Category: Uncategorized

Nowadays, our world is full of disposables.  Some people even think we animals are disposable. But that’s another story for another day.

When we go to the grocery store (I’ve never been, but my uncle Hunter ran into the grocery store once.  My mom told me she didn’t think it was funny because he ran wild all over the place.) we take groceries home in plastic bags that all too often end up in the landfill for years.

Now, all the stores have these canvas bags you can buy and use over and over again.  Those are good because they reduce the amount of stuff that goes into our landfills.

I believe in being ecologically conscious.  That’s why I’m going to give away 5 of these canvas bags that can be used for anything from grocery shopping to shopping for toys for your dog to carrying a few necessities while you’re out running errands. 

I’m going to give you a link right here to click and send me your name, address and email.  At the end of 3 days, I will send one of these bags to responders numbers 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 . It will take a couple weeks for them to get printed, but as soon as they are, you will get one of these bags in the mail.  I will announce the winners (first name and state only) right here.

This is just my way of saying thank-you for helping keep our world clean and for visiting my site.

Click here to register to win your free bag

 

I haven’t ever been sick, but some of my relatives have.  I want to be able to take care of them when they aren’t feeling so well, so I did a little research into what to look for.

And, I decided it share it with you.

The first question I asked was how can you tell if your dog isn’t feeling well? It might be that he doesn’t wake you up at 5:30 for your usual early morning walk, or seems lethargic and with little appetite. He might not want to eat much or just seem disinterested in much of the life going on around him.

Much like you feel when you’re under the weather, right? The trick with our dogs, however, is they can’t tell us what’s wrong. They can’t say their tummy hurts, or they feel nauseous. Worst of all, it’s hard for you to know when to let them be sick at home, and when to cart them to the vet.

Let’s look at a few crucial components of dog illness.

Temperature

It’s a fallacy that you can’t take your dog’s temperature. It’s also a fallacy that you have to take it rectally. Let’s look at a few key dog temperature items of note:

A dog’s normal body temperature is 99.5 to 102.5 degrees.  You can take it rectally or in his ear.

Rectally

The most common type of thermometer used in dogs is a rectal mercury thermometer (though it’s important to buy a new model that no longer actually contains mercury, but a nontoxic red gel).

To take a rectal temperature in your dog, follow these instructions:

 Lubricate the thermometer with some Vaseline or other lubricant that won’t affect the thermometer’s reading.

 Wear disposable gloves if have them. If you don’t, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly both before and after you take your dog’s temperature rectally.

 Have someone help to restrain your dog. If a dog moves vigorously or violently, the thermometer can break in the dog (which will require a visit to the vet).

 For the most accurate reading, slide the thermometer almost all the way into the dog, with only enough thermometer left out for you to hold onto. If you meet with a lot of resistance (stool), remove it and wait until your dog defecates.

 Be sure to slide the thermometer along the rectal wall and well into your dog to get that accurate reading.

 These types of thermometers require a few seconds to stabilize – taking a temperature this way generally takes between 1 and 3 minutes. Once you see a temperature register and stay there for about 15 seconds, you can be
sure you have an actual reading and remove the thermometer.

 If you have to pull the thermometer out and take the temperature again, be sure to shake the thermometer all the way down (well down below a dog’s regular temperature) before inserting it again.

 Clean the thermometer when you are done with soap and water followed by an alcohol swab.

Ear thermometers are usually preferred by dog owners, to avoid much of the mess and discomfort that can be caused by the rectal thermometers.

But there are a few cautions about using ear thermometers, most notably:

They are generally considered to be less accurate than rectal temperatures. You might want to take your dog’s temperature in the ear several times to get a satisfactory reading.

The anatomy of the dog’s ear makes getting an accurate reading more difficult. The dog’s ear is built with a 90-degree angle between the ear drum and the ear canal exit, making it hard to get an accurate reading.

Here are some tips for getting an accurate reading from an ear thermometer:

 Don’t pull the thermometer out until you hear an audible beep from the thermometer indicating the temperature has been recorded.

 To avoid the difficulty in getting that accurate reading from the dog’s ear, gently pull the ear up and out to straighten the ear canal for the thermometer.

