My husband, Mark, and I got back from vacation 2 days ago. We had our dog, Zoey, in the local Pet Motel, and we picked her up yesterday. It was the longest we had been without out her (10 days), and we missed her so much.

Dogs are so cool. I used to be a cat person by default. As an adult I lived mostly in apartments or houses with very little yards. It would have been a disservice to have a dog under those circumstances. Since exercise is the most important thing that dogs need - a place to run is imperative to his spirit. If you have ever watched (and paid attention) to Cesar Millan’s show, The Dog Whisperer, you know what a dog needs. In order of importance they are: exercise, discipline, and affection.

I was a little surprised when I first learned this - exercise and discipline over affection - I mean, come on! Well, dogs are different than humans after all. The walking that they need provides much needed mental stimulation for these animals.

This makes sense when I see Zoey going crazy when the word “walk” is spoken, or when her internal clock goes off, and it is simply time. What makes dogs need it so badly? According to Cesar it’s in their DNA. When dogs walk it is how they connect. They also become intellectually stimulated by the fresh environment.

This is not so different then us, humans. I know I feel heavier and out of touch when I don’t spend time outside - especially when there is some walking involved. The difference is that I sometimes have to be pushed and prodded into going on a walk. Zoey (and all the other dogs I know) make it clear, in their own unique way, that they really, really want to go on a walk.

I believe we have much to learn from dogs. Void of ego, they supply lots of love to those that care for them. Whether we grow old or fat they love us just the same. Their needs are simple and consistent, and they are clueless to the latest trends. Occasionally I do catch Zoey in a state of embarrassment. She is a bit clumsy, and sometimes bumps into things. That’s when I get the “I hope you didn’t see that” look.

But, who knows, maybe I am mistaking the expression… either way, such lack of grace endears me even more to her. It reminds me that it is our imperfections that make us especially lovable - whether we be human or canine.

Copyright 2007/Avenstar Enterprises Inc.

Kim McGinnis is a freelance writer and entrepreneur. Visit her at her most recent blog, Be Like Nature: http://www.belikenature.com

If you are looking for inspirational items to create a sense of serenity in your home (inside and out) visit Kim at her beautiful website, A Zen Gift http://azengift.com

To find out about Magical Fireflies, an absolutely unique & magical product, go to Kim’s very popular site http://www.magicalfireflies.com

Different size dogs fit different lifestyles-but there are gray areas in these guidelines. “How to Pick a Dog?” is an important question for any potential pet owner.

If you live in an apartment, for example, you would suppose a smaller dog fits better into your small space. But, certain small breeds such as terriers are so full of energy they might be less adaptable to your lifestyle than one of the large breeds that has a reputation for mellowing as it gets older. If you want to enjoy the great outdoors with your doggie companion, then one of the medium to large sized “sporting” breeds could be appropriate. But if your lifestyle is more sedentary, these dogs can get bored from lack of activity sometimes resulting in destructive behavior. Small breeds are easier to transport or pick up, so for elderly people these can be ideal. On the other hand, small dogs can be injured by exuberant children who handle them roughly, or from a child falling on them.

Some dogs are more graceful. Some are more rollicking like clumsy adolescents, and are not good in houses filled with fine antiques that can be destroyed with one inadvertent swish of a powerful tail.

The size of the dog has an effect on the training required. It may be cute when a tiny Yorkshire Terrier tries to jump in your lap, but not so cute when your Labrador Retriever jumps up on guests when they walk in the door, and inadvertently claw them in an effort to say hello. Larger dogs can get into more mischief such as stealing food from the kitchen counters. Dogs can learn how to open kitchen drawers or cabinets as well.

If you plan on traveling with your dog, bear in mind that although more and more lodging establishments are “dog friendly,” many have strict rules regarding the size of dog they will accept, and sometimes do not allow certain breeds that have a reputation for aggressiveness.

You should always know the height and weight your puppy will reach when he grows to an adult. Large dogs consume more food (greater expense), produce more waste, and in general need more space to roam.

