How to Help Your Dog Lose Weight

How to Help Your Dog Lose Weight

My Border Collie, Emma, was overweight. Family members started to call her "Pudgy," and "Rolly-Poly, " and laughed when she wouldn't move even to bark. She even developed a way to twirl around in a sitting position rather than get up to see what was going on around her.
While her adjustments to her added weight seemed funny, it started to become clear that her health was in danger. Most of us don't want to believe that our pet is fat. In our eyes, they are oh-so perfect. A good test is to rub their tummy, along their ribs – if you can't feel their ribs, then you have a tubby on your hands! But don't despair.
In just four months our Emma has lost 13 pounds. It really wasn't all that hard to get her to lose that weight – and now we have a healthier and more active pooch. You can do the same! Where do you start?
First. record what you feed him or her for a few days, including treats. You probably don't realize just how much you are actually feeding your dog. After you've recorded the food you are giving your baby – start eliminating the extras! Cut out the snacks – or replace them with healthy alternatives (my dog loves to chew on raw carrots), always checking with reliable sources to make sure whatever you feed isn't toxic for dogs.
Watch other family members! Your best efforts can be compromised if someone is sneaking treats on the side. Make sure that everyone at home realizes just how serious obesity is to your pets' health. Everyone in the house has to realize that love actually equals less food!
Take that dog out for a walk! Make sure you are giving your pet a chance to exercise. Walking will speed up the metabolism and help to lose that excess weight. Grab that leash, and bring your dog along - even if you were thinking of going out for a short walk by yourself. Don't be surprised if your dog gets tired a lot at first – especially if your pet hasn't been exercising much. Give those doggie muscles and bones a chance to build up! Slowly increase your walks, and you will have a slimmer dog companion.
Your dog's health will improve and so will yours – and those walks will make both your dog – and you - very happy, too.
Visit Natures Healthy Pet for more information about pet health. Sign up for our newsletter and receive 3 free ebooks right away.
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Golden Retrievers - What Makes them Special

Golden Retrievers - What Makes them Special


The images of a Golden Retriever is common in television ads, shows, and movies, and for good reason. They are among the most active, friendly, and easy to train dog breed in the world.
Among the most easily trained dog breed, Golden Retrievers are intelligent, active and social. Since they enjoy anything that requires activity they love any kind of outdoor recreation that gets them moving.
From the breed's roots as an off-shoot of mid-1800s Russian circus dogs, they've been bred to retrieve. Whether it's fetching a tennis ball or jumping over low fences or any similar activity, it is all a natural extension of the game of retrieving.
Among the most intelligent of dog breeds, Golden Retrievers can learn a wide variety of behaviors with minimal effort. They are easy to housebroken and will give clear signs (after the initial training) that they need to go outside. Fetching comes almost automatically. It is also easy to teach them to stay, sit, roll over, and a lot more.
Golden Retrievers are easily socialized and friendly with people and (typically) other animals. Although individuals vary they usually adapt well to children and other pets. However, socialization does take a certain degree of training. They can be territorial and will probably bark at or chase animals and even people who do not belong to the home.
In spite of their temperament to bark a lot they do not make good watch dogs or guard dogs. They will definitely alert you to the advance of the mail carrier, but they also will bark at any movement. Trying to teach them to tell the difference between the two can be a big challenge. They might bark at a bird sitting in a tree outside the living room window or at a cat running across the front yard. With so many false alarms they are completely unsuitable for guard dog duty.
Also, they will almost never attack anyone since they are by nature so friendly, and trying to train them to do so is inconsistent with their nature. Though they are quick to bark they rarely bite. Their bark is a greeting rather than a sign of anger or a warning. It can be a challenge to train them to walk on a leash and not pull. But since they are so eager to please you they can be taught to walk patiently at your side. It might take a few weeks, and is best taught while the dog is still young.
They are very active and energetic by nature so it is extremely important to give them ample exercise each day. One word of warning: Their tails are often wagging because they are by nature happy dogs. This can be a major source of trouble unless you prepare for them ahead of time by moving all breakable objects to a higher spot where they will be safe.
They are incredibly social dogs and need to be with the family. Left a lone for long periods of time is not healthy. If there is no person at home during the day, at least have one other dog to be a companion for them.
Golden Retrievers are great dogs, but not for everyone. They are definitely best for people and families who want an active and friendly dog, and who are willing to devote time and attention to their furry companion.
Discover a site loaded with information about dogs, dog training, dog breeds, and dog care at http://www.christysdogportal.com Created by two dog enthusiasts, Carol and her daughter Christy, for the purpose of giving you free information about dogs.
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Your Dog's Health - Do You Know the Signs of Stress In Your Dog?

