Posts Tagged ‘puppies’

Washable Dog Beds – Why Are They Recommended?

Sunday, April 25th, 2010

Having a bed for your dog is pretty important. A dog needs to have his own special spot to sleep and relax at night as well as during the day. With so many dog beds to choose from, you might wonder why washable dog beds are best.

First off, if your pet has his bed in your home, don’t you think you’d want it to be clean? If you consider that for a minute, you’ll realize how true that is. After all, you make sure the sheets on your bed are washed regularly. So why wouldn’t you treat your special four legged friend the same way?

When it comes right down to it, you aren’t doing it only for him. You each share the same space. If his dog bed is not washable, at some point you will start to detect a doggy odor. This odor will get more pronounced over time.

Because washable dog beds can be laundered, they will not become a breeding ground for mites or fleas. Yes, you can use flea powder on your pet and even put a flea collar on him. But despite these treatments, he will get re-infested with fleas if his bedding has fleas.

Sprinkling flea powder on his bedding won’t be as effective at getting rid of pests as washing the bed.

Still another reason to choose a washable bed is for cleanliness. It’s likely that your dog gets dirty when he is outdoors. He may roll around on the dirt to get rid of that itch or chase a rabbit through the underbrush, or splash through puddles. Whatever it is that he does, some of the stuff he goes through will cling to his coat and paws.

After he comes inside, you would probably like him to lie on his bed and stay off the furniture. That’s a good idea too because the dirt he brought inside will get transferred to whatever he lays down on. And it will stay there until you clean it. The more often he goes outside the grimier his bed will get.

One option to a washable bed is a dog bed with removable cover. That way it can be removed for washing. If you decide on this, don’t wait too long before you launder the cover. If the dirt and smell remain on the cover too long, they may penetrate into the bed itself and at that point it will be hard to get out of the bed.

For all of these reasons, you can see why washable dog beds come highly recommended when it comes to getting a bed for your favorite pet. You won’t be sorry with your decision.

As a dog lover, Chris is always looking for ways to keep the family pet happy. A comfortable bed is a necessity. Check out his website heateddogbedreview.com/ for information about a heated dog bed to keep him warm and cozy both inside and outdoors, as well as other comfy beds like the cozy cave dog bed.

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Owning And Caring For A Dog – Expensive But Totally Worth It

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

So you are thinking about getting a dog. Dogs are the most popular choice among pet lovers. But you should know that owning and caring for a dog can be an expensive proposition. There is a seemingly endless list of possible expenses. The cost of purchasing a dog is only the beginning.

If you choose a pure-bred, the actual outlay for the dog will vary. Certain breeds are just more expensive than others. A pure-bred dog that comes “with papers” will be more expensive, than a pure-bred without papers. Of course, if you intend to enter your pet in shows, registration papers are a must.

Even a mixed breed dog may have some cost attached, depending on what mix he is and where you get him. Certainly, pet store puppies and dogs purchased from a breeder will cost more than a dog you adopt.

Aside from the initial purchase cost, you will find that there are a few other one-time expenses that may occur at certain points in your pet’s life. Some of these expenses can’t be avoided. Others are really your choice. Just keep in mind that some of these optional expenses may make life with a pet more enjoyable and lower your stress level.

Soon after you bring your new pet home, it’s a good idea to pay a visit to your vet so he can give him a thorough exam. As you probably know, a puppy needs a series of vaccinations. Certain breeds require that they have their ears cropped or their tails docked. Neutering or spaying might be something you want taken care of later on.

Some pet owners decide to have their dog tattooed for identification purposes. You may want to consider pet insurance to help cover expenses in the event of illness or injury.

Some owners like to use doorway gates to keep their new pet restricted to a certain area. Many owners find crates a useful tool. Although some people think crates are cruel, they come in handy for house training. And many puppies actually find a crate comforting because it is small and cozy, so they feel secure.

