Dealing With the Loss of a Pet...

Death Of The Family Pet: A Proper Goodbye To Your Faithful Friend As the words of a sad, but sweet, eulogy was echoed over the loudspeaker of a public address system, a spotlight began to slowly illuminate an object in the center of the show ring: a leash, attached to an empty training collar. The Occasion? It was graduation night for an obedience training class. As the graduating dogs sat silently by their owners, one spot in a row was obviously vacant. One of the dogs who was to have graduated had been struck and killed by an automobile just the night before. The trainer...

Advice for Pet Owners at Halloween Time...

Pet Owners Can Avoid Halloween Hazards It’s no secret Halloween’s popularity is growing and is second only to Christmas in the United States for holiday decoration sales. While the appeal to children is obvious, adults have now pushed Halloween to the status of America’s wildest party time. Family pets are often included in the festive mood or they are ignored, both of which can lead to veterinary medical problems. Estimates from 2006 showed 3.5 million Americans bought some type of Halloween product for their pets according to the American Pet Product...

SPCA Warns on Fireworks Danger for Pets...

As the days grow shorter, and the nights grow darker, many people across Scotland look forward to one of the last outdoor celebrations of the year – Bonfire Night. Before revellers get too excited about the festivities and start stocking up on fireworks, the Scottish SPCA would like to issue a warning about the potential harm these celebrations can cause animals. Domestic pets, livestock and wildlife are all at risk from the fear fireworks can create but there are simple steps which can be taken to minimise the problem. Sharon Comrie, Deputy Head of the Scottish...

Training Tips for Older Dogs...

Your adult dog needs the right amount of balance in his training. These needs include a regular dose of physical exercise, mental exercise, and the need to socialize.   Providing your dog with these needs will keep him happy, healthy, and may even add extra years to his life. Mental Needs Of Your Adult Dog The more you teach your dog, regardless of his age, breed, and personality, the better he will become at all levels of his life. Training your dog to perform certain tasks gives him purpose, which in turn greatly improves the quality of his life. Once your dog learns...

What to Do if you Think your Dog is Bein...

What are the signs of “dog bullying” and how can you prevent your dog from being bullied by other dogs? There are dogs out there that bully other dogs when in a “doggie environment”, such as a dog park, dog daycare, or a beach area designated for dogs and their owners.   Often, bullying takes place in large groups, regardless of the size. Most of these dog bullies are of the large breed and prey on smaller dogs, although there are also smaller breeds with a strong, dominant personality whom bully on other dogs of all sizes. The next time you take your dog to the...

Now Ear This! What Your Dog’s Ears...

Understanding What Dog Ear Movements Mean All positions of a dog’s ears should be gauged relative to the way the dog normally carries his ears when he is relaxed. Dogs with severely cropped or very long ears will be harder to read. Ears erect or slightly forward: “What is that?” This is a sign of attention in response to a sound or when studying a new situation. Accompanied by a slightly tilted head and a relaxed or slightly open mouth, the meaning changes to “This is really interesting” or “I do not understand that” and is...

The Benefits of Using Food in Dog Traini...

For a puppy, feeding is like breathing. Filling a belly does more than merely nourish; it displaces the nervousness caused by the pangs of hunger. The warm glow that comes from a full tummy assures the puppy that he is securely connected to his group. Therefore, we shouldn’t hesitate to use food in training. Since eating is so basic with a puppy, it is easy to excite him with a treat. If in his rush to grab the food, he snaps at your hand very hard, do not correct the dog or get mad at him. Just take the time to calm him by giving him a steady flow of food so that he...

Dog or Bitch – Should I Get a Male...

Male Or Female: Which Dog Is Better? Which dog makes a better pet, a male dog or a female? The answer to this question depends on what you’re looking for. On one level, if you care about the personality and character of the dog more than anything else, the gender shouldn’t matter. Your decision will be based mainly on how the puppy behaves and acts towards you and other people when you are looking at the litter. On another level, if you want to find out whether a male dog or a female dog would generally make an overall better pet, then you’ll have to take...

Puppy Socialisation...

Exposing your puppy to different kinds of environments and experiences is a very important step in his learning process. In order to develop a healthy mental well-being, he needs to know that the world is a fun place to explore. This can only be achieved through proper and continuous socialisation. socialisation is the process of preparing your puppy for healthy mental development by exposing him in a positive way to different sights, smells, and sounds. socialisation also includes interaction with people, dogs and other animals, as well as other objects like moving cars. ...

Positive Dog Training Methods Create Hap...

How Dog Training Methods Have Evolved Through the Years When you look down at your brand new, small and tender puppy peacefully sleeping in its little bed, it’s hard to think that in just two to three months it may grow to be 40, 50, or even up to 100 pounds depending on the type of breed. And although its behaviors may cute at the moment, like jumping up and putting his front paws on your body, these actions will be far less enjoyable when your dog is all grown up and literally knocking you over. It’s always a sound idea to start training your puppy from day...