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People often ask about dog food. There are so many dog food companies how does one pick a good dog food that has premium quality dog food?
Well the truth really is, that the closer to nature the dog food is, the better is really is. Quality dog food is not cheap dog food, but it is worth the money in the longevity of your dog!
Many commercial dog foods contain horrid ingredients that are used as fillers only and based upon grains. What I mean by that is the dog food fills the dogs tummy when hungry but does not contain much if any truly good nutrients for a dog. Most pet foods contain a long list of additives, preservatives and grain products.
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With my husband owning a kennel, we have tried many different types of dog foods. From holistic dog food, to the barf diet, and even home cooked meals.
We really are fans of Solid Gold dog food and the BARF DIET. All natural dog food has many benefits for dogs.
The BARF DIET – The BARF DIET™ does not contain grain products. The BARF DIET looks only to the freshest whole raw food sources rich in vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids derived mostly from human edible ingredients. This is an excellent raw food for dogs! Many people are not comfortable feeding a raw diet.
SOLID GOLD – For those who want an all natural dog food we recommends a dog food called Solid Gold. Solid Gold pet foods are a pioneer of natural, holistic animal nutrition. Their dog foods are low allergen products, which work together to enhance health, boost up the immune system, and protect against disease.
Solid Gold dog foods do not contain wheat, corn, or soy, which are often genetically modified and common allergens for dogs.
If your dog suffers from skin disorders or chew incessantly at their feet allot, it may be due to a dog food allergy. If so, Solid Gold Can help!
You can view the Solid Gold website at http://www.solidgoldhealth.com and can view Solid Gold dog food testimonials here.
If you are interested in learning more about the BARF dog diet you can check out their website at http://www.barfworld.com and can view BARF diet dog food testimonial here.
If you are curious to know why we do not recommend most commercial dog foods, you can view this dog food book. The book gives a real inside look at what is really in many dog foods!
The truth is, many dog food companies care less about dogs and only how they can make money! The dog food book reveals some shocking details as to what commercial dog foods really contain!
Photo source:dogfoodcouponsfree.blogspot.com
There are several places now that are allowing pet owners to bring their pets. More and more cities are showing an interest in allowing people traveling with dogs. We often hate to leave on vacation without a member of our family and we all know that despite the fact that they are dogs they are a part of the family.
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Seeing their sad faces as we leave the house is very discouraging and it is nice to see many places opening up to having pets in their buildings. Making sure we keep it that way is also important so here are a few things to keep in mind when traveling with dogs.
1. Make sure you dog is well trained and listens to your commands: The worst thing to have happen is to have a dog on vacation and be asked to leave because they are not obeying you.
2. Make sure your dog is used to travel: Just because you are ready to travel doesn’t mean they are. If you are not sure take them out in a moving vehicle to see how they react. If they are not comfortable plan to take them on short trips for as often as necessary before you go on the big trip. This will give your pet time to prepare. They can get scared just like you!
3. Make sure you have the proper tools to remove droppings while away: if you use a scoop and doggie bags ensure that you have them on hand while traveling and that you have enough. Also make sure that there are places to stop on the trip to allow them to use the bathroom.
4. Bring things your pet enjoys can help keep them calm while traveling: Making sure that you’re pet has his favorite bone or toy may help calm them on the journey. If you are traveling long distances your pet can get anxious and may need some distraction.
5. Trying to stop often so they can stretch their legs: if you have to travel far you might think about stopping for a few hours to help them stretch their legs and get out of the vehicle a bit. A good 30 minutes to an hour of exercise can do them well on a long journey.
Useful Things To Have When Traveling With Dogs
Oasis Travel Canteen
Pet Voyage Travel Bowl
Oversized Pet Car Seat
Photo source: dogs.lovetoknow.com
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A 5 year old pitbull mix named Maya has been honored by the Animal Miracle Foundation. Maya has been named the foundation’s Hero Dog of 2008!
Without the help of this amazing pitbull mix, her owners attacker may have never been caught! A drop of blood above Maya’s right eye was later tested for DNA by investigators, which led to the arrest of Anthony Easley. His preliminary hearing is pending.
The Animal Miracles Foundation which honored Maya is a non-profit that aims to improve public awareness about pet and wildlife issues.
