Dogs vary in sizes and range from the giant breed known as the Irish wolfhound to the very small ones like the Chihuahua. All dogs have certain similar characteristics although each breed portrays its own unique characteristics. With this in mind you have to consider various factors before choosing a dog bed.

As mentioned earlier the first thing you should consider while purchasing a dog bed is the size of your dog. There is no way one would buy a large bed for a small puppy. This is quite inappropriate and will not only look odd but will tend to occupy a larger space in the room where you intend to place it. Normally, when purchasing a bed for a puppy one would go for something that the puppy will grow into. A dog bed for a puppy requires less cushioning because it does not have too much weight to weigh the cot down.

In case you want the bed to last long, you should consider that the puppy will grow to a bigger dog. Hence, a larger bed is required. The owner may also go for a cheap puppy bed and replace it when the puppy grows. For beds, meant to last it is good to choose one with cushioning made firmer because it will support a lot of weight in the future.

Another thing to consider is a dog bed with a washable cover. This is because after time, a dog bed may produce a doggy smell. The smell is not pleasant and since most dog owners place their dog bed in prominent view of where guests are able to see it, it can be embarrassing. Therefore, a dog bed with a washable cover is good as it helps you deal with the problem. The color of the cover can be coordinated with overall color theme of the house.

Dog owners should also consider the age of the dog when purchasing a bed. This is because old dogs, just like older people tend to be a little stiffer especially in the joint areas. Such dogs should have dog beds padded well and made of memory foam or one that is heated as it is particularly good at soothing the minor pains and aches.

Some dog beds are stuffed with cedar that helps in repelling fleas. However, in the case where a dog shares the bed with a cat, a bed stuffed with cedar must be avoided completely because cedar can be harmful to cats.

In most cases, pet beds are thick padded and flat. They are also available in oval, rectangular or round shapes. The most popular style for a dog bed is the cot. It has its surface lifted some inches from the ground with the material being mesh or a cool fabric. This means it is possible to get perfect dog beds to fit your style and preference.

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Get more information on dog beds and thousands of other pet supplies at RadioFence.com including bark collars and electric dog fences.
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Eye, Ear & Nose Damage

This may not have even occurred to you, since dogs always have a tendency to stick their heads out the window of a moving vehicle to smell all of those new smells on the open road. But being in the open air traveling at high speeds (whether their head is out the window or they’re in the back of the truck) can likely cause damage to the delicate parts of their face. The swirling of the air currents in the bed of a pickup truck can cause dirt, debris and insects to become lodged in the dog’s eyes, ears, and nose.

Being Ejected from the Truck

We’ve all had to slam on our brakes while we’re driving at some point; it’s inevitable. Now imagine slamming on your brakes while your beloved dog is in the truck bed. He’s going to get a serious jolt and it’s possible that he could fly right out of the bed and into the road. You also run the risk of getting into an accident while you’re traveling with your precious cargo which could also force him out of the bed. And if you think that securing him with a rope or chain is any better, you’re wrong. There have been cases where dogs were thrown out of the back of the truck while still attached and being dragged on the road while the owner is still driving. Talk about a nightmare situation.

Jumping Ship

Even if you don’t slam on your brakes or get into an accident, your dog may have plans of her own. Does your dog get easily distracted by squirrels, dogs, or other animals? Who’s to say she’s not going to willingly jump out in order to better investigate a situation? How long would it take you to realize she’s gone? How will you be able to protect her from getting hit by other cars or straying too far away while you’re in the driver’s seat? Just because your dog would “never do that” doesn’t mean that it could never happen; you never know what might trigger her at any given time.

What are the Laws?

In February of 2009, Senator Norman Stone Jr’s bill to ban riding around with dogs in truck beds was defeated on the Senate 30-17. Although the bill was passed by the House unanimously in 2008, some Senators questioned whether or not it was a “real” problem. Others worried that farmers would be unable to ride with their dogs, leading to a lot of unhappy dogs.

There are, however, a number of individual states have banned this type of pet travel and other states have bills pending.

