Lab Collie Mix

Your Dog's Health
Your Dog’s Health Dog health information is one click away, if you choose to surf the net for the details you need on how to raise a dog. If you take a puppy from a professional breeder for instance, make sure you get all the dog health information necessary for the future: vaccination and de-worming as well as any specific dysfunctions or weaknesses. All dog health information should be included in the contract you sign with the dog breeder, where you also have the pedigree warranty. Many buyers choose to have the dog health information provided by the breeder checked by a vet. Specialized magazines, professional sites, dog rearing guides and so on, all provide very comprehensive dog health information. If every dog owner had at least the basic understanding of what it is good for the dog, neglect would be no longer such an issue. The main dog health care problems are fleas, worms and poisons. If these are not professionally taken care of, other very serious troubles may be expected. Worms and external parasites waste the dog’s body of nutrients and energy; plus dog health care providers insist that neglected dogs are full of toxins because of the parasite overgrowth. It is true that there are plenty of dog health problems that we prevent by regular vaccination, but what can we do about the rest of the afflictions that may take us and our animals unawares? Let’s take for instance vomiting and diarrhea: These are usually very simple since no complications result from such minor dog health problems that are mainly triggered by improper nutrition. If under routine treatment vomiting and diarrhea don’t disappear within twenty-four to forty-eight hours, it could mean there are serious dog health problems at stake and an immediate thorough examination is a must. Should this be the case, such a dog health problem is no longer the subject of home treatment, but a real medical emergency. Another frequent dog health problem is constipation. It can appear as a result of deficient nutrition and inconsistent bowel movement. Don’t leave it untreated! It may lead to self-intoxication, or even worse dog health problems. Eliminate water and meat from the dog’s diet and feed it on meat broth or baby food; a mixture of milk and cereal may also be of help. Return to a normal diet can only be resumed within a few days after normal stool is recovered. In closing, remember a healthy dog is a happy dog, so be sure your pet’s diet is well balanced and includes plenty of vitamins. Some carrots and peas included with their food is really good for them. For more information and some great tips, come on over and visit me to find out how easy you can be the envy of your neighborhood! Jacque Dog Healthcare Information http://doghealthcareinformation.blogspot.com/

You can call me: JJ, Jacque J Johnson, Jacque, but if you want to know me call me at: Dog Healthcare Information http://doghealthcareinformation.blogspot.com/

The most important factor in training your dog.
Is your dog driving you crazy? Or are you getting a pappy and it has to be trained? Read on to understand what considerations to take into account before you start training your dog. It is very rewarding to have a well behaved dog, but please note that successful dog behavior training requires some time and patience. Dogs cannot figure out basic obedience on their own, they must be trained. The first word the puppy should learn is its name. Dogs actually learn the sound of their name and that will be the main recognition for them. Using the puppy’s name alerts it that a command is coming, that it is for him, and that he should pay attention. This will come naturally over time since the family will be calling the pup by its name. Before you start training verbal commands you need to understand your puppy’s personality. Ask yourself if it is timid, aggressive, quiet, sensitive, playful, etc? These traits will affect the type and speed of the training with your dog. Basically, the dog training is about communication between you and your dog what behaviors are correct, desired, or preferred in what circumstances. You must communicate what behaviors will give the dog the most satisfaction to his natural instincts and emotions. Without that inner satisfaction, a dog will not work well. To be successful in training your dog, you must understand the communication that the dog sends to you. The dog can signal that he is unsure, confused, nervous, happy, excited and so on. The emotion state of the dog is an important consideration in directing the training, as he will not learn efficiently. They are 4 important messages that you can send the dog: • Reward • Keep going signal • No reward • Punishment Using consistent signals or words for these messages enables the dog to understand them more quickly. If you say “good� as a reward marker and sometimes as a keep going signal, it is difficult for the dog to know when he has earned a reward. Many dog owners make the mistake of using effusive verbal praise as both the reward marker and a reward, which can confuse the dog and owner. These four massages do not have to be communicated with words, a nonverbal signal are often used. In particular, clickers are normally used for reward marker. Hand signal and body language play an important part in learning for dogs. But the only meaning of these massages will give you the successful result in training your dog if they are taught through repetition and everyone in the family must be on the same page. The other aspect of the communication is positive tone of voice. When giving comments in a calm, firm, authoritative voice is most effective. Dogs do not respond well to hesitate, pleading voice, or yelling, which might sound to the dog like threatening or scolding. It is also important that voice used for comments and the pitch of the voice to be consistent each time giving a comment so the dog can more easily learn what you mean. Communication is the most important task in successful dog training. Other aspects that you should consider in training a dog are: use of various tools, doing tricks, potty training a dog, how to care for a dog, how to praise a dog, etc…

