• Lassie Come Home (1943)

Although there are human actors in this movie, its focus is on the dog star of the time. This is the incredible Pal, known in the film as Lassie. Lassie Come Home is a film created in that tried-and-true formula. It is about a boy and his dog.

The cast of the movie includes Roddy MacDowell (Joe Carraclough) as a young Yorkshire boy and Elizabeth Taylor (Priscilla), an interested party from a wealthy family.

• Old Yeller (1957)

If you enjoy crying, watch Old Yeller. The yellow lab is played by Spike, a former animal shelter dog. This tear-jerker also features a memorable cast. They include Dorothy McGuire, Fess Parker and Jeff Young. Set in Texas in the late 19th century, ths is another heart-warming story about a boy and his dog.

• Benji (1974)

For a while there, everybody knew about Benji. This cute little dog established a role for small but tough loveable mutts. The role of Benji became a family affair. Higgins, the dog star of the movie, created the character then passed it on to his daughter.

Benji is about an orphan and an abandoned dog making their way in the world. It is about establishing friendships and standing up for what is right. There are good townspeople, kind children and despicable villains. Their roles serve to  support the performance of Benji.

• The Wizard of Oz (1939)

To some people, the Wizard of Oz is about Dorothy. To dog afficionados, the movie revolves around Toto. This is another deadly combination of child and dog. It is, after all, Toto who uncovers the fakery. It is Toto who launches the desire to leave Kansas where he is on less than good terms with the prototype of the Wicked Witch, Elmira Gulch (Edith Hamilton).

In this case, the dog role was played by Terry a Blue Cairn Terrier. Together with Dorothy (Judy Garland), the Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr), the Scarecrow (Ray Bulgar), the Tin Man (Jack Haley) and Glinda the Good Witch (Billie Burke), they make this a classic movie for both humans and dogs to enjoy.

• The Incredible Journey (1963)

This is truly an animal story. It involves the adventures of 2 dogs and a cat. The incredible journey tells the tale of how these 3 beloved pets make their way across treacherous and dangerous country back home. The movie stars in this film are the animals. The dogs are named Luath and Bodger. The former is played by Rink, a Labrador Retriever. The older male , Bodger is performed by Muffy, a female bulldog. The cat, Tao is played by Sym Cat.

• Lady and the Tramp (1955)

Lady and the Tramp is an animated movie from the Walt Disney studios. It is the story of 2 dogs from different spectrums of society. It is a love story even the young children can enjoy. Lady is a purebred; Tramp is a street urchin. Together, however, they will forge a life together. This, however, can only occur after various adventures, including clashes with a villainous dog catcher.

• 101 Dalmatians (1961)

Lady and the Tramp was a sensation during its time. Children fell in love all over again with animated dogs some 6 years later with the release of another Disney Studios film – 101 Dalmatians. It focuses on the attempts of 2 dogs: Perdita and Perdo, to thwart the evil designs of Cruella de Vil. She wants to make a coat completely out of dalmatian dogs. Can the 2 courageous dogs save their new family of puppies? This was the movie that sparked an intense interest in Dalmatians, not for the best.

Content written by Steve Perry of ohmydogsupplies.com , the top spot to purchase dog clothes and accessories online.

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Cedar Lane Dog Park: Best Dog Park For Hosting Social Events

All dog parks have an awesome atmosphere, but the Cedar Lane Dog Park is routinely  noted for its wonderful social setting. While the dogs are happily playing and running about, their owners can be seen sitting together, talking and enjoying hot coffee, tea, and muffins, which are all courtesy of the host facility.

You’ll even encounter dozens of devoted regulars of the dog park taking in the crisp winter air on a chilly Christmas morning. Now that is what I call dedication!  And there are tons of other social activities which are scheduled throughout each month. There is the annual dog-swimming contest as well as plenty of games and contests for all interested dog owners to participate in as well. You can find Cedar Lane Park located at 235 Cedar Lane, Ossining, N.Y.

Point Isabel Regional Shoreline Dog Park: Noted For Best Amenities For Dog Owners

Should you ever find yourself traveling through California with your dog, don’t forget to take a day trip to the Point Isabel Regional Shoreline Dog Park. This incredible facility is not only renowned for its dog attractions, but also remarkable for having the best amenities for dog owners of any of the parks nationwide. 

After a day of gallivanting through the mud and intermittent dips in the water, your dog can be taken to the available dog washing center to rinse off – this facility boasts several such areas throughout the facility.  Should you be in the market for new doggie toys, equipment or snacks simply stop in at the doggie store and retail shop conveniently located inside the park area.

