Archive for the ‘Dogs’ Category

posted by Jim Witt on Feb 28

Do you ever wonder how you are going to walk more than one dog at a time? Or wonder how dog walkers keep all the dogs they walk under control? The answer to these questions come in the form of a coupler leash.

Nylon coupler leashes are your best bet to having a successful walk with more than one dog. Couplers are an accessory that works great with a leash you already own. Coupler leashes come in handy when you are trying to walk two dogs.

When you use two leashes there can be little control with your dogs. They do not have to walk close to each other, which may cause them to walk in opposite directions or quickly tangle each others leashes. Coupler leashes connect two dogs to your leash so you do not have to worry about using two separate leashes for the dogs.

Coupler leashes, however, get rid of the need to have two leashes. You will only have the need of one leash, which will free up your hands. It also keeps you from having to worry about your dogs fighting you on the walk, since they will be close enough to each other that they will not fight each other to walk in separate directions.

The nylon webbing of the coupler leads are very strong, making it a good choice for a leash. Nylon couplers also come in different lengths to fit varying needs. That way if the owner prefers using shorter or longer lengths on the coupler, they have that option.

Most couplers use two legs, but if you have more than two dogs additional leads can be added to the coupler. Couplers with more than two leads usually need to be custom made. This can be important for professional dog walkers.

Coupler leashes come in a variety of colors that are catered to fit your style. The leash colors can be similar in color to your dog leash, or completely different. They also come in a neon color variety, which makes them more visible during times when there is little light.

Coupler leashes are a great option for owners with more than one dog. No one wants to fight against dogs who want to go in separate locations. Couplers allow you to take a walk with both dogs, and not have to worry about the struggle that walking with two leashes would provide.

Sometimes owning one dog is not enough. But how do you walk both dogs together? Jim Witt produces some of the best designer dog coupler leashes and recommends visiting Country Brook Design for custom dog accessories.

posted by Beth K Harrod on Feb 28

Is your dog barking excessively and you would like them to stop? A loud pet will disturb your family life, create stress with the neighbors and frustrate even the most patient of people. If your pet has a barking problem that’s making you crazy, here’s the way to remedy things and recoup some peace and quiet in your life.

When it involves excessive barking, the answer is like every other deterrent for undesirable behavior in a dog. There are a selection of dog bark control techniques that you can use to stop your pet’s unwanted vocalization. Basic training methods will be used to regulate a barking dog and to show your pet when enough is enough. Sooner or later your dog will be trained to respond to hand signals or voice commands that permit them to realize it is time to stop. This methodology takes time and consistency on your behalf however works for many pets and all sorts of problem habits.

If your pet will not answer ordinary coaching, there are training aids like dog bark control collars that you’ll purchase and use to show your pet what is expected and to stop barking. Nowadays’s bark collars are safe and effective. In addition to the typical and somewhat controversial static collars, you’ll select from collars that use sound or bursts of air (with or without citronella) to discourage barking. Collars activate themselves when the dog barks making them useful for controlling this habit even when you’re not home.

Shock Collars

A shock collar operates by delivering a little static shock to the dog when it detects a bark. This shock has been compared to the intensity of a static shock you may feel when walking across carpet and touching metal. It might be unpleasant, however it does no actual damage to the pet at all. Most models of shock collars have a user adjustable setting to see how much static to deliver to the dog.

Citronella Collars

Dogs simply plain loathe the scent of citronella, therefore these collars work by releasing a little burst of this smell directly in the direction of the pet’s nose when they bark. Soon, a dog begins to associate the barking with “that terrible smell” and they will avoid making noise to avoid the scent.

Sonic Collars

A dog has more sensitive ears than a person does and they’ll hear frequencies that we tend to will not. A sonic collar works by delivering an inaudible sound that is unpleasant for the dog when it detects them barking. This sound does no more injury to their ears than their barking is doing to yours, but it’s likewise not pleasing for the dog. In an attempt to avoid the sound, a dog learns not to bark.

