People who are prone to allergies may want to consider avoiding dog breeds that are more likely to cause allergic reactions. Although no dog is truly hypoallergenic, Shih Tzus, Poodles, and Irish Water Spaniels seem to cause few allergic reactions, while Saint Bernards, Golden Retrievers and Pugs seem to cause quite a lot of reactions.

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If you are a new dog owner, you may be concerned about whether you can take care of a dog. After all, a new dog is a big responsibility. Luckily, it is not really that difficult to take care of a dog. If you just keep these simple tips in mind, you and your new dog will have a successful and happy relationship.

1. Take care of your dog’s health - Dogs need to have a yearly physical and updated vaccines, just as people do. In fact, since dogs age more quickly than people, it is best to take your dog to the vet every six months for a quick physical. If your vet sees your dog regularly, he may be able to spot changes in your dog that signal illness or disease.

2. Take care of your dog’s training - A well behaved dog is welcome almost anywhere. Make sure other people can enjoy your dog’s company by teaching him good manners. If you are unsure about how to train your dog, take an obedience class so you can learn together. Teaching your dog to sit, stay, heel and come is very important. If he ever starts to run into the street, these commands could even save his life.

3. Take care of your dog’s nutrition - Feeding your dog the right food can keep him active and healthy for many years. Feeding him a cheap dog food may save you money today, but may cost more money in the long run. Veterinary care for obese or diabetic dogs can be very expensive.

4. Remember to neuter your dog - Unless your dog is an exceptional representative of his breed, please neuter him. This is one of the most important ways to take care of your dog, since neutering a dog at six months of age can prevent many common dog cancers.

5. Take care of your dog’s grooming - Dogs feel better when they are well groomed, just as people do. Brush your dog regularly, even if he has a short coat. Trim his nails or ask your vet to trim them so that he can walk comfortably. You can even brush his teeth with a special dog brush and toothpaste to be sure he doesn’t develop dental problems.

Finally, don’t forget to give your dog plenty of love and attention. If you follow these tips on how to take care of a dog, you and your new pal will be well on the way to a happy and successful relationship.

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The Dreaded Vet Visit: 5 Ways to Comfort Your Dog
By Dina Giolitto

Uh-oh, it’s that time again. The dreaded vet visit, and Barkley will be whimpering all the way. It’s days like this when you wish your dog understood English, so you could tell him, “Hey, even though scary people in white lab coats are sticking needles in you and shaving you in weird places, it’s going to be okay. I’m here for you, buddy.”

But since you can’t offer your dog peace of mind with comforting words on the day of his Hated Trip to the Vet’s Office, you can at least offer him some familiar comforts. Here are five ways to bring back the love in those fearful doggy eyes and keep that stubby tail wagging.

1. Take your fella out for an extra long walk. If a scheduled vet visit means you can’t promise him a nice afternoon, at least give him an enjoyable morning of being out and about in the great outdoors. Fill his doggy mind with happy memories of blue skies, open roads, cool breezes and chipmunk chasing. He’ll soon forget all about those frightening yowls he heard from the cat carrier at the vet’s office!

2. Bring one of his favorite toys along. The vet’s won’t seem nearly as scary if your dog has something familiar to occupy him and put him at ease. Bring along a squeaky hotdog, Kong toy or other favorite toy of his, that he can play with in the car and as you sit together in the waiting room. Just don’t forget to bring the toy back home with you again! You wouldn’t want some schnauzer at the vet’s office getting his paws on it!

3. If he’s going for an overnight stay, don’t forget his blankie. It’s so heartbreaking to see your dog sick, confused and frightened in one of those cages at the vet’s office. You know it’s only temporary, but poor Jake doesn’t know that! If you’ll be leaving him overnight, comfort him with something familiar that smells like home… his doggie blanket, or a tee-shirt of yours that’s been worn already. This way, he’ll have thoughts of home and the scent of you, to help him feel safe and secure as he drifts off to sleep.

4. Don’t forget the doggy treats! Chances are, your dog is probably not used to being around a bunch of unfamiliar dogs… and that visit to the vet’s office is one big pet party that’s sure to get him riled up and barking his head off. Bring along a little bag of doggy snacks, and slip him one every time he obeys your commands. With any luck, he’ll be the best behaved dog of the bunch!

