Fireworks Are No Fun For Pets

Fireworks Are No Fun For Pets
by Roger Bourdon

Its October 20 here in the UK and bonfire night approaches. The shops are full of fireworks and the kids are clamouring to buy them. You can already hear odd ones going off during the day where they just cant wait, and my dog, who is nervous at the best of times has already started to react to them. Hes really scared by any loud noise and fireworks have him trembling and whining all night.

What makes me saddest is that there is nothing I can really do to stop it, I can only try to make him more comfortable. At least I do try. I am completely horrified by the way that some thoughtless people treat there pets on such occasions.

I have seen people taking dogs to firework parties, leaving them in the car whilst they attend a display, leaving animals outside completely unprotected in any way from the noise and bright lights, and even a poor horse left out in a field right next to a firework display. Are we thoughtless or just plain uncaring. I have to believe in the former so, I am going to treat it as that and again list what you can do to help your pet over these (or any other) very noisy occasions.

What are the signs that your pet is scared

Shaking, trembling Excessive drooling Barking, howling Trying to hide or get into and out of the house, fence, or other enclosure Refusing to eat food Some animals may have loose bladder or bowel control or experience temporary diarrhea from prolonged stress

Please be aware though that these are general signs that something is wrong, they can also relate to other ailments, so if in doubt see your vet.

This is how you can really help your pet during fireworks

LEAVE your dogs at home please; if you attend a display, dont take them with you or leave them in the car, its just not fair. Even the most stable dog will hate the sudden noises, and that includes Guide Dogs who can get really upset and this can affect their normally great performance as a guide. If you must go out then dont make a big deal about leaving them, keep it all as normal as possible, and make sure you leave all the curtains closed and the TV on.

At home let them find a place to hide in if thats what they like to do, and leave them there. If they whine and pace around, let them alone, its their way of dealing with it. If they want a cuddle they will ask you. If your pet is in a cage indoors then cover it with a blanket. If you can get the dog or cat into a carrier or cage they will feel much safer (if they are used to it of course, if they never go into one then dont force them now). Dont forget to put their favourite toy in with them.

Close the curtains and put on the TV or music and keep it as loud as you can bear. This will block out some of the outside noise. I have a TV in most rooms so I turn each one on (to a different channel) and for one night ignore the environmentalists who would have me turn off the ones I am not watching, sorry folks but tonight my dog is more important.

If the animals are outside in hutches or cages, give them extra bedding to burrow into and cover the hutch with a heavy blanket to keep out as much light as possible. If your horses are out please bring them into stables or if they dont have stables then make sure that they are as far away from any potential fireworks as possible.

If they are stressed, and behaving badly please dont shout at them, this will only make it worse. Dogs and cats left indoors on their own will often do damage if they are scared. Take precautions if you must leave them and put them into a safe, smaller place like a carrier or crate (not a cupboard!) but an area where they can make a nest to curl up in. My mums dog heads for the wardrobe every time and curls up in the back of it, she seems to feel safe there and its dark. Remember that if really stressed they are also very likely to hurt themselves as well.

What else can you do?

Some people say that Bachs Rescue Remedies can work and also aromatherapy. You can also get a Dog Appeasing pheromone treatment from your vet that is well worth trying, and they have therapeutic music to play that should calm your pet. I personally think that the use of music is really good, but what I am trying to do is drown out the outside noise and the bright lights.

The main thing is to make sure that your animal is secure. Close windows and outside doors and lock them if you have a Houdini Dog like mine who can open most doors. Dont forget to block the dog or cat flap. Dogs have been known to burrow under fences, break windows and jump huge fences in a bid to escape loud noises if they have been left outside. Dont walk them at night either, do it during the day, and keep them on a leash just in case any are let off early.

The days following firework events can be a nightmare for animal shelters as all the escaped animals who have fled in panic are brought in, and youd be surprised at how far they can go when scared. Put some thought into caring for your pet and take the load off the shelters. After all, you asked for your pet, he didnt ask for you. Its your responsibility to take good care of him.

Roger Bourdon's aim is to bring the joys of horseback riding to everyone with his books and website at http://anyhorsebackriding.com where you can get really cool free hints and tips on learning to horseback ride.

