Archive for February, 2010

Have your friends complained about your dog’s barking when you leave your house? A bark collar could solve all of those problems.  The kind of barking your dog does with no particular excuse is known as nuisance barking.  Just like humans, dog’s can continuously bark for hours on end.  There may not be any reason for your dog to bark.  He may see something in the yard, be bothered by thunder, or like to bark at the cars, whatever the cause, he just won’t stop.

There are varieties of techniques that people use to try to decrease nuisance barking.  The younger your dog is the easier the training will go.  If that time has passed, and you are now facing a older dog that barks continuously, the first thing you do is find the reason they bark.

If you see your dog is barking out of boredom, that can be conveniently fixed with spending quality time with him or her, buy them bones, and other simple ways to keep them active.  If they are fearful, find ways to make them feel calmer, such as providing them with a comfortable kennel.  If you see that your dog is a very loud dog, training will be kind of hard, but still could happen.

Uncontrollable barking is one of the most common reasons that pet owner’s give away their dogs to pounds.  It is such a shame that a normal habit gone bad causes so many problems.  It is possible to train a dog not to bark even when he is in his later years.  With a lot of patience and effort, you can teach your pet to do cartwheels.  By purchasing a bark collar, you will notice immediate results out of your dog’s behavior.

Dog bark collars don’t take the place of your involvement.  You use them in agreement with training.  Bark Collars come in several models, but two lead the pack.  The spray collar uses a citronella based spray bottle that squirts your dog in the face when the prong picks up the shaking caused by barking. The e-collar, or shock collar, uses the same type of prongs, but sends a slight electric intensity to the dog when barking persist past a specific time frame.  The intensity is compared to a static shock that you get during the cold weather if you rub your socks on the carpet.

Barking systems come in a variety of sizes.  Make sure you talk with a professional if you are uncertain of which collar to purchase.  There are no collars suitable for a dog younger than the age of six months or below three pounds. Only one collar goes small enough to three pounds; the majority start at seven pounds.  You should be able to put two fingers in between the collar and your dogs neck.  Using the collar begin your retraining of your pet.  Every time they bark continuously tell them “NO BARK” in a strong voice.  If they continue, the collar will give a intensity.  If they listens, praise them and consider providing a treat.

Don’t leave your dog in a collar for more than eight hours on any given day, and remember, the collar is most effective when combined with your training.

Labrador Puppies make Wonderful Pets

There are few things cuter than a litter of Labrador puppies tumbling over one another to make your acquaintance. It is hard to resist bringing one of those adorable critters home, but a Lab is not the best choice for everyone. Those rough and tumble fur balls will quickly evolve into 60-75 pound rough and tumble dogs with an abundance of energy and a big need for attention. Labrador puppies that do not receive sufficient attention and proper training can become dogs that are destructive and out of control. However, with the proper preparation, a Lab can make the perfect family pet for many families with a personality that is as affectionate as it is loveable. To help you decide whether a Labrador puppy is the right choice for your family, consider the characteristics of this breed.

Friendly and Active

Those two words will sum up the personality and temperament of the large majority of Labrador puppies that you see. This dog has an insatiable zest for life and is nearly always ready to play. He will love everyone in your family, young and old alike, and he will probably welcome anyone into your home with a wagging tail and a happy face. Because of their friendly, easy-going personalities, the Lab is not a particularly effective guard dog, although they can be a watchdog when necessary. Labrador puppies are intelligent and eager to please, although a stubborn streak might make training a bit more challenging. Consistency, a firm hand and plenty of praise is the ideal formula for a Lab that is well trained and obedient.

Water Lovers

Labrador puppies love water as a general rule and it is hard to keep them out of any pool, stream or pond that they encounter. This is an important consideration if you live on property that has water of any kind, since you will want to make sure the pool or pond is inaccessible to your dog unless you are present. The good news is that Labrador puppies do not mind baths in the least, which is a good thing when you consider how much dirt and trouble these curious puppies might find as they explore their new home. This love of water comes from their breeding, since these dogs were originally trained to jump into the icy waters in Canada to help bring the fishermen’s nets to the shore.

Labrador puppies need plenty of time with their owners, and do not take well to being left alone for long periods of time. This is a breed that can become quite destructive if left to their own devices for too long, so crate training is an important component to Lab ownership. Labrador puppies should be introduced to the crate from about the first day that you bring them home from the breeders, and should be kept in that cozy home whenever you are gone or overnight. Make sure that you purchase a crate that will be big enough to grow with your dog, since these tiny pups will grow fast and furious. Some crates will come with a dividing wall so that you can section off a small area for your puppy and expand it as the dog gets bigger.

There are few things more fun than a Labrador puppy and with the proper training and preparation, you will be able to enjoy your Lab for many long, happy years.

Pet Grooming

Not everybody can afford to pay a few hundred dollars per month to cover the pet’s grooming costs. People more willingly turn to pet grooming tips to care for their four-legged friends at home, as a form of saving money. The breed is important as well as the anatomical structure because every pet has different needs according to these two elements.

Brushes have to be well chosen to match the hair thickness and length. Two brushes should be enough if you get the right ones. For a good choice, read some pet grooming tips related to coat care specific for your pet’s breed. Check pictures and then find the items either at the local pet store or directly online from various dealers.

Read pet grooming tips about how to clean the pet’s ear. Hair, wax and dirt accumulate in the ear canals and reducing the auditive capacity of your pet. The hair needs to be carefully pulled out frequently, so that wax does not build up on it. There are some special accessories which you can put on fingers and grip the hair without causing any damage or discomfort.

One other challenge is trimming toenails, but pet grooming tips could save you from a lot of trouble here too. Pet owners don’t like long claws because pets can cause damage to the carpets, floors and unpleasant scratching. You’ll just need a pair of nail clippers and a few pet grooming tips about how to cut the nails without hurting the pet and keeping the discomfort minimum. Read online materials and even ask the veterinarian for recommendations.

The eyes also require special care, particularly since pet’s tearing has a staining effect. Tearing can be natural with some breeds, while with others it is a symptom of a health problem. A bit of hydrogen peroxide in warm water should reduce the discoloration on light colored pets but you have to be extremely careful and not get too close to the eyes. Such a solution is strictly valid for the stained area, and may not always prove a good pet grooming solution.

With the right pet grooming tips, you should be able to create a healthy routine to keep your pet looking great. Keep in mind the fact that grooming needs to be performed regularly, and you need to devote some time to it on a weekly basis. In the absence of proper care, nails and hair condition deteriorates rapidly, do not neglect their importance for your pet’s well being.