Showing posts with label dogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dogs. Show all posts

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Monday, May 23, 2011

Dogs Rule!!!


Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!





Amazon Associate Disclosure
Jeannette McQueen-Nobbs is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to (“http://thesmalldogpack.blogspot.ca/”) (amazon.com, amazon.ca and other amazon affiliates or endless.com, MYHABIT.com, SmallParts.com, or AmazonWireless.com).

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

How to introduce a second dog!




by Queenie1

Many people have a dog and want to add another dog to the family pack. If you wish to do this there are some things that you should do to make the transition easier for the two dogs.

1. First read a book on dog breeds to see if the two dogs breeds will get along with each other. The book will tell you the characteristics of the breeds. If the larger dog has a strong prey drive for rabbits, squirrels, etc it may not be a wise choice to get a second small dog. Some animal shelters or city dog pounds have greeting rooms to introduce the two dogs together to see if they will get along before you take your dog home. Your vet may also be able to answer that question for you.

2. One of the best ways to introduce a new smaller dog to your larger dog is to take the two dogs to a neutral territory like a dog park, etc. You'll need two people walking the two dogs together on leashes. Never just place the two dogs together in the one dogs home before introducing them as they need a bit of time.

3. Let the two dogs sniff each other and get to know each other in a neutral territory before you take them home together.

4. After you've introduced the dogs if you have a backyard take the two dogs to the backyard together before bringing them into the home. If the one dog shows some dominance, aggression that is okay but you stay there and don't let it get out of hand.

5. Let the two dogs go inside the house together and inspect the home. Let them off their leashs and watch to see if there is any dog aggression. You could place a dog carrier in the house for the new dog to use as a safe place from the other dog so he can go in and out when he feels comfortable.

6. Make sure each dog has their own bowl, leash, etc so that you don't promote fighting.

One dog will make himself the dominant dog and the other dog will follow but make sure that you are the leader and not the dominant dog.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

My Dog is Shedding Horribly!



by Queenie1

Is there something wrong with my dog as in the Fall season he seems to shed so much? When I pet my dog handfuls of fur come into my hands and I find pieces of fur all over my sofa, carpet, bed, clothes, etc which makes my allergies worse. I can't keep my house clean! Is my dog alright or is this shedding fur normal? What can I do?

It is normal for the dogs to shed in the Spring/Fall season. They shed all year round but more at Spring/Fall season. Short haired dogs shed more than long haired dogs also certain breeds shed more. Shedding can also occur from medical problems as internal diseases or skin disease.

Get your pet dog a dog brush and brush his coat often and you will take some of the dead fur out. You can also use a dry rag to rub his fur to get rid of some of the dogs dead fur. Purchase a furniture Polish or Pet Hair Remover product from the store to help remove some pet hair off the wood furniture you can also vacumn the fabric on the sofas and chairs to get the fur off.

Add Omega 3 & Omega 6 fish oil to the dog's food and the good quality food will help stop the dogs shedding. The proper balance of Omega 3's and Omega 6's will give your pet dog a very healthy coat.

Fall shedding season is helping your dog to get rid of his summer fur coat so that his winter fur coat will keep him warm for the cold which is coming. The shedding season will pass quickly!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