 Remember it will still take between 1 and 3 minutes to get a reading, just like with the rectal thermometer.

Do not use thermometers made for humans that are applied to the forehead for a temperature reading. The dog’s fur makes these highly inaccurate and most definitely not recommended for use on dogs.

Do not ever try to use a thermometer in a dog’s mouth. Your dog’s sharp teeth will likely break it and if it’s made of glass, your dog’s tongue will get cut.

Diarrhea

According to veterinarians, diarrhea is the most common medical ailment for cats and dogs. Because there are a number of causes and reasons for diarrhea, it’s important to pay attention when your dog is under the weather with an upset tummy.

Here are some things to watch and make note of:

 When did it start?

 How long does it last?

 Did your dog eat anything unusual that would make him or her sick?

 Is it bloody?

 Does it have mucus in it?

 Are there any strange objects or foods in it that you can identify?

You can probably discern for yourself which of these qualities of diarrhea are worth worrying about, but definitely if any of these qualities are found in combination with a fever, consult your vet.

Constipation

The uncomfortable opposite of diarrhea, constipation can be highly uncomfortable if not downright dangerous for your dog.

Most dogs will defecate about 1-4 times a day, though some dogs can go 1 to 2 days without defecating without trouble.

Symptoms of constipation:

 Straining or painful defecation

 Anxiety

 General exhaustion

 Very dry and/or solid feces

 When you feed your dog the same amount of food, your dog will either not defecate or the amount will significantly decrease

There are a number of reasons why a dog will suffer constipation. They include:

 Feeding the dog bones

 Excessive physical exercises or activity

 Incorrect feeding

 A mechanical plugging of the intestine

 Increase in pancreatic activity

To be sure, if your dog suffers from constipation for any period of time, you should see your vet and find treatment for the dog, which can include enemas, laxatives and other measures.

If your dog seems to just periodically suffer from constipation, there are measures you can take at home to reduce the incidence. These include:

 Gentle, regular exercise

 A better ration of food

 Fiber-dense food

Vomiting

For many dogs, vomiting is just another thing on the “to do” list for the day. Because many dogs have a vomit reflex that allows them to vomit out anything that’s unwelcome, many dogs vomit often.
Even if your dog is a chronic vomiter, though, there are times and certain conditions that require concern.

First, let’s look at the myriad of reasons why your dog might vomit. These include:

 A sudden change in the dog’s diet, including new dog food

 A strange food or other item eaten by your dog

 A change in chemical balance which might be caused by renal deficiency, a bacterial infection or diabetes

 A nervous system reaction to stress

 A disease like parvo or distemper

 A head injury

Although many dogs vomit occasionally, anything more than occasional should be cause for concern.

If your dog is vomiting, here are some tips to help him (and you):

Stop feeding your dog for about 24-48 hours.

Watch to see if the vomiting subsides. If it does, slowly feed your dog small bits of food (dog food only, and nothing new now).

If your dog continues to vomit, consult your veterinarian. There are so many potential causes; you want to make sure you aren’t endangering your dog by not getting quick treatment.

Once your dog stops vomiting, you should consider preventive measures. These include (but are not limited to):

 Making sure your dog is always current on vaccinations.

 Not feeding your dog before walking or training him or her.

 Not allowing your dog to gulp large amounts of food.

 Giving smaller rather than larger portions of food.

 Being conscious of things your dog might find in the home to swallow. Just as you would be with a toddler, be alert to things that could be swallowed (and subsequently thrown up).

 Changing dog foods gradually and following feeding instructions on the bag.

Heat stroke

Leaving your dog outside on a very hot (or very humid) day can be dangerous. Leaving your dog in a car under the same conditions can be dangerous or fatal, depending on the circumstances.

It’s never a good idea to leave your dog unattended in a car on a hot day, but if your dog ends up with too much sun and is overheated anyway, here are some things you need to know about heat stroke.

