Does Your Dog Make the Grade? – Six Basic Dog Obedience Commands You Should Know?

As your kids load up their back-packs and head off to school, you might take a minute to see if your dog makes the grade when it comes to these basic obedience commands.

As an avid 4-H member in my youth, I was active in dog obedience training for my dogs (a 55 lb mutt and Cocker Spaniel). I had great fun spending time with my dogs and after the training, they were even more delightful to be around.

Personally I highly recommend obedience training, especially for large dogs.

Here are some of the basic commands:

SIT - The sit command is one of the easiest to master. Anytime you see him in the act of sitting, say, “SIT,” and reward him with a treat when his bottom hits the ground. You can also gently push down on his bottom as you say the command “SIT.”

STAY - How long can your dog sit or lie in a stay? I remember the days of walking around the neighborhood and practicing this command. Your dog should be able to maintain the position until you release him with another command such as free dog. When your dog is tired, have him in a sit or down position and command, “stay.” If he maintains it for one to two seconds, reward him. Gradually increase the time, add distance and distractions to the equation as you continue your training.

COME - Your dog should come when you call his name and command, “come,” despite distractions. Incorporate this command daily, and never punish your dog when he comes to you.

DOWN - The down position is lying down, belly to the ground and front legs extended. To train this position, put a treat right in front of your dog’s nose and lower it straight down to the ground. Praise the behavior by offering a treat.

LEAVE IT - A leave it command will keep your dog from eating unwanted food or taking others’ today. Practice by holding a treat in your extended hand. As your dog reaches for it, say, “leave it,” and reward with praise when he draws back from or inattention to the treat.

GO TO YOUR SPOT - Your dog should be able to go to a designated spot on command. Point to the spot and give a verbal command. Leave treats on the designated spot as reinforcement.

How does your dog do with these commands? I’ve found some great dog obedience training guides that will help you train your dog to be the best behaving dog on the block.

Hot Pet Trends

Popular Pet Trends

 When it comes to pets, there are always new and interesting items to see and buy for them. Every year there are new and improved items that come out for your pets. Some of these items stand the test of time and become a standard item that all of pets need to have. Then there are pet trends that go away as fast as they show up on the scene.  Here some popular pet trends that  I found to be interesting and fun.

 Pet Clothes/Apparel

 These days it is just as important for your pet to be as well dressed as you are. Many places sell matching outfits for you and your pet. Do not just think this clothing trend is only for dogs. You can purchase outfits for your cat, guinea pig and even a nice blanket for your horse. It is important to get your pet used to wearing clothes in small doses before you try to get him to wear the outfit all day.

Natural Pet Food

Natural pet food has really taken off over the last year. There have been many recalls on pet food from various stores. Natural pet food does not have the fillers that many of the recalled pet foods did. They are naturally processed food that is better for your pet.

 Dog Walkers

Any dog owner knows that it is important to make sure that their dog gets plenty of exercise. One way that your dog can get exercise is to go out for a daily walk. The problem is that most dog owners do not have time in their day to walk there dog. That is where the popular pet trend of dog walkers comes in. A dog walker is someone that you pay to come and take your dog for a walk. This is a great service for those busy people who want to make sure that their dogs get the attention and exercise that they need.

 Dog Bakeries

One of the things that most dogs live for are their treats. Dog treats have come along way over the years from the small box of hard treats. A popular pet trend today is to go to a dog bakery for your dog’s treats. A dog bakery usually uses many human quality food products to create healthy treats for your dog. The bakeries will also make special cakes for your dog’s birthday.

Everyday there are new popular pet trends showing up to get your attention. Many of these trends are worth taking a look at. Right now, a lot of the popular pet trends are centering on going green with your animals. This ranges from natural food to the bakeries that make treats for your animals. Some of the trends center on fashion. There are even magazines that focus on the newest fashions for your pets. Explore these and the many other fun pet trends that come down the line for fun and excitement for both you and your pet.

Home-Made Pet Food

Many Health Benefits of Pet Massage

Massage techniques are frequently performed on animals, including dogs, cats, and horses for therapeutic benefits after injury or as a preventive wellness program. The specific techniques used will depend upon the goal of the massage and the receptiveness of the animal. Any indications of pain in your pet must be assessed by a vet before performing massage techniques.

The benefits of massage include reduced pain, increased joint mobility, improved circulation of oxygen-rich blood for tissue in healing and improved lymphatic flow to filter out waste products and destroy them via the action of white blood cells.

