Archive for February, 2008



Toys To Make Your Dog A Happier Pet

Monday 25 February 2008 @ 4:37 am

Article: Boost Your Dogs Intelligence with Toys

Giving your dog the right toys to play with has many lasting benefits

While most people think that dog toys are only to relieve boredom this is not the only use for these toys.

Sure dog toys are excellent for relieving boredom and are especially good where you might have to leave your dog on it’s own for periods of time, but there are other reasons why you should consider buying your dog toys.

Some dog toys are designed to boost their intelligence where they will only get a reward after they have performed certain tasks.

These toys are a very effective method of training.

Other toys help a dog to know what they can chew and in doing so you can save yourself a lot of expense by not having to replace expensive items throughout the house that can be destroyed at the teeth of your pet.

There are chewing toys that will help your dog strengthen and keep their teeth clean and there are toys that will help teach your dog with retrieval training.

You really need to decide what you want the toys for before buying and also to determine what the personality of your dog is before you can get the right toys for it.

Some toys are designed to last for a short period of time when they will be replaced by new ones, and these are often the chewing variety.

Some toys of the chewing variety are flavored so you will need to check first to see what ingredients they have used for the flavoring or you might be buying a toy that your dog is allergic to.

These toys with flavoring often have preservatives in them so beware.

With such a wide variety of toys available on the market these days there is certain to be something that your dog will enjoy and make their life all the more happy.

DogTrainingForMe.com helping you make your dog a healthy and happy pet.

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Health Tip - Canine Influenza Virus In Beagle Dogs

Wednesday 13 February 2008 @ 9:08 pm

Article: Beagle Dog Health

It was around 2,000 years ago when Beagle dogs first came into existence. In fact it has been depicted in various literature and paintings during the time of Queen Elizabeth. Even today, Beagle dogs are popular subject on televisions, film and comic books. Just like other breed of dogs, Beagle dogs can also develop canine influenza, a newly identified disease affecting dogs.

Canine influenza, also called canine flu appears to be similar to Kennel Cough or Canine Tracheobronchitis. This disease was a common infection in horses and has transferred to dogs because of the exposure at greyhound track wherein horse racing and dog racing occurs. This disease is spread easily if dogs are kept together, but could also be passed on the street or in kennels. This airborne disease is spread by infected dogs through sneezing or coughing on another. This is also spread through direct contact with a contaminated surface.

After a dog is exposed to the virus, symptoms usually appear two to five days. These symptoms include sneezing, coughing and fever. The severity of this disease is categorized into two; mild infection and severe infection. Dogs with mild infection of canine influenza experience soft, moist cough that lasts for around ten to thirty days, some dogs however have dry cough. Low-grade fever as well as thick nasal discharge is also present in this condition. On the other hand, symptoms of severe infection include fever, increased respiratory rates with difficulty in breathing and other clinical signs of pneumonia. Fever ranges from 104 to 106 degrees Fahrenheit.

Mild infection is accompanied with nasal discharge that represents a secondary bacterial infection. This condition can be treated with a broad-spectrum bactericidal antimicrobial. Administration of antibiotics is also used in treating this disease. Severe infection of canine influenza is often accompanied with pneumonia caused by bacterial superinfection. This condition is best treated with hydration, done through intravenous administration of fluids. Severe infection of canine influenza is also treated with bactericidal antimicrobial. If your pet is showing any or all of these signs, consult your veterinarian at once for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Unfortunately, vaccines can not protect dogs from this disease. Vaccination against canine influenza is not yet available today. Owners should take necessary caution in order to protect their beloved dogs.

Richard Cussons creates facts articles about dogs. To learn more about Beagle training, check out beaglesavvy.com and get as much facts as you want about Beagle dogs.

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Dog Grooming Helps Promote Good Dog Health

Sunday 10 February 2008 @ 6:24 pm

Tips To Good Dog Training

Just like a shiny head of hair means good health for us humans, a shiny coat of fur on a dog means your dog is in good health. In fact, a nice, lustrous coat of fur is one of the strongest indicators that your pooch is enjoying good dog health. Proper dog grooming is important in promoting good dog health.

A Shiny Coat with Dog Grooming

As mentioned above, it all starts with good dog grooming. If you want your dog to have a healthy coat of fur, you should groom him everyday. You do not have to bathe him everyday. Just once a week will do, or once every two days if your dog is the type that has long or thick fur.

Bathing a dog can be a tedious dog grooming process that will get you ending up wet along with your dog, but it can be quite fun once you get the hang of it. If your dog belongs to a small breed type, you can safely give him his bath in your kitchen sink. However, if your dog is the big type, you would have to use your tub or set up a place out of doors where you can bathe him properly.

How to Bathe Your Dog

When you bathe your dog, use a hose or a detachable shower head and wet him thoroughly. Afterwards, apply dog shampoo and work up a lather, starting from his chest to the top of his head, down his back and tail and then to his legs. Be careful not to get any of that shampoo in his eyes or ears.

