Dogs Archives - Page 4 of 4

The 10 Coolest Dog Accessories You Should Have

December 6, 2012/2 Comments/in Dog Training, Dogs /by Tristan G

Having a dog is a great privilege. Owning a dog, no matter if it’s big or small, is a great responsibility. Dog is a living creature in a constant need for care and attention. Dog is not a toy to play around only when you don’t have anything else to do. He shows love and affection to the owners constantly, so you should do the same. From time to time treat your dog to something nifty and different from what you do or buy on regular basis. Obtaining some fancy accessories for your dog can be a nice experience. Surprise your dog on his birthday or Christmas Eve with some super cool items. Here is list of the ten coolest dog accessories you should have.

1. Dog Leash. We all know that this item brings a dog pure happiness. The moment when he sees a leash is priceless for it’s a sign he’s going out. Today, there are many types of dog leashes. Leather leash is skin friendly and can be very stylish. Nylon, on the other hand, is not so skin friendly, but it will last longer if your dog is often around water.

2. A Fashionable Scarf. Your dog will look cuter than usual with a scarf. For about $20 you can buy a stylish scarf which will protect your dog from the cold weather.

3. Backpack. Equip your pup with leather backpack for the first day in school. You can personalize dog’s backpack by engraving his initials on it. Let your dog carry his stuff on long country walks.

4. Groom tool. If you want to avoid painful pulling and snagging, you should get one of these. It removes loose hair from the dog before it’s shed around the room.

5. Dog Collars. These items come in a variety of styles. Bow tie collar can be perfect choice for the red carpet.

6. Water Bowls. If your dog likes chewing edges of the bowl, you should get the one made from the stainless steel which is more durable than the plastic one. You should be careful with ceramic bowls – they look very nice, but are easily broken.

7. Dog Houses. There are several things to keep in mind when it comes to the dog house. You should place the dog house in the coolest part of the yard. Also, the houses with air condition are good idea for hot climate and heated dog houses for cold.

8. Dog Beds. Every house has a bed. Even a dog house should have one. Make sure that the bed is comfortable enough to your dog, easy to wash, durable and of appropriate size. For extra comfort you can buy bed with cushioned sides.

9. Dog Toys. Buying cool dog toys will keep your four-legged buddy away from playing with your shoes and slippers. Many toys will provide physical and mental stimulation to your dog.

10. Dog coats. Perfect choice for chilly morning hikes. Fun, yet stylish way to keep your pooch warm. Great Christmas gift for your pet.

Find Out How Police K-9 Dogs are Trained

November 26, 2012/0 Comments/in Dog Training, Dogs /by Tristan G

How Police K-9 Dogs are Trained?

For thousands of years dogs and humans live in together. One of the smartest things humans did after the invention of the wheel is domestication of the dogs. Side by side, dogs and people made it through many centuries, wars, even space programs. Furthermore, in addition to being the most beloved pets, helpers around the farm, family guards, and leaders for the blind, dogs can be more than useful in police and other law enforcement units. The police dog, also known as K-9 (homophone of canine, a play on words), in most major cities is used for the things that human police officers can’t do. Police forces use K-9 to track criminals, sniff out drugs, explosive and other illegal materials, to find missing people or objects and many more. Intentional killing or injuring K-9 is considered felony in many countries. Today, a full police funeral is given to the police dog killed in the line of duty. A growing number of police units outfit their dogs with police badges and bullet proof vests.

All police dogs have to complete basic obedience training. K-9 Police dogs must obey the commands of their handlers without hesitation. Besides the obedience training, police dogs must go through the agility training, protection training, scent detection training and endurance training. They have to be prepared to jump over the obstacles such as walls and to climb the stairs. Police dogs must learn how to act and remain calm around people in daily life. So, dog socialization is very important thing. The dog that is tense and jumpy when among other people can’t become a good police dog.

Most of the k-9 police dogs are trained to enjoy their work. They comprehend trainings as a game. When it comes to practicing how to chase a suspect, they are trained to grab and hold on at all costs. They hold suspect very tightly until the handler gives command to let go. They are trained to wait for the verbal warning first and attack only if the suspect doesn’t halt immediately. Some police units prefer a bark tactic. Police dog barks to intimidate suspect and alert his handler to his whereabouts. The dog barks till a police squad arrives. Only in case of a suspect trying to run, the dog grabs and holds the fleeing suspect.

