Sunday, December 30, 2007
Caring for a Pregnant Pet
In the wild, dogs and similar mammals are perfectly capable of rearing their own young with no outside help, but in a world where domestic dogs depend on humans for their food and shelter, the owner can have a significant impact on the success of their dog’s pregnancy. Yes, the mother will do most of the work, but a little cooperation and help from the owner will help to insure a safe and healthy birth. However, before even embarking on this journey, start by considering whether these new puppies will have good homes, and decide for your pet whether she should have puppies or not.
There are hundreds of dogs being euthanized in animal shelters daily because there are not enough owners to take them in. Make certain that your puppies will have a good home before choosing not to spay your dog. The canine over-population problem is only increasing, so you must carefully consider this before moving forward.
Once you have decided to allow your dog to have puppies and your dog has then become pregnant, there are several things you can do to make the average 63 day process run more smoothly. The biggest impact you will have on your pregnant pet is their diet. An expecting dog will need more nourishment as the litter develops. It is important for an owner to be sensitive to this increase in need as well as consider a food that is approved for the growing process. Most dogs experience a loss of appetite and nausea about three weeks into the pregnancy. This is normal and similar to what humans call “morning sickness,” but if it lasts for more than a week or two there might be other complications. If this is the case, you should notify a veterinarian.
After about a month of pregnancy, you should take your dog to visit a vet. Your vet can then do a full wellness check and confirm the pregnancy with a blood test. They will also be able to make any general recommendations as well as breed specific advice. Most vets will recommend continuing with regular exercise, but not to do anything that is too intensive because of possible stress. Though obesity can complicate pregnancy, this is not the time to get your dog in shape. Too much exercise or a dramatic drop in caloric intake can endanger the liter. This is also not the time to catch up on vaccinations. Many vaccinations include sera that can actually harm a developing fetus.
Parasites are another concern for the owner of a pregnant dog. If the mother is already taking a heartworm preventative medicine, she may continue doing so without risk. All heartworm medications must be approved for use during pregnancy. Flea control is another important concern, but you must be careful which product you choose, as not all flea medicines are okay for puppies.
These are just a few things to keep in mind when you have a pregnant pet. Remember, that your dog will instinctually care her young, but you are the own responsible for the health of your dog. She is dependant on you to have a successful pregnancy and healthy puppies.
About the Author: Dean Burton is the owner of MyDreamPuppy.com, a leading provider of puppies for sale. You can find a variety of dogs for sale that would be great for families or personal companionship. For more information, please visit MyDreamPuppy.com.
There are hundreds of dogs being euthanized in animal shelters daily because there are not enough owners to take them in. Make certain that your puppies will have a good home before choosing not to spay your dog. The canine over-population problem is only increasing, so you must carefully consider this before moving forward.
Once you have decided to allow your dog to have puppies and your dog has then become pregnant, there are several things you can do to make the average 63 day process run more smoothly. The biggest impact you will have on your pregnant pet is their diet. An expecting dog will need more nourishment as the litter develops. It is important for an owner to be sensitive to this increase in need as well as consider a food that is approved for the growing process. Most dogs experience a loss of appetite and nausea about three weeks into the pregnancy. This is normal and similar to what humans call “morning sickness,” but if it lasts for more than a week or two there might be other complications. If this is the case, you should notify a veterinarian.
After about a month of pregnancy, you should take your dog to visit a vet. Your vet can then do a full wellness check and confirm the pregnancy with a blood test. They will also be able to make any general recommendations as well as breed specific advice. Most vets will recommend continuing with regular exercise, but not to do anything that is too intensive because of possible stress. Though obesity can complicate pregnancy, this is not the time to get your dog in shape. Too much exercise or a dramatic drop in caloric intake can endanger the liter. This is also not the time to catch up on vaccinations. Many vaccinations include sera that can actually harm a developing fetus.
Parasites are another concern for the owner of a pregnant dog. If the mother is already taking a heartworm preventative medicine, she may continue doing so without risk. All heartworm medications must be approved for use during pregnancy. Flea control is another important concern, but you must be careful which product you choose, as not all flea medicines are okay for puppies.
These are just a few things to keep in mind when you have a pregnant pet. Remember, that your dog will instinctually care her young, but you are the own responsible for the health of your dog. She is dependant on you to have a successful pregnancy and healthy puppies.
