Health, Wealth, Wisdom & Fun

Link: http://www.billboardmama.com/what-are-the-best-toys-for-puppies-p-220.html

You can't have a puppy without puppy toys anymore than you would have a little child without toys. However, you will not give a baby toys that could be unsafe, like those with little removable parts and small strings. Puppies are largely baby dogs, so you must use the same good judgment when you buy the best toys for your baby dog as when you purchase toys for your baby.

Find toys that are delightful to your young dog. They need the toys to gnaw on and to give them something exciting to do. If they don't have toys, they will think that your show and furniture will be adequate. Ensure there are no pointy edges on the toys. Puppies are still finding their balance and coordination. Don't allow toys that could injure them, and remove things that would most likely bring them harm.

Ensure that toys are not much too small. Like a baby, a puppy will bite and chew on anything. Anything tiny or anything that might be broken into tiny puppies might choke your baby dog.

A pet store is the best place to find toys for puppies. Puppy toys are particularly designed to be entertaining and safe. Toys range between excellent gnaw toys for teething puppies to toys that stimulate their interest. Toys that move or roll are excellent. A puppy will enjoy chewing after a quarter. Just like infants, gnawing helps them cut teeth. The ultimate toy is anything that they can chew without breaking.

It isn't necessary to spend a fortune. Many toys you'll find in the children's dept of a store will work best for puppies, too. So long as its made of material that's's soft enough to chew but not soft enough to wreck, or it rolls or moves, or it has no little parts, you are ready to go. Ensure that parts are not sufficiently small to swallow, which could lead to choking.

Kong rubber toys are among the best toys for puppies. The hard rubber is good for chewing, and they come in fun shapes. You can also fill the hollow centers with dog treats.

Squeaky toy are fun for puppies, too, but do keep an eye on their state and junk them when they show too much sign of wear. A tiny piece that could be possibly perilous is the "squeaker" itself.

Link: http://www.billboardmama.com/proper-discipline-for-puppies-p-219.html

To punish a puppy feels similar to punishing a baby. Have you ever heard of anyone spanking a baby? That may only lead to the adult feeling bad when the baby begins crying. A little baby won't learn from punishment, and puppies are no different. Just like everything you do with a small baby is designed to let it feel loved, protected and close to you, the way your treat a new puppy could affect the way that dog views you for whole relationship.

The one thing you'll achieve by punishing a puppy is to make it afraid of you. Spanking a puppy will only lead to it pondering its fear towards you and the discomfort of the slap. It's too young to understand the concept of right and wrong, so it doesn't learn.

If your little puppy is gnawing on something for example, and you punish it with even a light tap, naturally it'll potentially stop what it's doing. It's probably frightened of you know as it doubtless felt discomfort from the smack. It can't tell that it was being punished for what he was doing, however, so he does not learn the results of his actions.

Roaring at the baby dog can also do damage to your relationship. A puppy will surely stop what it's doing when you startle it with a scream. But again, it does not know the roaring the its actions are linked. Even the angry tone of your voice could cause your young dog to be fearful for a second.

Punishing a puppy like this will only make it think that you are mean and make it afraid of you. The dog may not trust you, because it does not see why you scare it. This can keep the young dog from ever actually warming up to you, and you will be unable to have a good relationship as the dog grows.

Some dogs will make a response to you in a defeated way because they are more passive. Your dog will not ever trust you, even if it stays in line out of fear. Other dogs have a more stubborn streak, and because they feel threatened by you'll attempt to dislodge you as the one in charge. If your dog thinks that it should be the leader of the pack, you have got a giant behavioral problem in your hands.

At the very least, you will not have as good a relationship with your dog as you might have.

Just as you would do with a particularly little child, use gentle correction when your puppy does something he shouldn't do. Use delicate movements and a kind but firm tone of voice, so that your dog understands to stop without becoming scared.

Link: http://www.billboardmama.com/misunderstandings-about-neutering-p-218.html

Neutering isn't a choice most owners of pets consider for their male dogs. Some folk think that could be a cruel process. But most elude neutering their dogs because they've heard a number of of the many misconceptions about neutering. You should know that your dog's health will not be hurt in any way, regardless of all of the myths around neutering. These are some of the misconceptions that keep owners from neutering their dogs.

Shortage of sex will not depress your dog. Dogs are not humans, and don't feel the same way about sex that humans do. They won't miss the intimacy or the love, like some folk believe. As much as some folks seem to think otherwise, dogs are animals, and their drive for sex is only instinct. Not having sex won't harm, or depress, your dog.

Your dog won't turn effeminate, nor will he become weak. Neutering does not affect a dog's physical capabilities or strength. In fact, the sexual instinct that perturbs some dogs will be removed by neutering. In household where female dogs also exist, neutering can address the behavioral Problems caused by the sex instinct.

Your dog will still bark at strangers, if it does now. Thinking the dog's ability to protect will be affected with neutering is ridiculous. This is another case where humans confuse their ideology about maleness with dogs. If the dog happened to be born sterile, would that make it less a dog, or less capable to be a watch dog?