Now that you know how to pick a dog for you, you can find that perfect puppy pal.

Find out more about how to pick a dog and puppy training. Just go to Rose and Kate’s website. Rose is an Irish Setter and Kate’s an English Springer Spaniel. They even have a blog

About The Author

Dee Power is the co-author of several nonfiction books including The Publishing Primer: A Blueprint for an Author’s Success, “The Making of a Bestseller,” “58 Ways to Find Money for Your Business,” “Inside Secrets to Venture Capital” and “Attracting Capital From Angels,”

When dog training with a head collar, keep in mind that while there are some great advantages in using this type of collar, there are also a couple of disadvantages you need to be aware of.

Is A Head Collar A Muzzle?

This is a misconception which needs to be addressed. No, it’s not a muzzle for the simple reason that a dog still has movement of it’s mouth.

Educating yourself on the proper use of a head collar for dog training purposes will reward you in the long run. Attempting to use it as a muzzle is can backfire on you big time and mis-information on how to use it is a problem you don’t want to fall into.

Advantages Of A Head Collar

There are several advantages in dog training with a head collar. Here are just a few:

- Very easy to use once you understand their correct application and why you are using it.

- Dog training with a head collar will yield you more of the results you are after. They are much kinder to the animal than a choker collar which has copped criticism in the past.

- It has the ability to deter the animal from the bane of many trainers; an enthusiastic canine who has a penchant for tugging hard at a lead. It will preserve unnecessary strain on your arms.

- In dog training where you need to stir the animal so you can apply some disciplinary action, this equipment is ideal.

- You as the trainer, will have more control over the animal. If your dog is a large and powerful canine then this type of head gear is effective in helping you maintain a strong control over your animal.

- In situations where the dog is faced with several distractions and prone to reacting to them then the head collar will be your biggest ally. For example, heavily populated areas with lots of people can excite most canines but this gear will help you maintain control.

Disadvantages Of A Head Collar

There are a couple of main disadvantages dog training with a head collar although when you are aware of these, they can easily be avoided.

One of these is the dog can be lured into a false sense of relying on it to tell it when to behave. This can be a problem because when it reverts back to a traditional collar it will switch back to unacceptable behavior.

The other problem of course is getting the dog to accept it. Just like putting a jacket on a canine for the first time many will react by trying to get the thing off. The same situation can face a trainer when putting a head collar on for the first time.

The easiest way to get around this is to simply distract the dog from the collar and you do this by keeping the dog on the move.

Want more dog training tips that get results? Amaze your friends by having the best behaved dog in your neighborhood or competition. Find out the secret to successful dog training today.

Dogs and winter usually mean a full hair coat that is thick and fluffy and usually less hair shedding in the house. You should notice your dog seems softer and may even look like he or she has gained a few pounds. Sometimes that may be the case and other times it may be a few pounds of additional hair.

One thing to be prepared for is the arrival of Spring which can only be a month or so away. When the weather starts to even creep in and send the thermometer up for a few days can cause havoc to your dog and his senses.

Once this happens be prepared with the proper equipment and you will not have to worry about excess hair in your house. As soon as you know the temperature will be changing start a grooming plan that you can implement on a daily basis.

For a long haired dog or one that seems to have accumulated a thick coat over the winter you will probably want a rake. These are wonderful for eliminating loose undercoat hair which is what you will have coming out of the winter months.

Every morning and evening when you take your dog outside to potty give him or her a quick 60 second brush with the rake before you go inside. This will start to remove any early hair loss and continue to remove hair as it begins to thin out.

When done daily you should find that the blowing of a coat is really not noticed and you should not see the huge clumps of hair and large immediate hair loss in your dog. It will probably eliminate some scratching associated with shedding hair loss as well.

Your dog will probably come to really enjoy this time as it feel really good.

