Doggy Mentor

Archive for June, 2009

As any good pet owner will tell, you part of owning a dog is dealing with them chewing on things. They may chew on your furniture, slippers or even the baseboards. If trying to train them is not going very well then you may just want to give in and let them chew on toys. Just remember that the reason that your dog is chewing is that they are anxious or feeling lonely for some reason. It is a good idea that when you go to buy your dog’s chew toy you take them with you. This way they can find a toy that will help relax them.Dog Chews Toys might be just what you need.

There are several types of chew toys that are designed for dogs in mind. Many of these toys are brightly colored so the dog can find them since dogs only see in black and white. These toys may also make some sort of sound when squeezed.

First thing you want to do is ensure that the toy is safe for the dog to chew on. Make sure there are no loose pieces that can come off and become lodged in the dog’s throat. Always buy your dog toys from a trusted retailer who specializes in pet supplies. Many national retailers around can assist you with picking out a safe toy. In addition, research any potential toy online. There are tons of stores online that can give you helpful information on any toy.

The second thing to keep in mind is make sure the toy matches the dog. Size the toy in comparison to your dog. You do not want a terrier walking around with a toy that is three times his size. On the other hand, you do not want to give your German Sheppard a toy that can be used as a toothpick for him. Too small of a toy may lead to your pet chocking.

Other tricks that you can try are to take a marrowbone and stuff it with a piece of cheese. Your dog will go nuts trying to get the cheese out of the bone and will forget all about chewing on anything else. These are just a few tricks that can be used to prevent your dog from chewing.

The fourth thing to keep in mind that puppies love to chew and take a toy to its limit. Make sure that the toy that you get is built to take an aggressive puppy with a set of teeth he is ready to test out. Look at the label and see what the material it is made out of is and what the assembly construction is for that particular toy.

There are several toys out on the market that are designed with the chewer in your family in mind. One such line of toys is called Kong toys. These toys are designed for aggressive chewers. These toys are also popular in helping to teeth puppies, as they are comforting to a puppy teething.

In closing, there are a few things to be careful of, make sure that whatever your puppy chews on is safe of any and all hazards including things that can injure their mouth or even their eyes. These Dog Toys are exactly the Small Dog Accessories that you need.

When you hear the words upscale dog bed what is the first thing that comes to mind? Dogs are an everyday part of our lives. They are there when we wake up, there when we come home. Nowadays Dogs even have their own restaurants and hotels designed just for them. Upscale Beds For Dogs are something you should look into.

These beds are designed to be fashionable looking in your house while providing comfort to your dog while they sit with you. Many of these beds come in a wide variety of colors and styles to choose from. The only thing that you need to try to avoid is colors that clash with your decor.

Now that you have decided which bed to get your little diva, you need to choose how to personalize it. The personalization of pet products as a standalone industry averages several hundred million dollars in revenue each year in the United States and Canada. Dozens of Distributors provide scores of products in countless options. There are a wide variety of options available for bed. Everything from “snowflake” poofs to giant covered dog bone pads are now available with your little babies name written in any of a thousand fonts and a hundred colors.

Lately the hottest trend seems to be using a fifties theme to the modifications. This includes the colors of hot pink and baby blue, along with other washed out colors and bright pastels. These prints also include odd colored zebra stripes, and leopard prints in the white/black/hot pink color scheme.

These beds designed to make Fido feel like he is special come in all kinds of shapes, styles and colors. You can get them with special pillows and even blankets. Some models feature a canopy for when your pooch wants a little privacy.

The next thing to consider is color, the place he sleeps needs to be comforting to look at for you, as it is comfortable for the dog to sleep on. There are about as many colors to choose from as you can imagine. Colors range from the standard to custom colors to match your furniture. Take your time and choose the right color.

When you are at the store deciding on which bed to buy your pampered pooch, you need to ask them what type of filling is used. Most beds are filled with some kind of foam however; some types of beds use something called cedar chips to help keep fleas off the bed.

