Getting a First Aid Kit Together for Your Dog

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You probably have a first aid kit for you and your family somewhere in your home. If you own a dog, then it’s best that you get one together for him too. It can be useful for minor situations, and possibly life-saving for more serious incidents. Here are some of the most important things you need in a first aid kit for your dog.

Antibiotics

Whether your dog has a simple scrape or a more serious wound, you don’t want it to get infected. That’s why you should have antibiotic ointment in your kit to treat these wounds. Hydrogen peroxide, something most people already have in their homes, can come in handy as well to ensure wounds don’t get infected.

Thermometer

Another item that you should have in the kit for your dog is a rectal thermometer. You need to be able to take your dog’s temperature if you suspect that something is wrong. An elevated temperature usually does signal that something is amiss. A healthy canine typically has a temperature no more than 102 degrees Fahrenheit.

Bandages

When treating wounds, you’ll obviously need to patch them up somewhere. You should have a variety of options at your disposal including bandages, gauze, and even cloth strips. Make sure that you have a few pairs of gloves in your kit so you don’t get your hands messy when working on your dog.

Poisoning

Poisoning is one of the most serious things that can happen to your canine. Acting quickly is essential to ensure that your dog makes it through the ordeal. Although there are lots of substances that can poison your dog, activated charcoal can help absorb many of them. Don’t just give your dog this before talking to a professional though, despite the fact that you’ll need to act quickly.

Numbers

Speaking of talking to a professional, you never know when you’ll need help dealing with a situation. You don’t want to waste precious time looking up phone numbers. So, have a list of critical numbers like your vet’s office and the national animal poison control center in your first aid kit.

Muzzle

Dogs that are severely injured don’t act like their normal selves. Instead, it’s common for them to become quite aggressive. It would be a good idea to muzzle your dog in this situation to prevent you or anything else getting injured. Just make sure that you don’t put a muzzle on your dog if he has been vomiting recently.

Always keep your first aid kit in a place that’s easily accessible. When and if you ever need it, you’ll be glad you did.

By: Darrin Swain
This post is written by Darrin Swain, a blogger about common dog diseases that owners need to know about. You can also read plenty of other useful articles on other topics such as basic dog training tips.
This entry is filed under Taking Care.

Own One Of The Most Popular Dog Breed

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Always imagined of owning a dog? Eagerly planning to buy one soon? That is really a great news. But, have you decided which dog breed would you prefer to become a part of your family? There are various breeds of dog out there and you might end up feeling lost in the pet shop. If you are looking for pets and going to be a first time pet-owner, the task of choosing one particular breed of dog as your pet might seem a little daunting. So I suggest, it is better to prepare yourself beforehand by listing out some of the most popular breeds which are chosen as pets and the reasons they make great pets.

Beagles

Beagles are more individualistic and have a mind of their own. It is a combination of happy-go-lucky and friendly family pet, while at the same time, has hunting instincts that needs to be kept a check on.  They generally love to have company for themselves owing to their nature of living in packs for centuries.

Boxers

The Boxer is highly intelligent, eager and fast learner and is always happy and high-spirited. Their curiosity and energetic nature make them the perfect choice for competitive obedience. They tend to get along well with other dogs and household pets. Known for its courage, they make a great guard dogs and are widely used in military and police work. They don’t require much grooming, but daily physical and mental exercise is a must.

Bulldogs

A perfect combination of tough look and gentle heart – it’s hard to resist Bulldog. They make an excellent family pet owing to its tendency of forming strong bonds with children. It is a very affection and dependable breed, known for its protectiveness. They manage to keep the intruders at bay. Just remember that their short nose makes them susceptible to overheating during warm weather. Ensure that you have a shady place ready for them to take rest.

German Shepherd

A large dog; this is the first thing you might notice about this breed. It is quite easy to get intimidated when you first lay eyes on them. But this breed of dogs is one of the friendliest. It’s extremely loyal and protective nature combined with its smartness and fun loving attitude makes it one of the most popular breed of pet dogs. Their typical life span is 9 to 13 years and the most common color of this breed is tan with a black saddle. German Shepherds make great guard and watchdogs. Just make sure you don’t leave them alone for a long period of time, they don’t like it.

Golden Retriever

If there is a breed which is loyal and protective while not being aggressive, it is the Golden Retriever. They make a good pet for first time pet owners and don’t give their respect and admiration based on the characteristics of the pack leader. They love to be a part of the family and don’t like it when kept away from the owner. They are gentle, calm, tolerant, patient, sweet, affectionate, and devoted who requires daily exercise. They are generally available in shades of cream and golden, and they on an average have a lifespan of 10 to 12 years.

Labrador Retriever

The Labrador retriever is considered as the most popular breed in the UK and US. Highly intelligent, patient, outgoing, attention seeking, and this breed just about have all the features to make it as a great pet dog. Apart from this, its non-aggressive nature makes it ideal for children and specially-abled people. Its average lifespan is 12 to 13 years is another major advantage of choosing this breed as your pet dog. They are generally available in three major colors – yellow, black and chocolate. Variations of these three colors are also available such as cream, light brown and so on.

