Dogs

Conquering the Challenge of Training Your Dog

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Bringing home a pet dog and making him part of your family is a big responsibility. Even with the least delicate breeds, there are care needs that you have to be aware of. You also have to think about training your dog. This is the part that most pet owners find most challenging. While dogs are known to be intelligent creatures, it takes time, attention, and proper techniques in order to train them to at least behave the way you want them to whether at home or in other places.

Before you even bring your new pet home, you need to prepare to train him the minute he sets foot in your home. This does not mean cracking the whip or being stern with your orders as he explores and runs around in his new surroundings. The most effective way to train your dog is through positive reinforcement.

September 28, 2021 4 comments

Dogs

Weighing the Pros and Cons of Re-homing a Dog

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There are times when you are faced with the dilemma of deciding whether or not to re-home your dog. This often happens when a family or pet owner is moving to another home and it is not possible to take their dogs along with them. There are also times when pet owners just do not feel like they are capable of taking care of their dogs. Before you decide on putting up your dog for adoption by another family, there are a number of things that you need to think about first. If your dog has been with you for a long time, you might actually want to wait until you have considered all other possible options before you decide to take the re-homing option. In any case, take a look at the following pros and cons of re-homing your dog:

PROS

1. You do not abandon your dog without care. While others might think that giving away your pet dog indicates a lack of responsibility, it is actually the most responsible thing to do. Many dogs end up as strays and in shelters and rehabilitation centers because their previous owner just packed and left without any care. By taking the time to find a new home for your dog, you are making sure that your dog does not end up like these strays.

2. You get to have a say in who your dog’s new family will be. Through re-homing, you get to know the people you are entrusting your dog to. You are, in fact, turning over your dog into caring hands that can give him the love and attention he needs. It would be a great bonus if your chosen family could send you pictures of your dog as he grows old.

CONS

1. You will lose a loyal friend and companion. It’s always heart breaking to have to leave a loved one behind. For many pet owners, their dogs have become part of their family and the object of their affection. You’ll shed your tears but if there’s really no other way, then you can at least be sure that you are leaving your beloved pet with another family who love him just as you do.

2. You have to deal with a lot of work to find the right home for your pet. Re-homing your dog is not as easy as posting a dog for sale or adopt-a-pet sign. Just like putting up a child for adoption, there are paperwork as well as background checks and matching procedures to be followed. You want to make sure that the re-homing is properly documented and all the necessary ownership papers are passed on to the new owner. Before that, however, you want to screen people who want to buy or adopt your dog and find out if their personality matches your dogs. Of course, you also want to make sure that they have enough time and resources to give your dog the kind of care he needs.

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April 18, 2018 9 comments

Dogs

Dogs on Parade: Entering Your Pet in Dog Beauty Contests

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Dog lovers will surely be familiar with dog beauty contests. You might even have gone to several of these contests already. It’s really fun to see dogs of various breeds showcase what they can do. You can expect to see the best in these dogs during these contests. Participating in these contests can even be more fun for you. Break out from the spectator seats and get on stage with your pet dog. You can start by finding out if there are any kennel clubs or dog associations in your area. These groups often host dog beauty contests.

May 24, 2017 0 comment

Prettifying Your Dog: DIY Grooming for Man’s Best Friend

Animal Care Dogs

Prettifying Your Dog: DIY Grooming Man’s Best Friend

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Caring for your dog’s grooming needs should be part of your regular tasks as a responsible pet owner. While you could take your dog to the groomers or the pet salon, there is a feeling of satisfaction that comes from grooming your pet dog yourself. Besides, you’re bound to save a whole lot of money by doing so. Prettifying your dog is easy with the right tools and a few basic guidelines. When it comes to trimming your dog’s fur or “hairstyling” for dog shows, however, it is still best to leave the shears and clippers with the professionals.

For some basic everyday grooming, take a look at the following tips:

1. Train your dog to be comfortable with bathing and grooming sessions.

Even with the best grooming tools and the cutest ribbons and dog clothes, it would be difficult to prettify your dog if he does not enjoy being fussed over. Make bathing and grooming a regular part of your dog care routine early on in your dog’s life. If you are getting an older dog, it might be more challenging to do this. Forcing your dog can be frustrating for both of you. Take things slow. Get your dog used to his coat being “caressed” before you move on to brushing. Start with a short brushing session and then gradually increase the duration of your sessions as he becomes comfortable.

