Dog Training - Dogs on Bonfire Night

By: John Williams
This time of year can be a worrying and confusing one for your dog, occurrences like bonfire night don't happen very often and that's what makes it a lot scarier for your dog or puppy.
Dogs do not like unfamiliarity's and all the flashes and sudden bangs can make your dog extremely scared and afraid of what is happening. Unfortunately there have been many cases of dog deaths on bonfire night over the last ten years so it's a must to keep an eye on your dog at this time of the year and any other similar time such as New Years Eve.
Accidents and injuries happen on bonfire night because of dogs or puppies being loose outside and the unfamiliar sounds and flashes causing them to go into a panic and running away from home, running into roads, or getting stuck in tight spaces trying to hide from the noises.
Fortunately, there are rules and advice that can be followed to prevent times like these and keep your dog in safe hands. To begin you will need to stop your dog being out at night and keep them reassured indoors and away from their outdoor home if they have one. This should be done from one week before the event to one week after the event so no fireworks before or after will scare them into trouble.
Make sure all the doors are locked and shut, if your dog sees an opening they will go for it if they become scared. Try to make a small sheltered area for your dog where they feel protected and in control, and cuddles and calmly playing with your dog may help your dog be less nervous and take their mind off the situation.
If your dog does escape, be calm and positive with them wile trying to get them back inside as quickly as possible, if all these rules are followed then everything should go to plan and you will be able to relax on bonfire night and not have to worry about your pet.



John Williams website owner. For more information on dog behavior training visit the dog-behavior-training.co.uk website at this link...Dog Training.

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Top Five Tips for a Healthy Dog2

By: Craig Elliott
Don't forget to give your dog his needed shots. Dogs, just like cats, other pets, and humans, require certain shots in order to stay healthy and prevent harmful diseases and viruses from entering their systems, affecting their overall health. You'll need your veterinarian to give your dog the necessary shots (it's certainly not something you can attempt yourself, even if you theoretically could get your hands on the right drugs and dosages) at the right times and in the right amounts.

Finally, ensure your dog has regular checkups with his veterinarian. If you don't have a vet for your dog, find a qualified and recommended one, and get your precious pet checked out as soon as possible. In addition to receiving his shots, your dog also requires regular checkups to make sure he is healthy and in good shape. A professional veterinarian will also check the health of your dog's teeth, eyes, coat, and paws, and be able to detect any sicknesses present and give you the correct medication for your dog.

If you love your pet dog, you should be willing to do whatever it takes to ensure his life with you is a long, happy, and healthy one; this involves following these top five tips. There are, of course, other things you can do to improve your dog's health and keep him content, but following this list of essentials is a great start to becoming a great dog owner
Craig Elliott is a writer for VetRx Direct. VetRx Direct is a leading supplier of Pet Medicine

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Top Five Tips for a Healthy Dog1

By Craig Elliott
Whether you've had your loyal companion by your side for quite some time already, you've just acquired a brand-new puppy or adult dog, or you're considering a canine chum for a permanent pet, you'll want to do whatever it takes to ensure your dog lives a long, happy, and healthy life.

This concept may seem a little too simple or obvious, but the truth is that many dog owners-to-be and even longtime dog owners aren't necessarily prepared for the work involved in properly caring for a pet. If you already have a dog, and have noticed lethargy, fatigue, a negative change in behavior, or overall poor health in your pooch, it's time to take matters into your own hands and learn how to turn your dog's health around. If you have yet to buy a dog, make sure that you understand what's involved in the proper care of a dog and that you're prepared to do so before you make that very important purchase. Don't just go and buy the first puppy you see because he's "cute."

Here are the top five tips for keeping your dog healthy and happy and living with you as long as possible (or at least as long as you want him around!):

First, give him fresh water daily. While most dog owners aren't ignorant to the point where they forget to "water" their dogs, many don't bother giving them fresh water on a daily basis. Your dog should have access to plenty of fresh water every single day. This means that you'll need to change his water bowl every evening (or morning), empty the water that wasn't consumed, and refill with clean water. You'll also need to clean out his water bowl regularly to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.

