Doggy Mentor

Archive for November, 2009

Worrying over how their dog will behave when the new baby comes home can cause dog owners a huge amount of anxiety.

However, there are many steps you can begin to take immediately you find out that you are going to have a baby, which will help the transition to be a smooth one…

For heaps of useful tips on how to prepare to introduce your baby to your dog, check out Preparing Your Dog For The Arrival Of Your New Baby

It may be a good idea to cut back on the amount of time you give to your dog, as you may have less time to give him when the baby arrives.

You may want to consider shortening and adjusting the times of your dogs walks now as well.

Say to both your doctor and your vet that you are going to have a baby and that you own a dog – they may have some helpful advice on how to prepare.

Reinforce your dogs’ obedience training so that you can count on him to
carry out your commands.

Keep going over these commands, even after your baby has arrived.

You’ll need to be certain that you can count upon your dogs’ obedience when you bring your baby home.

Pretend to carry out some of the new tasks that you will have to do when the baby comes home – bathing the baby or changing his nappy, for example, so that your dog can get used to them.

Have your dog obey your commands whilst you complete these tasks.

Cradle a doll with a blanket to get the dog used to you cradling and talking to the baby.

Be sure to give your dog a treat for being obedient to your instructions whilst doing this.

Getting your dog used to wearing a muzzle at this point will give you reassurance that he will be comfortable wearing one at a later stage if required.

If the dog is used to getting a lot of attention from the ‘mum to be’, ensure that someone else in the family develops an equally strong bond with the dog.

This will stop the dog from feeling neglected when the baby arrives.

If you want to read more useful tips and helpful advice on preparing your dog for the arrival of your new baby, I recommend you take a look at Introducing Your New Baby To Your Dog

Let your dog to become used to the sounds of the baby toys which will be played with in the house.

Make sure that the dogs toys look very different from the new baby toys, so your dog does not become confused as to which ones he can play with.

Also, allow you dog to become familiar with the new smells which will be around the house, such as baby milk and sterilising solution.

Once your baby has arrived, bring an item of his clothing home, and leave it lying around for your dog to get used to the babies smell.

While mum and baby are in the hospital, make sure that your dog is looked after at home to reduce stress.

I hope you’ve found this article useful – there are plenty more tips on what to do once you bring your baby home at  Bringing Your New Baby Home To Meet Your Dog

One of the tell tale signs as to whether your dog training will succeed or be an absolute failure is the attitude with which you and your dog approach the training. While you may feel it is hopeless based on the level of serious behavioral issues your dog presents, having the right attitude with respect to training will help overcome any bad dog behavior. However, you are ultimately in complete control of your dogs attitude. You need to train your dog into the family member you want him to be, where obedience and instant response will allow a relationship for you and your pet that is free from stress and frustration.

Since a puppy under the age of six months needs an entirely different approach to training, we will only be dealing with the training techniques that are required to train a dog over six months of age. Teaching a six month old dog with kindergarten methods would be an insult to its intelligence, much like a college student would be offended if the instructor talked using child like teaching techniques. Similarly, a six year old child would achieve nothing sitting in a classroom listening to a professor explaining the theory of relativity.

Setting Positive Attitudes While Training Your Dog

If your dog’s training periods each day consist of nothing but commands, a negative attitude will develop from your pet. Its daily routine is now being changed to include training sessions and its up to you to make these training periods something that your dog will enthusiastically look forward to.

You can achieve this simply by communicating verbally during your dog obedience training. Here lies another key that will spell the difference between mediocre and excellent performance from your dog. By communicating verbally doesn’t mean the usual ‘Heel’ and ‘Sit’ commands. Quite frankly, speak to the dog. You need to say aloud with enthusiasm phrases such as “thats a good boy/girl, good dog”.

While it may be true that your pet does not literally understand the words coming out of your mouth, two things take place when you speak. Your dog will be motivated to please you and with your praise based on your warm and encouraging tone, will present a very positive environment.