If you’re feeling a bit hungry yourself after a day chock full of outdoor activities, Point Isabel also has a plethora of food and beverage options for your enjoyment at the Mudpuppy’s Sit & Stay Cafe. No need to worry about your dog, the cafe also provides fabulous dishes that your pet can inhale that are both delicious and nutritious.  Look for the Point Isabel Regional Shoreline Dog Park located at 1 Isabel St., Richmond California.

Bark Park, Located Inside Snyder Park: Best Safety In Mind For Troubled Times

Of the more than 700 dog parks within the United States, we know of only one unique facility that makes safety paramount over the other parks. Dogs will be dogs, and rough play is bound to happen in any park area between two or more dominant canines.

It often occurs when you least expect it. The owners hurry to the fight scene and endeavor to separate their dogs. Sadly, not only do the incidents bring to a close the day’s playtime activities for the dogs, owners can also get injured.

Imagine a recreation area for dogs where attendants are on-site charged with no other task than to monitor each dog and be on alert for negative or aggressive behavior? Such a luxury is in place and can be found at the Bark Park, inside of Snyder Park, in the state of Florida. Support for this enhanced safety and level of comfort is covered by a small annual fee paid for by each owner.  Bark Park can be found at 3299 S.W. 4th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Article written by Mike Richards of www.ohmydogsupplies.com, check for limited time specials on rectangle dog beds online.

Photo: SXC

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Information written by Gary Washington of www.ohmydogsupplies.com, look for new discounts on dog seat covers online.

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Caring for an older dog isn’t really a whole lot different from taking care of a puppy. It’s just how things are done that might change. From feeding and exercising to giving them space to relax, slight alterations in daily plans generally are required.

The areas where daily routine might need to change to ensure an older dog is well cared for include:

Weight control
It can be very tempting to give a loved pet an extra doggie treat or even scraps from the table – especially when they’re batting big, brown eyes at their owner. When it comes to older dogs, however, this is generally not a good idea. Keeping a dog’s weight in check as they age can help ward off such conditions as diabetes, heart problems and even joint issues. The more on track with target weight an older dog is, the more likely he or she will be to maintain health and energy levels.

Nutrition
Feeding an older dog is a little different than nourishing a puppy. Just like people, as dogs age, they don’t necessarily require as many calories as they once did. Most pet food companies provide senior lines that can help keep dogs fit and trim well into their teens. These foods should have the proper nutritional balance for an older dog. Checking with a veterinarian for recommendations is not a bad idea.

Exercise
This can be key to ensuring that an older dog stays healthy. Not only can daily exercise assist an older dog in maintaining the proper weight, it can also help make sure their legs stay limber and their hearts stay healthy. Exercising an older dog might be a little different than trying to run the energy out of a puppy, however. Remember, older dogs, just like older people, might get tired a little faster. Whether it’s a fast run around the block or a walk down the street, pay attention to cues from the dog on when it’s time to stop. If he or she is breathing too hard or seems to winded, consider slowing the pace and perhaps doing something a little less strenuous the next time around. Also, remember to keep water on hand to help ensure your older dog stays hydrated during exercise. If an older dog has never been exercised before, it’s a good idea to check with a vet before starting a program.

Dogs have an incredible way of becoming full-fledged family members. As they age, their health concerns can change. Keeping an older dog as healthy as possible often requires a bit of preventative medicine, such as the right diet and exercise, and a whole lot of tender, loving care.

Article by Allison Duarte of Oh My Dog Supplies – the best shopping for dog beds online

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The Breed Makes a Difference

One thing that will help you determine the intelligence of your dog is their breed. Certain breeds are known for particular intellectual abilities and skills. Labs are commonly known for being good hunters, German Sheppard’s for being very protective, and collies are known for being good at herding sheep.

Each breed of dog has its own task at which they excel. If your dog is not excelling at a certain activity maybe it is not natural for the dog to excel in this area. If you try a different activity or task your dog may pick it up right away, but some skills will come easier to your dog than to other breeds of dogs.

Personality

In addition to breed, each dog will have his or her own personality. Just like humans, dogs are individual beings and their personalities will develop in conjunction with their upbringing and genetics. Some dogs may learn better by imitation while others dogs may need simple repetition to learn a task. Try several different teaching methods when you are trying to teach your dog a command, a variety in teaching methods is the only way to figure out which learning personality type your dog has.

Dogs can be very intelligent, there are dogs who can sniff out drugs, or lead people and help people like the seeing eye dogs do. There are endless possibilities to what dogs can do for humans, but as humans we need to pay attention to each individual dog and train them according to their learning ability and style.

If your friends dog seems to be doing way more advanced things than your dog, like opening doors, or picking up their own toys, don’t be so quick to label your dog as dumb. Maybe your dog is not doing these things because it does not want to, or maybe your dog is smart enough to know that if he doesn’t pick up the toys he will not get in trouble or wont get punished, and you will do it for him. There are many things to consider before you label your dog as dumb.

