Border Collie Herding Sheep

The Workaholic of the Dog World – Is the Border Collie Right for You?

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So you are thinking of getting a Border Collie. The answer can probably be summed up in one question.

Do you have an endless well of energy?

The Border Collie is definitely a great match for someone who is willing to be as active as they are. Are you interested in putting in the training and willing to get involved in activities including tracking, dog sports, obedience training, flying disc and others that involve agility and co-ordination.

Then the Border Collie might be for you! Read on after the break.

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Friday Fun

Friday Fun – Funny Dog Video of the Week

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Its Friday again – doesn’t the week seem to fly on by. Today here are three funny dog videos from the last week that brought a smile to our face.

Hit the break to see the videos.

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Afghan Hound sitting down

Three large dog breeds for those who are after a ‘Real Dog’

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If you love large dogs then today’s post is for you. We are going to have a look at three popular large dog breeds and why you should choose them for your new pet!

1. Afghan Hound

Afghan Hound

Afghan Hound

One of the oldest dogs in existence the Afghan Hound is a combination of power and elegance. This regal breed sets some real style and is dubbed the “Aristocrats” of the noble dog world.

It is distinguished by its thick, fine, silky coat and its tail with a ring curl at the end.

This regal look comes with a regal behaviour though. They are independent thinkers who don’t particularly care about pleasing you, they may display passive resistance by bracing their legs and refusing to move. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.

Is the Afghan Hound Right For You?

Afghan Hounds need access to a large fenced area — fenced because these independent dogs have been known to take off and not come back. If there is a dog club in your area, get your Afghan Hound involved in lure coursing (chasing a mechanised lure around a track or across an open field). This is an appropriate outlet for the full-speed galloping behaviours that are “hardwired” into his genes.

See our full Afghan Hound Guide

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Christmas Pugs

Love Pugs? Love Christmas? Check out these Christmas Pugs!

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Its that time of year again! As we roll ever closer to Christmas its time again to get our pets involved with this age old tradition.

To start off the countdown today we bring you Christmas Pugs.

Love pugs & christmas then you will love this clip. Hate christmas but love pugs? Still worth checking out! Love christmas but hate pugs take a peak anyway. Not a fan of either….well we tried 😛 Read more

Some Helpful Tips for Untrainable Dog Syndrome

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Dogs whose behaviour cause trouble to their owner, environment, as well as the dog, endanger health and safety have the so called “untrainable dog syndrome”. It is important to note that there is a difference between teaching the dog certain behaviour and solving problematic manners.

Troubling behaviour may occur as a result of the emotional state of the dog, high stress levels, unfavourable effect of the environment where the dog resides, training the dog with the use of force, pain or any other health disorder. Untrainable dog syndrome requires full attention and individual approach of the both dog owner and the dog.

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What To Look For When Choosing A Dog School

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Dealing with problematic dog behavior is a team work in which the owner and the dog behavior consultants participate, and, if necessary, so do veterinarians and other therapists. The ultimate success, visible as a change in the dog’s behavior, is only possible with the maximum commitment and effort which is the reason why it is crucial to know what to look for when choosing a dog school.

The suitability of the person who is giving the professional help is the first of many steps on the road to a better and happier coexistence with your dog.

What to look for when choosing Dog School

It is important to stress out that there is a difference between teaching a dog certain commands, such as heal and fetch, and solving problematic behaviors like aggression, destruction, urinating inside and barking too much. Accordingly there is a difference in the level of qualifications and knowledge among persons conducting obedience classes (course leaders, instructors) and those engaged in counseling when dealing with problematic dog behavior (dog behavior consultants).

With this in mind, when looking for a dog schools and someone who will help you with your dog, look for a person who has completed their educations in the field of animal behavior and works using only positive methods and new concepts. A positive and all-inclusive approach based on scientific findings is far more effective than the traditional ones based on wrong assumptions about dog behavior, such as dominance, alpha status, and the use of violent and rough techniques which will only result in bigger problems and the destruction of the dog-owner bond.