Before going to those lengths it will be helpful to attempt and understand specifically why your pet is acting up. Therefore, what causes some dogs to bark excessively? A dog will vocalize for a range of different ordinary and perfectly natural reasons. They could bark to alert you of danger or to urge your attention. Some conjointly stick with it out of boredom or excitement. While they don’t do it just to bother you, overzealous barking will be downright frustrating for a pet owner who simply desires a flash of peace. Luckily with a little bit of coaching and time, you’ll be able to successfully restrain this practice and recoup your sanity.

Get a lot of tips on Dog Bark Control techniques and bark control collars, visit http://DogBarkControl.net

posted by Joanne Gallagher on Feb 25

Where do dogs learn their manners? From their owners! Dogs are pack animals and it is important for a dog owner to be the pack leader.

Do you envy the dog owner whose dog follows the instruction manual? Loyally walks on their left side and stops walking when their owner stops? Sits on command?

Training requires a disciplined and patient dog owner. It is easy to cave in when your dog just wants your attention and doesn’t want to listen to your commands. Reward your dog for good behavior. Positive reinforcement is more effective than punishment. Physical punishment will make your dog afraid of you and break down the trust you are trying to establish.

Housebreaking is one of the first aspects involved in dog training. With a 95% success rate Poochie-Bells are recommended by professional trainers. No more whining, barking or waiting by the door, your pooch can be trained to ring the bells when they need to go outside. The bells are strategically placed on a heavy duty designer durable grosgrain ribbon to accommodate small and large breeds. Poochie Bells are portable, there are no batteries or wires so dog owners can remain consistent with housebreaking wherever you and your pooch happen to be.

Crate training is used for a variety of reasons. The most important reason to crate your dog is to make sure your pet is safe when a dog owner is not present. Crate training is recommended by veterinarians as an effective way to prevent destructive habits and establish good habits in your dog.

Create an area where your dog will feel comfortable. Whether you decide on a durable plastic or an all wire mesh crate; put a crate mat or dog bed inside the crate for warmth and comfort. Most importantly the crate needs to be the appropriate size for your dog. A large crate can be partitioned as a puppy grows into a dog. Crating your dog is not recommended for extended periods of time day in day out.

Excessive barking is an unwanted behavior that requires attention. Dogs usually bark in a standing or sitting position. Command your dog to lie down and the barking should subside. Dogs don’t tend to bark when they are lying down. The command “ENOUGH” spoken in a firm tone also informs the dog to stop barking.

Training a dog can seem overwhelming. The dog owner’s role as the pack leader is based on mutual trust. When the trust is established a dog will look to their owner for behavior cues. A dog wants to please their owner and responds to positive reinforcement when they behave appropriately.

Owning a happy and properly socialized pet involves teaching and direction from the owner. Joanne Gallagher is an specialist in dog training and recommends browsing to Jake’s Dog Housefor delicious dog treats to reinforce your dogs excellent behavior.

categories: Dog training,dog obedience,dog treats,dog supplies,pet supplies,dogs

posted by Joanne Gallagher on Feb 24

Do you like to sleep? Then a dog’s life is for you! Dogs sleep about 12 hours a day, every day. They sleep almost half their life.

Dogs sleep out of boredom. Some dog’s sleeping habits influence its behavior. Stimulation during the day is necessary for some dogs that need to be awake during the day so they can sleep at night; at the same time as their owners.

Startling a sleeping dog is not a good idea. Adhere to the expression, “Let sleeping dogs lie”. As the proverb suggests, don’t create a disturbance by arousing, in this case the dog. A dog could sense danger if startled out of a deep sleep and feel a need to protect themselves.

Did you ever feel like you could fall asleep standing up? Your faithful companion can be standing or sitting next to you, and the eyelids start to droop and the next thing you know they lie down and are a sleep. Amazing! The lids close and legs are jerking.

