Dog photo of the Day - I’m hiding
November 17th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Here’s our cute dog photo of the day — ‘Shhhhh…. I’m hiding’.
Not sure what to feed your dog? Keep your dog healthy with Dog Food Secrets.
Dog Foods: Chews
November 17th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Did you know that dogs start to show signs of oral disease by the time they reach the ripe old age of three? The best way to combat the irreversible damaged caused by oral health problems of your pet is through daily brushing, and of course, chewing. Also, going for routine check-ups with a veterinarian is a must.
Apart from knowing what the proper way of brushing your dog’s teeth is, you should have little trouble with brushing. It is with choosing the right chews for dogs that you might run into a little tangle.
Most chews for dogs available today are either bones or rawhides. Some products might even be composed of compressed vegetables. Whatever chews for dogs you end up buying, it is important to keep this mind: chews for dogs should help reduce tartar and plaque on teeth. Everything else, such as satisfying your dog’s inclination to chew, is secondary.
Tips to Chews Wisely
Before you buy chews for dogs, you, as a dog owner, should know your pet’s chewing habits. This is essential since you want to make sure that the chew product you use is just the right size for your pet’s breed.
There chews for dogs that are fortified with nutrients. You want to choose a chew product that fills any nutrient gap in your dog’s diet. For instance, your Newfoundland, a breed that is particularly vulnerable to hip dysplasia, has low calcium. Then choose a chew product with high calcium content in order to compensate.
Why Size is Important
Also, we cannot emphasize more how important size is. Chews for dogs that are too small may end up being swallowed rather than chewed, and that in itself might cause problems with your dog’s digestive tract. Thus, if you have a large dog, then choose a medium to hard density chew product that is easily digestible. Conversely, puppies or small-sized dogs should be given smaller chew products made of softer material.
Not sure what to feed your dog? Keep your dog healthy with Dog Food Secrets.
Keep Your Eyes Open
Always observe your dog while chewing. This is true even if you have been using that particular chew product for some time. There is always the likely possibility of choking. Dogs have been known to choke on small pieces that they swallow whole and that include chew products and other small household items.
If you do observe choking or coughing in your dog right after he or she swallows or chews, bring him or her immediately to the veterinarian. Even if this isn’t the case but you happen to observe that your pet manages to chew off pieces of the product, chances are that the chew is not the right size for your dog. Get a bigger or smaller one, whichever is the case.
Dog sports: fun for you and your dog
November 17th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Engaging in sports is not only for humans. It is also well-loved by our best friend, the dog. Dog sports do not only make a dog’s life fun, but healthy, as well. Here is a list of dog sports that you may want your dog to get involved into depending on his breed, of course.
Agility
This is when a dog moves through an obstacle course, i.e., contact obstacles, tunnels, jump, etc., as guided by his or her handler. What controls the dog is only its handler’s voice and body language. Without a leash, obedience training is the major requirement for a dog to enjoy this sport. Speed and accuracy are the names of this game.
Carting
Large breeds usually participate in this dog sport. It mainly involves the dog pulling a cart filled with supplies like firewood or other farm goods, sometimes even pulling people. It is also known as dry land mushing and sulky driving and is well-known and practiced all over the world.
Frisbee Dog
Commonly known as disc dog, frisbee dog competition is about a dog and a human disc thrower competing in events such as a choreographed freestyle catching and distance catching. The division of events on this kind of dog sport depends on the handler’s skill and experience. What makes this one of the most popular dog sports is that any kind of dog can participate.
Flyball
This dog sport is a relay wherein teams of dogs race against each other leaving their handlers. These teams need to surmount four hurdles that are placed 3 meters apart from each other. Then, they have to reach a box that will release a tennis ball that needs to be caught when the dog presses the pad which is spring-loaded. Then, they have to go back to their respective handlers while carrying the ball.
Scootering
It is a sport where one or more dogs pull an unmotorized scooter in which a human is riding. It is similar to another dog sport done in the winter known as mushing, only dog scooter involves fewer dogs and instead of a dogsled used in mushing, a scooter is used. Like sled dogs, dogs that are doing scootering wear harnesses and are hooked to the scooter using a gangline.
Sheepdog Trial
Also known as “dog trial”, this is one of the competitive dog sports in which breeds that are into herding move sheep around a field, gates, fences or enclosures as directed by their handlers. Think of “babe” the movie about a pig. This is more popular in UK, Canada, Ireland, the USA, New Zealand, Australia and other farming nations.
Tip: make sports more fun with your dog by getting the right dog training.
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