Dog 360

Teaching basic obedience skills to a dog can be exciting as well as challenging. Having problems on where to begin? Start by doing your homework. A student can only be as good as his trainer, right?

During World War II, over 10,000 U.S. dogs were recruited and trained for military service as part of a program known as "Dogs for Defense." The military believed it would be able to put a few hundred well-trained dogs to use. Their estimates proved very low as thousands would eventually be trained and served.

You're the proud owner of a new puppy. Unfortunately, you are also the not so proud owner of a soggy living room carpet. It doesn't take long to realize this can't keep happening. So what do you do? It might just be time to housebreak your new pet.

We know the benefits of positive enforcement during training but how can we add some variety to our rewards? There are many ways to reward your pet and they vary a great deal. These range from simple things such as petting the dog or scratching her ears to more elaborate treats such as home cooked gourmet treats. The rule regarding behavioral rewards is this: Always be certain to provide the reward immediately after the desired behavior is carried out.

Dogs are classified as carnivores, but many dogs can thrive on a vegetarian diet. There are several vegetarian and even vegan pet foods available which are supplemented with nutrients unavailable in plants.

Many people may not be aware of this, but obesity is one of the greatest problems dogs are dealing with in society today. Obesity in dogs, like humans, is also caused by excessive eating and unhealthy binges. Mostly, this situation is triggered by some environmental factors that when not controlled may just lead to more problems.

Many of us think of the choke collar as an inevitable part of the dog training arsenal. Purchasing a choke collar may seem as natural as buying food bowls or a leash. Choke collars have a long history of use and have long been considered a standard element to successful dog training. However, times do change and things we once thought eternal are sometimes proven obsolete. That is the case with the choke collar. It is time to abandon the use of choke collars and to seek out alternatives.

A central Alberta man has pleaded guilty to an animal cruelty charge in the death of a pet dog.

Summer is typically a time of great family fun and activity. The days are long and warm, the kids are on vacation, and the sun worshipers are out in full force. Unfortunately, the season also brings with it some very specific hazards - sunburn, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Not only are these hazards a threat to your human family, they can endanger the lives of your furry family members as well. As temperatures soar, your dog will need a little attention in order to ensure his safety.

Yes, its cold outside, but don't stop your dog's agility training. Depending on where you live, there might be snow on the ground from November through March, but thats no reason to give up your agility training. Bring your training indoors, right at your own home.

When your dog has a skin problem, it is very important to treat it immediately. Ignoring dog skin problems can cause harmful and painful damage to your dog from scratching and biting. Also, overlooking symptoms of dog skin problems can aggravate the condition and can result in infection to you and other members of your household.

Huddled under my umbrella the other day, I was dodging raindrops and puddles as I walked the three blocks from the parking garage to my office. As I was passing an apartment building, I saw an elderly woman standing near the entrance holding an umbrella over her little white poodle dog. Unfortunately, the umbrella wasn't large enough to cover both her and the dog, so she was getting soaked. Unable to withhold comment, I said, "Do you think he'll melt if he gets wet?" She responded, "Well, he's sweet enough to melt, but the truth is that if I don't hold the umbrella for him he gets angry and pouts and won't eat his lunch." And, by dinner time he's an absolute bear! Welcome to the world of the pampered pet.

Weave Poles can be the most challenging obstacle for you to teach and for your dog to learn. Many agility obstacles resemble natural obstacles that dogs could find out on a hike out in the woods, jumps, frames, and tunnels. Going over, under, or through things and places are natural for dogs,however, weaving the poles is not.

Did you know that wolves and dogs are related to each other? From the Great Dane to the toy Chihuahua, all breed of dogs are direct descendants of the wolf. And because of that, many of the wolf’s characteristics and behaviors still survive in today’s domestic dogs.

The Tire Jump seems like a relatively easy agility obstacle, at least from a persons perspective, but in the Novice Agility ring you see many dogs that refuse to go through it, many go under it, while others choose to go around it. How can you prepare your beginning agility for success with the Tire Jump?

Your dog gives you a lifetime of unconditional love, loyalty, and friendship. In return, she counts on you to provide her with food, water, safe shelter, regular veterinary care, exercise, companionship, and more. Take care of these ten essentials, and you'll be guaranteed to develop a rewarding relationship with your canine companion.

It wasn't by accident that advertising for the company “RCA” once featured a dog cocking his head in front of a speaker horn. There's something about this position that most people find utterly adorable. Dogs know it, too, which is why they do it, even when they aren't trying to hear anything in particular. We give them a positive response, and they remember that. Also, dogs tilt their heads for very practical reasons as well. Tilting the head to the side puts one of the ears up and forward. By turning an ear in the direction of fuzzy or inaudible sounds, dogs are able to hear a little more clearly.