It’s probably a good idea to purchase a comfortable dog bed right away. As soon as you bring your new pet home, you will want to establish some routines with him. And if you want to keep him off your furniture and bed, then you will need to provide him with his own bed.

Unless you’ve had lots of practice in dog training, you will probably want to enroll your dog in training classes or purchase a training guide. A well-trained dog is happier and easier to live with.

There are a few other expenses that you may incur. At times, depending on what kind of dog you have, you may need the services of a professional to groom and clip your dog or to kennel him temporarily.

If your dog will spend time outside, a fenced yard or a dog run is a must. It’s not fair to leave a dog tied up indefinitely.

If you are interested in showing your dog or just learning more about the breed, you may want to purchase a magazine subscription or join a kennel club. You will incur entry fees and travel expenses if you choose to participate in shows.

Finally, there will be on-going expenses in owning and caring for a dog. Some of these are food, collars and leads, license, annual checkups and vaccinations, test for heartworm and medication, flea and tick control, treats, toys, dog bed, grooming supplies and I’m sure there’s more.

The list goes on and on, doesn’t it? You may or may not incur these expenses depending on lots of factors and circumstances. Realistically, it’s safe to say that owning and caring for a dog is expensive. It’s better to be prepared before you go out looking for a dog. Because once you spot that special puppy, it will be hard to resist him.

Choosing the right dog for your family is an important decision. Once you’ve done that you will want to make him feel welcome. One way is to get him a special bed to make him feel comfortable. With warmer weather fast approaching, a perfect bed for outdoor use is the coolaroo dog bed. Another great option for outside are washable dog beds

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Enjoying Your Time With Dog Training

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

No one likes a dog that jumps up on you or sticks his nose where he shouldn’t. It’s pleasant to be around a pet that has gone through dog training. And when your pet misbehaves you need to let him know that it is not okay, don’t wait to tell him or he won’t know what you’re talking about.

Physical punishment is not the way to go, don’t scare your pet. You need to get his attention and you can do this by saying “No” and making a noise with something loud. Just make a noise without the dog knowing it was you who made it. He will then not associate you with the corrective action. If he knows you are associated he will wait until you are gone to behave badly. After you stop the action make him sit and praise him for sitting.

Biting is a bad thing for your puppy to learn and they like to bite when they are young. If he bites your hand after he is over 3 to 4 months then corrective action is needed. After he bites you let out a little scream and walk away. This teaches him that when he bites a person they will not give him any attention. Give your dog chew toys to help with biting issues.

Barking is just annoying to you and your neighbors. If your pet is barking outside bring him in. For puppy training, it’s a natural thing for a dog to bark so let him know that it’s fine until you ask him to stop. Tell him “Be Quiet” while showing him a treat so that he can smell it. While he stops the barking praise him and then after a couple of seconds give him the treat. Next time he does this behavior repeat the process. But wait a little longer to give him the treat. Do this until he learns to stop barking. After awhile he will stop barking on command without the treats. Always praise him for listening to you.

Stairs might be a scary place for your pet. Leash the dog and keep a firm grip on it. Stand with the dog at the bottom of the stairs, look straight ahead and walk up the stairs. If he hesitates start over. It may take some time to get him to take the first step. For smaller dogs place the dog on the first step and walk away a few feet. Encourage him to jump down. If he hesitates persuade him with a treat. With success you can place the dog on the second step and eventually to the top of the stairs.

A few simple commands are necessary to communicate with your dog, command training should be done 20 minutes a day for 2 to 3 months. Decide what you would like your pet to do and make up auditory or visual signs to initiate the action. Include his name in the command and say it only once. Make him perform the action after the command is given and use treats for good behavior.

Teach your dog to sit with a leash on the collar and say the command firmly. Pull up on the leash while pushing on his back until he sits. Walk a few steps forward to allow you to easily push down his rear. Praise him but don’t let him get up. This allows the dog to associate the action with the command. After a few seconds tell him it’s okay to get up by petting his chin. Continue until he obeys.