The last thing to keep in mind is size. A Great Dane cannot and will not sleep on little square beds with half of his body hanging off the bed. While you do not want to buy a giant bed that, your terrier gets lost trying to get off. The best bet is before you buy your bed for Fido let your pet try before you buy there at the store. Many pet stores will let you bring your pet with you so you can both make this choice. After all, you are making your dog a part of your family and most of the other family members get a choice in their furniture why not your dog as well. These Beds For Dogs are the Dog Products you should be looking at getting for your companion.

Just a few days ago something happened on my block that made me want to write this article. A beautiful chocolate Lab named Clyde, my neighbor’s dog, got hit by a car he was chasing. Everyone loved this dog, so we were all saddened by his death. It was no secret Clyde liked to chase cars, and it was a shame is owner didn’t bother to properly boundary train his dog while he had a chance.

Boundary train your dog to make sure he does not run out of his yard. You can relax with your dog in the yard once you have gotten him boundary trained-you won’t need to chain him up, either. A dog that runs out into the street is not only at risk of getting injured  or killed by a passing car, but he could also get into a fight with an aggressive dog or bother some people. With a few tips you can learn to boundary train your dog or puppy to eliminate the dangers from a dog that runs off. Even if your dogs are not yet having run away problems boundary training is always a very good idea-you never know when something tempting may happen across the street.If your yard doesn’t have an enclosure, the boundary training is even more imperative.

I had a dog that used to love to chase after other dogs-just for the fun of the chase ,fortunately-but it  drove me nuts that she wouldn’t come back when I called. Obviously, I also had to do some better training with the call on command. So, whenever she ran off, I’d have to stop whatever I was doing and go get her. I decided some training was long overdue. I researched the boundary training section of my favorite online dog training book and got started with the boundary training.click here to find the best tips online for dog training.Secrets to Dog Training Review

She was a fast learner and after awhile she could resist the urge to chase other dogs. She just needed the right kind of guidance (and a lot of patience and repetitions), but now I can relax a lot more when she is out in the front yard.  She is not perfect, but her boundary training almost always keeps her from going into the street or out of the yard.

Use the following tips and soon your dog will also be boundary trained. To learn more about boundary training click here. Boundary Train Your Dog

1.   Get the boundary training started by placing a piece of string or rope or some kind of visible boundary marker around the area you want him to stay in. After putting your dog on his leash, take him for a walk within the area you want him to stay in. You can walk close to the marker, but not so close that the dog can cross it. If he tries to leave the yard, stop your dog from crossing the line with no command, and a light tug on his leash to get his attention. When he comes back to you, praise him and give him his rewards-affection and a treat. In case he forgets himself and tries to cross the line, don’t yell or punish him-just focus on rewarding the times he does it right. Frequent repetition of the training is needed daily util your dog gets the right idea. After several days of this your smart dog will recognize the boundary you have set up for what it is supposed to be.

2. Use a longer lead, perhaps 20 feet long, so your dog doesn’t feel the same amount of control by you. If he tries to cross the boundary be ready to tug onthe longer leash and say no to stop him from crossing. Repeat this exercise several times daily and be sure to reward him with praise and treats for not crossing the line.

3. Now that he seems to have started learning the basics of  boundary training, you can move on to the next step- a further test to see if you have really boundary trained your dog or not. Put something on the other side of the boundary that will surely tempt him to want to cross over. Have a family member or a friend (or even a volunteer teacher’s aide dog) stand on the other side of the boundary. Take him for his walk using his normal leash and as you near the temptation, be prepared to prevent him from crossing the line in case he can’t resist the temptation. If he does try to cross over the boundary, that just means he is not totally trained yet. Return to the previous lessons and keep practicing till he has it together. If your dog does pass the previous test, try throwing a ball or his favorite toy across the line. If he resists this temptation, the training is doing very good, and now he’s ready for the last test.