In addition to saving her owner from a violent attack, Maya “is a testament to the fact that the pit bull dog breed can be hero dogs just like any other breed,” Colleen Paige, founder of the group, said in a statement.
Mayas owner, Angela Marcelino, adopted Maya from Humane Society Silicon Valley when the dog was 3 months old. She’s proud Maya is being honored but was not surprised when the dog tried to protect her early on the morning of June 17.
This goes to show you pitbulls are good dogs just like any other dog breed. Without the help of this pitbull, Ms. Marcelino could have been assaulted by her attacker.
Way to go Maya! Dog’s like you rock!
While many of us look at our dogs as cute and cuddly companions it is also true that we can also create a monster without even realizing it. Aggression in dogs is on the rise and the truth is there are a reported million dog bits reported every year. The very same cute and cuddly companions we know so well are also the very things we fear when we are victims of these aggressive dog behaviors.
Now I know that many of you are wondering how such a cute and innocent animal can cause such devastation and we ask ourselves the very same things when a murderer is caught, or a robbery is committed. One of the most important things we as humans fail to truly understand is dogs are not property. They are a part of the family and should be handled with care.
Here are a few stages in the puppies life that are vital to their development just as our children have stages that they need special care so do our pets:
8-14 weeks- This is a critical time in the puppy’s life. It needs human contact and gentle care. Constant interaction with people to be socially stable will be important later in their development.
6-14 months- This is another critical time in the puppies life when they must be introduced to visitors of the home (i.e. adults, children, and other dogs) at this stage the puppies are becoming more protective of the home and more territorial. It is important that you keep them social with other dogs and people.
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Dog aggression can happen for several reasons. The most common is lack of socialization. However too much socialization or spoiling the dog can cause them to act out when they do not get their way. To keep the dog in its place the adults must show dominance over the dog or puppy at all times. Slacking up once or twice may give them the opening or signal they need to move forward. Dogs are pack thinkers by nature and when they are part of your family they see you as part of their pack. If you do not establish dominance early they can “takeover” the family by going after the most submissive family member including the children. Aggressive dog behavior should never be tolerated!
Some dogs are more aggressive by nature so matching them up with people who have the wrong intentions or desire for the dogs can increase their aggression drastically. Many breeds like: Doberman dogs and Rottweiler’s tend to be more aggressive then a Labrador or Golden Retriever by nature and how we raise them can increase their aggression as well.
Where a dog is raised, the environment or conditions can also play a part in their aggression.
For instance if a dog is raised in a “Puppy Mill” it is much more likely to be aggressive if not sold before the age of 8 or 9 weeks because they usually lacks the proper socialization required to interact with other dogs or people
If you think your dog is becoming aggressive, there is an excellent dog training book many people find helpful written by a professional dog trainer. You can also consult a dog obedience trainer. A professional can ensure your safety as well as the dogs in cases like this to help you re-establish your dominance in the home.
A good first start may be taking a look at the dog training book to help stop aggression in dogs. Professional dog trainers can stop aggressive dog behavior but they are not cheap and you may find the advise given in the dog training book to help a great deal with raining an aggressive dog.
Photo source:canineangel.wordpress.com
The Doberman is a breed of its own. The breed was created by Louis Doberman who was looking for a great watch dog to protect him in his rounds of the bad areas where he lived. The Doberman was noted in 1908 by the American Kennel Club and soon became the second most popular breed in the United States.
The average life expectancy of the Doberman is fourteen years. Though the dog is moody it is expected to be one of the loyalist and most protective breeds. The Doberman has short hair and is generally black and tan in color.
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We all understand that you want to protect your pets from common diseases and illness so here are a few health issues related to Dobermans:
Common conditions in the Doberman breeds:
The Doberman is a good pet for families if it is raised from a puppy around kids and adults. The Doberman however lives best around adults. It has a mildly moody temperament but is a great protector of your home.
Every Doberman I have ever met has been fairly laid back and not hyper. I know know homes to own them that had children as well as homes with adults only.
The Doberman is a truly enjoyable dog to have as a pet. There has been fewer reports of Doberman attacks then other small breeds.
