What is dog crating?

Using large crates is the stockade of wire, metal, or plastic with a door in which a dog can be reserved for refuge, security, or transportation. Dog crating can protect the home and when moving to new surroundings. Crates are sometimes a very controversial subject among dog lovers, and it is understandable because like most things people do get carried away.

For what purposes should we use dog crating?

Dog crates are typically used to train puppies so that they get used to a specific area in the house and prevent them from damaging any other household material such as furniture, cushions, or breaking dishes. We ought to use crating for the training of our pets and their protection, however many people use it as a form of punishment, and that could lead to counterproductive results.

The disadvantage of using dog crates as a punishment:

If you want to give your puppy a punishment, let them go in a separate area rather than sending them to their crate or kennel. Using the crate as a punishment makes the pups very iffy and also makes them feel isolated. You should not make the concept in the minds of puppies that crates are for punishments. This will make them difficult to manage and if a puppy does not trust you, training them will be next to impossible.

Using crates as a punishment makes pups feel insecure:

Crates are a very safe place to keep dogs. They consider it as heaven in which they can eat, they can sleep easily, and they can move or can sit easily, however these crates are not made to keep the pups in all day.

Drawbacks of punishments:

Punishments have many disadvantages that affect the dogs and their health. So, the following are the drawbacks of giving punishments to the dogs:

Punishments make the dogs weaken:

• Dogs feel insecure in punishment
• The health of dogs can be affected by punishment
• Punishment makes them feel isolated
• Dogs become difficult in punishments

Conclusion

The main purpose of the dog crate is to create a positive image for your dog. Dogs feel secure and calm inside crates provided you equal the time spent in the crate with affection. To ensure that your dog is happy inside the crate, give them time to adjust and change your schedule around to give them enough time for outdoor activities. According to the above-given explanation, in a nutshell, dogs should be kept in crates for the following purposes:

• For training of dogs
• To keep an eye on your pets
• For their protection from any harm

So, you should follow all these instructions to make your dog feel secure and safe.

Sometimes, you may need to do more than just giving solid or liquid medication to your sick dog. Depending on his condition and symptoms, you may also have to provide other kinds of nursing care, such as giving enemas. Below is an effective way to use this procedure:

The use of enemas can be beneficial for dogs that has the following conditions; constipation, during fasting, dehydration, excessive vomiting, bowel irritation caused by bone fragments or the presence of spoiled food or garbage in the digestive tract.

Before administering this procedure, make sure that you only use pure water that is warm but not hot (test it on your wrist to make sure). Use about two tablespoons for a small dog and up to a pint for a large dog. Add a few drops of freshly squeezed lemon juice to the water and administer the mixture with a plastic or rubber syringe for about 2 to 3 minutes. For large dogs, you can use and enema bag and a nozzle.

Here is how to do it: You must lubricate the end of the syringe with vegetable oil. Have someone help you hold the dog gently while he stands in a tub or on the ground. Insert the nozzle carefully into the rectum. Using gentle and consistent pressure against the anus (to prevent the fluid from leaking out), slowly fill the colon. If the solution does not flow in easily, pull back on the nozzle or syringe and slightly adjust the angle. Expect a bowel movement to begin within a few minutes. You may administer the enema once or twice a day for a couple of days.

In many cases, dogs that are dehydrated are simply retaining the fluid. This occurs when the colon absorbs the fluid which the body needs. Therefore, enemas are an excellent way to administer fluid therapy. Under these circumstances, administer the enema about every four hours or until fluid is no longer retained.

If a dog is having difficulty keeping water in his stomach due to heavy vomiting, an enema can help introduce the fluid and salts that are needed to replace those lost through vomiting. Using the solution as described earlier, add a pinch of sea salt plus a pinch of potassium chloride. The same solution can also be used to help a dog suffering from prolonged diarrhea. In this case, administer the enema every four hours or until fluid is no longer retained.

We had a huge problem with fleas.We were renting a 2 bedroom flat on a plot and they had not finished building the kitchen yet. When you walked through the kitchen your legs were covered in fleas, it looked like you had just put on a pair of black knee height socks.