Pros and Cons to Breeding Your Dog

Pros and Cons to Breeding Your Dog
By Kelly Marshall

Before deciding to breed your female dog there are some positive and negative considerations that owners should consider. Breeding your dog is not an inexpensive or easy task if you are seriously planning on making the best possible selection of a male dog. There are serious health considerations with regards to breeding dogs that should be discussed with your vet and family members before making the final decision.

Drawbacks To Breeding Your Dog

Breeds have their own unique issues when it comes to breeding. Below are some of the general concerns that can arise with any breed:

· Cost of stud services. For a championship bloodline it can be several hundred or even thousands of dollars to have your female bred to a purebred male.

· Potential health risks. There is always the possibility that the female can be injured during breeding, or may develop life-threatening conditions during the pregnancy. Female dogs can die during delivery if they are left unsupervised and there is a complication.

· Additional vet expenses. The female may require additional trips to the vet or even help with birthing or whelping the puppies. These vet bills can range between the cost of a check-up to several thousands of dollars depending on the size of the dog and the troubles they experience.

· Health issues with the puppies. If there are health issues with the puppies the owner of the female is usually responsible unless there have been other arrangements made prior to the birth. Again, these can be minor or they can be very costly.

· Vaccinations and feeding. Not only will the female require more and higher quality feed throughout her pregnancy but the puppies will also require vet visits and high quality food. For the larger breeds the food can be very costly, and for any breed the vaccinations and vet visits are critical and are an additional cost.

· Ongoing health issues with the female. Female dogs that have had a litter of puppies are much more likely to develop ovarian and breast cancers than spayed females that have not had a litter.

Positive to Breeding Your Female

There are positives as well to breeding your female. Helping develop a line of healthy and breed standard puppies is very rewarding. Finding good homes and families for the puppies is a great opportunity to share the breed of your choice with caring and loving individuals.

In addition breeding is a way for kennels and breeders to seek to develop championship lines. There is increased awareness of the kennel if one of the puppies becomes a champion dog.

For most individuals making money off of puppies is simply not realistic. By the time that you consider the expenses of breeding and caring for the females the price of the puppies does not cover the expenses of raising them. Careful consideration of the options for breeding is important before deciding if this is right for your dog or not.

Read dozens of articles like this at ohmydogsupplies.com & s hop for creative and unique dog stuff like Dog Supplies, Dog Beds, and so much more. Coupons available!

Buying A Puppy

Buying a Puppy
By Justine Kay

First of all, I would advise you to read my article about choosing a dog before you start thinking about buying a puppy. This will help you think about what kind of dog and what aged dog will fit in with you, your family and your lifestyle, both present and future. You need to gather some information about the many varied breeds of dog, and, after some consideration, you may decide that a more mature dog would be better for you and your family than a young puppy.

If you do decide that you want to buy a puppy and you have researched and decided on the breed of dog that would suit you, here is some basic advice to help you avoid mistakes.

The first rule is that you should never buy a dog from a pet shop – it is imperative that you buy direct from an established breeder with a good reputation. It is advisable to ask you local vets for some recommendations, then contact several breeders and talk to them about the breed of dog in general and about their breeding practices and policies. Visit them and ask them about genetic problems that the breed is prone to and how they avoid them in their puppies. A good breeder will have a system in place of screening their dogs for hereditary diseases, thus giving their puppies the best possible chance of a long, healthy life. This is also the time to ensure that the breeder holds all relevant legal paperwork – find out what is relevant in your country.

Keep talking to and visiting breeders until you find one that inspires you with confidence and really cares about the dogs and puppies. Discuss the price and make sure that it is within your budget, bearing in mind all the other costs of having a new dog. Also keep in mind that a breeder that charges more may well be a better choice, as they will spend more money on the welfare of their dogs.

When choosing a puppy, make sure you see the litter with their dame, preferably seeing both parent dogs. Look at the puppies carefully for any signs of ill-health. Healthy puppies will sleep a lot of the time but once awake, they should be active, inquisitive and energetic. Inspect the general environment that the dogs and puppies are kept in – is it clean and comfortable? Do the dogs have everything they need – fresh water, clean bedding, a dry, clean room at a comfortable temperature? Are the dogs and puppies friendly and happy when the breeder approaches them?

