After getting your dog and bringing him to his new home, there are many things you will have to do for him such as give him his food and take him for walks. Another important facet of caring for your dog is grooming.

The amount of grooming needed depends on the breed and length of your dog’s fur. If your dog isn’t groomed well, it can cause all sorts of problems in the future. Keeping your dog’s coat in good condition, though, will make your dog a happy pet. The things that come under dog grooming include brushing their fur, bathing your dog, brushing their teeth, and trimming your dog’s nails. There are also lots of dogs that need their coats to be cut during the summer months to keep them from overheating.

You will find that grooming your dog is a fantastic time to bond with your dog too. You can teach the animal such commands as sitting as you groom him/her. When dogs realize from a young age that being groomed is not a painful process, they will allow you to perform the task far more readily. Most dogs enjoy being bathed most of all usually sitting down to allow you to wash them with ease. Giving them a good dog bath is important as it will get rid of any dead skin, dirt, and hair that has come loose. But be sure to purchase special dog shampoo because human shampoo might cause irritation to your dog’s skin.

After the bathing process has finished, expect your dog to have a good shake and stand right back as he does it so as not to get soaked. Ensuring you use a good quality dog nail trimmer and keep them in good condition is just as important as washing or brushing the dog. And if you’re not sure about how to do it, then look for a professional to perform the procedure. As you groom your dog, it is also a good idea to have a look at your dog’s ears and mouth to see that everything is in order or so you can catch any problems while they are still minor. If you spot anything out of the ordinary, take your dog for a trip to the vets to get it checked out.

Many people send their dog away to some kind of doggy parlor to get groomed. And although this might be great for your dog, it does mean that you are both missing out on valuable time to bond with each other. Grooming your dog yourself is a fairly easy task that you can do once every week. Doing so will make your dog feel far better than he/she did before, and after you have gotten into a good habit, grooming will fit nice and smoothly into your weekly routine. If you have any children, they will more than likely want to help too, taking some of the pressure of yourself.

Always keep in mind that your dog a member of the family and will love it when you care for its needs.

Content provided by Linda Richards of ohmydogsupplies.com, search for new deals on leashes for dogs online.

Dogs can behave quite erratic at certain periods in their lives and this can be quite a hassle if you are not an experienced dog owner with a lot of patience. They will give you a handful of trouble and they will act out every chance they get. The motives behind such an aggressive behavior are many and they all relate in one way or another to the way they feel. By understanding the reasons that stand behind their anxious behavior and determining how you can change your attitude to better influence the life of your canine, you will be able to be a source of health in his life and he will be one in yours.

When the motives behind your canine’s behavior are unclear to you there are several online materials which can come to your aid and help you solve the problem behind this mystery. Training videos are also available for download from the Internet or can be purchased on DVD. The eBooks and video materials can prove to be a decent starting point for you when you want to get going on the path to becoming a respected dog owner and to have your canine execute your commands wonderfully. The materials will emphasize how you can train your dog and at the same time when you should reward your dog with treats. You can never have enough resources at your disposal when it comes to dealing with a frustrated canine and to changing his behavior to one of a more compliant and obedient pup.

One of the most encountered reasons that support erratic behavior is your dog’s separation anxiety. The canine will regard the owner as the most important person in his life and he will constantly feel the need to be in his presence. Once he will notice you have been ignoring him and you have been absent for quite some time he will begin to feel left out and sadness will overcome him. You should resolve this matter at the earliest time possible to avoid further complications in behavior and aggressiveness.

The canine will take on additional personality traits if your lack of care continues to persist. He will bark, dig all over your yard, bite, scratch and chew the items he finds in his path. Through this type of behavior an owner should understand the canine’s frustration in not understanding what it is expected of him.

The main aspect to keep in mind at all times is the fact that dog training becomes difficult with age, therefore the most suitable time to train your canine is by starting at a fragile age. You should award your canine companion with enough attention so he should feel appreciated and loved while helping him master the basic commands. Always be prompt in praising his accomplishments and be offering him treats as rewards for his hard work. When he fails to execute a command you should not reward him at all and you should encourage him to do better next time.

The canine will have to learn that you are the one setting the rules and he is the one following them. In turn he will begin to regard you as a member of his family and the leader of the pack and he will follow your initiative. The dog is indeed the best friend a man could have and he will act accordingly if taught how.