What’s the Alternative?

Even though it’s not against the law in all 50 states, traveling with dogs in the bed of your pickup trucks should never be an option. The Humane Society of the US notes that they don’t know of any brand of harness that is safe for the back of the truck. It’s best to have the dog in the cab with you, and if it’s an extended cab, the dog should be restrained in the back and away from the windshield. For trucks, pet travel crates, pet safety belts, and pet car seats are the safest bets. And if none of these are available to you at the time you’re taking your truck (or any vehicle), consider keeping your dog safe at home.

Trips with Pets has even more tips, pet travel advice, and pet friendly hotels to make sure that your beloved pooches are safe and happy no matter where your travels take you.

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About the Author:
Kim Salerno is the President & Founder of TRIPSwithPETS.com. She founded the pet travel site in 2003 and is an expert in the field of pet travel. Her popular pet travel site features pet friendly hotels & accommodations across the United States, along with other helpful pet travel resources. Her mission is to ensure that pets are welcome, happy, and safe in their travels.
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Nobody buys an automobile, for example, without doing some research. The same should apply when buying a pup. As a first priority, it is advisable to know the person behind the sale.

Puppy mills are mass production units focused on making available a large volume of pups at low cost. This strategy is common with many other things in life, ranging from bread to automobiles. In itself, it is not a bad thing. But it may produce negative consequences. Puppies may receive poor care and there is also a risk of disease. These negatives, if they exist, may only manifest themselves days or weeks after the puppy is already in its new home.

Importantly, unprofessional breeders maintain a poor check on genetic defects. This may lead to poor selection in the breeding parents. This obviously perpetuates a problem rather than curtailing it. Compounding this issue some breeders keep unhygienic premises. These negative can interact to produce severely adverse consequences for young pups.

One strategy is to focus on registered breeders. They typically have only a limited supply of puppies. This is because one of their main objectives is to enhance the breed, not only to generate revenue through the sale of litters. Their prices are generally higher, but that reflects the higher quality of their pups. Moreover, they can document the hereditary details of the progeny (including a chip number, complete pedigree details, registration certificate, vaccinations, de-worming, and so on).

Tracking down registered breeders is not difficult these days thanks to the Internet. Most are contactable by email and you can establish a dialogue with them regarding your preferences. They will accept bookings in advance of the arrival of new litters. Or they will keep prospective new owners notified of impending new litters with a puppies for sale type email. Once new pups are born, new owners are supplied with photographs from which to make a selection. But be quick. New pups from reputable breeders are usually snapped-up quickly.

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About the Author:
Go to www.farmmedley.com for puppies for sale or dogs for sale.
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About the Author:
Learn how to house train a dog with Sit Stay Fetch. Check out my in depth sit stay fetch reviews puppy training king and learn how you can train your dog easily in weeks.
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The last post gave you the skinny on the problem behaviors that food bowl aggression can lead to and why they happen.  The next three posts will provide some options for ways to incorporate meal time into your dog’s training!

There are three basic techniques that you need to be familiar with as you work with Fido to eliminate the dog bowl aggression…

1)      Use toys to feed your dogs

2)      Feed your dogs from your hand

3)      Have your dogs work for their food

So let’s take a look at each of these ways to use feeding time as a training tool!

The First Technique…Use toys to feed your dogs

As queried in an earlier blog post, why are we wasting feeding time and only giving the dog 60-90 seconds of unsupervised activity time from a bowl? (Thank you Dr. Dunbar!) Instead, we could use feeding times to teach, train and mold our furry four legged friends to use proper doggie manners! To get started, I suggest you feed your dogs at least twice a day (three if your schedule allows) and do not use a bowl.  I want you to split up the feedings so the dog has their favorite point of the day (meal time) multiple times vs. only once. Toys will give your dogs more mental stimulation, thus helping to wear out the mind, which is much better than just letting them wolf down their food in 60-90 seconds which would leave them bored.  (Remember idle hands…?) More importantly, toys make the dogs work for their food instead of just waiting for their human to fill the magic bowl!