Second, this motivation then triggers a positive attitude in your dog. Commands, on the other hand, should be given in a completely different tone of voice. They should, in fact, sound like commands and not requests. They are then followed up with encouragement and praise whenever the dog has successfully followed the command or after the dog is shown the correct response. These simple commands make for easy DIY dog training.

Keep in mind that the most important key to the success of your dog’s training is communication. If you talk to your dog in a very positive way showing a supportive attitude, your dog will also respond with a positve attitude that will be evident in his exctiement to start daily training. Positive communication is just one of the ways to start easy dog obedience training.

“Awww, he’s so cute!”  Have you ever thought this about a puppy and wanted to bring him home immediately?  Most people have.  Choosing the right breed of dog should not be done on a whim, however.  Your lifestyle and needs should be considered carefully before you bring a puppy or dog home.  Your contentment and the dog’s should be your top priority so that both of you are happy and healthy.  First, ask yourself why you want to get a dog and how your life will be changed by owning and caring for a dog.  The answer to this and the following questions will help you to start to narrow down your breed choices.

If you have children in your home, how old are they?

Some breeds do not do well with very small children, especially most toy breeds.  Over-eager kids can unwittingly hurt a small dog.  Some other breeds just don’t have the patience for children’s antics.  Are your children ready to help with the care of the dog?  Dog ownership teaches children responsibility, and therefore can be very positive, but if you feel your children’s interest in the dog will fade, perhaps it would be better to wait. 

How much space do you have?

If you have a dog that needs a lot of activity to stay happy, you need to take into consideration the size of your home and the availability of a yard.  The more active a dog is the more ‘real estate’ he has going to need to be happy.  Smaller or inactive dogs are ideal for apartments or smaller homes.

What is your activity level?

Dogs need exercise – that is a fact of life.  While you might think that getting a dog will make you more active, chances are that is not really the case.  Remember, your dog is going to want to spend at least 15-20 minutes walking – and they may want to do this several times a day.  This is especially true of you do not have a yard that is suitable for letting them run either free or on a run. 

How much time do you have?

Dogs enjoy people as much as people enjoy dogs.  Make sure the breed of dog you choose will fit in with the activities you like to do.  If you live a very hectic life with a schedule full of work and outside interests, then a dog probably is not right for you.  If you like to spend your spare time relaxing with a good book, then a quiet lap dog would suit you.  If you jog, swim, bike, hike, or explore, a large breed dog may be perfect for you.  Choosing a breed that is as active as you are is very important.

Once you have determined what dogs fit your lifestyle, you may have narrowed your choices down to a couple of breeds.  Then you will have to take into consideration what the needs of your dog are going to be regularly and as they grow into adults.

Full Grown Dogs

Once you’ve determined what your lifestyle is like using the questions above, you should know what size dog you can have.  But also consider other physical aspects of owning a dog.  For instance, the body structure and weight of the dog.  Dogs like bulldogs and bassett hounds do not appear large, but they can weigh between 50 and 70 pounds, and may have trouble with going up and down stairs or jumping into and out of cars.  Do you have the strength to lift such a dog?  Also, will you be able to handle the physical problems that can come with certain breeds, such as hip dysplasia in large breeds?  Families with children and semi-active adults are usually best off with a mid-sized dog that won’t knock over furniture and children easily.

Grooming

Whether you believe it or not this should be a major consideration for all potential dog owners.  Longer hair breeds require regular brushing and in some cases will require frequent bathing.  Even short hair dogs who shed will mean that you have got to vacuum your carpets and furniture more regularly.  If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, they are liable to require more frequent baths and brushing.  Before you purchase a dog take this into consideration – you want your dog to stay healthy looking and this means proper grooming.  Your house will be over-run with dog hairs if you do not pick a breed that works for your cleaning habits

You might not think so, but making the decision to get a dog is like the decision to have a baby. They both entail a lifelong commitment.  A dog that fits into your lifestyle will become not only a best friend and companion but you will get the added benefit of unconditional love in return for the care you give your dog.

