Thursday, August 2, 2007

Best Dogs With Children

Dogs are children’s best friends. Every child wants a dog to play with and love.

“A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down.” – Robert Bechley

The question though is what breed of dog is best for your children?

There are many breeds of dogs that are good with children. Some have a great rapport with children like the Golden Retriever. Some love to play with kids like the Labrador Retriever. Beagles are patient and love to play with children.

Most small breed dogs are not good with children especially small children. One exception is the Bichon Frise who is great with well-behaved kids.

Some dogs are too big to be around small children but with older childrens they can be wonderful companions.

Besides choosing what dog would be great for your child there are other considerations to take into account. For instance, what kind of time do you have to take care of a puppy or dog if your child is to small to help? What is your lifestyle? Where should you purchase a dog? What are the health concerns of different breeds? These are just a few considerations you should look at.

Therefore, research different dog breeds before you decide on what dog to get your children. Your child and his “dog” will become great companions and have lots of fun if you do your homework first and get the right dog for him or her.

“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself” – Josh Billings

Sandy has a web site on small dog breeds but also on the most popular dogs that include dogs good with children and seniors, finding the best vets and breeders and much more. http://www.small-dogbreeds.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandra_Oberreuter
Article Page: http://ezinearticles.com/?Best-Dogs-With-Children&id=638364

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Dog Agility Training Fun

Dog Agility Training Is Fun For Fido
By Lee Dobbins


Hurling over jumps, running through tunnels, dodging weave poles, negotiating see-saws - do these sound like things your dog might enjoy? Then your pet might love dog agility training.

Inspired by equestrian events, agility training for dogs started in the late 1970's in Great Britain. It’s a great sport for both dogs and their owners as the team up to negotiate a course of obstacles and is a true test of your dogs training as he will have to listen to commands in order to run the course.

If you want to start your dog in agility training he must be at least 9 months old to be assured that his growth plates have closed and in order to prevent injury. Your pet with start with dog agility training and must be able to clear the jump heights of his assigned division before he can compete.

He’ll first be put in the ‘starter’ division; which is the division for dogs that do not hold agility titles. When he makes it through a round here he earns his ‘starter’ title and is now qualified to compete at the advanced agility level. The next title your dog can earn is the “Advanced Title” which he can take when he clears three rounds as judged by 2 different judges.

Once he gets his Advanced Title, he can compete in the masters classes. Earning a “Masters Title” is a bit more difficult and consists of a 6 part qualification process along with three successfully completed games courses.

Although a fun sport for both you and your dog, dog agility training is also a serious competition that is well organized and has many guidelines and regulations. Dogs are placed in divisions based on their size. The mini division consists of dogs between sixteen and twenty-one inches from the shoulder. These dogs have jump heights that are 12, 18 and 24 inches. The larger dogs that measure over twenty one inches at the shoulders are sorted into the open division where they will jump heights of 26, 28 and 30 inches.

Dog agility training competition is a serious and well organized sport with many guidelines and regulations. The two divisions in the competition are based on the dog’s size. A dog between sixteen and twenty-one inches from the shoulder is put in the mini division.

Not every dog can win the coveted “Master” title, but I don’t think they really care because to them the fun is in the sport. Dog agility training is a great way for both man and beast to enjoy a little fun competition as well as each others company.

Lee Dobbins writes for Train The Dog where you can get great dog training tips for every breed.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Dobbins

Wednesday, July 4, 2007

About Dog's Health & Dog Diet

It seems the more I research dog health issues, the more it comes back to the number ONE item that affects a dog's health the most, which is the Dog's Diet.

Although other areas can affect the dog's health, like the specific breed health issues, living environment, etc. It is a healthy dog's diet that can help keep your dog well and live longer.

With the recent dog food recall and pet food recall, it has come to most pet owners attention that they MUST read the ingredients label on their dog food / pet food.

If you will feed your dog all natural, human grade ingredients dog food, your dog should maintain better health, have more energy and be happier.

Finding the best dog food can be as simple as looking for all natural dog food reviews on search engines.

Sunday, July 1, 2007

Dog Health Matters

Your Dog's health is probably vitally important to you. There are some many things you can do to insure your dog becomes and /or stays vitally healthy.

Your dog's health can also depend on its breed. Some dogs have breed specific health problems. For instance dog breeds with floppy or overlap ears sometimes have a higher incidence of ear infections and ear problems.

