I just realized that Halloween is right around the corner so I thought I would put up this video slideshow of funny dog halloween costumes. Mojo won’t be wearing one this year – she hates wearing clothes and literally freezes in place whenever I try to put anything on her 
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Fighting to reduce urine stains in your manicured green lawn? Try changing your dog’s diet. Remember, nitrogen is considered a byproduct of metabolized protein. So, changing to a lower protein diet may produce a lot less nitrogen. On the other hand, be aware that your pet still needs protein. So, when you reduce too much, it could actually cause problems. You should never think about feeding your pet a diet that is very low in protein in effort to make decreased nitrogen-potent urine. Dogs that restricted protein diets are for pets that have certain medical problems. These are not considered to be healthy options for the everyday dog.
Try Working With Your Dog
There are many options that a dog owner can consider when you are trying to keep your lawn from turning into an ugly brown discoloration. These solutions are considered to be enjoyable for the dog owner and the dog.
1) Redirect your dog: If your pet is eliminating in one particular location, for example, on the side of your backyard, try moving the staircase from the section of the deck (where brown spots more visible) and put the stairs at the opposite end of the deck. If your pets continue urinating, right they trot down the steps, the grass burn will be located within a section that is not as visible.
2) Try making an attractive area: Another thing you can do is try keeping the steps where they currently are but change the areas of grass burn with “urine-proof” plants, for example, a bed of English ivy. Your pets can now use the exact location without damaging it.
3) Try making a new section for your dog: Another idea is to redirect your dog to a different new area and give him a little privacy. When you’re making a new section for your dog to urinate, simply make the area so it seems attractive and hidden with a little of miscanthus grass, ornamental grasses, or even Leyland cypress. These grass textures will grow very fast into a privacy screen. The next step is to actually train your pet to actually use the area you’ve made. You can train your dogs by utilizing positive reinforcement to use a certain section within your yard. Try purchasing dog products, like urine stakes. This will assist in attracting your dog to a certain area.
4) Simply deal with it: Last but certainly not least, another option is simply to just deal with it. In other words, if you make a commitment to having a dog then sometimes you have to give up certain things and sometimes you just have to deal with it. But at least there are ways to make life easier having a pet.Content written by Sam Cooley of ohmydogsupplies.com, where you can find a extraordinary assortment of small dog clothing online.
Families that are ready to add a canine member to their family should consider the proper breed best for their living situation. Often families are able to sit down and discuss the needs and desires of each household member. The decision of choosing a new canine family friend can often become a difficult one. Potential pet owners should research the characteristics of the desired breed, review their living conditions and ensure each family member is able to provide a united front with training this canine friend.
Often families must take inconsideration their family and living conditions. Many families seeking a pet that is able to live and run out doors must consider if they have t he proper space. Medium and large breeds require lots of exercise and may require a large backyard. Families with an apartment or smaller living space may consider a smaller breed. The personality traits of each breed are different and should be taken in careful consideration when choosing a family pet. Extensive research for the best options based on the living condition is required. Families with smaller children or elderly members may also need to take this inconsideration when choosing a specific breed. Many breeds are not suggested to cohabitate with younger children because of a natural instinct.
The amount of time the family is able to spend with the canine family member is important. Many breeds require attention, while some breeds become destructive if they do not receive the required attention. Before choosing a pet, determine the basic household needs, the housebreaking strategies and the ability to provide the proper exercise for the breed of choice. Leaving a dog alone is never a good idea. Dogs often seek attention, if the owner is unable to provide positive attention, the dog will often seek negative attention through mischief. Pet owners are also encouraged to provide the basic guidelines to the family in writing. Having each family member participate in the training of the pet is important. Parents find this process creates a level of accountability and responsibility in children.
