Jun 15
SriparnaUncategorized
The Brittany is a happy, lively, intelligent breed that enjoys hunting and working, and even enjoys working with other dogs. Affectionate and independent, the Brittany can make a good family dog. Because of its manageable size, the Brittany is a popular choice as a companion dog among hunters. The Brittany typically stands between 17 and 21 inches in height (43 to 53 centimetres) and weighs 30 to 40 pounds (14 to 18 kilograms).
Brittanys are most commonly white with orange patches, but they may also be liver and white, black and white, liver tri-color, or black tri-color, in either a clear or roan pattern. Black is not an acceptable color under the guidelines of the American Kennel Club or the Canadian Kennel Club, but it otherwise considered acceptable in the rest of the world.
The coat of the Brittany is dense, of moderate length, and can be either flat or wavy. Slight feathering can appear on the ears and legs, but dense feathering is not desirable and can impede the dog’s ability to work. The Brittany is sweet in nature and notably easy to train. Some say that a stern look is all that is needed to scold a misbehaving Brittany. Care must be used not to be overly harsh with these dogs so as to break the animal’s spirit. They are highly sensitive and eager to please.
These dogs are energetic and must be exercised, physically and mentally, on a daily basis. If not, they can become destructive as they try to entertain themselves. Brittanys are good with children if introduced to them at an early age. Because of their exuberance, care must be taken that the dog does not knock small children over. They share a love of human and animal companionship alike, and enjoy being part of a multiple dog family.
Jun 15
SriparnaUncategorized
Rewards for Your Good Puppy!
And don’t forget, your puppy will need treats for rewards, and toys to play with! Rewards and play time are important parts of puppy’s training, and of course, throughout his life!
Toys Are Good for the Soul
Buy a variety of toys: balls to toss, pull toys to play tug of war, and a few fuzzy toys for him to have in his crate as surrogate littermates. The toys should be tough enough to withstand your puppy’s chewing and tugging. Don’t buy any with small eyes or other parts that they could choke on. And the ones with the squeakers, take the squeaker out, or preferably, buy the toys that you have the option of putting the squeaker in it. Many puppies have swallowed the squeaker and had to go to the emergency clinic for surgery!
You can play with your puppy with toss toys or pull toys after he urinates or defecates; or get him “stirred up” if he won’t go right away outside. A little rough play and stimulation always helps get him moving! Playtime can also be seen as a reward for a “job well done”.
Oh Yum! Treats!
And, treats. Treats, treats and more treats! Every time your puppy goes outside and doesn’t have an accident inside the house, it gets a treat. Through this loving, positive reward, it reinforces how he did good! And he’ll remember that! Your treats can be natural ones too: carrots, apple slices, bananas. If you reward your puppy with natural food from the beginning, he’ll learn to want them versus some of the processed treats not good for their teeth or health.
Jun 15
SriparnaUncategorized
A Comfy Bed to Snuggle Up In
You’ll need a bed for your puppy’s crate. Buy two so you have a spare on hand when you need to wash the other bed (make sure it’s washable!). Don’t buy one with a foam insert as you don’t want the urine from an accident to get into the foam; it can’t be washed out! And depending on your breed, make sure it’s a well-sewn and made bed! Some dogs think they’re beds are toys, or “nest” in them by scratching and bunching them up. A good bed to buy is one of the fleece beds with a roll side. It’s comfortable, washable and gives a little side support for puppy’s head to lay on.
A Harness and Lead: Time for A Walk!
You’ll have to purchase a collar and harness that fits your puppy snuggly, but not too tight. As your puppy grows, you’ll need to reinvest in a collar and harness that fits him as an adult. But do invest in a good lead that you’ll use throughout his life! Don’t purchase one of the smaller leads that are for puppies; you can still use a heavier lead to train him how to walk with. And that way you only buy one lead during his life!