4.   All right, now you are ready to test him off-leash. Take off his leash, and walk with him at the heel position, staying inside the boundary-be sure to keep praising and rewarding him for staying with you. Keep practicing the boundary training with short 15 minute sessions several times a day. To really reinforce the idea, it is a pretty good idea to boundary train your dog every time you come out to the area you want him to stay inside. If your dog hasn’t been boundary trained properly he’ll  try to cross the line and you’ll need to go back to the last step.~

If you are reading this, I know you are a dog lover. So if your dog can get out take the time, patience and effort required to teach boundary training to your dog . The boundary training greatly reduces the odds of your dog getting lost, hurt or killed by running out of the yard.

Go to BehaveDoggy.com for more tips and advice on helping your pet be the best.Secrets to Dog Training Review

Often, you tend to become busy and simply cannot afford to have the sufficient time to spend with your pet Or you’re in vacation and may not tag your pet along with you. This in effect will become detrimental to your dog’s over-all well being as he may not be given the proper care and assistance he needs. Dogs nowadays are no longer like their ancestors (the wild dog breeds). Unlike them, they need to be constantly taken care of. Given that this factor is lacking, the dog may become too unhealthy and susceptible to the variety of diseases. But don’t worry, if you’re too busy and simply don’t have time to spend with your pet, a doggie boarding kennel is your best alternative. Of course, you would like to give him the best and you don’t like to worry while you’re out there doing your job and you’re thinking if he’s alright or not.

There are many people right now who are actually considering this as the best alternative for dogs who are being left out when everybody is out. But you have to be aware that not all dog boarding kennels has the best dog boarding facilities that will make their stay comfortable. There was even this one dog owner who filed a case against one dog boarding house because his dog was maltreated even unintentionally and it’s because they don’t have the ample and comfortable facility and provisions to make the stay of the dog comfortable. You have to bear in mind that you should try to investigate things first. If you can’t find the right dog boarding facility, then, it’s best to leave him with your neighbor or with your relative as long as he is familiar with them but never leave him alone in your house or leave him in a dog boarding kennel that feels like a dungeon. If you really want to know the best kennel, go and search for it in a dog boarding online directory.

Dog owners in the Phoenix, Arizona East Valley suburbs don’t have to leave their pets cooped up in the house, a cage or a kennel all day while they are away. Owner and proprietor Christine Mitsoff says the new Rico’s Doggie Day Care treats dogs much like kids would be treated in a child day care.

“We allow dogs to run around our fenced-in back yard, and play with the other dogs. All dogs are free to roam and play. We want them to have fun, not be put in small crates,” said Mitsoff, who runs the service out of her home in the Cooper Commons neighborhood in Chandler.

The benefits of this type of dog day care are many, not the least of which is physical.

“With the very busy lives most people live these days, many dogs spend a lot of time home alone, sleeping and eating themselves into lethargy and obesity,” Mitsoff said. “Just like fit humans, fit dogs feel better, sleep better, and have more energy, as well as encounter fewer health and behavioral problems. This not only translates into happier people and pets but fewer medical expenses.”

Your pooch’s mental health will be helped by being around other canines in dog day care.

According to Mitsoff, “Being able to socialize with other breeds helps support positive dog behavior.”

Play time at Rico’s is three hours in the morning and four hours in the afternoon. Of course, the dogs are free to take a nap at any time they get tired. Or, they are free to jump in the in-ground pool to cool off if overly heated. One hour of nap time is scheduled immediately after lunch time, which is held between 11 a.m. and noon each day.

Washes by David Vega, training dog walks with Tyler Vega and obedience training from the entire staff are the other dog day care services available at Rico’s. If needed, Rico’s will pick your pup up for a nominal fee.

Mitsoff said, “Each dog leaves Rico’s Doggie Day Care with a daily report card, free kisses and tired from a full day of fun.”

In the East Valley, Rico’s is only a few minutes’ drive from most points in Chandler, Gilbert and Mesa. For more information and pricing, visit the Rico’s Doggie Day Care Web site at http://www.dog-daycare.net.