Look for obvious signs of ill-health such as diarrhea, vomiting, bloated stomach (a sign of worms), discharge from eyes and nose (a sign of a bacterial or viral infection) and never buy a puppy that is anything other than in top form. It is stressful for even a healthy puppy to leave its dame and litter mates and go into a completely new environment, but a sick puppy will quickly deteriorate. It is the breeder's responsibility to care for the puppies and get them into good health before they are well enough to go to a new home.

Once you have chosen a puppy, you should receive a written health guarantee from the breeder that allows you to return it within 72 hours for a full refund if any disease is found by you or your vet within that period. This gives you the opportunity to take the puppy to your own vet for a full health check – you should do this at the earliest opportunity. This sounds heartless to some people – how can you return a poor sick little puppy to a breeder? - but the point is to put the onus of responsibility onto the breeder to care for the dogs and puppies in his charge and provide healthy puppies to new owners.

Once you see a puppy that you are interested in, ask to see it away from the litter and the dame. You need to get an idea of how you'll get on with this puppy in a one-to-one situation. If you decide it's the puppy for you, go ahead with the purchase but make sure that all the paperwork is in order and legal in your country. A good breeder should be happy for you to phone them to ask questions and advice after you get the puppy home.

You should already have prepared your home for your new dog. A comfortable bed, food and water bowls, collar and leash and some safe chew toys should be ready for your new companion, plus a dog crate if you have decided to use one. It is usually advisable to keep the puppy on the same food as the breeder was feeding him, at least to start with. This can gradually be changed over the following week if you prefer a different brand, by blending the existing food with the new one. Sudden changes could upset the puppies tummy, so take your time with this.

Read my other articles for help with house training and generally caring for you new dog.

Justine Kay is an experienced dog owner and trainer. She is the webmistress at Dog Training Tips where she writes dog training articles and discusses the intricacies of dog psychology.

Dog Training - Basic Requirements

Dog Training - Basic Requirements
By Michael Russell

Handler Attention - If you want hundred per cent attention from your dog, you must be prepared to give this to him during training. He is entitled to your full attention - any failure on your part will result in failure on his. Therefore, sessions should be short, but intensive whilst they last.

Voice Control - Probably the most important thing for a handler to learn is how to use his or her voice to obtain the right response from the dog during training. Any sharpness used to get his attention must be short and snappy with an immediate softening of tone afterwards and with the recall an excited tone to encourage the dog to come in. A sharp tone of voice should only be used to get the dog's attention and at no other time. If this sharpness of tone is not successful on this first call then your training is not soundly based. Continual shouting is of little value in successful dog training.

Body and Hand control - It can be of great value to use body and hand movements as signals, but you must be conscious of their useful application. The proper and natural use of signals will help your dog, so long as you know you are using them. You can later minimise these signals or cut them out when no longer needed. Hand and arm signals in particular can be used to reinforce acts of encouragement.

Use of Food as Reward - Titbits of food should never be used in place of other forms of reward or encouragement, but rather to back up or reinforce encouragement and praise. The correct use of food can have a dramatic effect on the progress of training. To obtain the best results in training, a dog should never be fed before a training session - it is much easier to train a hungry dog. A training session just before feeding time where titbits are used to reinforce praise and encouragement can prove to be very effective. It should be noted that training without titbits can restrict the effectiveness of repeating that part of an exercise to about three to five tries before moving to another part. After this, a dog normally loses his edge and the handler wonders why performance deteriorates. However, the use of titbits can prolong a training session for twenty to thirty repeats with a hungry dog. The idea is to get the right balance and really understand your dog's limitations.