Drug training contains a trick with a white towel. The handler rolls up a bag of marijuana inside the towel and removes it short after. Then the dog is playing with the towel so that he can recognize the smell of marijuana. After a while, the handler hides the towel in various places stimulating the dog to look his favorite toy up. The dogs aren’t addictive, they won’t swallow any drugs, they just want to play with their toys. The same method is used for bomb and explosive detection or to locate other illegal materials. A dog’s sense of smell is very powerful, it is almost 50 times more sensitive than human’s.

The most popular breeds in police dog units are German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiler, Argentine Dogo and Labrador Retriever.

Is Your Dog Food Harming Your Dog

October 28, 2012/0 Comments/in Dog Facts, Dogs /by Tristan G

You are certainly familiar with the situation that during the lunch your dog is lurking near the table looking at you with his eager eyes, waiting for some treat. He is acting like his last meal was couple of days ago. It is well known that dogs are very trusting pets. They will, probably, eat almost everything you give them. So, it is a big responsibility for you as a caring owner to feed your dog in the best possible way. Before selecting a dog food, there are some factors for consideration. Those factors are dog’s age, body condition, dog’s health history and your budget.

You should be aware of the fact that some common food can be harmful to your dog. Most dangerous common food for dogs is chocolate. Although this sweet is very delicious for human, it can be lethal to dogs. In other cases chocolate can cause diarrhea, panting, vomiting, tremors and hyperactivity. Also, you should be very cautious with fruits, garlic, onions, peppers, popcorn, raw eggs, alcoholic beverages, coffee and tea.

It is logical that you should choose what your dog is going to eat instead of taking risk with things that can harm him, but is dog food really the best choice for your pet?

There are different opinions when it comes to the dog food and it is a controversial subject. Ignorance is bliss – sometimes. Most people don’t know what’s really in the dog’s commercially prepared food. The annual revenue of U.S. pet food industry is more than $10 billion. Through the advertising and media they insure consumers that their products are all your dog will ever need. On every pet food box you’ll see the images of beef, plump chickens, and fresh grains. Pet food industry is nothing but an extension of the human food industry. Waste products that are considered unfit for human consumption can be turned into profit by putting them into pet food. Many pet food companies are concealing the real origin of the ingredients or they are changing their quality. They are getting the ingredients from the different farms, different states and sometimes from a different country. Interesting part is that manufacturers are not legally required to inform consumers about those changes. You are free to go to the pet food company website or call customer service number to ask legitimate questions about the ingredients, taste or if their food contains agricultural rejects. Always bear in your mind that information given by the pet food company can be biased.

Most animal nutritional experts and veterinarians believe that raw diet of bones and meat is the best dog food. A good idea is to combine BARF diet (Bones and Raw Food) with some whole wheat and vegetables. Never use human medication on animals, use vitamins from your local vet.

If your choice is the dog food, avoid low quality dry dog food with too much unnatural products and preservatives. Always go for high quality brands to feed your dog but don’t believe everything they say in commercials.

Best of Luck!

Looking for the Best Dogs for House Guards?

October 17, 2012/0 Comments/in Dogs /by Tristan G

Looking for the Best Dogs for House Guards? Here Are Our Top 10.

Since they were first domesticated, dogs served men as guards. In the whole animal kingdom, dogs are at the top of the affection list. A good guard dog should be loyal to the owner, intelligent, strong and courageous. Many dogs will alert you to approaching strangers, but few can handle an intruder. Small breeds like Chihuahuas and Terriers are considered to be brave dogs; still what are their chances against the heavyweight dogs? Exactly – none.

Here is our list of 10 best watch dog breeds:

10. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier was made to fight bulls and bears. This short-haired medium-sized English breed is similar to the American Staffordshire Terrier, although much smaller. Staffordshire Terrier can be very aggressive and, like all the other terriers, has powerful jaws that can bite with immense force.

9. Kuvasz, Hungarian white sheepdog was bred in order to protect large sheep flocks from wolves. Extremely brave, protective and territorial dog with strong connection to the family is easy to train by a patient master. If he is properly trained, he will defend family from any danger.