Make sure they treat dogs with love and respect – even though this should be a main condition for this type of job that’s not always the case. A person who doesn’t show empathy for dogs, their needs and feelings but considers them to be mindless beings who only act upon their urges is in fact a person who has very little knowledge about dogs and therefore can’t give your dog the help he needs.

One of the most important things you should pay attention to when picking a school for your dog is whether they use devices which cause dogs discomfort and pain. If that is the case stay away from them! No matter the “weight” of the problem, there isn’t a single reason or excuse for hurting a dog. Devices such as chokers, spiked training collars and dog shock collars in anyone’s hands leave adverse effects on the dog’s health (spine, thyroid, heart) as well as the dog’s behavior.

Don’t go to a school which doesn’t even want to meet you or your dog. Just like a veterinarian can’t know what your dog’s sickness is without examining him first, a dog trainer shouldn’t draw conclusions about the dog’s behavior without previously seeing the dog, meeting the family he lives with and gathering enough information to see if the dog needs a dog school or just obedience classes.

In conclusion you should look for a dog school whose only object is to find the cause of the problematic behavior; the reason why the dog acts the way he acts in certain conditions and situations.

Preparing Your Dog for Your Newborn Baby

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Many people stress about what they should do with their dog when the baby comes – should they give the dog away or it’s going to be safe for the baby? It can all turn well if you prepare your dog for the new situation, so here are some things you should keep in mind when preparing your dog for the newborn baby.

Your dog will sense the excitement about the arrival of the new family member, but it’s not a bad idea to introduce him with the newcomer as well.

When he’s in the good mood give your dog something that belongs to the baby, such as shirt or a cap. Praise him while he smells baby’s things so he can develop positive and good feelings toward the baby.

When the baby is first brought home one person should hold the baby while the other one holds the dog on a short leash. If he behaves well let him smell the baby, if you however feel any form of aggression from the dog or the baby starts crying cut the introduction and postpone it for a couple of days. The dog should be kept under control but without tension. Later on, when both the baby and the dog relax you won’t need the leash anymore but don’t leave the dog alone with your newborn.

dog and newborn baby

Every time you bring your newborn close to the dog, say his name gently, show him to the baby and interpret his behavior. If baby starts crying due to sudden bark take her to your arms, comfort her and explain that is normal and that’s the way dogs talk.

Before the newborn your dog had all the attention in the family and that will most certainly change, but pets usually behave well and know their place in the family so you shouldn’t worry too much about the dog being jealous. Whether the animal will feel mismatched, neglected and standoffish upon the arrival of the new member is completely up to you and your behavior toward the dog and the baby. If the family habits and customs you shared with your dog don’t change drastically and if you introduce the baby and the dog in the right way – there is nothing to be afraid of.

It might happen that the dog pees on the crib, stroller or a place where the baby spends a lot of time, but this shouldn’t be interpreted as jealousy or bad behavior, this is just a way the dog expresses fear of the baby and masks her scent with his. So don’t scold your dog for doing this but allow him access to the baby’s crib, clothes and blankets. Again, don’t make your dog feel neglected because of the arrival of the new family member.

While preparing your dog for the your newborn baby it is important to mention that, despite of the amount of time you plan to dedicate to the child (which is perfectly normal) you always have to find at least a little bit of time for your pet. Also, avoid any sudden changes of what the dog is used to, such as the feeding time.

Are You Making These 10 Dog Training Mistakes?

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Are you making these 10 dog training mistakes?

Many people say that there is nothing better than having a dog. That is certainly true but do you know what’s even better? Having a trained dog. Many people try to train dogs themselves and that is perfectly fine if you know how to do it and how to avoid making some typical mistakes.

You should always be consistent! Avoid using various words for the same command. It will only confuse your dog and he won’t know what he has to do. For instance if you used “Heel” you can’t expect the dog to listen to you if tell him “Walk by me.”

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Untrainable Dog

Expert Tips for Exercising Dogs On Beaches

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Whether you live on the beach or plan on taking your dog with you on the summer holiday you will surely do some exercise with him. There are some things you have be careful about when exercising a dog on a beach.