About the Author: Dean Burton is the owner of MyDreamPuppy.com, a leading provider of puppies for sale. You can find a variety of dogs for sale that would be great for families or personal companionship. For more information, please visit MyDreamPuppy.com.
Labels: dogs for sale, pregnant dog, pregnant pet care
Is Your Dog Obese?
It is estimated that almost a quarter of all domestic dogs living in the United States are obese, a problem that transfers from the extreme prosperity of this nation. We have already noticed a trend in ourselves and our children, and it seems we are passing that legacy on to our pets. As you probably know, obesity can cause many health complications for any living creature, so we owe it to our dogs to keep them fit and healthy, giving them a life of exercise and happiness.
As for humans, there is no big secret to losing weight. The basic concepts of less calories and more exercise still apply, and these are the only things that truly eliminate dog obesity, however, if your dog is extremely obese or has experienced radical weight gain, you can also consider some natural supplements to aid the process. These are not a substitute for low calorie foods and exercise. Natural supplements that include milk, dandelion, and thistle are proven treatments for dog obesity. These additions to a normal diet help to clear the system of chemicals and fats and help to detox the body. By themselves, they will have little impact on weight loss, but with the addition of a healthy lifestyle, they can make a huge change.
Another natural and effective ingredient used to help obese dogs is Fucus vesiculosis, otherwise known as kelp. Kelp supplies vitamins A,B,C, and D as well as minerals like iron, potassium, magnesium, and zinc. These help to create a healthy metabolic rate of food digestion. Part of the problem for obese dogs is their loss of a healthy metabolism for burning excess fat. A low metabolism may cause a pet to become lazy and docile, to the point of unresponsiveness to exercise, and helping increase their metabolism will encourage them to exercise more and expend more energy.
If a dog experiences an abnormal amount of weight gain in a very short period of time, then there might be more complications involved. It is possible that your dog has a defective thyroid gland, making it nearly impossible to process food, but whatever the case may be, your dog must see a veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis. These problems can usually be solved with a special diet and exercise recommended by a vet, but if untreated they can result in an early death.
Dogs were meant to be perky, playful animals, and obesity quickly takes away this youthful vigor, leaving them to a life of moping and lying around. Get in a routine of regularly exercising your dog and taking care of its dietary needs. This will insure a long, healthy, and enjoyable life for both you and your pet.
About the Author: Dean Burton is the owner of MyDreamPuppy.com, a leading provider of online petfinder services. You can find a variety of dogs for sale that will make an excellent addition to the family. For more information, please visit MyDreamPuppy.com.
As for humans, there is no big secret to losing weight. The basic concepts of less calories and more exercise still apply, and these are the only things that truly eliminate dog obesity, however, if your dog is extremely obese or has experienced radical weight gain, you can also consider some natural supplements to aid the process. These are not a substitute for low calorie foods and exercise. Natural supplements that include milk, dandelion, and thistle are proven treatments for dog obesity. These additions to a normal diet help to clear the system of chemicals and fats and help to detox the body. By themselves, they will have little impact on weight loss, but with the addition of a healthy lifestyle, they can make a huge change.
Another natural and effective ingredient used to help obese dogs is Fucus vesiculosis, otherwise known as kelp. Kelp supplies vitamins A,B,C, and D as well as minerals like iron, potassium, magnesium, and zinc. These help to create a healthy metabolic rate of food digestion. Part of the problem for obese dogs is their loss of a healthy metabolism for burning excess fat. A low metabolism may cause a pet to become lazy and docile, to the point of unresponsiveness to exercise, and helping increase their metabolism will encourage them to exercise more and expend more energy.
If a dog experiences an abnormal amount of weight gain in a very short period of time, then there might be more complications involved. It is possible that your dog has a defective thyroid gland, making it nearly impossible to process food, but whatever the case may be, your dog must see a veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis. These problems can usually be solved with a special diet and exercise recommended by a vet, but if untreated they can result in an early death.
Dogs were meant to be perky, playful animals, and obesity quickly takes away this youthful vigor, leaving them to a life of moping and lying around. Get in a routine of regularly exercising your dog and taking care of its dietary needs. This will insure a long, healthy, and enjoyable life for both you and your pet.
About the Author: Dean Burton is the owner of MyDreamPuppy.com, a leading provider of online petfinder services. You can find a variety of dogs for sale that will make an excellent addition to the family. For more information, please visit MyDreamPuppy.com.