Setting Up Puppy’s Housebreaking Area
As part of housebreaking, you’ll learn later in the book to select and set up one area in your house as your puppy’s area to be paper trained. So you can set up that area, you’ll need to purchase:
- Piddle pads
- Newspapers
- An “X” pen
Piddle Pads to Attract Puppy
Purchase a package of puppy pads to use as part of his housebreaking. You’ll use a pad to mark his “main spot” where you want him to urinate and defecate as you paper train him. Later you’ll learn the steps in housebreaking, and part of it is you’ll get down to just one piece of paper, but a piddle pad at that point will be good to use. Piddle pads are also good to sit on furniture so puppy doesn’t soil the chair or sofa or bed when he jumps up on it. And also are good to put in his crate under his bed so it makes cleaning up any messes quick and easy.
Remember good old newspapers! They come in handy to put on the floor. You can sign up for a four-month subscription so you have plenty of papers on hand while you’re housebreaking your puppy. X pen is an exercise pen. This is portable, and can be formed into a square or circle to use as a fenced off area where you can put some papers down, and your pup in it.
Jun 15
SriparnaUncategorized
Don’t wait to purchase your “puppy items” the same day you get your puppy! You want to buy everything beforehand, and have it all set up. Kinda like a baby’s nursery – which in essence it is! Except it’s his new “den” which he’ll learn to be his safe haven, place to sleep and also where he needs to “go to the bathroom” while you’re training him. There are several items you need to purchase for your puppy that he’ll use throughout his adult life, and also for training purposes. They include:
- Crate (one that he can grow into and be roomy enough for his adult size)
- Bed (a washable bed! In fact, it’s good to have two beds … one as a spare when you’re washing the other bed.)
- Harness, collar and lead (the collar and lead will need to be changed as the puppy grows, but invest in a good lead that you can use later into his adult years)
A Roomy Crate: His New Den
Remember, your puppy left a warm, comfortable den that housed his mother and littermates. Now he needs a new den, which will be his crate. You’ll need to purchase a crate that is right for your puppy’s size as an adult. This will give him enough room to “grow into” the crate and use it all of his life. It should be big enough for your puppy – and later on adult dog – to stand up and move around.
Also purchase an attachable water bottle or bowl so when he’s crated (which you’ll learn about later in the book) he has access to water. Also get a food bowl that attaches to the crate’s wire door just in case you will travel with your dog and use his crate in the car or other vehicle.
Jun 15
SriparnaUncategorized
It’s important to remember that if your old or special needs dog has to go, he has to GO! If he alerts you he needs to go out, move! He won’t be able to wait very long. If they’re arthritic or partially paralyzed, you’ll need to watch them since they may not be able to get to the door or to you to give you the high sign that it’s time to go out. There are things you can do to help out your senior or special needs dog so they don’t feel bad if they have accidents. And if they do, don’t scold them. Remember: sometimes they can’t control it or they just can’t wait.
Tips to Help Out
There are some things you can do to help your senior or special needs dog out. The goal is to make it as easy as possible for them to get outside. Here are a few things that can help your dog stay comfortable and not have too many accidents:
Put a comfy bed with a piddle pad in their crate. You can switch it out and wash the bed, or toss the pads. Place piddle pads near the crate or the dog’s bed. That will allow them to go on the pad and not just have an accident on the floor or rug. Keep everything in one area to allow for easy and quick access: crate, bowl, pads. Buy “dog panties” that a sanitary napkin fits in. For dogs without tails, you can get them with suspenders. Get at least two pairs so you have one to wash in between uses
Watch your dog’s diet
Talk to your vet about the problems and see what can be changed to help out. Most of the time carbohydrates are cut down, and lean protein is fed. Many of the treats dogs eat nowadays are full of chemicals which can lead to bladder or kidney stone formation, or make their urine acidic. If you’re dog is too arthritic to walk on his leash, take him to a little grassy area and let him “take care of business” in one area. It’s best to still get some exercise, short walks or a little play time, to keep your dog moving and mobile. Inactivity is worse especially for arthritic dogs.