We tried every product on the market we could get our hands on, from flea powder to fumigation tabs. The fleas would diminish for a few days, but in no time you would be wearing your black knee high flea socks again. The infestation of fleas made our home feel grimy and dirty. I had problems sleeping as I could feel the Fleas biting me, and I would feel itchy and scratchy the whole night.

Flea powder and flea collars weren’t helping for the dogs anymore.

After six months of this nightmare we had one of two choices

1. Move (which wasn’t an option at the time due to financial constraints and circumstances)
2. Burn the fleas. We were contemplating how we were going to successfully implement this dangerous strategy.

Fortunately our neighbor had visitors who heard about our desperate plans of getting rid or our flea infestation problem. They suggested that we use Pine Gel. I had never heard of this product and was willing to give it a try. We found a tub of 500ml Pine Gel at a local soap shop, ADA Distributors.

We diluted the 500ml Pine Gel tub with 20 liters of water, first we washed our dogs with Pine Gel and then sprayed the infested area for 3 days until our 20 liters of diluted Pine Gel was finished. What we saw was an incredible sight, as we started spraying you could see a black cloud of fleas as they were fleeing from the Pine Gel solution. You have to see it to appreciate it or believe it, there is no other way I can describe it to you.

Needless to say we were rid of our Flea infestation and without having to take any drastic measures. Our home and our dogs have been Flea free ever since we discovered Pine Gel. We have washed our dogs once a month with Pine Gel solution and have had no side or unwanted affects to date, we have used this product for 3 years now. I hope you benefit from this information. Please read this note as I have copied it from the Product for your information for you to make an informed decision if you decide to make use of this product.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Pine Gel is a thick green concentrated all purpose cleaner with a pleasant fresh pine smell. It can be used safely on most surfaces but could be harmful on painted surfaces. Ideal for bathrooms, showers, toilets, walls, restrooms, floors, tiles, counters, doors, tables, windows, shelving, and many more uses. If it is used as a laundry supplement check for color fastness before using product.

Not to be used on food preparation areas. Use as supplied or dissolve in water. Store away from food in a cool place out of reach from children.

Everyone always seems to have a tough time training their dog when they’re first starting out. In one respect, it should be comforting to know that you’re not the only one having trouble. On the other hand, you know you need a bit of guidance to make sure you’re doing everything right, and you just want to start seeing some positive results.

For me, about 7 years ago I got a new puppy. His name is Ralph, and he’s the definition of everything a man’s best friend should be. I love him to death. But, a few months after I got him, he developed a nasty habit of barking at everything he saw.

I caught him barking at a butterfly once. I caught him barking at kitchen chair that made a screeching noise when the person sitting in the chair scooted back. He just stood there and barked at the chair for a good 20 seconds.

Worst of all, I’ve watched him bark at his own shadow. I’ve always heard people tell jokes about dogs barking at their own shadow, but it seemed that my Ralph would always be the butt of the joke.

Well, I started trying many different barking control options. Keep in mind, this was happening before I got into the dog training industry. I was trying everything I could find on the market that I knew would be safe, but I wasn’t always necessarily sure would work.

Finally, I came across something called an ultrasonic dog bark control device. The beauty of this product is that it’s so simple to apply. All you do is install the batteries, set it on a solid flat surface, and let it do its thing.

Any time a dog barks, the device emits a radio wave out of any human’s hearing range. However, the noise disrupts the dog’s barking pattern. And, after several barks, the dog will learn to not bark ever again – unless when absolutely necessary.

Before I started using the ultrasonic device, my only options were to simply try various commands on Ralph. Sometimes he would respond well, sometimes not so well. Needless to say, the ultrasonic device greatly sped up the process of disciplining Ralph, and teaching him to no longer nuisance bark.

GoodLuck

How to Stop Dogs from Pooping in the Car

Travelling with dogs should be an enjoyable experience, but it’s messy and stressful when the dog is prone to carsickness or has a habit of using the backseat as a bathroom. The messes need not be an inevitable part of car rides, though. A few precautions and training techniques can stop your dog from soiling the upholstery.

