Dogs We Luv!

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 ...