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Intelligent Dog Breeds

What Are the Top 10 Most Intelligent Dog Breeds?

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.

Dog breed intelligence is typically ranked based on obedience (how consistently they obey commands) and their working intelligence (how quickly they learn commands). This ranking is widely attributed to canine psychologist Dr. Stanley Coren, who compiled it based on surveys of obedience trial judges.

Here are the 10 most intelligent dog breeds.

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4 Family Friendly Dog Breeds You Can’t Wait To Introduce To Your Kids

family friendly dogsSo you have decided to look for a new family member. You can picture it clearly in your head, the grand reveal, the kids squealing with delight, the look of surprise from your partner!

However when it comes to choosing that perfect new family member, then there are a few things that are worth taking into consideration.

How old your kids are (if you have them), living space size (backyard, apartment vs house), and your lifestyle are just a few of the questions that are worth asking  yourself when looking for a family friendly dog breed.

Your new family member will have a huge impact on your family. What will your dogs role be? Are you just looking for a playmate, a guard dog, small, large – there is lots to consider. The following breeds of dogs all have some great pluses when looking for a family friendly dog. Read more

Dog shaking hands black and white

13 Tips on How to Train Your Dog

how to train a dogExcept for maybe cat lovers, we can all agree that dogs are a man’s best friend. However without proper training a dog can cause absolute havoc and be more work than fun.

When approaching dog training it is important to arm yourself with a lot of patience and to not expect instant “dog whisperer” miracles. Learning how to communicate with your dog will help build a better and stronger relationship.

Here are thirteen dog training tips that will help you create a fun and obedient best friend. Read more

Chewing couch

Best Affordable Dog Toys For Strong Chewers

Whether your dog is a pit bull puppy that simply must have massive toys due to his size or a sweet little sheltie that shreds toys in five seconds flat and looks as befuddled as you do when they fall apart, you’re clearly dealing with a strong chewer.

It doesn’t matter what size a dog is when it dawns on you that the ordinary cheap or cuddly toys just won’t do the trick. Of course, it helps if your dog doesn’t passionately hate squeakers to the point she tears up any toy with that feature just to get rid of them.

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Afghan Hound sitting down

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

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.

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Cat with an Evil Look

Is There a Small Part of Your Pet That is a Jerk?

Take a quick glance over at little Fido sitting by the fire or Trapper jumping around playing outside. Could he perhaps be….just a little bit….surely not.

Well judging by the following Video there is definitely a chance that your pet is a Jerk – at least a small tiny part that is hidden deep inside. Ok, yes I realise this is not a popular view, we all love our pets deeply and would do anything for them. At the very least lets take a look at some of the just what could be lucking inside.

This video is one of the funniest I have seen for a long time (maybe that says something about me), I especially laughed out loud at the guy doing sit ups. Check it out after the break.

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Some Helpful Tips for Untrainable Dog Syndrome

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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Are You Making These 10 Dog Training Mistakes?

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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The Current Must Have Dog Accessories

What Are The Current “Must Have” Dog Accessories?

There’s no doubt that we all love our pups and every dog owner is pretty proud of his four legged pet. But, is there a way to make a cute doge cuter? The answer is definitely positive. Things that can make your bowwow even more adorable are dog accessories. There are plenty of cool accessories that can upscale your dog’s style. Keep in mind that accouterments can make your dog look cuter, but don’t exaggerate with them so you wouldn’t end up with a dog looking like a Christmas tree. Every loving pet dog deserves a gift from time to time, besides the basics such as food, water and shelter. Great gift for your puppy can be some of the following accessories.
dog accessoriesDog collar is a basic and essential accessory and they are designed according to the type of dog. But collars can be very trendy. They can be made from various materials such as leather, metal, plastic or even nylon. Important thing to mention is that many of new trendy dog collars are washable. At the market you can find unique dog collars which can bring out the personality of your pooch.

Dog clothes can be really beautiful and, at the same time, extremely practical. A wide variety of dog clothes are available in every better pet shop. A wide range of dog clothes goes from various costumes to lovely sweaters which come in handy during the long and freezing winters. Don’t expose your dog, especially if he has light layer of fur, to low temperatures and watch him shiver, get him a nice coat or sweater. Jackets for dogs with a waterproof outer layer can be ideal solution for long walks on rainy days. High quality dog clothes have maximum durability and allow your pet to move around easily. If you are a fashion freak, you can improve an already cute look of your dog with little socks.

Our furry friends simply love soft and cozy dog beds. Top notch dog beds have exclusive design, provide ultimate luxury and they are comfy-chic. Dog bed is a perfect place where he can relax by himself. If you have decided to buy a bed for your pup, you should also consider buying him a blanket. This fabulous accessory isn’t only for your dog, both you and your pet can enjoy warmness of the blanket and stay snuggled up under it.

Dog toys are perfect choice to keep your pet occupied and out of mischief. Best toys for dogs are those that constantly keep his mind stimulated. Brainy puzzles and other interactive dog toys are made to entertain and challenge your pet. Some of the best interactive dog toys are so interesting that many pet owners play with them. Old wise saying “A bored dog is a destructive dog” is telling us to keep our dogs busy as long as possible and that way prevent numerous behavioral problems.

Correct Way to Groom Your Dogs Coat

What is the Correct Way to Groom Your Dogs Coat?

If you don’t want to spend money on professional grooming, it’s good to learn how to do it properly at home. Although it may seem easy, grooming your dog takes time and nerves. Best way to keep your dog neat is to bathe him, clean his ears, trim his nails, brush his teeth and groom his coat on a regular basis. Many dog breeds are not thrilled when it comes to bathing. But who wants a dirty and stinky dog?
Correct Way to Groom Your Dogs CoatThe similar thing is with grooming his fur. If you own a dog with a long coat, it’s necessary to give him a haircut during hot summer days. Haircut will bring a feeling of comfort – something every dog is longing for. On the other hand, if your dog has very short hair, the scissors and other haircut tools are not a must. Remember, you don’t groom your dog just to improve his looks. By doing this, you’ll make his coat shiny which means you’ll spend less time cleaning and vacuuming the house.

For the start, you have to know which tools to use. You’ll probably need a dog brush, comb, dog grooming scissors, thinning shears, electric trimming shears, dog tweezers, and dog toenail clippers. Pick a quiet spot in your house and make sure you have all the tools to get started. The first step is brushing your dog. Brush down the neck toward his belly and tail. Be very thorough. If your dog is calm and stands still during the brushing, reward him for his good behavior.

Once you have finished brushing your dog’s coat, it is time for trimming. Be sure to remove the hair mats from your dog’s fur since they can cause problems during bathing. It is interesting that preparing your dog for bathing takes more time than the bathing itself.
The health of your dog’s ears is a vital part of his overall wellbeing. So, clean the dog’s outer ears with a cotton ball soaked into a pet ear cleaner. By removing the dirt and earwax from your dog’s ears, you are minimizing the chances for an infection.

Proper dental care will protect your dog’s teeth from decay, malocclusion and gum disease. Prevention is the key to health, so brush your dog’s teeth to keep them strong and clean. They should be brushed at least two or three times a week with a toothbrush and canine toothpaste. It’s a good idea to start taking care of oral hygiene in your pet from his puppyhood, so that he can get used to the procedure.

Avoid enormous claws by clipping your dog’s nails with a nail clipper or grinder. Don’t use human shampoo on your pet because it can cause skin irritation and hair loss. There are special dog shampoos on the market, adapted to suit your pet’s skin. Don’t forget to wash out and dry your long haired baby the best you can. With a proper care and grooming, your dog will stay healthy and clean for a long time.