Removing a tick from a dog

This video shows how to remove a tick from a dog easily and painlessly.  

What Are Some Ways To Keep My Dog Tick Free

If you never let your dog out of the house, that is obviously the best way to protect your dog from getting ticks, but that is probably not the ideal solution. Dogs do have to go outside once in a while, and anytime they are outdoors they are susceptible to getting a tick or two.

There are over-the-counter spot medications that can be purchased at pet stores, from your vet or online that are very effective in the control of ticks. You should be careful as to the kind of medicine you give to your dog, and seek your veterinarian's advice. These are the types of spot applications that you put directly onto the dogs fur, usually on the top of the neck.

There are also pills that can be given to your dog on a once per month basis that are also quite effective in killing ticks. They are very easily given to your dog and you won't have to worry about children getting into them or other pets coming into contact with them. It is a simple matter to give the pill to your dog in a ball of hamburger or just place it far down his throat and let go, and he will swallow it.

There are also shampoos that are medicated that will kill ticks upon their contact with the shampoo. This is a very inexpensive way to treat your dog for ticks, although it can be a little work to give your dog a bath with the shampoo. You will usually shampoo your dog with this shampoo during tick season, which is in the spring, summer, and fall, and you should use it every couple of weeks.

When you hear people say that they used a "dip" for their dog for ticks, that means that they used a strong chemical that is applied to the fur of the dog with a sponge, or poured onto the dog's back. Do not rinse the dip off of the dog after it is applied, but just let it dry. The ingredients are very strong, so the dip should not be used on younger animals.

Tick repelling collars are also effective in preventing ticks, as they hit the collar and drop off of the dog. The collar should be tight enough to touch the fur and skin of the dog.

Periodically examine your dog for ticks and if you find one, use tweezers and slowly remove it grasping the head. Keep your dog tick free for your dogs safety.

Why Is Obedience Training So Important?

To me that seems like such a silly question however there are a bunch of dog owners out there that just don't have a clue what the answer may be. There are many reasons that you need a trained dog and in this article I won't be able to address them all however I do want to point out some of the very important reasons.

A Dog You Can Enjoy - Having a well-trained dog is a wonderful experience. When you have a trained dog there is a feeling of pride that goes along with it. You will also impress your family, friends and even the neighbors. Simply put everybody loves a well behaved dog.

A Dog That Can Go Places With You - When you have a trained dog he can enjoy more things in life. That can include going to visit friends, going on trips and also family outings at the beach or the park. A well trained dog is always welcome wherever you go.

A Happy Dog That Knows Its Place In The Pack - Your dog is a member of your family pack. Whether it is you and a spouse or if the pack includes children it is important for your dog to know it place in the pack. Without training a dog will just naturally assume the position of Alpha and that is where all the problems begin. With proper training you will be the Alpha and your spouse and children will be below you with the dog at the bottom. Knowing its rank in a pack will make your dog happy and content.

A Dog That Isn't Aggressive - Aggression has actually become an epidemic. We are seeing more and more aggressive dogs daily. Why you ask? For several reasons but the #1 reason is because of the lack of training. It seems that people are so busy with work and life nowadays that they just don't take the time to train, exercise and socialize their dogs. These three things are all important to have a happy friendly dog.

Another thing that confuses dog owners is that many of them feel that training is only for show dogs and that is the farthest thing from the truth. Taking time to train your dog will give you a genuine feel of accomplishment and at the same time will build a strong bond with you and your dog.

So set aside 15 minutes a day and go train your dog.

Why Neuter Your Dog?

Population control is the number one reason for neutering a male dog (or spaying female dogs.) One female dog has the ability to produce nearly 200 offspring by the time she is just five years old!

An estimated 8-10 million unwanted companion animals are euthanized in the United States each year. This terrible practice can be prevented if owners will make certain their dogs (and yes, cats) are neutered or spayed.

Though population control is the number one reason for the procedures, there are other reasons, either behavioral or medical.

Most of the unwanted characteristics of male dogs are caused by the male hormone testosterone, which is a product within the testicle. That is a major reason why castration is more popular in veterinary medicine than vasectomies. Both procedures eliminate breeding, but vasectomies do not reduce any of the undesirable problems caused by testosterone production.

One of the most important behavioral advantages of castration is that these dogs will be less aggressive as adult dogs.

A second behavioral advantage of neutering is that these dogs will not "roam" when they sense a female in heat.

Why do they roam? Male dogs can sense females in heat through pheromones, airborne chemical attractants liberated from the female when she is cycling. These attractants travel through the air for great distances. A female dog in heat can attract males from over a mile away, upwind, downwind, or crosswind.

I asked my veterinarian if I should have my dog neutered. I will never forget his answer. "If you don't and he smells a female in heat 500 yards away, he is GONE!"