Certain massage techniques activate the parasympathetic nervous system resulting in a “rest and digest” response in contrast to the “fight or flight” response of the sympathetic nervous systems. By allowing your pet to relax under your guided touch, you can strengthen the emotional bond ass well as maximize the use of touch as a an assessment tool to note any changes in your pets, such as lumps, pain or areas of warmth. Early detection on your part can lead to prompt veterinarian care for any potential problems.

Pet massage can also desensitize your pet to the fear response when they go to the vet.

The common strokes used for pet massage are the same as those used for humans, for example:

Compression - Direct pressure from the thumb, fingers or palm used to compress soft tissues against underlying bone. This technique releases muscle spasms, triggers points or adhesions.

Effleurage - long strokes applied superficially along the muscle, used for relaxation and improved circulation.

Joint Movement - Passively moving the joints through their available range of motion to improve and maintain flexibility and reducing pain.

Skin Rolling - Lifting the coat and skin away from the muscles and fat with the thumb and fingers, used to treat chronic pain and restore movement of the connective tissue.

Vibration - A rhythmic back and forth movement of the hands used to for relaxation and joint mobilization.

I have found several guides that can help you learn some of these techniques.

 

Camp Bow Wow in Carmel IN.

5 Tips for Grooming Your Dog at Home

It is important to keep your dog well groomed to keep him healthy and happy. Many people use groomers for this purpose, however, taking your dog to the groomer can costly over time. There is a way to save money and keep your dog well groomed as well. Groom your dog at home! It is easier then you may think. With a few tips to help get you started, you will be well on your way to a well-groomed dog and saving money too.

Tip One

You need to have a comfortable place set up in advance to groom your dog. Grooming can be a traumatic experience for a dog if they are not used to it. It is important that you do all that you can to help alleviate any stress that your dog may feel. It is important to have the grooming station set up in a well lit area. Make sure that you have set aside your grooming instruments. It is best to pay a few extra dollars for well made dog grooming items to make the process easier on you and the dog.

 Tip Two

Grooming your dog on a consistent basis can help their health. Many dogs shed with the change of season. This is a process that they go through to help keep them healthy through the warmer months. By grooming your dog on a regular basis, you can speed along the shedding process, as well as help keep your dog socialized with the grooming process.

 Tip Three

When grooming your dog make sure that you get every inch of their coat. It is often tempting to forget about the hair legs, eyes, and ears. These are very important areas to make sure the hair is trimmed around. One reason for this is that hair can get into the eyes of your dog and cause them not to be able to see. They can also getting a discharge from their eyes because of excess hair around them.

Tip Four

You should only need to clip your dog’s nails about once a month. This will be enough to keep them at a healthy length for you and your dog. With a quality pair of dog nail clippers, you want to cut off the tip of your dog’s nails. A good idea is to not go past where the nail begins to curve to make sure that you do not hurt him. 

Tip Five

Grooming of your dog should also include dental care. You dog needs to have his teeth brushed just like you do. You can use an old human toothbrush and dog toothpaste. It is important that you use dog toothpaste because most dogs will not like the taste of the toothpaste that you use.

Taking care of your dog entails more then just feeding and playing with him. You need to make sure that you take care of his outward appearance. By following these tips and grooming your dog at home, you will always be sure that your dog is putting his best paw forward.

Toy Dogs are the Hottest New Fashion Accessory

There is a hot new fashion accessory that is gracing the covers of many magazines today. This fashion accessory is a one size fits all. What is this great fashion accessory that you must have now? It is a toy dog in your arm.

Toy dogs, often referred to as “Pocket Pets” have begun to be one of the most common fashion accessory that can be seen strolling down the street or nestled in the arm of her owner. Usually these great fashion accessories are seen in an even more fashionable tote bag. With the likes of Paris Hilton, taking her toy dog, Tinker Bell everywhere with her, this is the new fashion icon. Paris had to post a reward when her precious Tinker Bell disappeared.

There is much to be taken into account before you jump on this fashion accessory bandwagon. There are many types of toy dogs that you can choose from for your fashion. You also have to consider the items that you will need to take of your pint-sized bundle of joy. There is also a world of fashion that you can get to dress your toy dog in as well. Fashion for the fashion accessory is a must.

Types of Dogs 

There are a few breeds that you should consider when looking into a toy dog. The most common of the toy dogs is often the tea cup Chihuahua. This is the same type of dog that Paris Hilton has. Yorkshire Terriers are another breed of dog that is a great one to look into. This dog has a stubborn temperament and is often better suited to older people. Some of the other toy dog breeds to look into are toy Poodles, Shih Tzu, Pomeranian, and Pugs.

