Your Dog Supply Blog

The Bond that can come between a person and a dog can be extremely strong, especially if that bond had been strengthened living with each other for many years, I have personally cried after losing our family dog that had been like a best friend to me from my birth till I as 15 years old, when he was hit by a car one morning.

Dogs serve many different needs for people. Some people get a dog because they are lonely and need a loyal friend or because they want a dog to protect the home. A dog that is taken good care of and given attention to regularly will give his life to help protect his home and his owner. For the blind a dog can be a pair of eyes to help them get around and for the police a dog can be an important tool and a loyal partner, with a nose that nothing can beat.

The first thing you need to know about taking care of a dog is that dogs need lots of exercise. This is the same for large dogs and small dogs. All dogs need to be let out at least once every 8 hours and should given at least a 20 minute walk to give the dog some fresh air, exercise and a chance to relieve themselves.

It is also important to play with the dog on a regular basis. This can mean going to the park on a weekend or day off and having a good game of fetch, tossing the ball around in your back yard or just wrestling on the ground with the dog, just make sure if you are ruff housing with a little dog that you don’t accidentally hurt the dog. Playing with the dog for a half hour a day, is not only good for the dogs physical health but a dig that is played with regularly is mentally healthier and less likely to become a depressed dog, it also lowers your blood pressure as well and it will form an unbreakable bond between you and your pooch, which will extend to your family if you should start having one after having the dog.

What you feed your dog is very important to the dogs continued good health. The better dog foods will be marked for what are groups the food is appropriate for. Younger dogs need certain vitamins and minerals in larger amounts then an adult dog, and the same goes for an elderly dog they need more calcium in their food to help protect their bones and joints. Feeding your dog the wrong food can stunt the dog’s growth and opens the dog to a larger risk of surgery when they are older.

Just like a person a dog should be taken to the veterinarian’s office every 6 months, and must receive their shots every year. Regular checkups and vaccinations will also help assure that your dog grows to be an old happy dog.

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Don’t Forget About Puppy Socialization, An Important Part Of …

Many dog owners are surprised to learn that quite a few cases of canine aggression could have been prevented if the dog’s owner had only known about this important aspect of dog training. Why Is Puppy Socialization So Important? …

How to Fit and Position a Martingale Collar or Half Check Collar …

After publishing the last article concerning the debate about the various types of choke collars, several readers presented the question of how does one properly fit and position the Martingale or Half Check Collar.

So, if having a dog is such a huge commitment, why do so many people do it? Because there are also lots of enjoyments from having a pet. Witnessing their glee as they run after a ball, feeling comforted by their companionship, and stroking their soft fur after a difficult day are all things most people enjoy about their dogs. Besides, pets make great listeners when you have a problem and studies show that people’s blood pressure lowers when spending time with a dog.

All of these wonderful things set aside, it’s important to go into pet ownership with a clear head. While seeing an adorable pair of shoes that you “must have” may be an acceptable impulse buy, purchasing or adopting a dog on a whim definitely is not. But you may be surprised how many people end up with a dog or puppy based on just such an impulse!

There are some who do their research, meet with breeders and then can’t decide on just one puppy from the litter so they end up getting two or three. There are some who are going through a difficult time in their life so they get a dog because they want comfort, without taking into consideration the long term commitment. And still others who buy dogs at pet stores because they’re so cute in the window.

While some of these situations turn out fine, they are by no means ideal. For example, if a person planned on two puppies and thought it out ahead of time, they would already be prepared with two dog crates, two sets of leashes, collars, bowls and supplies, double vet bills, training and grooming bills, etc. Not to mention the chaos that can occur when two puppies actually live in your house. But for those who weren’t planning on this project and undertake it on impulse, this can turn out to be far more than the person bargained for.

Likewise for those who run out and get a dog on impulse, perhaps following the death of a family member or an elderly pet, a divorce or illness, or some other personal difficulty. Frequently, the person finds that the work involved with a new pet is not as soothing as they’d expected and instead leads to additional work and expense that they may not have been prepared for.

All in all, the point of this article is that pets are great to have. They can bring much joy to a person’s life and can be an important part of the family. But it is a big commitment that needs to be entered into with a clear head… not on impulse.

Before getting a dog, everyone in the household should be made aware of and agree to the work and expenses involved. You should be living somewhere that is pet friendly and if you are a renter, realize that if you ever have to move, it may be a challenge to find another apartment to accommodate you and your pet. Your budget should be examined to ensure that there is room for the additional expense of a pet, even if an unforeseen, expensive illness should occur. And your schedule should be such that your dog is not home alone more than an absolute maximum of eight hours per day.

By thinking it out ahead of time and going into pet ownership decisions with a clear head, much heartbreak can be avoided while ensuring that your circumstance does not end up contributing to the large number of homeless pets in the world.

Lori Verni is a freelance writer, Certified Master Trainer and owner of Best Paw Forward Dog Education in Holly Springs, NC. She also proudly brings you all of the free articles on FreeDogTrainingInfo.com, and has a book available: Everything You Need to Know About House Training Puppies & Adult Dogs. The book can be purchased at www.FreeDogTrainingInfo.com.