Dogs assume many positions while they are sleeping. When it is cold they curl up in a ball to keep in their body heat. Dogs that live together like to snuggle next to each other when it is cold and sleep near each other during warmer weather. They are pack animals at heart.

Usually a dog starts falling asleep on their side or belly with their legs stretched out. When they start falling into a deeper sleep they roll over on their back. In this position a dog is completely stretched out and relaxed. Their legs are straight up in the air and their belly is nice and cool.

Have a clean and comfortable place in your home where your dog can rest feeling safe and secure. It is their natural instinct to be in a sheltered place, under a table or in a corner. Before a dog lies down, they circle the spot they intend to lay down to sleep. It is helpful if you provide a bed that is a comfortable soft dog bed that caters to the sheltered instinct.

A good afternoon nap does wonders to rejuvenate the mind and body. Dog owners might not have the luxury of getting 12 hours of sleep, but we sure can slow down and take a rest more often.

Dogs enjoy being warm and snugly when they are sleepyand want to take a nap. A comfy dog bed is just the ticket. Joanne Gallagher recommends browsing to Jake’s Dog House for a wide assortment of Comfortable Dog Beds.

posted by John Sommer on Feb 23

The day you bring your brand new puppy into your home for the first time is a joyous one; but it can also cause a lot of stress, especially if this is the first time that you’ve had a dog. You’ll need to learn many things in order to be a good caretaker of your new dog.

First you will need to make sure that your puppy feels safe and secure in its new environments and you can be do this by showing your that you love it. Speak with a loving voice and don’t start out by yelling when it does something that you do not want it to do. You can actually give your dog mental scars for life by treating it the wrong way and that is one of the reasons why it is important to attend dog or puppy training as soon as possible.

But there are other reasons that you would want to have your dog trained and it in reality it is not just your dog that needs training! You as the dog owner will also need training so that you know what the right way is and what the wrong way to handle a dog is.

Training a dog will become obvious to you when you get your puppy inside the house. It will be filled with energy and might run around and brake things, pee on the floor and chew its way through anything.

You’ll learn a lot of useful things in dog training classes, such as which commands are the most effective and just as importantly, what tone of voice to use when giving your dog a command. You’ll need to learn these things and practice them regularly? This will make your new dog a better behaved member of the family and while some puppy damage is almost inevitable, can prevent much of the damage your new dog may cause.

You’ll need to walk your dog once or twice every day. You’ll need to teach your dog to walk without having to tug on their leash; your dog will need to learn to take direction in order to accomplish this.

Not being able to control your dog when going for a walk and especially if it is not held in a leash can have catastrophic consequences. If your dog sees a cat or a squirrel running across the road in front of it your dog will most likely want to chase it.

Car accidents are one of the top causes of death in pets, particularly dogs. When dogs are struck by cars, it is often due to the owner’s inability to control their dogs with their commands. Dog training classes can literally save the life of your beloved puppy or dog.

Dog vitality and well being is very important in order to have a fun and joyful dog. As a pet owner you should spend enough time and energy in teaching your dog and yourself the optimal ways to love and respect each other as you will hopefully be together for a long time.

posted by Mike Mathews on Feb 22

The Bichon Frise is a captivating dog that looks like a puff ball because of its curly hair. Energetic, this lovable, curly-haired dog is smart, bubbly and even-tempered. Its affable character makes it a winner for anybody, young or old, to have as a companion at home. It is believed to be a cross between the Barbet Water Spaniel and the Poodle. It gained popularity as a circus performer and as the organ player’s dog!

Compatibility and Usage: The breed’s small size and friendly nature does not make it the first choice as a good guard dog however, it more than makes up for this shortcoming as it adequately fulfills the role of a family dog without equal! Its disposition, playful character and antics would surely liven up any person’s life – be it in the city or in the countryside.

Physical Appearance: Most dogs of the breed have the characteristic non-shedding white coat although there are others that display off-white, beige or yellow-orange with dark shades around the ears. Purebreds have a white coat, black or brown eyes with the clearly identifiable mask around the eyes.