The symptoms of heat stroke are fairly dramatic and they include:

 Weakness

 Staggering

 Salivating

 Wide eyes

 Rapid panting

 Collapse (in advanced stages)

 Mouth will appear dry and pale

If you suspect your dog is suffering from heat stroke, first take his temperature rectally. If it exceeds 106 degrees, then your dog is definitely suffering heat stroke. You must get him to the vet as soon as possible (ideally that means immediately) and in the meantime, get some cool water on your dog.

How do get the cool water on your dog will depend on your conditions, but ideally you’ll be able to run a hose on the dog. Be sure the water contacts the skin and not just the hair, and run the water all over the body, not just the backside. So include the belly, the legs, even the mouth if your dog will tolerate it.

Poisoning

Dogs are by nature curious beings and like children, sometimes get themselves in trouble with poisonous products.

The most common type of poisoning to dogs is by pesticides and insecticides, followed by drugs and plants.

In fact, there are many plants that are highly dangerous to animals. If your dog is a grazer, you might want to exclude many of these plants from your home. Some of them include very popular plants like Aloe Vera, Amaryllis, Boxwood, Calla Lilly, Daffodil, English Ivy, Oleander, Sago Palm, and Yellow Jasmine.

If your dog has been poisoned, he might exhibit the following symptoms:

 Nervousness

 Vomiting

 Diarrhea

 Change in pupil size

 Difficulty breathing

 Stumbling

 Convulsions (in severe cases)

 Loss of consciousness (in severe cases)

If you suspect your dog is poisoned, call the emergency vet or the animal poison control center right away. Have handy your dog’s vet information and if possible, information about what he or she ate.

Contrary to popular belief, inducing vomiting is not always the best way to proceed if your dog is poisoned. Some poisons are
caustic and can be extremely dangerous to vomit. Always follow the recommendation of the poison control center.

Basics of Dog Training

It’s essential for Dog parents like you to know certain basic factors that determine your relationship with your Dog and can go a long way in training him effectively.

Before you begin training your Dog, it is absolutely essential that you build a loving bond with him. This is important as it helps you to understand his needs and instincts and also allows him to have complete trust in you.

Know more about Dog care from this free mini course

Let us see how…….

How To Bond With Your Dog

Building a bond with your Dog is the first and the most crucial step involved in training him successfully. As soon as you bring your Dog home, you must first try to develop a caring and loving relationship with him in order to win his trust and confidence.

When Dogs are secure in the knowledge that they belong to the family, they are more likely to respond better to their owners’ training commands. Just like with any relationship, there must be mutual trust and respect between you and your Dog.

Trust takes time to develop and respect comes from defining boundaries and treating any breach of those boundaries with firmness and fairness.

Without enforceable limitations, respect can’t be developed. And when there is no respect, building a bond with your Dog is almost impossible.

4 Golden Rules To Building A Relationship With Your Dog :

Love Your Dog and He Will Love You back

Once you’re succesful in building a bond with your Dog, you can rest assured that training him and teaching him new and clever tricks will be a cakewalk.

Learn how to bond with your Dog with this free mini course.

How Your Dog Learns…

Your Dog’s learning period can be divided into five phases:

The Teaching Phase – This is the phase where you must physically demonstrate to your Dog exactly what you want him to do.

The Practicing Phase – Practice makes Perfect. Once a lesson is learnt, practice with your Dog what you have just taught him.

The Generalizing Phase – Here you must continue practicing with your Dog in different locations and in an environment with a few distractions. You can take your Dog out for a walk, or to a nearby park and command him to practice whatever you’ve taught him.

Practicing the learned lessons in multiple locations and in the presence of small distractions will help him learn and retain lessons better .

The Testing Phase – Once you’re sure that your Dog has achieved almost 90% success….he responds correctly almost every time you give a command, you must start testing his accuracy in newer locations with a lot of distractions.

Example: Take him to the local shopping mall and ask him to obey your command. He may not come up with the correct response the very first time you do this, but you must not lose hope.

The idea is to test your Dog to see how he responds in an environment which is new to him. Set-up a situation where you are in control of the environment and your Dog.

There are only 2 possibilities:

Keep on testing until he succeeds. Follow the rule of the 3 Ps – patience, persistence, praise.