If you would like to learn more about training a dog, visit <a href="http://teresa137.bezoogle.com/pp/dog-training/">Dog Training Reviews</a>

dog training and problems
Why and When do Cocker Spaniels Urinate?
Many Cocker Spaniels have a tendency to urinate (pee) when excited or scared, which can happen to other breeds as well, particularly when they are puppies. Excitement urination happens when infant muscles in puppies cannot hold urine if the puppy gets excited, and it pees. The puppy gets so excited when he sees his owner that he loses control of his bladder. The puppy is not aware of or able to control this and punishment will confuse him and is not fair to him. Often dogs outgrow this problem as they mature and gain control of the muscles that control peeing. Sometimes Cocker Spaniels do not outgrow the problem.

Common situations in which Cocker Spaniels get excited or fearful and urinate are:

Over-affectionate and boisterous greetings when you arrive home
Guests entering your home
Arguments between people
Scolding
Loud noises
Playing indoors
Angry behavior
In order to understand submissive urination, you must understand dominance and submissiveness. Young puppies learn this from their mothers. Averting their eyes, rolling on their backs, and urinating, are all used to express submissiveness. In situations where a dog feels intimidated, their response is to give a submissive signal to show the person or other dog that they recognize their dominance.

The most important thing is to never scold or punish your dog for excitement urination; it makes the situation worse as the puppy will then start to pee out of fear! Excitement or submissive urination is part of this breed’s specific instincts. It is not a “behavior�; it is instinctual. The dog is not doing it to be disobedient or punish you! He is excited, scared, or showing submissiveness to a person or animal he perceives as dominant. Excitement urination that causes an owner to get angry can easily become submissive urination. The dog does not understand why you are angry and, in a dog’s mind, peeing is his attempt to calm and appease you. Cocker Spaniels often see other animals and people as dominant, so submissive urination occurs. Even a housetrained Cocker Spaniel may show excitement or submissive urination when greeting you or when in an exciting or scary situation.

How to Prevent and Handle Excitement or Submissive Urination?

The first thing to do is have your veterinarian examine your dog for possible physical problems causing this problem. Sickness and disease can make it difficult for your pet to control their peeing muscles. If physical problems are the cause, discuss options regarding your dog's situation with your veterinarian, such as surgery, drugs, and coping mechanisms.

Dog owners who are too dominant and strict will reinforce submissive urinating. So, calm down and be gentle and kind with your Cocker Spaniel. Get your temper under control! Never scold or punish for excitement or submissive urination.

One way to handle the problem is to make sure your Cocker Spaniel is outdoors while you are gone (in a fenced and safe area naturally) so that when you come home, if he urinates, your floors are not damaged. But this does not solve the problem. It is a good idea to do more to help the puppy stay dry.

All indoor activities should take place only after taking the dog out for a pee or poop. If a dog is almost ready to pee or poop, but hasn't gotten around to doing it, any physical activity will trigger the urge to go. So, if your dog wakes up and you start playing with her, you're asking for trouble! Take a potty break first, have play time second. Play time outdoors is the best idea, especially for the puppies that have small bladders.

Don’t hover over your Cocker Spaniel when you come home. She will see this as dominance and will become intimidated. Don’t look her directly in the eyes. Dogs assume that direct eye contact is a challenge. For a submissive dog, even a moment's eye contact can be intolerable. Eye contact from above heightens the reaction. Another behavior that challenges a dog is bending over or touching the dog's head, neck, or shoulders. Dominant dogs often control by placing the neck or a paw over another dog's neck or shoulders. When a human pats a dog on the head, a submissive dog sees it as a display of dominance and finds it intimidating, leading to peeing.

