Crate Training Your Dog

Pam
A crate is an excellent training tool to have for your dog. The purpose of a crate is to provide security, safety, and protection, on a short-term basis. It is particularly helpful when training a puppy or new dog where his boundaries are. The crate becomes his or her personal den where the dog can find comfort and solitude when you aren’t home with them. Dogs are natural den animals, which is why you can rest assured they will feel comfortable in a crate. It becomes a place for safety, relaxation, and sleep. The main use for a crate is for house training, as dogs don’t like for their dens… Read More Continue Reading

Shiba Inu

Pam
Featuring bright eyes, a thick, plush coat and a curled, brush-like tail, the Shiba Inu is one of the oldest breeds originating from Japan. This small to medium-sized companion weighs in at about 25 pounds. Although charming and affectionate, the Shiba Inu has an independent attitude all his own. The most popular dog in Japan, its name means “brushwood dog” in Japanese. The Shiba Inu was originally bred to hunt birds, boars and bears in the country’s mountainous regions. In 1936, Japan declared the Shiba Inu to be a national treasure. The Shiba Inu knows how to navigate rugged terrain, is a great watchdog and is tenacious and courageous. These… Read More Continue Reading

Becoming a Dog Foster Parent

Pam
A dog foster parent is someone who takes responsibility to care for a rescue dog until they are found a permanent home. This is a very valuable and praiseworthy job. Just like most things that are worthwhile, it has its benefits as well as its drawbacks. What It Takes First of all, a deep love of dogs is needed to become a dog foster parent, as many rescue dogs have a lot of issues. Some are sick and undernourished, and many have gone through bad experiences that have caused them not to trust humans. As a dog foster parent, you may have to care for puppies that were too small… Read More Continue Reading

Paw Wars: Dogs Dressed as Your Favorite Characters From a Galaxy Far, Far Away

Pam
To celebrate the release of “Star Wars, The Force Awakens”, let’s look at some furry friends dressed as our favorite galactic heroes and villains! For some dogs, it just happens naturally. Hmmm… Doesn’t exactly put the fear in me. Mark Zuckerberg’s “Beast” is anything but intimidating, even though he has joined the dark side. “Well, I guess you don’t know anything about women yet.” -Princess Leia “I can save him. I can turn him back to the good side. I have to try.” – Luke Sorry, I don’t speak your language. Bleep Bloop Beep Boop Beep! Now that’s an interesting way to travel.  The struggle is real. “Wars do not… Read More Continue Reading

Animal Cruelty News: Woman Tapes Dog Mouth Closed and Brags on Facebook

Pam
Police in North Carolina have reported that a woman in their state taped her dog’s mouth shut with duct tape to make it stop barking. Kimberly Ann Howell, 25, of Salisbury, N.C. has been charged with animal cruelty in this case. Not only did she admit to doing this to her dog, she bragged about it on Facebook. On September 28th of this year, Howell took pictures of the dog and posted them on Facebook. She must have thought it was funny, as she posted “hah hah” below them, according to the Rowan County Sherriff’s Office. These pictures got noticed right away. After receiving “harassing comments via Facebook,” Howell removed… Read More Continue Reading

Raw Dog Food Diet

Pam
Comprised primarily of raw meat, bones, fruits and vegetables, the raw dog food diet is increasing in popularity. Eaten for a long time by racing greyhounds and sled dogs, the use of the raw dog food diet is quite controversial today. Interest in the raw food diet has been seen since 1993, when Australian veterinarian Ian Billinghurst wrote his book, Give Your Dog a Bone. His acronym for this diet was known as BARF, which stands for ‘bones and raw food.’ He suggested that adult dogs would thrive on a diet that was based on what canines ate before they became domesticated. His argument is that factory-manufactured pet foods are… Read More Continue Reading

Canine Body Language

Pam
Is your doggie trying to tell you something? Learning canine body language is a way to figure this out for yourself. Being able to read a dog’s body language will help you to better predict what he is about to do. There are various things that make up a dog’s body language. There are facial expressions, ear set, tail position and overall demeanor. The Eyes A good indicator of how your dog is feeling can be seen in the eyes. When your dog feels happy and relaxed, his eyes will be shaped normal. If his eyes are very opened up, this is an indicator that he may feel threatened in… Read More Continue Reading

How to Care for a Senior Dog

Pam
Most dogs are considered to be senior when they reach 7 to 10 years of age. You can see that your dog is aging when they have a graying of their coat, particularly around the muzzle. As your dog ages, their hearing may not be as good as it once was. His fur may not be as thick and it may take a bit longer for him to get up and about in the morning. He might sleep more than before and may tire out quicker when he plays. Now that he is getting up there in years, there are some special things you should do to make sure that… Read More Continue Reading

How to Introduce Your Dog to a New Home

Pam
Are you moving into a new home? Lucky you! However, if you have a dog, it may a bit of a stressful adventure for him or her. A bit of planning, patience and affection ahead of time can help your dog adjust quickly to a new home. Before You Go It is good to begin preparing your pet for a move several weeks before moving day. You should pack over a period of time, trying to maintain your dog’s normal routine. Unless you are moving right down the street, you should begin to get your dog accustomed to being in a carrier or crate for a bit of time. Whenever… Read More Continue Reading

What Breed Is My Dog?

Pam
If you have a mutt dog, it is likely that at one point or another, you will wonder what kind of dog it is. Today, it is relatively easy to answer this question. There are companies that exist today that will help you do this by conducting a doggie DNA test. Why Test Your Dog? Other than just curiosity, what is the purpose of a doggie DNA test? An owner may also decide to take the information to their breeder to see if there are any potential health hazards that are specific to each breed. People also might want to DNA test their puppy to see how big the dog… Read More Continue Reading