One of the most responsible things that a pet owner could do is getting his dog neutered. Many people think it's perverted to neuter an animal. But if you follow that to its logical outcome, then having a dog as a pet isn't natural either. Dogs are supposed to be wild pack animals, so it's twisted to keep one. Look at it from another perspective. You look after your dog, and it relies on you. You feed it, pet it, and take it to the vet when necessary. Neutering your dog can save it. A female dog in heat can make a male dog run from its owner to reach her, possibly getting the dog lost or placing it at risk on a busy street. Male dogs act different and more aggressively around females. The risks are eliminated when your dog is neutered.

Your dog won't get fat or stop being active. If you do not overfeed your dog and neglect to take him for walks, your dog can't suddenly bloat up after being neutered. This is a popular misconception because it does happen occasionally, but it is not due to the surgery, but rather the habits of the owner. Simply make sure your dog gets masses of exercise and the correct amount of food.

Link: http://www.billboardmama.com/picking-the-ideal-puppy-p-217.html

If you are thinking about buying a new dog, there are a couple of things to remember before you make that decision. Currently, millions of dogs are euthanized in shelters every year, due in part to making the incorrect call on the type of dog to purchase. Before you go out to buy that new puppy, there are a few things to remember.

1. What sort of time can you give to your new puppy? Border collies and other such breeds do not do well when confined alone for hours and require a large amount of attention. Be pragmatic with your expectancies and select a reproduce that is legendary for their patience and ability to spend one or two hours except for you.

2. Size matters. Though your new puppy may be a small bundle of joy right now, in half a year you may be working with a monster. If you don't have a lot of space, or if you live in a residence, a giant reproduce may not be the best choice. In addition to space constraints, it is also an excellent idea to remember that large dogs do eat quite a lot more than the average teacup poodle and if you are on a tight budget, a smaller dog will be less expensive.

3. Different characteristics for different breeds. Buying a puppy should not be based primarily on which dog is the cutest, or which breed you thought looked nice. Take the time to totally research these marks so that you can make an informed decision. While some breeds have behavioral issues, some also shed more than others. Great Pyrenees, for instance, are pretty dogs that are not suited to apartment living because they are bred to guard cattle.

Four. Research breed health concerns. Due to improper breeding, this issue is getting bigger. Inborn health issues exist in every reproduce, but some breeds have more serious problems than others. As an example, German Shepherds are known to have issues with hip dysplasia, while some smaller dog breeds could have issues with their eyes.

5. Pick the correct breeder. By simply selecting the right breeder, you can already duck behavioral and health concerns. You can get a list of authorized breeders from the reproduce registry of your chosen reproduce. This will save you time, heartache and money.

Six. Consider getting a pet from a shelter. While shelter pets aren't for everyone, they may be a good option if you don't have little kids or if you don't mind getting an older dog. You are able to save a life by adopting a shelter pet and still end up with a superb and loyal companion.

Picking a puppy is an emotional call, but it can pay to keep these points in mind before you make your final decision. You will be in a position to pick the perfect puppy for everyone once you're supplied with the right knowledge.

Link: http://www.billboardmama.com/help-ease-bug-bites-and-stings-on-your-dog-p-216.html

You love your dog they way you do a member of your family. You will want to relieve your dog's suffering from bug bites and stings. However, you also know that a trip to the vet, to help sooth bug bites and stings, can cost you upwards of a $100 or more when you pay for the visit and the medication. If your dog is suffering from bug bites and stings, know that you don't have to spend that much.

The tips you will find below are inexpensive and the chances are you will already have some of the ingredients in your medication cabinet or in your kitchen. I have used everybody of these over many years too treat my dogs. In truth, I still use them on my best mate Princess whenever she's's stung or bitten.

The 1st tip will surely surprise you:

Use a beef tenderizer. Yes! You heard right. All you have got to do is pour the meat tenderizer into the bowl and then add water. Put the thickened paste directly on to the bite or sting. Your dog will enjoy relief instantly. The best thing is you will not have to fret about it hurting your pet so you can reapply it whenever needed.

Second Tip:: This one is just as shocking, but it is's also as useful. With a cotton ball, dab ammonia at once to the sting or bite. However, make sure to dodge the eyes and nose of your pet. Also, it's an excellent idea not to use it on bug bites and stings if your animal has additional sensitive skin.

The 3rd tip is my comprehensive favourite, and Princess adores it, too! Whenever I can get my hands on aloe vera leaves, I use aloe vera gel. But for a backup I keep an aloa vera gel that I get from my local drug store. Again, it's simply a matter of putting gel on the bite. The results are virtually instantaneous. Not only does it work good on my dog, I use it on myself for mosquito bits and the occasional wasp sting.

Here's one tip that will reduce itching and swelling quickly . This , however , requires patience, both from yourself and your dog. If it's's a sting, search the area where your dog is biting and scratching. There is a good chance the stinger may still be inserted in the skin of your dear pet. Once you find it and remove it then you can apply some healing gel or perhaps wash it with a cold material.

And in the topic of cold fabric, here's my last tip. Try putting several pieces of ice into a wash cloth and hold without delay on the sting or bite. Just like you, your animal will find it'll smooth bug bites and stings.

If your wondering if these tips are safe for your dog when your trying to relieve the agony and itching, check with your local vet. Or you can do more research to discover if these are safe. These tips aren't the sole ones available. It may pay you to discover about others.