Rottweiler

The most positive trait of Rottweiler’s is their loyal and protective nature. It will defend its family fiercely when needed and seem immune to pain. This breed requires a strong minded master who can handle his massive size and train them well. They are highly intelligent and being in service for police, military and custom works for a very long time. If you want this breed to be happy, don’t confine them to a kennel or backyard. They like physical activities and minimal grooming maintenance.

Shih Tzus

This alert, lively little dog promises to keep you amazed with its spunky character and different tricks. They had been cherished as prized house pets for over thousand years making them spoilt and temperamental if not under proper training and leadership. They are a very alert watchdog.

Yorkshire Terriers

Do not go by their looks. They seem small but can be the notorious and temperamental of all. They are termed as ‘portable’ dogs and pampered the most because of their cute look. Try not to fall for it and create a boundary or they tend to give you hard time taking over your attention and house. This is mainly the reason why it is recommended only for older and considerate children.

By Jessica Reynolds:
Jessica enjoys blogging on various day-to-day topics. She loves dogs and has recently adopted a three month year old pug.
This entry is filed under Taking Care.

Teaching Old Dogs New Tricks

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Is it possible to teach an old dog new tricks? As the old saying goes, some think it is null and void. However, in reality, an old dog can learn new tricks just as well as puppy. Sure, they might have to get over some life long habits, but that does not mean it is impossible. It is never too late to provide an older dog with an education. In fact, it helps them become better mannered pets for people with young children or other animals. The following list will help you re-train or teach your older dog new things.

1) Be Patient

If your older dog has adopted some questionable habits, then it might be necessary to re-teach them what is expected of them. An older dog may have become lazy or tired in its old age. For example, if they are starting to pee in the house, then you need to show them that this wrong. The most important thing is that you remain patient. An older dog might not be able to pick up a new concept as quickly. However, they should be able to pick up old rules and habits with no problem if you are gentle about showing them what needs to be done.

2) Use Other Dogs as an Example

If you own other younger dogs, consider training your old and newer pet at the same time. If your older dog sees his fellow beast doing something right, then they might be more apt to adopting the behavior. Dogs are creatures that want to please you. Therefore, if they see another pet being praised for something, then they will want to receive it as well. Show them what to do with the younger dog. This is a great tool to use when actually teaching new tricks to a dog. For example, if you want to teach an older dog to sit or shake, a rewarded example from a younger dog is a great way to begin the process.

3) Reward for Good Behaviour

One of the most important things to remember when teaching an old dog new tricks is that they understand the difference between right/good and wrong/bad. This is the only way they will learn. However, do not punish your dog by whacking them or yelling at them. They will only become more confused and scared. You need to talk sternly, and reward them for good behavior. This will eventually help them understand the difference between right and wrong.

In conclusion, it may take some time and dedication, but it is possible for an older dog to learn new things. As long as you remain patient and reward good behavior, then anything is possible.

By: Joe McCord
This post was written by Joe McCord, an Australian blogger who writes on behalf of many businesses in the pet niche including environmentally friendly, ethical dog shampoo manufacturer A Boy And His Dog.
This entry is filed under Training Tips.

Keeping Your Fluffy Four Legged Buddies Safe And Secure

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Cases of missing and stolen pets have been on the rise in the last couple of years. The pets are stolen for different reasons, ranging from the terrible usage as competitors in dogfights, being held for ransom, sale to research laboratories as animal testing samples, or simply because someone wanted the pet for himself or herself!

It is very important to ensure that you keep your pet safe at all times. Leaving the pet cooped up in the house is not the solution; the animal also needs to enjoy the fresh outdoor air and should be free to play in the backyard. So, how do you provide your buddies with the much needed time in the backyard yet keep them safe and secure? And how do you make sure that they can find their way back to you when they go missing?

Track your pet

The best way to prevent your pet from being stolen or getting lost is by using identification protection. A collar and ID tags can ensure that you can be reached if your pet goes missing. You can also get a microchip implanted in the pet. The microchip can be scanned to get your contact information when your pet goes missing.

Being able to track your pet will give you peace of mind that your animal is relatively safe, but you should remember that dog collars could be removed. Neutering can also help to keep your pet close to home, as studies show that the sterilized animals do not roam out as much as their non-sterilized counterparts.

Use a leash

Using a leash when your animal is outside will help to ensure that it does not get out of the property. It will help to ensure that your pet is within your sight at all times. It will protect the animals by keeping them close to home and away from traffic and animal thieves. If you plan to go shopping, leaving the animal at home is safer than leaving them leashed outside the store. Anything can happen within the few minutes that it takes you to complete your shopping.

Pet housing and shelter

Providing protective enclosures for your pets when they are outdoors is very important. Apart from keeping them away from thieving hands, you also protect the animals from the weather elements. Providing them with a safe place where they have a shade and access to water will help to ensure that they are protected in all kinds of weather conditions.