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Dog Quote: Money will buy a pretty good dog, but it won’t buy the wag of his tail.
….Josh Billings

And The Smartest Dogs Are…

While we would all like to think we have the smartest dog in the world there are some breeds that are generally more intelligent than others.
In this newsletter we will look at the dogs ranking from 6th most intelligent to tenth.
And then in the next newsletter we will look at the most intelligent dogs in the world.
Don’t be too concerned if your dog doesn’t appear in either of these lists, as sometimes it is not always an advantage to have an intelligent dog.
As expected, the more intelligent dogs generally need more stimulation or they will get bored and this can cause problems, particularly if they are left at home during the day when you’re at work.

More Information:
Dog Breeds

So lets start with the tenth most intelligent dog…

Tenth on the list is the Australian Cattle Dog
The Australian Cattle Dog was originally bred for herding cattle, just as their name suggests.
Obviously to be tenth on the list they are very intelligent, but they need to be stimulated, as one would expect from an intelligent dog.
They are happy when they are working, as they need regular exercise and mental stimulation.

Ninth on the list is the Rottweiler.
Contrary to popular belief, the Rottweiler is actually a great family dog, and is not quite as fearsome as many people believe.
There are a highly intelligent dogs and respond well to training.

The eighth dog on the list of intelligence is the Papillon.
Like the Australian cattle dog the Papillon is very protective of its owner and makes a lovable and intelligent pet.
And as with most intelligent dogs they are relatively easy to train.

Number seven on the list is the Labrador Retriever.
These are one of the most popular family dogs because of their good nature, which allows them to socialize well with other dogs and more importantly, children.
Like the previous dogs on the list, Labradors need exercise, and particularly in their case, without exercise they tend to gain excessive weight.

Number six on our list of intelligent dogs is the Shetland sheepdog.
Like the Australian Cattle Dog the Shetland sheepdog was bred for herding cattle and sheep.
Obviously to do this well they need some intelligence and that is why they have ended at number six on our list.
They’re not quite as good at socializing with other people or children but are excellent pets in their own family.

More Information:
Dog Breeds
Dog Breed Info

Here’s Today’s Joke: Why don’t dogs make good dancers?
Because they have two left feet!

This newsletter looks at the top five dogs based on intelligence.

And at number five on that list is the Doberman.
It is important that the Doberman is trained early on in its life, as they can be quite temperamental.
If they are trained they can be great family dogs and really good with children despite their reputation.
They are highly intelligent, and like many intelligent dogs are very protective of their master and family.

Number four is the Golden Retriever, which is often regarded as one of the most popular breeds of dog.
They are great with children and are a very loyal and loving dog.
It is not uncommon to see Golden Retrievers winning dog competitions where intelligence is of importance.

More Information:
Dog Breeds

Number three on our list is a dog that is often associated with police work.
Yes, it’s the German Shepherd, and it is chosen for its police work due to its intelligence.
They make great family dogs and love children.
They need to be kept busy with work or some form of stimulation otherwise they can become depressed and unhappy.
They need to know who their master is from a young age to ensure both they and the family get the most out of their relationship.

The second most intelligent dog might surprise a lot of people. Not only for the fact that they are highly intelligent, but also because they are one of the easiest dogs to train.
And that dog is the Poodle.
Yes the Poodle comes in at number two on our list of intelligent dogs.
They love people, and because of this they don’t like to be left alone.
They are very protective and can become quite vicious if anybody encroaches upon their property or territory.

And the number one all-time most intelligent dog of all is the Border Collie
The Border Collie is another dog that is often seen winning competitions.
They’re highly intelligent, but along with that intelligence comes the need for them to be stimulated regularly.
They’re happiest when they’re working or performing in competitions or dog trials.
So there you go, if you have a Border Collie, you know you have the most intelligent dog in the world, provided of course, that you have trained it well.

More Information:
Dog Breeds

Here’s Today’s Joke: How do you stop a dog smelling?
Cover its nose.

Dog training is all about building relationships.

Good dog training is all about building positive relationships where the dog has respect for it’s owner and also where the dog realizes that the owner is the master and leader of the pack.

If the owner assumes the position of the leader of the pack and the dog knows and respects that position then it will feel more secure and be a happier pet.

More Information:
Sit Stay Dog

Under no circumstances should the dog be fearful of it’s master and that is why most current methods of dog training focus on the positive aspects of the dogs actions and reward it for the good actions that it takes rather than punishing it for anything that it does wrong.

A well trained dog that respects it’s master will always want to please, and that leads to a better-behaved dog both at home and when socializing with other dogs and people.

These positive training techniques are also great at retraining dogs that have consistently done something wrong, as they will quickly learn that the rewards for good actions are far greater than the attention they are seeking from their negative actions.

Even older dogs can be trained quite well by using these methods so a dog is certainly never too old to learn new tricks.

