Socialization With a Dog: Tips for Every Lifestyle

First time dog owners are often left scratching their heads at the laundry list of new terms that every dog owner should know. One such word is socialization, which is the act of introducing a dog to as many new people, animals, objects, and experiences as possible. Proper socialization creates well-adjusted dogs that behave well in a number of situations, and do not display bad behaviors such as fear aggression, resource guarding, or skittishness. However, as important socialization is, finding the time to do so can be difficult. Below are tips for every type of pet parent. For the beer or wine lover Most breweries and wineries are dog friendly, and even have special treats for visiting pups. Bringing your dog along for an afternoon of beer or wine tasting allows him to experience new people, unique smells, and perhaps even other dogs. Always be sure to call ahead to...
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Diamond Naturals, The Cheapest Premium Dog Food

Choosing the proper dog food is one of the most important decisions a pet owner can make. Dogs should eat a well-balanced, high-quality food that is high in protein and low in preservatives and fillers. Preferably, the food should be manufactured in the United States or Canada, and the brand should have a low recall history. However, with so many options available on the market, how can a conscientious pet-parent choose a brand that is both high quality and good for the wallet? We have found Diamond Naturals to be the best dog food for the money and this is why… Diamond Naturals Dog Food is among the best brands on the market, as well as one of the best values. With two lines to choose from (Diamond Natural or Diamond Natural Grain-Free), finding the right food for each individual dog is simple. Containing no common allergens such as soy,...
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Stop the Stink! Getting Rid of That ‘Doggie Smell’

Paws up, mutt lovers – would someone be able to tell if a dog lived in your home, simply by smell alone? We all may love our best doggie friends, but sometimes we don’t realize just how smelly they can be, and although we’re used to a hair or two (or maybe more), most of us would prefer that ‘scent of wet dog’ isn’t the first thing that visitors smell when they walk through our door. In spite of our best efforts and the use of air fresheners, though, sometimes that distinctive odor just won’t leave. What next? Let’s look at a few ways that you can decrease that unappealing ‘unseen presence’. To start with, you want to be quick about cleaning up any messes right away. Young puppies and senior dogs are going to be the biggest culprits when it comes to accidents, so stockpile supplies like old towels,...
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Canine Coprophagia: Poop Eating (and How to Stop It!)

Yuck – there’s nothing more disgusting than seeing your furry friend eat their own poop, and what makes it even worse is when they come over to you afterwards looking for a great big doggie kiss! So why does your dog do this, and how can you stop this revolting habit? Well, fellow dog lovers – read on to find out. Poop eating (or coprophagia) is the practice of eating stool – for our dogs, this may mean that they chow down on their own poop, their littermate’s, or even the poop of another pet in the house. In certain situations, coprophagia is perfectly normal for our canine companions; mother dogs will clean up their puppies’ feces to keep the nesting area clean and odor free, for instance, and most puppies go through a stage themselves where they naturally investigate everything with their mouths – yes, even poop! Most dogs...
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Doggie Dialogue: Making Vet Visits More Manageable

For many dogs, visiting the veterinarian can be stressful, or even downright terrifying! Our furry friends have no way of understanding what’s going on, after all, and not only are they introduced to unfamiliar smells, sounds, people and animals, but sometimes they have to undergo procedures that might be startling or even uncomfortable for them. It’s no wonder that so many pets hate the vet! Unfortunately, though we might just want to give in and avoid the vet altogether, regular health care is important for your dog, and it might be needful for your dog’s doctor to administer a medication or perform a physical examination on your pup. Teaching your dog to stay calm at the vet’s office is an important skill that benefits every dog – and owner, too! First, you want to start by establishing a positive, consistent and trusting relationship with your dog. A close bond will...
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Coping With Your Dog’s Death

Dogs are lovable creatures and owners most definitely build up a bond with them over time. However, dog owners face the most difficult time of their lives when their dog expires. While death is inevitable, there are a number of ways and methods through which owners can cope up with this irreplaceable loss. For all those grieving owners, here are a few tips you may consider: Respect the Grieving Process: Dog owners, upon the death of their dog, usually fail to understand that, like any other grieving interval, the death of the dog also has a grieving process. Experts recommend acknowledging this process and absorbing oneself into it. The first step is indeed acceptance. This means that denial won’t get you anywhere. Accepting that your dog has really expired, is really the first step little step that will lead you to eventual peace of mind! Reach out to others who...
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Feeding Your Dog

If dogs are your best friends, then you definitely need to feed your best friend the right and safe food. Usually, new dog owners are clueless when it comes to knowing which food suits your pet dog the best way. Indeed, like any other living creature, dogs demand certain essential ingredients to keep them active and healthy. Therefore, as a dog owner, you should be aware what to feed and what not to! Real Food: Chicken, turkey, beef, and vegetables: no, these are not exclusively ‘people food’. In recent times, it has been suggested by the vets and other experts that dogs require these nutritional food items which allows them to develop their physical strength and senses. Therefore, feed them with the necessary food components! Meat is the Real Deal: Recent studies have revealed that real meat is the best food for your dog; nothing else even comes close! But...
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Dealing With Dog Diseases

Dogs are likely to catch certain dangerous diseases, and these if not treated immediately, may cause further health problems. The key is that owners take responsibility of addressing the disease in time so that necessary steps can be taken to eradicate the disease as soon as possible. Admittedly, a disease-free dog is one which is healthy and active! Canine distemper is caused by an extremely contagious virus through tiny particles present in the air or respiratory secretions of infected dogs. Such infected dogs usually develop watery eyes, fever, runny nose, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea etc. Such a disease, if not attended to within the timeline, may even become fatal. However, there is an effective vaccine available now to protect your dog from this deadly disease, which is considered a “core” vaccine and thus applicable to every dog! Canine influenza is another common disease found in dogs, and is caused through respiratory...
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Ready, Set, Play! Five FAQs about Dog Sports

Most of us love to play games with our dogs – fetch, ‘find the treat’, and hide and seek can be phenomenally fun things to do together. What about getting involved in a sport or activity with your furry friend, however? If your dog could speak, they’d probably be delighted to spend more time with you while being able to fully use the instincts and abilities they inherited from their canine ancestors. Dog sports are a fantastic way to keep your pup physically fit, but they also keep boredom at bay and can really help to enhance the bond that you share too. What if I don’t have a ‘sporty’ dog like a Border Collie? The great thing about dog sports is that there’s something for every breed and size of dog! Canine agility, flyball, and Rally obedience are all activities that allow dogs from Chihuahua size and up to...
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Tooth Troubles: Does Your Dog Have Dental Disease?

Confession time, dog lovers – how many of you brush your dog’s teeth every day? We bet that many of you out there don’t do it all that often, in fact; veterinary statistics show that most dog owners underestimate the importance of regular dental care for their dogs, while some may not even realize that their dog is experiencing serious tooth troubles. Why is this? We have no problem taking care of our own teeth; brushing, flossing, and visits to the dentist are all part of our own regular health care routines, so what prevents us from doing the same for our dogs? Well, the answer isn’t simple, of course. To begin with, not many of our furry friends are thrilled about having their mouths invaded in the first place, so it can be easier to simply give up on dental care instead of wrestling your pup to get a...
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