Archive for August, 2009

Tips for Choosing a Good Dog Food for Your Puppy

Monday, August 31st, 2009

There are dozens of brands of dog food on the market, but not all of them are good for your dog.  Choosing a dog food means looking for one that’s nutritionally balanced and complete and made with top quality ingredients.  Fortunately, dog foods have nutritional labels that outline the ingredients so that you can see for yourself what you’re feeding your new puppy.

Here are a few things to look for in a good dog food:

  • At least 30% protein from meat (not meat by-products). The first two or three ingredients on the list should be meat from chicken, lamb, beef or poultry.
  • Egg and fish are also excellent ingredients that can be near the top of the list.
  • Fat content should be at around 18%. Look for specific fats such as chicken fat or lamb fat. When the label isn’t specific, the fats being used are sometimes difficult to digest. The more specific, the better.
  • Vitamin C and E are natural preservatives that are also good for your dog’s overall health. Avoid chemical preservatives like BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin.
  • Omega 3 fatty acids promote a healthy coat and are a powerful source of antioxidants.
  • Avoid any artificial colors or preservatives. These aren’t necessary and can cause digestive problems and allergic reactions in some dogs.
  • Dog foods will contain some grains, but be aware of what kind. Rice and barley are the most easily digestible. Corn and wheat are the least desirable.

Your puppy will have slightly different nutritional needs than an adult dog, so look for a dog food formula that has “junior,” “puppy,” or “growth formula” in the name.  These are puppy food versions of adult dog foods and will have more protein and fat and a higher calorie content to promote healthy growth.  Generally, large dogs should eat puppy food until they are about eighteen months old, while the smaller breeds can usually graduate from puppy food to adult dog food at around eight to ten months.

If you’re still unsure of the right puppy food or dog food for the new addition to your family, talk to your veterinarian for guidance.

Why Can’t Dogs Eat THAT?

Friday, August 28th, 2009

We all know that chocolate is poisonous to dogs.  But have you ever wondered why?  What is in chocolate that makes it so dangerous for our four-legged friends?  And how many other common foods out there can also pose a threat to our pets?  We have the answers!

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How to Calm Your Overactive Dog

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

Licking, chewing, barking, jumping, digging, pacing – these are just some of the behaviors that hyperactive dogs exhibit.  Many owners complain of their dogs going non-stop like the canine version of the Energizer Bunny.  You may be at your wits end but don’t give up yet – we have some helpful tips to form a better, healthier relationship between you and your pup.

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Puggle Tricks | Training Your Puggle

Monday, August 17th, 2009

Have you ever watched the cute videos of Puggles performing tricks and think “I want my Puggle to do that!” but not know where to start?  Wonder no more!  We have directions and tips for teaching Puggle puppies these adorable tricks.

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Managing the Weight of English Bulldogs

Friday, August 14th, 2009

Just as you and I watch our weight (or at least try to), we need to do the same for our pets, especially those of us that have English Bulldogs.  Experts say that obesity is the fourth leading cause of death in pets.  With odds like that, we must learn to be more aware of our pets’ weight and exercise routine.  Daily walks, plenty of playtime at home and the right foods is the perfect start for a diet and a long, healthy, happy life – for you and your Bulldog.

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Which Plants Are Poisonous to Dogs?

Wednesday, August 12th, 2009

Attention all flower lovers, garden lovers, plant lovers and tree lovers!  When you’re a dog owner or are welcoming a new puppy into your home and your yard, you have a lot more to worry about than just sunlight levels and soil quality.  Read on to find out which plants are poisonous to dogs before creating your own little oasis.

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Puggle Tricks :: Preston the Puggle | Cute Video!

Tuesday, August 11th, 2009

Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?

Monday, August 10th, 2009

It’s an age old question asked by almost every dog owner at some point in time:  Why do dogs eat grass?  One would think that with all the technology we have these days like transplants for our pets, DNA testing and even the ability to clone your favorite furry kid, veterinarians would be able to answer this for all us curious dog owners.  Unfortunately, that is not the case.  All we are left with are some theories and here are some of the most logical. (more…)

Four Tips to Make Training Your New Puppy Easier

Friday, August 7th, 2009

Every puppy for sale looks adorable, and when you bring your new puppy home you’ll discover that she looks so cute you may have a hard time training her.  After all, she’s so sweet you may have a hard time being stern with her.  Unfortunately, you’ll soon have a dog who isn’t well behaved.  Sometimes, this leads to a wonderful dog being dropped at a shelter because that cute behavior from a tiny ball of fur wasn’t nearly as attractive in a full-grown dog.

