Archive for May, 2010

Dog Clothes make Great Gifts

If you plan on doing seasonal garment shopping for others, than do remember to include your pet dog in the list. Dogs are one being that will wear your gift with joy, pride and will appreciate your concern. No matter what outfit it is, your dog will look good and will wear the garment with pride.

Shopping for dogs is like shopping for babies. The garments are equally cute and practical and the pets look as adorable as a kid in the clothes

Dog clothing comes in various ranges including winter collection, summer range, baseball jerseys etc. At bed time you can make the pet wear PJ’s and a bath robe after the dog comes out of a shower. Dog clothing even has a range of party dresses, costumes, holiday attires just like kids do. And there is an entire line of Harley clothes which comes with leather caps and studded dog collars.

If you want a gift for a pet to be admired more, than accessorize it.  Make your dog wear a designer collar and sun glasses; it will make your dog look adorable. Even leg warmers are back into fashion.

It is not a good idea to make your kids dress in funny costumes but it is different with dogs. Very creative, cute but silly costumes for dogs are available which will give everyone a laugh if you dress your doggie in them.

When shopping for dog clothes you should remember that if your dog is fond of chewing than don’t get clothes designed with great details and that have potential chokers attached to them. For example don’t get clothes with small sized buttons, feathers and tassels because these things attract dogs and they might try to swallow it and choke on it or harm their digestive system.

Plus dogs prefer clothes that fit them well and do not trouble them when they go out for a walk or while running. So it is important that you get comfortable clothes that fit your pet well. In order to get the perfect fit take measurements of your dog from collar to the tail in order to get the right length. You don’t need to worry much about the waist of your dog (unless your dog is barrel chested type) as dg clothing comes with adjustable Velcro tabs.

So always remember to get a piece which would fit your dog well because Grandma rule (get a size bigger so that the dog grows into the clothes) is not a good idea neither getting a small size is a good idea because the dog wont diet to fit into them.

If you know how to sew than you can even stitch clothes for your lovely pet, all you have to do is measure his length and waist but make sure that you leave an opening for the dog to get rid of his waste.

Purchasing clothes for one’s own pet is easier than getting presents for others pet. Here are some things that you should keep in mind while getting gifts for someone else’s pet. Studies prove that male and female have different preferences; male like more practical and playful things like Harley jacket, a funny costume, reflective hunting vest etc. but women prefer presents that are beautiful, memorable and personal. So it is easier to shop for a women doggie owner because clothes item like these are easily available.

But like always there are exceptions here as well; people you don’t know well. If you are getting gifts for a pet whose owner you are not very familiar with than it is best not to get clothes for the pet. This is because distant the relationship more risky it is to give a personal gift.

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About the Author:
Luxwaycanine is one the leading suppliers of Dog Clothes, Dog collars and other Dog Accessories in UK.
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The simplest part of house training puppies is crate training.

Do not just put your puppy in the crate and try to train it in an offhand manner, It is necessary that you are systematic and regular in doing everything when crate training your puppy.

Crate training an adult dog is not at all easy. But with a puppy, you can quickly get it to adopt the crate as its home. All you need to do is to, put it in the crate the very first day you bring it home, and keep it there.

The use of rewards is a well-tested and successful method in training dogs. This method is not only effective in house training puppies but it also works well for crate training them as well,

You have to proceed step by step when you are crate training your puppy. Here is a list of those easy-to-follow steps:

1. Buy a crate that will be comfortable and snug for the puppy. You must have the crate at home, ready to receive the puppy when you bring it home. When you eventually bring the puppy to your house, put it near the crate and not in it. Give the puppy time to explore all around the crate and the crate itself.

2. If the puppy shows no inclination to enter the crate through the gate, do not feel concerned about it. What you must do now is to place some food near the gate and give the puppy a tiny little push to get it closer to the gate of the crate. Do this every day and get the puppy closer and closer to the gate.

The puppy will soon get used to eating right next to the gate. After a few days of this practice, place the food inside the crate. The puppy will have no hesitation to go in and eat its food. Once it has done this and curls up comfortably inside the crate, close the gate.

3. Make sure that the crate you have for the puppy is not too small and cramped for it. The puppy should be able to move around in it comfortably. The crate should be cozy without being restraining.

4. It will help if you take the puppy and put in the crate whenever you find that it is feeling sleepy.

Soon the puppy will realize that the crate is where he goes to sleep. When he has got this into him, he will make a beeline to the crate when he wants to sleep or just curl up and relax.

5) Once your puppy has identified the crate as his home, you can teach him the command of ‘go to crate’ or ‘go sleep’ to make sure he gets into his crate easily when you have to stay away from home for some time

Remember, your puppy is still too small and will not feel inclined to stay inside the crate the crate for long.

Now that you know this, you can get your puppy to stay in the crate without difficulty, if you keep it the crate for just short periods of time, say 20 minutes at a time. Then gradually increase this period of keeping it in the crate.

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About the Author:
Learn more about crate training dogs. Visit www.puppycratetrainingtips.com where you can find out all about puppy crate training and how you can do it.
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Just like with any other dog, a lot goes into preparing for the arrival of the newest addition to your family. However, when it comes to Chihuahua puppies, there are a few more things to take into consideration.