There are 2 effective methods for getting any form of liquid medication down your dog’s throat: Make a pouch or pry the mouth open.

The Dogs Trust West Calder is sending out a message this Valentines Day, to give a loving home to 9, adorable crossbreed abandoned puppies.

A dog’s breathing and heartbeat can suddenly stop after being in a traffic accident, drowning, poisoning, or from shock. When this happens, it is crucial to administer an immediate cardiac massage as well as artificial respiration in order to save his life. As soon as you notice that he has stopped breathing, have someone help you call the vet for advice while doing your best to resuscitate the dog. It is very important to get oxygen rich blood to the brain as quickly as possible to prevent brain damage. His heart needs to be restarted within a few minutes in order for him to survive.

Prevention is the main key in order to avoid diseases and illness from attacking your dog. In fact, the best prevention begins even before you start breeding the dog. But what do you do if your pet was born with a health problem? There are a few options for you to choose from when helping your dog that is born with a congenital defect. Often times, surgery can correct a structural defect. Other aspects such as good feeding, good amount of exercise, proper grooming and veterinary care all help in controlling certain disorder and symptoms from occurring. But the most effective treatment for congenital defects is in preventing them from happening in the first place.

One of the most prevalent 'diseases' in dogs, which includes the Shih Tzu, these days, is one that also affects humans. This condition is obesity. A fat Shih Tzu is an unhealthy Shih Tzu and is likely to suffer from arthritis and heart failure. Try to keep in mind that in the wild dogs eat fresh meat that they have killed themselves. They also eat certain types of grass and may eat wild fruits like berries if these grow in their natural habitat. This is not to say, however, that you should begin feeding your Shih Tzu these same things to avoid obesity. The best diet for a Shih Tzu is a commercially prepared diet especially for dogs with treats of vegetables, fruits and cooked chicken.

Flower essences are all natural remedies that address emotional imbalances such as anxiety, fear, aggression etc. Probably the best known remedy is Bach’s “Rescue Remedy”, used for first aid situations, stress, trauma etc. Essences are currently gaining popularity in the field of animal health. As well as being sought by people for their pets, they are now being used in various holistic vet clinics, training centres, and rescue shelters/groups, as they are helpful with assisting with many emotional problems that animals experience eg stress, separation anxiety, aggression etc

Adopting a puppy should be carefully planned not only because it has its corresponding responsibilities and expenses but also due to the reality that it is a serious commitment which may last for quite a number of years. Considering that you would like to own a small breed then you must be prepared that it might live with you for as long as ten to thirteen years. On the other hand, larger breeds have shorter life span, some of which may only live well until their fifth year and on the extreme may last until their eight. Whichever you choose, it still would mean that you should be ready for the consequences of your dog adoption.

The responsibility of a new pet is sometimes overwhelming. One of your new duties as a dog owner is to take care of your pet's health. Here are two pointers for you to follow in taking care of your pet.

Like any other pet, dogs, if not properly cared for and maintained, can get diseases. Here are some parasites that cause dog diseases.

There are many things that both the dogs and the dog owners could have in common. For example, both dogs and dog owners could be prone to obesity if not regulating food intake and by not exercising.

In addition, dogs and humans may also acquire diseases that results from improper dietary regimen like diabetes, heart diseases, etc.

Your dog provides you with love and companionship, but chances are he also provides you with some unpleasant surprises from time to time—a mess on the carpet or a slobbery pair of slippers, for example. While dogs seem to offer their people love and friendship almost immediately, learning how to live by the rules of a human household does not always come so easily.

Obesity is on the rise for canines. The reasons for this influx are similar to those that humans experience, too much food and too little exercise. The results of obesity are similar for your canine friends too. Studies reveal that 25% of overweight dogs experience severe joint problems. This effects there daily activities such as walking, standing and sitting. It also increases pain and makes jumping up or down off the bed difficult.

“Doggy breath” – that unpleasant odor emanating from the mouths of Rover and Boomer – can be a signal of serious health problems.

A dog’s mouth is his primary means of contact with the world around him. He uses his mouth to eat, to investigate and to communicate. The jaws are a powerful tool used to grind, gnaw, crush and carry. Keeping this part of your pet’s body healthy is vital to his quality of life and longevity.

How can you tell if your dog is not feeling well? Is he ill or just tired? What are the common symptoms of a dog health problem?

The more you get familiar with your dog’s habits and behaviors, the easier it is to tell if he is experiencing a dog health problem. Below is a list of symptoms that you may observe when your beloved pet has a dog health problem

There are three common causes of protein deficiency in a dog's diet: Insufficient total protein in the diet; imbalanced and poor-quality dietary protein; and bulky, low-energy diets.

lf it becomes necessary to change the time at which a dog is fed, the most satisfactory way to do so is by making gradual time changes from the old time to the new time.