Choosing the right small dog carriers for your small dogs can be a difficult task. You want to find the right carrier that fits your dog’s personality but also one that is going to keep them safe and sound. Dog carriers nowadays are extremely popular, especially among the celebrities and even some fashion designers are coming out with dog carriers for smaller dogs. Designer Dog Carriers may be exactly the thing you need right now.

Like say, there are many things to consider when it comes down to picking out the right carrier. First and foremost, why do you want the carrier? What, precisely, do you intend to use it for? Naturally you want to carry your dog in it, but is it for airplane travel? Or do you simply want to take your four legged friend around with you wherever you go? Some people prefer carriers they can carry over their shoulders. Some do not. Think about these things before you make your final choice.

Once you have done that, you are one step closer to making a decision about what carrier to purchase. Specifically, you are now ready to start trying to find the best possible deal. Going on the Internet can really help you, no matter what kind of carrier you are interested in buying. Of course, you have to understand that the price is going to be proportional for more upscale and sought after dog carriers. Still, going online is a great way to get a deal on over the shoulder ones.

For traveling purposes, you need to think about a few aspects as well. For instance, you are going to want to take the material of the carrier into strong consideration. Soft plastics and things like that need to be avoided. It can get much too hot and uncomfortable, especially since you dog will have to be in his carrier for a while. If you have to go with a plastic carrier, a hard type is better.

You always need to call ahead before you travel anywhere with your dog, to make sure that pets are allowed. For planes, it should not be a problem. However, a lot of trains do not allow pets unless they are trained service animals. With planes, there may be size restrictions. These typically do not apply to small carriers, but it is still better to err on the side of caution.

Small dogs also do well in dog strollers. They can be easily rolled around and they cannot get away from you. They will be safe, comfortable, and out of the way, so they will not break a leash, get stepped on, or get into any messes.

Backpacks or papoose carriers are also popular for smaller dogs. As an owner, you can keep your pet right next to you. This can be soothing for both of you.

As you can see, there are many different things that you need to take into consideration whenever you are getting a carriers. So make sure that you take all of this information in mind whenever you are considering your dog carrier! These Dogs Transport are the Large Dog Accessories you need.

It is pretty obvious that whenever you are picking out your dogs toys, it can be a hard duty. You want to find something that they like but you also want to find something that is durable and will last. This is why chew resistant dog toys are some of the best toys in the world for dogs. There are a few things that you should probably consider whenever you are picking out some toys for your dog, so be careful. We will go ahead and explore some different toys and what you should watch out for! Dogs Chew Resistant Toys may be just what you need!

One of the biggest things that you, as an owner should watch out for when looking for dog toys is finding the perfect dog toy. You want to ensure that you are constantly challenging your dog and these chew resistant toys are fantastic for a challenge!

Now of course, there is a whole bunch of different chew resistant toys out there for your dog but you really should make sure that your dog takes interest in the toy. Chances are, if the pooch is not into tennis balls or any other balls, they really won’t like ball that is chew resistant. So find the best toy that is suited to your dog, not one that just looks cool.

Then again, balls are hardly the only type of toys you can find which will resist being chewed. A lot of pet stores and even department stores have all different types of resistant toys available. You can always ask to see their selection. Typically you can find things like discs to toys shaped like other animals and even people.

There are some things about which you want to be careful, such as pricing. Do not let a store overcharge you for a toy which resists being chewed. Some of them attempt to do this. You do not have to fall into that trap. A little comparison shopping can go a long way.

After you have looked through all of the toys, it might be a good idea to research exactly what you might be considering getting. There have been a few cases about a few of these types of toys that have caused harm to dogs simply because another ‘air hole’ wasn’t placed in the ball. These toys are very resistant to a lot of things and are made to be durable; you just need to make sure that they are safe for your dog to play with.

Finally, you want to make sure that you are considering just how big or how small your dog is. You should never ever get a dog toy that is out of the size range for your pooch. Big toys for big dogs, little toys for little dogs. This is why taking your dog with you is a fantastic idea!

