Dogs We Luv!

Just like humans, dogs can also show feelings of aggression towards other dogs and humans. Dogs can become so aggressive as to growl, show fierceness and sometimes, bite. However, there is always a reason behind these feelings of aggression. It is worth noting that dogs will often show warning signs first before resorting to extreme behavior. Therefore, humans can avoid dangerous situations by learning how to read signals of dog aggression.   But first let’s talk about the possible reasons of aggressive behavior in dogs. What Causes Dog Aggression? There are many possible reasons why a dog can become aggressive. Fear and anxiety are common causes of aggression. Boredom may also cause a dog to lose its calmness.   Dogs who feel threatened or feel like their personal space is being invaded can also become agitated. Traumatic circumstances that a dog may have experienced can result to aggression too. This is true especially with dogs who have been a...

 How can you teach a dog good behavior?  Here are ten tips: 1. Use positive reinforcement. When a dog isn’t behaving well, don’t yell or say NO! Instead, reinforce a positive action such as “Sit” or “Stay”. Help your dog to understand your command and if he’s done correctly, praise him for his good behavior. 2. Be realistic with your expectation s. Not all dogs are the same so don’t expect your dog to be as behaved as your neighbor’s dog is. Some dog breeds are really active while others are not. Learn to be more tolerant about certain behaviors that are normal or “expected” for dogs like digging the ground or being playful. When a certain dog behavior is not agreeable for you, try to give your dog his own space where he can do what he wants without invading yours. 3. Be consistent with your rules. A dog understands only a YES and a NO. It doesn’t understand the gray line. If you don’t want your dog to jump up on you when you’re wearing your best...

When buying a feeder for your dog, don’t simply buy a cheap one. Choose a dog bowl that is safe, durable and made for your dog. Since dogs come in different sizes and dogs have different personalities, certain dog bowls are made for specific breeds. It’s important to choose a dog bowl that’s easy to clean, chew-resistant, spill-proof, and one that doesn’t tip off. Consider the following factors when buying a feeder for your pet dog: The Right Shape. Make sure that your dog’s feeding bowl does not block his vision while eating or drinking. If you have a dog with a short snout, you may choose a shallow bowl. Meanwhile, taller dogs need taller bowls. A tapered bowl with a wide base will also keep it from moving around or tipping off. If your dog doesn’t seem comfortable with his feeder, perhaps you got a bowl in the wrong shape. The Right Size. Dog bowls can either be small, medium or large to match small, medium and larger dogs. Make sure that your dog’s feeder is jus...

It is estimated that around 8 to10 million dogs and cats arrive in animal shelters each year. Among them, only half would survive and 4 to 5 million would be put to sleep or euthanized. Adopting a pet means giving a dog or a cat a second chance to live and enjoy life. And those dogs and cats are yearning for a family to come home to. Why Adopt Your Pet Dog Some people are hesitant to get a pet from shelter because they think that all animals in rescue homes have behavioral problems or have been discarded by their owners because they’ve been bad. This is a common misconception about dogs in shelters. On the contrary, many of these dogs and cats were left homeless because of unfortunate circumstances. Some animals once belonged to families who have been victims of tragedies, some were lost, some were put in shelters by their owners because they moved to another State or country, and some have been given up by their owners just because they were not ready to take care of a pet....

Just as we should be concerned about the food we eat, we should also be concerned about what we feed our dogs. But what really is a healthy dog food? According to dog experts, a healthy dog’s diet must contain 50% veggies, 40% meat and 10% whole grains. Understanding what the label says is important in choosing your dog’s food. Watch out for dog foods that contain too many by-products (chicken beaks, feet, bones, etc.), artificial preservatives (BHA, BHT, Ethoxyquin) and fillers. This is why pet owners are advised to go holistic when it comes to feeding their pets. What are the benefits of holistic or natural dog food ? Why Go Holistic: Your dog would be healthier. Because holistic dog foods do not contain chemicals or preservatives, you will be giving your pet the chance to become healthier and live longer. A holistic diet reduces the risk of cancer and other diseases. Holistic is cheaper on the budget. Switching to a holistic diet for your dog is actually cheaper. ...

For the longest time, I’ve been wanting to take care of a dog but because of two personal reasons (lack of space & insufficient budget), I decided to postpone my plan and get a dog when I’m really ready. Are you ready to take care of a dog? Ask yourself these questions before making a BIG decision: Do you have time? If you don’t believe that dogs need love and attention, then you should not get a dog at all. If you find it hard to keep up with your schedules and you’re not home most of the time, it wouldn’t be right to have a dog and just to leave it lonely and bored at home. Dogs that are often neglected can develop behavioral problems. Like people, dogs need to socialize too! Do you have the budget? Taking care of a dog can be costly, especially for larger breeds. You need to set aside enough budget for your dog’s daily food consumption, dog supplies (dog soap, dog shampoo, toothpaste for dogs, dog toys, dog treats, etc), vaccinations, and regular medical check-ups....