Basic Precautions

1. Take your dog for a long walk before taking her for a car ride. This gives her an opportunity to relieve herself, and it helps her relax for the journey.

2. Cover the car seat in an old blanket, and put a few of her favorite toys on it. If your dog vomits in the car as well, she probably has carsickness and may benefit from travelling in a crate instead.

3. Maintain a comfortable temperature in the car with proper ventilation, and make frequent stops so she can walk around outdoors.

Desensitize the Dog to Car Rides

If not from motion sickness, inappropriate elimination in the car usually stems from anxiety or excitement. Is your dog reluctant to get in the car, or does she become uncontrollably ecstatic about going for a ride?

Reducing Fear and Anxiety

1. Vigorously exercise your dog before her next introduction to the car.

2. Tell her to “get in” to the car or place her in it, and then sit down in the driver’s seat. Ignore her if she cries or whines about being in the car, because coddling her will reinforce the unwanted behavior. Reward or praise her when she is calm and quiet. Then, take her back out of the car without driving anywhere.

3. Repeat the first two steps for a few days or until she calmly accepts being in the car. Then, drive around the block or even your own driveway with her, and praise her after the short ride.

4. Gradually increase the distance that you travel with her, and take her to places that she enjoys. A trip to the park shows her that car rides lead to reward, whereas a trip to the veterinarian may worsen her anxiety.

Accidents may occasionally happen as you increase her exposure to longer car rides. Refrain from punishing or scolding her for it; instead, reward her for good behaviors.

Calming an Overly Excited Dog

1. Walk your dog for 30 to 60 minutes before each car ride, and provide her with ample exercise each day.

2. Command her to “sit” beside the car, and do not open the car door until she is calm and relaxed. Do this often, regardless of whether you are actually taking her for a ride.

3. Sit in the car but tell her to “stay” beside it. Then, when she obeys, invite her into the car. Do this each time you travel with her.

A combination of exercise, desensitization, and leadership will usually stop dogs from pooping in the car. In the case of carsickness, however, some dogs need time to “outgrow” it or need additional help from a veterinarian.

Raymond

Naming your new pet is, for some, one of the most challenging parts of pet ownership. You realize that you and your pet are going to be stuck with this name for a long time, so take your time when choosing. Below is a list of 10 girl dog names along with their meanings. Maybe you’ll find the perfect name for your new four-legged friend.

Lola

Meaning: Strong woman

This name would be perfect for a dog that is known for strength, such as a bulldog. It is among the most popular names for female dogs.

Pixie

Meaning: Playful, fairy like

This is a good name for a dog that is small in stature. It would be a good fit for any of the toy breeds. Some owners of very large dogs named their dog Pixie as a way to show their sense of humor.

Molly

Meaning: This name is the Irish version of Mary

Because the name is decidedly Irish, it is an obvious choice for the Irish Setter, perhaps a bit too obvious. This name continues to make the list of top dog names for girls, and its use certainly is not limited to a certain breed.

Sassy

Meaning: Lively, spirited, full of life

This name is often given to dogs who are very playful – or disobedient – as puppies. It is a perfect name for a dog that seems to have a mind of her own.

Millie

Meaning: Gentle advisor The name Millie, while long popular, picked up a bit of speed during the administration of the first President Bush. Millie was the name of his Springer Spaniel, and that dog was one of the most well-known pooches to ever live in the White House.

Sasha

Meaning: Helpmate or Helper

This name is likely to increase in popularity for both pets and people being that one of the first children bear this name.

Trixie

Meaning: Bringer of joy

This name just seems to belong to playful, energetic dog. Not as popular as it was during the 1950’s, the name is once again gaining traction.

Lucy

Meaning: One who brings light

Lucy has consistently been on the list of most popular names for dogs for 40 years. Doesn’t everyone know a dog named Lucy?

Sadie

Meaning: Princess, royalty

This name was once among the most popular for dogs. Oprah Winfrey helped bring this name back into the spotlight when she adopted a Cocker Spaniel and named her Sadie.