8. Rhodesian Ridgeback, also known as African Lion Hound has strong, independent nature which makes him almost impossible to train at adult age. This breed doesn’t bark often, but when you hear Ridgeback barking, it’s time for red alert.

7. German Shepherd originated in Germany at the end of the 19th century which makes this breed relatively young. German Shepherd is a hard worker originally developed for herding sheep flocks. His thick fur can be very useful in winter conditions to protect his body from blizzards. His ability to learn quickly makes him favorite police dog for K-9 units.

6. Giant Schnauzer always requires strict training and constant body and mental exercise. This responsible guard dog bonds with a family for life. The Giant Schnauzer is a territorial dog whose only role is to protect and please owners.

5. Puli (Hungarian Water Dog) is a Hungarian herding breed well known for its long fur similar to dreadlocks. Puli’s nature is not aggressive, yet he will bark vigorously at the intruder if he senses a threat. Needs bathing on regular basis without any coat brushing after.

4. Doberman Pinscher is a medium sized muscular dog with short hair. His high intelligence makes him very easy to train. He loves human closeness and bonds easily with owners. Great family and companion dog.

3. The Komondor has natural instinct for protecting and guarding livestock and property. Represents one of Hungary’s national treasures. This devoted breed is loyal, powerful and courageous.

2. If trained properly, Rottweiler can be reliable and loving guard dog. His bad reputation comes from some irresponsible owners. Exposure to new people and situations in early stage of development is crucial. Probably the smartest guard dog in the world.

1. If you want the best guard dog who’s afraid of nothing, than Bullmastiff is your dog. His protection instincts, intelligence, loyalty, mental and physical strength are the perfect combination for the best guard dog in the world. Despite his size, he is very agile and quick.

Want to know the top 10 most intelligent dogs? Read this article.

What Are the Top 10 Most Intelligent Dogs?

October 11, 2012/2 Comments/in Dog Facts, Dogs /by Tristan G

Every dog owner thinks that his dog is the smartest dog around (well at least a few we know!). Of course only a few of them would be right. Don’t despair if your dog’s breed isn’t on the list. Some highly intelligent dogs are very hard to train or act destructively when alone in the house. Intelligence of the dog comes in various forms.

Here is our list of the 10 smartest dog breeds.

10. Australian Cattle Dog.

This smart dog is very active and in constant need for mental and physical exercise. The breed was developed two centuries ago by crossing wild dingoes with Dalmatians and Collies. These dogs are very playful, happy and they are perfect to herd cattle.

9. Rottweiler.

This dog has a fearsome reputation, but when you see Rottweiler around the kids, you will know that this reputation is undeserved. Being highly loyal and family friendly, this dog is a great choice for police or guard. Rottweiler possesses a strong character and it’s always eager to work.

8. The Papillon.

Also known as Dwarf Spaniels because they reach a height of only 11 inches. This miniature breed is one of the oldest European breeds. In order to stay out of trouble keep this dog’s mind always occupied by mental stimulations.

7. Labrador Retriever.

This intelligent and very gentle dog represents an ideal family pet. With aristocratic looks, Labradors are very sociable and easy to train with strong will to please owners. Golden, black and chocolate are three basic colors of this world’s most popular breed.

6. Shetland Sheepdog.

Very devoted to the owner, this lively dog can be used to herd sheep and cattle. Shetland Sheepdog is medium sized dog originated from Scotland. Breed, known for great sense of hearing and tri-color fur, are very trainable. Most of Sheltie’s owners claim that this dog is as smart as humans.

5. Doberman Pinscher.

This medium-sized dog is alert, incredibly smart and very loyal. If you train your Doberman properly from an early age, you can get brave dog ready to do anything to protect the loved ones. This guardian dog with a short hair comes from Germany and it is often used in military and police.

4. Golden Retriever.

One thing is very interesting with this energetic and great companion dog – it almost never barks. Golden Retriever represents everything we adore about dogs. Eager to please, loves children, sweet, loyal, carefree, easy to train. Can be used as a hunting dog, rescue dog, guide dog and drug sniffing dog.

3. German Shepherd.

For numerous reasons, German Shepherd deserves the third place on the top 10 intelligent dogs list. These dog breed is capable of doing every dog’s job there is. You name it! Their loyalty, intelligence and fierce nature make them perfect work dogs.