Choosing the proper breed may seem like a long homework assignment yet it is important to know the personality traits, living conditions and family conditions prior to adding a new member to any family. This decision may require the input of all family members and often seeking the proper size animal is required based on living conditions. There are many other aspects to consider before you try to determine how to choose the right dog breed for your family. Simply take your time and know you, your family and your home before making such a decision.
Information provided by Sarah Rhodes of ohmydogsupplies.com, where you can find a incredible assortment of raised dog bowls online.
One of the technological tools in determining what makes humans, human is DNA testing. On many a daytime sensational talk show, the question “Who is the Father?” is answered through DNA testing. The same rationale and modes applies to dogs. Today, people can use the DNA code within the genetic make-up of their favorite pooch to discover a variety of information.
What is DNA?
DNA is the basic building blocks of mammals. The genetic code of who your canine is lies within the nuclear DNA. This exists within the cells of the body. Among dogs, approximately 19,000 canine genes have been recorded. Of this number, your dog has about 14,200 in common with humans. The rest are uniquely canine.
A dog’s mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is different without about 99.9% inherited from the mother. Doggy DNA reveals the breed difference in the microsatellite DNA. This is the repeated sequences along the chain.
What Does DNA Testing Involve?
DNA testing is a simple process. Depending upon the actual process, you will send a sample of your dog’s blood, hair or other part to the specified genetic laboratory for testing. You can swab the inside of your dog’s mouth with a Q-tip, place it in a sealed vial and send it off. Some labs and testing facilities may require samples from your dog and both the parents. This is if the issue of the canine’s parentage is questionable.
You then send it off to any of the services advertised on line. Alternatively, you can actually purchase a kit. You can then perform the case at home.
Why do DNA Testing?
There are several reasons behind DNA testing of your dog. Some pertain specifically to breeders and potential owners. Others are part of the owner’s decision to discover the heritage or ancestry of their mixed breed canine. Essentially, the reasons for doing DNA testing fall into the following major categories.
* Information on the degree of purity of their dog – Some breeders provide you with DNA evidence of the purebred nature of their line of dogs. For possible purchasers, it is one way of making sure their canine is purebred and not a close-match
* Information on the ancestry of the dog – Researchers are using DNA to map the history of the dog. By using DNA they have discovered the closest ancestors of the dog and are continuing to find more information about the early origins
* Information on what type of dog you have – Owners with mixed breeds want to know what kind of dog they have. They want to identify their beloved mutt’s breed mix.
* Health issues – If you have a mixed breed, you may want to identify the major contributing breeds to look for potential health risks. If you have a purebred dog, you want to screen for health risks. Does your dog carry a specific gene common to some breeds of dogs or only in a small percentage of the breed? DNA testing will help screen for inherited diseases
DNA testing can do all these things, but there are limitations. The DNA bank may contain a finite number of identifiable breeds. Check with the service you are employing before you decide to opt for a test.
Conclusion
DNA testing is a tool for researchers, vets, breeders, owners and potential owners to learn more about their canine. It can help screen for genetic disorders and health risks. It can verify parentage and perform genotyping. For some individuals, it helps them access the risk to their dog while, for others, DNA testing is a fun way to discover what breeds of dog make up their beloved mutt.
Article by Pat Booth, shop for free shipping on dog food like Natural Balance pet food online!
The adage, “small but terrible” may have been coined specifically for toy dog breeds. These little dynamos have a lot more personality than their littler carriages can carry. Aside from being feisty in nature, toy dog breeds are also generally valued for their looks. This is the reason why grooming for this breed of dogs, particularly those that have long coats, is more than essential. Dogs with long coats are more susceptible to matting. And matting itself can cause more serious medical complications if it is not addressed quickly. So in case you have a toy dog, or are thinking about getting the long haired breed, here are some things to consider when it comes to their grooming style.
1. Get the softest, fur friendly brush you can find. Your local pet store may carry such brushes but your best option would be to buy one directly from pet grooming salons. This kind of grooming brush should be soft enough for daily use. A boar bristle brush should do fine for most long coated canine pets. However, that still depends on the length and hair type of your pet. A different brush should be used when you want to groom your pet after a bath. Pin brushes and slickers are often used here.