A Longer Lasting Dog Treat


by Kimberly Case


Dog Treats that Can Save your Sanity Dog treats can be so much more than a quick snack for your pet. They can be used to encourage good behavior and entice your pet's mind and curiosity. If you know the best kinds and the right way to present them, you can help your pet work out frustration and energy as well as help them develop good social practices. A Hidden Surprise Dogs are thinking creatures, even if most people do not recognize them as such. They can learn a great deal and enjoy engaging their minds. Even as they age, it is important to keep them busy and learning. One great way to do so is by using dog treats with "thinking" toys such as a Kong. These are designed with chambers intended to hide treats. When given to your dog, he doesn't immediately have access to the treat. Instead, he must work them out by gnawing and chewing. This has an added bonus of helping to keep your dog's teeth clean. As he chews on the rubbery surface, he can work out any food or debris stuck between teeth. Plus this is a great way to keep him occupied when company visits or when you need some peace and quiet. A Longer Lasting Dog Treat Pet treat manufacturers have began producing lines of longer lasting treats. These are intended to be completely devoured; however it takes your pet a lot longer to work through them. Many well known brands make these unique dog treats, such as the famous Busy Bone. They are usually larger than a regular biscuit and cylindrical in shape. Some feature a harder outer layer with a different flavor at the center. The only downside to this type of dog treat is the cost. For the same price as a bag of treats, you can get one or two longer lasting alternatives. It is recommended to reserve these treats for times when you need your pet distracted rather than for every day rewards. A Food-Influenced Attention Span Dogs are very receptive to food, although you should never only offer edible rewards. This can lead to overfeeding and your pet's expectations that a treat will always be given. Instead, use the treat reward efficiently by only offering it when your dog does exactly as he was supposed to or makes a large step in training. The rest of the time, stick with praise. During the obedience training phase, you might have trouble keeping your pet's attention in certain situations. One temporary fix is to keep a couple treats in your pocket. Let your dog see and smell the treats, but do not allow him or her to become overbearing or muscle their nose in to grab one. Instead, practice a basic sit and stay. Try this when company visits or when there is activity in the house. Your pet will learn to stay near you and remain still and quiet despite outside stimulation. Be patient because this takes time and repetition. Always offer the reward at some point to keep your dog interested. Dog treats are a great way to teach your pet good behavior and keep him or her busy when you need to focus attention elsewhere. With so many brands available, it is easy to find the right size and flavor for your pet. Add a Kong toy or try freezing treats in ice as a new way to present the same treats your four legged friend loves.

Kimberly Case is a popular contributor at http://www.dogtreatstogo.com Click Here to visit our store.
Source:www.isnare.com

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Brushing up on Dog Obedience


by Kimberley Case

Brushing up on Obedience: Treat Reinforcement for your Dog Everyone knows the saying, "you can't teach an old dog new tricks." This is actually not accurate. Dog's of all ages are anxious learners, provided you know how to communicate with them. On the other hand, an old dog can actually start to forget his old tricks if they are not put into practice. If you have noticed your canine companion slacking off lately, consider using treat reinforcement to get him back on his toes again! Treats and Positive Reinforcement Dogs are good at learning to associate what they do with your reaction. Have you ever noticed if your pet does something wrong, he puts his tail down and lowers his head. This is because he has been punished before and, even though you did not see him doing the "bad" activity, he assumes since he did it you will react. This can be used in reverse to encourage him into good behavior with positive reinforcement. Let him see that when he does something correct, he gets a good reaction from you. Surprise, a Treat! If your dog has been ignoring you a lot lately, it is time to get his attention again. Even a simple recall (coming when his name is called) can be ignored if he knows he can get away with it. First, practice the command in a calm, quiet setting. As soon as he responds correctly, give him a surprise treat. In many cases, your dog is not "stupid" or "forgetting" what he is supposed to do. It is a test of wills. He knows you won't follow through, so he doesn't bother. On the other hand, he may not be receiving a positive reward for following through, so he has no motivation to do so. Never get into the habit of treating every time your pet listens, especially with basic commands. Instead, offer an occasional treat to keep him interested and the rest of the time praise and pet him. Many dog owners do not realize the value their canines' put in petting and an enthusiastic "Good boy!" You might be surprised at the results from just that type of award alone. Click � Treat � Click Even if you did not use clicker training when your dog was a puppy, you can still turn to this efficient method of communication. The idea is you get your dog to associate the click of the clicker with a positive reinforcement (praise and treats). Once he learns, give him a click and reward each time he does what he is supposed to. Now that he is conditioned for clicker training, and you know how it works, it is time to begin going back over his old list of commands. Start with the easiest, a basic recall, sit, lie down, stay, and then work up from there. He may become so responsive, you might want to teach him new, advanced commands he did not know before. Treats can be a valuable tool when reminding your dog about his obedience training. Age has nothing to do with how much a canine can learn. If you are patient and willing to put in the time, you can get your pet back on track and even teach him a few additional commands along the way!