Your Dog's Health - Do You Know the Signs of Stress In Your Dog?

This is the time of year when there is a lot of activity around your home. Getting ready for the holiday season, shopping, visitors in and out of the house, and cooking, sometimes in the hectic pace, you may overlook your dog. Your dog can become stressed because things are different from the normal pace, and he knows that something “is up.”
He can begin to worry or become fearful because he doesn’t understand what is going on. This can produce stress that causes the nervous system to release adrenaline and other chemicals into the bloodstream. That causes the lungs, heart and blood pressure to increase and can deplete the body of its natural chemicals that help your dog to relax and calm down. This constant action can cause physical and mental fatigue.
So, what are the signs of stress? The physical signs are panting, diarrhea, drooling, vomiting, red eyes, dilated pupils, shivering, drinking too much water, and even sweating paws. The behavioral signs can be excessive tail wagging, jumping on people, pacing, barking, digging, and biting his leash.
How can you help your dog calm down? 1) The most important thing is for you to breath deeply and reduce your own stress. 2) Be sure that you are feeding a diet that does not contain grains. Low carbohydrates
help to slow him down. 3) Don’t react, just respond. Whatever he has done, respond to it in a calm manner.4) Give him things to do. Use toys that contain food, play some search games with him.
Help him use his energy in different ways.5) Encourage and reward his calmness. Let him know that you want more of the same
by rewarding him with a treat, acknowledge him in a calm voice, but do not make
eye contact with him. He will learn that if he relaxes, he will get your attention.
One of the best things that you can do for your dog is to learn her body language. She communicates with you all the time, and probably wonders why you just aren’t getting what she is saying.
Some calming behaviors that have been seen in dogs are sniffing the ground, tongue licking, yawning, eye blinks, averting their eyes, ignoring you, shaking themselves out like they are wet, and scratching themselves. What your dog is really saying is, “I’m uncomfortable with this” or “I’m trying to understand what is happening.”
The next time you see your dog exhibit one of these behaviors, try doing something that would calm you down. Yawn several times (don’t talk to or touch her) and you well see her yawn and begin to settle down. Another thing that you can do, which we all like, is to touch her gently. This will lower her stress level because her body will start producing serotonin, dopamine and beta-endorphins.
By being able to recognize stress in your dog and to use stress reducing methods, your dog will be healthier and live longer. And it will bring you closer. Now who wouldn’t want that?
Sandra Bailey, who has raised dogs for over 50 years, is the author of “Real Dogs Don’t Eat Kibble!” She has shown Papillons for 20 years, is a member of the National Center for Homeopathy and a Professional Member of the Animal Wellness Association.
She is the owner of the website http://www.TheNaturallyHealthyDog.com and blog http://TheNaturallyHealthyDogSeries.blogspot.com
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"Home Remedies For Dog Fleas" - The Best Flea Treatment For Your Dog

"Home Remedies For Dog Fleas" - The Best Flea Treatment For Your Dog


Asked any dog owners what’s the one problem that they have to deal with frequently and the answer is clearly this:
“How to get rid of dog fleas?” Many products are available in the market that claimed to be the “best flea treatment for your dog”. Let’s take a look at what are the readily available flea control products for dogs.
Simply walk into any pet store or supermarket and take a look at the dog flea products. You would find flea collars, flea powder, flea spray, flea shampoos, and the latest addition of topical spot-on solution.
But wait, take a closer look on the bottle of these products and you will find statements like these:
“Avoid contact with skin.""Harmful or fatal if swallowed.""This product is toxic to fish, birds and other wildlife.""Harmful if absorbed through skin.""Harmful if inhaled.""Avoid contact with eyes, skin or clothing.""Keep out of reach from children”
These are common precautionary statements on many readily available dog flea and tick treatment products.
Going by these statements, it sure seems that these products are harmful to us. So does it make you wonder what these products will be doing to your dog when you apply it to them?
There are countless stories of dogs or cats that have suffered some ill effects from the use of these products which further add to the controversy as to whether it is indeed safe to use them on pets. That’s also precisely the reason why more dog owners are looking towards natural flea control for their dog.
If you are a concern dog owner who detests chemical warfare, then a natural “home remedies for dog fleas” may be exactly what you are looking for. If so, make sure you check out Part 2 of this article “Home Remedies For Killing Fleas On Dogs” whereby step-by-step procedures will be given on how killing fleas on dogs can be done using non-toxic and readily available natural products.
Ann owns an animal shelter housing 150 dogs and cats. Understanding the difficulty and frustration of pet owners in getting rid of fleas, she has publish a website on "Flea Control" with the purpose of helping people especially pet owners solve this problem completely. More details on “flea and tick control for pets” are found within her informative website.
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How to Pick a Puppy