Over the basics
Before anything else, make sure to cover the basics. This includes food, feeding dishes and water bowls, soft collars or even cat collars, a lightweight leash, grooming tools, toys or chew bones, and some accessories or clothes.

Secure a place for it in your home
You can either purchase a crate or close off a section of your house, dedicated to your new Chihuahua puppy. If you choose to simply close off a space in your home, make sure to have newspapers laid out on the floor of that area. Having a crate or having newspapers around is crucial in puppy training when it comes to housebreaking your new Chihuahua puppy.

Baby/Puppy-proof the rest of your space
Chihuahua puppies are just like babies. They are as curious and as fragile as children. For times that you decide to have your little companion roam the house on its own, it may be a good idea to “puppy-proof” the rest of your home. This means surveying your surroundings and getting rid of hazardous cleaning agents lying around, exposed wires, as well as pieces that your dog may want to chew on while teething.

Improvise for your Chihuahua puppy
Most Chihuahuas enjoy perching on elevated planes. This may be on top of a couch or up on the bed. Just the same, they enjoy jumping off things. Sometimes a bad landing can cause severe injuries. To avoid such accidents, you may want to build or set up pet ramps around your home.

Chihuahuas enjoy the warmth
Most importantly, have a blanket ready in your Chihuahua puppy’s sleeping area. Most Chihuahua owners will attest to the fact that dogs of this breed like cuddling up under blanket covers. Just to keep your Chihuahua puppy comfortable, have a flannel or cotton blanket ready in its sleeping area.
More than just setting up your home for the arrival of your Chihuahua puppy, work on mentally preparing yourself for this new addition to your home as well. Taking in a Chihuahua puppy is a serious commitment that entails immense hard work, but at the end of the day, you can be sure that it will all be worth it.

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About the Author:
Lea Mullins tells about how to puppy-proof your house before your Chihuahua puppy arrives. Learn all about puppy training from TrainPetDog.com.
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Dogs are said to be man’s best friend. We’ve got a long history of dogs helping us – either to round up sheep, look after our property or just generally wag their tail in appreciation at the slightest opportunity. Which makes it hard to work out why some people are afraid of dogs.

But the fear of dogs is a very real phenomenon.

A lot of people are worried by these creatures. Some people balk at the idea of ferocious looking dogs whilst others only have to be in the same road as a dog for their fear to manifest.

Although it’s easier said than done, the best thing to do is to not show your fear. Animals have a much more developed instinct on this kind of thing than we do as humans. They can sense or even smell your fear. Which puts you at a distinct disadvantage before you begin.

So practice putting on a brave face rather than instinctively crossing the road at the merest hint of canine approach.

Next up, see if you can find a friendly dog to meet on neutral territory. You don’t want to meet in the dog’s house as that would give it “home ground” advantage. Maybe a park or other public place. Get used to being within a few yards of the dog without actually touching it. This will allow you to build up a small bond with the creature and is more likely to end with a good result.

When you’re ready, which may not be for a few days or weeks, approach the dog. Keep eye contact so minimise the risk of showing the animal you used to be afraid of dogs. Let the dog smell you so that it’s not worried either. Then, if you’re up to it, stroke the dog. Watch for signs of appreciation – a discrete wag of the tail is a good sign, bared teeth less so (and a good reason for keeping the owner not too far away either).

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About the Author:
For more help to overcome your fear of dogs just click here
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How To Socialize With Guard Dogs

If you would like to have a very social animal, then you should consider a dog. In fact, there are a number of interesting similarities between dogs and human beings, which is why many people instinctively choose them for company.

Just like people, dogs like the company and interaction of their fellows, and they can be quite playful. Socialization plays a useful part in the lives of both people and dogs, and it is important for anyone who owns a dog to let it socialize with others. So, how can you do this?

1) Going to dog parks

Your dog will get the company of other dogs and thus get the chance to interact with them. This is a place that will not only relax but also their owners who will as well be able to socialize. There are both public and private dog parks in many parts, and people from those communities are usually the owners. Whichever type of park you go to, your dog will have ample space in which to play with other like-minded canines. This socialization is very helpful in the growth of your guard dog. Such socialization will enrich their life, and in turn yours too. For example, they will learn to interact with other dogs and hence not be unnecessarily aggressive. You will benefit from a more friendly pet. Your pet will also benefit from a longer lifespan.

2) Dog classes

In many cases, such socialization suffices to give your guard dog the necessary training. However, in the event that your pet does not seem to learn enough from dog parks, you may consider local training classes. Here too, they will get the chance to socialize with other dogs.

Whether you go to a park or training class, you should be relaxed yourself. When your pet notices your relaxed atmosphere in the presence of other dogs, it will most likely relax as well. The skills learned in these places will help your guard dog to be more at ease when you have company even at home.

You may as well opt to give your pet at home by bringing another dog. This may be either on a temporary or permanent basis depending on your financial situation. It is even better to have more than one dog grow together in your home right from a tender age.

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About the Author:
Dogs play important roles in people’s lives and it is important that they are taken good care of. As we have seen, feeding your dog well in itself is not enough. And even the company members of your family give it will not give enough socialization environment for the well growth of your dog. You should ensure that you expose your guard dog to the company of other dogs for proper development. Find out more tips about guard dogs at http://guarddogs.bestreferenceguide.com
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