Dogs can be and are trained very effectively without ever using a titbit, but, as an aid, the use of food can speed up and help consolidate on the elements being trained. Also, the use of titbits can help to keep the handler in a better frame of mind. What handler can be coarse and overbearing whilst giving his dog something to eat? It just would not make sense.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Dog Training

Therapy Dog Training - Working With Your Dog

Therapy Dog Training - Working With Your Dog
By Dean Iggo

Therapy dog training, while important, is something with which many people are not familiar. A therapy dog is one that is used to do animal assisted therapy and activities. Organizations train the dog to help people in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and virtually anywhere people need some sort of therapy. So, then, how do dogs become therapy dogs? It is a fairly simple process.

A Good Citizen

Though the requirements for therapy dog training vary from state to state, it is almost universal that the dog must be certified as a canine good citizen. In order to receive that, you have to train your dog to be focused and well behaved around distractions. Generally your local animal shelter or even a therapy dog training center will have classes available for you to learn how to turn your dog into a canine good citizen.

Classes for Therapy

Therapy dog training can start as soon as your dog has been certified as a canine good citizen. The training consists mainly of teaching your dog how to ignore things like hospital equipment and school noises that he or she may not be used to being around. They also train the dog to help with simple activities and therapy with those who need it. However, in many cases, the therapy is really just the presence of the dog. Those using the services of dogs trained in how to perform the therapy can be anything from walking them, to reading to them, to simply being around them.

Where to Go

If you are interested in therapy dog training for your four legged pal, then you should check out the internet or your local yellow pages. Whether you live in Virginia, California, or anywhere else, there is an organization in your area that will help you not only teach your dog how to become a therapy dog, but also get him out in the community and doing his part. Additionally, you can volunteer to help with everything from training to the therapy itself. Just get in contact with your local organization.

Therapy dog training can be incredibly rewarding. When you teach your dog how to react to the situations with which he will be presented, you are putting him in a situation to be more than just a pet. You and your dog together can be real additions to the community and help your fellow man.

Dean Iggo is the webmaster of www.dogtrainingadvisor.com providing tips and advice on dog obedience training at home, including obedience, potty training and more.

Your Dog's Good Health Starts with Good Nutrition

Your Dog's Good Health Starts with Good Nutrition
by Carol Stack


Good health starts with good nutrition. It helps dogs fight disease, grow correctly, and age gracefully. Giving your puppy or adult dog the correct dog food in the correct amounts makes for a happier, healthier pet.

Dogs need different diets as they age. Puppies usually require larger amounts of protein, fat and carbohydrates than an adult dog. Their bodies are going through tremendous growth in a short amount of time and so dog food rich in these items are very important.

However, different dog breeds require different amounts of calcium, protein, and fat. It's been found that puppies of larger breeds need less protein and grow at a healthier rate on adult dog food because it doesn't promote the fast growth that puppy food does.

Dog breeds such as Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds and Saint Bernards can grow at phenomenal rates, some gaining 100 pounds in months. When bones grow too fast they become less dense and more porous, leaving the dog more vulnerable to degenerative conditions.

In some areas puppy food is available specifically for different breed sizes. It's recommended that owners talk to their vet about what dog food is best for their puppy.

Feeding schedules are different for the age and the size of the animal. Small-breed puppies such as Yorkies and Chihuahuas may not get the energy they need unless they are fed 3-4 times a day for the first few months.

There are special formulas for small breeds. They typically come in smaller kibble so it's easier for the dog to eat, as well as being higher in nutrition so the dog gets the necessary energy they need for their higher metabolism.

Extra calories are needed by dog athletes and working dogs to provide the energy they need each day. There are custom-made formulas that contain a high percentage of calories from protein and fat.

Elderly dogs have completely different needs than puppies, younger dogs and working dogs. They need less protein while at the same time the protein needs to be easily assimilated into the body and easily digestible. Too much protein can lead to burdening the renal structures and may damage the kidneys.

Arthritis, heart disease and other age-related conditions could mean less exercise and so less food. However, senior dogs that remain active, have a healthy weight, and are free from serious health problems don't necessarily need a senior diet.

Some senior diets have reduced protein levels. But healthy seniors need sufficient protein to help maintain muscle mass. Owners need to check with their dog's vet to determine the best formula and the correct amount for their elderly dog.

A stage that some female dogs go through is the pregnancy stage. This requires a different diet and schedule. Females in the pregnancy stage require a balanced nutrition with proper supplementation of vitamins and minerals.