How to Pick a Puppy

Picking a puppy can be a difficult task. Your decision needs to be not only well informed but also a decision you can be happy with for as many as twenty years. The first task is to establish if a breeder or a trip to the local animal shelter is the best option for you. Both options have their pros and cons.
When deciding on a breeder you get the benefit of having a registered animal with its complete history at your fingertips. You will have an idea of the animal's temperament, and you will be able to have your choice of the breed and color that is most suited to your tastes. However this could also mean the animal has not had proper vet care, handling, and could have diseases from inbreeding if you do not choose a reputable breeder.
If you decide to choose from the animal shelter you get the benefit of knowing you saved an animal's life. The puppy will have had vet care, and you will know ahead of time any medical problems that could be an issue. Animals from shelters often come spayed or neutered, if the animals is too young for the procedure you will be provided with a voucher to have the procedure done at low or no cost.
Once you decide which option is best for you, the most difficult choice will be which puppy is best for you. Don't let how cute all the puppies are cloud your judgment! Keep in mind you are choosing a pet that has to fit you and your lifestyle for up to twenty years. Do your homework and make a list of what traits you are really after. Do you want a pet that is going to be relaxed, and be content to hang out around the house while you are at work? Would you prefer a pet that is more active who will happily run with you on daily jogs?
Make a list of breeds you are interested in, traits in those breeds that you are after, and most importantly what life style this puppy will need to adapt to. When you have your list, and your choice of where you will get your puppy its time to start on your journey to acquiring your puppy.
If you have chosen to select your puppy from a breeder you will likely have to place a deposit before the litter is born, or shortly after it has arrived. It will take several trips to the breeder, usually at 4, 6 and 8 weeks to decide which puppy is best for you and your price range. Breeding quality puppies, and show quality puppies will cost more than a standard pet quality pup. Be sure to spend time with each puppy without setting your sites on one in particular right away. Make sure you look each puppy over to make sure the eyes are clear, that they respond correctly to sounds i.e. they do not run and hide from noises, and aren't aggressive.
Puppies from animal shelters may be adopted quickly so a few visits to decide on an animal may not be possible. Keep in mind animals in a confined area can be under stress and therefore are not showing their true personalities. If an animal is reserved it is not necessarily a bad sign, they can simply be nervous due to an unfamiliar situation.
Dogs are wonderful animals that can add value and quality to your life. Do your homework to assure that you are making a wise decision given your lifestyle and the needs of your pet.
CS Swarens is the president of Find Classifieds Online Inc. 800 998-7065
For additional information on dogs, cats, birds, horses, and exotic pets visit the internet's pet resource http://www.findapetonline.com
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A Biting Dog is Not Man's Best Friend

A Biting Dog is Not Man's Best Friend


Why is Dog Training Important? You may have heard the phrase Dogs are man's best friend, but this will not be the case if you do not properly train your new dog. Properly training your dog comes with many rewards, but it takes time and commitment from you. When it comes to training them, it is important not to let your emotions get in the way of successful training.
As baby boomers are becoming empty nesters, they are turning to pets for companionship. More than ever people are pampering their pets and giving them the much needed love they deserve and desire. However, there are many people who love the thought of a dog and rush out and purchase a dog without considering the time and effort that will need to go into properly training their new friend. Just like children need to be taught what is and is not appropriate behavior, your new pet will need to be taught and trained if you want an obedient and well trained dog.
The truth is that your dog needs discipline and training. If your dog is allowed to act any way it wants, they will not be able to develop a clear sense of right and wrong. They will dig, chew, bite, jump and put themselves in harms way, which will not be good for the dog or your family. It is not good for the dog because they will not have the necessary training they need to be the kind of pet that you and your family want. Company will not enjoy coming to visit, if they know you have a dog that jumps up on people and does not listen to you.
Dog training is not just an important step for the owner’s peace of mind, but it is also important to the safety of your new pet itself. When it comes to the pet, this is something that many pet owners do not think about until it is too late.
Dogs that are well trained will be less likely to perform dangerous acts that could hurt themselves or people. These include, chasing cars, getting hit by a car, running away, or interacting with a dangerous dog that is not happy with your dog entering its territory. If your dog runs away and bites someone, you as the pet owner could get into serious trouble and will be held responsible. Even a sweet natured dog can get into trouble, if they hurt a child while playing too rough, simply because they did not learn how not to play gently with a child.
Training your dog not only helps to teach your dog patience and consideration, it also keeps you and your family safe. This is very important and should not be overlooked. The best time to start training your new dog is when they are a puppy, or as soon as you bring them home, do not put it off for another day. You will have a peace of mind knowing your family and pet are safe, and your dog will be able to grow up with an instilled set of instructions and sense of obedience.
For more information on puppy training, please visit puppylove-puppytraining.com where you will find great information such as crate training
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Dog Behavior Problem - Does Your Dog Have An Attitude Problem?