Get more information on controlling dog shedding at http://www.fetching.us

Lesa Bolt is a contributor to dog shedding issues

Diabetes in dogs is a serious endocrine disease that causes too much glucose in the blood. The most common type is acquired, insulin-dependent Type II diabetes mellitus, also known as IDDM. This type of diabetes is similar to adult-onset diabetes in humans. The other kind is diabetes insipidus.

The earlier diabetes in dogs is detected, the better the chances of successful treatment.

Diabetes insipidus is caused by a lack of vasopressin, the antidiuretic hormone that controls water resorption by the kidneys. In dogs, the more common diabetes mellitus is a deficiency of insulin, the hormone that plays a critical role in sugar metabolism. The highest occurrences are in obese canines between 5 and 7 years, and female dogs are more susceptible. Spaying eliminates the interaction of the female hormones with blood sugar levels, and thus helps stabilize insulin levels. Untreated diabetes in dogs can lead to urinary tract infections and cataracts. A simple blood test will indicate if glucose counts look suspicious. A full physical exam should be done annually on your dog, even if it seems perfectly healthy.

The symptoms usually include:

- Drinking excessive amounts of water;

- Frequent urination (may start to urinate in the house);

- Weight gain (or weight loss in some cases);

- Increased lethargy during the day.

Don’t panic if your dog is diagnosed with diabetes.

Diabetes is a manageable disease in dogs. It takes more work to care for a diabetic dog, but our pets are family members. The least we can do in return is provide proper health care, especially if they suffer canine diabetes. Responsible guardians try to provide an enjoyable life for their pets, with less pain.

The goal after a canine diabetes diagnosis is to get glucose levels down to a normal (or only slightly elevated) level by following some simple steps. Someone must administer insulin injections that are easy to do and will quickly become routine. You must monitor how your dog responds to the injected insulin dosage by testing the urine with test strips. The test strip will tell you how much sugar is present in the dog’s system, and you may have to adjust the dosage of insulin based on the results.

Your veterinarian will instruct you on how to use the test kits, results to look for, when to administer higher or lower dosages, and the proper way to administer the treatment. Stick to the time schedule your veterinarian provides, and keep a record of the test strips results, amount of insulin given, and your dog’s eating behaviors and attitude. This will help you understand the dog’s condition, and assist your veterinarian if other problems arise.

Commercial dog food companies have helped create this epidemic of diabetes in dogs.

Their processed food contains a high concentration of sugar to make it more palatable. The benefit to the companies is increased sales because dog owners see their beloved canines “wolf” down the food like it’s the best they’ve ever eaten, so the owners keep buying it.

Be strict about what you feed your dog.

Emphasize foods high in fiber and protein, and restrict fats and carbohydrates. Feed your dog at the same times every day. What they eat and when they eat it affect the sugar/insulin levels.

One-third of the total daily amount of food should be given half hour prior to the injection. The remaining amount of food should be given 8-10 hours later. If you give your dog snacks before bedtime, reduce the dinner amount by the snack amount. Exercise will affect the sugar levels in the dog’s blood stream. You don’t want that level “up” one day and “down” the next. The “up and down” isn’t good for the dog. Set up an exercise program and stick to it. If your dog is overweight, put it on a diet to lose weight slowly.

As in humans, blood sugar levels will fluctuate.

It is crucial to take your pet periodically to the veterinarian for a whole day (8-hour period at least) to monitor blood sugar levels throughout the day. This helps ensure your diabetes treatments are working properly. Family members age teen and up should know how to give the insulin in case of a dog health emergency. Post instructions by the phone, the fridge (where the insulin is kept), the bed, and where the dog hangs out a lot, of how to give the injection to your pet just in case. Make a diabetes “Dog Health Reminder Sheet” for potential problems; include the veterinarian’s emergency number and basic actions to take in each scenario:

Too much insulin is accidentally injected.

The needle breaks off while in the dog.

There’s a seizure (not common, but can happen occasionally).