Also, use a dog shampoo for your dog rather than your own shampoo. Shampoo for human hair only works on human hair; it is actually harsh and irritating to doggie skin. Dog shampoo, on the other hand, is specifically formulated for dog grooming, designed to suit the sensitivity of the skin and fur of dogs. For an added sheen and softness to your dog’s fur, a dog conditioner also works wonders.

Rinse your dog thoroughly after shampooing and conditioning his fur. Make sure that there are no leftover soap suds on your dog’s skin, or else the soap may cause some irritations. He might also end up licking at the leftover soap on his skin, and that is always a cause of concern that merits a vet’s attention if it does happen.

After the Bath

Once you are done bathing your dog, dry him thoroughly by patting all the excess water out of his fur using a towel. If your dog has short hair, you can leave him to air-dry his fur out completely. But if your dog is the type that has thick or long fur, you may need to dry his fur out with the use of a hair dryer. He may not find the hair dryer comfortable, but it is better than letting your dog stink up again because his fur was not dried out completely.

Dog grooming does not end with bathing, however. To give your pooch the full dog grooming home-style treatment, you need to make a ritual out of combing or brushing his fur once it is completely dry. Brushing your dog’s fur will remove the snags and tangles in it if your dog has long hair. Not only that, it will get rid of whatever burs, ticks and fleas are making their home in your dog’s fur. Do this every day, even on days when you are not giving your dog a bath.

If you can afford it and if you do not think you are capable of doing this dog grooming by yourself, go ahead and give your dog some delicious pampering at a dog grooming salon.

A Shiny Coat beyond Dog Grooming

Remember that a shiny coat is not just for the sake of aesthetics on a dog. A shiny coat for a dog is a strong indicator of a good dog health. As much as good dog grooming can do the job, it is not enough.

Good nutrition also plays a large role towards promoting good dog health. If a dog gets all the nutrients that his body needs, then definitely he will get a shiny coat. If you love your dog, you will not skimp on the cost of dog food. True enough, there are some cheap dog food brands out there, but they are made up of cheap and low-quality ingredients. So you can be sure that your dog is eating good food, do not skimp on quality dog food. Or, you can cook up your own dog food to feed your pooch.

If after regular dog grooming and regular feeding of high-quality food and your dog still does not display a shiny coat, it means that there is something else that is wrong with his system. Your dog may not be as in high a level of good health than you may have guessed. In this case, it is time to go to the vet.

Susan is a regular contributing writer to Fuzing.com where you will discover free trade leads for Dog Toys Sellers.

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Dog Training For Me recommends ==>”Dog Obedience Training Secrets “




Advantages of pet insurance

Sunday 10 February 2008 @ 6:11 pm

Tips On Buying The Right Pet Insurance…

Only a pet owner would know the joy of having a pet at all. Surveys show that owners who keep pets, often look at them as an extended member of the family instead of just as a mere dog or a cat. Which probably explains why companies all over the world, actually spend millions on research into the most basic things to do with pets, for example food, and pet toys. Pet habits and preferences are closely studied, in order to develop the best of products. However, if you are a pet owner you can do more for your pet. Buying a pet insurance could save you lots of money in the case of any emergencies.

Pet insurance works in much the same way as any other kind of insurance. It protects you, and gives you a kind of cover in the face of uncertainity. Pets like humans are prone to accidents, and if timely care is not given, the effects could be substantial. At the same time, the worse the injury chances are more expensive will be the operation. There are so many options that are available in the market today which go beyond covering just the vet fees or ensuring your bill is not too heavy in case of an operation. In fact, every policy differs from the other in some way or the other. Some insurance companies go as far as having policies, which will protect your pet in case he damages somebody else’s property. Or if the pet is lost and money needs to be put in for advertising and rewards, the insurance company will step in for you.

Pet insurance has only just started picking up in popularity. For a long time people were content with a trip to the vet. But pets being boisterous in nature, may fall ill quite frequently or meet with other accidents too. In countries like the USA and the UK, pet insurance is frequently advertised and looked at seriously. Enough of money has gone into research of animals itself to give us a clearer picture of what diseases they are likely to catch and at what age. Diabetes is an illness that can affect both cats and dogs alike. Certain specific breeds like Labradors are susceptible to renal atrophy. Moreover, most proper diagnoses often require a full scan, x ray or MRI. Some owners have had to take the difficult option of putting the pet to sleep, for lack of funds to pay for the operation and treatment.

There are some points to look at when going for a pet insurance. You have to be clear about what you are looking for, have an idea about how much you can spend, and also, for how long you intend to keep the policy. The two basic covers offered are a lifetime cover and a time limited cover. The first cover is best for pets that have recurring diseases or illnesses and which need to be treated for a lifetime. Pedigree cats and dogs often come into this bracket. The second cover is best for pets that need treatment after recovering from an operation or illness. This works well for those owners who cannot afford lifetime cover and yet want to give the best care for their pet after some incident.

Whatever be the cover you choose, do not hesitate when it comes to getting a good cover for your pet. After all, he is family.

Sanjana George John is a professional writter on insurance, health insurance, life insurance, auto car insurance

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