Jasmine

Meaning: A lovely, pleasant smelling flower

If you let your little girl choose the name for your dog, this name is very likely to come up. The reason for that, of course, would be because this is the name of a popular Disney princess.

When choosing a name for your dog, try to match both physical characteristics and personality. It’s also a good idea to keep in mind that you are going to have to spend the next 15 years yelling this name at the dog park, so choose wisely!

For dog owners, going on a vacation is often a tough call as many places don’t have enough to keep their pets entertained. However, finding dog-friendly accommodation or attractions for your furry friend would be a breeze if you are heading to Lake Havasu City. Apart from playing host to several dog-friendly hotels and vacation home rentals, the city boasts of several dog parks, attractions, pet-friendly restaurants as well as RV parks and campgrounds, all of which would ensure an enjoyable sojourn for your cherished pet. So, if you are looking for dog-friendly attractions in Lake Havasu City that would keep you as well as your pet entertained, here are the top five picks:

• Lions Dog Park at London Bridge Beach: Being one of the top attractions of the city, this fully fenced park has a grassy expanse where your canine friend can run and play. In between these activities, it can even quench its thirst from the park’s drinking bowls that are loaded with fresh water. The place has covered benches, a walking path for humans and a hydrant-shaped fountain, spraying a cooling mist of water. If your dog is on a leash, you can even take it outside the dog area.
• Cattail Cove State Park: With over 2,000 acres of natural wonderland, this place awaits you and your dog with a lot to explore and enjoy. You have to put your pet on leash all the while when you go on to enjoy bird-watching, hiking or a picnic at this beautiful park.
• Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge: Spread across 6,105-acres, this place has a rich natural and cultural history. You can take dogs of all sizes to this place provided they are on leash at all times and cleaned up after. Your pet may either walk on the park’s trails or just alongside them. However, you can’t leave your dog unattended at any time.
• Islander RV Resort: Though dogs of all sizes are allowed here, there are some breed restrictions. The campground has a dog walk area where your canine friend can enjoy a leisurely walk. However, you have to ensure that your pet isn’t left unattended outside, is leashed at all times and cleaned up after.
• Lake Havasu State Park: By keeping your dog on leash, you can take your pet to enjoy the beautiful nature trails at this park. Dogs are not permitted on the beach though.

Some of these attractions are free to enter while some others charge a fee. It would be prudent to check the charges and additional conditions, if any, before going there.

These and several other dog-friendly places of the city are ideal for a dog’s day out. So, the next time you are racking your brains to pick a pet-friendly destination, come to Lake Havasu City straight away.

If you really want to stop your dog from begging for food, you’re going to need to learn to refrain from giving in to his begging every time there is food around.

It is not a secret as to the reason why a dog begs, well, it is because they would like food as soon as you have food anywhere near you or as soon as you go in the kitchen.

Begging isn’t disrespectful or weird to your puppy; it’s instinctive, so it takes a great deal of consistency to reverse that behavior if we’ve been reinforcing it.

This begging “attitude” began a long time ago with the dog’s descendants. With time, this became instinctive to wolves which carried over to dogs through their DNA.

Our dogs are hard-wired to seek opportunities to get food from us and given that they’re observant they quickly grasp that begging brings about payoffs when we respond to all these signals that they have gained mastery so well over time.

It is one of the most common complaints of pet owners, however, there is hope. You can keep your pet dog from your food while your dining, you just have to be persistent.

– How Can I Stop My Dog From Begging?

The initial step when teaching your dog not to beg is to make a pledge to yourself which is to stop submitting. Every time you offer your puppy a treat from the table it’s teaching them that begging is a winning action. It may perhaps not work all the time, but our dogs have excellent memories; they’ll maintain trying if they figured out it did the job anytime before

Dogs beg more when we’re looking at them; they know it works. Those big puppy dog eyes and all that whining– it works really well on all of us.

If you want your dog to stop begging you have to ensure that you’re not giving him mixed signals. It is not reasonable to expect good behavior from our puppies if we ourselves don’t remain consistent.

Training ourselves as being constant is usually the most challenging part, the rest is relatively simple. Here are 3 methods that will definitely help you stop your dog from begging.

