

Nearly all dogs and definitely all puppies will have round worms at some time, which is why dogs can sometimes be seen rubbing their bottoms along the floor. However, if round worms are present in very large numbers, infected puppies show a pot belly, which is easily noticeable by the dog’s owners themselves. This can result in malnutrition and even death. A dose of piperazine salts can be given orally for the cure of this condition. However, broad-spectrum anthelmintics like pyrantel pamoate, fenbendazole etc. will also cure this very common condition.

There are many drugs on the market to treat fleas and other parasites these days, although medications including the drug ‘ivermectin’ seem to be preferred by many dog owners to clear up fleas and other parasites in dogs. This drug is available for injection or oral use but is now even available for external application too.

If you are having problems getting rid of fleas on your dogs, please follow the previous link, however if you just want to read more about dogs or training dogs, please go here: Man’ Best Friend – the Dog You are welcome to reprint this article – but get your own unique content version here.

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Methods To House Training A Puppy

It takes more than a few stacks of newspaper to house train a puppy. Patience, commitment, paying attention and consistency are needed.

A guide for training your puppy is listed below. Remember that accidents will happen even if you have a full grown dog.

Be patient and consistent when training your puppy as this training period can last a couple of weeks or more.

Develop a routine.

Puppies do better with regular schedules just like babies do. Setting up a schedule teaches him that there are certain times for eating, playing and going potty.

For every month of age, a puppy can control their bladder for an hour. So, if the puppy is two months old, then he can control his bladder for two hours. Remember this when taking your puppy out for potty breaks. Hiring a dog walker might be necessary if you work away from the home to keep the schedule.

Take your puppy outside as soon as he wakes up, after drinking or eating, and during or after playing. Also, choose a spot outside for the bathroom. Always take him to that spot while he is on a leash. Use words or phrases such as “get busy” while he is going to the bathroom. He will learn to associate these words with relieving himself.

Give your puppy praise and a reward for using the bathroom outside. This needs to be done before you come back inside.

To help regulate his bathroom schedule, a regular feeding schedule should be use too. Eating three to four times a day is normal for puppies. By feeding him at the same time each day potty training him will be easier as well.

To keep your puppy from needing to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, put his dishes up about two hours before bedtime. If he does wake up in the middle of the night, stay calm, so he won’t think it is time to play. Don’t turn on a lot of lights or play with him. Take him outside and then go back to bed.

Manage.

Watch your puppy carefully when he is in the house so he will not have an accident.

When the puppy is not being trained or played with, have him on a six foot leash beside you. If he begins sniffing, barking, circling, scratching at the door or becomes restless, he may need to use the bathroom. Take him outside immediately if you notice this behavior. Use praise or treats to reward him when he is done using the bathroom.

Learn to select the right Dog Bedding for your dog. Don’t allow Puppy Potty Training become a time consuming or tedious experience. You are welcome to reprint this article – but get your own unique content version here.

categories: puppy potty training,training a puppy,dog training,pet supplies,dogs,pets,home,family

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Getting A Dog – Should I Buy A Male Dog?

In general there is a strong tendency for male dog to be the ones to show a greater dominance towards their owners and as well as aggression towards other dogs.

Housebreaking a dog will take time and patience. Female dogs are mostly easily trainable compared to male dogs. They also fair much better when brought to dog training courses. The reason for this that male dogs need to be more aggressive to survive on the wild. The more aggressive the dog the higher the survivability rate and the higher its chance to become the alpha male that gets to breed with all the females in the pack.

In terms of activeness, there is no real differences between the sexes. However you should be aware that in the event that you should choose a male, your household belongings will probably be chewed up.

Male dogs are inclined to be wanders as well. Most of the dogs in lost dogs taken to the dog pound aren’t normally females. If you have never owned a dog before, or you aren’t good with dog training consider a female dog as house breaking will be much easier. Females will very seldom urine mark as that is the territorial nature of male dogs.

Be prepared that your dog might take a quick liking to your visitors by attempting to mount your guest’s leg. This happens most frequently to women who might be visiting your home – you’ll have to most likely have to restrain your dog and come up with an excuse for your pet’s actions.

Another thing to be aware of as well is that most dogs react to their owners in unique ways, depending on the sex. Dogs that are male are more likely to be act more responsive towards their female handlers than male counterparts.

