Brigitte Smith

Giving your dog a bath - no problem. Probably cleaning your dog’s teeth wouldn’t be an issue. But trimming doggie’s nails, no way! Ok, listen up. You can do this. It’s not nearly as difficult or frightening as it seems.

Nail trimming in dogs can be done very easily if you know how. It is a good idea to watch someone else (vet, groomer or friend) who is experienced in nail trimming show you first. Some dogs don’t need to have their nails trimmed. Many will naturally wear the nails down or the dried ends of the nails will simply flake away without you even knowing. But some breeds, especially Basset Hounds and Dachshunds will likely need your help in keeping the toe nails reasonably short. As much as you’ll never want to, you might as well just count on cutting a nail too short on occasion. It just happens sometimes, even with experienced groomers. The nail will bleed if you cut it too short, so just be prepared for that.

Get a good nail trimmer. Ask your vet or the clerk in the pet store which kind they recommend. Place the main part of the trimmer in the palm of your hand and the moveable part is controlled by your fingers. You want to be able to see the small cutting blade that slides when you squeeze the handle.

Make sure you’re not cutting from the top downward; but rather from underneath. Slide the opening over the end of the nail while staying in the whitish part of the nail. The pink area of the nail is the live part and has blood vessels throughout. Hopefully you’ll be able to see where the pink part starts.

If your pooch has dark nails you won’t be able to see any pink to know where the live part of the nail starts. Just do a little bit at a time with the dark nails. Check the end of the nail. The dead area usually is whitish and as you cut deeper into the end of the nail you will begin to see a dark area. That dark area is where the live part starts.

When you are ready to cut, and you are sure you aren’t at the live, pink part of the nail make a smooth, quick squeeze on the handle while holding the trimmer steady. Don’t try to “pop” the end of the nail off; it will fall away on its own. You can file the edges or just let the dog wear the nail smooth. Taking your dog for a walk on the sidewalk or street can help them file down.

Remember that at some point you will cut too short. When this happens, place a tiny piece of tissue paper tightly against the end of the nail and hold it for a few minutes. Better yet, have some cornstarch or flour available and put a small amount against the bleeding end of the nail, hold it there with your finger. This works right away. Or you can do nothing and the bleeding should stop in about five minutes. If it continues to bleed much more than that, give your vet a call.

You can do this. Play with your canine’s feet first to get them used to the idea. If you do it once a week, it won’t seem like such a tragic event. If you can only do one paw a day, that’s ok too. Man’s best friend needs you to do it for him. Relax and enjoy your dog!

(c) 2005 - All Rights Reserved

About the author:

Brigitte Smith is a dog lover with a special interest in natural dog health and training for dogs.
- FREE Dog Health Report - to request yours, go to: http://www.HealthyHappyDogs.com

Dog grooming and health information: http://www.HealthyHappyDogs.com/SkinAndCoat

Wilshire was out of control before “dog whisperer” Cesar Millan went to work with him, and now he helps firefighters at the Los Angeles fire station where he lives save lives. A lot of people do “affection, affection, affection” rather than exercise, discipline and affection, which is the combination that fulfills the dog’s mind, Millan says. A crowd of hundreds of the pets and families Millan has helped gathered in Los Angeles recently to help him celebrate the taping of the 100th episode of his show, which airs on the National Geographic Channel. During its four-year run, the series has had huge successes, like Wilshire the fire house dog. The firefighters of the Los Angeles Fire Department’s Fire Station 29 had an emergency on their hands that they didn’t know how to handle. In fact, one day when the trucks were leaving on an emergency, Wilshire ran out into the middle of Wilshire Boulevard and was nearly hit by a car. read more

