The Healthy Pets

Agility Competition for Dogs

The Healthy Pets — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 10:00:46 +0000

Agility competition is basically an obstacle course for dogs. Everyone involved, including the spectators, appears to be having the time of their lives, and the sport has become tremendously popular at dog shows and exhibitions from coast to coast. There are tunnels, catwalks, seesaws, and numerous other obstacles that the canine contestants have to master off leash while they are being timed. It takes teamwork because the handler has to act as navigator.

Although the dogs do all the maneuvering, it is the handler who directs the dog, because the sequence of the individual obstacles is different at every event. Both the American Kennel Club and the US Dog Agility Association can provide additional information, as well as names and addresses of the organizations sponsoring events nearest to your home.

Dogs and Flyball

The Healthy Pets — Fri, 07 May 2010 14:49:52 +0000

Flyball is undoubtedly one of the most exciting activities in which you and your dog can participate. In this event, the dogs are organized into four teams. Each team races on a relay system. At the signal, each dog must clear four hurdlers, release as ball from the ball to the starting point so that the next teammate can start. The team is racing against the clock, and the speed and excitement usually encourage the very enthusiastic ringside crowd.

Dog Obedience Tips

The Healthy Pets — Fri, 07 May 2010 13:44:16 +0000

If you and your dog enjoy training exercises, you may want to start training for obedience titles. Some dogs take to formal obedience work like the proverbial duck takes to water. Mixed or purebred, there dogs that seem to love the thrill of performing, and the many levels of obedience work give them the opportunity to show off their skills. The details about how to get involved in obedience trials and what they entail are covered in the chapter on obedience training.

In order to succeed in obedience, however, the owner has to feel enthusiastic about it. If you look at the training required for theses trials as drudgery, it will take the fun out of it, and this attitude can transfer to the dog. Find out more about obedience competition and see if it is for you.

Obedience

Best Pet Gadgets

The Healthy Pets — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 15:22:11 +0000

Why should we continue to lavish ourselves with these amazing gadgets and not let our pets into the action? There are some incredible pet gadgets available to make your dogs (and your) life easier.

Pet Treadmills

If you have an overweight animal or you feel that your dog is too good for the streets then the pet treadmill is for you. Your dog can happily jog along without the need to worry about the weather and the distraction of all those bitches in the park.

The Dog Doorbell

Sometimes its difficult to determine whether you pet wants to go outside or just likes to sit on the rug at the front door. The pet doorbell allows your dog to press the doorbell when it wants to get out. Of course you have to train your dog to use it but once its up and running its fantastic.

Doggy Poop Freezing Spray

Although those puppies for sale next door are so cute the thought of picking up their poo can be the deciding factor in where you take ownership of a dog. Well how about this great invention. You can freeze the poo into a hard substance and just put it inot a bag without the mess. Excellent.

Collar-mounted Camera

Want to know what your dog has been up to all day then look no further than a collar-mounted camera. This incredible thing will take pictures of from a dogs eye-view and then you can have a look to see what they’ve been upto for the day. The ultimate dog spyer.

So if you have a pet or are thinking of responding to that pets for sale advert then rest-assured there is a lot of gadget fun to be had.

Just For The Fun Of It

The Healthy Pets — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:18:35 +0000

Some people think that dog’s aren’t capable of having a sense of humor, but some people disagree. Some people had seen too many dogs that were considered stand-up comedians among their canine peers. They did silly things that always elicited laughter from everyone in their families, and they did so with tails wagging and a sparkle in their eyes.

Other dogs approach life a bit more seriously, but that doesn’t mean they were devoid of personality or that they didn’t enjoy joining in on the fun. Because there are so many fun activities that dogs are capable of participating in with their owners, it would take a whole site to list and explain them. Some owners instead find their dogs are so good at certain games and activities that they set about pursuing slightly more formal outlets of exercise. Again, the sky’s the limit. There are countless activities that provide the exercise that dogs need, as well as being limitless fun for both owner and pet.

Family Vacations With Your Dog

The Healthy Pets — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 08:15:56 +0000

Once your dog is well trained, why not have him share on your fun you will be having on those summer vacations. The streets of a big city or your aunt’s small apartment may not be the best place to take your dog, but there are all kinds of vacation plans you can make that will easily accommodate the whole family, including your canine pal.

Again, it’s simply a matter of planning ahead and knowing what destinations will offer the most pleasure and convenience for all of you. The following are simply some suggestions that may appeal to you or inspire you to come up with an idea that would even be more suitable for you and your family.

Lakeside cottages and cabins in the mountains provide a degree of privacy, yet plenty of opportunity for family fun and social events in nearby towns. Your dog will get as big a kick out of boating and swimming as the rest of the family, and although dogs aren’t the most proficient fishermen in the world, they are among the most enthusiastic.

A hiking or camping trip provides the whole family with lots of fun and adventure, to say nothing of the excellent exercise in the great outdoors. It should go without saying that dog owners should be particularly aware of camp and trail rules and obey them to the letter.

Dog Exercises

The Healthy Pets — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:31:11 +0000

There’s a bonus to all the care and attention that you give your dog. He returns the favor by requiring exercise, which is something he needs to keep him from getting bored and to keep him in shape. However, it is also something that will do nothing but improve your own health and state of mind. You don’t have to become a tri-athlete to give your dog the exercise he needs. Just walking at an invigorating pace is good for both you and your pet.

