The approaching warm weather of spring in the northern parts of the country brings with it a new flea and tick season. The best method to ensure your dog does not become infested with fleas is to get out in front of problem. A good quality flea collar at the beginning of the season will do just that.

While fleas pose no real immediate threat to your dog, if left untreated can cause serious skin problems and loss of fur. One the test during your annual vet exam should include a fecal test which checks for flea larvae that feeds on fecal matter.

Dog owners who have dogs with sensitive skin and find that a flea collar irritates their skin can give a combination pill. These pills are very cost effective as they prevent fleas as well as heartworm in one pill given monthly throughout the year. Front Line flea and tick has such a product and like heartworm medication, they are available by prescription only.

If your dog becomes infested with fleas your house will soon follow, so outfitting your dog in a flea collar not only protects them but your family as well. The purpose of adult fleas is to feed on blood and reproduce be that human or canine. There are several flea and tick powders owners can use to rid fleas that have infested the home.

Should you find yourself in this situation, drop off your dog at your local groomer for a flea bath. While your dog is out of the home, apply flea powder to carpet and all of the furniture throughout your house. This should kill off any fleas preventing them from re-infesting your dog when they come back from the groomers.

Ticks are another problem warm weather bring out. Ticks gorge on blood by attaching themselves to your dog. Although flea and tick medicine helps, if your dog spends a lot of time running through heavy brush ticks will still attach themselves to dogs. If this happens to you, they need to be removed quickly using a tick remover tool, as they will become firmly attached.

Ticks carry with them deceases that if left untreated will be fatal to your dog. Anytime you take your dog on a camping trip or even through a wooded dog park, you should check under your dogs’ fur for ticks that may have found their way to your dog’s skin.

Fleas can be an annoying problem that can be avoided with a flea collar or multiple preventative pills. Ticks on the other hand must be removed with a specific tool designed just for removal. Avoid the costly treatments and shampoos by outfitting your dog in a good quality flea collar at the beginning of the season.

by Remarkable Dogs

Like your dog’s pet parents, one of the inevitable issues of old age is arthritis and achy joints. Dogs feel the same type of pain associated with old age as we humans do. Our dogs cannot tell us when they hurt so the task of discovery falls on the pet parent.

Conscientious pet owners are aware of every nuance of behavior their dog demonstrates. The trick is to spot the signs of canine arthritis early so your dog continues a great quality of life throughout their golden years. Here is what to look for:

• Reduced playtime
• Lack of enthusiasm when the leash comes out
• Difficulty getting up
• Climbing stairs one at a time
• Excessive licking of paws or joints
• Less energy and lethargic

For medium to large dogs, signs like these begin to show up around ages 8 to 10 years old, earlier for extra large breeds. Toy breeds as well may show signs of canine arthritis at an earlier age due to their delicate joints.

If you begin to notice your dog exhibiting two or more of these signs the first course of action is to consult your veterinarian immediately. They can tell you the severity of the arthritis and begin a regimen to provide relief from the pain.

For early and less severe cases of canine arthritis there are holistic all natural additives that can be mixed into your dogs water or food daily that will provide relief. HomeoPet® Joint Stress Relief is such a product, which is added to either food or water.

As pet parents, we can help relieve joint pain and stress by providing dog stairs to reduce jumping up or more importantly down from their favorite chair or the family bed. Changing their regular dog bed to an orthopedic dog bed is one the best things pet parents can do.

Orthopedic dog beds come in all sizes and styles from memory foam to heated orthopedic dog beds. While these dog beds can be used regardless of the severity of canine arthritis, the additives should not be mixed with other medications your vet has proscribed without their consultation.

With the new medications available to veterinarians and the dog supplies available to pet parents there is no reason your dog cannot enjoy a healthy pain free quality of life well into old age. The key is to recognize the signs of canine arthritis and get out in front of the pain.

by Remarkable Dogs

Paw protectors for your dog is one of the most important elements of outdoor gear a pet owner can provide. Many pet owners are under the impression that the pads on their paws will protect them while running through the field, walking along the street even playing at the dog park. The pads on a dogs paw is tougher than that of bottom of their pet parent’s feet, however they are at risk.