Labels: dog care, dog obesity, dogs for sale
Show Dog Training
Showing animals has a long history from the local pet shows and livestock exhibitions to the elite English, Crufts, in existence since 1891. The goal in such exhibitions in competitions is to determine the best training, dispositions, and bloodlines among various breeds, and it has become so popular that competitions are drawing thousands as well as televising worldwide. It has created a global stage for fame and fortune to those dedicated to the aesthetics and manner of their pets (dogs being the most popular of show animals) but whether you are reaching for the stars in international championship competitions are looking for a hobby in your local area that might provide some great prize incentives, there are a few basic things to take care of in order to enter the world of show dogs.
If you have not yet purchase a pet and are aspiring to compete on any level, it is important to do your research in order to find dogs for sale of notable bloodlines and dispositions. Once you have a dog you have already completed the biggest step, but there is still a long way to go. To get involved with local shows you might consider contacting a local kennel club or pet association. These organizations will be able to point you in the right direction to find dog shows near you and can also make you aware of various rules and regulations, required vaccinations and testing, and common acceptable practices for competitions in your surrounding area. If you have still yet to find the right dog, they can also help you pick a breed that is known for high performance in local shows.
Training your show dog is the next big step, which takes the most time and energy. Whether you choose to train the dog yourself or hire a trainer, show dogs must be able to run circles with their handler and often even navigate an obstacle course. Postures are another area of training that is fundamental to good showing. Show dogs must be taught the correct postures for sitting, heeling, standing, and trotting. Some specific shows also include things like jumping or working livestock, depending on the type. These specific acts are not all a show dog must be able to do. They should also be very calm and patient so that the judges can handle them with ease. The last thing you want is for your dog to become afraid or agitated by the judge.
Socialization is another very important part of training your show dog. It is obvious that your dog should be able to handle social situations with other dogs because a show atmosphere will be filled with other animals. In larger competitions your dog may have to handle themselves well while in the presence of possibly thousands of other animals. There are so many intense distractions for dogs when it comes to other animals. Their sense of smell and hearing are screaming to their instincts to do something, but your training must be solid enough to withstand such a test.
Training a show dog is no piece of cake, but it can be incredibly rewarding. I highly encourage you to talk with others who have had success and start going to shows as soon as you can. This will help you know what is expected so that you can make your dog ready to be the next great champion.
About the Author: Dean Burton is the owner of MyDreamPuppy.com, a leading provider of puppies for sale. You can find a variety of dogs for sale that would be great for families or personal companionship. For more information, please visit MyDreamPuppy.com.
If you have not yet purchase a pet and are aspiring to compete on any level, it is important to do your research in order to find dogs for sale of notable bloodlines and dispositions. Once you have a dog you have already completed the biggest step, but there is still a long way to go. To get involved with local shows you might consider contacting a local kennel club or pet association. These organizations will be able to point you in the right direction to find dog shows near you and can also make you aware of various rules and regulations, required vaccinations and testing, and common acceptable practices for competitions in your surrounding area. If you have still yet to find the right dog, they can also help you pick a breed that is known for high performance in local shows.
Training your show dog is the next big step, which takes the most time and energy. Whether you choose to train the dog yourself or hire a trainer, show dogs must be able to run circles with their handler and often even navigate an obstacle course. Postures are another area of training that is fundamental to good showing. Show dogs must be taught the correct postures for sitting, heeling, standing, and trotting. Some specific shows also include things like jumping or working livestock, depending on the type. These specific acts are not all a show dog must be able to do. They should also be very calm and patient so that the judges can handle them with ease. The last thing you want is for your dog to become afraid or agitated by the judge.
Socialization is another very important part of training your show dog. It is obvious that your dog should be able to handle social situations with other dogs because a show atmosphere will be filled with other animals. In larger competitions your dog may have to handle themselves well while in the presence of possibly thousands of other animals. There are so many intense distractions for dogs when it comes to other animals. Their sense of smell and hearing are screaming to their instincts to do something, but your training must be solid enough to withstand such a test.
Training a show dog is no piece of cake, but it can be incredibly rewarding. I highly encourage you to talk with others who have had success and start going to shows as soon as you can. This will help you know what is expected so that you can make your dog ready to be the next great champion.