If you do not prefer cages, you can find convenient structures such as instant canopies that are easy to erect and dismantle, and they provide adequate ventilation for your pet. Such canopies or tents are a great choice to be used in your backyard where your pets can be protected from the weather when they want to and can get the exercise they need by having the spacious backyard to themselves.

Fence and gate

Dog proofing your backyard will also go a long way in keeping your pet safe. A good quality fence and a gate with a secure latch will help to ensure that your dog remains in the yard. You need to ensure that you choose a sturdy fence with no route for escape. Using concrete on the ground beneath the fence will thwart any digging plans that the dog may have. Your fence should also be high enough to prevent the dog from jumping over it or squeezing through an exposed hole.

By: Jude Alexander
Jude designs instant canopies and is pretty good at it. He likes to keep pets and takes utmost care to provide food, shelter and protection to them. A frequent blogger, he often writes about pet management skills on his blog.
This entry is filed under Taking Care.

How to Use Training Collars

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Whether or not to use training collars when it comes to training your dog is definitely a contentious subject among dog owners and lovers and there are people on both sides of the fence. Some feel that the use of training collars is inhumane so they chose not to use them. Others feel that training collars are the best way to train your dog.

It’s true that there are times when the use of a training collar can be cruel but that is always because the owner took it too far, not because that was what the collar was intended to do. Training collars are meant to be used to get a dog’s attention, not to shock them into submission. In order to use them properly, you still have to spend just as much time training your dog as you would in any other situation. The purpose of training collars isn’t expediency but rather to have off leash control of your dog when appropriate. When implemented into your dog’s training routine properly, training collars can actually be much more useful than and just as humane as harnesses.

Using a training collar correctly takes a lot of patience which is where many people get into trouble. So many times, an owner will purchase a training collar and immediately put it on their dog and start pushing buttons to shock them. This technique may work if your goal is to confuse your dog, make him afraid of you and the collar, or cause him to only listen to you when he is wearing the collar. The key to using a training collar successfully and humanely is to take baby steps while being aware of what your dog is communicating with you.

Introducing your dog to the collar

How you introduce your dog to the collar is extremely important. If you pull the collar out of the box and immediately start using it on your dog, he will associate the shocking with the collar, not with his bad behavior. As a result, your dog may begin to fear wearing the collar or only listen to you when he has it on. This, obviously, is not what you had intended when you decided to implement the collar into his training.

Instead of fearing the collar and associating it with being shocked, you want your dog to associate it with something positive such as treats or play time. Before you even turn the collar on, put it on and take it off of your dog several times a day for a couple of days. When you put it on give him a small treat and do the same when you take it off. Always put the collar on him when you go out on walks or out to play one of his favorite games. By doing this, your dog will associate the dog with a fun activity or treats instead of a form of punishment. He will even begin to get excited whenever you pull the collar out.

Once your dog is comfortable wearing the collar you can slowly begin to start using it. That doesn’t mean you can turn the collar onto the highest setting and shock your dog whenever he does something you don’t like. Instead, you need to be patient and reteach him all of the commands that he already knows but use his training collar in conjunction with the lead rope that you usually train him with. When used properly, you will be able to completely replace your dog’s leash or lead rope with a training collar.

How to Determine Collar Settings

Most training collars come with multiple settings going from just a small stimulation to a large shock. Some even have a noise option. When you first start using the collar set it on the lowest setting possible because every dog’s threshold is different and you don’t want to go too far. I personally recommend starting with the noise option and then moving up from there.

When you activate the collar, your dog should respond to it like a minor nuisance or a twitch. If they don’t acknowledge it all feel free to adjust the collar up a level. If your dog ever verbally acknowledges the collar and lets out a yelp, that is your queue that you went up too high. Adjust the level down.

Pressure on/Pressure off

Leash training consists of applying pressure to move your dog in the direction you want and then releasing the pressure once he completes the command. You should employ the same techniques when using a training collar.

When you use your leash to have your dog sit, you generally pull up on the leash and might even push down on his back end with your hand. That is the pressure on part of the command and then once your dog sits you release the pressure, pressure off. The same basic idea applies when using a training collar. When you give a command, activate the collar but once your dog obeys the command, let off of the collar.

Never hold the shock button down once your dog has obeyed your command. Doing so will confuse your dog and make him question his basic training. Your dog needs to know that he has the ability to make the pressure or collar stop by obeying your commands. Over time, your dog will begin to do as you say without you needing to apply any sort of pressure at all because he will realize that he is in control of it. In this way, you will have complete control of your dog’s behaviour on and off leash.

Patience and Consistency

Training your dog isn’t the easiest thing for either you or your dog. Don’t spend more than five minutes at a time training a young dog or he will become frustrated. At the point where you become frustrated, take a time out and come back to your training other time. Frustration will only lead you to anger and anger won’t do you any good when it comes to training your dog.

By: Ron RutherfordRon Rutherford is a writer with a passion for nature and a soft spot for Thai food. He currently freelances for Havahart Wireless, which specializes in progressive and humane wireless dog fences.
This entry is filed under Training Tips.

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