A goal in controlling excitement urination is to prevent your dog from becoming so excited in the first place. Do this by exposing your dog to whatever excites him, over and over until it no longer excites him. If your dog gets excited and wets when you return home, ignore him; don't even look at him. Then take him outside to pee. Then leave again for a few minutes, return and ignore, leave, return and ignore. Keep doing this until you can see that your dog is actually bored with the whole thing. If excitement urination is a problem when visitors arrive, have them do this too. It may take many sessions to get your dog calmed down. When your dog stays calm and no longer gets excited when you come in, then very quietly and gently say hello. If any signs of excitement appear, repeat the coming in-and-leaving routine. A rapid sequence of heel-sits will capture your dog's attention to the game of heeling and sitting instead of urinating. Then, take him outdoors. Praise him when he pees outside; this builds self-confidence. Remember to ignore all excitement urination and never scold or get angry at your dog. As the dog matures, he can learn to sit and shake hands when visitors arrive.

Use a small food treat as a reward for not peeing in the house when you arrive home or guests enter. It’s difficult for a dog to eat and pee at the same time. Take the dog outdoors quickly thereafter.

If your Cocker Spaniel pees while being trained, be especially careful not to yell or scold him. Be firm and use a confident-sounding, but kind, “No� when the dog misbehaves.

If your dog's problem doesn’t improve with the above suggestions, there may be other options. For example, drugs can sometimes be prescribed by a vet for excitable dogs to calm them down. But, remember, this kind of training can take weeks or months before it improves. Stick to one or two techniques. Give them time to work!

Obedience classes are excellent for your dog. It will teach you ways that you unconsciously reinforce negative behaviors and how to encourage and praise your dog.

Conclusion
Build a strong relationship with your Cocker Spaniel using kindness, daily attention, and formal training. Never yell, hit, or scold your dog when she urinates inappropriately. Use the above tips from the time she is a puppy to help her avoid or eliminate excitement or submissive urination behaviors. Remember! Stay calm and give the dog time to learn.

Nancy Richards has been a dog lover for the past 12 years. She has owned and handled dogs of different ages and have helped many fellow owners in training their dog. DogPottyTrain.com one of her sites has the aim to promote public interest in Dogs and convey by all possible means varied house training techniques for adult dogs and puppies.

Dog Day Care Home Business
Dog Day Care home business is booming internationally due to its multitude of facilities provided to the dog owners who do not find time to groom or walk their dogs and have difficulties while traveling as well as providing home security, picking up mail, newspaper and watering the potted plants. Considering the number of dog owners in the country today, Dog Day Care business is one of the best small business ventures that you can undertake having sufficient clients who will ask to take care of their dogs when they are out. Survey report reveals that this is the best time to start a business in the Pet Care Industry for increased inclination to pets that will thrive even in the coming years. It is amazing to find that in United States alone there are upwards of 63.2 million individuals who own a pet, or two where roughly 64 million are dogs in the households. This small report is enough to support reason behind the swinging up of Dog Day Care home business. Pet owners throughout the world are mentally at peace and are breathing a sigh of relief at the thought they need not to worry about their dogs when they travel which was a great problem in the past when the owners have to rely on grandparents or relatives and the neighbors to see to the needs of their pets when they had to travel for business, or a family vacation. Due to several other problems some people gave up and simply refused to have an animal. The unbearable scenario that has to be viewed by the dog owners when traveling, or how they behaved after being picked up from a kennel after a week or more away from home persuaded them to come out with an unique idea of a pet care business which spread like a wildfire. Before starting Dog Day Care home businesses chalk out the recognition of true animal lovers. Though the foundation of your business depends on your love for animals but the success of your business lies in your smart business sense that will keep you maneuvering. You can set up the business for a minimum budget but care should be taken that a budget should be laid out to meet the costs of the outgoing business. Some research work is needed to expand your business. Go for niche and be competitive in your rates. Learn to be people person and cultivate warm and friendly temperament. Get acquainted with each pet and their habits, character and personality. You should also collect history of illnesses, vaccination records, veterinary information, as well as a place to contact the pet owner if needed.