Photo source:maniadedog.blogspot.com
Many of us worry constantly about the welfare of our dogs. We want to ensure that they get all the benefits they can out of the dog foods they eat. So many re-calls in the last 5 years have made it difficult to determine which dog foods are best for our dogs.
While we don’t know when or if the particular brand we use will be subject to recall we must simply hope that we check it out thoroughly before giving it to our pets. Researching the signs and symptoms of problems that may arise in our pets when eating tainted foods is a good start and you can also check for various recalls periodically without the year.
Keeping a keen eye on your animals can help you detect problems early. Paying attention to various differences in behaviors like: social interactions sleep patterns, or eating habits can help you see trouble before it gets to your door.
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Other brands like: Natural Life, Nutri-Plan, Paws, and Springfield Prize. If you wish to obtain additional information or are looking for more on the list you can access it at: www.menufoods.com/recallproduct_dog.html
As of December there have been additional recalls for the dog food company which makes Diamond, country Value and Professional. Look for dates ranging from 3/1/07-6/1/2007.
Looking for periodic updates on recalls are wise, keeping an eye on your dogs will help you get the help you need early so the damage is limited. Know your dog and their behaviors and stay healthy.
Photo source:dogfoodcouponsfree.blogspot.com
The stories of animals that are stolen always seem to get to me because rarely they stolen animal returns home to his or her owner. It is a heartbreaking experience when your beloved pet is lost or stolen.
In BURLINGTON COUNTY, N.J., a woman parked her SUV with her 7-month-old Pekingese-Chihuahua mix, “Princess,” inside as she ran in to a mini-mart. When the woman came out her SUV and dog Princess were gone.
The surveillance camera at the store caught a man getting into her car and driving off. Police found her Jeep in Camden, but her dog was still missing. But someone apparently found her, shivering and crying, on Friday and turned her over to the animal shelter.
The Almost Home animal shelter said someone turned the dog over to them Friday. The news did not report how the shelter knew who the dog belonged to, but thank goodness they did!
Little Princess was one of the lucky dogs who made it back home!
I am sure the car thief had no idea he was stealing not only a car, but a car and a dog! No arrests have been made in the car theft as of Jan. 20, 08.
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One of the most exciting things in life is picking out the family puppy. Then seeing the reaction of the children or other family members. That image is simply priceless and then comes the hard part …the dogs name, what will we name the puppy? So how do we find a name that we can live with for the life of the puppy and beyond?
Finding the perfect name for our puppies take time and many people spend weeks looking before deciding on the right name.
1. Match the name with the puppy’s personality: Just like us puppies have their own personality. One dog might be a little more up beat then the other, or lazy, or clumsy. Many times it makes for a perfect name. For instance if the puppy is full of energy or gives you a smile whenever you see them-Sparky…might be a good name. Or if the puppy’s very bright you may want to call them-sunshine. If you puppy gets into a lot of things around the house you might name the puppy…Havoc.
2. Another method is matching the puppy’s physical appearance with the name: You might think to match the puppy’s name with how they look like: if the puppy has spots you would call him…spot. Or if the puppy was white he/she might be called snowball.
3. Many decide to name their puppies after other pets in the past: Or after people that remind them of that person. Choosing names of people who are important to them or pets that had meaning in their lives.
In all honesty the ultimate name is up to you or the family. The name you chose will live with you and your dog for many years to come so be sure you are comfortable with it. After all you can’t keep changing it because even though their pets they have personalities and feelings all there own.
Leave us a comment! If you already have a dog, how did you pick the name?
Do you ever get tired of going outside every hour with your dog? We live on 15 acres, with our entire back-yard fenced in. Many days our dogs just want to run in and out of the house like kids. It seems like when I sit down, the next dog is ready to go out. I knew there had to be a way to make it easier for my dog to get in and out of our home.
Installing a dog door is one way to allow free access to outdoors, but what about the critters that can also get in and out of that doggy door? We live in the middle of the boon-docks, and all kinds of creatures and reptiles seem to make their ways into our homes!
The Staywell Infra-Red Dog Door
The manual locking system comes with 4 ways to lock it:
Now, they are kinda pricey. They range from $150-$300 depending on the manufacture of the infrared door.So why should you purchase this nifty doggy device? Simple…the infra-red dog door is set-up to only open with the key so you are ensured that no surprises will be in your home. Protecting your home is a important part of life and the infrared dog door will keep all unwanted menaces out of your home and allow your dog free access to outdoors.
