What Will Your Dog Experience at the Vet?

By Kristi Carter
It is the owner's responsibility to notice changes that might signify a sickness in your dog. It would be much easier if your dog could say to you that he feels bad, but he can't. It is up to you to notice changes in your pet's behavior that may be signs of some sort of sickness. This might include having no appetite, changes in stools or just being abnormally tired. The more information you have for your vet, the easier it will be for him to determine the problem. Most of the time, your dog will receive a basic exam and the vet will ask you many questions about your dog and his health.

One of the things your veterinarian will look at is your dog's nose. You have probably heard that dog's noses should be wet and cool. This is true for the most part, however a dog with a warm and dry nose is not necessarily sick. However, if it's not, your vet will probably not be overly concerned. What will concern him is fluid, mucus or changes from the last visit. Your vet will also take a close look at your dog's eyes. Because eye diseases happen in many dogs, the vet will check to see if there are any warning signs that would warrant further testing.

Not necessarily in this order, your vet will take a good look in your dog's mouth. He will be on the lookout for gum inflammation or tooth decay. He can also check the blood pressure by simply pressing on your dog's gums. Pale gums can mean that you have an anemic pet, while a yellowish color can mean that your pet has a liver issue. Pink, healthy gums and strong teeth are a great sign. From here, your vet will also check the nails to see if there is damage in the nail bed or a wearing of one paw's nails. This can mean that the dog has an injury that is causing him to favor one leg. Flaky nails also may call for further investigating for some sort of metabolic disorder.

A healthy skin and coat will signify a healthy dog. However, a dull coat may mean that your dog has fleas, mites, or some other parasite. It can also mean that your dog has an infection somewhere else that needs to be found. Sometime during the examination, your vet will check your dog's genitals. For female dogs, the vet will check for discharge or irritation. There could be some sort of reproductive or urinary problem. A male dog will also be checked for swelling or inflammation in the genitals to ensure good health.

Through these different methods of checking your dog, your vet will be able to tell if there is some sort of condition that needs further looking into. Assuming that you have noticed no problems with your dog and each of these areas appears perfectly healthy, your vet will most likely present you with a clean bill of health for your four-legged friend!

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Training Dogs to Be Obedient

By Scott Williams
Ah yes, dog obedience training. All the while you thought, when the children were old enough, that you were free of teaching the young ones. Then you went out and got a dog. And then you learn, to your horror, that the furry little bundle of joy that crashed into the TV set, chewed up your slippers and destroyed your neighbors prized orchids needs to be trained. Otherwise, Fido could turn out to be your worst nightmare.

Dog obedience training is basically communicating with the dog in such a way that he understands what the master wants him to do. But this is easier said than done. Dog obedience training entails a lot of patience and commitment. It is communicating to the animal and teaching them what is right and wrong. The most essential ability required in dog obedience training is to have effective communication between you and the dog. In having effective communication with your dog the trainer or handler can now make the dog obey commands like "sit", "come", "stay" or "heel".

There are a lot of reasons why we want obedience training for our dogs. One of the main reasons is for the dog's own welfare. We would want our dog to act accordingly when we are out with our dog and surrounded by a lot of people and other dogs as well. This scenario could present some curiosity and, sometimes, stress for an unaccustomed or untrained dog. By simply giving the proper commands we can prevent our dog from biting someone or simply running away when frightened. Dog obedience training will give you an obedient dog that is going to be able to interact with people and other dogs minus the usual dog problems.

Before starting dog obedience training it is always helpful to look at the qualities of the dog that we can relate to. Dogs are pack animals that, like humans, thrive as part of a group. And as such, they look to their pack leader to tell them what to do. So in a sense you, the trainer/owner, are the leader of the pack. And so must establish early on that we are the dominant animal in the relationship. Misunderstanding this concept could lead to a lot of dog behavior problems.

For dog obedience training there are two popular and effective styles that you can use: the collar/leash method and the reward method. The reward method is not as intense as the collar/leash method. The reward method is a motivating style as it rewards the dog after it was encouraged and has done some of the commands. While the collar/leash method is a corrective method that gives your dog some discomfort for an improper action that was done; like pulling at the leash or jumping on a stranger.