A dog’s energy level isn’t ignored as easily as ours is. It will be used up in some way, and if you would prefer your dog to use it by excavating a hole through the wall-to-wall carpeting or taking down the drapery, the choice is yours. Most owners would prefer to have their dogs use up their energy by taking a good brisk walk, playing catch, or bringing back a Frisbee.

Puppies usually get all of the exercise they need on their own, especially if they have playmate. However, there are very few adult dogs that get the exercise they need without opportunity and encouragement. As maturity and old age set in, you’ll find dogs become less inclined to be self starters when it comes to exercise. But interestingly, the laziest dog in town is more than willing to forego his afternoon snooze if his owner extends an invitation to go somewhere-anywhere!

Whenever you start on a new form of exercise with your dog, do so gradually and increase the duration of the workout very slowly. Do not start jogging with a young dog – wait at least until the dog is 18 months of age. By then, the dog’s permanent bones and muscles have formed and strengthened to the point where there will be no permanent damage.

Be careful about exercising in hot weather. confine exercise periods to the early morning hours before temperatures rise or until temperatures drop in the evening.

If you own a senior dog, it doesn’t mean he should stop exercising. The older fellow will still enjoy making those walks with you every day. Maybe he won’t be thrilled about heading outdoors on cold or blustery days, but a sweater or doggie coat will protect him. When the weather is nice, there is absolutely no reason why the two of you can’t be out taking a leisurely walk around the block or down to the park. Use discretion when throwing balls and playing fetch, even though the dog might think he is still capable of doing the 100 yard dash. Be kind and be careful when it comes to exercising your senior dog, and he’ll be with you for a much longer time.

Also, eating properly and maintaining a sensible exercise program will keep the whole family (both human and canine) happier and healthier.

Sexual Behaviors And Your Dog

The Healthy Pets — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 15:44:20 +0000

Male dogs in some cases even those that have been sexually altered, may mount people’s legs or even inanimate objects. It can originate as a sexual urge or as an attempt to dominate. Bitches also display similar behavior when they are in season or asserting dominance. At any rate, it must be discouraged at the dog’s first attempts to do so. Owners will often think it’s cute when a puppy does it, but live to regret not curbing the dog’s desire to mount when it becomes a frequent embarrassment or even a danger to the elderly or small children. Stopping this behavior immediately is the best way to avoid problems later on.

There are seldom hard and fast answers to solving behavior problems for all dogs. Understanding the cause of the problem is the first step in correcting it. Then, too, it is important for the trainer to understand how important it is to keep bad habits from being established in the first place. If the bad habit cycle has already started, there is no substitute for the positive reinforcement of good behavior.

Dogs And Their Digging Hobby

The Healthy Pets — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 13:31:55 +0000

There is hardly a dog who doesn’t like to dig. Most dogs do it outdoors, but we’ve come across some that like nothing better than digging their way through a down comforter or sofa cushion. The urge to dig is just a dog being a dog, but destructiveness is something that has to be dealt with quickly and in no uncertain terms.

Outdoor digging is harmless it is in the middle of the lawn of in your newly planted flowerbed. When this is the case, you’ll be glad that the no command was one of the first lessons you taught your dog. The dog that minds extremely well may be content to leave it as that. However, a lot of other dogs may simply move on to another part of the flowerbed or lawn and start digging again.

Giving your dog his own “sandbox” could be the answer. To get the dog digging in his own place the first time, bury a bone or special treat there. You may even have to help him find the buried treasure a time or two, but most dogs get the idea in a hurry and the problem may be solved.

However, some dogs are a little more determined than that. The only cure for the problem in this case may be keeping a watchful eye on the dog when you are together and when you can’t be watching, keeping the dog away from the area you do not want excavated.

Jumping Up

The Healthy Pets — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:57:45 +0000

As much as most of us like dogs and don’t really mind them jumping up on us for joy some of the time, there are other occasions when it is not appropriate for them to do so. The problem is that dogs don’t understand that it is okay to jump up on you when you are wearing jeans but not okay when you are all dolled up and waiting for your date to arrive or you are on your way to the church social. Also, some people are terrified of dogs, and the last thing in the world they want is to have a dog leaping all over them. For all of these reasons and more, dogs must be taught not to jump up on anyone -ever- not even when they are puppies.

If your dog comes bounding up to greet you and plants his feet on you for a love pat, push those paws down and command “Off!” Just as soon as all four of the dog’s feet are on the ground, praise him lavishly. Remember to only use the off command and no other. Don’t say “Down” unless you actually want your dog to lie down. Don’t try saying “No” one time and “Scoot” the next. Success depends upon your dog associating the command with the word.

One of the problems you may face is that some people will ignore your wishes and say, “Oh, I don’t mind, I have dogs of my own. I love them all.” They are trying to be nice, but nevertheless, they are making your training job more difficult. You’ll have to be direct about this situation and simply tell the person that you appreciate their kindness but that you are in the process of trying to teach the dog not to jump up on people. I’m sure they’ll understand and respect your wishes.

The no-jumping-up rule has to apply to everyone in the family as well. It’s difficult for a dog to determine who doesn’t mind or when the behavior is acceptable, and it’s because something that dogs like to do, the lesson will take forever to get across if everyone in the household doesn’t cooperate.