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Luxury Dog Beds for the Cultured Canine
In the last few years there has been an increasing trend in how dog owners pampering their dogs. Many designers have begun making products to compensate for the demand for these products. A large industry has been built around fancy dog beds. Your dog no longer has to settle for a simple square pillow that you throw in the corner. Now you can get your favorite pet something that reflects the love you have for them.

I think that there are 2 main reasons dog owners are doing this more than ever before. The first one is because of the increase in availability of these high-end beds, and the second reason is probably the most obvious. People simply love their dogs, and if you can find a really nice bed for them to sleep on, it is worth it. The other thing that is note worthy is that most of the designer beds out there aren't so expensive that the average pet owner can't afford them. In fact, a lot of them can be found in the $100- $400 range. There are also some manufacturers that produce pieces that are very expensive and can cost thousands of dollars.

Here are a couple of things to remember when making the decision to get a bed for your dog.

1. If your dog is older, you probably want to make sure that the pad or mattress is thick enough to avoid joint pressure.

2. Remember to check the dimensions of the bed in which you are to purchase to ensure that it is a good fit for your dog.

Many designers have taken great lengths to ensure that their customers are happy. Some companies allow their customers to pick custom fabrics and pillows. The beds also can come in many different varieties from chaise lounges to sleigh beds. Some of the fine materials that these beds are made of include alder and other fine woods, luxurious chenilles, satin, and more. Some of them come with matching bolster pillows, tassels, feather trim, and enough elegant touches that your dog will feel like a king or queen. These fine beds also compliment your existing furniture as well if you choose correctly. With most of these luxury dog beds you also don't have to worry about your dog having an accident and ruining the bed. Most are made with removable covers that are machine washable. You want to make sure that you find out before you buy if you are concerned about it.

With the tremendous variety and selection out there, you will probably find that the most overwhelming thing about these beds is the fact that there are so many to choose from. A lot of these are perfect for all small dog breeds, as the vast majority are made for smaller dogs. However, designers are starting to make more larger beds as well. Remember though to relax. Have fun with it and make it into an adventure. After all, your dog is worth it. With a little patience, you can find designer dog beds that will turn an ordinary pooch into a diva dog.

Galen is the owner of Bling Bling Puppywhere you can find many varieties of luxury dog accessories for your dog.

Labrador Retriever Dog Breed Information
Labrador Retriever Dog Breed Information. The Labrador Retriever is one of the top dogs in many categories: finest scent detecting; most trainable; most friendly with children and ...

American Kennel Club - Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever is a strongly built, medium-sized, short-coupled, dog possessing a sound, athletic, well-balanced conformation that enables it to function as a ...

Dob Obediance Training - How Important Is It?
Few relationships are as delightful as the one shared by a dog and his master. Dogs are intriguing and fascinating animals and they make wonderful household members if you understand their unique personalities, behavior traits and how to overcome any behavioural problems that they may have.

Dog obediance training doesn't solve all dog behaviour problems, but it is the foundation for solving most behaviour problems your dog may have. Nearly all dog behaviour problems are perfectly normal canine activities that, unfortunately, occur at the wrong time or place or are directed at the wrong thing. The main key to preventing or treating dog behaviour problems is learning to teach the dog to redirect his natural behaviour towards outlets that are acceptable in the domestic setting.

Dog obediance training helps to establish the owner in the role of pack leader, and lays down clear behaviour guidelines that the pack can follow. The capacity for a dog to learn basic obedianceâ€"and even complicated behaviourâ€"is an inherent trait in all dogs. Try respecting your dog's behaviour and act accordingly at the initial stage. Try to praise him for good behaviour instead of chastising him for bad behavior. This, in turn, lets your dog know the proper response (behaviour) that you expect, in place of socially inappropriate behavior.

Most dog behaviour problems can be solved through proven dog behaviour or dog obediance training techniques. You may be surprised to find, that many behavioural problems will be eliminated simply by channeling your dog's energy into obediance training. Dog obediance training involves both the dog and the owner and teaches them to efficiently communicate with each other. Dog obediance training is important for the safety of the dog, his handler, and those around him. Obediance training of your dog requires a lot of patience from your side. It should be a fun and rewarding experience for both you and your dog.