Canine obedience training can be quite exhausting at times considering the amount of patience the owner should possess. If you are a person that lacks time and patience then you should hand over your canine to a professional trainer which will ensure he becomes a perfect specimen. A professional is the most recommended person to visit when seeking advice on how to work with a dog. They will teach you everything about canine physiology and psychology so you would well distinguish the moments when it is necessary to offer your canine a reward and when it is necessary to encourage him to perform better. Consistency is the key to turning your dull pet into an admirable companion from which you will not part too soon. He will in turn become your friend for life and protect and love you as best as he is able.

Content written by Albert Cooper of ohmydogsupplies.com, where you can find a incredible collection of dog sofas online.

It’s recommended that we humans go for a health check-up at least once a year. Our dogs are part of our families, so doesn’t it make sense for Fido to go to the vet at least once a year, too? Taking the time, and spending a few dollars, to take Fido to the vet is an investment in his or her health, as the vet may be able to spot potential illnesses and problems before they have a chance to dramatically affect your pooch. They can never replace a vet’s full check-up, but read on for some ways you can also regularly monitor your pet’s health!

Open Up!

Most dogs won’t exactly be super happy to have you examine their mouths, but take a moment to open your dog’s mouth – his teeth should be mostly white, and there shouldn’t be any sores in his mouth. What color are Fido’s gums? They should be pink, whereas any other colors can be indicative of a problem.

Let Me See Those Eyes and Ears

Check to make sure that your dog’s ears are clean. If your dog has any marks on them or sores inside his ears, be sure to take him to the vet for a closer look. Same goes for your dog’s eyes – your dog should not have discharge coming from his eyes, save for some dog breeds where some clear discharge occurs naturally.

Smooth Skin and Coat

Give your dog a long pet each time he comes in from outside. Not only will he love the attention, but you’ll be able to detect whether he has any prickly grass or thorns in his coat, as well as checking that he isn’t missing any hair or has irritated spots on his skin. Be sure he doesn’t have any clumps of mud or snow in his paws. Lumps can unfortunately develop in dogs, so be sure to check your dog, including the underside of his belly and chest, for any lumps. If you should feel a lump, consult your vet immediately.

Is His Tail Wagging?

You’ll also want to pay attention to your dog’s overall demeanor. Sure, just like a human, there will be days when Fido isn’t as excited as he normally is, but if you notice a downward pattern in your dog’s mood, such as your dog sleeping more than usual or seeming depressed, these are key signs that your dog may be suffering from an illness, and to the vet it is!

Your vet will ultimately be able to determine whether your dog has an illness or not, but taking the above steps can help you find the first signs of a sickness and get your dog to the vet and back to his healthy old self again. We love our dogs here at BisketBaskets.com, and we’ve even developed Gourmet Gift Baskets just for sick dogs and their owners! Here’s to a healthy pet from all of us at BisketBaskets.com.

I am sure that most dog owners have seen the movie “Marley and Me” by know; if you haven’t its worth checking out. For those dog owners living with older pets it’s not far from reality. Like our human children, we think of our dogs as always being puppies with seemingly endless amounts of energy.

The truth of the matter is that sometimes our dogs forget they cannot do what they use to or for as long. They continue to try to please us biding for our attention only to find that sometimes our increasingly busy schedules offer little. As pet parents we need to understand that this time is precious and worth spending every extra moment.

The old adage of seven dog years’ equals one human year starts to ring true when your dog turns four to five years old. At that age, they are more like a 28 to 30 year old human and depending on the breed by the time they turn seven they should be considered a senior citizen. The age expectancy for small to medium dogs is anywhere from 12 to 18 years, for large breeds 10 to 15 years while extra large breeds is 7 to 10 years.

The most important thing you can do for your senior dog is have your vet give a senior seven blood work up. This test will screen for a host of issues affecting older dogs. Next would be to realize the limitations of your dog while playing and exercising. Cut the time you use to spend by half finding other activities and reasons to offer your affection.

Expect some “accidents” to happen in the house; do not treat this as you would when your dog was a pup. If your dog was properly housebroken then these accidents are an embarrassment for your dog. Punishment or a stern voice will only make them feel worse as well as confused. On the other hand, do not offer a condolence saying, “that’s okay” or you will begin to un-do previous training. Instead, let your dog outside more frequently and if it gets worse place some Wee Pads down encouraging their use instead of the carpet.