Temperament: The Bichon is a highly attractive dog due to its silky and curly hair and it greatly enjoys human company. It possesses an independent attitude, is intelligent, affectionate, bold and lively. It is very easy to live with and generally makes people very happy as a pet. Although it may be a little difficult to housebreak, its mannerisms, attitude and happy temperament makes it worth while to persevere in training the Bichon as it is very obedient once trained.

Although they have a streak of stubbornness but it is rarely displayed. Sudden bursts of energetic display is quite common with a Bichon Frise and most of the time you will end up having a laugh especially when they start running after their tail. They are very good around children and elderly people.

Caring & health: A Bichon Frise has a life span of around 12 years and a male dog will have a height of up to 12 inches while a female or a bitch can have a height varying from 9 to 11 inches. They have a non shedding coat and hence need regular grooming. Bichons are also susceptible to different types of skin allergies and other skin problems, which makes grooming necessary.

If you own a Bichon then you will need to brush his coat several times within a week so that hair tangling can be prevented. The more frequently you groom him, the puffier his coat will be. A balanced diet with moderate exercise will do him a lot of good. One of the most important health risks that a Bichon Frise might face is that of pancreatitis, which is more often caused due to eating fatty foods.

Bichons are also prone to skin irritations and allergy (if not groomed regularly); old age cataract, senility and diseases of the ear; although ear disease is very easy to treat. Owning a Bichon is no different than owning a cuddly, barking fur ball that would give all members of the family extreme joy and pleasure!

Author Info: Mike Mathews is a writer and publisher of the acknowledged Dog-Breed-Facts.com website. His new ebook titled “Choosing a Dog For Your Lifestyle” is a great resource for the prospective dog owner.

posted by Jim Witt on Feb 20

Kennel leads offer many advantages to dog owners. The lead has an extra handle close to the dogs neck for extra control. Grooming and kennel leads allow you to have a better handle on your dog, and thus keeping them and others secure.

Kennel and Grooming leads make it possible to keep your dog located in one spot. This can be very handy during grooming sessions, or when transporting your dog. They can also be beneficial during dog shows.

Kennel leads are made to be strong. The best leads are made with nylon and polypro webbing. This allows them to be both strong, and light-weight. Nylon webbing is always very strong and durable. Polypro does not have the same strength capabilities of nylon, but it is still a good choice because of the quality of its material.

Kennel and grooming leads come in a variety of sizes. They come in varying lengths and widths, though the average length of grooming leads are six feet long. Many leads are one size that “fits all” dogs, but there are other choices for larger or smaller than average dogs.

Kennel leads should be very durable. Many are resistant to abrasions. They also can be made to resist absorbing liquids, which has the added bonus of the color of the lead not fading so quickly.

Don’t settle for a dull looking lead. Dog leads come in a variety of stylish finishes and colors. Find an attractive lead that fits your style.

Dog leads are supposed to be strong, but they also should be comfortable to your dog. Nylon and polypro webbing allow your lead the strength it needs to get its job done, but they are also both non-abrasive. If any rings are on the lead, they should also be non-abrasive to reduce any friction that may happen.

Kennel leads have a lot of great purposes. Dog leads allow you to be able to keep your animal in one spot. If you would like to have more control of your dog, then a dog lead is a good choice for you. They can be helpful in restraining your dog, as well as other general leash purposes.

Kennel leads present many advantages to dog owners. The lead has an extra handle near the dogs neck for extra control. Jim Witt suggests visiting Country Brook Design for a broad selection of Kennel Leads in many colors and lengths.

posted by Owen Jones on Feb 19

Nearly every family or social event involves the eating of food and the imbibing or drinks in the celebration. Consider Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, and weddings. In this article, I would like to talk about that centre piece of the wedding reception: the wedding cake.

The guests come to eat, drink and be merry and the bride’s parents always put a great deal of work into the organization of the wedding reception. The wedding cake is the focal point of the top table and the whole function in general. The wedding cake has traditional significance and it is often considered bad luck not to have a slice of the wedding cake.