Dog training can be an exciting, enjoyable and rewarding experience for both the owner and his pet. It allows the dog and master to bond closer. Most importantly, the dog learns how to behave well and the owner is relieved of unnecessary stress and trouble that a bad behavior may cause. The simplest tricks that you can teach your dog are the Sit and Stay commands. These are also essentials of good behavior. As your dog progresses, more complex tricks can be introduced. But before a dog owner can successfully train his pet, he must first educate himself. Here are the essentials of dog training: Essentials of Successful Dog Training Teach the Right Tricks Give the Right Rewards Practice, Practice, Practice Stay Positive Teach the Right Tricks An important point to remember is that different dog breeds respond differently to training. Also, not all dogs like to do the same tricks. Some dogs love to entertain people but some dogs prefer to be left alone. Some dog...

Chewing is a natural dog behavior. However, some dogs chew excessively to the point that it can be annoying and destructive. Dogs chew objects for different reasons. Here are some of the most common reasons why dogs chew: Chewing is common to puppies who are teething.  Like human kids, puppies also feel discomfort or pain in their gums as they develop teeth. Thus, dogs gnaw or chew on objects to somehow alleviate their discomfort. This is supposed to be a temporary stage that all dogs go through. To help a pup get pass this phase more easily, you can give him dog toys that are especially designed for teething. Ice cubes or a frozen wash cloth may also help soothe the discomfort of teething. Older puppies may also get into the habit of chewing. At this stage, puppies may already have grown teeth which can be very sharp and blunt. Some dog owners may tolerate biting when playing with dogs but this can be very dangerous, especially in puppies, because even a gentle b...

Spa treatment for dogs? Is it really necessary? Today, you can find many companies offering unique pet services like spa treatment for dogs. But if you don’t intend to splurge, you can still give your dog the pampering he'll enjoy through a home spa treatment. All you need to prepare are the basic bathe essentials and accessories for dogs like dog shampoo, dog soap, comb or brush, a non-slip mat, hair detangler spray, and dog conditioner. Remember, don’t use human bathing products on pets as these could be too strong or may cause allergies or side-effects. What’s the difference between a regular bathe and a dog spa treatment? Instead of just the regular wash and rinse routine, make your dog more comfortable by giving him a body massage. Don’t forget to keep your dog’s favorite treat on hand, especially if your dog’s behaving really well. Remember to give plenty of compliments as a reward for good behavior. Play a relaxing music to calm your dog. Why not? A nice, ...

Some foods that we eat as humans are not safe or even fatal for canines. So before you give your dog anything that you eat, make sure that it’s safe. Here are some of the foods that humans often eat which can be life-threatening for dogs. • Chocolates. Even an ounce of chocolate (especially dark chocolate) can be fatal for dogs. Symptoms like vomiting and seizure may not show up right away but it can lead to comma and even death. • Ham and bacon. Both contain too much salt and fat which can cause pancreatitis. Eating salty foods can also lead dogs to drink too much water which can cause bloating and death. Onions and garlic. Both can destroy a canine’s red blood cells and may cause anemia. • Grapes and raisins. Even a few pieces of grapes or raisins can cause kidney failure on dogs. • Avocado. Avocadoes contain persin which can be damaging to the heart, lungs and other body tissues in animals. It can also lead to pancreatitis and cardiovascular ...

Every dog owner must learn about proper dog grooming & hygiene. Check out these 5 essentials: Bathe your dog. Some dogs love water while others don't. However, even if your dog hates water, be sure that he takes a bath at least once or twice a week. If he spends a lot of time outdoors, you may need to bathe him more frequently. Ask your vet about the recommended bathing routine for your dog's breed. Trim their nails. Some dogs wear down their nails naturally but other dog breeds need regular trimming. Introducing nail cutting to your dog is best done while they're still pups as older dogs may refuse. Calmly talk your dog to lie down on the floor where you can firmly get hold of his paws. When cutting your dog's nails, pay close attention and just cut a bit of the edge to avoid cutting through the vein. If you do, the vein would bleed and this would be painful. Also, your dog may never want to have his nails clipped again. Brush their teeth. Oral ca...