It is important to remember classical conditioning at this point when you are feeding your dog (Pavlov anyone!) This is a great opportunity to build positive associations with food! Previously, we had just the 60-90 seconds to pair an association with dinner time, but as we use food dispensing toys, we might have upwards of 10-15 minutes to make those same connections! You can even freeze the toys with food in them and gain additional time while you eat! What do I mean by associations and classical conditioning? Well, if my dog is aggressive around, let’s say kids, while eating; I want kids to be present around the dog while the dog is eating! I always take steps to ensure safety, but with kids, you have to be extra careful! A simple and easy safety measure is to tether the dog when feeding them (remember to use a toy) and simply having the child in the room with the dog (but NOT sitting right next to him!) Tethering is also effective when you have multiple dog households, dogs that don’t really like each other or even with cats.  Through use of toys as the means to deliver the food, you are positively reinforcing the association of chewing on toys as an appropriate behavior (rather than chewing on the couch, pillow, shoe, etc…!!!)

The goal is to create a subconscious mindset in your dog that all the good things in the world (food) happen when this stimulus that makes me nervous (child) is around. Please remember that this is not going to make your dog think “I love kids” just because they are around during meal times; but it is more like that warm fuzzy feeling those of us who love coffee get when we walk into a Starbucks. We associate the smell of coffee with a sense of well being! 

Once again I want to stress that this does work with dogs with problems, but it is not a quick fix!  I find that if I can teach people to use these techniques from puppyhood, these problems will rarely occur.  So to those of you that have dogs that already have food bowl aggression, it’s time to get busy; and for those of you who have a puppy…let’s get started young so that you can build a positive association at feeding time from the very beginning!

Now we have toys at feeding time working for us…so what’s next? What about making food even more important (as well as your status and relationship with your dog?) Why not feed your dog by hand?

See the next blog post Dog Bowl Aggression, and the Wonderful Resource We Waste Everyday…Part 3!!! which focuses on the Second Technique – feeding your dog(s) from your hand (or by hand.)

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About the Author:
Mike Deathe is a stay-at-home dad who found his passion as a dog trainer in 2008.  He enjoys identifying unique and useful “muttz” related products.  He is the author of Keep It Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Pet Blog.  Mike has had dogs since he was four years old and there are currently four dogs and two cats living in his home!  As an avid pet lover, he regularly sees the number of dogs and cats that never find a home.  In 2009, he and his wife Kate founded Muttz “R” Us, a t-shirt and pet product company with a philanthropic motto of “Adopt a Pet, Save a Life.”  In 2010 Muttz “R” Us also launched KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID DOG TRAINING! Visit us at facebook or twitter or follow the blog @http://muttzmembers.blogspot.com/ or check out the website @www.muttzrus.com for more details.
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Don’t conduct the training in a place with lots of distraction.  Pets easily get distracted with sights and sounds.  Find a place where the pet can hear and focus on your commands. Your backyard will be a great place to start with.  Public places like parks are ideal for outdoor training but they are usually crowded and noisy.  If you choose a park for training, be sure to find a quiet and less crowded spot.

Don’t exhaust your dog in training.  Pets have a short attention span too.  Unless you can sustain their attention and interest, then maybe you can plan a quite extensive training module.  If you can’t, try to keep the lessons short.  Around 20 to 30 minutes perhaps.  Do not push your dog to his limits.  Try to give him a time to rest in between the training time.

Don’t forget to commend and reward your dog.  If your pet was able to do your commands and exemplify good behaviour,   show them your appreciation by commending them and giving them rewards.  Through your actions, your pet can associate that what he did was good, and will do it again so he can get a reward.  Rewards can be food, treats or toys.

Don’t stop until you achieve your goal.  Pet owners have their goals in training their dogs.  Sometimes, dogs are too stubborn and this requires patience among the trainers.  Try to devote your time and exert some effort in training them until you see progress and finally achieve your goals.  Having a well-behaved dog after training will make all the effort worth it.