Gender of the dog is another thing people seem to think has an affect on a dogs intelligence, as of yet there are no studies that prove this to be true. Gender does not seem to affect the intelligence of a dog. If your male dog is not excelling as much as your female dog you need to look at the other factors, such as breed and personality. Just remember that some dogs need to have a different kind of training than other dogs so your training needs to be specialized for each individual dog.

Article by Allison Duarte of Oh My Dog Supplies – more elevated dog feeders added monthly

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If you have ever had fleas you know what a pain they are to get rid off. They are very hard to get rid of, and most people would prefer it if their dog never got fleas again. If you have done the preventative treatment and still got fleas you may want to seek professional help. A professional may be able to give you the insider secrets you need to finally rid your home and pet of fleas.

Before you treat your dog for fleas, you will need to get rid of them in your house, this is not an easy task to do. Start by thoroughly cleaning the places where your dog spends most of his time. Remember to get where he sleeps, eats, and relaxes.

After thoroughly cleaning these areas you will need to wash everything you possibly can. After washing put all the cloth items into a hot dryer, this will kill all the fleas. Next make sure you get the floors, vacuum every surface that can be vacuumed. After vacuuming you will want to immediately empty the bag or canister, if you have a canister flush it down the toilet so that the fleas drown. If you use a bag vacuum make sure you get the bag out of your house.

If you have a floor that can be waxed it is advised that you do so, the wax will aid in killing the fleas. You can also buy special powder to sprinkle on your floor before you vacuum that will help kill the fleas.

Bug bombs can be purchased at most grocery stores and are great for getting rid of these unwanted visitors. Read the directions to make sure you get ones that will kill fleas. Also make sure you have enough to cover all the square footage of your house. If you prefer not to use a bug bomb you can call a professional to come in, professional bug bombs work the best and are less stressful on the owner.

When you call a professional they will usually need to come in and do more than one treatment to get rid of all the fleas. This is to insure that they get the eggs as well as the fleas that laid the eggs.

Once you have treated your house you will want to treat your dog. There are many types of treatment available, talk to your vet to get the best treatment for you and your dog. More than one treatment is usually required for your dog as well. After you get rid of the fleas on your dog you will want to make sure you use a preventative to stop the fleas from coming back.

Fleas are a nasty insect that can infest your dog and your house in a matter of days. The easiest and best way to prevent fleas is to continue prevention treatment for your dog throughout the winter season.

Article by Allison Duarte of Oh My Dog Supplies – the place to go for dog steps that stand the test of time.

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This will not be the heeling exercise as done in obedience class, but more of a lesson in “pre-heeling” because you can begin off-lead anywhere that’s safe, indoors or out. And instead of “Heel,” use the friendlier “Let’s go!”

Begin by getting the pup’s attention as he’s trotting along next to you, to make him conscious of what he is doing. Some pups will follow if you lean over, quietly clapping your hands in front of their nose; some like to hear cheerful chatter; others just want to go wherever you go. As you move along, you can add an occasional, “Sparky, watch me!” No doubt by now you’ve noticed that some one-word commands are actually two or three words. Just run them together and your puppy will catch on perfectly.

Hold his attention by walking just quickly enough to make the puppy want to keep up with you. If he’s not paying attention, stop and begin again. No correction. It all begins with just one step in the right direction, followed by verbal praise. Following a treat that smells good may get him started, but if a young pup’s attention is totally elsewhere, this is simply not the right moment for a lesson. A few minutes of playtime, followed by a drink of water, may put him back on track to try again. If not, wait until another time. You can practice anywhere, anytime, on or off leash. As you notice him walking next to you, take advantage of the opportunity to get in a speedy, “Let’s go! – good dog.” (I prefer using a clicker to provide immediate positive reinforcement.)

Be realistic in what you expect of a puppy. A few steps on command earn a reward. A few more steps earn a reward. A week later Sparky is heeling nicely, so praise and quit practicing immediately! Practice again later. Puppies arrive in the winter, too, when outside lessons are not possible. A long hallway or a basement is perfect for indoor training. No distractions, limited space so your pup cannot go too far wrong, and you’re sure to have his attention because you are the most fascinating thing around.

Add some right turns for variety and to be sure he is really paying attention. As you make the turn, bend over and clap your hands to keep him on course. Left turns are harder because you have more to do. Put your left foot in front of the pup to gently guide him into the turn. Careful, or you’ll step on the pup and he won’t think this game is very much fun! However, if your left foot happens to bump the puppy, or he plows into it, don’t apologize. If he thinks it was his mistake, he will learn to pay closer attention. Repeat the “Watch me” signal.

Finally, as you train your puppy, keep in mind that there are different training methods. I actually prefer Clicker Training, but you may want to use traditional treat or praise reward methods.