After approximately 3 months from birth, a male puppy reaches it’s juvenile stage where it becomes extremely active, playful and curious. They will also become more independent and will not call for their mother or handler as much as before. Another sign of sexual maturity which is common amongst male dogs is the lifting of the hind leg in order to urine mark their spots. Urine marking within the house should be forbidden thus you will need to train your dog accordingly.

Dogs urine mark to leave their scent trail to let other dogs in the area know of their presence, especially the female dogs. The scent marks the boundary of its territory and basically warns intruders that if they cross that line, there will be trouble. While females also drop their scent marks, it happens much less often and is designed to let the males know how receptive she is to mating. The mating seasons for a female dog usually only begins 8 months after birth.

After approximately ten to twelve days of going into heat, a female dog will be fertile and she will be ready to mate. Prior to her first mating season, she will not be attracted to males in any way. You will be able to tell that she’s going into breeding season as just before breeding begins, a virginal discharge will occur for a period of about eight days.

Should your pet require a fleece dog coat! Check out some of these useful dog accessory tips for your dog at the luxury dog bed website.

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How Agility Can Builds Confidence In Your Dog

If your dog is timid around people or other dogs, then agility training can to build confidence in your dog. An agility class is a great place to learn about the sport and how to train your dog. But it may take some time before it is ready from your lap or under the chair.

A timid dog is only ready to learn from inside its comfort zone. So the best place for training is probably the home, where it feels safe and the learning can be done in small increments.

So, how do you train at home? You will need guidelines and equipment. There is a multitude of websites that can give you information on agility training. There are also books and videos that will give details and visual aids and lesson plans for beginners thru expert levels.

There is a wide range of equipment that can be both helpful and useful for dog training in your home. So you have to look at the location and available space, before you choose the equipment. Do you have a large yard? Well, good for you. But most people only have a small yard, where they have to setup the equipment every time. Or they might have to train in the garage or basement; or even in the living room.

The equipment has to be safe and sturdy when training a timid dog. A good place to start your agility training is a pause table. A 12″ high pause table (preferable with adjustable legs) is a great starting point for dogs in all sizes. Setup the table in an area that the dog is familiar with. If your dog is the type that barks at everything new, you can leave in the house or yard for a couple of days before using it. Then the dog can inspect and smell it. Remember you need to use baby steps with an insecure dog.

To encourage it to get up on the table you can use treats or its favorite toy. And remember it may well take several lesson. If it loses interest, you should try something new like placing yourself on the table. Then you can either hold it or have it on leash, while you are sitting on the table. But remember only to treat it when it comes against you. Never reward it, when it is pulling away.

When the dog gets more experienced, you might want the dog to jump on the table using a cue word like Table, stay on the table as you back away with the word Stay and Come to you, when you call. You should extend the distance slowly, not pushing the dog to hard.

If you follow the above instructions, you can introduce new obstacles that can give your dog a new success. When it success a new piece of equipment, its confidence will grow.

Martin Elmer is the editor of Hundefan – a website about hunde ting. Here you can also read about hundetransportkasse.

categories: dog,agility,equipment,training,dog agility,agility equipment,dog agility equipment,dog training,dog training equipment,dog table,pets,confidence,timid

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How to Pick a Dog for Your Lifestyle

One thing you should really consider when selecting what sort of dog to get is your own lifestyle choices. It is important to take every aspect into consideration so that you do not make the wrong choice. Your lifestyle really needs to be taken into consideration when picking out a dog.

The first thing to consider is how much time you have available. Properly caring for a dog takes a lot of time. Those who already lack free time need to seriously reconsider getting a dog, since a new pet takes up a serious time commitment and might be more work than you first realize. It would be classified as abuse if you just left your dog home alone all the time. Of course, if you have several people living together in a family or a single person with roommates, this isn’t anywhere near as serious of an issue.

Space is another major issue you should consider when picking a dog. Do you have room for a big dog? Dog’s that are large need more space to run around and play than smaller dogs do. As such, small apartments are very poorly suited to large dogs. There would be no room for the dog to run and play, as most apartments rarely have back yards. You could always take your dogs on walks, however, in the long run it would be better if big dogs were left for the people who can take them on properly.

