Archive for January, 2010

Shopping for a New Dog Kennel

Dog kennels play a big part in determining whether or not your dog feels comfortable in your home. A good kennel provides them with a safe space that they feel is their own and increases their sense of security. Experts maintain that kennel or crate training a dog will reduce the chances that they suffer from separation anxiety and make them more well adjusted than similar dogs who have not had this training. If you are adopting a new puppy and hoping to smooth its transition to your home, or if you are just looking for ways to improve your dog’s home, consider purchasing a kennel for indoor or outdoor use.

Finding a kennel in the right size is one of the most important aspects of ensuring that your dog will feel comfortable in their new space. The size of your dog will determine the appropriate kennel size. Ideally, dog kennels will allow your pet enough room to stand fully, stretch out, turn around and lay down naturally. When a kennel is too small and claustrophobic, a dog will avoid using it. If a kennel is too large for a dog, she will lose some of the secure feelings that they are meant to provide.

Acclimating your dog to a kennel is usually quite easy. When you are deciding where to place a kennel in your home, set it in an area that is relatively private but not too isolated from the rest of the house. Ideally, kennels can be placed in low traffic corners to avoid stress. Many pet owners find that their dogs may need to be given regular treats when initially becoming accustomed to their new place. Others find that adding a dog bed or placing their dog’s favorite toys inside the kennel help entice them to go in. For those who feel their dog is resistant to entering, it is important to be patient and try a few different methods to see which works best.

If your dog spends some of its time outside on a dog run, it may be worthwhile to invest in an outdoor kennel. The process for purchasing and the size requirements are the same when looking for outdoor dog kennels. They must be placed in such a way as to make them accessible to your dog, even while on a line. Put it in the path of the run or within your dogs fenced in area. Adding a kennel will ensure that your dog can stay dry if the rain comes, or take relaxed naps even while outdoors. Outdoor kennels should always be waterproof and completely enclosed, save for the front entrance. Stick to materials such as wood and metal and avoid plastics, which may crack if left outside.

Dog kennels are available for purchase though most pet stores. If you have additional questions on finding the right kennel for your home and your dog, in store and online representatives can be a wealth of information. For those on a budget, the best deals on dog kennels are often found online. When buying online, always look in to the amount of assembly that will be required before you make your purchase.

Gerard Hill specializes in dog training and providing necessary info for pet owners on how to bring up happy and healthy pets. For more information on purchasing or constructing a dog kennel, check out Dog Kennels Co. today!

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Sunday, January 31st, 2010

Understanding Why Your Pooch Chews And Controlling The Behavior

Puppies chew as a way to explore and relate to the world around them. The activity is instinctive to them. Unfortunately, if chewing behavior is focused in the wrong direction, it can result in damaged clothes, shoes, and furniture.

It’s important to realize that adult dogs also chew, but do so for a variety of reasons that extend further than mere exploration. For example, your pooch might feel separation anxiety if you leave him alone for long periods. Or, he might be bored. This happens often when canines lack an outlet through which to expend their pent-up energy. Your pooch may also chew on your belongings as a way to get your attention.

Whatever the reasons for the destructive behavior, you can control the problem. Below, we’ll provide a few tips for training your dog to avoid chewing on your possessions.

Use A Crate

Crating your puppy is an ideal strategy for confining him when you’re unable to watch him. Not only will he come to see his crate as his personal space, but you’ll prevent him from ruining your furniture and clothes when you’re not home. If you plan to keep him crated, be sure to give him a few toys with which he can entertain himself.

Provide Chew Toys

The goal is not to eliminate your pooch’s penchant for chewing; again, that’s his way of relating to the world around him. Instead, redirect the behavior toward objects that are acceptable for him to chew.

For example, all pet supply stores sell chew toys that can keep your canine occupied. Some are rubber; others are made from durable rope; still others are designed from strong leather and rawhide. Any of these toys will keep your dog’s attention while providing the stimulation he desires.

Keep Your Departures Understated

Owners often unwittingly worsen their dogs’ separation anxiety by overstating their departures. When they return home, they’re surprised to find their furniture partially destroyed. Downplay leaving your home. The bigger fuss you make, the more likely your dog will sense that your leaving is a major event. That raises the likelihood of his chewing.

Provide An Outlet For Exercise

When canines lack an outlet for physical activity, they become bored. Moreover, their energy level remains unspent and stifled. That’s a recipe for destructive chewing. Make sure your pooch receives at least an hour of exercise each day. He’s less likely to suffer boredom and he’ll have less pent-up energy to direct toward your couch.

Offer A Swap

Puppies find chewing new objects to be irresistible. If you see your pup gnawing on something he shouldn’t be, take the item away and replace it immediately with a chew toy. Avoid getting into a tug-of-war contest with him. Instead, have a toy on hand and swap it quickly.

Some dogs love to chew almost anything they can get into their mouths. Other canines are more selective, though they can cause just as much destruction. Learn to control the problem by redirecting your dog’s chewing behavior to objects you don’t mind being destroyed.

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Sunday, January 31st, 2010

Are Dogs Colourblind?

Are dogs colourblind? Believe it or not, there is no simple answer to this question. Although they are capable of seeing colours beyond grey, black and white, the number of other colours they see in comparison to what we see is very limited. Dogs mainly see yellows, blues and violets and struggle to see oranges, greens and reds. Instead they seem to appear somewhere in the spectrum of colours that sit between yellow and blue.