2. Brush your dog’s hair often.

The frequency of brushing your dog’s hair generally depends on the length of his coat; long haired dogs usually need to be brushed daily while short haired dogs can actually go without brushing for up to a month. For prettifying your dog, however, it is recommended that you brush your dog’s coat on a daily basis. You don’t have to wash his hair or bathe him. Just take your dog brush and get the tangles off his coat. Doing this will also prevent matting and take out any dirt or particles that your dog might pick up while gallivanting around the house or out in the yard.

3. Check your dog’s eyes, ears, nose, and nails.

Always check these parts of your dog’s body for any particles or dirt accumulation. Any discharge from these body parts should be an alert for a vet visit. Your dog’s nails should also be clipped regularly. Observe how fast your dog’s nails grow and clip accordingly. You can ask your vet or your pet groomer to teach you how to do this properly. You have to use the right tools and technique so you don’t hurt your dog. Your dog can get traumatized when you accidentally cut his nails too short. When this happens, you would have a hard time getting him to cooperate with you the next time you need to cut his nails.

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October 30, 2013 0 comment

Dogs

Ways to Keep Your Dog Fit and Healthy

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Your diet is not the only thing that you are supposed to watch. You are also supposed to pay attention to what you are feeding your dog. There is such a thing as dog obesity too. While it could be tempting to give him all those treats and to keep his food bowl filled with his kibbles all day long, you have to rethink this practice. You might be giving your doggie more food than he actually needs.

Vet Visit

The first thing for you to do to check if your dog is obese is to take him to a vet for weighing and physical examination. He might look cute and pudgy to you but his insides might not be healthy anymore. Your vet will be in the best position to tell you how heavy or big your dog should be given his breed and age. There’s a healthy weight range that your dog will have to fall within at specific stages in his physical growth and development. Your vet will also be able to tell you what to do in case your dog is diagnosed to be obese.

Food Choices and Exercise

To prevent dog obesity, you have to pay attention to your dog’s diet and his exercise needs. There is a particular type of food and feeding regimen that should be observed to ensure that your dog is getting his daily nutritional needs and caloric requirements. But just like humans, your dog also needs to burn off the calories he gets from his food. Balancing these two will make your dog fit and healthy.

Eating Schedule

You can check the packaging of your dog’s food to see the recommended feeding amounts and frequency. Check the product information too to make sure that the food you are getting do not contain any ingredients that could be harmful to your dog. Aside from your dog’s age, his size is also a factor in determining how much food he needs every day. Bigger dogs, of course, need more food. Resist the urge to give free flowing food to your dog. Stick to a regular feeding schedule. This will help not only in terms of keeping him fit but also in keeping him disciplined.

Walking Schedule

Dogs are also meant to be active animals. As such, they need regular exercise to spend their energy on and to burn all the calories they get from food. Playing catch in the backyard or going for a jog around the park are activities that can give your dog the exercise he needs. Take him out for these activities for at least 30 minutes every day. If you cannot do so yourself, hire a dog walker or a sitter who can keep your dog active on a daily schedule.

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June 8, 2013 9 comments

Dogs

A Large Doghouse for Your Big Furry Friend

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People who have large dogs often have the same problem – not enough space inside the house. Big dogs need bigger space not just for lounging but also for moving around and doing their daily routine. Even if you have a large home, it is not advisable to keep your large dog inside especially if you have small children too. Some households without kids may permit their large pets inside the house especially if there is enough space for everyone. However, for practicality and for everyone’s safety, many families decide to get their furry pals large doghouses that can be set up outside the home.

When it’s time to look for a large doghouse, it is important to note that you still need to measure your dog’s height and length. This is necessary before anything else because you want your dog to fit comfortably in its own house. If your budget permits, it is better to get a much larger doghouse so your pet can have more space for lounging and stretching.

Large dog breed such as the English mastiff, Alaskan malamute, Leonberger, Tibetan mastiff, Great Dane, and Neapolitan mastiff are not just tall and long, but they are really huge and heavy. Consider all these when looking for a large doghouse especially if your pet is one of these breeds. In addition, make sure to reinforce the house to make sturdier for your gentle giant.