Other signs are weight lose, loose of sight and hearing, and weak and tender joints.  There are several types of dog food and dog treats available to pet parents that contain natural ingredients formulated to relieve the pain of aging joints. For sever joint pain and arthritis consult your vet; new medications are now available with little side effects that will offer your aging dog a higher quality of life.

Be sure to give extra attention to teeth and gums. Broken or loose teeth are common for older dogs requiring professional cleaning from your vet. Dogs are susceptible to certain types of cancer and like humans; some are operable will others are not. You can find several specialty veterinarian hospitals throughout the country that offer complete oncology departments for pets.

It is sad to say but most pet parents have yet to embrace pet health insurance and the price of treat becomes the concern leaving some the only option to euthanize their pet. At the end of the day, living with an older dog is about quality of life. Purchasing pet stairs to help them get to their favorite spot and consulting with your vet will help extend those precious moments. However, when their quality of life can no longer be maintained then euthanizing is the best choice.

Exposure from the hot searing sun and hot surfaces are just a couple dangers that come along with summer. All dog breeds are susceptible to the intense heat of the summer sun. Longhaired dogs that still have some of their winter undercoat left and shorthaired dogs like the Whippet or Grey Hound can develop sunburn.

Longhaired dog should be thoroughly groomed preferably professionally using a deshedding shampoo and deshedding brushes while being blow-dried. FURminator has some of the best and most recommended products for removing a winter undercoat and excess hair.

Shorthaired dogs should not be left in direct sunlight for long periods without some kind of light dog coat to keep the intense sun off their skin. These dog coats are perfect for long walks on sunny days. Dog strollers with an overhead cover work the best for small dogs keeping them cool and rested.

The next greatest danger the summer heat can bring is dehydration.  Fresh cool water is must for any trip that involves being outdoors on hot summer days. Dehydration for dogs has the same effects as they do for humans; excess strain on the heart, heatstroke, and seizures in the more severe cases.

There are plenty of portable dog water bottles available to pet parents you can take along to keep your dog hydrated. Some symptoms to look for are heavy excessive panting, dry gums, and confusion. If your dog exhibits these warning signs then it is time to take a break and get them some fresh water immediately.

Dogs relieve body heat in two ways panting and through their paws. Hot surfaces such as asphalt or hot sand can burn the pads so having a set of dog paw protectors is good idea if these types of surfaces are where you and your dog spend considerable time. There are mesh open-air dog paw protectors that work like water shoes do for humans.

Lastly, if you know the day is going to be exceptionally hot leave your dog indoors preferably in an air-conditioned environment.  If you do not have air conditioning then a fan will do keeping the activity to a minimum. Never leave your dog in a closed-up vehicle. The temperatures can reach in excess of 200 degrees and will kill your dog.

As summer approaches, dog owners will be heading to beaches, taking the boat out for that first outing on the lake or in the ocean. If you are like most dog owners, the family pet comes along for the ride. Boating requires safety for not only humans but for your dog as well.

The law requires a life jacket for every human occupant on the boat; however, nothing is required for your dog. Most pet owners are under the misconception that all dogs know how to swim. This is far from true, just ask the owners of pugs or bulldogs.

When these breeds hit the water, they sink like a rock. Basset Hounds and Dachshunds as well make poor swimmers; their long backs and short legs make it all most impossible to keep their head above water. Even breeds that seem just as at home in the water as they do on land can fall victim to drowning.

Which is why having a dog life jacket available for your dog while boating or even swimming at the beach is a must have for their protection. Although it may seem overly protective to outfit your dog in a life jacket on the beach, your dog will want to partake in the fun of sloshing around with the family and can easily drown if left unprotected.

In ground pools, also pose a danger for the family pet as well as children. Should your dog accidently chase a ball that lands in the pool your dog will follow. If this happens and your dog becomes trapped in the pool unable to climb out a pet owners instinct is to jump in and grab the dog.

When you do this, there are a few things you should be aware of; the first is that a scared frightened dog may bit and their nails will dig as you try to help them out of the pool. If you find your dog unconscious performing CPR and removing the water, out of their lungs is not unlike the treatment for humans.

1. Remove any obstruction.

Open the animals mouth and make sure the air passage is clear. If not remove the object obstructing the air passage.

2. Extend the head and give several artificial respirations:

A. For large dogs: close the animal’s jaw tightly and breathe into the nose. The animal’s chest should rise. Give 2 breaths.

B. For small dogs and cats you may be able to cover the nose and mouth with your mouth as you breathe. The animal’s chest should rise. Give 2 breaths.