Additional Resources:
Getting Started Clicker Training Kits
Karen Pryor Clickertraining site.

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1. Potty training your puppy indoors and then expecting him to automatically go outdoors when he is older. Those nifty potty training pads look an awful lot like nice, plushy rugs to your puppy and he may opt to use your rugs as a toilet spot after you do away with the pads.
2. Giving in to his sad whimpers and tucking him in your bed for the first few nights and then expecting him to sleep on his own in a few days without crying. He’ll just cry louder and longer once he knows what he is missing.
3. Letting your guilty feelings overwhelm you so that you don’t crate train him. Crate training helps keep your puppy safe, since he can’t get into dangerous things when you aren’t watching him if he’s crated. Also, he actually feels more secure when he is crated while no one else is home.
4. Taking your puppy with you when you go out, especially if you are going to a park or pet store. Puppies should be finished with immunizations before they go on outings. Their immune systems are often not fully developed when they are young and they are more susceptible to some of the deadliest dog diseases.
5. Letting your puppy do things that are cute in puppies and not at all cute in full size dogs, such as jumping up on guests. It is easier to curb these behaviors right away than it is to break your adult dog of bad habits.

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To get your new puppy off to a good start, why not take the free ABC’s of New Puppy Care mini course? To chat about your canine friend with other dog lovers, don’t forget to visit the Free Dog Tips forum.

As long as you do not alter this article in any way and keep the resource box intact, this article can be reprinted on your website or in your newsletter.

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1) Antifreeze: Many people do not realize it, but common antifreeze kills many pets each year. It smells and tastes very sweet to your dog and is very appealing to him. Ethylene glycol is toxic however, and each winter, many animals are killed by it. Symptoms of toxicity include seizures, vomiting, stumbling and lethargy leading to kidney failure. Make sure to keep your antifreeze out of your dog’s reach. If you suspect that your dog has ingested antifreeze, take your dog to the veterinarian immediately.

2) Chocolate: Chocolate contains a substance called the obromine which is toxic to dogs. Baking chocolate and dark chocolate is especially dangerous. While it usually takes a somewhat large amount of chocolate to kill a dog, poisoning and death does occur with smaller amounts ingested. Signs of chocolate poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, increased urination, and increased activity. This can progress to seizures and unusual heart rhythms. Call your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your dog has eaten chocolate.

3) Bleach: As you might imagine, household bleach is toxic to dogs. Keep all products containing bleach out of your dog’s reach. Symptoms of bleach poisoning include drooling, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Do NOT induce vomiting if you suspect your dog has ingested bleach and contact your veterinarian immediately.

4) Tylenol: As little as two regular strength Tylenol tablets can kill a small dog. Dogs lack the proper liver enzymes to break down acetaminophen. Signs of toxicity include drooling, lethargy, and abdominal pain. If you suspect your dog has ingested Tylenol, call your veterinarian immediately.

5) Watch Batteries: If your dog ingests a watch battery, it can cause a potentially fatal ulceration in the stomach within 12 hours. All other alkaline batteries are toxic to dogs as well. Symptoms of toxicity include drooling, lack of appetite, vomiting, and lethargy. If you suspect your dog has ingested a watch battery, contact your vet immediately.

6) Moth Balls: Moth balls are very dangerous to dogs. They contain an insecticide that causes central nervous system excitement and seizures. When metabolized, ingestion of moth balls can lead to liver failure. Symptoms of poisoning by moth balls include vomiting and seizures. If your dog has consumed moth balls, do NOT induce vomiting. Seek veterinary care immediately.

7) Fabric Softeners and other detergents: All sorts of household detergents are toxic to dogs at one level or another, but fabric softeners fall into the highly toxic category. Signs of toxicity include vomiting, lethargy, burns to the mouth, drooling, muscle weakness, and even coma. Do NOT induce vomiting if your dog has ingested any detergent. Contact your veterinarian immediately.

Mouthwash: Mouthwash can contain boric acid which is highly toxic to dogs. Symptoms of poisoning by mouthwash include vomiting, drooling, seizures, and coma. You should take your dog to the veterinarian immediately if you suspect poisoning by mouthwash or other household item containing boric acid like contact lens solution or denture cleaner.

9) Peach Pits: With most fruits, the pits and the seeds are toxic to dogs. Signs of poisoning include drooling, vomiting, and lethargy. If you suspect your dog has eaten a peach pit or the pit or seeds of any fruit, take him to the veterinarian immediately.

10) Household Plants: Many common and popular household plants are highly toxic to dogs. A partial list of toxic plants includes poinsettias, lilies, ferns, devil’s ivy, aloe, and ivy. Symptoms of poisoning due to ingestion of toxic plants include vomiting and central nervous system excitement. Many of these plants are fatal if ingested. Please contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your dog has eaten a toxic houseplant.

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