5. Lavish him with love and attention. When you return from your excursion, give him just a half hour more of your full attention. Play tug of war, wrestle on the family room rug, or take a dip together in the pool. When he’s all tuckered out, feed him his dinner and tell him what a good and sweet boy he his. Scratch his belly and behind his ears, give him some big kisses and hugs, and tell him how much you love him. Pretty soon, he’ll forget all about the vet’s office! And so will you… that is, until you get the bill.

Copyright 2005 Dina Giolitto. All rights reserved.

Dina Giolitto is a copywriting consultant and ghostwriter with 10 years of experience writing corporate print materials and web content. Trust her with your next e-book article series or web project, and make a lasting impression on your audience of hungry prospects. Visit http://www.wordfeeder.com for more information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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If you want to find out how to teach a dog to sit, you won’t want to miss this article by Lee Dobbins:

Training Your Dog To Sit

By Lee Dobbins

A poorly trained dog is a nuisance and can even be a danger to himself and others. A properly trained dog, on the other had, is a wonderful and pleasant companion. In addition to helping you bond, it can even protect your pet from being hurt if he listens and will come when called.

When training always remember that dogs respond best to positive reinforcement – yelling at your dog and hitting him will not accomplish the task, instead use rewards such as treats and your approval – this will make the task much more pleasant for both of you!

There is a common “process” to training, no matter what you want the dog to do. They key is to get the dog to perform the action and at that exact moment give the command for the action, then praise the dog and reward him with a treat. After a while, he will catch on and associate the action with the command.

Here’s some steps you can use to train your dog with the most basic command – Sit.

1. The first thing you need to do is to get your puppy or dog to associate the act of sitting with the command. To do this, simply hang around with your dog and when he sits give the “sit” command.

2. Getting down to your dogs level will allow you to present his reward (treats) quicker so grab a handful of bite sized treats and get down on the floor.

3. Bring the treat up over the dogs head. He will smell the food and follow it with his nose. This action will cause him to sit (or backup, but obviously we are hoping for the sitting action).

4. The key to the training is to present the reward at the exact moment the dog sits, but you must also give the command at that moment as well so that he associates command with action. So as the dog sits, say “sit” and then immediately give him the treat.

5. Give the dog praise – show joy in your voice and he will really respond.

6. Repeat three to five times at each session but no more than that. Training should be fun and not a boring chore so don’t overdo it in one sitting. You may have several sessions throughout the day.

When you spend the time to train your dog, you get much more than just a dog that does some tricks. He loves to do things with you. He learns to listen when you say his name. He gets used to being with you and doing things on your initiative. Through good training your position as leader is strengthened. You should plan to spend a couple of minutes every day on practicing his “tricks”. This type of repetitive reinforcement will help him to remember and also create the bond between you.

Get more dog training tips and find out which dogs are easier to train at http://www.train-the-dog.com

This article provided by the Family Content Archives at: http://www.Family-Content.com

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Before you buy a Boston Terrier, make sure the parents do not have these common Boston Terrier health problems:

* Demodectic mange-This is a non-contagious hereditary condition where the dog has a weakened immune system and the Demodectic mites get into the hair folicles all over the body. The dog can end up being completely bald. Severe cases can also develop a skin infection, often called red mange. Dogs can recover with costly, time consuming treatment.

* Bad knees-This condition is also hereditary and dogs can become crippled at a young age. Surgery is expensive.

* Cherry eye-When a dog has an extra eyelid, it is called a cherry eye. This problem is usually easy to correct and surgery is not too expensive.

* Cataracts-Hereditary cataracts can cause blindness in Boston Terriers at a very young age.

For more information on Boston Terriers, please visit About Bostons, the information site for Boston Terrier lovers.

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Even if you haven’t had a run-in involving your pet of late, pet
insurance has probably crossed your mind. And if you have, the bill
for any non-routine care may have cost you anywhere from a cool
couple hundred to nearly a grand.

You might have wondered why people have health insurance and most
pets don’t, when the medical costs seem practically the same! And
yet, navigating through the underbrush of fine print involved in pet
insurance may have put you off. Is it worth the money? What do
insurers really cover? And why do some plans cost the moon while
others seem much more affordable? We’ll try to clear a path through
the paper jungle.

Tip #1: Get Them in Young

Ideally, you’ll want to identify right pet insurance plan for you,
and get your pet in young while she’s still quite healthy. The
reason is, should your pet develop a long-term health issue such as
a thyroid problem, she won’t be eligible for many programs, having
a “pre-existing condition.” If you stick with one quality program,
though, you’ll probably be fine.