Pay no attention to Your Dog’s Begging

Don’t look at your puppy while he begs. Just ignore him.

Whenever your dog starts his routine of begging for food you have to totally pay no attention to the disruptive behavior. Should he get a scrap from you one single time he realizes that his time and efforts might just pay off next time.

If you look into those big eyes when he’s begging you can feel bad for him and offer him a morsel. Almost any attention you give him when he’s begging might make him believe you’re close to giving him some food given that it’s done the job so well previously.

He will most likely fuss and resist if he’s a prolific beggar, nevertheless, you are going to have to learn to pay no attention to it. Your pet dog should eventually figure out that “hey, I think that’s not going to do the job anymore.”

Don’t associate food together with love. Your puppy is certainly not starving. You nourish him very well every morning and evening. Over 50% of American dogs are generally too heavy, your puppy doesn’t need to have any extras. If you still feel bad just keep in mind– he’s manipulating you.

Pet dogs have developed to getting those big sad eyes and floppy ears for merely that reason, to maneuver you into caring for them. They’ve evolved more puppy-like features and tend to share plenty of attributes of wolf puppies rather than adult wolves.

2- Limit Your Dog From the Dinner Table

Among the easiest solutions to stop your from begging is by preventing the behavior early on. You may do this by separating your pet dog from the dinner table.

You can educate your dog to lay down away from where you are eating, or you can make use of a baby gate to retain them in a different area. If your dog is already a beggar keep in mind that his behavior is most likely going to be fairly resistant for a little bit before it improves, but the consistency will ultimately pay off.

Have your dog lay down in his bed or specific space you’ve picked for him, compliment him as soon as he lays down and give him some treats within this spot. Depending on his stay command you might possibly need to work at this for some time before he’s continually remaining in his new spot.

After you’ve eaten visit him and give him lots of praise, give him treats. Let him know the behavior of sitting steadily while the family members eat is just what’s going to generate the most desired compensation.

If you don’t believe your puppy is going to be able to stay for any period of time or you don’t have a decent stay command mastered you can prefer to separate him with a barricade such as a baby gate, a very common selection.

3- Redirect His Focus While You Eat

Give your pet dog something else to concentrate on while you eat. If you don’t wish your dog to stay completely separated from you while you eat you may redirect his focus to some snacks, toys, or treats of his own. Offer him one of his popular bully sticks, or jam some peanut butter inside of a Kong.

Ignore him if he gets up from his treat to beg. He is going to most likely do this for a while if he’s used to begging. Just as long as you don’t give in and nourish him from the table at all he will eventually understand that his begging abilities aren’t going to pay off anymore.

If you’re consistent and decide to persevere begging could be considerably quick and easy to deal with. It merely takes determination and consistency. You need all of the household engaged; if any member is not going to play along and gives up you are definitely not going to be successful.

You simply cannot surrender, regardless of how adorable he is actually or what sounds your puppy is producing, it will set you back to square one.

Do you get that helpless feeling when your dog has diarrhea and everything you try to do just won’t seem to make him better? Are you looking for a way to gently relieve your dog’s diarrhea symptoms so you don’t have to depend on your vet for such a common ailment? Well, have I got a solution for you!

Here I’ll be showing the treatment I use when MY dog has diarrhea. It works within 24 hours and if you follow these steps, you’ll have YOUR dog feeling better fast. Here we go…

1. Keep Your Dog Hydrated: Give your water constantly. Diarrhea poses the rist of dehydration and that’s the first thing you’ll want to look out for. One particular solution that I give my dog when he has diarhea is a mixture of water, salt and sugar. The combination retains water in his system and keeps him hydrated and safe.

Pour a large glass of water. Add one teaspoon of salt. Add one tablespoon of sugar. Mix up the solution. The water will look cloudy. Pour the solution into your dog’s water bowl and see if he drinks it. If he refuses, give him regular water and monitor his drinking. He needs to drink.