Learn all you can about keeping your dog healthy and happy and you will save tons on money on Vet Bills!

Get A Complete Guide to your Dog's Health -- Click Here!

Dog Toys & Bedding Stuff

Dog Toys are important for your close doggy friend. The right dog toy can help give your dog exercise, make him / her feel secure and even help in some health matters. All dogs should have their own toys!

Dog Bedding is important too. There are all types of dog bedding available. Some for little dogs, some for medium and even some for very large dogs. Dog bedding comes in all colors, fabrics and styles to blend with your home's decoration.

One of the best & affordable places to find all types of dog dog toys and dog bedding online is Petco!

Petco for Dog Toys & Dog Bedding -- Click Here.


Signup For Free Petco.com Discounts & Petco Coupons

Dog Grooming Basics & Equipment

Many people prefer to take their dog to a professional dog grooming service and have their baby washed, dried, combed, dog hair cut, nails trimmed, ears cleaned and more.

Yet some people would like to do their own dog grooming. They enjoy the time and closeness with their sweet dog.

There are a lot of great dog grooming products and equipment available to help dog owners with their grooming chores.

Some of the equipment is dog breed specific, some are for all types of dogs.

PetCo - Click Here -- Offers Great Deals on all Type of Dog Grooming Equipment

Plus, if you signup you will get free petco coupons and discounts for members.

Saturday, June 30, 2007

Dog Training Online Expert Info

A really good Dog Training Site with Video Training Guides is Dove Cresswells Dog Training Online -- Click Here

You can watch The Free Dog Training Lesson.

There are so many experts out there that offer dog training advice. Finding the right dog training for your dog may be difficult.

Most dogs can begin some type of training at a very early age. The "experts" state puppy's can start "formal" dog training at around the age of 3 or 4 months old. In fact there are special "puppy" training programs you can enroll you dog into.

You will have to decide how extensive you wish to train your dog. If you would only wish to have your dog do basic things like sit, stay, rollover, etc. you could probably train them yourself.

Alternatively, if you are having a problem with your dog like too much barking or not walking properly on a leash and can't seem to break the bad habit, you may wish to enroll you dog in "doggy" school.

Another alternative is to visit several online "dog training" sites.

One of our favories is Dog Training Online -- click here. They offer VIDEO online dog training help.

Friday, June 29, 2007

Dog Food | Pet Food Ingredients That Are Harmful!

With the Pet Food Recall we have been experiencing, Now is the time to really take a good look at WHAT is within the ingredients of Dog Food and Pet Food.


Here is Indepth Information of Very Harmful Dog Food Ingredients / Pet Food Ingredients:


Petfood Ingredients That Can Harm Your Dog


ETHOXYQUIN


Ethoxyquin is used in most commercial petfoods as a preservative. It was first developed as a herbicide, and also as a stabilizer in rubber production.


Ethoxyquin is believed by many veterinarians to be a possible cause, in the following health problems of pets:


a) kidney damage

b) liver damage

c) cancerous skin lesions

d) loss of hair

e) blindness

f) leukemia

g) spleen and stomach cancer

h) immune deficiency syndrome

i) liver cancer

j) chronic diarrhea


The rise in animal cancer and several other serious diseases can be identified with the rise in use of chemical preservatives in petfood within the last 25 years.


In the best interest of your dog, you should look for Safe Pet Food manufactured by pet food company's with a good reputation that are committed to using only high end meats and ingredients.




BHA/BHT


BHA stands for butylated-hydroxyanisol, BHT stands for butylated hydroxytoluene.

These preservatives are in ALOT of commercial petfoods. BHA/BHT has been shown to be carcinogenic to humans, and their usage in processed foods for humans extremely limited.


Again, in order to protect your dog friend from these dangerous substances you must choose high-integrity petfood manufacturers. Be aware, though that even "prescription" pet food contains this unnatural preservative.



PROPYLENE GLYCOL

This is used to obtain a good moisture content and texture in petfood, as well as to prevent bacteria growth. It is used to absorb moisture. Unfortunately, it continues to do this after it is eaten, which can prevent the reproduction of necessary intestinal bacteria that helps digest food. It can also decrease the moisture content of the intestines.


These affects can cause intestinal blockage and major digestive tract problems like malignant lesions of the intestinal walls. It should be avoided.