2. Standard Poodle.

Many people are not Poodle fans, but they have to agree that this breed deserves runner-up position. Thanks to good looks and intelligence this French breed became very popular all over the world.

1. Without any doubt Border Collie is the most intelligent breed on the planet.

In fact, on nearly every ranking of dog intelligence, Border Collie comes out on top. If you give this workaholic a job and purpose, you’ll make it happy. Collies literally live to work. They come mostly in black and white color.

Dogs Lifespan Vs Human Lifespan – A Comparison

October 10, 2012/0 Comments/in Dog Facts /by Tristan G

Dogs Lifespan Vs Human Lifespan – A Comparison

Relationship between a dog and a man is probably the closest in the pet’s world. There are hundreds of situations which confirm this theory. No man can love his golden fish, miniature turtle or parrot as much as a dog. Unfortunately, our pet’s life is shorter than ours and the hardest part of the relationship is dealing with the dog’s death.

There is an old calculation which says that one dog year is equal to seven years of human life. This ratio isn’t quite accurate. For example, two months old puppy is indeed developed like a 14 months old human baby but ratio decreases as the dog ages. So, a one year old dog has aged about as much as a 15 years old human. Still, a 14 years old dog matches an 82 years old man, which corresponds to a ratio of only about 5.8.

Several factors can contribute to the dog’s lifespan. Depending on the breed structure, health and genetics, some dogs can live longer than others. It is interesting that smaller dog breeds live approximately 1.5 times longer than the bigger ones. It’s much easier to Chihuahua’s heart to pump the blood than the heart of a Great Dane. If we make comparison between genders, we will notice similarity to humans. Female dogs are expected to live a year or two longer than males, just like people.

The key to longer and healthier life of your dog is quality nutrition. Top quality dog food will extend dog’s life, especially if combined with neutering or spaying. These methods can reduce the risk for cancer of the reproductive organs. Mental and physical exercise on daily basis can affect your dog’s life span in a good way. Be sure to take special care of your dog’s teeth and gums. According to some veterinarians it can extend your dog’s life up to 4 years. Very good idea is to get your dog vaccinated. Just as it is with humans, many stressful situations can affect dog’s health.

Average life span of dogs is between 13 and 14 and for humans it’s about 67.2 years. Due to better medical care and food, dogs and human life span has increased dramatically over the past 100 years. People of Japan live the longest with average life span of 82.7 years, while in Mozambique it is only 39.2, which is 40% below world average.

It’s all about the evolution – it dictates how long both humans and dogs will live. Both species have changed and developed over millions of years, with the big difference that humans have slower metabolism and for that reason live longer than dogs. In the coming future it will be possible to extend both life spans. I’m looking forward to see 1.000 year old man with 200 year old dog on the porch in front of their future house.

Average Life Span of Top 10 Breeds

· Labrador Retriever (12.5 years)

· German Shepherd Dog (11 years)

· Golden Retriever (12 years)

· Boxer (10.5 years)

· Bulldog (7 years)

· Poodle (12 years Standard) (15 years Miniature)

· Chihuahua (13.5)

· Rottweiler (10 years)

· Doberman Pinscher (10 years)

· Cocker Spaniel (12 years).

Our Top 10 Tips on How to Train Your Dog

September 23, 2012/0 Comments/in Dog Training, Dogs /by Tristan G

Except the cat people, everyone will agree to the fact that dog is man’s best friend. Wonder if the dogs think the same? Many proud owners of the dogs just don’t treat their pets the way they should. Here are ten training tips that will help you discipline your dog and resolve everyday problems. Arm yourself with a lot of patience and don’t expect instant “dog whisperer” miracles. Learning how to communicate with your dog will help build better and stronger relationship with your pet. And if you are a single guy, your dog can help you get some girls.