Both dogs eyes and our eyes contain something called rods and cones. These are two kinds of photoreceptors in the retina. Our retinas contain a much higher number of cones while dogs retinas have a greater number of rods. The fovea, which is responsible for enhancing and sharpening vision in human eyes, is not present in dogs eyes, resulting in less detailed vision.

Despite this and their inability to see objects in great details, dogs have excellent night vision and a superior ability to track movement.

Determining what colours dogs are able to see has been a subject of scientific experiment for over 100 years. During the late 18th Century, tests were performed to determine this but only proved that being unable to see colours did not have a vital impact in the life of a dog.

It was another 90 years before further tests were carried out to determine whether dogs are colourblind or not. In 1989 the three researchers Neitz, Geist and Jacobs carried out a number of tests on domestic dogs and were able to determine the following. 1 Dogs have two kinds of colour receptors in their eyes and so are dichromatic. 2 In dog’s colour receptors, one peaks for the blue to violet range and the other for the yellow to green range. In 1993 and 1995 further research was carried out that again supported these findings.

The type of colourblindness dogs suffer from is similar to that suffered by some humans in that it applies to a specific series of colours and is not exclusive to all colours outside of black, grey and white. It is most often called deuteranopia.

The term colourblind can often be misleading. It does not automatically suggest an incapability to see colours. It is a specific condition that some humans are also known to suffer from and though dogs are not capable of seeing a similar level of colours as humans, they can see shades that fall between blue, violet and yellow.

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Sunday, January 31st, 2010

Fun and Different Ideas for Beds for Dogs

It used to be that beds for dogs were pretty simple things. You might put down a rug, a folded blanket, or a pile of old towels in a corner or near the fireplace, and that was it. But these pet beds have come a long way since those days. Sometimes people don’t have a special bed for their dog, but let it sleep with them on their own bed. Or sometimes dog crates double as beds for the night. But others want their dogs to have something distinctive to sleep on or in, and there are some interesting and fun versions of these beds out there.

Many people looking for very special beds for dogs often decide on something like a canopy bed. Some look much like the traditional canopy frames that humans use, while others take on a more exotic tone. For example, Glamour Dog (www.glamourdog.com) sells what are essentially round, canopied tents, with roofs that rise to a pointed central spire. These luxury dog beds bring to mind something like a Sultan’s tent, and are richly decorated with jewels or feathers or fur.

But taking a less informal path in distinctive dog beds, one very out of the ordinary type is the Murphy bed. This is the type of bed that is folded up against the wall during the day, revealing only a decorative wooden cabinet. But for nighttime, the concealed mattress and bedding is lowered to the floor. This kind of dog furniture can be both utilitarian and decorative. It conserves space during the daytime, but can also be designed to match the other furniture in the room. It becomes a real part of the decor.

Other unusual beds for dogs are found in the shapes of cars or trucks. Some people buy little gazebos with cushions inside, while other beds might be made of bamboo frames, with drawers under the bed where brushes, collars and dog toys can be stored. An unusual pet bed is generally chosen for style, meaning that it will be a bit different and add something extra to the room. There’s an element of pampering, but also a bit of fun. This type of bed is almost always chosen to enhance both the dog’s life and that of its human companion.

As you can see, beds for dogs can be as utilitarian or as elaborate as you want them to be. In most cases, the dog itself won’t really care, unless it’s a choice between a simple mat on the floor or a memory foam mattress that gives aching joints a bit of relief.

Dogs, like any pets, come with responsibilities. You have to provide your dog with the necessities such as food, water and a dog bed. Dog beds can be found in many places, and in many varieties, from a memory foam dog bed to a water bed. If you want to start your search, click here to find out more about what to look for in a dogs bed.

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Sunday, January 31st, 2010

Simple Steps to House Train Your Puppy

Getting a new puppy can be one of the most stimulating experiences ever. It is possible, if you got a puppy, that he is not been housetrained. While house-training your dog can seem just like a unbeatable task, it does not have to.

Praise is one of the finest ways to get your baby dog to do what you want. Puppies love praise, and will generally repeat the action that they are originally honored for doing. If your dog goes to the toilet outside, make a big score about it. Praise them time after time for a well done job. They will be much more likely to piss or poop outside again if they get feted for doing it.

A dog is less certain to use the lavatory where he is going to sleep and eat. Housetraining your dog does not have to be hard but it does take some effort and time. By following the pointers and tips above, you may have your new puppy housetrained in just about no time. For many of us, training a dog is not a easy task. Initially, your pooch might be too mulish to agree to your orders. The dog develops a feeling of trust for its master the instant it finds how much it is liked.

Watch for signs your dog wants to go to the bathroom. If he is sniffing around, he might be looking for a place to relieve himself. As quickly as you see signs that your dog may want to go to the rest room, take him outside. This may help him become used to going out there, and will help him realize this is where he’s intended to go.

In the night, when you cannot take your little dog outside as you are sleeping, consider keeping him in a dog crate. Be sure to put a tiny bowl of food and water inside the crate with him. A dog is less certain to use the lavatory where he’s going to sleep and eat. Keeping him in a crate a night, and taking him outside first thing in the morning, will seriously help with getting him fully house trained.

Be lively in praising the pooch and be firm when you are lecturing it. Best of all, depend on that love you have on your dog to induce you to bide your time during your dog housetraining.

Christopher Jenkins has been writing articles for many years. You can check out his latest work reviewing the henrietta dog toy by visiting his new site with other dog toy reviews like the banana dog toy.

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Saturday, January 30th, 2010