Second, feed him. It's a mistake to actually think you can just buy any kind of dog food (particularly for the singular reason that it's "cheap") for your dog. There are many different types of dog food out there, based on weight, size, nutritional requirements, and special health concerns. Read the labels carefully before buying dog food for your dog. If you're not sure, talk to his veterinarian to find out which type of food is the best for your pet. Keep in mind that puppies have different nutritional requirements than adult dogs, regardless of their respective sizes. For example, don't assume that you can feed puppies of larger breeds the same food you would feed smaller adult breeds. Further, don't forget to follow the package's instructions as far as how much food and how often you should feed your dog. Consult your veterinarian for further guidance or clarification.

Next, play with him and take him for walks. Just because you're feeding and watering your dog doesn't mean that he's healthy. Dogs of all breeds and sizes require daily outdoor activity, exercise, and fresh air, or their quality of life essentially suffers, contributing to lethargy, poor health, poor appetite, weight gain, lean muscle loss, or even disease. Even "indoor" dogs aren't meant to be cooped up indoors all day long. Smart and health-conscious dog owners take their dogs for walks every day, even in the cold; this is also a great way for you to get some fresh air and exercise, too. You can also let your dog run free (without a leash) in your yard for a time, supervised or unsupervised. Do whatever you can to ensure your beloved pet receives the exercise and fresh air he needs every day.
Craig Elliott is a writer for VetRx Direct. VetRx Direct is a leading supplier of Pet Medicine

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Wine Food Pairing - Champagne soup, anyone?

By Denise Clarke
How about wine food pairing all in one bowl?
In the dog days of summer, when the heat and humidity rise, what better way to lift the spirits of your friends and neighbors than an impromptu party to cool off a bit? One of my very favorite hot weather treats is a cold champagne soup with diced ripe mangoes. Truly decadent! Fortunately, we have a mango tree in the neighborhood that supplies the whole street with sweet, Florida mangoes.
I like to use Freixenet's Cordon Negro Brut. It is a crisp, dry sparkling wine that has a soft, smooth flavor and pairs beautifully with the juiciness of the sweet ripe mango. The Freixenet also works great with ripe, full flavored peaches as the fruit addition. Serve this wonderful soup into cut crystal bowls and it will knock your guest's socks off! YIKES!!
Pair the soup with warm from the oven croissants and fresh creamery butter, what could be better. Many times I cheat with the croissants and use the dough from the tube and just pop them in the oven as the guests arrive . The best part is they only take a few minutes to bake.
Cloth napkins seem to add a touch of richness, after all we want this to be a special treat, and add fresh cut flowers as a centerpiece. Your guests will think you spent hours on preparation. I won't tell!
How about dessert? Summertime always offers up such terrific bounty when it comes to fruit and berries. Big, juicy strawberries dipped into a melted healthy dark chocolate are always a winner. Be sure to melt your chocolate carefully in a water bath. Perhaps you are even lucky enough to have one of those new chocolate fountains, they work great, too. I always leave the stem on for added color and it also makes a great handle on the berry to keep your fingers from getting burned! Let the berry cool off on waxed paper and then present them to your guests on your favorite platter. This is a super, make ahead, dessert that can be done a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator.
You will definitely want to pair chocolate with a red wine. For the dark chocolate dipped strawberries try a Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot from Concha y Toro. This Chilean wine is bold enough to stand up to the dark chocolate and bring out the best in both the wine and the dessert. YUM!
Now as your party starts to wind down, you'll want to offer your guests a cup of coffee. The Austrians invented a coffee beverage called a mélange. This drink is served throughout Austria in all the coffee houses and is a fifty-fifty mix of coffee and milk with a foamy top. Traditionally, they serve this with a glass of sparkling mineral water on the side. Add sliced lemons on the table for those that like a bit of citrus with their water and you have a delightful end to a wonderful party. Remember to get out all your fancy glasses and crystal, they don't even have to match to make it festive! Garage sales are a terrific resource for items like this.
Wine Food Pairing is not difficult. With just a bit of pre-planning you can show your guests what a terrific host/hostess you are and enjoy the party right along with your friends! CHEERS!


Denise Clarke has been passionate about Wine Food Pairing for many years....to follow her blog, or download her FREE e-book go to: http://www.winefoodpairing.blogspot.com or go to her website at: http://www.wine-food-pairing.com

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