Care of Your Toy Dog

This fashion accessory is going to need more care then your cashmere wrap of last season. You will need to take care of the basic necessities for your toy dog. You will need a small water and food dish that is low to the ground. Remember your toy dog will not need anywhere near as much food as their full size counterpart. You will need a place for your dog to sleep. Grooming is important as well when it comes to toy dogs. A basic dog grooming kit is essential to keep your toy dog healthy and looking his best.

 Fashion

This is one of the fun things about owning a toy dog, all of the fashion accessories for them. There are rhinestone studded leashes and collars to make sure that your pet has their jewelry on at all times. You can buy clothing for every event that your toy dog may need to attend. There are many fashionable bags that you can choose from to take your dog with you everywhere that you go.

A toy dog is a great fashion accessory for anyone looking for a little bundle of love to have with them. These great pets do take some care to make them healthy and happy. Once you have done all of your research on what breed that you would like to have, you are ready to purchase this year’s hottest fashion trend.

Thinking About an Aquarium? First decide on Fresh or Salt

If you’re thinking of buying an aquarium, you must first decide between a freshwater tank and fish or salt water tank and fish.

For beginners, freshwater is often the way to go as it is less costly to start and maintain, the fish are generally hardier and there is less work involved in maintenance. The allure of salt water aquariums, however, is the much larger variety of far more colorful and interesting fish and marine life. If you have the time, money and spaces to dedicate to the salt water tank, it can be a very impressive display.

Here is a great guide to help you with advice on selecting and starting a tropical fish aquarium and caring for your tropical fish: 

Katy’s Tropical Fish - A Complete Guide  

We’ve also included some selections for you to consider:

Aquariums

The Benefits of Natural Dog Food

When it comes to caring for your dog, one of the most important things that you do is to choose the food that you give him. A couple years ago there was a major recall on many types of dog foods. This scare made many dog owners question if the food that they were feeding their dog was really the healthiest choice for them. Many people came to the conclusion no. They choose to go with natural dog food. There are many reasons that people choose to give their dogs natural dog food.

Most dog foods that are out on your local stores’ shelves are full of fillers. These fillers contain no nutritional value for you dog. Many of these fillers have been the cause of the many dog food recalls that have occurred. We are told to avoid unnatural fillers in our own food because it is unhealthy for us. You need to think in the same terms when it comes to your dog. If it is unhealthy for you then it is probably unhealthy for your dog as well.

Natural dog foods use ingredients that are specially formulated for the dietary needs of your four legged friend. This is the all natural food that they would have eaten before the invention of the processed can food that most dogs have been eating. It is important for a dog to get the vitamins and other nutrients that they need to be healthy. Natural dog foods make sure that these ingredients are included in their foods.

Feeding your dog a healthy diet will help them to live longer. You know that a healthy additive free diet will help you to live longer. This is also true for your dog. Additives are not healthy for anyone. They are a man made item that is only there to change the natural flavors and qualities of the food that your dog is eating. Help your dog to live a long and healthy life by feeding him natural dog food.

One of the non health pros of natural dog food is that in the long run, your dog will eat less food. The reason that this is true is the fillers that are in most dog foods. Natural dog foods that do not have fillers help to make your dog feel full and satisfied with less food. This means that the cost to use ratio is well in your favor when it comes to the natural food that you feed your dog.

It is important to keep your dog healthy. One of the easiest ways to keep your best friend healthy is to give him the best food that you can get your hands on. This means that you should look into and invest in your dog’s future by feeding him natural dog food.

Is Pet Insurance Important?

You think of your pets as members of your family. You share your home and your life with them. They hold an important place in your heart. One of the most heart-breaking moments for most people is when their pet gets sick. Throughout the course of your pet’s life, they will go through many illnesses. A sick pet means a visits to the vet. With this trip comes an even bigger vet bill for your animal. Many times a sick pet can cost you more money then taking one of your children to the doctor. This is why pet insurance was created.

Pet insurance is one of the newest trends to have for your pet. However, the fact that it is the hot trend does not mean that it should not be taken seriously. This is one trend that you should consider for all of your pets. It can save you money and time with your pet.

Pet insurance was created because many animals were being put to sleep prematurely. This is to say that they were sick and their owners choose to put them to sleep rather then to have them treated. These pet owners are not bad people. They could not afford the medical bills that it would have cost them to have their pet treated and brought back to good health.

It is a great tool to have to pay for the health needs of your pet. This is especially true if your pet has to have unexpected surgery. This type of treatment can lead to thousands of dollars in medical bills.

Pet insurance can be paid in monthly installments, just like your health insurance. The amount that you need to pay will vary based on the type of coverage that you would like to have on your pets. Some of the insurance policies only cover exams and vaccines. This is an ongoing expense that you will always have for your pets. This is at least a bare minimum pet insurance that you should have on all of your pets.