Internalizing Phase – Finally, comes the extremely rewarding phase where your Dog does everything he is taught to do even without your commands.

Remember:

Learn how to train your Dog better with this free mini course.

Copyright (c) 2018 TrainPetDog.com

I don’t think I have ever told you about my friend, Belle.  Sometimes I see her when I go to work with my mom.  Her mom works there too.

 When I first met her, I was just a tiny little thing.  Barely had my eyes open.
.  This is Belle and me (I'm on the right) when we first met.  I was tiny.

I don’t think she liked me.  Actually, I’m not sure she even knew what I was.

Click here to learn about training like Belle and I did

I’ve got to tell you about Belle.  She’s a lucky girl.  Somehow or other, Belle ended up in a shelter.  But one day her soon-to-be mom came by and saw her sitting there in her enclosure. It was Belle’s lucky day. 

She had just found a new home. Since she moved in, she has lived a life of ease…most of the time.  She did have to go to school. (She really liked it, but she didn’t want her people to know that.)

Belle and I were at school at the same time for a couple of weeks.  We were learning how to go to dog shows and do Rally.  I went to a show first…way out in Ohio…and I did good.  My mom didn’t.  She screwed up badly and made me fail.

Then I came back and went to a show near my home in North Carolina.  And guess what! I got my first qualifying score and a green ribbon. (I came in last in my class, but that’s okay).

The next day, I went back and got my second qualifying score.  One more to go and I would have a title.

That day was special because it was Belle’s first show.  She got a green ribbon too.  And she got a blue one because she was first in her class. (I was last again).

Let’s fast-forward a few weeks.  Belle went to a show in South Carolina and got her second qualifying score.  I went to a different show on a different weekend and got my third.  I had a Rally Novice (RN) title.

Belle goes for her third in a couple weeks.  I know she will do it.

But what’s important here is not how well Belle and I are doing.  Belle is a shelter dog and I am a purebred dog with lots of champions in my pedigree.  But in Rally, the American Kennel Club views us as equals.  And that is a great thing.  She can compete just like I can.  So can all other dogs.  Anyone can.  It doesn’t matter if they know who their parents are or not.  It doesn’t matter where they came from.

In Rally, all dogs are created equal.

I’m going over to watch Belle become an RN later this month.  I know she is going to do it. Belle is smart.

Now, I fully believe in getting puppies from reputable breeders.  But don’t overlook those who have, for whatever reason, ended up in shelters.  They deserve a second chance. And you can still have fun with them too.

Why don’t you check out some of the things you can do with your dog at the American Kennel Club website  You might enjoy it.  I know your dog would.

It’s the weekend.  I think I’ll do a little cooking and bake some treats for next week.

Champion Cheese & Veggies Chews

1/2 cup grated cheese — room temp.
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 teaspoons applesauce
1/2 cup vegetables — what ever you like
1 clove garlic — crushed
1 cup whole wheat flour
nonfat milk

Barking Barley Brownies

1 1/4 pounds beef liver — or chicken liver

2 cups wheat germ

2 tablespoons whole wheat flour

1 cup cooked barley

2 whole eggs

3 tablespoons peanut butter

1 clove garlic

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon salt — optional 

Pre heat oven to 350.

 Liquefy liver and garlic clove in a blender, when its smooth add eggs and peanut butter. Blend till smooth.

In separate mixing bowl combine wheat germ, whole wheat flour, and cooked Barley. Add processed liver mixture, olive oil and salt. Mix well. spread mixture in a greased 9×9 baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes or till done.

When cool cut into pieces that accommodate your doggies size.

Store in refrigerator or freezer.

More and more people are coming forward and admitting  they can’t read. This is  very serious and no one should be left behind just because they can’t read. Having the ability to read is something everyone should have, and now there are ways to make this happen with animal assisted therapy and literacy programs.

Dogs that are therapists have to get trained too

It’s true that many animals are helping people read increasingly.  Many students are using the animal assisted therapy to help them get through the difficult process of reading and understanding what different words mean.

If you or someone you know is having trouble learning to year, you should think about this amazing and very encouraging program. If you or someone that you know cannot read well, getting involved in the animal assisted therapy and reading project is a great idea and one that will make improvements to so many lives.