As you can see, there are many, many different things to consider whenever you are getting your dog new toys. You want to make sure that you keep all of this in your head whenever you are looking for new toys for your puppy and hey, you might want to take your dog shopping with you! Pet stores now are most likely going to be pet friendly and you can take your pooch inside the store with you! These Dog Toys are the Dogs Accessories that you should look into getting for your pet and friend!

Traveling with your pet can be extremely difficult most of the time. This is especially true if you are traveling on a plane with your pup. One thing that you want to make sure before you even think about purchasing your tickets is getting an dog carrier. This will not only keep your dog extremely safe during the plane ride, but you will actually be able to get on the plane!

Getting approval from the airline might seem like a lot of work but it is well worth the effort. Furthermore, it is something you have to consider when you are buying a carrier for your dog. After all, the main reason that you need this approval is because it helps to make your dog safe, comfortable, and happy. Despite the fact that an increasing number of pet owners choose to take their dogs traveling, though, a number of airlines do have stringent rules to follow.

If you do not find out exactly what your airline wants out of a transport dogs and you show up with your own dog carrier, you could actually miss your flight. You always want to make sure that you call ahead of time, that way when you get to the airport, there are no surprises.

One of the very first questions that you need to be asking whenever you are traveling with your pet is the size restrictions. If you have a very large dog, you will probably need to check your dog into the plane’s cargo area. While that sounds terrible, it is actually pretty comfortable if you get the right crate.

At the same time, however, you will need to check with the airline about size restrictions. You could show up with a carrier which is too big, only to be told that the airline will not accept it due to its size. Fortunately, all it takes is a call to the airport before you fly out. Make sure you call early enough ahead of time that you have the opportunity to exchange a carrier if you need to do so.

You may be able to carry your dog onto the plane with you, and keep him in the cabin. Small dogs are, of course, most ideal for this. You still need to make sure you find out what kinds of carriers are accepted by the airline in this case. That way you will also know if your dog is the type which can stay in the cabin.

The most important thing you need to think about is your dog’s comfort. His safety is imperative. You cannot keep him crowded in an uncomfortable carrier for the duration of the flight. He has to have room to move. It will greatly reduce any stress he feels.

It is not hard to find an Airline Approved dog carrier. You just need to be able to ask pertinent questions. It is your responsibility to find out what the airport and the plane itself will allow. It does not take a lot of time and it can ease the traveling process quite a bit.

There are Double Dog Bowl Feeders available in just about every pet supply center these days. There is sure to be something available for every need.

You need to know to begin with, what type of a dish best suits your dogs needs. For example, you would not want a very small dog trying to reach into an very large dish just to get his food. This would require a lot of uncomfortable stretching. Choose a bowl that comfortably allows your dog to eat. If your dog has very long ears, you want to get him a dish with a smaller diameter, so that his ears will not fall into his dish.

Do you constantly find food on the floor around your dog’s dish? This is from your dog sliding his dish around. You can solve this by using a dish with rubber feet. No more mess.

Any color you can imagine, you can find a dog dish to match. Ok, so now you best friend has a dish to match your own dishes. What a pampered pup. There are so many styles available, from basic, to very fancy and stylish. Now “King” may eat like a king. The best choice would be stoneware, as they are dishwasher and microwave safe, and hold much less bacteria than plastic. Also your dog cannot chew on them. Veterinarians recommend that you use a stainless steel feeding bowl for your dog. These hold less bacteria and are also dishwasher safe. This will keep your dogs food much more sanitary.

How much does your dog eat, and how frequent are his feedings? This is a question you need an answer to when asking what size Dog Feeder you should get. Obviously for smaller dogs you would want a smaller bowl, and for larger dogs you will want a larger bowl. This will save you time, and keep your best friend happy.

You may need to be at work during the day, but your dog still needs to eat. Many people will just leave extra food on their way out the door. The problem with this is, many dogs will eat everything in their dish, whether they are hungry or not. This will leaving him feeling unwell, and also hungry at his next feeding time, when he find an empty bowl.