So, whether your dog is jumping up, barking, or digging, these problems can be worked through in your dog’s real life environment â€" his home. Without tried and tested dog obediance training, dog behaviour problems will develop. A well-socialised and trained dog is less likely to develop these problems.

There are several types of dog obediance training and there are amazing resources available online and elsewhere which provide excellent dog obediance training techniques to help you fix any dog behaviour problem.

Here's 1 fantastic resource....Try this FREE 6 Day Dog Obediance Training course and put an end to the stress and annoyance of your dog's behaviour problems.
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My name is Shelley Allen and I am a freelance writer who enjoys writing about most things. You may reproduce this article in its entirety provided my resource box is included.

dog adoption costs
Before you decide to bring a dog home, it is absolutely essential that you give some thought to the costs that you will be incurring in the process. It’s not the purchase alone, though even that is likely to be expensive in the case of some superior breeds of dogs, but also the cost of the equipments you will have to buy to make your home habitable for your pet. Then there are the visits to the vet, which have to be regularly made, and the expensive vaccinations, which the puppy has to be given. So, all in all, you will have to make pretty sure that your wallet can take the beating before you bring your doggy home.

What then, are the costs, and how much are they? Let’s start at the beginning. You have to buy the dog unless you are lucky enough to have it presented to you by a friend or a family member and the cost of this initial purchase can vary very widely. The variance will firstly depend on the type of dog you are buying. A purebred “companion only� puppy usually starts from around $800 but can go up to astronomical amounts for rare or exotic breeds. If you prefer to adopt a non-purebred variety from a shelter, it will cost you from around $150 to $300.

Costs also differ in different geographic locations so it is difficult for us to tell you of one fixed sum that you will have to pay for any given variety of dog. Visit the sources in your locality from where people normally buy dogs and check on the prices. And this includes the internet. After some queries on your part, you will be able to come to a fix on what your desired dog costs.

Now that you’ve got your dog, it’s time to look at the other costs you will have to start to incur. Let’s start with the one - time costs.

One Time Costs Average Cost
Fence $300 - $1500
Bowls $25
Collar $6
Training Collar $10
Leash $12
Bed $40
Crate $100
Brush/Grooming tools $20
Shampoo/ Coat care $15
Neuter/ Spay ( Based on weight ) $300
Microchip $50



Then there are the annual costs, which you have to be prepared for. I enumerate them below:

Vaccinations $185
Heartworm Test $35
Heartworm Preventive $65
Flea/Tick Preventive $120
Food $480
Toys/Treats $45
Tag $5

And then there are other costs:

Boarding â€" per day ( with 2 playtimes ) $25
Grooming â€" per time $50
Training classes ( Per 6-8 classes ) $100
Individual training ( Per session ) $100



And remember, this list is for grown up dogs and not puppies. If it’s a puppy you are adopting, the costs increase. There’s a check up, a series of 4 sets of vaccines, worming, heartworm tests, all of which will cost you close to $300. Then there is puppy food, which will set you back around $450 and toys/treats, which will cost approximately $65.

So, as you will have counted up from the figures given above, in the first year, you will be spending approximately $1500 to $2500 over and above the cost of buying your dog. After the first year, you will spend less per year â€" about $1000. Smaller dogs cost a bit less and larger dogs cost more.

Apart from all this, your dog will have lifelong healthcare needs. There will be shots and medicines you will be administering as preventive care and there will almost certainly be unexpected accidents, injuries or illnesses, however well you look after your dog.

It is therefore utterly essential that you objectively evaluate your budget and come to a decision as to whether you can really afford a dog. He will look to you for your support in all things and you owe it to him to give him, not only your love, but proper care, food and medical attention. These don’t come free â€" so ask yourself whether you can afford to get that dog you always wanted. If you realize that you can’t, it’s best to do without, both for your sake and his.

Anybody is free to use the article in their website as long as an acknowledgement is given Nancy Richards' and a link to the site www.traindogsandpuppies.com

potty training dogs
Life can be tough, for animals as well as humans. It is a dog-eat-dog world, and, unfortunately, sometimes it is a dog-eat-poop world. The consumption of poop is formally known as coprophagia, and it is a natural behavior that is found in some animal species.