3. Next perform chest compression

A. For large dogs you may be able to position the dogs on its back and compress the chest just like for humans.

B. For small dogs and cats as well as large dogs with funnel chests, you may need to lie the animal on its side and compress the side of the rib cage. Alternatively, you can position the animal on its back and press on both sides of the rib cage. Turn their head to the side as you compress the chest to allow any water to flow out of their lungs.

C. The rate of chest compressions varies with the size of the animal

i. Dogs over 60 lbs: 60 compressions per minute
ii. Animals 11 to 60 lbs: 80-100 compressions per minute
iii. Animals 10 lbs or less: 120 compressions per minute

4. Alternate breaths with compressions

The ratio of compressions to breaths should be approximately the same as for humans – 30:2 Continue doing this until the animal responds or begins to breathe on its own.

Prevention is the best medicine when comes to pet safety. Outfitting your four-legged family member in a dog life jacket will give you some peace of mind while enjoying a fun happy summer while boating. Keeping an in ground pool securely sectioned off and out of reach to both children and pets is more than worth the effort when compared to the unthinkable.

Do you remember when you had your first baby? Or if you can’t relate to that, how about when you had a baby brother or sister for the first time? That baby had no teeth, right? And all he or she had to consume was milk, milk and just milk!

You see, dogs are like that, too. They require various dietary and nutritional needs at different ages. That means, your pet does not have to be fed with vegetables and a lot of meat or fish the moment he was born in the world. Like humans, your dog needs more of a certain nutrient than anything else, and as he grows, his nutritional needs progress and go a lot higher.

Puppies

To explain this further, let’s take a look at a puppy first. A young puppy that has yet to learn habits, traits and other ‘rules’ at home is at a young, development stage, where everything about him has yet to grow and develop – in terms of his physical traits, emotions, intelligence and physiological functions. In this stage, a puppy needs to consume lots of milk, because he is still growing. In fact, your pup needs lots of protein, fat and carbohydrates for his body and its organs to develop further and also because they move a lot more than adult dogs. Moreover, puppies have to be fed more frequently because they are at a stage where their bodies require more and more nutrients in order to grow. Remember your baby? Babies and pups are not that different from each other at this stage.

Adult Dogs

Adult dogs, on the other hand, need some amounts of nutrients, too. Of course, they do. It’s just that, they are less demanding than those puppies since they are already grown. But it does not mean you can relax. Elder dogs can be fed with boiled eggs, some protein-based source like meat or fish, and some veggies to supply their bodies with nutrients they need every day. However, excess amounts of protein are not advisable because it might harm his renal structure and eventually, his kidneys.

Likewise, nutrients like the water-soluble variety, thiamine, zinc, calcium, potassium, phosphorus and essential fatty acids should be in his meals each day. To ensure that he has the right amounts of these nutrients daily, it is advised that you feed him organic dog food.

Commercially-made dog food has ingredients which may be harmful to your pet, has artificial colorings and preservatives, trans fat, salt and other ingredients which are not only useless, but may cause your dog to have food allergies and other serious health consequences. And besides, homemade dog food are easy to make and much more delicious than canned ones.

Your Dog’s Feeding Times

How often you should feed your pet depends on age. A puppy that is just one to six weeks old needs to be provided with milk five to seven times a day. When he turns six weeks old, you can feed him less often.

He might also begin feeding on solid food.  Hence, mix the solid food with water in majority and feed your puppy once or twice in the beginning and if the dog develops some diarrhea, then delay the feeding.

There is no fixed amount or number of times you must feed your pet. It is basically trial and error. However, you are advised to change the feeding frequency two or three times after the pet turns eight weeks old. If you see him hungry, though, you’re free to feed him more than usual.

When the dog turns three to six months old, he will begin teething. Limit the feeding times to two while balancing the nutrition and prevent any deficiency.

In addition, when your pet becomes anywhere between six months and one year old, you can provide him with canned food. Onwards, the feeding times can be less frequent. This is true with elder dogs that need to be given food less often because of their restricted movements. Pregnant and nursing dogs, on the other hand, must be given proper attention by feeding her often.

This is only some helpful advice to remember when feeding your dog. Remember to visit your vet for additional advice when you have questions about feeding your pet, and be sure to always feed your dog meals with the right nutrients.

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One the questions we are always asked is how to use a six-foot dog leash. One the issues people have when walking their dog is the pulling. One person we talked with actually had the their arm dislocated and another fractured their collar bone when their dog pulled so hard the owner went flying forward landing on the concrete side walk.