If you decide you aren’t really set up for owning a dog, try volunteering at the local dog shelter. More volunteers are almost always welcome to help care for the animals there. Later on in life, when you can properly take care of one, you can get a dog that will suit your lifestyle.

Please don’t just get a dog because it’s the thing to do. If you even think that you might not have time to own a dog, consider the issue very carefully before proceeding.

Taylor Martinerin writes on a variety of dog related topics, including how to select an xlarge dog bed or a large dog bed.

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Canines Bring Poker Out Of The Smokey Backrooms

Born in 1844 to a family of abolitionist Quaker farmers, Cassius Marcellus Coolidge, nicknamed “Cash” by his friends and family, became an instantly recognized commercial artist with the series of Dogs Playing Poker he gave to the world. He is named after one of the most eloquent of orators against slavery, nicknamed “The Lion Of White Hall” as an anthropomorphic tribute to the township in which he lived. Mr. Coolidge (Cash) had no professional training in the arts whatsoever. Nonetheless, he was a very active artist, publishing drawings in papers before his twentieth birthday.

The paintings along one of his favorite themes, mastiffs and Saint Bernards engaged in the activities normally attributed to humans, began with a commission in 1903. Well-bred and well-behaved dogs drink alcoholic libations, smoke cigars and pipes, and play five-card draw poker in nine out of sixteen of the paintings. Generally they are pictured as furry masculine types in fur coats or warm suits sitting around a table in a cozy room with the only source of light being a lamp above the table.

The players are established bourgeois, and seem to be reasonably well-behaved gentlemen, perhaps not altogether tame, but proper enough. The paintings reflect approximately the same period as that depicted in Sergio Leone’s Once Upon a Time in America. But Coolidge does not focus on the greed and violence of illegal underground clubs; rather, he shows poker finally emerge from the criminal murk into a more homely reality where decent members of society probably never bet more than a few symbolic cents and allowed themselves a few drops of bourbon when their wives weren’t looking. Poker was becoming common entertainment for most American men, not a means to make quick and dangerous money.

Well-respected gentlemen around 1875 were attending large evening poker games. A monthly rag called “Poker Chips” was one of the publications devoting itself to the game and most others published poker-related articles. As the century ended, rules became codified for draw-poker for the first time and were in force in all of the poker clubs. Some reporters went so far as to claim that baseball was no longer the national past time.

Interestingly, the ability to play poker and use a gun, in no relation whatsoever to any criminal reference, became gradually the accoutrements of a “real man.” If a fellow played a good game of poker they must also be good soldiers, good law men, and good, honest politicians. During World War I in Europe, in 1914, poker became THE mode of entertainment among the two million troops and of Harry Truman himself. As an artillery officer, Truman fine-tuned both draw and stud poker. And at the end of the war with the signing of the peace treaty, he and his combat comrades played infinite games of poker waiting to be shipped home. They continued to play the game after their arrival on home soil.

At that time, the prevailing view was to equate the ability to take risks at the table, to bet big, play smart, and bluff, (profitably, of course!) to the ability to survive in battle, in dangerous occupations like law enforcement, or do any job requiring a good brain and strong muscles.

Our boy, Cash Coolidge, was surrounded with plenty of opportunity to observe the types, the apparel and the game room ambiance of the basement clubs where games were regularly played. By adding his vivid, imaginative anthropomorphic humor to it all, he replicated very creatively the demeanor of the middle class engaged happily in a game that was at that time at least 200 years old.

The author is a successful limit cash game player. He plays poker online and receives Full Tilt Rakeback as well as Fortune Rakeback.

categories: poker,gambling,games,card games,dogs,art,entertainment

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Some Tips For Curbing Your Dog’s Jumping

Canines jump on people for a variety of reasons. One of the most common is to greet a person. Dogs learn to do this when they’re puppies, so it is instinctive. Another reason is to display dominance. As pack animals, it’s a natural behavior for them to stand on their back legs and place their front paws on others. That communicates their place in the pack. A third reason is because they have been encouraged to jump in the past. This often happens when owners condition their dogs to jump when they are puppies.