Hunting dogs are a lot of fun and great pets, but you have to make sure you have all the proper training supplies. Some great products out on the market include Astro 220 Tracking Collars and Innotek ADV 1000 Dog Collars

If you are having problems with your dog’s behavior, there’s a superb training program available called Secrets to Dog Training, which was formerly known as the SitStayFetch program. No matter how old or young the dog is, the Secrets to Dog Training program is sure to work when you use it as the training system for your pet.

Already this program has corrected the behavior of over 60,000 dogs, and can help any owner correct their dog’s bad behavior. The system will help you deal with your dog’s behavioral problems and you will soon have a dog that listens to what you are saying. It doesn’t matter if you are a long time dog owner or this is your first one, the program is easy to understand and very affordable even if you’re a novice.

You will be able to figure out what you are not doing correctly when teaching your dog with Secrets to Dog Training. A lot of times, problems in training are because of something the dog owner is doing wrong, which can cause many behavior problems with their dogs. The Secrets to Dog Training program will help you see what you’re doing wrong with your dog, and how to start communicating effectively so you have a positive response when you ask for the desired behavior you’re looking for.

There are a number of tools that come with this program, and you’ll be able to start the training program immediately. You will have access to a downloadable video, as well as 260 page ebook that you can refer to at any time to learn out how to train your dog successfully. The material will download immediately to your computer after buy it, so you don’t have to wait around for the program to come to you. The moment you have it downloaded, you can begin putting the program into action.

When you buy the program, you will be able to get help from trainers that are professionals and other members of the training team. This is a terrific resource for anyone having trouble training their dog because you’re able to share the exact details with a program consultant who’s ready to give you a more personal hands on approach to whatever help you might need.

This dog training program will address almost any issue you have, and the list can be endless to start with. The following are some examples of what the Secrets to Dog Training program can help you to correct:

House training

Dealing with aggressive behavior

Behaviors of control over yourself and other people

Jumping up

Different barking behaviors

Chewing – stopping it

Coprophagia – Eating faces

Dealing with separation anxiety

Digging in the yard

Also, this system will show you how to do popular techniques, such as dog whispering, that will help you in the training. Dog whispering is known to be an effective and highly humane way to train dogs in good behaviors, and has therefore received a good amount of credit in the Secrets to Dog Training program.

You will not only be getting the video and the ebook, but many other bonuses that will make the price of the dog training program. Included in these extra bonuses are an audio book, a guide to dealing with dog aggression, a guide to dog grooming, a guide to the best house training methods, a guide to training a security dog, and a guide to help you learn to take the position of the alpha dog in pack, which will help your dog to be much more open and responsive to whatever training you present to him.

Overall, the Secrets to Dog Training program will be the finest resource available to help you overcome any difficulties you might be having in training your dog. It works, doesn’t cost very much, has easy to follow instructions, and so far has been proven to work better than spending your money and time on a professional dog trainer.

To launch our first Air Purifier Review – 5-Key Factors Model, we are starting with the Sharp Air Purifier Review.

In our earlier post, we dealt at great depth about the Scientific Peer Review that is glaringly absent in the ionic air purifier industry. As a result, we have extended our model to include Scientific Peer Review as a fifth key factor. This is even though it will draw a blank. It would be thrilling if the empty space sets off a budding scientist or researcher to embark on the first independent scientific peer review for an ionic air purifier technology. If I want to be noticed, being the first with a scientific peer review in a multi-million industry seems a clear choice.It would be no surprise if every marketer of an ionic air purifier will then quote me!