2. Clean Up the Diarrhea Thoroughly: I know this part is rather unpleasant but it should be discussed. If your dog is having accidents in the house, you’ll want to clean up the mess with a good, strong bleach whenever possible. This not only removes any dangerous bacteria from your house, it also removes the odor. The odor is not only unpleasant for YOU to be around, it also triggered additional bowl movements from your dog. Cleaning it up well will mitigate a lot of the accidents

3. Fast Your Dog: You’ll want to fast your dog for 12-24 hours ensuring that his belly is empty. Continue giving him water. Putting some probiotic powder in the water is also a good idea. The idea here is to flush out his system and eliminate the culprit bacteria causing his stomach problem.

4. Give Him a Bland Diet: Feed him 100% canned pumpkin (not pumpkin filling). There should be no added sugars to the mix. He’ll love the taste and pumpkin contains healthy fiber to regulate his system and further flush out the cause of the diarrhea. His next meal should be something easy to digest, like boiled chicken and white rice.

5. Introduce Regular Dog Food: The following day, give him half his normal amount of dog food (maybe even less). Over the course of 3 days gradually increase his feeding to normal amounts.

Sometimes dogs seem to shiver and shake all over, worrying their owners. Here are a few reasons why your dog may be trembling.

• Dogs get cold and shiver just like we do, especially those with very short hair. That’s why you see so many Chihuahuas in sweaters, and why the little dogs seem to be shaking all the time.

• A trembling dog can also be a dog experiencing pain. If your dog seems to hesitate before doing a normal activity, it might indicate that something hurts. A sore back or an upset stomach can make a dog shake.

• A fearful dog is a shaky dog. If your pet is scared or nervous, she may tremble all over and run to hide. There are many dogs that are anxious by nature, and shake often.

• Shaking and trembling that doesn’t stop can indicate something more serious than a tummy ache. Diabetes and kidney disease, among other serious medical conditions, can cause shaking in a dog’s legs. Trembling paired with weakness could mean that there is damage or illness in the brain or spine. Poisoning can also cause shaking, which is usually followed by seizures.

Now that you know some of the common causes of trembling and shaking in your dog, you might be wondering how to tell one from the other.

• If you are feeling cold, and your dog is shivering, she’s probably chilly. They feel the chill in the air just as much as we do, so you might want to pick up a doggie sweater. They come in several sizes, are not pricey, and keep your pet more comfortable. You can also help by letting your dog in the house when it’s cold, or at least providing a warm place for her to go. A bed that is out of the wind and up off the cold ground is ideal, and providing some blankets or an old comforter will give her something to burrow under.

• We all know our dogs well, so you’re probably aware already if you have a dog that is prone to nervousness and anxiety. A dog that is nervous will shake when she feels threatened or scared, but won’t show any other signs of a problem. Dogs can have an anxiety disorder just like people can, and there are treatments and medications available for them, too. There is no reason for your dog to be a nervous wreck all the time.

• Dogs are great at pretending that everything is fine, even when they are in pain. It is up to you as the owner to spot the subtle signs that your dog may be hurting. In addition to shaking, your dog may seem hesitant to move and refuse to jump or climb stairs. Obviously, limping and moving stiffly are indicative of pain, and a dog that normally knocks you down for his supper who won’t come eat is probably hurting. Take him to the vet, who can offer many different kinds of medications and treatments so your pet won’t be hurting.

• When the shaking is due to something more serious, there are often some other signs of an underlying problem. Vomiting and depression are often noticed in dogs with kidney or brain disease and diabetes. These conditions can also cause your dog to drink excessive amounts of water.

If you notice any of these last signs and symptoms in your dog, in addition to trembling, take him to a vet. These diseases respond best to treatment when they’re caught early.

Also, if you are worried or the shaking doesn’t seem to have a cause (or just won’t stop), take him to the vet just in case. It is better to get a clean bill of health than to possibly miss something serious.

The next article in this series will discuss coughing in dogs, and the common causes of it.

The article will hopefully help you learn to notice possible serious conditions in your pet before they get out of hand.

Most of us think of our dogs as loved ones, and anything we can do to keep them from getting sick or hurt is well worth the extra reading. Noticing a problem and getting your dog to a vet in time to stop a serious problem is priceless.