Many animals are able to help a child through a particular time in their life. One of these times maybe reading.  Sometimes it can be a very long and drawn out process. It may take a long time for a child to learn the process of reading, but with the help of a trained animal reading can be fun and more enjoyable.

If you are not sure about this idea and how it works, go online and do some research. You may even be able to speak to someone who has already been through the training process and see how it affected her life for the better. Most of the time, you will find there is a strong and very reliable connection between the animal used and the person being taught to read.

Learning to read is so vital to any human to achieve goals and beome successful in life. If a person cannot read, it is going to be hard to do anything. This is the main reason why so many more programs are introducing the animal assisted therapy option. It is helping and making a difference in so many ways. Reading is important and there is no better way to learn than with an animal by your side.

I would like to be able to help children learn to read.  Maybe that is something I will have to study up on this.

I like to travel, but sometimes I have to stay at home.  When I do, I have a nice young lady who comes to stay at my house.  She’s fun.

Sometimes I go stay with my little friend.  Her mother does my grooming.  As a matter of fact, I just got back from spending two weeks there.  I had a blast.

Dogs that are trained make better travelers

But what I like to do most is go on trips too  Most dogs like to go on adventures, which makes travel attractive for us. This is our natural hunting instincts making us  want to meet new people and explore new places. However, it may pose as a problem since taking a dog along during your travels may be inconvenient.

Quite a few people are frightened of dogs and the mess that we can make while you’re traveling can be very troublesome. It should also be noted that many lodgings and transportation services don’t cater to pets such as dogs and cats.

Being watched over by a professional pet handler like I have may be necessary while your humans are on vacation.. You also have the option of staying at a boarding kennel. I did that once too.  I had a grand time, but I wanted my mom to think I was lonely and miserable.

Here are some things to tell your human to look for if they are looking for a boarding kennel for you.

Make sure it is comfortable and clean. The dogs staying there should also look content and well-taken care of. A few of these dog kennels allow you to provide your dog’s own sleeping blanket, toy and his favorite foods for while you’re away. Make sure, though, that your dog has had its immunization since it is a regular requirement for your dog’s stay in such places.

If you are lucky and get to go on vacations with your family, here are a few tips for them go prepare for your comfort.:

– Take along a clean bill of health from your veterinarian. Your vet should be able to provide you a certificate for this.

– Use a sturdy dog carrier. This is a must since you would rather not lose your pet en route to your destination. A few airlines have dog carriers available for sale though they can be quite expensive. Also, remember that some airlines prefer having your pet in the compartment for luggage . If you really can’t part with your beloved, get a reservation for an airline that allows pets to remain with you during the flight.

– Dogs need good ventilation to keep them cool. Try to get air-conditioned cars when traveling cross-country. This is also true if you are traveling in trains.

– Don’t let your dog hang his head out the window while the car is moving. It may be tempting to let your pet play around, but the risks of falling out or getting hit are still there.

– Leaving your dog inside the car or under the sun is risky. Heat stroke is a serious danger to your pet and can even be fatal.

– Never leave your dog unattended, especially when he is in his carrier. He may get stolen or kidnapped. This also goes for when he’s wandering around. Sometimes, pets can be too adventurous and may end up in trouble, or worse, getting you in trouble.

– Some countries have specific rules about pet travel. Try to familiarize yourself with them and try to follow them to avoid legal troubles later.

– A certificate for rabies vaccination and a notarized local language certificate from the closest embassy or consulate are sometimes required, though get one just in case. Better safe than sorry.

– In preparing for a long trip on the road, have ready identification for your pet. A collar with the dog’s name, your name and a handy contact number can save you from a lot of trouble.

– Have a ready supply of your pet’s favorite doggy treats during the trip. Make sure to take more than enough to last the entire trip to be safe.

– Pack the essentials: clean water, dishes, favorite dog toys, leash, brush, plastic bags and towels, anything than can help your dog stay happy during the trip. – A dog should be given the chance to answer the call of nature every two to three hours so it won’t make any embarrassing messes.