Talk to a holistic vet about herbs and other supplements that could be used to help with underlying problem. There are various herbs that help with inflammation, clean out the bladder or kidneys, etc. Acupuncture and chiropractic adjustments are also good for arthritics and sick dogs. And massage will help stretch the muscles and tendons on those sore arthritic muscles. What’s important is your dog’s quality of life. As long as he’s eating, happy and wants to be loved, then keep carrying him outside putting piddle pants on him and feeding him a strict diet.
Jun 15
SriparnaUncategorized
Senior dogs are like their senior owners: they’ll start to slow down, become arthritic and tend to have dietary upsets and urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence without disease is normally due to weak bladder walls. The dog will not pee on purpose, it’s purely an accident. Other reasons for UI can be due to the dog not being quick enough to get outside due to arthritis or dysphasia.
Sick Dogs Have Special Needs
Urinary incontinence can also be due to certain diseases that can afflict dogs of any age. These diseases are not restricted to older dogs, although most of the time the dogs with these diseases are at-least seven years old.
- Those diseases include:
- Diabetes
- Bladder or kidney stones
- Bladder infections
- Cardiomyopathy
- Cancers
Before you jump to conclusions that your dog is misbehaving, have a geriatric blood work panel done and maybe X-rays shot. This will help you determine the real reason your dog is having more and more accidents.
Medicines and Food Can Cause Accidents
When you put your senior or sick dog on some medications they can cause the dog to urinate more or have loose stools. Your job is to watch your dog closely and before they can have an accident, take them outside. If their diet has changed up, they could also have loose stools so watch your dog after eating to see if has to go out more. High-fat diets will cause loose stools. But senior or sick dogs should not be eating high-fat diets as they place stress on the liver and gallbladder which need to help with the digestion of everything else your dog is eating. Overstressed livers and gallbladders will end up in vomiting, loose stools and increased urination as the dog’s body tries to rid itself of the fatty food.
Jun 11
Funny Dog Photo KingUncategorized
Dogs are wonderful companions and most of us cant imagine life without them However some hardcore environmentalists claim that living with them is really hard on the planet Since its not likely that dog lovers will give up their pals just to be green here are some things to do to make sure you have the least amount of impact If youre looking to get a dog make sure to rescue Also consider getting a smaller dog Spay and neuter to avoid overpopulationnbsp Buy food that is organic and grownmade in the USA Support companies that use environmentallyfriendly packaging andor encourage your favorite companies to consider changing their packaging If you want to go the extra mile make your own dog food using ingredients that have little or no packaging such as bulk flours beans and vegetables Find a local vet groomer and day care facility so you dont have to drive far Extra mile do most of your own grooming Dont drive to the dog park Walk there if you can or if youre too far away take a stroll around your neighborhood insteadnbsp Always pick up dog waste and use biodegradable bags to do so Extra mile compost it seriously Purchase nontoxic dog care products like shampoos and pesticide control Properly dispose of any unusedleftover medications Like human medications dont flush them down the toilet Instead remove all personal identification from the container crush or dissolve all medication in water place in a sealed bag and put in the trash Extra mile see if theres a local waste management facility or pharmacy that collects unused medication Choose high quality toys that are manufactured in the USA nontoxic and made from ecofriendly materials Extra mile make your own toys dogs are happy with a stick from the woods empty bottles and rags turned into a tug rope
Jun 10
SriparnaUncategorized
Switching from manufactured foods and medicines to herbal remedies has become an increasingly popular trend for dog owners. While many hesitate to make their own natural concoctions for various reasons, those who have made the transition generally find great success. While there certainly are risks involved, there are also risks that are taken each time a dog owner exposes his pet to a manufactured product. In recent years, herbal medicines have become more popular with dog owners due to the increasing cost of veterinarian care. Checkups and visits for common pet problems have become such a financial burden that some have turned to herbs as a more economic alternative.
Also becoming more popular are natural food regimens for dogs. This is likely due to the frequent recalls and production complications that have become synonymous with manufactured pet foods.
