Pet Styles

Warning! Pet Owners, 4 Challenges to Address Before Buying Your Next Pet

noreply@blogger.com (JukuShop PetStyles) — Wed, 21 May 2008 15:09:00 +0000

Author: Frederick Adu-Acheampong

Pets especially dogs have been the most important non human being associated to man, even unto the moon. More people own pets in the world than cars, mobile phones and even computers.

The dog thing has presently become a lifestyle thing. Of course with over 41 million households in America owning a pet one wouldn’t have to be surprised.

But like any important purchase in ones life it is of great importance and of necessity to consider carefully some important points of questions to help inform your right choice or decision.

Owning a dog is a very wonderful experience; be it cute, fast, heavy, beautiful strong or for whatever feature and attribute you will want to describe in a dog. Yet there are many basic but serious challenging issues one must consider when choosing a pet, and in this case of this article a dog or puppy.

1st Challenge: Time and energy commitment.
A. The average dog void of disease and accident will live for 12 years. Some dogs will live as long as 20 years. So before you consider buying your next dog consider the lifelong time commitment you will have to make in order to be a happy dog owner and to keep a happy and loyal dog.

B.Furthermore there is also the energy demand factor that will call on you.

Dogs by their very nature apart from for healthy reasons will consistently require exercise. Both indoors and outdoors, they need this space to walk and play.

A happy dog will require 2-3 daily hours from you for walk and play especially outdoors. This is equally healthy to you as well.

Dogs like playing either with other dogs, with their toys alone or with you (owner and children).Please give them that attention.

It is sad how many dog owners quickly lose interest in dog ownership after some few years because they did net consider their lifestyle aspect when bringing in this new family member.

2nd Challenge: Financial – Money to spend and care
Let’s not hide it, it’s expensive to keep a happy dog, Even if it were given to you free of charge, there is the cost of feeding, vaccination, veterinary cost, traveling, training, grooming kits, pampering, supplies, insurance and many other costs to consider. I will recommend that pet lovers consider these areas of cost before buying a pet to help them be happy and responsible pet owners.

3rd Challenge: Lifestyle compatibility
Once the above challenges (time, energy and financial) has been considered and addressed, then i guess we have come a long way already. Yet we will also need to consider our lifestyle to help choose the right dog that will fit us.

It’s important to consider the size, age, disposition and personality, physical type, and sex of the pet.

Examples:
Sex; you will not go in for a female dog if you do not intend to breed or raise a new litter.

Physical size; it will not be parentally advisable for children with first time dog experience to choose a giant dog. This is because from my personal experience you child is more likely to develop an unfriendly attitude towards dogs. If this new dog keeps pushing him/her over always. Remember dogs love to play, I hope you understand.

4th Challenge: Defining purpose – The why factor
There are many and various reasons why anyone will buy a dog. An important question to ask yourself is why you need a need. Dogs come in different shapes and sizes, temperaments, skill and special abilities. Do you need a hunting dog, a watchdog, a dog show dog or maybe just for a pet.

So my dear pet lover the next time you consider buying a pet, try as much as possible to satisfy the above challenges. For with this THOU SHALL BE A HAPPY PET OWNER AND RAISE A HAPPY AND LOYAL PET.

About the Author:
This article was written by Frederick Adu-Acheampong,. If you have any interest regarding dog training or pet needs http://gentlestep.sharda0092.hop.clickbank.net

A Dog Birthday Party Is Pretty Easy To Plan For Your Pooch

noreply@blogger.com (JukuShop PetStyles) — Mon, 19 May 2008 13:15:00 +0000

Author: Amy Nutt

The idea of having a party for their pooch is sometimes the last thing on most people's minds. But, who better to throw an event of such epic proportions for than the one who is always so loyal and loving?

It is a fun, new fad that pet owners everywhere are adopting. You may feel overwhelmed at the idea and looking for tips to organize a dog birthday party. The puppy party can pretty much have any theme you're looking for even for a birthday.