More Information:
Sit Stay Dog

Dog Quote: Man is an animal that makes bargains; no other animal does this….no dog exchanges bones with another.
….Adam Smith

How much food does your dog really need?

Along with the general population of people, dogs are also suffering from obesity from eating the wrong food and eating too much food.

It is relatively easy to control the amount of food your dog is eating and it is essential that you gauge its weight on a regular basis to ensure that it doesn’t get obese.

Dogs can suffer from many different ailments due to obesity including diabetes.
There are an increasing number of dogs suffering from this disease and in most cases this could have been avoided through the correct nutrition and monitoring the amount of food the dog has been eating.

More Information:
Good Dog Food

Having a dog with diabetes will necessitate the injection of insulin or in some cases taking of pills to assist in the maintenance of the correct sugar levels in their blood.

Obviously this involves additional expense and inconvenience and there is also a danger that should the insulin level be incorrect your pet could die.

It makes sense then that your dog should only eat what is good for it and in quantities that won’t result in it developing health problems later in life.

Working dogs will need more food for the energy that they will expend in the course of the day but a dog that lays around the house all day and doesn’t get any exercise will not need to eat the same portions of food.

You should weigh your dog on a regular basis and see whether it is gaining or losing weight and adjust the amount of food it is eating accordingly.

More Information:
Good Dog Food

Dog Quote: There are three faithful friends….an old wife, an old dog and ready money.
….Ben Franklin.

Many people are under the false impression that you can only crate train puppies and they refrain from crate training older dogs as they think it is too difficult.

There are also many people who think crate training is inhumane but done correctly this couldn’t be further from the truth.

The dogs crate should never be used as a place to be sent when punished.
When dogs have been crate trained correctly they actually enjoy the security of having their own place to stay.

More Information:
Sit Stay Dog

Even at times when they are not expected to stay in the crate the dog will find comfort in it’s own area of the home.
Provided the crate is in a sheltered place and there is fresh water available they will be completely happy to have their own home.

Dogs often get possessive of their crate and other members of the family, children in particular, need to understand that this is the dogs special area that they must respect.

The crate should always be kept clean and where possible the dog should have a favorite rug or blanket to sleep on in the crate.

The crate should always be made accessible for the dog with the door open when they aren’t required to stay in the crate so they can feel free to come and go as they like and stay in the crate if they feel like resting at times other than those destined for the crate door to be closed.

Older dogs can find the crate a very secure place as they become less confident with themselves when getting older.
If an older dog does have a mishap and urinate or soil their crate it is very important that it is cleaned immediately so they will continue to enjoy their space.

Find a crate here:
Sit Stay Dog

Dog Quote: When you leave them in the morning, they stick their nose in the door crack and stand there like a portrait until you turn the key eight hours later.
….Erma Bombeck

Is your dog living in a safe environment?

Silly question isn’t it but not quite as silly as you might think at first.

We all like to provide our pets with a safe environment and giving them a safe and comfortable place to sleep is an important part of that environment.

While we might have provided our dog with a safe kennel initially, we all know how dogs like to bite and chew things and their kennel is not immune to their teeth.

More Information:
Crate Kennel

While the kennel might have been safe when new a dog can chew parts of it that could expose wood, nails and/or wire that could cause it harm.

Their chewing could create sharp surfaces that can do permanent damage to their eyes or any other parts of their body.

It is always a good idea to have a regular check of your dogs’ kennel or cage to ensure there hasn’t been any damage that could harm it.

Also – when your dog is left alone in your yard or house you need to be sure that no harm can come to it if you are away for any period of time when you cannot monitor what it gets up to.

Owning a dog is a lot like having a child and they need constant care or they can do damage to themselves.

If you treat your pet like a child and assume that they can’t care too well for themselves then you are more likely to ensure that they will be safe at all times whether you are able to monitor them or not.

More Information:
Crate Kennel

Dog Quote: Properly trained, a man can be dog’s best friend.
….Corey Ford

One of the best things you can do for your dog besides regular exercise, good food, water and shelter, is to be aware of any changes that it might exhibit in all aspects of it’s life.
Particularly as dogs get older they might seem like they are just not interested in exercise any longer but this might be due to the fact that they are suffering from pain of some form or another.

Many older dogs suffer from arthritis and this can be very painful.
There are all sorts of remedies that can help your dog from natural remedies to ones that your local vet might prescribe.

More Information:
Dog Health

Our beloved pets cannot talk to us and they can only hope that we are aware of their conditions by knowing what they are usually like and noticing any behavioral changes.

Even if a normally quiet dog starts whining or barking more often they might be trying to give you a signal that something is not quite right in their life.

A regular checkup at the Vet is a good solution to ensure that your dog is always in optimal health and that includes their mental state.

Older dogs can become depressed because they are no longer getting the required stimulation mentally and a depressed dog will suffer just as a human can do in similar circumstances.

If your dog starts to eat more or less food than normal this could be another sign that there is a problem and also if they gain or lose weight they could be suffering from some health problems.

Always be aware of their behavior and it will ensure that your dog has a happy and long life.

More Information:
Dog Health