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Making Friends! How to Introduce Dogs To Each Other

As any dog owner can attest, canine introductions can be stressful situations.  If the introduction goes well, the two dogs will become playmates and pals; a bad introduction, however, can be extremely dangerous for both dog and owner.  What many pet owners do not realize is that the outcome of the introduction is highly dependent on how the owners handle their dogs.  Listed below are tips for safely introducing two dogs. Neutral Territory The first step in introducing two unfamiliar dogs is to find neutral territory.  A top mistake among pet owners is to attempt to bring a new dog into another dog’s space, such as the home or yard, and expect no problems to occur.  Dogs are naturally territorial animals, and even the most submissive pet may feel the need to protect its home and family.  The best place to introduce two dogs is in a nearby park or...
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Dog Training: The Single Most Important Element

Most people like dogs and they are the most common non-human life companions. Kids fall in love with them watching Lassie and we all have that idea of what a perfect dog would be. We all know what we want, but only a small percentage of dog owners know how to achieve that. Dogs are rather progressive animals and their brain is quite complex, so it’s not really safe or clever to determine one single element in dog training as the single most important one, but there’s one element that is, in my opinion, so important we can select it as a foundation for everything else. That is CONSISTENCY. Dogs just as humans like things to be in order and to make training as effective as possible we have to make sure that the dog knows exactly when it’s time for training, when it’s time for playing and that “sit”...
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Running with Your Dog

Just like humans, dogs thrive when properly exercised.  While not all breeds have the same exercise requirements, certain types of dogs such as those from the sporting, herding, or terrier groups require more activity than other breeds.  Running is one of the quickest and most efficient forms of exercise, and is one activity that requires little training.  Listed below are the benefits of running with your dog, and how to safely start a running program together. Running has numerous benefits for pets beyond simply keeping them trim and fit.  Adequate exercise can eliminate most nuisance behaviors in pets such as excessive barking, digging, chewing, humping, and attention-seeking because it is an outlet for excess energy.  Dogs also crave mental stimulation that cannot be provided when simply let into the yard.  Running is a fantastic form of socialization and helps dogs experience new sights, sounds, and smells that bust boredom.  Finally,...
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Food Bowl? Throw It To The Dogs!

Imagine this scenario: a first time dog owner is about to buy all the things his new puppy will need. He gets a doggy bed, a leash and a collar, some toys, a bag of dog food, a water bowl and… a food bowl.  This is the very first mistake people do. We don’t need food bowls and we certainly shouldn’t be using them. If your dog is eating from one of these horrible objects, throw it away! Confused? Let me explain. The dog’s ancestor spent most of his day scavenging and searching for food. When we look at animals in their natural habitat, we see that food-related activities tend to occupy a considerable amount of their time. When it comes to dogs, they’re not so different. According to some studies, when given the opportunity, most dogs will choose to work for their food instead of getting it all for...
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Dog Bandanas: Share Your Style With Your Best Friend!

Last year, Americans spent a record $56 billion on their pets according to CBS News. This year that number is expected to reach $60 billion. While vet bills, food and other necessities are included in that number, you may be shocked to learn just how much we spend primping our pets. In 2014 $330 million was spent on pet Halloween costumes alone! We see our pooches as extensions of our own personal style. Dogs belongings to bikers tend to wear Harley Davidson collars, leather jackets and visor caps. Purse pups are dressed as accessories to their extravagant owners’ outfits, and can be seen sporting matching gowns and rhinestones. Most of us take a less extreme approach to mirroring our style onto our pets. Consumers have incredible options for collar, leash, and harness styles ranging from sports themes to interchangeable holiday motifs. Crafters have answered the demand for doggy design with...
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Dog Christmas Sweaters; Dress Your Pup With Fashionable Ugly Christmas Sweaters!

Dogs are our best friends, but more than that they are family. Nearly every dedicated pet parents includes their dog in holiday celebrations using costumes, gifts, cards sent to family and friend with photos of their pet, and much more. This 2014 holiday season has promised these special dog lovers a new flavor of fashionable sweaters their dog can sport during photo shoots, family gatherings or just a walk around town. The ugly Christmas sweater has taken the pet fashion market by storm! Does This Sweater Make My Tail Look Big? Dressing your dog up for the holidays has never been more fun. Dogs of all sizes and ages can take part, and the more creative the outfit, the more raving that occurs around your pup. Finding the perfect fit, color and patterns of dog ugly Christmas sweaters has become easier than ever now that giant breeds and tiny toy...
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Starting Off On The Right Paw: An Adjustable Harness

You have gone and picked out your newest member of your family, congratulations! Now your puppy or mature dog will need some essentials before you pick them up for your journey home. The basics of bringing home a loyal four-legged friend: collar, leash and food bowl. No, I have not forgotten dog food either. That topic alone could have its own series of articles. As a dog owner, I would like to encourage anyone who has a small to medium sized breed to consider a harness in place of or in addition to a collar. There are a number of dog breeds that a collar is sufficient to hold them securely. Then there are some dogs that can slip a collar on occasion when they get excited and start wiggling around. For these dogs, I recommend a harness arrangement. My wife and I have found that our Beagles have adapted...
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Your Dog & The Dog Park; Are They a Good Match?

Everyone loves to see their dog run and play freely without the restrictions of a leash or small yard. It’s even more fun when our own canine companions can romp and rough house with other dogs of all ages and sizes. This is why dog parks were created, remember, a tired dog is a happy dog. They give our pets the ability to play, exercise and socialized among their own kind. However, if you have ever been to a dog park you have probably also seen the one or two dogs and their owners who just did not belong there. How do you know if your own furry best friend is a good fit for the publicly open dog park in your area? Know Your Dog First Your dog’s temperament and health will play a major role in whether or not your experiences at the local dog park will be...
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Easy Walk Harness by PetSafe Review

Products that eliminate or reduce the amount of tension and pulling a dog puts on his leash has been a hot topic for many trainers and in high demand for pet owners. The ability of being able to walk your dog without that feeling of your arm being pulled out of the socket would be a miracle all on its own.  An incredibly wide variety of these products exist on the market from head halters like you would expect a horse to wear to painful prong or shock collars for correction when a dog does pull. Not all items work for every dog, but some simply don’t work at all. At least not without the aid of training.  Ideally, each one of these would only be used as a tool to train your dog in loose leash walking, but what about those times in which your dog simply needs exercise...
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Do Your Truly Want That Puppy? Be Prepared for What They Don’t Tell You!

It drives me crazy when people get dogs and are not prepared, and then get rid of that dog without thinking much about it. I bet you know someone that has done it. “the dog just didn’t work out”, or “it was to much work”, “he was crapping all over the place” etc. Where do you think those dogs go to? Given to someone else that does the same thing? Dropped off at a shelter? All because the first person expected that puppy to come home, be cute and be no trouble. That is not fair to the dog that they took the responsibility to care for. I’m not trying to scare you into not adopting a dog, I just want you to know what to expect. After reading this, I might also suggest reading my article The New Puppy Checklist! Are You Prepared? When you pick up your new...
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