All successful training techniques are based on three basic principles: consistence, patience, and persistence. Those three are the most important rules you should always have in mind.
Dogs inherited many instincts from their ancestors – wolves, so it’s in their nature to be in a pack, meaning that you have to be an Alpha Dog. Let your dog lick the back of your hand and acknowledge you as a pack leader. Your dog needs to know its place and role. You, as a pack leader, are responsible for stability, harmony, and providing food.
Crucial things in training sessions are praise and reward. It would be foolish trying to explain your dog the rights and wrongs of the process. Dog must associate command with action it performs. Praise and reward must come immediately upon completing the desired action. Timing is very important.
Training sessions shouldn’t be long, so that the dog isn’t bored. Things that you’re trying to teach your dog should be repeated session after session on a daily basis. Sometimes change the routine so that your dog doesn’t learn to follow the routine instead of commands.
Socializing and exposing your dog to many new situations is an important element of training. Dog should learn how to interact with strangers as soon as possible. It will be much easier if you start this process when the puppy is young.
Punishment should never include physical abuse. Dog should respect you, not fear you. The effective punishment is that you completely ignore the dog by turning your back and pay no attention.
Always finish training on a positive note. Never finish with a failure. Dog should remember all the fun from the session so it could happily do the repetition the next day.
Be sure to correct all dog’s mistakes during the training, later is too late. Correct the bad behavior from the start even if it’s cute.
Improve your Alpha Dog status by teaching your dog to come when called. Use positive reinforcement when behaving well. Teach your dog to come when it’s busy doing something else. Practice makes perfect, right?
Finally we get to the freedom. Don’t let your dog roam around the house too. That could lead to many mischiefs like chewing on furniture. Shut the doors and use crates to minimize dog’s area. At the end of the day let your dog sleep in the same room as you but, of course, not in your bed.

Short, Fun & Interesting Dog Facts

July 3, 2012/0 Comments/in Dog Facts, Dogs /by Tristan G

Here are a few fun & interesting facts about dogs. A quick read but worth it!

Did you know that approximately 21% of dogs apparently snore.
A dog’s nose print is as unique as a human’s finger print and can be used to accurately identify them.
The world’s smartest dogs are thought to be the Poodle, the Border Collie and the Golden Retriever.
Dogs with little human contact in their first three months typically don’t make good pets.
Dogs have twice as many ear muscles as people.
A dog’s smell is more than 100,000 times stronger than that of a humans.
If you love dogs, but dislike the sound of barking, a possible solution is a Basenji dog. This dog is a breed of dog that does not bark, but instead makes a yodel-like sound.
More than half of us say we share characteristics with our dogs.
George Washington had thirty six dogs – all foxhounds.
A frightened dog will put its tail between his legs because it cuts off the sent glands in its anal region which a very vulnerable part of the anatomy. Since the anal glands carry personal scents that identify the individual dogs, the tail between the legs action is the dog’s equivalent of insecure humans hiding their faces.
People have been keeping dogs as pets for the past 12,000 years.
Dogs are pack animals by nature. They need closeness, touching, and petting to be content and happy.
Dogs cannot see as well as humans and are considered color blind. A dog sees objects first by their movement, second by their brightness, and third by their shape.
A dog’s heart beats between 70 and 120 times a minute, compared with a human heart which beats 70 to 80 times a minute.

3 Basic Tips to Help Train Your Dog

June 19, 2012/3 Comments/in Dog Training, Dogs /by Tristan G

Here are three common tips that can help you train your dog.

1. Be Patient & Start Young

It takes a lot of time to change a Dogs behaviour so don’t expect him to roll over in a day! The trick is to be patient and you will slowly win the battle. Why can it take so long to change a dogs behaviour? Well ask yourself the following two questions:
Has your dog been behaving a certain way for a long length of time?
What type of behaviours are you trying to change, are they built into what it means to be a dog? Like digging, barking & jumping?

So what do we mean by these questions? Well, consider that your dog has been barking at people that walk by the house for the last 6 years and you now no longer what them to do it. It is going to take them a lot longer to change their behaviour because they have been doing it for so long, whereas if you trained your dog as a puppy it would have been much easier. Remember it’s never too late to change your dogs behaviour just some will just take longer than others.

2. Keep the Training Consistent

Whenever you’re training your dog, it’s important to get as many family members involved as possible so everyone’s on the same page. If you are telling your dog “off” when he jumps on the couch and someone else is saying “down,” while someone else is letting him hang out up there, how on earth is he ever going to learn what you want? Consistency will be the key to your success.

3. Listen to Your Dog

Learn to listen to your dog. If your dog appears to be uncomfortable meeting another dog, animal or person, don’t insist that he say hello. He’s telling you that he isn’t comfortable for a reason, and you should respect that. Forcing the issue can often result in bigger problems down the line.