Here are a few ideas:
- A regular birthday party is probably one of the most obvious and popular choices
- Barbecues that include pet owners and pets alike in the festivities
- Mardi Gras are sure to offer fun for dogs and people with Big Easy Style
- A Western theme can help you have a blast even if their won't be a shoot out at the O.K. Corral
- The famous song, "How Much is that Doggie in the Window?" centers around the song as the theme for the dog birthday party

A Regular Birthday Party
A regular birthday party for your pooch is a great way to honor that loyal companion of the family. Many pet stores have cake mixes especially for dogs. It's great to also bake or buy a cake for the humans in attendance so everyone is included. You can use streamers, balloons, and pinatas filled with healthy dog treats for the canine crew. If children will be attending it may be fun to have a pinata in a separate location for them. The possibilities are endless.

A Birthday Barbecue for your Best Friend
A barbecue is a fun way to celebrate your best friend's special day. Owners get to enjoy the bounty of the barbecue while dogs have fun. If you have a pool and all the pet owners have bathed their dogs, it may be fun to open up the pool for a pooch pool party. This may offer a lot of laughs as well as offer great photo opportunities!

Big Easy Birthday Mardi Gras Style
Maybe you feel your love for your dog is larger than life. What better way to express it than with a Mardi Gras themed dog birthday party? It's fun to have guests and pets come incognito with masks or if you want you can provide the masks yourself. Some party stores sell them for both pets and humans. Decorations with traditional Mardi Gras colors of green, gold, and purple will give a bold and authentic feel to the occasion.

Just "How Much is that Doggie in the Window?"
You can turn your house into a "pet shop" set to the old and famous song "How Much is that Doggie in the Window?" Little for sale signs and decorations can put up in the windows of your home or on patio windows. It's fun to play the song when guests arrive. It might be fun to have a puppy pageant or dog show and have designated judges vote on the dogs.

Some Helpful Hints to get it Organized
Here are some tips to organize a dog birthday party:
- Send invitations out two to three weeks in advance. It makes it fun if the invitations match up with the theme of the party to elevate excitement levels of guests. These can be cheaply designed on a computer.
- Get an RSVP from all guests so you know how much food and canine cake to buy
- Have a camera with batteries on hand, so you don't miss a single moment!
- Only invite dogs that you know your pet likes or won't feel intimidated by
- Allow your children (if you have them) participate in the planning and decorating
- If you're having it at a park, make sure a shelter is available on the day in case of rain Planning a pooch's birthday party isn't unlike planning for family members or friends.

A little forethought will keep things running more smoothly and ensure your dog's behaviour. It will help everyone to have a fantastic day without the fur flying!

About the Author:
Bark Busters leads the pack in solving dog behaviour issues, dog obedience training issues, and puppy training.

Four of Your Dog's Biggest Secrets - Revealed

noreply@blogger.com (JukuShop PetStyles) — Sat, 17 May 2008 17:30:00 +0000

By Ori Anavim

Do you think you know everything about your dog? Are the two of you really as close as you think? Well, there's a good chance your dog has been keeping some big secrets from you.

But we're about to break the silence on four of your dog's biggest secrets.

#1 - Doggie Dreams

All dog owners have watched their sleeping pets begin to move or make noise while not waking up. Well, those are all signs that your dog is dreaming. Just like humans, dogs can go into a deep sleep and dream. It's just one of the many things we have in common - like a love of hamburgers and a dislike for rainy days.

But what are dogs dreaming about?

If your dog is a sound sleeper, you might be able to get a good idea just by paying attention to his body movements. When your dog's legs are moving a lot, he's probably dreaming about walking or running. The faster his legs movement the faster he's running in his dream. If your dog's nose is twitching a lot, then he's probably sniffing around some doggie paradise in his dream.

#2 - Coprophagia

What bizarre secret is your dog keeping? Well, he may possibly be a backyard coprophagiac. What is that? That's the technical name for a dog that eats feces - either his own or other animals' feces.