Later, when they are nursing the puppies, they need enough calcium so the bones of the puppies will be strong.

As your dog advances through each stage it's necessary to check how your dog is doing. If there is a change in weight, mobility, coat quality, or any other health aspect in your dog you need to discuss it with your vet. It is possible that your dog needs a change in diet.

Carol Stack enjoys writing articles about dogs. She lives with her husband, children, four dogs and seven cats in the United States. Carol and her daughter Christy are working on a web site, http://www.christysdogportal.com where you can get more information about taking care of your dog.

Safe Toys For Dogs

Safe Toys For Dogs
by Richard G M Taylor
Why do dogs need toys? Well this is a good question and there is no simple answer. Dogs are like children or at least many owners treat their dogs like children. So for the same reason parents buy toys for their children, so do dog owners buy toys for their dogs.

There are many toys for owners to choose for their dogs. Choosing toys that are safe relies on a number of considerations which I cover briefly in this article.

First of all what do we mean by toys for dogs. Basically they fit into two categories. Special toys you can buy from a pet shop or other similar retail outlet. Household items or objects found in your garden or local park. Let's take these in that order.

Special Dog Toys

Although you can buy toys for your dog in a shop that does not mean that they are all safe for your particular dog. Also you should realise that toys you can buy for dogs do not have to meet the same stringent safety standards imposed on the manufacturers and retailer as required for children's toys.

Dogs of any age are like children at a young age and cannot distinguish between a safe toy and one that can cause harm. Of course Dogs can be trained to avoid toys that can be harmful but that really only applies to household items or objects used as toys which I cover in the second category. It is really up to the dog owner to choose toys that are safe for their particular dog.

So what criteria should dogs owners look for when choosing a safe toy for their dog. Well of course the toy has to be fun because that is the primary objective of a toy. Then it has to be practical in that the toy needs to be durable - it needs to be capable of quite a lot of abuse from your dog and you want it to last for a while. Finally it has to be safe and what is safe for one dog may not be safe for another.

Most dogs like to chew almost anything that comes near them, particularly when they are a puppy. So a soft cuddly toy which squeaks may be safe when bitten by a small Chiwawa but can be harmful and certainly not durable when chewed buy a Great Dane. Plastic toys can break up and cause harmful splinters for a dog with a powerful jaw.

Anything that is small enough to be swallowed by your dog is potentially harmful. Choosing a toy of the right size for your dog is very important. Much of this is common sense to the majority of sensible dog owners and if in doubt about a toy then ask the shop attendant before you buy. Chew Bones are very popular and are safe provided they are not small enough to get stuck in the dog's mouth and provided they are not made from a brittle material. Hard rubber toys are usually a good choice. Kongs are probably the best toy ever invented and come in a variety of sizes to suit any dog. So lets move on to the next category.

Household Items or Objects used as Toys

Well the list here would be endless so I will talk only about the type of household item or object that can be found around the house, garden, local park and anywhere you are likely to take your dog. Vigilance and common sense by the dog owner is very important particularly with young puppies that have yet to be trained.

Avoid allowing your dog to chew or bite on anything that can be harmful. Items such as string, shoe laces, cord of any kind (especially electrical), discarded socks etc etc. All of these things can be swallowed and/or trapped in your dog's throat. Anything that is likely to break into small pieces when chewed or bitten must be avoided.

Whilst a dog owner can usually control what happens within the confines of the house and garden, it becomes much more difficult in the park, in the field or down by the local pond. This is where vigilance by the dog owner is so important. When out in the open, most dog owners like to play 'fetch' with their dogs and the choice of object used as a toy in this type of game is similar to the criteria used when buying a safe toy from a shop. Twigs and small branches are usually ok provided they cannot be broken or splintered too easily. Tennis balls are used as very popular toys for dogs as many are other types of ball. The main criteria here is to ensure the ball cannot be swallowed or become stuck in the mouth or throat of larger dogs.

In summary, When choosing a safe toy or object for your dog to play with it really comes down to just plain common sense.

For more information and articles on dogs and dog health visit http://www.aboutdoghealth.info/