Saturday, July 5, 2008

Exercise With A Boxer Dog

A lot of people wants to own a Boxer dog. Despite the fact that dog ownership means great responsibility, that doesn't hinder thousands of dog lovers around the world from having a pet dog, especially a Boxer dog. What is in this breed that a lot of people are after? By simply looking at a Boxer dog, one will think that this breed is brave and strong and modest, which is actually true. By having one lurking around you, you can somehow feel that you are protected. This is just one of the benefits of having Boxer dogs.
Another benefit that some people may not seem to notice is the dog's contribution to his master's good health. Dogs need exercise right? By taking your dog for a walk, you are not just giving him his required dose of exercise, you are doing yourself a favor to stay healthy as well. The activity helps you and your dog to control weight at the same time maintain a healthy heart, lungs and muscle tissue. Plus, you will be given the opportunity to inhale fresh air or avoid the traffic rush. The result - a healthy dog and a healthy you!
If exercise is new to you and your dog, go slow at first. Consider your dog's age and size. Remember that Boxer dogs are athletic dogs and they need proper exercise and conditioning. Start with short periods of activity at slow speeds then gradually increase the time, speed and distance. A daily 20-minute walk and some free-run in a secure place would be enough. Teach him to fetch ball or flying discs if he has more energy than you do.
Be responsible when exercising your Boxer dogs. These dogs do not do well in extreme weather conditions. Too much heat as well as too much cold makes them uncomfortable so it is better to set aside outdoor exercise and activities during those times. Keep your dog's nails trimmed to prevent tears as it runs and you should always remember not to exercise your dog before and right after meals. Exercise or other strenuous activities with stomach my cause digestive upset and worst, killer bloat. Water should be given before and after exercise but only in small amounts. After exercise, check your dog's coat, ears, eyes and paws for burrs, ticks and other unwanted objects that he might have picked up along the way.
Bond with your dog at the same time stay healthy through exercise.
By: Richard Cussons
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Richard Cussons writes articles about Boxer dog. Visit boxersavvy.com and learn more about Boxer dog training.

So You Want To Buy A Boxer Dog?

Rearing a Boxer dog as a pet is definitely a good choice, since they are known for their loyalty, active spirit and good temperament. They make great additions to the family because they get along very well with children, due to their energetic and playful nature. Not only is this breed very social but also are very well- behaved with other pets in the family. Boxer dogs are very attentive to commands and thus, can be trained and disciplined easily. Owing to their active lifestyle, they need regular exercise and physical as well as mental stimulation. They take great delight in running and hence, make good companions while jogging. They prosper in a cool and pleasant atmosphere, so it would be advisable to keep them indoors. But if you have to keep them outside for too long, ensure that you provide it with sufficient shelter and shade.
Boxer’s athletic build and mischievous attitude keeps it active on days, when the climate is normal, but when the mercury rises up, you have to be more cautious. They belong to the brachycephalic breed, which means that Boxer dogs are not very good at maintaining and regulating their body temperature. They do not prefer extreme temperatures and thus, require extra care and attention at such times. They pant heavily because short nose of this breed makes it difficult for them to breathe in hot weather. Panting heavily allows them to cool down. So, if your pet boxer deviates from his usual behavior, don’t expect or compel it to behave otherwise. One easy way to relieve them from the respiratory discomfort is to provide it with plenty of cool water to drink.
Some other ways of assisting a boxer during hot weather is to provide it with a dog mat. Dog mats are easily available at your local pet stores. In addition to giving it ample of drinking water, it is also advisable to splash some water on different part of your boxer’s body like the ears, mouth, eyes, paws and the belly. To provide more comfort and respite from the scorching heat, you can also try giving him a cool bath. Leave him it in the tub for some time so that it can relax and cool down easily. Ensure that your boxer eats a well-balanced diet, which is essential to boost his immune system against the heat.
Undoubtedly, boxer dogs are very lively companions and a very popular choice as pets, but at the same time, they are famous for their alertness, strength and agility. Formerly, they were used as pack carriers, messenger dogs and even as attack dogs, during wars by the military and the police. They were specifically bred by the German army, with a view to protect the border. The breed has proved its aptitude and intellect by smelling smuggled contraband and attack trespassers. Because of all these reasons and more, boxer dogs are acknowledged as members of the Working Dog Group. Although, they are famous for their ingenuity, loyalty and affection, they can prove to be stubborn if not trained properly. So, make sure that your pet boxer receives appropriate training.
By: Jason Rusch
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Jason Rusch is a Boxer Dog owner and enthusiast that has guided many Boxer owners through the essential steps of choosing, training and caring for their Boxer. Find out more about what it takes to train your Want to know more about how you can keep your boxer puppy healthy and happy? If so take a look at my boxer puppy

Keeping Your Dog Cool And Comfortable

Relief from heat does not come easily specially for our furry friend. They do not have sweat glands so they cannot sweat to cool off. Most dogs will just simply give up the comfort of their bed and stretch out in the bare floor to cool off. Panting also help to cool them off but this is not sufficient. Dogs with thick, double-coats are more susceptible to heat stroke. Dogs can experience some serious discomfort during summer and hot months. A cooling pet bed is the ideal solution to this. Canine cooler bed can provide an ongoing therapy for your furry friend. It can be very helpful and bring much relief, especially if your dog suffers from bad joints, hips or one of many skin conditions affecting pets from all walks of life. A cooling pet bed doesn't have to be expensive either, and can be used all year around, especially in those hot summer months.
Some dog have thicker fur than others, which makes it hard to keep cool. Unfortunately this can be the cause of your pet’s lack of energy, skin irritations, breathing difficulties and a variety of other concerns. Although they can lie down on the bare floor to cool off, this can bring other medical problems to them such as arthritis especially for aging dogs. Sleeping on the cold hard floor can cause chronic pain and additional discomfort.
There are two common types of dog beds, the cooling water bed and the cooling pads. Cooling water beds are filled with water provide a great relief during summer. Cooling pads are more like a thick mat that a fluffy mattress type of bed. The cooling pads are designed in such a way that they do not absorb heat thereby making the bed hot, but repel the heat so that your pet can always stay cool. Some of these pads are also the thermo-regulating kind, which means that they can be used as cooling dog beds in the summer, as well as heated dog beds come winter time. Make sure that the bed you get for your dog is made of high-quality and non-toxic materials.
By: Jennifer J.
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
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