Companies give away freebies for various reasons. Corporate gifts are used to promote new products and services, to make customers feel more special, to motivate employees to work harder, to show appreciation for both clients and employees, and to celebrate special occasions such as company anniversaries, recognition, the launching of a new product, the opening of a new branch, and other important events. When giving corporate gifts, consider the timing, the appropriateness of the gift for the occasion, the recipients, and the presentation. Although you want to use these items to advertise your brand name, don't forget to add a personal touch to make the items more memorable. If you're looking promotional products or corporate gifts, here are stuff worth checking out. Being a dog lover, I tried searching for giveaways with dog themes and found these: This silver dog bone key chain holder These cool awareness dog tags that comes in a variet...

What is  mitral valve disease? It is a heart condition where the mitral valve (the valve on the left side of the heart) fails to function properly. Who are most commonly affected? Studies show that this disease are common in adult dogs or older dogs that are small to medium sized breeds. High prevalence of the disease were found in King Charles spaniel, Chihuahua, miniature poodle, miniature pinscher, terriers and miniature schnauzers. What causes mitral valve disease in dogs? This condition is caused by the accumulation of plaque in a dog's heart valve. Because the mitral valve is unable to function properly, blood is leaked back to the atrium (upper chamber) of the heart. As a result, the heart tries to pump harder to deliver blood to the atrium which can lead to congestive heart failure. What are the symptoms of this condition? Symptoms may not be obvious right away but as the condition worsens, a dog with this condition may have difficulty breathing and may exper...

Every pet lover should be concerned about making his home as safe and as friendly for both people and pets. If you have a dog, here are some tips on how you can create a comfortable space for your dog and your family: Choose durable furniture. Choose furniture and fixtures that are made out of durable materials. For example, leather is a suitable fabric for seats and table covers because they don’t stain, they’re easy to clean, and they hold up well to scratches (Check out dog trade show exhibits for a variety of dog-friendly furniture, seats, and table top display choices). Stay away from carpets and rugs especially if you have large, long-haired dogs that shed a lot. Give your dog some space . If possible, think about giving your dog his own special room. This way, you can train your dog about his boundaries inside the house, where he can stay and which rooms are off-limits.   For your dog's room, don’t forget to consider grooming. A tiled room where...

Every dog owner knows the importance of the leash and collar. What  important things must you consider when choosing a dog leash? Type of Leash. Standard dog leashes are usually 6 ft. in length and are great for walking your pets. For dog training, a retractable leash which can be extended up to 25 to 30 feet is advisable. Material. Leashes can be made from different materials such as cloth, nylon, leather, and chain. Most professional dog trainers discourage chain leashes because they can easily cause injuries on you or your dog. Nylon is an inexpensive and versatile leash material which can be used for walking and training dogs. Leather is stronger and more durable but it may not be the best leash material for dogs who love the water. Size. How wide or how long your dog leash should be depends on how big your dog is. Larger dogs may need a wider leash for more control and protection. Ornamental Leashes? Some dog leashes are embellished with fur, rhinestones...

Are you a dog lover? Are you allergic to dogs or pets? Is your condition keeping you from doing what you love most- take care of dogs? If so, here are some things you need to know about pet allergy: What causes dog allergy? People with allergies have very sensitive immune systems. Some people are allergic to dusts, pollen or dander while some are allergic to dog saliva.   Dog hair or pet hair itself is not the allergen but they do collect dander, dusts and pollen. Thus, larger dogs, long-haired dogs or dogs with thick fur collect more allergens and highly trigger allergic reactions to people with pet allergies. Reactions differ from person to person. The most common reactions of pet allergy are watery eyes, sneezing, runny nose, itchiness, skin rashes, wheezing and coughing. Other more serious reactions include fatigue, shortness of breath and asthma attacks. When exposed to cats, dogs or other pets (carrying allergens), a person with pet allergy may exper...

Are you feeding your dog with the right kind of food? If you’re a dog owner, you should consider this question seriously, as what you feed your dog directly affects his health condition. How do you know which dog food is best for your pet? Here are some points to consider: The age of your dog. Dogs have different nutritional needs depending on how old they are. “Puppies” need higher levels of protein and fat than adult or older dogs do. It’s very important not to feed an adult dog with food that is especially made for younger dogs. Your dog’s breed. Specific dog breeds also have varying nutritional needs. Larger dog breeds such as German Shepard, Labradors and Great Danes need foods with high calcium content because they are more prone to bone and joint problems. Your dog’s level of activity. How active is your dog? Again, a dog’s nutritional need also depends on his level of activity. Obviously, work dogs or active dogs use up more energy than dogs...