Dog Behavior Problem - Does Your Dog Have An Attitude Problem?

If your dog has a behavior problem or an attitude problem there is no need to worry because you are not the only one dealing with this problem. It is important that you take into consideration the fact that two very different species are involved, which can make communication difficult. Much like how different cultures between humans can spark problems, you may see a problem in your dog’s attitude problem.
You have to look at it as if you were a dog, as crazy as this may seem. You have authority over your dog, but if you don’t use the power than your dog sees it as if you are equals. This can be directly correlated with a communication problem and the way you act toward your dog. Luckily for you, you can change a dog’s attitude.
So where do you start? You have to start by taking control of their most valued possessions to show them who is boss. This will allow you to earn your dog’s respect and show him that you are worthy of the respect. By taking control of the things that matter to him most, he will see that with an attitude problem he won’t get those things any more.
This does not mean you need to deprive your dog, but you want to help your dog learn that an attitude problem is not ok. You will be surprised to see how quickly your dog will change its attitude to get back the things that mean most.
The most important thing you have to change that will quickly change your dog’s attitude and behavior problem is the attention you hand out. Dog’s rely on their owners for support and acknowledgement, and they will quickly learn to give you respect if they are not getting that attention. By no means do you want to use any kind of physical correction to get your point across, but walking away from your dog will get the point across.
If for whatever reason you are seeing no changes in your dog’s attitude by changing the way you deliver attention, you may want to leave them outside for awhile or in his crate. This will serve as a timeout and will show him that if he wants to get what he wants, he will have to cooperate. Dealing with a dog behavior problem takes time but is well worth it!
It is important to note that as you change rules around, your dog’s attitude may escalate momentarily as they try to adapt to these changes. They have been used to a certain rule for so long and it can be difficult changing. But if you are firm and positive at the same time, you should be able to quickly change your dog’s problematic behavior and attitude by showing them they have to cooperate.
To Learn More About Dog Behavior Training And Receive Our Free Dog Training Tips Go To Dog-Behavior-Training.com Today And Read More!
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Dogs Need Antioxidants When Fed Commercial Food

Dogs Need Antioxidants When Fed Commercial Food

Many pet food manufacturers offer your dog nutrient levels that are at the lowest level needed to maintain just adequate health. Because of this we are faced with a crisis of poor health for our dogs. In a perfect and always truthful world our dogs would eat a balanced diet from kibble or canned food. Well we don't live in a perfect world and though the pet food manufacturers may not be lying to us intentionally, the truth is our dogs are not getting a balanced diet. What goes into dog food is highly questionable and the end product is usually high in additives and lacks freshness.
Not too many years ago dogs were fed table scrapes. The pet food industry and many veterinarians convinced us that people food was bad for dogs. It took a while but the notion finally grew on us and since we wanted to do the right thing for our beloved dogs we bought this commercial packaged food. The more removed dogs are from good, natural home prepared diets, the more they need supplements. It's just like with people, you are supposed to eat a wholesome well balanced diet. If you can do this every single day you should get everything your body needs from food. It's hard enough for us to eat right all the time so how can we see that our dogs eat right?
To be fair about commercial dog foods, there are high quality ones available. No one food is best for every dog. You don't have to start cooking for your dog if that's not a good fit for you. Even with home-prepared diets or one of the better commercial dog foods, dogs thrive when certain vitamins and minerals are added. A good antioxidant helps to counteract free radicals you dog is exposed to daily. Yes dogs are exposed to the same free radicals you are. If they breathe they are being exposed and their cells are being damaged from these free radicals.
The power of antioxidants is amazing. Many holistic veterinarians use them for the following issues:They help keep the immune system in good shape or help to give it a boost.Slow signs of aging.Help with these problems:ArthritisHeart problemsHip dysplasiaIrritable bowel syndromeSkin problems and allergiesAdded vitality and improved mobilityLast but not least, healthier, happier dogs.
Okay here's a starting point on what you may find in good pet antioxidants: Sprouts, like wheat grassBarley grassAlfalfaKelpSpirulinaVitamins A – E – CSelenium
I feed my 3 dogs a mix of dog food (Nature's Variety) and some of the same food I eat everyday. If what I'm eating isn't healthy for my dogs it isn't healthy for me either. I don't feed them fats, bacon, pork, sweets, or sauces. I use common sense. Check out this link for the antioxidant that has helped keep my 17-year-old dog healthy with remarkable mobility. She has no hip or joint problems.
Robin Plan- life long dog loverhttp://www.squidoo.com/healthypets_now/
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