The collar/leash and treats, which are used as rewards, are also the tools used to help in dog obedience training. There are numerous kinds of collars that can be used; some examples are the choke collar and electronic collar. The same is true with treats. There are numerous treats that you can purchase or make yourself to choose from.

There are also some basic commands used in dog obedience training. These are:

• Heel • Sit • Stay • Down • No

These basic commands must be mastered by your dog to be considered truly trained. Another thing to remember in training your dog is to keep it consistent and to make it fun for your dog.

Giving dog obedience training to your dog will make your dog a better and fun family companion in your household, more so in homes with small children. It also helps in cutting down incidents of dog bites and dog behavior problems encountered by dog owners. Dog obedience training gives the owner more than just an obedient and willing pet. Training your dog the correct way will further strengthen the bond between the dog and his master. Now that, is really man's best friend.

Scott Williams is a freelance copywriter with a special interest in pets and an expert in dog training . For effective and easy dog training please visit http://dogpottytraining.blogspot.com. He has also been a frequent traveler and expert in finding cheap vacation packages and plane tickets at http://military-plane-tickets.blogspot.com

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5 Factors to Consider When Buying Dog Pet Beds

By Kevin Wynn
Many dog owners do not realize how important it is to choose the right dog pet beds. Aside from ensuring overall good health for your pet, you will also be saving much in terms of time and money. If you are in the market for one of these dog pet beds, here are five factors that you should consider when choosing the perfect one. Comfort Just like you, your pets should feel comfortable in their beds. You should seriously consider comfort as an important factor when choosing among the many dog pet beds available in the market today. There are mats, pillows, cuddlers and rugs that you can choose from. There are even sofas made especially for dogs. You should first observe where your pet dog feels most comfortable as well as how they like to sleep. Some dogs like to curl up, making the cuddlers perfect for them. The mats, on the other hand, are ideal for dog pets who like to stretch out on the floor. Keeping this in mind, you will be able to choose among the many comfortable dog pet beds easily. Size Naturally, you should consider the size of your dog when checking out dog pet beds. These dog pet beds actually come in different sizes and it would be best if you buy one that fits your dog perfectly. When buying dog pet beds for a puppy, make sure that you purchase a bed that can accommodate your pet as it grows. If you are unsure, you can always ask your veterinarian for suggestions or even the sales clerk. They could probably provide you with helpful tips regarding which among the different kinds of dog pet beds will be ideal for your pet. Quality Smart buyers should always consider the quality of their purchases if they want to get their money’s worth. With dog pet beds, quality is very important since these beds will experience much wear and tear throughout their life span. You should make sure that you choose a material that can withstand stress and frequent cleaning. For an easier time, you can opt for dog pet beds manufactured by reputable companies. Maintenance Since these dog pet beds are soiled frequently, you should try to buy one that is low maintenance. There are dog pet beds that can easily be cleaned with warm soapy water while some have covers that can be removed and washed. You should consider your lifestyle when buying dog pet beds. If you are too busy to clean your dog’s bed regularly then a dog pet bed with removable bedding or cover will be convenient for you. If this is the case, buying an extra cover or bedding will be a must. Price Of course, budget is an important consideration when buying dog pet beds. The good news is there are plenty of retailers that can offer you great prices. To save time, you can always check out online stores for the best deals on these dog pet beds. Some even offer free delivery and additional gifts with your purchase. Choosing dog pet beds require some diligence and patience on your part. But since it would mean a happier and healthier pet, it would surely be worth it.

Kevin Wynn owns and operates http://www.dog-pet-beds-info.com, a site that describes the various types of Dog Pet Beds that will contribute to the overall well being of your dog.

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How to Use Dog Training Collars

By Scott Williams
There are a lot of benefits to having a well trained and obedient dog. The feeling of your dog follow your every command is probably similar to the feeling of a parent that has brought up a son or daughter that became a role model for everyone to emulate. But before you can bask in the glory, you have to put in the work. You have to train your dog. Everyone knows that training a dog is not an easy process. To make the process bearable and effective, there are certain tools of the trade that you can use. One of them is the dog training collar.

There are numerous training collars available in the market for different training methods. They also come in various sizes, forms and complexities. It depends on the trainer and the training style to be used. These training collars are also known by many names, such as choke collar, choke chain, slip collar and correction collar.