Whether your pooch is jumping on you, your visitors, or your neighbors, it’s important to curb the habit. It can frighten people and make them less inclined to treat your dog with respect and kindness. The good news is that discouraging the behavior can be accomplished quickly with the following three tips:

Tip 1 – Block Him

When your pooch jumps, avoid letting him place his front paws on you. If he is able to do so, he will have already achieved his goal; removing him is unlikely to communicate that you find the behavior unacceptable. Instead, turn immediately to the side and lift your leg to block him. After he has landed on the ground, tell him to sit. Once he does so, kneel down by him and give him your attention. Doing this teaches him that remaining on all four paws is more likely to result in your attention than jumping.

Tip 2 – Turn And Walk Away

There will be situations in which your canine will jump and place his front paws on you before you have had a chance to turn and lift your leg. Avoid shoving him off. He may misunderstand your intent and believe you’re playing with him. Instead, simply turn around and walk the other way. Don’t tell him “down!” or “stop!” Avoid giving him any attention at all. Simply turn and walk. Then, come back to him. If he remains on the ground, kneel down and give him attention.

Tip 3 – Provide An Alternative

Dogs adopt behaviors as a response to stimuli. To curb his jumping, give him an alternative response that he can use. For example, train him to sit when someone knocks at your door. Or, train him to retreat to his crate or another area of your house when he hears the doorbell. Providing an alternative response may not help curb his jumping on you (use the two tips above to accomplish that), but it will prevent his jumping on visitors.

When canines jump on people, the reason is usually due to they’re being excited to see the person on whom they’re jumping. Remember, dogs are sociable by nature. Use positive reinforcement such as praise rather than punishment to discourage the habit. Before long, your pooch will learn that he can gain your attention without putting his front paws on you.

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Dogs Get Allergies Too!

Any dog can suffer from canine allergies. Some breeds such as Bulldogs, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Schnauzers, and Terriers appear to be genetically pre-disposed to allergies, in particular, allergies caused by food ingredients.

Food allergies usually cause the dog’s skin to become itchy and irritated on and around the face, feet, ears, forelegs, armpits and near the dogs sphincter. Frequent inner ear infections, loss of hair, extreme scratching, hot spots, and skin infections that may respond to antibiotics but return after the antibiotics are completed are all common effects of dog allergies. If your dog displays an increased incidence of bowel movements it may also be a sign of food allergies. In general, dogs have around one and a half bowel movements per day, whereas food allergies usually increase the amount to three or more daily.

Ingredients in dog food such as preservatives, additives, peanut butter and tomatoes cause allergic reactions. Peanut butter is sometimes an ingredient in dog biscuits, while tomato paste is sometimes an ingredient in dry dog food. Dogs can also be allergic to protein, such as chicken, beef, or carbohydrates such as wheat and corn. Veterinarians recommend a diet of lamb and rice for dogs with allergic reactions.

What most people don’t realize is that you can prepare allergy free pet food for dog at home. Remember, dogs love fresh vegetables such as carrots, broccoli and cauliflower. Bear in mind that vegetables not only prevent allergic reactions but also provide added benefits that will provide your dog or cat with a longer healthier life. A gradual transformation between diets is recommended to avoid stomach problems.

Some dog allergies are due to the environment. Pets are commonly allergic to trees, grass, pollen and fabrics such as wool or nylon. Others environmental causes would include plastic or rubber materials, mites, flea bites or insects. Their body responds to these allergens by becoming itchy. When dogs scratch too much, sores develop which creates a perfect place for a bacterial infection to manifest itself. When a dog is not in direct contact with the allergen, Veterinarians diagnose dermatitis by inhalation, aka Atopy, which is an allergy that results from inhalation of pollen, dust, mold, or any allergy substance in the air.

Inflammation of the Paws, ears, and face may be a result of dog allergies. Seek advice from your veterinarian about controlling pet allergies. To provide relief and healing to sores on a dog’s body, treatments such as fatty acid supplements, hypoallergenic shampoo and hydrocortisone creams are most efficient. Antihistamines may be used to relieve the dogs itching and make your dogs suffering more bearable. There are a few side effects to make note of when using an antihistamine. Among these are sleepiness, hyperactivity, constipation, cotton mouth & a decreased desire for food. Be sure you have consulted your veterinarian before using any medication for your pet.

When dogs have allergies, the allergy usually presents itself in the form of a sore on the dogs back or belly. These sores often time force the dog to lick or claw at the area causing the hair to fall out. Food allergies as well as environmental culprits can make your dog’s life unbearable. Zeroing in on the cause of the allergy will improve your pet’s quality of life!