We have existed as a company since 1985, but it was a love of dogs, the dogs that have been a part of our life, and the passing of one dog in particular, Rusty, that inspired the creation of http://www.CalloftheDog.com and http://www.CalloftheDogShop.com — created to provide the things your dogs and pets need. Visit us for great information and quality dog supplies! Be sure to see our About Us page as well.

The two sites are dedicated to the dogs we have loved so deeply, and who have given us so much love in return. Purebreds and mixed breeds, but mostly rescues in need of a home. We educated them, but each one has had something to teach us in exchange.

According to the Pet Food Institute US consumers spend 11 billion dollars a year on pet food for their dogs and cats. There is a large variety of dog food on the market with a lot of different names that fall into various categories. A dog owner might find something called Beef Dog Food, or Lamb Dinner, or Chicken Formula. To make matters even more confusing the dog food may fall into sub categories like senior, premium, gourmet, or natural. What do these different names mean and how do they affect the nutritional value of your dog’s food?

Some veterinarians recommend examining the label of the food with an eye on three main sections of the ingredients label and manufacturers claim; these are the life stage claim, the contact information, and the manufacturer.

The word feeding should appear in the life stage claim. This assures that the food was proven to be nutritionally adequate when fed to animals in controlled tests.

Probably the most important part of the label is the ingredient section. This part should be scrutinized carefully. There is a big difference between whole chicken or beef and chicken or beef byproducts. Choice cuts could mean chicken heads, feet, and intestines. Choice cuts of beef could mean cow brains, tongue, and fetal tissue, which is dangerously high in hormones, it could even mean diseased or cancerous meat. If you see the word animal byproducts on the label you could be buying any of these organs and body parts. Any pet food with soybean on the label is not a good sign. Dogs lack the enzymes in the gut to digest vegetable matter of this sort and it can be a source of gas and parasites which thrive in the putrid mass that lays as undigested sludge in a dog’s intestines.

Another good thing to check is the contact information. Although the only contact information required is the name and address of the manufacturer, it’s a good idea if they list their phone number as well. Should your dog become sick or if you have any questions about the food its good to know that you can call the manufacturer to ask questions about their product. If there is no real contact information on the label it may be by design and if you have no way to check the authenticity or where the food originated you really can’t be sure what you’re buying.

The controversy over dog food is growing all the time and many dog food manufacturers have become more open about the products and preservatives they use in their dog food. Yet there are dog foods on the market that some veterinarians have labeled as poison. If you really want a peak at what may be in your dogs food and how the food is preserved and processed you should read the free report at healthy-pet-treats.info it could make a big difference in the life of your pet.

Also remember to wash your hands after handling dry or moist dog food, Salmonella contamination is common and it can affect pet owners and their families, especially children. Dog Food Secrets.

John Steele

http://www.healthy-pet-treats.info

http://www.writersrealm.info

Barking dog training may be just what your dog needs to settle your nerves. Bark! Bark! Bark! On and on it goes. Excessive dog barking is one of the most frequent complaints of dog owners. It is possible to train your dog to control barking, but first calmly examine the situation.

Remember you must be in control in this relationship. Your dog needs for you to take responsibility and provide guidance. Barking is just fine with your dog. On and on day and night is just fine with the dog. It’s especially fine if no negative happenings are associated with all that noise. And screaming “Shut up dog!” is probably not a negative to the dog. Maybe that attention is just the result the dog is after…so the barking gets louder.

You must decide what barking level is OK and consistently reward the desired behavior and deal swiftly and consistently with negative actions. Consistent means every time, not just when convenient. Consistent training will result in quick results usually. But it will take some time and effort. Just keep your goals in mind and don’t give up.

Before you really get started in training, very patiently observe your dog’s conduct. Can you see a reason for the barking? Common reasons are boredom, just plain lack of social activity. Dogs are social creatures and need interaction with people and other dogs. Is your dog lacking in this area? Loneliness is related. Especially at night a dog can be lonely and a little bit scared. Can your dog have a more secure place at night?