Why Does It Happen?
Human beings have difficulty understanding exactly why dogs eat their poop. Dogs have been known to eat poop from various sources, such as other dogs, cats, and rabbits. This is a habit that is most prevalent in puppies, and certain breeds are also more susceptible to coprophagia. From a human’s point of view, it is repugnant, and we can’t help but wonder why dogs eat poop.
There are many theories regarding animals consuming poop. It might be the result of a dietary deficiency, and the dog is compensating for a loss of nutrition by eating poop. Another theory, from the medical community, proposes that a dog might be experiencing malnutrition, starvation, intestinal disorders, or parasitic infestations. However, most of these illnesses are very rare.

Puppies have been known to eat their poop when they are being housebroken, and this may be the result of physiological and behavioral factors. Physiologically, the digestion of food is not always complete, and puppies will see nutritional value in their poop. Behaviorally, dogs are frequently attracted to undigested food in their poop, such as rice, corn, or peanuts, viewing these foods as a snack. Behaviorally, many pets eat their poop when they are being trained because they do not know whether they should eliminate on paper in the home or on the ground outside of the home. If a dog eliminates in the wrong place, it might experience stress and try to hide the evidence of their wrongdoing by eating it.

What Can Be Done About It?
Dogs must be kept in optimal health; otherwise, they will develop illnesses that can result in eating poop. First, have your veterinarian check your dog for parasites. The animal may lack essential bacteria in his system. Also, parasites can compromise an animal’s immune system and allow other illnesses to occur. Take your dog to the vet for a regular checkup, and take notes at the appointment. This can help keep your dog healthy between appointments. Second, make sure your dog takes a vitamin every day. Vitamins are inexpensive, readily available, and they can be placed in a dog bowl with the animal’s food, or they can be given directly to the dog as a daily treat. Third, keep your home clean, inside and out. This includes keeping the dog’s bed and toys washed and sanitized on a regular basis. Fourth, provide distractions for the dog. When you see the dog eliminate, use a command to call the animal away from the elimination area. As soon as the dog leaves the area, give him verbal and physical praise. Keep a ‘pooper scooper’ handy and pick up the dog poop after calling the dog away from the elimination area. Make it a point to walk around the yard each day and pick up any poop that may have been previously left in the yard.

How Can It Be Prevented?
As a rule, dog owners want to keep their dogs from eating poop. Not only is eating poop a health risk, it is a very unattractive sight for family, friends, or visitors.

The importance of cleanliness and home sanitation cannot be overemphasized. Once the dog is housebroken, the chance of his eating poop inside the home is minimal. However, the dog is likely to go back to its pre-housetraining habits if the house smells like poop or urine. The best way to keep a home clean is to develop a weekly cleaning schedule and maintain that schedule without fail. If the dogs does eliminate inside the home, it can be quickly and easily detected because the rest of the home will not have an odor. If the dog does eliminate inside the home, the poop should be removed immediately, and the elimination area should be sanitized immediately. An additional benefit of maintaining a housecleaning schedule is that you will not have to worry about cleanliness or odor if an unexpected visitor comes into the home.

You can control the cleanliness of your home, and you can control what your dog eats. One way to keep a dog from eating its own poop is to put food additives in the dog’s regular food. Food additives provide nutrients that the dog needs and, as a result, these nutrients will keep the dog from eating its poop. Consult the dog’s veterinarian to make sure that your dog is receiving food additives that are safe and effective for your dog.

Finally, take your dog outside for a ‘potty walk.’ Using a leash, wait until the dog poops, then call the dog. The leash is only used to keep the dog from the poop if he tries to eat it. When the dog leaves the poop and comes to your side, give it verbal praise and a treat.

All of the above information must be performed consistently. This way, the dog will know what to expect when he tries to eat his poop. Also, consistent cleanliness, training, and maintenance should give you the results you want; your dog should stop eating poop.

Nancy Richards has been a dog lover for the past 12 years. She has owned and handled dogs of different ages and have helped many fellow owners in training their dog. DogPottyTrain.com one of her sites has the aim to promote public interest in Dogs and convey by all possible means varied house training techniques for adult dogs and puppies.