Similar to humans, dogs can suffer from the effects of allergies. By contacting your veterinarian, they can be controlled. In addition Joanne Gallagher recommends checking out Jakes Dog House for all natural, holistic dog treats, glucosamine dog food and organic dog biscuits.

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Benefits Of A Pet Safe Fence

Dogs are known as man’s best friend, so it is no surprise that these animals are kind, loving, and most of all playful. If you are just moving into a home or have yet to find a safe way to let your dog play outside safely, you may want to consider a pet safe fence to ensure that your pooch remains safely within the confines of your yard. Price is nothing to worry about either, as one of these fences will not break the bank either. They are usually much more affordable than full-sized fences, as well as being more safe.

One of the most effective solutions is to actually construct a fence with a gate for your dog. These fences can either be made of brick, wood or any other building materials. Once they are properly installed and the gate is locked they will prevent your dog from running outside the boundaries of your yard. Although this is an effective method of preventing your dog from biting people or simply running wild, you can not install these types of fences in every neighborhood. Putting up a standard large fence may not be an option in your area.

A pet safe fence is your only option if you can not set up a traditional fence. Basically what this system is is a set of wires placed above or underneath the ground around lawn, and they function through an electronic collar and a receiver. How the system operates is straightforward. If your dog goes towards the border the wire, it will send a signal to the receiver on the collar, which will in turn send a light shock to your dog and keep them from coming any closer to the edge of the yard.

After some time, your dog should stop trying to get outside of the yard. This can be reinforced if you take the time to train your dog not to attempt to leave the boundaries of the home. These fences can be the easy to install, and can take a huge load off of your mind since you can be sure that they will not run off and possible get hurt.

Any number of things can happen to your dog if you do not have an effective fence installed, then a pet safe fence is likely a good investment. This will prevent accidents from happening, and give you with a solid peace of mind.

There are just some places you can’t get a traditional fence installed. If this is the case for you, then another option is a pet safe fence.

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There is nothing worse than being pulled by your dog while you are walking him and people are laughing at you. Well now you can stop your dog from pulling on the leash and be a proud owner of a well trained dog.

First, let’s look at some reasons. Well for starters dogs actually walk faster than we do and our pace is just to slow for them. They get very excited when taken out and can’t contain themselves when they see another dog or animal in front of them. Their hunting instinct kicks in and you don’t have a chance when they spot their chase.

Naturally it’s best to start with your training when he’s still a puppy, but if this is not possible you can teach an old dog new tricks. A word of advise, it’s better for the dog’s health if you don’t use a choke collar. They are known to cause damage to the throat and vocal cords.

It is best to commence with training indoors and in the house where there are no distractions. You need undivided attention from your dog. He will not need his harness and leash right away because you are first going to teach him to follow you on your command. Firstly, hold out the palm of your hand and place a small object in the center. Let your dog see this and let him touch it with his nose when you say the command word “touch”. Once you get him to touch the object with his nose, then walk away for a few steps and let him follow you. Hold the object at a height which is comfortable for him to touch with his nose. He must now follow you and touch the object with his nose and stay behind you every time you walk further. Give lots of confirming hugs or rubs as he will now identify what you want from you. This will take a few lessons with lots of patience and love from your side.

Take into account that he is now learning a completely new command and a new behavior so it will take a few days practice for both of you. Treat and give hugs and rubs when he has mastered his command.

Secondly, put his harness around his body and clip on the leash. Take him outside into the garden and repeat the program exactly like you did indoors. Now there are more distractions and he has to only listen to your voice. Teach him to walk next to you or behind you even if he hears sounds and picks up scents. Remember the touching of the object with his nose still plays a big role in his lesson. Even bigger role is your treat and confirmation that you are happy.

When he is ready take him out of your yard and onto the sidewalk or to a park. If he still needs some more training then you can do this there as well. To stop your dog from pulling on the leash is easy and there will be no more running after your dog, as he will now be well trained and an envy for other dog walkers.

About the author: Remco van Reenen is an expert on dogtraining and on his website positieve hondentraining you can read a lot more articles. You can also get lots of accessories to help you with dog training in the section puppycursus

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