Tip #2: You Get What You Pay For

This may stick in the craw a bit, when you start looking at
insurance premiums. Some of them cost an awful lot! Be sure to look
ahead too, at estimated increases down the road. The older your pet
grows, the more the premiums will cost. They will get quite stiff
for an older pet, even a healthy one.

So why should you pay out a mint for plan A, when plan B offers
coverage for half the price? The answer is: lack of nasty surprises.

Let’s face it, no one but an insurance adjuster can tell what the
fine print means when it comes to covering your pet. But we do know
this: on the cheaper plans, unhappy things happen. Let’s give an
example — let’s say you have two pugs, both covered by an
inexpensive plan. One sadly breaks his leg and needs several
surgeries, costing two thousand altogether.

You may think your inexpensive plan — which happily, covers 2K of
expenses — will handle it all. But when you submit your claim, you
discover that 2K is the maximum coverage for both dogs, and your pug
is only eligible for half. Even worse, but very common, is a lower
limit per incident. In this case, Low Cost Pet Plan will respond
that it only covers $500 for this “incident,” but if your poor pug
breaks his leg three more times this year, they’ll be happy to help.

Tip #3: You Get What You Pay For

Yes, we know we said that already — but we didn’t say it enough.

Here’s a horror story that can happen on a low-cost plan: you have
an insurer. You pay your premiums. But one day, your aging pet
develops diabetes. That year, when it comes time to renew the plan
and update the premiums, your insurer sticks in an exclusion. As of
that moment, they no longer cover diabetes in your pet. Yes, they
can do that — and you’re out in the cold.

No less common — and no more pleasant — is the limited payout per
condition problem. Your low-cost insurer may cover the first three
years of your diabetic pet’s vet bills, but after that, you’ve run
through her lifetime allowance for diabetes. Now in her golden
years, all her medical costs come straight from your pocket.

What you want is a reputable company that agrees to insure your pet
for life, period. No tricks, no last-minute exclusions, no lifetime
condition limits. But to have these things, you’ll need to pay for
them.

Tip #4: Follow the Wagging Tails

Pet insurance costs too much to be throwing darts in the dark. You
need to know which plans will come through for you down the road
after you’ve paid their premiums for years. So do your research —
look for good word of mouth. You can learn a lot with some smart
surfing and Googling.

Although we haven’t used either, we found many satisfied buyers with
PetPlan and Marks & Spencer. There are other good plans as well, and
plans that are best avoided. The tip we like most is to ask your vet
what she uses. Yes! — many vets insure their beloved animals, and
are scrupulous in who they choose.

Tip #5: Do You Even Need Insurance?

There’s an argument — and it’s a good one — that pet insurance
really serves no purpose. You can see the force of this line of
thought when you check out the premiums of quality, reliable plans –
they’re high. So why should you pay out all that cash for what
*might* happen, instead of stashing it each month in your own high-
interest savings account and simply withdrawing what you need?

The answer is simple: discipline. Some people have the discipline to
pay their premiums, but not to establish a separate account they
won’t touch except for emergency pet expenses. Other than
discipline, there’s probably no real reason why you shouldn’t self-
insure.

With one exception — liability. Some plans offer extra coverage if
your dog injures someone and you get sued. These aren’t the kinds of
things you can effectively save up for on your own, so if you think
it might be a problem, pet insurance might truly be the route for
you.

Tip #6: One More For the Road

Is your pet a prize purebred, with a pedigree reaching back before
William of Orange? Expect more vet costs over its lifetime — it’s
just a statistical fact. Perhaps this subtle factor will help you
decide whether you should self-insure or go for a plan.

Peace of Mind: Priceless

We’re animal lovers. And in the back of our minds lurks the fear
that Fido will someday come down with something we can’t afford to
treat — simultaneous renal failure and diabetes, for example (to
cite a sad chapter from my own pet annals). The peace of mind in
knowing you can afford to care for your furry companion, no matter
what the future brings, is profound. That’s why insurance was
developed, and that’s why pet insurance might be the right choice
for you.

About the Author

Blake Kritzberg is proprietor of Poodle-oo: Fashion for Toy Dogs.
Stop by for toy dog couture and home decor, free toy dog postcards
and the Toy Dog Blog.
http://www.poodle-oo.com/

Learn more about pet insurance:
http://www.poodle-oo.com/pet-insurance.htm

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By Blake Kritzberg

Just as humans allergies can show up as a sneeze or rash, your dog’s allergies can manifest as itchiness — or even ear infections. In fact, if your dog’s allergic to his food, it can cause him to scratch himself constantly, even with no obvious parasite problem.