There are other pet insurances that include surgeries and chemo treatment. These are just as expensive for animals as they are for people. Many people do not realize that their pets can come down with many of the same ailments that people can have. One of these is cancer. Many pets come down with cancer and are forced to be put down because their owners did not pet insurance.

Your family is the most important part of your life. You would do anything to protect the members of your family. Your pets are members of your family and therefore deserve the same protection as your other family members when it comes to their health. For a few dollars a month, you can give your pets this type of protection with a simple pet insurance plan.

How to Train a Dog to Fetch

Having a dog can be a fun and rewarding experience. There are many fun activities you can do with your dog to grow upon the enjoyment that you both have. One of the most popular games to play with a dog is fetch. This simple game of retrieving a ball or some other item can lead to hours of fun. There is one catch to this simple game, you have to train your dog to be able to fetch. Do not worry; this is not as hard as it may seem at first glance. With a little persistence and work on your part, your dog will be playing fetch before you know it.

The Ground Work

Your dog will naturally be drawn to running after a ball that is thrown. This is a natural instinct that you have probably seen many times in your dog. This is one of the most elemental things that your dog needs to be able to do to play fetch. If you have never seen your dog do this, grab a ball and throw it to see if he runs after it. Most dogs will run after the ball, grab it, and then start towards you. The reason that this is not fetching a ball is that they usually stop and start playing with the ball. Once your comfortable with this, you can move onto the training aspect of getting your dog to fetch.

Training

You will need to have two balls to make this training work. It is important that your dog is interested in these balls. There are dogs that will chase any ball that you throw. There are other dogs that are picky in what they chase. Know which group that your dog falls into.

Throw one of the balls and let your dog chase after it. Keep the other ball that you have hidden. It is important that your dog is focused on the ball that you have throw.

As your dog runs toward you, choose a point near you to tell your dog to drop the ball. You will want to give this command in a stern but friendly voice. Make sure that the point that you choose to do this with your dog is close enough to be your dog giving you the ball. Odds are that your dog will not do this on the first try.

If your dog does not drop the ball, take out the second ball. Ignore your dog and start playing with it. Act like the ball that you have is the most interesting thing that you have ever played with. This will cause your dog to drop the ball that he brought to you and want the one that you have.

Throw the second ball so that your dog has to run and get it. Place the first ball into your pocket so that your dog does not see it. Repeat the command to drop when your dog comes to you with the second ball. If your dog does not drop, repeat this process over and over again until your dog brings you and drops the ball on your command.

It will take some time for your dog to get comfortable with playing fetch with you. It may even take a few training sessions. In the end, your dog will enjoy playing fetch with you and be happy that you spent so much time with him.

Gift Ideas for a Fun Pet Party

We celebrate all sorts of occasions for our human family members, why not for our animal ones? Dogs and cats have milestones in their lives that warrant an extra special affair. Here are some ideas for gifts for owners and their pets who are hosting a party for a special day.

Pet Food and Accessories

Hey, sometimes the best pet food can be a bit pricey. If you know a dog owner who is having a party to celebrate graduation from obedience school or adoption day (equivalent of a pet birthday), give them that extra special kibble in a brand new monogrammed bowl. You can also dispense with the bowl and gift wrap a big bag of pet food.

Photos

You have pictures of other family members. How about a picture of the owner with man’/s best friend? Frame a picture of an owner and their pet. It can be displayed on the mantle beside all of the other family members. If you really want to wow them at the pet party, take a photograph and have a portrait painted. Use a photo of the entire family and the beloved pet or just the pet by themselves.

Pet Beds

Use their pet birthday as an excuse to buy one of those top of the line pet beds. Pet beds come in many shapes and sizes. For pets with delicate joints, choose one that has a gel core to promote comfort. For pet travel, car pet beds let them travel in style. If you want more luxury, choose a pet sofa for them to lounge on during the day, that folds out into a bed for comfy evening snoozes.

Leashes

Even the best-behaved dog can go through a ton of leashes. Match the leashes to the owner’s tastes in clothing. Pet companies make fashionable dog collars and leashes that are bejeweled, leather, different colors, and spiked if you wish. Now, the leash adds personality to the dog while meshing with the owner’s tastes.

Paw Prints

Have you ever seen those handprint kits they make for kids? Purchase several of those for your favorite pet owner. Each year of the pet’s life, create a paw print and record the age of the pet and the year. This type of gift works best for pet owners of new puppies so they can watch them grow over the years.

Are you attending a pet party celebration any time soon? Here are a few gift ideas to set you on the right tract when thinking about what type of gift to give.

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