Thursday, 20 October 2011

Wednesday, 20 July 2011

The Rogz Lighthouse Dog Toy

A new dog toy by Rogz ideal for dogs who love to swim and especially for those who either live near the cost or are planning a UK vaccination with doggies!


Rogz Lighthouse

Sunday, 14 September 2008

Nail Clipping Methods

Have you always had trouble with clipping your dog’s nails? Many of us try to find the method that works best for clipping our pets nails. For larger dogs it can be a little harder to hold them during the process if you are doing the nail clipping yourself. It shouldn’t surprise you to learn that there are methods you can use to help the nail clipping process run smoothly, but before we get into that let’s look at a few other things first.

Dogs can be very stressed out when you go to clip their nails. They tend to hate the fact that you are getting near them with something sharp and touching their sensitive paws. This stress that they go through can be very upsetting and cause other behaviours to occur. They may try to bite, hide, or just generally give you grief. There of course is the option of having a second person to help you and hold them down, but this is a rough and unnecessary method.

When you are talking about nail clipping for your dog you should first realize that starting at an early age is going to be the best option. Few dogs like the nail clipping process, but those who are exposed as puppies and receive nail clippings on a regular basis tend to do a little better with the entire process. You should also be concerned with their mood. Have you ever tried to clip a dog’s nails because it was convenient for you? This could mean that you have someone in your home to help you or you are in a hurry to get it done, but the dog is not in the proper frame of mind. When you consider clipping your dog’s nails you should catch them during a nap or when they are about to take a nap. Most dogs wake up energetic from a nap and are extremely energetic when you have just gotten home or when they need exercise. These are definitely not times to try nail clipping. You should make sure the dog has been exercised and that they are ready to relax before you start trying to clip there nails.

When you clip their nails you do want to have another person to help. They can assist you in calming the dog as you do each one of his or her paws. You will also want to have plenty of dog treats with you. You probably should offer a treat after each foot or some type of reward such as a head and ear rub or something they particularly like.

Going back for a moment to starting as a puppy is one of the best methods you can have. When the dog is used to the clipping or that young you can usually train them for the behavior you desire. It is best to work with the dog and talk with the dog. Have your dog give you a foot. Then you can take and massage the foot, showing them that it is not all bad for you to touch their feet. Once they are used to the massage and the touch you can add the clippers. If they begin to become stressed you can stop, ask them to sit or give them another command and help them to relax. Most often once a dog has been trained for the nail clipping they will be a bit more relaxed and willing to go through the process. The second person can assist you in helping them relax by offering head rubs and other treats they may enjoy.

Dog Accessories

Friday, 25 January 2008

Samoyed Dog Breed

Dogs make the greatest companions when you are seeking undivided devotion and affection. While not all dogs are as great as other breeds you will find there are plenty to choose from depending on what you are looking for. The Samoyed dog breed is considered a working dog, but they are also one of the gentlest dogs you will ever meet. Below you will find information regarding care, characteristics, and training that is required for this breed.

The Samoyed dog is a rather large dog compared to other breeds. The male species reaches 45 to 65 pounds, with the female at 35- 50 pounds. You will find height is between 19 and 24 inches. They are either white, biscuit, cream, or a mix of those colors. Their coat is thick and often made up of a medium length to long fur. They also have an undercoat which is less soft, but provides them with plenty of warmth. Their coat often reminds individuals of wool. You will find they are a close relation to Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes. They have the same face shape, body type and of course the curled tail.

The Samoyed dog breed is very gently, active, and affectionate. These dogs also tend to be very loyal to their owners. Despite the loyalty they are not anti social or aggressive. They love to go up to almost anyone for petting and love. They are sweet natured in temper. You will find they can bark to alert you of approaching cars or people, but lack the necessary skills to be great guard dogs. You will also find because of their sweet temper they do well with children. They don’t mind a little rough behavior, but rather look out for the children. You will also find that the Samoyed can do well with cats and other dogs, but smaller passive animals may be in danger.