Whether you have Beagle puppy, a Puggle puppy,  or an English Bulldog puppy, the rules for training remain the same.  You need to let your new puppy know who is the boss and reward her for good behavior until it is second nature.  Here are four simple tips to make training your puppy easier:

  1. Make obeying a command easy at first.  When training your puppy, keep in mind that nothing is more frustrating and disheartening to your puppy than failing at something you want her to do.  She lives to make you happy, so make commands easy to achieve.  For instance, as soon as she sits, even if her butt hits the ground for only two seconds, reward her!  When she can’t fail, she will be eager to learn and you can progressively work your way up to sitting for long stretches, etc.
  2. Be lavish in your praise when training a puppy.  She loves the sound of your voice and can tell you are excited and happy by the tone of your voice.  Every time you reward her with a treat, praise her.  She’ll soon want the praise as much or more than the treat.
  3. Be consistent.  Inconsistency is one of the most common mistakes people make when training their puppy.  If you won’t let her sit on the sofa when company is at your home, you can’t let her get on the sofa when you are alone with her.  This will lead to confusion and misbehavior.  Don’t reward her for kissing you, then yell when she licks visitors.
  4. Use simple words.  Dogs have short attention spans and language isn’t natural for them.  If you use long sentences or phrases for commands, it can lead to confusion, especially when some words sound a lot like others used in different commands.  Generally when training a puppy a command should be one or two words.  (Sit.  Stay. Fetch.  Not Go get me the ball.)

If you keep these tips in mind during your new puppy training, you’ll soon have a dog who is happy to obey any number of commands.

Yorkshire Terriers Puppies Are Adaptable and Loving

Wednesday, August 5th, 2009

You’ve no doubt seen many Yorkshire Terrier puppies recently.  They are quickly becoming one of the favorite dog breeds for owners who want a small, affectionate pet.  But before you answer that ad that says, “Yorkshire Terrier puppies for sale,” pause and think about what you’re looking for in a pet as well as what you have to offer a Yorkie.

These energetic little dogs can easily adjust to life in an apartment or small house; they don’t need a lot of room because of their diminutive size.  Yorkies do, however, need exercise to be happy.  You’ll need to take your Yorkshire Terrier for a nice walk every day, and two walks if you can squeeze them into your schedule.  This will help tone down any tendency toward being hyper. 

 

Yorkshire Terriers are sweet, loving and loyal, making the excellent family pets.  Although they started out as working dogs a century ago, in recent years they have been bred to be companion dogs.  They will happily ride in a pet bag or be carried in your arms wherever you go.  They love children and will gladly play with older children, but they aren’t the best pets if you have infants or toddlers in the house.  Yorkies are tiny and have delicate bone structure, so it’s easy for a young child to unintentionally hurt a Yorkie puppy by playing too roughly.  If you have toddlers in the house, buying a Yorkshire Terrier puppy should be put on hold until your children are old enough to treat the dog gently at all times.

Part of the appeal of a Yorkie is its soft, silky coat, which is extremely fine and grows long enough to sweep the floor, giving the dog the appearance of floating when he runs across the floor.  If you keep your Yorkie’s coat long, you will need to spend some time brushing him every day to keep tangles and snarls under control.  Most pet owners choose to have their Yorkshire Terrier groomed regularly to keep the coat shorter. You will still have to brush the shorter coat once a week since it is prone to tangling.  On the other hand, Yorkies hardly shed at all.  If you’re looking for a puppy that doesn’t shed, a Yorkie is a good choice so long as you don’t mind weekly brushing and grooming.

Because the Yorkshire Terrier is so small, some health problems have developed in the breed, but these are relatively minor and can be kept at bay with proper care.  Brushing your Yorkie puppy’s teeth at least once a week is a must to deter tooth decay, which can cause some of these dogs to lose their teeth too early.

Sensitive stomachs are also common, but sticking with a top quality dog food and giving only high quality dog treats will keep your Yorkie puppy healthy and happy.  Problems start when you forget that your Yorkshire is a dog and try feeding him human food as treats.  This can lead to diarrhea and vomiting, which can cause dehydration quickly in dogs this size.

If you have the time to properly brush and groom your dog and are handy with a doggy toothbrush, you may ready to buy a Yorkie puppy.  Just make sure that your children are old enough to treat this tiny little sweetheart with a gentle touch and that you can walk this energetic little every day to keep him happy.  If you know your home is the right environment for a Yorkshire Terrier, you can expect as many as fifteen years of devotion and love.



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