2. If you are trimming your pet’s coat at home, it is important to also focus on the hair between the pads of the paws. The hair in this area is also prone to matting, and in severe cases can even hinder the dog’s normal movements. Cut the hairs parallel to the paws, and be very careful with the scissors or the razors so as not to nick the padded surface.
Choosing a dog breed is not as simple as matching a terrier to your active lifestyle. It might surprise you how some of these so called dynamos can actually be very sedentary, while others are not only active, but frisky to the point of destructive as well. No canine pet is inherently bad, but with improper guidance and training, this may happen. So if you are thinking about adopting a dog, here are some questions you need to address first.
1. Do you intend to have your pet socialize with other home pets or with children? If you answer yes, then you need to train your dog to socialize well with the others. Otherwise, you may find yourself visiting the vet or your health care provider too often and for all the wrong reasons too. Despite the popular misconception, small dogs and miniatures are not really great pets for very young kids. However, you would not want to have a very large dog overwhelming your other pets, or your kids.
2. What is your purpose for acquiring a pet? Do you want a quiet house companion? Would you care for a watchdog? Are you looking to train a dog for tricks? Would you want a dog for competitive training? Would the dog be socializing with other people, (as with the cases of trained animals doing hospital visits?) In this case, you need to consider the temperament of your canine companion above everything else. Although there are some breeds that may be known to be of a certain type, individual personalities still surface after the puppy is weaned from its mother and thereafter. You need to take that account before you get the dog into any form of training.
There is a lot you have to think about whether you have new adult or puppy dog. You will both have to get used to new and different schedules. This getting to know each other can leave you exhausted at the end of the day.
You will go to bed in the evening, but have you thought where your dog is going to sleep?. While it is correct that a dog can sleep anywhere, this also applies to people as well.
A person needs a comfortable place to sleep and same is true of your new dog. Purchase your new friend a high quality bed and it will enjoy good quality sleep which is very important for its general health.
It is not uncommon, particularly with puppies for your dog to chew its bed. It is important you buy a good chew proof dog bed . If your dog chews their bed and swallows some of the fill inside it, this could make him very sick.
Making sure that your dog will be comfortable during the night is important. Choose a well made bed with a quality filling. Pick the one you would like to sleep on and you will have probably made the right choice.
If you live in the south you may need a different bed to the one you buy in a northern state. If their is a big temperature difference between the seasons you may need different dog bedding for different times of the year or even a different bed.
There is no one bed that is right for every dog. Remember that every dog is different, and that there are many factors that you are going to need to keep in mind when you are thinking about getting it a bed. For instance, how old is your dog, and how big he is.
Take some time and make sure that you consider what your options are going to be. Make sure that your dog is comfortable and that he has a warm place to sleep at night; this can make a lot of difference to your pet’s happiness and energy!
There’s a lot of misinformation floating around about the Miniature Pinscher. Some say this dog breed is annoying, and barks to much. Others will tell you the Min Pin is not good with children. Chances are that these are the same folks saying that Min Pins are simply small Dobermans. Of course owners of this breed know that all of those things are simply wrong.
What the Min Pin really is is an intelligent dog that is extremely loyal and intelligent, and yes, full of energy. It’s no wonder this breed has been given the nickname “The King of the Toys.”
There’s no question that this breed has a bit of an attitude. They are courageous well beyond what their 10 pounds would indicate. They seem to think they weigh much more than that. You’ll notice it in their proud walk with their high steps and head held high as well.
And because they are so loyal, proud and courageous, the Miniature Pinscher makes an excellent watchdog. But those same traits can make them difficult if not trained properly.