Lack of exercise is another common problem. Many dogs need some serious running and jumping to burn off all that steam. Without the exercise noise the barking increases. Breeds differ for exercise requirements, but many pet owners underestimate how much activity their pets need.

Try to observe your dog and meet the dogs needs where you can. Then set the limits for behavior and insist that your standards be met. Dominate the relationship with your dog and in return get a happy, well-adjusted pet that’s your friend for years.

Your dog will reward you with the calm, quiet disposition you seek.

Believe me I know how stressful dog barking gets! Visit our site to get more barking dog training hints.

Go to http://www.dogbarkinghelp.com and control the dog barking fast.

Al Bullington’s nerves cannot handle constant dog barking in the daytime or at night.

What are the Dog Food Secrets that most dog owners are not aware of?

Most, not all commercial dog food are junk!

It is stuffed with fillers, meat by-products, chemicals and
preservatives, with one primary function; to sell commercial dog food to
unsuspecting dog owners.

Unfortunately, most dog owners do not realize that feeding their family
dog with a commercial dog food causes more harm than good. They are led
to believe that the food product is filled with nutritional
requirements.

In fact, dog owners are poisoning their pet dog everytime they are fed
with the so-called pet food.

Veterinarians and dog nutritionists tell us that many commercial dog
foods have inadequate proteins, fats vitamins and minerals.

Commercial food products are made from harmful ingredients that are
simply unhealthy and a hazard to your dog’s health and longevity.

Dogs have simple stomachs and short digestive tracts for digesting meat.
They also lack the saliva enzyme amylase, which is necessary for
pre-digesting starch.

Essentially dogs need the following ingredients in their food-

- Healthy animal fatty that is easily digestible and easily metabolized
as a source of energy. Poultry such as chicken or turkey have more
unsaturated fatty acids and are more suitable for dogs.

- Vegetable oils, such as soybean oil, lecithin corn oil, wheat germ
oil, sesame seed oil or linseed oil all contain high levels of linoleic
acid, an essential fatty acid for dogs.

- Carbohydrates is another important nutrient. Sources of carbohydrates
can be found in rice, oatmeal, corn or wheat. These are easily digested
when properly cooked.

- Fibre, a complex carbohydrate is essential for proper digestion and
stool formation. Beet pulp, tomato promace, rice, soy hulls, oat hulls,
and wheat bran are good sources of fibre.

- Vitamin and mineral is an absolute nutritional necessity for dogs.
Although the vitamins and minerals make up less than 2% of the total
food by weight, they provide some of the most crucial nutrients. These
include 12 to 16 vitamins and 15 to 25 minerals.

Do not add food supplement, or vitamins, as it will cause more harm than
good.

The next time when you buy your favorite dog food, think carefully and
ensure the above essentials are in your dog food.

And if you want to extend your dog’s life, read ‘Dog Food Secrets’.

Avoid harming your dog.

For more information on Dog Food Secrets, visit http://www.squidoo.com/dogfoodsecretsreview

There are several types of obedience training. The goal of such training involves discovering basic commands such as sit, wait, and come. There are also many levels of obedience training. A dog may begin training at 8 weeks old, or after they have had their first round of puppy shots. A dog is never too old to start training. There are group and individual courses offered in most locations. The group class will help your dog learn commands while distracted by other people and dogs. It also helps with a dog’s social growth. One-on-one training will ensure that you and your dog get the most attention possible. This type of training is also helpful when you want in-home training such as house breaking. Three common ways of obedience training are clicker training, jerk and pull, and positive reinforcement. Clickers were invented because you and I, as trainers, are not quick enough to mark a certain behavior.