The reason for this is that the dog walks in front of the owner instead walking along side. If this sounds like you then the solution can be quite simple; you need both hands. Use one hand on the loop end of the dog leash and the other about half way down leaving very little slack between where the leash is attached to the collar and your hand.

The six-foot dog leash is the most recommended dog leash owners use for walking. The reason is the control it offers especially when compared to a retractable dog leash. While retractable dog leashes have their place, using them for a walk or training is not one of them. The best place to use a retractable dog leash is when you arrive at a dog park or in your own yard when you are allowing your dog to explore their surroundings but need to still have them tethered.

Most municipalities have a six-foot dog leash restriction so be careful where you use a retractable dog leash or a 20-foot dog lead. Aside from holding the leash correctly, the next component to dog walking is having the right dog collar.

The two we recommend are the Martingale dog collar or a no-pull dog harness. Either of these when combined with a six-foot dog leash will make walking with your dog a pleasant experience instead of a test of your patience and endurance. Martingale collars offer the same benefits as the standard choke collar but without the harmful consequences and the no-pull dog harness will correct any bad behavior right out of the package on the first use.

One of the responsibilities of dog owners is to recognize when something isn’t quite right. Your dog’s breath can be one of the most difficult areas to find a problem. For new dog owners doggie breath can seem unpleasant especially in puppies or those dog owners who also have a house cat with a litter box.

However, your dog can acquire an unpleasant order beyond doggie breath for a number of reasons such as dental disease, oily skin, ear infection, or a blocked anal gland. The first task on list is to determine exactly where the odor is coming from.

If their breath seems particularly bad check out their teeth; if they are yellow then perhaps it’s time for the vet to give your dog a full dental cleaning. Dog dental chews such as Greenie’s can help keep teeth clean and breath smelling fresh in between regular tooth brushing.

Brushing your dog’s teeth should be part of the grooming process and will help keep your dog from acquiring the same mouth diseases their pet parents are susceptible too. If their teeth are in good shape check their skin.

If you notice any flaky dandruff or an oily feel to their coat with a strong odor, this could be a common disorder called seborrhea. Frequent bathing in a medication dog shampoo can prevent the odor as well as provide relief to itchy dry skin.

Next would to check your dog’s ears. If they react to pain or you notice sores or discoloration then make an appointment with your vet. A dogs ears are very different from those of humans and you should not try a flush them out on your own. This procedure is best left to the professionals.

Lastly, check your dogs stool. If it seems hard or you notice a lack of stool in your yard then there could be a more serious problem going on. Look for any sign of pain or change in their normal behavior such as lack of eating or an inability to relax and lay down. This is a sign of discomfort and you should make an appointment to see your vet immediately.

Spring has arrived and with it comes taking care of your lawn. One of the first things pet parents do is fertilize the grass to kick-off a green healthy looking lawn. While this may make your neighbors jealous, it may also harm your dog.

We have all seen the commercial fertilizing trucks with the pictures of pets and children on the side. Do not be misled by the images fertilizer can be poisonous to children and pets. There is a reason why when they finished there is a “keep off the grass” sign left behind reminding people that the lawn has been fertilized and to stay off for about an hour.

There are two ways to fertilize your grass, liquid fertilizer that is sprayed on and the chemical of choice for most commercial companies or dry fertilizer which most do-it-yourselfers use.  Commercial companies do offer this dry type of fertilizer but you have to ask for it.

Although companies say that after an hour pets and children are safe the time for safety is more like 24 hours. Liquid fertilizer is by far more harmful because you cannot see it on your dog when they roll around the grass, as dogs normally lick their paws and clean him or herself, ingesting the fertilizer will cause harm.

Dry fertilizer, although it can be seen should your dog roll around, it will work its way between toes and can be easily digested when they clean their paws. Once the dry chemical is watered into the lawn your dog is good to go.

The best way to handle the safety of your pets is to keep them off fertilized grass until it has been watered in. If you use a commercial company request dry granular fertilizer instead of the liquid chemical, when you arrive home look for the sign they leave behind. If your lawn was treated plan on taking your dog for a walk to relieve him or herself instead of allowing them on the grass.

Be sure to take along some biodegradable dog waste bags for your dog when you are on your walk. Fertilizing your lawn in this way will keep your pet safe as well as make the neighbors envious of your yard.