A good Min Pin owner quickly establishes himself as the alpha male or female. If this is not done, the dog can become a tyrant, thinking he’s in charge of the household. Early training is a must and it needs to be consistent. You can’t let your dog get away with bad behavior just because he’s so cute. It can be tough sometimes to enforce discipline because of this, but it needs to be done. The good news is that Miniature Pinschers are easy to train because they are highly intelligent.
And once he’s trained you will have everything you could want in a pet. Your Min Pin will be incredibly loyal and loving and simply a joy to be around. These dogs are real comedians and will leave you laughing every time you watch them play.
And while the Miniature Pinscher is certainly not a fragile breed, he does only weigh about 10 pounds. That means that kids can at times have a tendency to play too rough, especially since the Min Pin acts bigger than he is. Children may need to be reminded that the dog is still small.
As for loyalty, the Miniature Pinscher can and will get along with everyone in your family. But they do tend to pick one person to become extremely attached to. You’ll have a hard time finding a more loyal breed.
Because they have so much energy, Miniature Pinschers need plenty of exercise. But the good news is that if you don’t have the energy to keep up, their size means they can get all the exercise they need just running around your apartment or home. They love to play by themselves and if you’re watching, they seem to perform more just for your enjoyment. You can’t help but laugh.
And when play time is over they’ll be happy to sit there right next to you. So if you want a family pet that’s loyal, fun, smart and easy to care for, the Miniature Pinscher may be just the breed you’re looking for.
If you happen to live by a barking dog, there are a couple steps you can take to keep your neighborhood calm.
Try contacting the dog owner and ask them to do something about the problem. Maybe the owner is not aware of the issue and will stop the barking right away.
If this does not work, then call your local humane society. They will want the name and address of the dog owner, and they will need your name and address too. They will also want to know when the dog is disturbing people.
Usually a letter from the humane society is sent to the dog owner, and usually this letter takes care of the barking problem.
In spite of this, if the dog continues to bark, a call will have to be made to the humane society again. A complaint will most likely be issued with an officer delivering it to the dog owner.
A complaint must be signed by persons representing households within a reasonable distance of the animal owner. If the owner still does not do something to stop the barking, he may have to appear in court.
keep in mind, if your dog is doing the barking; avoid the ugliness for yourself and fellow neighbors with some reasonable dog training.
Finally, if you are end up being a neighbor of a barking dog, keep in mind that you can do something about it. Most states and counties have noise laws on the books.
Assuming that you are a pet owner and that you probably own either a cat or a dog (as that is what most pet owners do) I am not going to teach you something that you do not know but rather bring your attention to something that you might have forgotten.
* Amount of exercise: Both cats and dogs need physical activity. Movement is vital to any pet and the larger pet the more exercise is needed. That is why dogs will often require more exercise than cats.
* Way to exercise: If your cat is a stay at home cat you will need to take it out into nature. If you live in a big city you must take it for daily walks. All dogs (even the smaller ones) will need at least one daily walk and for larger breeds you need two or three walks a day of at least 30 minutes.
* Don’t spoil: Giving your pet food in excess amounts will be just as harmful for them as it is for you to overeat. The problem is that since they are pets they don’t know that what you’re giving them will actually harm them.
* Vitamins and minerals: Be sure to ask your VET what she recommends that you purchase for your pet. Some pet foods are better than others and you’ll most likely find that you can benefit from finding breed specific products.
* Love: Just like humans a pet will need love from you and from anyone else in your family. Without love a pet will lose the will to live just like a human would. Talk to your pet daily using happy words and make sure to keep a physical contact as well.
* Insure your pet: Every day thousands of pets get hurt by cars and there is nothing we can do about it. But instead of hoping that it’ll never happen to your pet be sure to get an good pet health insurance that will cover everything if bad luck strikes.
* Plan: Make sure you use a schedule for all major appointments. Be sure to note the regular VET check-ups and that your pet gets any medication or vaccines that it’ll need. Small things like these will add up in the long run.