Our Sharp Air Purifier Review, comprising several articles, will cover the various aspects of the Air Purifier Review – 5-Key Factors Model i.e.:

(1) Safety – in relation to the reactive agent
(2) Safety – in relation to by-products
(3) Efficacy – the reactive agents work in the lab
(4) Efficiency – the reactive agents work in the real world
(5) Scientific Peer Review.

A centenarian soon, Sharp is a Japanese company with a solid track record. In business, that speaks volumes, which explains why we picked Sharp for our first review. The first article of our Sharp Air Purifier Review at Ezine.com provides a brief history of Sharp Corporation and a concise overview of their unique ionic air purification technology.

Apart from impressive history, what caught our attention was the fact that Sharp seems genuine in being transparent with information. Not that there is complete transparency, but there is enough to outdo others.

Sharp Air Purifier Review – Unusual Insight of Marketing Strategy

What can be more transparent than revealing the marketing strategy for Plasmacluster Ion Technology? Amazing! Sharp detailed its phased marketing approach on 16 January 2009 as follows:

(a) Phase I

Intensive efforts on research and development resulting in a constant stream of Plasmacluster Ion technology in air purifiers, air conditioners, washers/dryers, cyclonic vacuum cleaners, refrigerators and LED lightings.

(b) Phase II

Focus on “academic marketing”, an approach that obtains scientific proof of the efficacy of a certain technology through cooperative research with leading academic institutes and marketing consumer products based on this proof. Through 13 academic research institutes, Sharp proved the efficacy of Plasmacluster Ion technology against 27 harmful pathogens and substances, including a myriad of bacteria, viruses, mold, allergens and odors.

(c) Phase III

In its next major move, Sharp is demonstrating the effectiveness of the technology in real-life environments. On 16 January 2009, Sharp announced that it was currently working with 24 different companies to incorporate Plasmacluster Ion technology into their products.

Included are manufacturers of whole house air conditioning system, commercial air conditioning and heating duct systems for hotels and hospitals, smoke control systems, car air conditioners, railcar air conditioners, elevators, toilets, electric bathroom heater/ventilator/dryer, gas fan heater, mist sauna, air sanitizer, etc.

Our Sharp Air Purifier Review comprise several articles. These will include an overview of the patent-pending Plasmacluster Ion technology, a look at what actually went into the “academic marketing” that Sharp has diligently crafted into an art and also a peek into their future. Academic marketing is defined by Sharp in our Ezine article which you can access via the widget on our blog.

No overt announcements have been made but obviously, Sharp intends to monopolize the ionic air purifier industry. Their heavy investment in the ever-improving futuristic technology and their determination in academic marketing leave no doubt in our minds that they will thrive, sooner rather than later.

Sign up to follow our complete, Sharp Air Purifier Review at The Ionic Air Purifier Blog.

Check out these five golden retriever training tips towards better dog walks with your best buddy.

1) Are you still giving your dog golden retriever training to walk better? Then do not involve it in group walks yet. But instead train it alone with the help of a martingale or a regular collar. Avoid common pitfalls, like for example starting out with light corrections that gradually build up until your patience burst. Instead, why not use in the first ever walk the correction that is serious enough to stop the behavior?

There is no need to be mean. Instead, give some slack, turn around rapidly, yank in the opposite direction while exclaiming loudly, “No Pull!” Afterwards, you will notice how a “No Pull!” and then a slight tension applied in the leash solves the problem.

2) A prong can be an option, but only in urgent, last resort cases. The most important rule is to fit it correctly and not to yank too hard. Besides, the dog will also not want to yank too hard. If your dog seem immune to the prong, you need to use a different method.

3) A lot of golden retriever walkers still swear by the time tested “quick turn around.” As you go zigzagging across the street and suddenly walking unexpectedly to opposite directions at a faster than usual pace, the dog will give up straining and will agree to follow you.

4) Gentle Leader is another option. Some owners apply it on the dog for only the first half of the walk, and when the dog gets a little tired and it is time to turn around, the GL is replaced with a regular nylon collar. Whenever the dog starts pulling, the Gl goes back on, and attempt is made to again do without it.