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The committee that penned the ballot initiative to end greyhound racing in the state by 2010 is contesting a statement by Raynham-Taunton Greyhound Park owner George Carney regarding the number of employees that are supported by his operation and Wonderland in Revere. The ballot question to ban greyhounds is expected to be included on the presidential election ballot in November. In a story that ran in Globe South March 20, Carney was quoted as stating that between 6,000 and 8,000 workers would be affected if the two tracks closed. Christine Dorchak, cochairwoman of the Committee to Protect Dogs, called Carney’s number grossly inflated. Dorchak said state legislators, when arguing in favor of putting slot machines at the state’s four racetracks, consistently cite erroneous figures. Last week, Carney was unwilling to lower the number of jobs he predicted would be affected if Raynham and Wonderland were closed down. read more

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Brigitte Smith

A calm, obedient and faithful dog - it’s what we all want, right? To begin with, obedient and trained dogs are happier dogs, less likely to get into tussles with people or with other dogs. Another reason is that many communities require that the dogs living in their neighborhoods be well trained. This is especially true for many breeds thought to have aggression and behavior problems - large dog breeds such as german shepherds and rottweilers to name a couple. And of course pit bulls are almost synonymous with aggression in many people’s minds.

Now, I have a rottweiler myself, and she’s the soppiest thing out. So I don’t personally subscribe to the view that particular breeds are necessarily aggressive. But nevertheless, large dogs certainly do need to be adequately trained, just because of their size. Larger dogs can be very intimidating to people.

And of course, training your dog well will also make he or she a much better family companion, especially in households where there are young children. Many studies have shown that proper dog training makes a big impact when it comes to cutting down the number of dog bits and other behavior problems encountered by dog owning households.

When considering training your own dog, or having someone else help you train it, there are certain basic commands that must be mastered in order for a dog to be considered truly trained. These basic commands include:

No - the word no is one word that all dogs must learn. Training your dog to respond to this important word can save you a ton of trouble.

Sit - Training your dog to sit on command is a vital part of any dog training program.

Down - Lying down on command is more than just a cute trick; it is a key component of any successful dog training program.

Stay - A well trained dog should remain where his or her owner commands, so Stay is an important command in dog training. (The Stay command is not used by all dog trainers. Some are of the view that the command to Sit means “Sit, and stay there until you’re given another command” - this makes a lot of sense. But many people do like to use the Stay command).

Heel - It’s important that any dog learn to walk beside its owner on a loose lead, neither pulling ahead nor lagging behind

Dog training does much more than just create an obedient, willing companion. Training your dog properly actually strengthens the bond that already exists between dog and owner. Dogs are pack animals, and they look to their pack leader to tell them what to do. The key to successful dog training is to set yourself up as that pack leader.

Establishing yourself as pack leader is a very important concept for any potential dog trainer to understand. There is only one leader in every pack of dogs, and the owner must establish him or herself as the dominant animal. Failure to do so leads to all manner of behavior problems.

A properly trained dog will respond properly to all the owner’s commands, and will not display anxiety, displeasure or confusion. A good dog training program will focus on allowing the dog to learn just what is expected of it, and will use positive reinforcement to reward desired behaviors.

In addition to making the dog a good member of the community, obedience training is a great way to fulfill some of the dog’s own needs, including the need for exercise, the security that comes with knowing what is expected of it, a feeling of accomplishment and a good working relationship with its handler. Dog training gives the dog an important job to do, and an important goal to reach.

Giving the dog a job is more important than you may think. Dogs were originally bred by humans to do important work, such as herding sheep, guarding property and protecting people. Many dogs today have no important job to do, and this can often lead to boredom and neurotic behavior.

Basic obedience training, and ongoing training sessions, provide the dog with an important job to do. This is especially important for high energy breeds like German shepherds and border collies. Training sessions are a great way for these high energy dogs to use up their extra energy and simply to enjoy themselves.

Incorporating playtime into your dog training sessions is a great way to prevent both yourself and your dog from becoming bored. Playing with your dog helps to strengthen the all important bond between you - the pack leader - and your dog.