Summer is a season for fun and travel, but it can also bring extremely high temperatures which dogs are more sensitive to than people, and this is something you have to watch out for.

dog exercise on beach

Dogs with a long or middle length hair should be brushed regularly because tangled hair accumulates the heat and the dog may become excessively hot. Nurtured hair should help him overcome this.

Whether you’re going for a run on the beach with your dog or just a walk it is necessary to put a sun lotion on the top of his nose as well as the ears about half an hour before you leave the house. However, it is recommended to exercise early in the morning or in the evening when it’s not too hot. Just think how uncomfortable you feel walking barefoot in the sand! It’s exactly the same for dogs. So even though exercise is good, doing it in the middle of the day on the beach can be a health hazard for your pet.

Some dogs are afraid of water and you shouldn’t make them go for a swim if they don’t want to. You can try to get him slowly in, maybe throw some toys in the shallow water first, then gradually go deeper encouraging and praising him all the way through. Although this will take some time and nerves, you can at least be sure that your dog won’t end up traumatized or hurt. If you can’t get him in the water leave the dog to enjoy in the shade because you surely don’t won’t him to succumb to heat stroke.

Exercising is always good but the weather conditions aren’t. We already established that dogs can overheat and get a stroke and here are some things that can tell you if your dog is having one. Dog’s breathing is loud and heavy, he has bulging eyes and dry skin. Another sign is if the dog isn’t responding to his name, also his heart rate is elevated. Finally the dog collapses, loses conscience and if certain precautions aren’t met, he dies. If your dog is showing signs of a stroke stop the exercise immediately and lower his body temperature. Get him to the shade and give him plenty of water, dip his head in the not too cold water, or very gently pour water over his head.

Keep in mind that dogs such as boxers and bulldogs, puppies, older dogs, overweight dogs and those with health issues are more sensitive and they should be particularly looked out for.

Don’t let these few tips scare you and keep from taking your dog to the beach for some exercise. Use them to make your outing fun and more important – safe.

how to bath your dog

The Psychology Study of Successful Dog Bathing

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How to bathe your dog? Sounds very simple but sometimes bathing doesn’t go the way you intended, especially if you’re bathing the dog for the first time. However, some little and practical things can be of great help.

Before bathing, place a blanket or some rag on the floor, you’ll prevent the water and hair getting on the carpet. Have everything you need – two towels, a shampoo and a conditioner – near the tub or shower. When it comes to bathing a puppy for the first time, put some of his toys in the tub, make it a game for him.

If your dog’s hair is all tangled up, it will be even harder to untangle it after the bath, so do it before.
dog bathingSome dogs get really scared when you put them in a tub full of water; they jump, slip, shake and look all together miserable and sad. During the bath you might even get wetter than your dog and you’ll spend most of the time trying to keep the dog in the tub. Instead of immersing the dog into water, it is much easier to give him a shower. The dog will feel safer if he’s standing firmly in the tub and you won’t be as wet. It is much easier to shampoo and rinse with a shower.

Before you start with bathing it is recommended to put a rubber mat in the tub, or at least a towel so that the dog doesn’t slip. Some people prefer drenching their dog in the yard using a hose and a bucket, but this is recommended only if it’s a warm and sunny day.
It is recommended to wash the dog’s head and snout with a sponge or a towel. Beside the fact that this is more comfortable for the dog than having water poured over the snout, you won’t get the inside of the ear too wet.

Ideally, wash the dog with a pet shampoo customized for his hair type. However, if you’re not currently able to obtain such shampoo, use that intended for babies. If your dog has long hair add some conditioner, that will help you comb his fur more easily.

After shampooing, it’s necessary to rinse and then rinse some more. Any shampoo residue will cause itching. Pay special attention not to get the shampoo in your pet’s eyes or snout. When you least expect it, your completely wet dog will shake and spray the entire bathroom, and you won’t be spared. To dry the dog and avoid wet-dog shake, place one corner of the towel over its head and use the other side to wipe him.

After you’ve dried him the best you could, put him on the blanket. Although he will try to get away and wipe himself on something, hold him gently, dry completely with a blow-dryer or towels and enjoy! You pet is gorgeously clean and ready to get dirty again.