POLLUTED MEAT WITH MISLEADING LABELS


Polluted meat in dog food and pet food has become one of worst problems in commercial dog food and pet food. Most of the pet food companies get their meat from rendering plants.


Here are some hidden facts about rendering plants:


1) They obtain dead animal bodies from slaughterhouses (rejected for human consumption because of disease or damage), including parts that people will not eat (just fine for many body parts, not fine for others); city and county road departments (road kill); grocery stores (bad meat); and veterinarian clinics (deceased animals, from snakes to dogs). This conglomeration is called
“raw product” in ingredient lists


2) Contaminated bodies must be “denatured,” which entails soaking them in carbolic acid, creosote, kerosene, fuel oil, or the like. Once the meat is soaked with this, it is considered ready to go to the rendering plant.


3) The rendering plants put all their carcasses together: livestock, sick animals, deceased pets, bad meat, etc.


4) They don’ t remove plastic bags, flea collars, pesticide ear tags, collars and ID tags, styrofoam packaging, etc.


5) A “batch” is what fits into a 10-foot-deep stainless steel pit with a grinding augur at the bottom. Whatever is the dominant portion of carcasses in the batch (cattle, pork, chicken, beef, or lamb), that is what the whole batch is labeled. I.e., if hogs comprise the largest percentage (maybe 25%), the whole batch is labeled pork, and this is what will be listed on your petfood label, even though any number of other kinds of “meat” and objects went into the production.


6) The products sold from the rendering process are lableled: “chicken,” “beef,” “beef fat,” “fish meal,” “fish oil,” “lamb,” “meat meal,” “meat by-products,” “poultry meal,” “chicken fat,” etc. Do you recognize these ingredients from your dogfood bag? And although the processing destroys “germs,” it does not get rid of the physical items from the solid matter (metal tags, collars, styrofoam and plastic) or, much worse, the chemical contaminants (denaturing compounds, sodium phenobarbital from euthanizing animals, by-products of heating plastic and styrofoam), nor the lethal byproducts of bacteria (e.g., botox), the altered cells of cancerous tissues, suspected to have an effect on living organs, and other unnatural and unhealthy substances that are present in the “animal fat” ground into or sprayed onto your pet’ s food to make him or her eat it.


The only ways to avoid feeding this horrendous substitute for meat and fat are:


a) Share your food with your animal friends or cook up recipes designed to be nutritious for them; and/or


b) When you find a petfood you hope is all-natural, call its manufacturer and get a straight answer on their source of meat and fat products.


The Above information was obtained from the report 10 Ways to Add Years & Wags to Your Dog’s Life




PEANUT HULLS
These are added as a filler, though labeled as a source of fiber. And although they are actually fiber, they are an unnatural source, and may be harsh on the intestinal walls of dogs.




SWEETENERS
All sweeteners are unnatural to a pet's and dog's diet. Like the fats, they are added to make very unnaturally produced food that a dog would otherwise not eat, more tasty. Also, dogs like people can become addicted to sugar in any form. The problem, besides the empty calories, is setting your dog up for diabetes. This has become a real problem for our pets in recent years, thanks to the petfood companies. (Catfood tends to be worse than dogfood in this way.)


Sweeteners used in petfood include corn syrup (also added as a plasticizer), beet pulp sugar, and sucrose. Hills’ Science Diet blatantly puts “sugar” on their label. This should not be on a label of a food you choose. If it is, make sure it’ s very near the end of the list.





In summary, READ Dog Food / Pet Food Ingredient Labels!.


As we have recently discovered, Pet food companies are almost completely UNREGULATED. Try to stay away from any pet food that lists the above ingredients!


If you do buy all natural dog food, you may pay a little more for the dog food, but ... your dog / pet will be healthier, happier and your vet bill will be lower -- you would actually be saving money!



Most of the above information was obtained from the report 10 Ways to Add Years & Wags to the Life of Your Dog -- unfortunately I cannot post a link for the full ebook, because the website is down at this time.



You may wish to check out Safe Pet Food.com's Recommended Pet Food

Dog Information, Tips & More!

Welcome to Dog Details Blog!



We're going to discuss all types of topics about Dogs, including the best dog food, dog training, dog grooming, fun dog toys, and dog health matters.


Pets are like children and depend on us for love, health, fun, and more.

We're going to share our years of experience with dogs with you and hope you enjoy and can use the fun tips and information that we post.