5) Finally, in this last golden retriever training tip, the dog gets nothing fun if it insists on going on its own with its unwanted behavior. Have the dog sit, then put a restraining hand on each shoulder, while telling the dog “Lets go walk.” After a few meters, if the dog is walking well, compliment it with a “Good walk!” But if instead the dog has gone back to pulling, have the dog sit, then say “Bad walk!” With the help of golden retriever training, a golden retriever is actually smart enough to eventually know it needs to behave better!

When dental health is the topic, I can see images of teeth running inside my mind. Nothing more than visions of teeth – healthy and not, then I started to realize, it is not just about teeth but the underlying tissues and bones. I have been missing a lot because I have focused myself on just caring for my teeth.

When we say dental health, it should be the entire oral cavity. It is not just caring for your pearly whites, you might be missing a lot, like me and my very little knowledge about it. I have learned through research that you may have really white teeth with the crowns unblemished but you can’t really tell if it is healthy. I have encountered once, a patient waiting in the dental reception sharing to me his story what terrible condition he has. I can see his teeth almost brilliant white and he told me he is totally caries-free. A portable oral irrigator can be useful when travelling.

So what could be the problem? It startled me when he actually pushed his incisors with his tongue and I saw the incisors literally moved into slanting position. And then it suddenly came to me, he has putrid breath too. I can see how sorry he is having overlooked his dental obligations because aside from time constraints, he thought his dental health is perfect. This is a really pitiful situation but I couldn’t tell him anything that could calm him, at this point when I am so unsure even of my own condition. An oral irrigator can help to fight / prevent gum disease

I tried to consult every search engine and it is surprising to find out that what could have gotten the case worse is improper oral hygiene practice. But of course there could be certain conditions that have aggravated the situation. It is funny how we have lived our lives with our oral cavity and how little do we know about it.  Learn how to stop gum disease before it is too late. 

Disclaimer: If you have or think you might have gum disease or any other health problem, please visit your doctor or periodontist for advice, diagnosis and treatment. This article is for information purposes only and does not intend to provide advice, diagnosis or treatment for any health condition.

Author:  Scotty M. Wells

gum disease

 There is a rampant occurrence of gum disease worldwide.  It may be suggestive of a lifestyle problem.  We tend to be too preoccupied, with what seems to be equally important, but you have to know how destructive gum disease could be to our total wellbeing.  Products like Oramd, might help.

You may hear experts say that just because you brush and floss regularly you become less susceptible to gum disease.  And upon research I found out that it is not merely brushing, flossing and visiting your dentist regularly that saves you from the dreadful inflammation of gums and its detachment to the bones that hold the teeth.

Good and proper oral hygiene practices could spare your gums, too.  In a magazine I have read, it says, good oral hygiene when practiced properly gives back highly satisfactory results.  A friend confirmed that, too. 

She had really bad case, imagine blood lubricating her oral cavity instead of just saliva and it is foul smelling, too.  It’s really unsightly but I am proud to say that she is doing what she can to reverse the problem. There is a fine set of mouthwashes made by therabreath that might be helpful.

Socially, it has wounded her but she is starting to pull herself back together.  Gingivitis could really go out of hand with neglect.  It can cause recession of gums and reducing the bones that hold the teeth in place.  Can you imagine how painful that is?  It is thrice more painful than a decaying tooth.

 Some people wonder why, despite their religious biannual visits to the hygienist, their gums are still red and flabby.  Gingivitis is a serious, fast-progressing and life threatening condition. The hydrofloss is something that some hygienists recommend!

Research says that using some products could do more harm than good.  For instance, the floss – it is just a piece of thread, you might think but when used improperly – it could destroy the continuity of your gums thus causing gum recession leading to tooth mobility and worse, tooth extraction.