About the Author: Brigitte Smith runs two websites dedicated to dog training, dog care and dog health:
Grab your free special report “How to Improve Your Dog’s Health Within 30 Days - Maybe Even Lengthen Your Dog’s Life!” here:
http://www.HealthyHappyDogs.com or here:
http://www.Dog-Health-Care-Information.com

Source: www.isnare.com

Conan, a 150-pound mastiff, was shot with an arrow sometime after dark Tuesday night or Wednesday morning, said Officer Mark Jamieson, a Seattle police spokesman. Jamieson said Conan’s owner found the injured animal Wednesday morning outside his home in the 4200 block of Second Avenue Northeast. Calling the shooting “a horrific act of animal cruelty,” Seattle Animal Shelter enforcement supervisor Ann Graves said investigators need anyone with information about the attack to come forward. Christie Shepard, hospital administrator at VCA Veterinary Specialty Center of Seattle, said the razor-tipped arrow had punctured Conan’s lung. read more

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NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWapartments | NWsource | Classifieds | seattletimes. Liam O’Hara said the dog was shot with a razor-tipped hunting arrow while near his pen on the side of the couple’s Wallingford house. O’Hara said animal-control officials found three holes in his dog door and an arrow stuck in the side of his house. Conan was shot in the left chest, and the arrow just missed the animal’s lungs and heart, said Nicholas Nelson, medical director at VCA Veterinary Specialty Center of Seattle. read more

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Aki Desorcy

As there are certain health issues that affect only the female dog, care should be taken to ensure that these are fully understood before deciding whether or not to buy a bitch.

The most important concern is that of spaying.

Only those who are fully educated in all aspects of a specific breed and who have the time and energy to put into making sure that bloodlines are kept strong and healthy should ever consider breeding. With that in mind, most owners of female dogs will not be thinking of breeding and should therefore seriously consider having their pet spayed.

If the necessary surgery is carried out before your dog has her first heat cycle, the likelihood of her ever developing breast cancer will become almost zero percent. That alone is a very good reason to have your dog spayed as breast cancer is otherwise relatively common in older bitches. The chances of your dog developing pyometra, a disease of the uterus that can be fatal, is also greatly reduced.

Having your dog spayed will also relieve her of the twice yearly ’season’ and the anxiety that often becomes part of it. She’ll no longer want to roam in order to find male dogs to mate with and you’ll no longer have to put up with the crowds of dogs who follow you during walks or who gather outside your home. And most importantly of all, unwanted pups will not become a problem.

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For more dog care help visit my blog at
http://www.dog-treats-n-dog-care-tips.com/
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If your female dog starts collecting her toys and treating them as if they were puppies, she’s almost certainly experiencing a false pregnancy. Fortunately, this rarely lasts more than a week and although the dog will become very protective of her imaginary offspring, treat her as normal and she’ll soon forget them.

If you’ve opted to not have your dog spayed, it’s important to understand how her heat cycle works. The first 10-14 days is the period BEFORE ovulation and this is the time during which she will bleed. Ovulation occurs as the bleeding stops so it’s important to understand that it’s during the 10-14 days following bleeding that she’s actually most likely to become pregnant. Far too many owners make the mistake of believing that their female dog is safe once the bleeding stops and over-filled dog pounds are the sad result.

Doggie diapers are available in most pet stores and come in a range of sizes to fit different breeds. These are designed to stop the dog leaving blood on your furniture and rugs but unfortunately, unless the dog has been taught to accept wearing them from a very young age, most will soon chew them off.

Female dog owners who choose not to have their dog spayed MUST monitor their dog regularly for any lumps in the breasts and remember that unless they’re serious about breeding, they have a duty to ensure that their dog doesn’t produce unwanted puppies who will eventually find themselves sitting in a pound waiting for their death sentence to be passed.
copywrite2005 by Aki Desorcy
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Aki Desorcy is the Author of http://www.dog-treats-n-dog-care-tips.com/category/dog-care/
Visit for your free ebook today!