Hopefully, these tips can help you have a better time with traveling with your dog. Bon voyage!

As a dog, I have the right to enter every area of my house. I also make it sure it is truly a pet-friendly zone because I want to enjoy the space I have. However, there are homes that are not a pet-friendly even though animals live there. With that said, here are the some of the things that can be done to perfectly set a home for us furry friends.

A space of Our own

Click here to learn how to train so you can have run of your house too

Many dogs are clingy and love  to be nuzzled. Some are not and want to be alone in their own spaces. In my home, I have two areas that are just intended for me. There is one in the den and one in the bedroom. These areas either have a dog pillow or a dog blanket where I can lie down and relax. If I want to sit in the chair or on the sofa with my human, that’s okay too.

Click here for Gift Cards for Dog Toys
And I have toys in every room.  When I want to play with them, there they are. But there are some things I just shouldn’t have.  It isn’t safe.  So my people must…

Remove temptations

For a puppy this is very important. Puppies don’t understand why certain things aren’t good for play. This can cause perilous consequences if you don’t know how to handle the problem. It is important to keep them away from electrical sockets and cords and small home decorations that can be broken or chewed.

If you don’t want me to try to climb up on the table or kitchen counter, don’t leave out tempting food or leave chairs sitting around that just invite me to climb.

If you don’t want me to steal your socks, don’t leave them lying around either.   Put them where they belong.

The same goes for shoes.

We all need a little time out

Children get put down for naps in the afternoon.  Puppies are just dog children.  They need a nice warm, quiet place to take a snooze during the day too.  It needs to be somewhere that children or other animals won’t bother them.

And even we older dogs like to take a little nap too.  So give us a place to do that undisturbed.

And We Need Time To Be Active Too

Dogs are man’s best friend, but many of them would like to eat the remote control. That’s because they’re active by nature, but they live with a TV addicted couch potato. This mismatch can make for a strained relationship – or a really miserable dog.

When bringing a dog into your home, you must consider the activity level that the dog needs to be physically and emotionally healthy. Some lazy adults think that if they only had a dog who needed walking twice daily, then they would get the exercise they’ve so carefully avoided for so many years.

Lazy people are not likely to change their habits enough to make a good fit between them and active dogs. It’s the dog that will suffer as the lazy owner slacks off on walking and the dog fails to get what he needs in regular outdoor time.

The amount of daily activity that a dog needs is not the same as exercise. Every dog needs time each day to walk, run, jump and unwind. That may come with a walk on the leash to the park or around the block.

A dog that lives in a home with a fenced yard can enjoy free running and playing without the constraints of a leash. Older adults who have their own problems with mobility limitations need to choose a dog that requires less daily activity.

People who enjoy spending time outdoors for recreation or to unwind after a day at work are ideal owners for active dogs. Both owner and dog look forward to the end of the day, when they can play chase in the park or go for a run together.

Larger dogs tend to be more physically active. Among those are dogs whose heritage includes being working or hunting dogs. They have an innate desire to be busy and work off energy. Dogs such as Irish Setter, Doberman, Beagle, German Shepherd and Greyhound are built for movement and agility, so they naturally desire daily exercise.

Size can fool you as the extremely large dogs like the St. Bernard and Bull Mastiff, who can easily outweigh their owners, are low activity dogs. Even though you see the St. Bernard in movies rescuing the lost skier, what you miss is the rest of the time when the dog is sleeping in front of the fireplace.

Small dogs like Poodles, Pekinese and Chihuahuas can live in small spaces and forego the daily long walk in the park, but their high-strung temperaments cause them to be high in activity around the house.

Granted, their activity may be running aimlessly around the room, jumping on your guests or bouncing on you, but they do calm down when the energy burst is spent. That’s the point where the little dogs crawl back on your lap or on their plush pillow for a well-deserved nap to recharge.

 

 

Hey everyone.  I have been thinking about all the good friends I’ve made here…you know…all you nice people who live inside the computer.

I decided it would be nice to give you something you can use to have fun with your own dog.

It’s a game.  It’s fun and easy.

Here’s how it works.

If you want a free copy, just click that little green button below.
Click here for your free game