*Disclaimer:  This article is for information purposes only, It is not intended to diagnose, treat or offer advice. If you have or think you might have a health or dental health problem of any kind, visit your dentist or doctor for advice, diagnosis and treatment.  The USFDA has not evaluated statements about products mentioned. 

Pet dogs need plenty of care and this care should be both- physical and emotional. As you begin to take proper physical care of your pet, you may instantly become emotionally caring as well. Physical care for your pets involved regular exercises and feeding, grooming, and correct veterinary support when needed. Of these, grooming your pet holds special significance.

Though grooming includes a whole lot of activities, it primarily focuses on brushing and shower-ing. The amount of times you need to brush or bath your dog depends directly on the dog breed. For instance, if you are the owner of a small dog such as Chihuahua, the brushing two times a week should be more than sufficient.

As compared to this, pet dogs with longer hair will need daily brushing or their coat will get knotted. While you are grooming your pet dogs, you should also examine the skin of your dogs for any other is-sues, particularly their scalp. Needless to say that if you find something astray, you must take the dog to a vet. It is extremely important that you find and treat symptoms as early as possible.

The main thing to consider about brushing the pet dogs is to brush in the direction in which the coat of the dog is growing. You’ve got to use grooming combs which are specifically designed for the sort of coat your dogs have. Sometimes you might find tangles in the hair. You’ll have to work from the edge of the tangle to free the hair from it. When you are brushing the hair on tummy of your dog, you’ve got to be terribly careful because the skin out there is very delicate.

Besides regular brushing, canines also need bathing on consistently. The frequency of this gain de-pends upon the breed of your pet. Bathe your dog with special dog shampoos that are available in the market. Make sure that you use lukewarm water only. Brush your dog first before you take him for a bath. Pat your dog dry when you have washed him.

Clipping nails of your pet dogs is another significant activity in the grooming regime. Long nails have a tendency to cause foot problems in pet dogs. It is very important to start clipping nails early in the lifetime of your pet dogs because some grown up dogs might not take it so well.

Regular grooming is an absolute must in case you want your pooch’s coat to be all healthy and shiny. Groom your dog so that he not just looks good but feels good as well.

Animal shelters struggle to find homes for the many unwanted dogs and puppies in this country. All too often, people bring a dog home with little idea of the animal’s needs only to abandon the dog when it fails to meet their expectations. When selecting the right dog for you, take into consideration several factors about your lifestyle and about the breed of dog you desire. Think about your own lifestyle. Are you usually an active person, or more of a couch potato? Where do you live – a city apartment or a spacious rural property? Are their young children in your life? Are allergies a constant worry for you? Do you need to set up indoor dog gates throughout your place? Do you find it tough to remember to take care of your own personal needs, let alone a dog’s? If you are active and have access to sufficient outdoor space, a large breed may be the right fit for you. Like spending a lot of time indoors?

Pick a pooch that is happy to camp out on the couch next to you. Some energetic breeds may become destructive when left indoors all day. Make sure you understand whether your schedule will accommodate your dog’s limitations. One of the saddest situations occurs when dog owners relinquish their pet to the pound due to the changing nature of their family. So take care of your dog and surprise him with goodies like a dog Christmas stocking. If your dog will interact with your own children or others frequently, select a breed known for a gentle and patient temperament. If you suspect allergies will be an issue, investigate dog varieties with lesser shedding of hair and dander. Try to spend time around other’s pets before committing to your own as you may be able to determine the intensity of your reaction.

While you may like the distinctive appearance of certain coats, their grooming demands require constant attention. Neglected grooming can create a severely uncomfortable situation for man’s best friend. Be sure to not leave clothing on dogs for hours on end, even if they are wearing holiday dog sweaters, because they are not good for their fur. Save yourself and your dog from future heartbreak by taking the time to better understand the time, energy, and care that a canine pet requires. The right dog will be a joyful addition to your life, and it is not a decision to take lightly.