While training collars are an effective tool in dog training, it must be noted that they must be used properly for them to be truly effective and safe for your dogs use. The trainer should also consider the following for a more effective training with this tool:

• Proper usage of the collar • Proper installation of the collar on the dog • The fit of the collar on the dog • Having the right weight and size of collar for the dog

The ideal training collar should fit snugly on the dogs head and at the same time should be comfortable when used in training. It should not be so tight or not so loose. In the beginning, the trainer should make the dog feel comfortable with the training collar so that the dog will not become stressed or confused with the new sensation the training collar brings.

One problem the dog owner has nowadays is "what training collar should I use for my dog". This is due to the many different varieties of training collars available to choose from. Not all training collars are for your dog, there are some common factors to consider in choosing a collar for your dog.

• Size and comfort – comfortable fit for the dog • Affordability – get what you need and can afford • Functionality and efficiency – the right collar for the purpose

Here are some of the collars to choose from:

Choke collars – flexible and easy to use. Collar tightens when dog shows undesirable behavior. Used in traditional dog training.

Head collars – for more control of the dog. Used for positive reinforcement training.

Pronged collars – for small size people with big dogs. Tightens around the dog’s neck with a poking sensation. Used in traditional dog training.

Electronic collars – controlled via remote. Sends an electronic shock, sprays an odor offensive to dogs, or a high pitched sound that dogs do not like. For hard to train dogs.

These collars are never designed to hurt your dog but to speed up the learning process in the training.

It is also important that the owner/trainer have a good understanding of these collar’s functions and purpose before using on the dog to prevent any accidents and cause the dog undue stress, confusion and trauma.

Like any other tool, the dog training will only be effective if used properly with the proper methods. Always use them in a humane way.

Always keep in mind that training of your dog should be a fun and enjoyable experience for both the dog and its owner. Now you have the tools to make your pet a worthy companion that every member of the family can enjoy.

Scott Williams is a freelance copywriter with a special interest in pets and an expert in dog training . For effective and easy dog training please visit http://dogpottytraining.blogspot.com. He has also been a frequent traveler and expert in finding cheap vacation packages and plane tickets at http://military-plane-tickets.blogspot.com

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Dog Training With A Head Collar - 6 Reasons Why You Should Use A Head Collar

By Dean Caporella
When dog training with a head collar, keep in mind that while there are some great advantages in using this type of collar, there are also a couple of disadvantages you need to be aware of.

Is A Head Collar A Muzzle?

This is a misconception which needs to be addressed. No, it's not a muzzle for the simple reason that a dog still has movement of it's mouth.

Educating yourself on the proper use of a head collar for dog training purposes will reward you in the long run. Attempting to use it as a muzzle is can backfire on you big time and mis-information on how to use it is a problem you don't want to fall into.

Advantages Of A Head Collar

There are several advantages in dog training with a head collar. Here are just a few:

- Very easy to use once you understand their correct application and why you are using it.

- Dog training with a head collar will yield you more of the results you are after. They are much kinder to the animal than a choker collar which has copped criticism in the past.

- It has the ability to deter the animal from the bane of many trainers; an enthusiastic canine who has a penchant for tugging hard at a lead. It will preserve unnecessary strain on your arms.

- In dog training where you need to stir the animal so you can apply some disciplinary action, this equipment is ideal.

- You as the trainer, will have more control over the animal. If your dog is a large and powerful canine then this type of head gear is effective in helping you maintain a strong control over your animal.

- In situations where the dog is faced with several distractions and prone to reacting to them then the head collar will be your biggest ally. For example, heavily populated areas with lots of people can excite most canines but this gear will help you maintain control.

Disadvantages Of A Head Collar

There are a couple of main disadvantages dog training with a head collar although when you are aware of these, they can easily be avoided.

One of these is the dog can be lured into a false sense of relying on it to tell it when to behave. This can be a problem because when it reverts back to a traditional collar it will switch back to unacceptable behavior.

The other problem of course is getting the dog to accept it. Just like putting a jacket on a canine for the first time many will react by trying to get the thing off. The same situation can face a trainer when putting a head collar on for the first time.

The easiest way to get around this is to simply distract the dog from the collar and you do this by keeping the dog on the move.

Want more dog training tips that get results? Amaze your friends by having the best behaved dog in your neighborhood or competition. Find out the secret to successful dog training today.

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