After he gets sit you can teach him to stay. Have him sit and then say “Stay” while standing in front of him with the leash over his head. Look away and if your dog gets up pull the leash up until he sits. Don’t allow him to lie down, hold the leash taut. As he sits pet him under his chin which signals it’s okay to move. After he gets it you can move away a couple of feet. Use distractions, he should still remain seated.

Dogs can become loyal, obedient, and affectionate towards their owners through vigorous puppy training. Enroll your canine companion in this experienced dog training Kelowna program, which served 400,000+ satisfied clients worldwide.

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5 Golden Tips for Puppy Insurance Buyers

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

Pet insurance for puppies can be a great way to protect yourself from unexpected and very large veterinary bills. For many people having a pet policy gives some peace of mind that they are protected financially from the unexpected.

Most people have no experience in buying puppy insurance and this can lead to confusion. This is because of the wide range of companies and plans to choose from. To help make your job easier, here are five things to think about before buying insurance for puppies.

1. If your puppy is healthy, it’s best to buy a policy right away. This is because most insurance companies have policies against insuring animals that have pre-existing health conditions.

2. The best way to get the lowest price on puppy insurance is to get at least three quotes from different companies before buying. This way you can get figure out which companies are overcharging, but also can avoid companies with an abnormally low price which might raise some red flags as to way it is so low.

3. If you need any recommendations about which company to go with, you should talk to your veterinarian. They probably know best which companies pay out their claims the fastest and which ones offer the best coverage.

4. Puppy insurance can be a great way to protect yourself financially, but realize that over the lifetime of your puppy the price can add up to a significant amount. For example, if your puppy lives to be 10 years old, and your monthly premium is $19.95 a month, this adds up to a total of $2,394 over your pet’s lifetime.

5. Finally, be sure you completely understand what is covered and what is not covered in your puppy insurance policy. Most people wait until they need to file a claim before reading their policy. It is at this time that most people find out that what they thought was covered was not actually covered. Don’t let this be you.

Learn more about how to compare pet insurance plans. Stop by Dr. Chris’ site where you can read all about pet insurance reviews.

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Richell Freestanding Pet Gate: Simple and Attractive Way to Contain Your Dog

Saturday, March 6th, 2010

Are you trying to figure out how to prevent your dog from roaming all over your home while you are asleep or away? Do you need to keep a new puppy contained in a small part of your home until he is trained enough to have the run of the house? If you are facing these challenges, and need a functional, but attractive solution, you may be happy to learn about the Richell Freestanding Pet Gate.

When we first brought our puppy home, there were a few things that we needed in a pet gate. First, with a brand new home, I needed a pet gate that was freestanding, because I certainly did not want to drill holes in our new walls. But it needed to be sturdy, so that it would not be easily knocked over. And I also wanted something that was attractive too: we had a brand new home, and I was not interested in plastic type baby gates.

When I found the Richell Freestanding Pet Gate, it was perfect for us because it fit all of these needs. It was easy to set up, freestanding but sturdy, and the wood finish was very attractive. But best of all, it really worked well!

Size options were also important. We needed something that would span a pretty good distance and the version that we chose, the Richell Wood Freestanding Pet Gate Large size was perfect: it can span from 39 inches to just over 71 inches. And at 20″ high, it was great for being able to easily step over without having to move it aside, yet it provided the containment that we needed for our miniature schnauzer.

Now, it should be noted that if you have a larger dog…or one that loves to jump…you should consider getting a taller version. Richell makes two sizes that are “high”, and the Richell Freestanding Pet Gate High-Large is probably the most versatile.

We have received many compliments from our friends and neighbors about our Richell Freestanding Pet Gate: folks just can’t believe that something so effective and functional for dog training looks so nice. It looks great and works great. What a great combination!

If you need a freestanding pet gate that works great and looks great also, discover the Richell Freestanding Pet Gate, read the product reviews from other dog owners who love this pet gate, and see if this is the right choice for you and your dog.

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