Yes, it's a disgusting and gross habit, but it's surprisingly common among puppies and even some mature dogs. Usually, the cause of this behavior has nothing to do with nutritional deficiency. Dogs eat feces because it has a strong smell, and strong smells seem tasty to dogs.

Other dogs may pick up the habit by imitation. One dog in the house starts eating feces, then you have your entire pack munching on their own bathroom in the backyard. It's an ugly secret.

The good news is it is a habit you can break. First, talk about your dog's secret with your vet so health problems, such as parasites, can be ruled out. Next, make sure you clean up after your pet more often or make his bathroom less tasty either by adding pumpkin or meat tenderizer to his food or by putting hot sauce on his feces.

#3 - Crotch Sniffing: It's Like Saying "Nice to Meet You."

One of the most embarrassing parts of dog behavior is, sadly, not a very well-kept secret by most dogs. And that's their tendency to sniff people's crotches. Having your Great Dane's ample nose shoved between the legs of a guest in your home is probably not altogether pleasant for you and definitely not for your guest so why does your dog insist on being so rude?

For dogs, this behavior isn't rude at all. Dogs get to know each other by their scents - in a way, when a dog sniffs another dog's behind it's the equivalent of humans exchanging business cards. And, let's be honest, there are a lot of smells going on in that part of the human body - no matter how many times we shower. It's just another type of dog greeting and, unless your dog gets pretty obsessed with the action, it's perfectly fine to let him do it.

#4 - Making a Dog Happy

Probably the biggest secret your dog is keeping from you is how to make him the content canine you want him to be. The truth is that all of the dog cookies, designer sweaters, and leather pet beds in the world won't make your dog truly happy. What he really wants is structure and leadership - two things only you can give him.

Remember that dogs are pack animals and that means they want a leader they can trust and follow. If you can't be that leader, then they have to pick up the slack and most of our family dogs just aren't ready for that responsibility - plus it's frustrating trying to control a pack of unwilling humans (ask any kindergarten teacher).

Train your dog. Exercise your dog. And work on being a leader he can respect, follow, and care about - if you do, then you'll have a very happy dog.

Well, there you have it: your dog's big secrets. Just don't tell him we let the cat out of the bag!

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Dog Training Chewing Guide - How To Deal With Your Dog's Chewing Problem

noreply@blogger.com (JukuShop PetStyles) — Sat, 17 May 2008 12:15:00 +0000

By Kristi Patrice Carter

If you have a dog that loves to chew, then you're not alone. Plenty of people, just like you, are owned by dogs who are avid chewers. Although some of their chewing behavior is innate, it can be a severe problem when the chewing becomes destructive. In this dog training chewing guide, we'll provide you with proven tips to deal with your dog's chewing problem.

First of all, dogs have a natural desire to chew. They just love to chomp on various items and will display such satisfaction when they're chewing. It's almost like they go into a "trance state" and have been known to chew on shoes, furniture, bones, socks, and even toes.

Second, dog teeth are built to chew or tear stuff apart. For instance, just look at their strong, sharp and pointy teeth. In the wild, dogs use these teeth to tear into their prey. In captivity however, those same teeth don't just disappear simply because they aren't being used the way nature intended. Instead, dogs have to learn how to modify their chewing behavior.

Third, dogs sometimes chew on things in order to deal with their emotions. For instance, my dog often chews on household items when he's lonely, bored, frustrated or upset. To him, it is a soothing act that seems to calm him down.

Fourth, dogs who aren't exercised enough often chew on things because they have pent up energy. They often use destructive chewing to get rid of this pent up energy.

Now that we know what causes dog chewing problems, let's now discuss how to stop this dog chewing behavior for good.

First, have faith that your dog can change. It won't necessarily be easy to transform his chewing behavior but you can if you're persistent and patient and follow the tips in this handy training guide.

Second, put away your valuable possessions and make sure that you don't leave stuff lying around. In fact I don't leave anything lying around my house including shoes, socks, garbage, snacks, glasses, paper, whatever that I wouldn't want my dog putting in his mouth. If my dog can reach it easily, I put it away. I learned the hard way, it makes no sense to test your dog's self control.