This article may be used as long as you keep the resource box together and make the back link live.
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About the Author

Aki Desorcy is the Author of http://www.dog-treats-n-dog-care-tips.com/
Where you will find free dog care tips,dog treat recipes and other useful info for your pooch.
Go to http://www.dog-treats-n-dog-care-tips.com/category/dog-care/
For your free ebook today.

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After a comparison of the test results, the researchers concluded that the blood pressure of those children who had a relationship with a dog was lower than those who had no dog. According to Balaish, there have been numerous studies about the connection between raising dogs and the health of adults, but this is the first time that the connection between blood pressure in children and raising a dog was tested in a study. Balaish is aware that among the vast majority of children aged six to nine, cases of high blood pressure are rare. The reasons for this, Balaish said, “can be attributed, among other things, to the fact that a child who takes care of a dog does more physical activity because he goes on walks with the dog and plays with it. read more

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Lee Dobbins

Adopting a dog is a lot of fun, but it can also add a lot of responsibilities to your life. When you become a dog owner, you take on the responsibility to make sure your pet has everything he needs, a safe environment to live in, proper care, and everything he needs for a happy and healthy life! It’s a big step to care for a dog, but you’ll be rewarded with a loving companion.

The first step in providing a good life for your pet and making sure your dog remains safe is to get him trained properly. Believe it or not, many people do not see to this important task and then wonder why their dog jumps up on visitors or won’t listen to their commands. Many a dog has been considered a “bad” pet when all he really needed was the owner to take the time out to train him properly.

If you train your dog properly, not only will he have some cool tricks to show off, but it will also add to his safety. Should your dog be heading off into a dangerous situation, your obedience training will come in handy and you can call him back to your side and safety. A well trained dog Will be well behaved around strangers and the family - an obedient companion. Plus the training process can help define you as the master and act as a bonding experience for you and your pet. You can train a dog on your own, or you can join an obedience training class and get instruction from professionals.

You want to make sure your pet is as healthy as can be and part of dog ownership is to provide your dog with excellent veterinary care. A yearly physical exam should be performed and any vaccinations updated. Also make sure you put him on the right heartworm and flea and tick medications. If you notice a difference in your dogs behavior schedule a vet appointment right away. Even a small change in habits, mood, eating or elimination pattern should be checked by your vet - it could be nothing, but it’s better to be safe than sorry! Have your dog neutered or spayed - they WILL be much happier.

Providing a safe environment for your dog is up to you as the pet owner. Make sure there are places your dog can get stuck in or fall from and there is no sharp objects like nails or pins laying around. Everyone in the family should know not to leave the door open so that your dog can run out in the street. Refrain from feeding your dog “people” food as some of it can be harmful to them. Chocolate, for example, can even be deadly!

Grooming your dog can be a good time to bond with your pet and can also help him stay healthy. Brushing his coat, trimming his nails, cleaning his ears and around the eyes are all part of good dog health. Proper dental care is the most important grooming task you can do for your dog. Bacteria that builds up on the teeth can break away and cause health issues in other organs of the body. Brushing every other day is recommended to keep your dog’s mouth clean and will have the added bonus of giving him fresh breath!

Hopefully you’ll never need to enact it, but you should have a plan for the dog in case of emergency. What if there is a fire or some other disaster? Make sure someone is responsible to get your pet out of the house in case of emergency. It’s not a bad idea to have a designated person that can mind your dog on short notice if you get called out of town on an emergency.

Bringing a dog into your family, you are committing to provide that dog with all the things he needs for a happy and healthy life. Some dogs Can live into their teens if taken care of properly. That’s a long commitment on your part, but the rewards are so great that the commitment pales by comparison.

About the Author

Lee Dobbins write for http://www.train-the-dog.com where you can learn more about dog training for every breed. Check out their list of dog breeds and see which ones are easier to train at http://www.train-the-dog.com/Breedsa-b.html