If you are interested in a dog breed that will complete your family and make you feel warm and safe you cannot do any worse than the sweet Samoyed. You will find that training can be a little difficult however. They can express a stubborn side when it comes to obedience. In this case you must be determined, consistent, and of course exhibit fairness. You will also need to provide a lot of different activities during training because they tend to become bored with the same activities. They do really well in cooler climates, which will help you keep them active. Part of training and care is going to be regular exercise for them. You need to allow them rest, but give them at least two hours of outdoor play time a day with walks, and toys. Warm weather is okay, but keep in mind they were raised for cooler temperatures and they will shed more.

The rest of the care for these animals of course includes proper water and food during playtime and after. You will also need to groom them on a daily basis. They need to have their coats brushed to get rid of tangles, matting, and of course dead or loose hair. You will find that the coat does trap dirt, but bathes aren’t really necessary as long as you keep them brushed. You may want to ask the breeder about giving them bathes to see how frequently it could be warranted. Most often dogs have trouble with bathes due to sensitive skin. A breeder should be able to answer any grooming questions you have about them. You can also speak with a vet for what to expect when you bring a Samoyed dog into your family. You should always contemplate the full requirements before adopting any dog breed.

Thursday, 24 January 2008

The Doberman Pinscher

Doberman Pinschers originated in Germany around the late 1800’s as personal guard dogs, watch dogs, rodent killers, sheep herders, and gun dogs. Since then they have become extremely important to combat for the Marine Corps and as guard dogs for many houses. You will find the Doberman Pinscher is 65 to 90 pounds. Males tend to grow to 26- 28 inches, while the female is usually 24-26 inches in height. They are black, red, blue, and fan in colouring with tan markings.

Their coat tends to be thick, smooth, short, and coarse. You will find that they shed a little hair during certain seasons, but much less than other breeds of dog. The Doberman works well as a guard dog because of their extremely muscular body. They are able to jump to great heights and have quite a bit of stamina. Despite being a medium sized dog they are fierce. You will find they are resourceful, intelligent, and courageous as well as protection and devoted.

Grooming is not a huge concern for these dogs as the lack of hair helps you keep them clean. They do need occasional brushing or wiping down with a towel, but for the most part they are extremely clean dogs. Most often you will have to have dental hygiene care as well as trimmed nails. Bathing is not recommended with their sensitive skin. You will also find that they tend to suffer from Wobbler syndrome, Von Willebrands disease, hip dysplasia, and heart disorders. Unlike other dog breeds you will find the cold climates are too harsh on the Doberman Pinscher.

When considering how well they do around other people you will note that they are assertive in behaviour, and that they love companionship and stimulation from humans. They do well with like dogs, but can be a little anti social with other dog breeds. You will not want to have one around if you have small children, as they are not very tolerant. Strangers need to be cautious when first meeting the Doberman pinscher as they tend to be a little aloof. You will also find they need a lot of attention as most dogs do. They don’t like being left for long periods of time and do well with active owners. This breed is not recommended if you have never owned a dog before or don’t wish to provide a lot of exercise.

Training is quite easy once you determine the pecking order with the dog. They need a dominant owner. Someone who will give them attention as well as give them respect is the best type of owner. They can be shy, timid or aggressive without proper training. It is best to train right from the early stages of puppy- hood to get the best traits. They don’t like harsh treatment and it will not work. Rewards or reinforcement for the correct behaviour is the best way to train them as well as consistency. You will find they are great with tracking, search and rescue, police work, and as therapy dogs when they have had the proper training. Mentioned above was exercise. They do need to have a lot of exercise during the day. Just a small walk and a little playtime are not going to be enough. They need to have play sessions, and long walks to feel their best. Though they can live in apartments the ideal place for them is a fenced backyard where they can run free and get plenty of play in during the day. Most often a house is the best place you can have.

Wednesday, 23 January 2008

Old English Sheepdog Care

Old English Sheepdogs are really great dogs. There are several things you need to consider when you have an Old English Sheepdog. Most Old English Sheepdogs are friendly, couch potatoes. You will also find they have the herding instincts of most sheepdogs. While they are very protective of family and territory you will not find them the best watchdog because they tend to be more affectionate. It may not seem like this dog is very active, however they do require quite a bit of exercise and are full of life.