Don’t be afraid to consult a professional dog trainer.  If you are having problems in teaching your dog, you can always ask a professional trainer for advice.  Hearing it from the experts, you can be quite sure that their tips and advice are proven and effective.  They have handled quite a lot of dogs like your dog and they already know what to do.

Don’t hesitate to try dog training aids. The market now offers a lot of training kits for dogs.  There are kits for obedience, and some for agility.  Choose which of these kits will better serve your purpose.  To ensure pet safety and to have guarantee, you can choose products from top manufacturers like Petsafe dog training collars, Dogtra bark collars, agility kits, and a lot more. Be sure to check reviews before buying any of these products to have an idea of how they work and their effectiveness.

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About the Author:
Have a well-trained dog through easy, effective and pet safe ways of training.
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1. Lose weight: For older dogs, arthritis is only one of the issues that can be triggered by an excessive amount of body fat. An overweight dog will suffer more with any arthritic pain. Help your pet lose weight by switching to a “light” dog food, and making sure he gets some gentle exercise. You should also avoid giving your senior dog table scraps—”people food” can be very calorie rich and could contribute to your dog’s weight problem.

2. Supplement for joint health: Find a homeopathic supplement that’s easy to give to him as well as offer support for joint mobility. A natural supplement can help by alleviating stress on his joints, and help preserve cartilage. Joint supplements are safe and effective for older dogs, and should be added to your dog’s health plan as soon as you consider him an “older” dog.

3. Provide a soft bed: Older dogs with arthritis must have a clean, warm and soft bed to help him sleep. If your dog has always slept on the couch, he may not be able to climb up as easily. Provide him with a soft bed of his own, and keep it in a warm area of your home. Large breeds may find it easier if the bed is raised a few inches off the ground.

4. Exercise: Encourage your older dog with arthritis to take part in slower gentler exercise routines. A short walk around the block will help keep your dog fit, and help him preserve the muscles in his legs and back.

5. Offer accessibility options: Older dogs with arthritis still need to be a part of the family. If your dog likes to travel in the car, invest in a small pet ramp so he can climb inside without injuring himself. Add accessibility devices like ramps to help your dog get in the truck or on the couch. You may need to offer some support with a strap or harness while your pet is climbing up or down stairs (down can be more difficult for some dogs, as they can’t control the speed of their descent).

In older dogs, arthritis is a serious condition that can affect their quality of life if left untreated. Fortunately, arthritis and its effects can generally be dealt with using the techniques above. One of the best things you can do for your older dog with arthritis is to take him to the vet for an evaluation and examination. Your vet will be able to work with you to determine the best treatment plan for your dog.

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About the Author:
Work to help your dog maintain his optimal weight and play simple games with him to keep him moving. Exercise keeps his joints lubricated when in use. Finally, consider this natural option as an older dogs arthritis treatment. Find out how to qualify for product when you visit http://ArthritisCatsTreatment.com. We welcome dogs too!
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You will want to determine what type of Halloween costume for dog use that you want to see on your pet. Whether you darling is a princess or a devil you can get them the perfect costume. You can find an outfit that suits your dog’s personality perfectly. Make it a family affair and pick two or three ideas for costumes for Halloween costumes for dogs.

You may want to try and make a Halloween costume on your own too. This will allow you to design any costume that you want for your dog. You may be able to make a costume that no other dog in the neighborhood is wearing. What a great way to make your dog stand out. However, you may not want to devote the time to this. If you don’t sew then this option is out. If you don’t sew or are short on time then use your own computer to find a perfect costume for your dog.

If you have a Dachshund a popular choice for a Halloween costume for dog is a hotdog. This can bring a smile to the face of everyone your dog comes into contact with. You can be very silly and have a good time when you are choosing a costume. One tip though if you are looking for XXL dog costumes. If you find a couple that you love, then use them throughout the year. Pick up a couple of costumes,a XXL dog costume like the Cat in the Hat and the extra large Devil dog costume.