The route you take while walking your dog may be safe, others can cause serious problems. Extreme temperatures either hot or cold can damage the pads on your dog’s paws. In hot weather, the asphalt can be like walking on red-hot coals literally burning and tearing away the skin on their paws.

Without paw protectors in the snowy cold weather of winter, snow can build up between paws melt and then freeze. This build can cause frostbite or become hard enough to tear into the skin leaving an open wound vulnerable to infection if left untreated.  The wood surface of untreated decks often found in some parks will leave behind splinters that lodge themselves in your dog’s paws again causing infection. If left on treated a serious infection could result in amputation.

Paw protectors add a layer of safety against the harsh elements of extreme temperatures. This comes as no surprise to sled dog owners and their Husky’s. Although these dogs have been breed to resist the cold with their double insulating fur, their paws are not.

Although humans are brought up wearing shoes to protect our feet as infants, your dog will take a little time to adjust the first time you outfit him/her with paw protectors. The experience will look like something out of America’s Funniest Home Video’s but stick with the goal. Once your dog walks, runs, and plays they will get used the feeling.

Every compassionate dog owner has an innate desire to protect his or her dog from harm. Outfitting your dog in paw protectors gives pet owners another opportunity to look out for their dog. If you like running with your dog through your neighborhood along concrete sidewalks where the crossing of clean streets is your route then perhaps paw protectors are unnecessary. But those same sidewalks and streets in winter may be a different story.

At the end of the day be conscience of the where your dog walks and plays as well as the weather conditions. As your dog will protect you from harm as responsible pet parents, it is our duty to protect them.

Of all the activities dog owners carryout every day nothing gives a dog more pleasure than routine grooming.  Not only is dog grooming a great way to keep your dog clean, sensitive skin medicated , and smelling great it also provides extra attention to keep them mentally engaged with their pet parents.

It is no secret to long time dog owners that their four-legged family members take on the personality of their owner. Dogs are very “in-tune” with how you feel both emotionally and physically. Companion breeds are being trained to alert their owners of upcoming episodes such as epilepsy, heart attacks, and many other issues facing their pet parents.

Dogs are able to recognize and will reflect your “feelings” good or bad. When you’re upset just watch your dog casually curl up next to you with those big brown eyes and you cannot help but feel better. Enjoy going on a walk around the neighborhood, well it isn’t just the sound of the dog leash that gets them excited.

While many pet owners view dog grooming as more of a necessity rather than bonding time this belief is only half-true. Whereas the mechanics of shampooing and brushing will control shedding, keeping dander down to a tolerable level the process of dog grooming is what really counts.

The natural rhythm of you bathing and brushing actually massages your dog giving them that “Oh ya…that’s the spot” feeling.  The dog grooming process can sooth tired and sore muscles and joints not to mention the calming effect a dog owner’s voice has on your dog.

Grooming time should be bonding time. Take advantage of dog grooming as the process from start to finish offers you about an hour to give a little something back to your best friend. Brushing in between a full dog grooming session is also a time when you as the pet parent have the opportunity to notice any abnormalities in skin or the growth of fatty tumors so many dogs develop in their senior years.

As you are shampooing and drying your dog use that time as well to check your dog from head to tail for any cuts or scrapes that may need some extra attention. Dog grooming is a great opportunity for pet parents use it wisely and reap the rewards of bonding that only caring and loving dog owners can experience.

by Remarkable Dogs

You have just arrived home from the breeder with your wonderful new puppy. It is the goal of every new or experienced dog owner to have the best dog on the block. The question is how you get there; the answer is patient and consistent training. Basic dog training can be divided into two areas, teaching commands and behavioral correction.

Dog treats can be a tasty addition when teaching your dog basic commands, however behavioral correction requires the owner to understand the concept of alpha male and being the pack leader in your dog’s life. Dog treats have little to no place in corrective behavior, as your dog needs to understand his/ her position in the pack.

Teaching basic commands like come, stay, sit etc. is a more appropriate environment to use dog treats. The trick is to use them at the right moment during training. The most important aspect of any successful training lesson is to ensure the command is learned and executed to receive your affection as the reward.

As you practice with your dog, continuing to reinforce learned commands the order of reward should always be your affection followed by a dog treat. The reason for this order is so your dog will associate the learned command with the reward being your affection and not the dog treat.