First you should realize that an Old English sheepdog requires both physical and mental exercise. You will need to take them for walks daily as well as provide toys that will be useful and involve their mental capacity. Old English Sheepdogs are also great rescue dogs because of their high intelligence. An Old English Sheepdog will have very long hair, often covering their eyes. Most of these dogs are going to be white and grey in colour. You will also find that they grow to be quite large and need a lot of room to play. The male dogs grow to be 70- 90 pounds and a height of 22 inches. The female dog grows to around 21 inches and 60- 80 pounds.

The herding instinct usually causes the dog to bump into their owners, trying to herd them where they want to go. They also like having the contact between master and themselves. You will find the training for this breed is quite possible. They do need a firm hand as they are strong willed, and often stubborn as a herding dog should be. However you can be successful in training due to their temperament as they are alert. As mentioned they do make great rescue dogs because they tend to herd and listen to commands due to their intelligence.

An Old English Sheepdog is usually friendly and very social, until they feel their territory invaded or feel they need to protect. In most cases you can train the dog to ignore these feelings and have a wonderful companion. There have been some cases where an Old English Sheepdog is very dangerous to young children. When the dog has been brought into a two person family and a baby is introduced they can become very jealous of the new arrival. This can make them dangerous or at least give you the feeling of danger. It may be possible to train this behaviour out of them, but in some severe cases you may have to give the dog up for adoption. Keep in mind that this is rare and depends on the training they have already had. Most psychosis can be trained out when you take the time and really that is what you can consider a dog’s jealousy.

The last caution I would throw in if you are considering this breed is their medical problems. Most breeders and vets will tell you that they need to have their tail clipped. Old English sheepdogs suffer from hip dysplasia, and the breeders feel clipping the tail will keep them from having difficulties. The tail needs to be clipped to a certain length as clipping to far can harm them. Care can also be extensive when you consider the grooming they will need with their long coats.

When you choose the Old English Sheepdog breed you will find a wonderful companion that loves to protect you and herd you. You will also find that they can be trained, and though there are minor concerns you will be happy with this choice.

dog collars

Monday, 21 January 2008

Maltese Breed: A Compact Pal

The Maltese dog breed is considered a toy. Basically this means they are fun, lovable dogs that make wonderful companions for young children as well as adults. Most often they weigh between 4 and 7 pound reaching about 9- 10 inches in height. Unlike most dog breeds the Maltese is only white in colour when it is a pure breed. They have a long, almost silky hair. The hair on this breed of dog is one of the most beautiful and easy to maintain, as it is straight and not easily tangled because of its softness. They are one of the only non-shedding dogs available when you consider all the breeds available.

The Maltese breed originated in Europe where many individuals favored them, especially the upper class. You will find their character to be full of affection as well as a great amount of energy. They love to play, socialize with other dogs, and are very intelligent. You often see the Maltese dog breed on dog shows because of their characteristics, not only their personalities, but for their body type as well.

When you consider the Maltese dog breed for your home you should understand their temperament and care. These dogs often bond with one person, while they tolerate others. They love to be showed affection, including cuddling. You will find that they do not like to be left alone for a long time. While you may leave them alone during the day, they don’t like being alone during vacations. It is best that they are left with someone they are close to or that you take them with you. The Maltese is also a fairly quite breed of dog. They do bark when they perceive a threat, alert you when there is someone in their territory, and very protective. You will need to groom them daily with a brush to keep their hair luxurious and pretty. Unlike other dog breeds they can be bathed regularly.

You will find that they tend to have eye problems when the hair gets to close and they need to have their eyes bathed every day. You will also learn that they suffer from skin disorders, respiratory problems, and digestion issues. Your vet or breeder will be able to help you determine the right type of diet and hygiene to make sure they are healthy throughout their lives. With the amount of hair and their body type they don’t do well in hot climates or very damp climates.

The Maltese is a small breed and therefore they don’t require a large amount of space. They do well in apartments and with minimal exercise. You will find that a daily walk and some playtime is all they really need to be content. They also love to play with other dogs at the parks. Training for these dogs should be crate training. They may be intelligent, but they are one of the most difficult to train. Your best option when training the Maltese dog is early socialization, consistency, and a gentle hand. They will do well when you reward their good behavior and show patience. If you take the proper amount of time to train them they can do tricks and will be obedient.

Any dog will do better around your family and become a wonderful member of your family when you purchase them as puppies. Training is important when they are younger as they haven’t learned bad habits, yet. Most often you can get a Maltese puppy from a breeder.