Cautions Against Misuse of Herbal Remedies and Natural Dog Food
While most herbs are quite healthy for dogs, there are a few drawbacks involved. Administering a natural product requires measuring, a diagnosis, and a bit of estimation. Avoid harming your pet in any way by asking a vet to diagnose any serious problems before attempting to treat them. Risks and problems associated with herbal remedies include:
- Misdiagnosis of an illness by owner
- Overdose
- Allergic reactions
- Most herbal remedies are slower to work than chemical-based medicines
While natural dog foods are quite healthy, serving a dog foods that are generally served to humans can become risky. There are quite a number of foods that are wonderful for humans, yet poisonous to dogs. Some of these include:
- Raisins
- Fruit pits and seeds
- Chocolate
- Various nuts
- Garlic
- Onions
Jun 10
SriparnaUncategorized
Good grooming habits are an essential part of your dog’s health. While taking him in to a professional grooming service can be a hassle, not to mention expensive, there are many ways that dog owners can take matters into their own hands.
Before you get right into bathing your dog, make the experience more effective be prepping his coat. Start by untangling any matted fur slowly with a flea comb or de-matting tool. Place the tool at the top of the tangle and work your way down only after upper knots are worked through. Pulling too quickly can create hair loss and bald patches. Next, part the hairs around the area behind your dog’s ears, behind the legs, and near the tail to examine for fleas, along with any irregularities that may need a vet’s attention. If you see fleas or “flea dirt” (small patches of black, dirt-like particles), remove them with a flea comb that has been dipped in warm water.
Make sure that the comb is dipped in warm, soapy water for cleaning after each application to ensure that the pests are disposed of properly. If your pet has a serious pest infestation, consider adding a flea treatment or a flea shampoo to your grooming routine.
Before you get started, have the following supplies on hand:
- Flea comb
- Soft bristled brush
- Shampoo and conditioner for your pet’s specific hair type/breed
- Canine toothbrush
- Canine toothpaste
- Small trimming scissors
- Canine nail clippers
- Canine nail file
- Finishing spray
When you are selecting these items, keep your dog’s unique needs in mind. Is he small or large? Does he have long, straight hair or is it short and curly? What about his skin type and any sensitivities that he may have? Know exactly what you are looking for before you make your purchase, as there are a variety of formulas and styles to choose from in each category.
Jun 10
SriparnaUncategorized
While many dog owners pay a great deal of attention to their pet’s general health care needs, dental care is often overlooked. Considered by many to be a secondary concern, most dogs are receiving adequate dental care only as a luxury. Even those who are concerned with their dog’s oral health may be overlooking the symptoms of diseased gums and teeth. If you are concerned that your dog may have an oral health problem, look for any of the following symptoms:
- Excessive chewing on one side of the mouth
- Sudden and extreme lack of activity
- Reluctance to eat
- Bad breath
It can be quite easy not to take any of these symptoms seriously, however they may be signs of tooth decay and gum disease. While these conditions may not seem life threatening, there are the underlying causes of a great deal of more serious health problems. Ignoring your dog’s oral health can actually shorten his life. According to recent studies, approximately 80% of all dogs experience some sort of potentially detrimental gum disease by the age of three. This means that preventative care should begin as soon as your dog’s teeth have completely matured.
There are several steps that can be taken to provide your pet with the best oral health care available, most of which are quite inexpensive and easy to incorporate into your pet’s health routine. Some of the most popular options include:
- Daily brushing
- Using rope toys to remove tartar
- Chew products
- Solutions containing anthium dioxide
While daily brushing is the most effective method of tartar removal for your dog, chew toys can be a great way to remove tartar when brushing is not an option. These toys are not to be used as a total replacement for brushing, however. Pet dental care solutions containing anthium dioxide can also be used to break up bacteria causing food particles in the dog’s mouth. These solutions are labeled as oral care products, and they are usually applied to the pet’s water supply daily.
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