Third, don't be afraid to confine him. In fact, until you're confident that your dog's chewing is under control, confine him in a dog safe area or crate until he understands the house rules and has proven he will not chew on everything in sight.

Fourth, react quickly if you catch him chewing on a forbidden item. Make an "Ah-Ah-Aaah" sound or simply say, "No". Then, remove the item and give him something else (a dog-friendly alternative like a bone or toy instead). Once he accepts it, give him lots of praise and this will teach him that he gets more attention for playing with the right items.

Fifth, you may want to use such items like "Bitter Apple' or other deterrent to keep him from chewing on items that you don't want him to chew on. Most dogs hate the taste of Bitter Apple and it definitely deters them.

Sixth, give your dog plenty of appropriate toys or food items to chew on. These must be dog safe toys and not cast away homemade items. For instance, if you want your dog to stop playing with your "good" shoes, then don't give him any "old" shoes to play with either. After all, he doesn't know the difference between "good shoes" and bad ones.

Seventh, engage your dog in daily activities. For instance, you should take your dog for daily walks and play games with them too. This will entertain your dog and give him plenty of activities that will alleviate stress and boredom. Then, he won't be tempted to chew on everything in sight.

In conclusion, you can cure your dog's chewing problem you just have to understand why dog chew and be willing to offer safe alternatives to appease his innate chewing instinct. Once you do this, you can eradicate this problem f or good. Good luck!

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How to Stop a Dog from Digging in 3 Easy Steps

noreply@blogger.com (JukuShop PetStyles) — Fri, 16 May 2008 04:26:00 +0000

By Andie Thomas

Dogs love to dig for a variety of reasons. Some dogs dig to stay cool while other dogs dig for the infamous instinct of "hiding a bone". What can you do about this? The following 3 methods are easy to use and will help greatly reduce if not eliminate your best friend from digging holes all over your yard.

1. Fix the boredom
One of the biggest reasons dogs dig is due to boredom and lack of entertainment. You can easily remedy this by getting your pet enough toys to keep them entertained. Make sure the toys you choose are appropriate for the size and type of dog you have.

Exercise your dog regularly. This will help lessen your dog's anxiety and hyperactivity. You should also spend more time with your dog. The mental stimulation you give your dog and the socialization will help to keep the dog occupied and less likely to dig. By keeping your dog occupied, when your pet does have downtime, he will be more interested in resting than digging. Just fixing your dog's boredom can really help reduce the incidence of his digging.

2. Provide proper shading for your dog.
Another reason dogs dig is to cool down. By providing proper shading for your dog, you reduce the need for them to dig in order to remain cool. You can do this in a few ways. You can either move your pet to a better shaded part of your yard or you can provide alternative shading for your dog through either building a shelter or planting shade. Ensuring your dog has plenty of water also will help keep your dog cool and help with the digging problem.

3. Create a special area for playing
Dogs are natural diggers, so it is very difficult to totally eliminate the problem. If you can create an area where they know it is okay to carry out their natural desire and train them appropriately, you can help reduce their temptation to do so anywhere else. Dogs enjoy digging up freshly dug up ground. When you create a fresh playground for your dog, this will provide them with the opportunity to exercise their urge. Preventing your dog from digging in other areas of the yard will help train your pet to only do so in the area you designated.
When you keep your dog entertained, keep your dog cool, and create a special area for your dog to play in, you can overcome your dog's destructive digging habits.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andie_Thomas http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Stop-a-Dog-from-Digging-in-3-Easy-Steps&id=1171483

Welcome to Pet Styles by Jukushop

noreply@blogger.com (JukuShop PetStyles) — Tue, 06 May 2008 13:08:00 +0000

This blog is created to bring information to pet owners and pet lovers information on taking care of their loved ones!

It is becoming more and more popular, if you walk down the street, I'm sure you will see at least one pet, not mention how pampered that pet is.

So stay tuned while we work on bringing you the most comprehensive collection of pet information available!

Sincerely,

The Jukushop team