Accessories can really make the Halloween costume for dog special. Use a tiara to top off your dog’s princess costume. If you are dressing your dog as a devil, you may want to consider horns and a devil tail as this can make the costume very apparent of what it is. No one will wonder what your dog is supposed to be when you add on some helpful accessories.

A Halloween costume for dog wear is a fun way to get your family in the Halloween spirit. There are many Halloween costume for dogs that you may be able to obtain and this can make a big difference in the fun your family has during this holiday.

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About the Author:
Finding mini and XXL dog costumes can really be a challenge. You have you party theme all planned, but can’t find the right Halloween costume for your dog locally. Just hop onto your computer and shop for special sizes and the best deals at http://XXLDogCostumes.com .
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But there are many situations in life when the doctor can be not available and you are the only ones who can help your dog health. Therefore, every dog owner should have a small first aid kit.

Such kind of kit should contain at least thermometer, medicine dropper, forceps, bandages, cotton wool, castor or olive oil, antibiotics and sulphanilamide preparations. From time to time check out the kit and get rid of the medicines with the expired dates.

If there is a need to lubricate the throat of your dog, it is better to do this procedure not alone since it is very unpleasant for the dog and it doesn’t stay calmly at the same place. One person should keep the mouth of the dog opened and the other try to lubricate the throat with the sticks wrapped with cotton.

If you need to give your dog the medicine in form of tablets, just open the mouth of the dog widely, put the tablet on the root of the tongue and close it at once. Liquid medicines cannot be poured into the open mouth, when inhaled it can cause pneumonia. Best of all, without opening the dog’s mouth pull the edge of the lips and insert the medicine.

I hope this article will help you to help your dog when it is necessary and improve your dog health.

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About the Author:
Find out more information on dog food & health.
 
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able to see exactly what goes on, usually dog separation anxiety. Most of us don’t have this in our homes. Is there more than one dog in the household? Some questions to contemplate are:

Do you provide toys or other items for your dog to play with and be

entertained?

Is there ample room to exercise and move around?

Do you have a doggie door so your dog can go in and out of the house

on it’s own?

Being home all day in silence and isolation can bring feelings of abandonment and can lead to unwanted behavior because of dog separation anxiety. Just think if you had to be home alone with no T.V, radio, telephone or another individual and nothing to do except be in the same area as your pet has with the same water, small bed or floor. You can’t read, do puzzles or get on the computer and you can’t leave the house because you don’t have a doggie door to go through. Now what? You can’t go to the bathroom. You have to hold it until someone comes home to walk you. As you feel anxiety, so does your dog known as dog separation anxiety.

So, lets entertain some thoughts on how to keep your pet from dog separation anxiety. First, you must eliminate the silence that fills the air when left home alone. You can leave the radio on a channel that had both talk and music so it creates different sounds. The best music to play is soft soothing music (not heavy metal) just as you would like to listen too. Something like you hear when getting a massage.( What! You haven’t ever had a massage? Make an appointment right now). Of course you also have the T.V. This can help<a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', '/outgoing/article_exit_link']);” target=”_blank” href=”http://retirementusa.com/pets”> dog </a>  separation anxiety by the different sounds and the changing of the picture.

Be sure to have your pets favorite toys or object(s) available for them to pick up, shake, gnaw, bite or toss. Most toys today also have a inner compartment to store doggie (healthy) treats for them to try to get at.

Of course you can’t beat companionship. If you can’t afford a neighbor or dog walker to stop by during the day, consider a second dog as a companion. You might see if there is a retired neighbor that is willing to stop by during the day which may give them something to do and look forward to. A win-win situation. You want to have your dog a happy pet without dog separation anxiety.

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About the Author:
Ric Dalberri is a graduate of Columbia State University & has been involved in his own business (sold) employing over 100 people. As
well as being a top producer as a Financial Specialist for over a decade with one of the largest financial institutions in the U.S., Ric has many years experience in sales and  management. Ric was also a mentor in
the financial arena as well as a volunteer teacher for Junior Achievement.
 
 
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