Dog allergies rarely get solved with medicine, so the best we can do for our four-footed friends is focus on prevention. Providing the right type of food is essential to stopping your dog’s scratching habit.

Many people like to share their food with their dogs or let them help “clean up” the kitchen after a meal. Little do they know, their dogs just may not be able to take the tasty food we love so much, and some breeds (like the greyhound) are extremely sensitive. Even common foods like cheese, beef sausage and tuna may cause allergic reactions in some dogs. So it’s best to let dogs enjoy dog food and not human food, even though they clearly adore and want what we’re eating!

Narrowing Down the Problem

To determine the exact ingredients your dog is allergic to, try an elimination diet. Although powerful, it also requires patience. In fact, the elimination diet can call for eliminating specific food for up to 12 weeks before you’ll notice the effects. And if you still haven’t found the right (and wrong) ingredients, you’ll have to repeat the process all over again.

So is there an alternative to the lengthy elimination diet? Yes — give your dog a brand or type of food he’s never eaten before. But simply changing to a new brand of dog food might not be enough to eliminate his food allergies, since many brands contain similar ingredients. Instead, study the existing ingredients your dog is eating to determine which types of protein source he hasn’t been exposed to. Then, hunt for a dog food that doesn’t contain any of the ingredients you saw listed. For example, there are many brands of dog food that contains unusual protein sources such as rabbit or venison — great for testing allergic reactions to other, more common proteins.

Perhaps the best way for you to get control of dog’s allergies is to whip up your own dog food. That way, you’ll know exactly what he’s getting and what he isn’t — something that’s extremely hard to tell from reading the back of a dog food bag. Making your own food is especially helpful in elimination diets. To start, combine a portion of rice with baby food and lamb — so long as your dog isn’t already eating lamb and possibly displaying a reaction to it.

Dog food allergies are a special condition that can be frustrating and take patience to solve. Since allergic reactions don’t disappear overnight, you’ll need lots of time and thoughtfulness to help your dog overcome this problem — but his goofy smile and those scratch-free days ahead will probably make it all worth it.

About the Author

Blake Kritzberg is proprietor of Poodle-oo: Fashion for Toy Dogs. Stop by for toy dog couture and home decor, free dog postcards and the Toy Dog Blog.

http://www.poodle-oo.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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By Eileen Szydlowksi

Do You Know What Should Go Into a Pet First Aid Kit?

I have a dog named Maybelle and cat named Mitsy. We do love taking them for long walks in the park. The last thing I think of is the first aid kit. But when Maybelle got tick and I did not have a tweezers to get it off and I had to wait till I got home that is not good. It would of been a lot easier if I had my kit with me.

That got me thinking how many other owners of dogs or cats know what goes into a kit if there dog or cat was seriously injured or hurt? We all see dogs or cats hit by a car and somehow make it home only to die in the Vetnerian office if we only had our kit ready and handy to help if could saved there life.

There are also times when it is really hot out side and the heat get us can you imagine our dog or

cat out in this heat. They feel it too and more than we humans think. We spend a lot money on food and toys for our dogs and cats this is least we can do for them is have emergency Pet First Aid kit ready.

Here is the Basic List from doing my own research and there maybe are more items you can add that you may feel is necessary for your dog or cat feel free to do so.

(1) any medication your dog or cat is taking or being treated for

(2) masking tape

(3) scissors

(4) hydrogen peroxides (to clean wounds or induce vomiting)

(5) ipecac’s (expectant or purgative syrup to induce vomiting)

(6) adhesive tape

(7) eyebrow tweezers

(8) Muzzle ( if this kit is for a dog)

(9) gauze pads

(10) gauze

(11) Forceps

(12) Medicine droppers

(13) Kaeopectates ( if your dog or cat gets constipated or has dierrea)

(14) cotton swabs

(15) antibacterial ointments

(16) dog or cat nail clippers

(17) rectal thermometer (plus Vaseline)

(18) pedyalite powder( add to the water for hot days replenish electrolytes)

(19) Styptic Powder( to stop serious bleeding from cuts)

(20) Pet Guard Gel Forte (to keep flies and gnats away)

Note: you should have a blanket in the car in case your dog or cat get to cold or has serious injuries that animals can go into shock just like humans. It never hurts to have a spare leash or collar if in it breaks or comes off.