This dog door can fit in windows, walls, or doors and gives you more control over your dog’s movements allowing you to install them though out the house. If company is coming you can put up and deny them access while you visit or simply let them in and out to use the restroom. This device truly will help you and your dog; giving them more freedom and you more space.
Check out the Staywell Infra-Red Dog Door
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The Chihuahua has been seen across the TV screen in many countries world wide. The great exposure of the Chihuahua is mainly attributed to taco bell and the character “Tito” on Oliver and company. The loving and irresistible cuteness that is this dog holds true in commercials, movies, with it’s toy breed appearance.
The Chihuahua is the smallest breed in the world and as very distinct characteristics. The large ears and apple shaped heads are just a few of the prominent characteristics of the Chihuahua.
The Chihuahua grows to become 3-6lbs. and approximately 30-38cm with a life span of 11-18 years. Chihuahua’s are available short haired and long haired and in a variety of colors.
The (toy) tea cup Chihuahua seems to be my favorite! Their tiny little bodies are just perfect for small homes and for dog owners who like to spoil their dogs and take them every where! They are generally much smaller than regular sized Chi’s.
The Chihuahua in general will bite when threatened or scared and some may not be great to raise around children. Some Chihuahuas may be friendly around children, however many experts will say they are not the best breed for a family with small children.
They often shiver due to a high metabolism but they also shiver when they are excited or frightened.
Chihuahua’s can be picky about the types of foods they eat and can refuse to eat if not the proper foods. Paying attention to their eating habits might be helpful.
Hypoglycemia: Which is the low blood sugar symptoms may be- loss of appetite, fatigue or change in personality {commonly lack of socializing}
Seizure disorders: Partial seizures or grand mal seizures
Epilepsy: Common Seizure disorder that causes the sufferer to endure several seizures daily or weekly.
Moleras: known as a hole in the head of the Chihuahua. These holes frequently heal after up to 6 months. Care is needed to ensure that they do not damage their head before it heals.
Mimi: Sharon Osborn’s Chihuahua
Mojo: Chihuahua on the Transformers movie
Tito: Oliver and company
Madonna: Chihuahua named Chiquita
Paris Hilton: Chihuahua named Tinkerbell
Paula Abdul: Chihuahuas named Tumbellina and Tulip
Hilary Duff: Chihuahua named Lola
Out of the celebrity Chihuahua’s the Taco Bell Chihuahua is the most well known. This cute Chihuahua has been seen all over the TV screen for the last 2-3 years and counting. Most Chihuahua’s are recognized by their large ears and bubble eyes. They were first registered with the American Kennel club in 1905 but discovered about 55 years before that.
If you are looking for a nice house animal or a lap dog the Chihuahua is a great choice. These breeds though little are mighty and protect you will loads of heart.
Do you ever get tired of going outside every hour with your dog? We live on 15 acres, with our entire back-yard fenced in. Many days our dogs just want to run in and out of the house like kids. It seems like when I sit down, the next dog is ready to go out. I knew there had to be a way to make it easier for my dog to get in and out of our home.
Installing a dog door is one way to allow free access to outdoors, but what about the critters that can also get in and out of that doggy door? We live in the middle of the boon-docks, and all kinds of creatures and reptiles seem to make their ways into our homes!
The Staywell Infra-Red Dog Door
The manual locking system comes with 4 ways to lock it:
Now, they are kinda pricey. They range from $150-$300 depending on the manufacture of the infrared door.So why should you purchase this nifty doggy device? Simple…the infra-red dog door is set-up to only open with the key so you are ensured that no surprises will be in your home. Protecting your home is a important part of life and the infrared dog door will keep all unwanted menaces out of your home and allow your dog free access to outdoors.
This dog door can fit in windows, walls, or doors and gives you more control over your dog’s movements allowing you to install them though out the house. If company is coming you can put up and deny them access while you visit or simply let them in and out to use the restroom. This device truly will help you and your dog; giving them more freedom and you more space.
Check out the Staywell Infra-Red Dog Door