Even with thick fur, huge dogs can still suffer from hypothermia especially in below zero temperatures. Therefore, considering getting a heated doghouse or buying a heater for your pet will be beneficial during the winter seasons. An added cost of $50 to $100 for the heater wouldn’t hurt in the long run especially if you live in a cold region.

You should also consider a large doghouse with built-in insulator if you are looking into these types of houses. Insulation provides protection and comfort to your pet during extreme weather conditions. You can check out various doghouse kits that come with this special feature. Many online shops offer some dog products that come in a variety of options as well.

Whether you have a small or medium dog breed, you will all consider these factors when looking for a doghouse. The only main difference is that a large doghouse is a few times bigger than the normal doghouses you see.

May 17, 2013 10 comments

Dogs

Hachiko on Google Doodle

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It’s easy to miss the letters that spell “Google” on the railroad tracks of this doodle but not the message of loyalty conveyed by the scraggly dog holding on to his master’s hat. The story of the Akita Dog that remained faithful to his owner even after death is truly remarkable that it became a legend in Japan.

Hachiko’s loyalty has been honored in his country in so many ways. In 1934 a bronze statue created by famed Japanese artist Ando Teru and placed at the Shibuya Station where Hachiko waited for his friend and master, Professor Ueno. Hachiko passed away about a year after the statue was erected due to terminal cancer and his monument was melted down during World War II. But the memories of Hachiko never left the hearts of the Japanese people that by 1948 a second one was built in his honor. This was commissioned by The Society for Recreating the Hachiko Statue with Ando Takeshi as the artist. Takeshi is the son of the original creator of Hachiko Statue, Ando Teru. This statue is a popular meeting place in Japan and one of the must see destinations for tourists. His remains were stuffed, mounted and displayed at the National Science Museum of Japan for the new and future generation to appreciate.

The heart-warming story of Hachiko is also told in two movie versions, one in Japan and the other in the U.S.A. The Japanese blockbuster Hachiko Monogatari was released in 1987, while the American film Hachi: A dog’s Tale was shown in 2009. The film starred Richard Gere, Joan Allen and Jason Alexander. There were also children’s books that centered on the life story of Hachiko. These include: Hachiko: The true story of a loyal dog by Pamela S.Turner (2004), Hachiko Waits by Leslie Newman(2004), and The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski (2008).

November 10, 2012 3 comments

Dogs

Akita Inu

written by Marie

Our Akita Inu friend…Ceasar in winter.

There are dogs that are cute, there are those that are elegant and there are dogs that are…handsome. I think of an Akita Inu as the latter and as a proud, laid back breed. Its broad, fox-like head which are always looking up shows how confident they are. Thus goes for their pointy ears as though they are very keen. They have curled up tails that adds cuteness and somehow a contrast to their exuding a strong personality. Akita Inus seldom bark, they are very friendly and playful, especially in the snow. Though they don’t warm up easily to strangers…you will definitely find them charming…

Being a large and sturdy-built dog, the Akita Inu is not easy for kids to walk around but they love being with them… It’s also a very intelligent dog, you need to have something for it to do often otherwise, it will get bored.

One of the famous Akita Inu throughout history is Hachiko, whose story has been adapted into films. Hachiko also called chuken Hachikou or faithful dog Hachiko was born on a farm near the city of Akita Prefecture in Japan. Hachiko remained waiting for his owner at the Shibuya train station, even many years after his death. A truly remarkable act of loyalty. To this day, there is a bronze statue of him at one of the station’s exit rightfully called Hachiko-guchi (Hachiko entrance-exit).

September 8, 2012 16 comments

Dogs Featured

We love Dogs (and Cats too)

written by Marie

Studies have shown that owning a pet comes with health benefits for both kids and adults at home. Caring for pets helps reduce stress and anxiety, provides companionship, boosts immunity for allergies (though I’m still too afraid to risk…having an asthmatic kid), and gives a regular dose of physical activity through play.

One of the most popular, and probably the best, pet that you can have for the family is a dog. These four legged furry pals are intelligent, loyal, and playful. All these come with a unique personality which makes it easy for people to adore them. Allowing kids to have their own pet dog is a major responsibility for the child and the parents as well. Family members should be prepared to help the children in taking care of their pets and give pointers on growing up with a pet dog.

September 2, 2012 21 comments