Dogs will favor different treats over time after all variety is the spice of life. If your dog tires of the treat or decides he/she no longer likes the dog treat then there is no incentive for your dog to successfully execute the command. As your dog wants nothing more than to please you, giving your affection first will provide the right incentive for the reward.

Behavioral corrections are a completely different ballgame. Depending on the behavior or its severity, most issues should be left to professional trainers and dog behaviorists. If your first dog is a rescue dog or shelter dog, try to find out as more information as to previous training and socialization as you can. The answers will give you a pretty good idea on how the dog will behave once they arrive home.

Here are a few tips for pack leader issues you should be aware of and how to establish you as the pack leader:

• Never let your dog sleep in your bed with his/her head even with yours-this reflects dominate behavior,
• Ignore your dog when you first come home from work if they are jumping up on you-wait for them to calm down and then give your affection,
• Be on the lookout for any signs of aggression,
• Mouthing and Mounting-both are signs of dominance and both should not be allowed.

Learning when to give your affection and when to use dog treats during training will properly incent your dog to execute a learned lesson. Patients and consistency are the two most important concepts of training. Be firm no shouting and repeat, repeat, and then repeat again everyday and you will have the best dog on the block.

By Remarkable Dogs

You have just met the love of your life and decide to take your relationship to the next level; living under the same roof. There is only one catch you’re a dog owner and she is a cat owner; how will you introduce them so they too will be able to live with one another.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association 32% of households are cat owners and 37% of households are dog owners. Which represents 72 million dogs and 82 million cats in the United States; with this many pets, the two are likely to be found in the same household.

Generally speaking, when either pet is brought up with the other as a puppy or kitten the relationship can be rewarding for both. If however, the introduction takes place when both are adults the experience is often stressful. There is a method, which has proven successful with most dog breeds in meeting an adult cat for the first time. Keep in mind that this is a process and one that will take three to six months to achieve a safe environment for both pets.

The first step is to understand your dog breed. If you have properly socialized your dog and their built-in instincts do not involve chasing pry then you are off to a great start. If however, this is not the case not all is lost, it will just take longer. One thing you can take for granted is your pets sense of smell.

No one knows for sure how much more scent-sensitive dogs are than humans, a thousand times-ten thousand?  Nevertheless, what is known is that a dog’s nose has many more odor receptors, and an olfactory (smell) center that takes up much more room in the brain. Cats are no different. Remember the last time you opened a can of Tuna fish only to look down and see your cat standing next to you waiting for the juice.

Over the course of your new relationship the odors from your mates pet is on your clothes and they will recognize the smell. The pet supplies you will need are a dog crate and a cat carrier along with a pet gate. Establish the boundaries in your house that is where your cat’s area will offer a safe haven from your dog as well a place to hide. Use the pet gate to separate the two spaces.

Let us assume that your cat will be the new comer in the home. Cats are more sensitive to a change in routine then dogs, so for first introductions leave your dog in his/her dog crate allowing your cat to explore the new space. The opposite should take place if the dog is the new comer, although your dog will get use to the new space much faster. Just add the familiar dog toys and their dog bed as long as they know you’re going to be around the transition will be seamless.

The next step is most critical to success, the face-to-face introduction. Always have your dog on his/hers dog leash and sitting at your side. Bring the cat into the room and allow the cat explore the space and see your dog. Your dog will be very alert at this point wanting to sniff the cat and see what’s up. That is the next step. While holding your cat ease off the dog leash and allow the dog to smell the cat. Your cat is not going to like this first greeting and that’s okay.

At night, you dog should be in their crate and the pet gate closed. This safe separation procedure should happen while you both are away from home. If you are going to be away from home longer than eight hours make sure someone is available to let your dog outside and able to return them to their dog crate.

Over the next weeks and months gradually increase the time they spend in each other’s company remembering to give praise when the greeting is nice and firm “no” when the greeting is not. Begin leaving your dog off the leash and your cat free to roam. The goal is to reach a balance when both pets can tolerate one another without using a leash, dog crate, or the pet gate.

The keys to success are:

• Patience, this is going to take some time
• Always keeping a watchful eye when the two pets are together
• Continued praise for both pets – Cats are territorial and dogs will be dominate

Following this method will produce results and your pets will be able to live together.

by Remarkable Dogs

Caring dog owners attain a unique ability to know when their dog is not feeling well. You will notice the slightest change in behavior, eating habits, and how they walk or run. When your dog is in pain from joint problems they seem to move a little slower, playtime is reduced, and they take longer to climb the stairs or get up from the floor. The question is, “Can orthopedic dog beds provide relief?”