Kimberly Case is a popular contributor at http://www.dogtreatstogo.com Where you can find hundreds of Treats that your Dog will love
Source:www.isnare.com

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Getting a Dog who doesn't chase Cats



by Queenie1

You have cats and you want to get a dog. You wonder how to get a dog who won't chase your cats. Are there certain breeds of dogs who are less interested in cats?

From what I have seen there are dogs raised as puppies with cats who usually get along with the cats in their home but the dog may chase someone else's cat that he's not familiar with. If you have a puppy and he chases the cat your cat will get angry or mad at the puppy and will swipe the puppies nose, hiss or growl at him. From this the puppy will learn not to chase the cat again. You can also train your dog when he's young not to chase the cat.

Certain dog breeds have a higher "prey drive" instinct and will instinctively chase cats. Any cat or animal that runs in front of the dog will kick in your dogs "prey drive" as it is fun for him to chase. I just have to look at my dog's face after chasing a cat and he usually has a smile so they enjoy it.

Some dogs have no interest in cats. If you want a dog that gets along with cats you can look on this website:  Petfinder

Look for a dog that is cat tested by their dog foster parents. The petfinder has information on each dog. They state whether the dog is good with children, young children and with other animals or whether they get along with cats. The dogs are already tested with cats and they are ready for your home.

You will find a nice dog there for your home as well as a pet dog that will accept your cats without chasing them. You also will be saving the life of a dog who needs a good loving home.

Amazon Pet Supplies


DogsJar.com

Thursday, July 15, 2010

My Dog's afraid of hardwood floors/laminate flooring!!!



by Queenie1

You just ripped your carpets out and installed beautiful hardwood floors/laminate flooring throughout your home. It was a great idea wasn't it??? You thought it would be great for the whole family but your pet dog shakes and cries.

Why is your dog behaving this way? Maybe your dog hates the noise when his nails click as he walks on the floor. The dog is scared because he feels out of control like "Bambi"on ice while his feet slip and slide across the floor.

A great way to help your dog cope with the new floors is to put some area rugs around that he can run from rug to rug until he gets used to the flooring. Small runners in the halls will help also a bath mat in the bathroom will help him adjust too. In time he will get more confident with himself and the new floor changes in his life.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Poison Ivy/Poison Oak and your pet dog






by Queenie1

You go for a hike with your dog and he accidently walks through a patch of poison oak or your dog goes in your back yard and rolls in some poison ivy what do you do?

Poison oak and poison ivy doesn't usually bother the dog unless it gets through the fur to their skin. They will need to be diaganosed and treated for it. Even if the dog doesn't get a rash with little bumps and is itchy when you pet your dog you can get it.

You will need to use "Tecru Tecnu" Extreme Wash or Jewelweed Poison Ivy Soap which will remove urishol oil which is the culprit. If you bathe your dog with one of these oil removers you may prevent getting the poison oak or poison ivy yourself.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Dog Walking during the Summer Heat



by Queenie1


Your dog needs lots of exercise and the summer heat is high for more than one week so what do you do?

Most dogs in the summer heat just pant while they lay around. They really don't want to go out anymore. Heat stroke, burned foot pads can happen to your dog as well as dehydration.

Walking your dog late at night or very early in the morning when it's cooler maybe a better time to take your dog walking. If you have a woods near you can take your dog there as the trees will shade you from the sun. If you can't take your dog at those times you should take a water bottle with you so that your dog can have a drink to cool him down.

If you want another great exercise for your dog during the summer heat you could take your dog swimming or buy a child's swimming pool so the dog can exercise and stay cool at the same time.