This is why so many dog lovers also love automatic feeders. These feeders come with a programmable timer. You may set them to dispense food at certain times during the day, up to three feedings. Some of these hold up to twenty pounds of food, so as you can see, even “Jumbo”, your St Bernard will happily get enough to eat.

You may also want to use automatic waterers. These waterers include a pump and filter system to ensure that your dog gets clean, cool, fresh water every time.

Ok, “Fido” is getting a little “long in the tooth”. It is a little bit more difficult for him to bend down to eat and drink. Some dogs will simply not make the effort, how sad. This is one of the reasons that the Elevated Dog Bowl is so great to have. They are sized according to your dog’s height, so that he may simply walk to his dish and eat or drink. This is especially helpful for a dog with any medical issues.

So many people would not dream of taking a vacation without their best friend. However, there is so much to carry, and feeding dishes do not always fit very neatly. This is a good reason to have travel feeders. They are made of collapsible nylon which can be easily stored and carried just about anywhere.

When buying new dog feeders for your pet, remember, you have many choices. One of the healthier choices in feeders is the elevated dog bowl available from any quality dog accessories retailer.

If you’re concerned about how well or healthfully your dog eats and drinks then use an Elevated Double Dog Bowl for your pet whenever possible. Due to their elevated height, they could help to aid in preventing your dog from developing a medical condition known as bloat, which can be a real problem in dogs. It’s also second in the rankings of things that can cause death in a dog, besides cancer.

The typical elevated feeding stations have their bowl or bowls raised to a height of about ten inches above the ground. Good ones will provide their bowls in stainless steel or ceramic materials, also. Plastic isn’t a recommended material to use, when it comes to a dog eating or drinking from a bowl, according to most veterinarians. This is because plastic gouges or scratches too easily and bacteria can hide in those gouges. This isn’t the case with steel or ceramic bowls.

Quite a few elevated feeding stations are adjustable to fit the height of the animal. They’re also constructed sturdily and will have non-skid material on their leg bottoms. This helps to prevent the likelihood of slipping or sliding of the unit when the dog is really going at the food contents in the bowl or bowls. Bowl sizes also rank from a single pint on up to three quarts of capacity.

Taller or larger dogs – those fifty pounds in weight or nineteen inches high at the withers – will benefit from their own elevated Dog Feeders. These can range upwards in height to sixteen inches. And they’re also designed in an ergonomic manner, which accounts for the particular needs a big animal might have that a smaller dog doesn’t have to deal with.

Another benefit to an elevated feeder is that it’s less stressful on a dog’s posture. This in turn helps benefit bone and joint health in your animal. Built up over a lifetime of hunching over or stooping, feeding activities can place a strain of the dog’s skeleton and muscles, even if the dog looks outwardly healthy. There are special elevated feeding stations for the small dog or pet, so that they too can benefit from a more relaxed eating position.

Additionally, some Double Dog Bowl can make providing water for your pet an easy thing to do. They allow a bottle to be inserted into a screw-type hole in which gravity (the bottle is upside down) pulls water out and into the pet’s bowl. This gives a steady supply of clean, fresh water for your dog or cat. Some of these units are right-sized or even portable in nature, making it a breeze to pack it along when hitting the road with your pet in tow.

Though style and fashion might not be important to the animal, for the most part, it certainly is to most humans. That’s how come many of these stations come in a variety of colors, styles and fashions. While utilitarian is the choice for some folks, many choose to find a station that goes along with their home’s general decor. After all, there’s nothing the matter with having something like a feeder blend in with the overall atmosphere, is there?

These elevated feeding stations could be the perfect accessory for you and your pet. It can have its food and water in a safe, healthy manner very easily, and you get a good-looking addition to the home’s look. Remember to try to use stainless steel or ceramic dog bowls whenever possible, though. And look into one of those self-watering feeding stations if you want to combine both functions into one convenient package. Dog accessories are easily available from quality vendors.