MEDICAL ADVANTAGES

Medical advantages of neutering are (1) no testicular tumors, (2) improved genetics, (3) fewer hernias, (4) few Perianal Tumors, and (5) fewer prostate problems.

When a dog is neutered, his testes are removed. This eliminates the risk of your dogs developing testicular cancer, a very common cancer in male dogs.

Levels of testosterone appear to relax or weaken the group of muscles near the anus thus causing hernias. Perianal tumors are stimulated also by testosterone and occur also near the anus.

Over 80% of unneutered dogs develop prostate problems.

The very best decision a dog (or cat) owner can make is to have their pet neutered or spayed. I personally had apprehension about the procedure but now know it was painless for my dog and was the responsible decision for me to make.

5 Effective Dieting Tips For Overweight Dogs

Experts say that overweight canines have a higher risk of health problems such as arthritis, different forms of cancer, diabetes, kidney problems, heart disease and high blood pressure. As a dog parent, it is your responsibility to monitor what your furry friend eats and take care of their overall physical well-being. If your dog is overweight, there are plenty of tricks you can try to get him off too much food but still keep him happy.

Here are a few tips you could follow:

Measure your dog's food

Did you know that in small dogs, even 10 extra kibbles of dog food each day can amount to about 1 pound of weight gain each year? That's where the beauty of using a measuring cup comes in when it comes to giving food to your pooch. Consult your vet regarding how much calories per day your pet needs to stay healthy and stick to that number - no more, no less.

Walk and exercise

A healthy, fit body can be achieved with a combination of nutritious food and the right amount of exercise per day. The same goes with our pets - if all they do is eat and they don't sweat it out, there's nothing to gain but weight. Make it a habit to walk your dog daily, even just for 20 to 30 minutes. This does not only keep him fit but daily exercise has plenty of health benefits such as boosting immune function, improving heart health and reducing behavioral problems. Hire a dog walker if you can't commit to a daily walk with your dog.

Feed your pet healthy food

Most store-bought pet treats and snacks are usually packed with addictive sugar that only add to your pet's waistline. If you have time, make your own treats made out of fruits and vegetables to ensure that he eats healthy. Apples, banana, broccoli, carrots and other fresh produce can go a long way for your dog's health and weight.

Learn to read food labels

Canines are naturally carnivorous - they just love their meat and they can't live on fruits and vegetables alone. When buying dog food from the store, read food labels and opt for the low or no grain variety with a good source of protein. Be sure to consult with your vet first before making any dietary changes.

Consider supplements

Supplements are a great way to make your dog healthier and at the same time encourage weight loss. An omega 3 fatty acid supplement is ideal for most canines as its powerful oils help and treat many common dog health problems. Ask your vet which supplements are safe to take.

Follow these simple tips and your pooch will be on his way to slimmer, healthier body!

How to TEACH ANY DOG to STOP BARKING Humanely, Effectively, and Naturally!

Zak's method on how to stop your dog barking, humanely 

5 Ways To Effectively Stop Excessive Barking in Dogs

Barking is natural for canines but when it keeps you up at night or when the neighbors start to complain, something must be done. When they bark, it means they are trying to tell us something. The most common reasons are to seek attention, to establish a territory, boredom, excitement, fear or even loneliness. It is important to find the main reason for the bad behavior and resolve it, but here are some other proven ways to stop excessive barking in dogs:

Lessen distractions

One of the most common reasons why a dog barks is different stimuli within the environment he's in. Canines get excited easily, they usually bark when they see someone pass by a window, when someone rings the doorbell or when they see another pooch outside. Start by closing the windows in your home or putting him in an area in your home where there are least distractions, especially at night.

Train your dog

Teach your dog some simple, basic commands that will help stop the problem. You can teach him the "Stop Command" with the stop hand gesture whenever he barks or even some verbal cues like "Quiet". Be patient when training your dog and don't expect him to learn overnight. Don't forget to reward him with treats when he reaches a milestone during training.

Redirect his attention

When he starts barking, observe what triggers it - it may be every time someone comes to visit or when meal time is near. One way to deal is to break your furry friend's attention from the present situation. Redirect his attention to his favorite toy, inviting him outside or giving him treats.

Provide him with physical activities

Dogs naturally full of energy and one cause of excessive barking may be from the lack of mental and physical activities. Daily walks or a game of fetch will help use up this energy and tire him out throughout the day.

Use a bark collar

This must be used as a last resort and it is ideal to consult your vet first. Some bark collars spritzes a dog with citronella (an unpleasant scent for them) or emits a high-pitched noise when it detects vibrations in the vocal chords. It has been effective to many dogs and has stopped excessive barking.

Try these simple tips to stop excessive barking in dogs - no more neighbor complaints and quiet nights will be here before you know it!

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?5-Ways-To-Effectively-Stop-Excessive-Barking-in-Dogs&id=9738351