Another idea! Do you know how dogs love to drink water where ever they are. Let say your on camping trip you never know how good the water is. Use Real-Lemon Juice you can buy in the grocery store.

(1 tablespoon of Real-Lemon Juice in a gallon of water will pretty much ensure that your dog will not get upset stomach from drinking strange water.)

https://www.moreinfo247.com/9029756/Department.vstore?id=190

About the Author: I have one dog as previously mentioned and one cat. My youngest daughter is in the 4-H Club and the she loved the KIT-KAT club which is for cats and how to take of them. 4-H sponsored a fair every August and we show our cats to Vets (judges) who decide which one is the best and we have workbooks to do. One of the best ways on responsibilities.

Source: www.isnare.com

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By Lee Dobbins

Caring for your dogs teeth is a vital part of his overall health and maintenance. Sure, you may feel funny brushing Fido’s pearly whites every night before bed, but good dental care for dogs is much more than just having white teeth and good breath.

Dental disease in dogs can cause serious health issues as the bacteria from infected gums and teeth can “spread” to other parts of the body and affect vital organs such as the heart, kidneys and intestines. Tarter or dental calculus starts off soft but can harden on the dogs teeth. Once hardened, it cannot be brushed away but requires a dental scaling just like you get in the dentist chair! If the teeth are left untreated, the buildup can cause the gums to become inflamed and can also cause serious infections.

Does Your Dog Have Bad Teeth?

To tell if your dog has bad teeth, lift up his lips and check his teeth at the gumline - can you see tarter? Are the teeth white or discolored? Does his breath smell? Are there broken teeth?

All of these can indicate the need for better dog tooth care. Your veterinarian will probably do a dental check as part of they yearly checkup and can advise you as to the extent of the problem, if any.

Providing Better Dog Tooth Care

Bones

Chewing on raw bones can be a good way for your dog to remove built up tarter. I would advise against cooked bones as they can splinter and cause damage to the gums or intestine if swallowed. There are also some manufactured bones that are specially formulated for dental care.

Brushing Your Dogs Teeth

Brushing is a vital part of dog tooth care and should be done at least once a week. There are plenty of flavored toothpastes formulated for dogs that your pet will love the taste of. You can use a finger brush (a rubber piece that fits on the end of your finger with bristles), a hand held brush that looks much like a human tooth brush, or a little brush that fits on the end of a “ring” which you put on your finger. I have a tiny dog with a small mouth and I find the “ring” brush works best for me.

Scaling

This procedure is done by your veterinarian and is pretty much the same thing as the scaling you get at the dentist. The teeth are scraped and polished and any loose or badly damaged teeth are removed. Your dog is put under anesthesia for this procedure and it is quite costly. Proper brushing will limit the need for this to be done.

Getting Your Dog Used To Brushing

While it’s best to start when he is a puppy, it’s not too late for your older dog to get good dental care! Start off slowly, maybe with just a dab of the toothpaste on your finger so he can lick it off (my dog loves the taste!). Be sure to use a special paste for dogs and not human toothpaste – get a paste from your vet that has enzymes that will help fight the bacteria. Also, you’ll want a soft brush so you do not damage the gums.

Take it one day at a time and gradually get the dog used to you touching his head and opening the mouth. Each day try to go one step further – open the mouth, then touch his teeth, then his gums. Use your finger at first and introduce the brush later. This can be a a bonding time for you and your dog - eventually your pet may even look forward to his nightly brushing!

You should try to brush your dogs teeth every day or at least every other day so that the plaque will not have a chance to harden. While this may seem like a chore, think of it as an important medical need for your pet. Frequent brushing and proper dental care can add years to your pets life!

About the Author: Lee Dobbins is a pet lover and webmaster of http://www.epet-center.com where you can find out more about the care of pets. Be sure to check out the new dog breed guide at http://www.epet-center.com/dog-breed-guide.html

Source: www.isnare.com

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Dogs need to exercise to loose weight, just as humans do. Help your dog become more active by playing frisbee, taking obedience classes together, or going for a walk around the neighborhood.

Just remember that an out of shape dog needs to get back in shape gradually, so don’t overdo it. Be sure to consult your vet before starting any dog weight loss routine.

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