Most pet owners associate these symptoms to old age; however, that may not be the case. Dogs suffer from two main joint problems:

• Hip Dysplasia
• Canine Arthritis

Hip dysplasia once thought to be heritable and then only in large breeds, can in fact affect any dog. This dog health problem can stem from over exertion at a young age while the hip joint is still developing. Injury at a young age is another cause, even repetitive motion in puppies, for example jogging with your puppy while their joints and muscles are still forming under the age of one. In dogs the problem usually appears by the time, they reach 18 months old. Some say that early vaccinations weaken the young joints.

Dogs suffer from the same arthritic pain as their human companions. These symptoms differ only slightly then those for hip dysplasia affecting older dogs. The adage of a dog year equals seven human years really starts when your dog reaches four years old. So when your dog is 12 years old they feel like an 84-year-old human.

In the severest of either case surgery is an option along with medications proscribed from your Veterinarian that can relieve pain, however there is no known cure. As dog owners, one area we can help, provide quality orthopedic dog beds for them to sleep and rest tired joints.

Like there human equivalents, orthopedic dog beds and memory foam dog beds take the pressure off any one area spreading the weight evenly as they rest. If you have hard wood floors, your dog sleeps outside in a dog house, or in his/hers dog crate providing orthopedic dog beds will relieve the pain associated with hip dysplasia and canine arthritis.

With the choices available from size, color, and style, you will be able to locate the perfect dog bed to fit your dog’s resting space. As dogs want nothing more than to please their owners, orthopedic dog beds is one investment we can make to offer our thanks in return.

by Remarkable Dogs

The Schipperke, pronounced (Skip-er-key), was originally raised in Flanders, Belgium by a canal boat captain named Renssens. They are thought to have descended from the black Belgian sheepdog. Over time, as they were bred to be smaller than the Belgian sheepdog, they became their own breed.

They were bred to be small in order to be good watchdogs and hunters for the boats, as well as being good companions for the captains, who spent many months each year at sea. In fact, Schipperke even means “little captain” in Flemish.

By the late 1800’s they had become very popular house dogs for the Belgians, and it was around this time that they were introduced to the US and Great Britain. Today, they are mostly used as companion dogs, and still are often favored by those who spend a lot of time on boats.

In 1929, The Schipperke Club of America, Inc. was founded. At the first meeting, the club applied for, and was accepted for membership in the American Kennel Club.

While Schipperkes are not a popular family dog in the US, they make great companion animals. They are very good watchdogs are very devoted to their masters. At first meeting, you may find the Schipperke to seem a little aloof.

However, this is because he is a bit wary of strangers. This trait is what makes him such a good watchdog. He will alert his owner to anything unusual by barking. He will defend his territory and his master faithfully. However, once he gets to know you, he is friendly and loving.

Schipperkes are confident and independent dogs, because of having been bred to be small watchdogs and vermin hunters. Their size, accompanied with their temperament makes them an excellent breed for the apartment dweller who wants a protective dog.

Schipperkes are good family dogs, particularly if your children are a little older. Young, untrained Schipperkes might not be very tolerant of toddlers. They typically will happily accept other pets in the home, except the occasional additional same gender dog.

They usually do very well with cats. They are very intelligent dogs, but they can be a bit stubborn. Because of their natural tendency to hunt, you may find them chasing small animals outdoors and they may have a tendency to run from you when let off leash.

by Remarkable Dogs

Along with owning a dog comes, purchasing dog supplies. Two of the basic supplies a dog owner must have are a collar and leash. The choices in this area seem endless and quite confusing if you are a first time dog owner. The question often asked is “which collar offers me the opportunity to train, hold tags, and still looks good?” Martingale collars and leashes have been gaining popularity and with good reason.

Martingale collars came about for use with sight hounds. The neck of the site hound is larger than their head allowing them to slip out of a buckle dog collar. Today, the martingale collar and leash sometimes referred to as a “show-leash” as it is the dog leash of choice by show dog handlers while in the ring.