This is a type of positive reinforcement where the trainer clicks when the doggy does a wanted action. The click is immediately followed by treats. The reason for positive reinforcement is to teach and motivate the dog for good behaviors. This type of training is the most popular in modern day trainer’s philosophy. Jerk and pull training is losing momentum. This type of training uses a collar and quick pulls to manipulate the dog into position. While it is clear that obedience training is great for teaching all of the normal commands and solving problem behaviors, it is also a great resource for changing a dog’s psychology. Teaching a dog how to communicate with his trainer relieves a lot of stress related behaviors as well as anxieties. This aids the dog and its handler deal with everyday situations like meeting new people, leaving for work, and socializing with other dogs. Obedience training helps a dog learn their pecking order in a house.

Everyone, in addition to household children, should work with the doggy each day. This daily reminder helps reduce the chance of a dog becoming aggressive or negative with family members. It is suggested that obedience training take place is a real world environment. In other words, if your dog is having issues walking on a leash because birds and other dogs distract him, it is a good idea to train around such obstacles. Doing an obedience routine in the park, yard, and home are all good ideas. Never limit routines to one area and expect them to work in everyday life situations. Finally, obedience training is a lifetime commitment. It is not simply enough to goto an eight-week class and expect your dog to be trained. Nor is it a great idea to send your dog off to a “boot camp” and not know how he was trained. Like children, dogs must be worked with constantly. The skills they have been taught should be repeatedly reinforced. When a dog begins to slip on a particular skill, it must be taught again from the start. Consistency in training is the key to keep any doggy obedient.

Bhaskar Das for obedience training
Read more about Obedience Trainings here obedience training
Copyright 2007 obedience training

Once I had a dog named Laika. She was very skinny when I got her. But I was able to take good care of her and she became a pretty and healthy dog. She became pregnant a few months after I got her. But there was a problem on the delivery after her first baby so I had to bring her to the veterinary hospital to have her on a CS operation. That was approximately 16 hours after she delivered the first pup. The doctor asked me to leave her there and wait for his call. He gave me one pack of liquid milk and asked to bring home the puppy with me. It was a Sunday morning at about 10am. A few minutes had passed and I started to become worried. I tried calling the vet to check her condition but there was no answer. I started to cry while looking at the little puppy on my lap. I felt so helpless not knowing what was happening to my girl. But then because of a few sleepless nights on watching Laika at her almost-delivering-moments of her life, I fell sleep and was waken up only because of a shocking news. My brother-in-law told me that Laika is dead. I felt the world over me. I didn’t know what to ask. I couldn’t even cry out loud. I didn’t know what to think of and what to do. How could that happen? Why? What did the vet do? Why he didn’t even call me? How about this puppy? How was I gonna make her survive? All these questions I’ve asked and pain that I’ve felt weren’t enough for me to just stop moving on, I had this little creature to take care of. I know I had to be strong and keep moving on so I could fight for the life of this little angel named Bicka.

Bicka is a very beautiful female dog. She will turn 3 this coming September. Every year we celebrate her birthday like we do with the kids, my niece and my nephew, with cake, ice cream, salad and pasta on the table. I always buy a special gift for her every year. She’s like a child to me, my baby, my love, my princess.

But before she had her first birthday, or even when she was a few days old, her life was at risk. Not having her mom with her to take care and to feed her made it so very hard. But then I did my best and I have loved her so much that there were times that I forgot to take care of myself. During the first few days, I would always skip meals just to have time to feed her at my lunchbreak. I became so thin because of having only 2-3 hours of sleep every night. I would also find myself so broke for buying those expensive milk formulas. I didn’t stop and didn’t care about the vet’s words saying that the puppy wouldn’t survive without her mom. I am her mom now! I fought for her life with all the best that I could give and now, looking at her, how she grew so pretty, a young princess of mine, makes me feel so happy and proud of myself. My pretty Bicka will always be the miracle puppy of Laika and the living creature proving that miracles aren’t always just for humans but for animals, too!

Alona has Golden Retrievers. She loves dogs so much that she doesn’t want to see any of them out on the street. For her, dogs are like humans and have feelings, too. Check her blogs for pictures of her dogs at http://gretriever.blogspot.com and http://lucas528.wordpress.com and more of her as an internet marketer at http://lucas528.blogspot.com