There are precise rules for the timing of the cutting of the wedding cake that have become part of tradition. For instance, if the wedding reception takes place at lunch or dinner, it is traditional to cut the wedding cake just before the sweet is served.

However, if the reception is to take place in the late afternoon or early evening, the cake is served as soon as the guests arrive. In some traditions the bride and groom cut and eat the first slice together as a symbol of their vows to love, honour and obey each other. The remainder of the cake is generally cut by one of the assistants, like the maid of honour or a family relative.

It can be quite hard to choose the wedding cake. Traditionally, people opt for a white cake with white icing for weddings, however these days, people are becoming more daring and are choosing more exotic flavours and colours.

Some people choose to have a wedding cake which has different flavours on each layer. While white icing is still the overwhelming favourite, people do order other colours like pink and yellow. Chocolate and mocha are also popular. These days you can have what you like. It is your day, after all.

Everybody likes the wedding reception. It is the most well-liked part of the wedding day and everyone looks forward to seeing the cake cut and sharing it with the bride and groom.

If you are considering becoming a cake decorator, you have a few choices to go about it. You could buy a book or a course or get a video in order to teach yourself how to decorate cakes from the plain to the ornate. You could also go to a night school class to learn the art or cake decoration.

Without a doubt, the very best way to learn cake decorating is to take a course. DVD’s, videos, and books are all well and good, but you cannot talk to them or ask questions. If you take a class for three months or more you will learn more and get a deeper understanding of the art of cake decoration. You will learn how to put real feeling into the decoration of the cake and you will be able to translate the wedding couple’s dreams into a cake that you and they can be proud of.

If you are interested in a Welsh gold wedding ring, or Wales in general, go to our web site at Welsh Products Online

posted by Jack Oldman on Feb 17

Because pets are becoming verified members of families and households, more and more, pet owners are becoming aware of canine fashion and accessories. The quest for uniqueness among pet owners has driven the upswing of the designer dog collar trend. Custom and personalized dog collars are being made according to what pet owners are demanding. There are exclusively designed pet collars that easily sell for hundreds of dollars or more each, and dog lovers will pay the price to put their beloved four-legged family member in high style.

There are a substantial number of producers of designer dog collars to choose from these days. The collars they produce are made by using a number of materials, from leather to natural fibers to nylon. They are available in a myriad of sizes, shapes, colors and price points, from the affordable to the terribly high-priced. You’ll be able to get a collar that is custom designed in line with your specifications. You can purchase dog clothes and rhinestone collars, or you can buy funky, retro, girly or punk dog collars. If you’re taking your dog on walks in the night, there are stylish lighted or reflective collars, which is highly convenient in the dark.

A few fashion designers, for instance Gucci, have taken to creating fashionable collars and leashes for dogs. It is not unusual to see collars scattered with diamonds and other precious and semi-precious gems. One more over the top style in dog collars these days is the addition of gold and other costly metals throughout assembly of the collars. This custom is getting to be quite widespread among dog owners who can manage to pay for the luxury.

The rise in popularity of the designer dog collar has created a great demand for the increased manufacture of such high end collars. Before their popularity arose, plain collars catered to average-sized canines, which unintentionally left out very small and extra large breeds of dogs. Now, dog collar designs can emphasize the uniqueness of your pet, whatever his breed or size.

The real reason why devoted pet owners are willing to spend extra and spend big for a designer dog collar is to have a collar that fits their dog perfectly and also fits them comfortably, while demonstrating their own sense of style and unique fashion sense. Of course a dog collar does not have to be made by a high end fashion designer to be worthwhile and desirable. With a little creativity and by utilizing your own skills, you too can design a plain or fancy dog collar for your pooch.

There are many different varieties of dog collars for you to select from. There are the ornamental varieties, such as designer or personalized collars, and there are those that serve a purpose, such as an electric dog collar. Click here to get the facts on the best dog collar for your needs.