About the Author: Dean Burton is the owner of MyDreamPuppy.com, a leading provider of puppies for sale. You can find a variety of dogs for sale that would be great for families or personal companionship. For more information, please visit MyDreamPuppy.com.
Labels: dog breeds, dog training, dogs for sale, show dogs
Finding the Right Dog Trainer
Not every person or child that sees cute puppies for sale realizes the amount of training that may be necessary in order to enjoy an obedient, fun pet. Some dogs are more unruly than others, which is why some owners turn to the help of a qualified dog trainer to help them in both training their dog and learning to provide good training themselves. A good trainer will not only teach the dog, but teach the owners as well. Some pets are so troublesome that a professional dog trainer is really essential to controlling the inordinately aggressive or difficult nature of the animal, but the help of a trainer should not be ruled out by anyone planning to add to their family and purchase or adopt a pet.
Part of the difficulty in finding the right dog trainer lies in the fact that dog trainers are not required to achieve any specialized training or licensing. Anyone that has a desire to train animals can call them self a professional dog trainer. For this reason, there are many trainers who claim to be knowledgeable and are in fact inadequate or even detrimental. Choosing a qualified trainer can be accomplished by a number of considerations, but two major criteria often weigh most heavily, which are experience and reputation.
How long a trainer has been in operation and the kind of experience they have directly demonstrates the likelihood of their apt ability for training dogs. A trainer’s history definitely impacts their ability to work well with your pet. Perhaps they have worked with hundreds of German Shepherads. Odds are, they will have good advice and methods for helping you to train your new Shepheard. Though there are quite possibly many new trainers that have a wonderful aptitude for training pets, there is a higher risk in choosing the less experienced. The simple fact that a trainer has been making a living at this for several years indicates their level of ability.
The reputation of a trainer somewhat correlates to their experience, but it is different in respect to actual client satisfaction. If a trainer can give several references of clients who have been satisfied with their services, then this is almost concrete evidence that this trainer has in fact trained pets to the level of owner satisfaction. You can also seek out your own references for a trainer by talking with local veterinarians, breeders, kennel managers, and even pet store operators. If these types of industry experts are recommending certain trainers, it is likely that they will render quality services and practices.
No owner should ever be above the help of trainer, especially if you feel that your dog’s behavior is getting out of control and maybe moving toward the path of aggression. However, it is important to do your research and find the trainer that will truly make a valuable difference.
About the Author: Dean Burton is the owner of MyDreamPuppy.com, a leading provider of online petfinder services. You can find a variety of dogs for sale that will make an excellent addition to the family. For more information, please visit MyDreamPuppy.com.
Part of the difficulty in finding the right dog trainer lies in the fact that dog trainers are not required to achieve any specialized training or licensing. Anyone that has a desire to train animals can call them self a professional dog trainer. For this reason, there are many trainers who claim to be knowledgeable and are in fact inadequate or even detrimental. Choosing a qualified trainer can be accomplished by a number of considerations, but two major criteria often weigh most heavily, which are experience and reputation.
How long a trainer has been in operation and the kind of experience they have directly demonstrates the likelihood of their apt ability for training dogs. A trainer’s history definitely impacts their ability to work well with your pet. Perhaps they have worked with hundreds of German Shepherads. Odds are, they will have good advice and methods for helping you to train your new Shepheard. Though there are quite possibly many new trainers that have a wonderful aptitude for training pets, there is a higher risk in choosing the less experienced. The simple fact that a trainer has been making a living at this for several years indicates their level of ability.
The reputation of a trainer somewhat correlates to their experience, but it is different in respect to actual client satisfaction. If a trainer can give several references of clients who have been satisfied with their services, then this is almost concrete evidence that this trainer has in fact trained pets to the level of owner satisfaction. You can also seek out your own references for a trainer by talking with local veterinarians, breeders, kennel managers, and even pet store operators. If these types of industry experts are recommending certain trainers, it is likely that they will render quality services and practices.
No owner should ever be above the help of trainer, especially if you feel that your dog’s behavior is getting out of control and maybe moving toward the path of aggression. However, it is important to do your research and find the trainer that will truly make a valuable difference.
About the Author: Dean Burton is the owner of MyDreamPuppy.com, a leading provider of online petfinder services. You can find a variety of dogs for sale that will make an excellent addition to the family. For more information, please visit MyDreamPuppy.com.
Labels: dog trainers, dogs for sale, petfinder, training dogs
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