Handlers and owners who have used this collar site the primary benefit as controlling your dog without choking or damaging their neck. Standard choke dog collars are by far the most popular collar purchased by dog owners. The issue is that most people do not fit the collar properly on the dog leading to neck and throat problems.

The martingale collar has a small chain fitted with a control loop. This chain connects the sides of the collar; when you attach a leash to the control loop and tug the collar, it closes on your dog’s neck. The result is even pressure placed on the neck stopping short of actually choking the dog.

When fitting your dog with a martingale collar measure your dog’s neck just behind the ears and purchase a collar that when the control loop is pulled tight the sides almost touch. The difference between the standard choke and the martingale collar is that if your dog pulls and tugs while walking the choke continues to pull tight where the sides of the martingale collar will stop.

They also come as an all-in-one martingale collar and leash, which is the collar you will see when you are watching then next Dog Show. Martingale collars are the perfect choice for small dogs as well, as their necks are very delicate. Training your small dog to walk on a leash using a standard choke will cause damage as you tug. Using a buckle type dog collar for training offers no control and their purpose is to add fashion as well as hold the dog tags.

The martingale collar is also a great choice for the jogger in the family who likes the security of having the dog along for the run. They are the best purchase any dog owner who is looking for an all purpose collar that will accomplish many goals from training, holding tags, and adding a little fashion.

by Remarkable Dogs

Beaucerons are highly trainable dogs, and can be considered among the most impressive of dog breeds when successfully trained: noble, imposing, helpful toward human beings, and with few problems related to discipline.

The problem, however, is that few people actually know how to take full advantage of through dog obedience training. Worse yet, many people think that they can be trained with just a few hours of work every week, leaving the Beauceron completely alone in the house for the rest of the time. This will inevitably result in an untrained dog–meaning destructive, neurotic, and aggressive –and will obliterate many of the qualities of nobility and gentleness that make the Beauceron so attractive as a breed in the first place.

Despite the difficulty of obedience training for a Beauceron, it’s vital to learn how to train the Beauceron yourself–and to devote a great deal of time to this training becoming the pack leader in his/her life. Hiring a professional trainer may result in a well-trained obedient dog, is true–but that Beauceron will be well-trained and obedient when his or her trainer is around, and will be another kind of dog altogether when it’s simply you in the drivers’ seat. So if you’re interested in owning this breed, make sure that you’re willing to learn how to train him/her–and make sure that you’re willing to spend the time to train them effectively as well.

One of the keys to successfully training for the Beauceron is to train them early. This holds true for all dogs, of course–one of the easiest ways to ensure that a dog behaves in a desirable fashion is to ensure that desirable habits are formed before the dog has a chance to form less desirable habits–that is, he/she learns to chew their dog toy before he learns to chew your sofa, for example.

However, for the Beauceron, the early training policy isn’t merely a good idea, it’s absolutely vital. This breed, which was a very cute puppy of only a few pounds, will inevitably grow into a massive, hundred-pound plus dog with powerful limbs and a powerful personality. If you have not taught the Beauceron how to curb that personality early on, all of that weight and power may very well be used in a way that you will not enjoy, we guarantee.

Once your training program has begun and you have invested in the appropriate dog training supplies, remember to follow these two rules: exercise patience, and be consistent. The Beauceron’s inherent nobility and arrogance makes it less likely to obey your commands at first, or to be interested in an obedience training program.

It is vital to gain the dog’s respect through positive obedience training messages and some light firm methods– limited to no more than a stern tone of voice to discourage negative behavior, consistently applied.

Consistency is the key here: they need to know, from constant, repeated examples, exactly which behaviors are rewarded, and which behaviors will not. If your dog perceives the slightest leeway in your policy, for example, you punish your dog whenever you see him chewing the furniture. But then leave him alone for twelve hours a day to chew the furniture unsupervised–then the Beauceron won’t perceive you as the pack leader, won’t follow your commands, and will gradually become more aggressive and hostile toward the human beings who, in the dog’s mind, he or she rules over.

Does this mean that a Beauceron cannot be trained? Absolutely not–but be aware of the commitment it takes to effectively train a dog of this breed, be willing to take the time to become the pack leader in his/her life, and be patient. If you can do all of these things, it will only be a matter of time before you reap your noble reward.

by Remarkable Dogs