I know that many of our visitors here at Ask About Dogs are keen to ensure that their pets are insured but are confused by the choices available. I thought I would share with you a site I have come across that seems to provide some good advice about Affordable Pet Insurance and also more general pet care.

Take a look at it by going to Affordable Pet Insurance

Whilst I was searching for sites I also came across one which covers a subject that is close to my heart and also covers a subject that a lot of people have asked me about - How to Blog - take a look by clicking on that link.

Popularity: 37% [?]

Share This

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

I am delighted to let you know that we have just launched a completely f-r-e-e Social Network aimed at all the Dog Owners and Lovers - and not forgetting the puppy owners of course!

Want to take a look now: http://www.dogsandpuppiesonline.com/

Here’s a quick summary of some of the many features of our new Social Network:

Completely free membership!

Gifts for you which will help you with your dog.

Access to special offers and discounts we have negotiated for you with dog supply organisations.

Growing range of Content and Forums to help you with your Dog or Puppy including a Dog Training Forum.

You can invite new members, meet new people, and make new friends at Dogs and Puppies.

You have access to a full message center with address book importing from Gmail, Yahoo Mail, and Hotmail if you want it.

You can see which members of your network are online now.

Your own profile pages which you can customise to reflect you and your dog

Photo slideshows, video players and network badges, that can be embeded anywhere on the Internet.

You can set different privacy settings for every photo, video, group, or blog post they contribute.

and much more…….

Take a look at Dogs and Puppies now!

I look forward to seeing you as a member.

Popularity: 30% [?]

Share This

Cats and dogs are notoriously famous for being thought of as arch enemies. From cartoons to movies, they are always being depicted as two animals that are always at each other’s throats. This makes it easy to assume that they are not meant to get along. However, there is a way for these two seemingly opposite pets to be friends and live under the same roof in peace.

The key to success when building a relationship between a cat and a dog has a lot to do with the individual traits possessed by each animal. It is generally easier to build this relationship by starting off by introducing a young kitten to a dog that is a bit older. Kittens are still a little bit more easy to mold than adult cats and while most cats will not eagerly run up to a dog to make friends, with a little bit of time an adjustment, it can be done

Expect some hissing and spitting from your kitten

When you bring home a new kitten and you begin initiating contact between your feline friend and your adult dog, you must be present at all times and expect the cat to display some fear by hissing and possibly spitting. This is just the way that cats express their fear as well as make an attempt to scare off a potential enemy. In order to prevent your dog from reacting back towards this behavior, just grab your kitten when you see the hissing reaction taking place and then place her back down again to associate with the dog. It just takes time.

Use the method of “exposed isolation” to help them get to know each other

Exposed isolation means just what it says: you want to isolate the cat in one area and the dog in another, yet have them both exposed so that they can see and stiff at each other. A great way to do this is to get a baby gate and separate the two animals on either side in a room. Your cat now enough area to roam free, as well as your dog. And when they get curious they will simply come closer to the gate and sniff each other out, slowly making friends.

Do not get your hopes up

You have to realize that not all cats and dogs will get along no matter how much conditioning and training you involve them in. Some dogs have an increasingly high amount of predatory drive, depending on their breed.

You have to remember that dogs are hunters and have a natural instinct to chase. Before you consider purchasing a kitten it would be wise to do some research and ask specific questions about the type of breed of dog you have. An obvious example would be trying to bring a kitten into the house where an adult pitbull is living. It doesn’t take much common sense to know that this would be a mistake.

Popularity: 28% [?]

Share This

Does your puppy have the attention span of a two-year-old child? And does he seem a little too fatigued and tired throughout the day? If you have already taken your dog to the veterinarian for a full examination and he checks out okay, you may want to take it upon yourself to help increase his energy levels and attention span by going the “natural” route.

Of course animal medicines do have their place, but if your veterinarian does not see a major health problem then your best choice is to follow some of the guidelines below to get your puppy feeling better and acting more alert:

1. As long as your puppy is more than six weeks old, try reducing his feeding times to only twice per day. In an attempt to keep our puppies growing and healthy, some dog owners make the mistake of overfeeding the little pups, which can result in lethargic energy levels as well as very short attention spans. You can help your puppy by cutting back on his meals.

2. Check the food labels and be sure that the food you are feeding your puppy has a complete digestibility level of at least 85% to 90%.

3. Protein is a very important nutrient for good health and energy in dogs. Unfortunately, many dog foods sold in stores are made up of mostly carbohydrates. Dogs need meat and lots of protein to be at their best. This is especially true of young puppies. So be sure that each meal has a high level protein source when feeding your puppy.

4. As far as supplements are concerned, is always smart to first check with your veterinarian. But we have a recommendation that may help your dog and that is to supplement his food with brewers yeast. Brewers yeast is chock full of B vitamins and protein.

5. Last but not least, the latest trend in supplements for both people and animals are omega-3 fatty acids. But there is good reason for this popular trend and that is because these oils are extremely healthy and are known to raise concentration levels in dogs as well as create a healthy shine on their coat. You can find omega-3 fatty acids in fish oils and flaxseed oils.

Popularity: 49% [?]

Share This

For any new dog owner, handling all of the loud barking of a new puppy can be quite an unnerving experience. Most new dog owners are not prepared for the intense amount of barking and yelping that young puppies start doing the minute they arrive in their new home. Although it is totally natural, some puppies do not give their owners the luxury of quieting down, especially at night.

One of the biggest phases that a puppy will go through is the fear of being alone. And I’m not talking about being alone in the sense of you leaving the house. Some puppies will go absolutely nuts even when you only leave the room for a split second. They just can’t bear to be alone because they are used to having their mommy or littermates around non-stop.

When faced with this situation, what you do? If you run to your puppy to sooth and caress him every time he cries, then you are only feeding the behavior and creating a spoiled dog. On the other hand, if you ignore him and let him bark his brains out, the rest of the family (especially your spouse) will become very annoyed with you for letting the barking go on.

It’s like being stuck between a rock and a hard place, however, we do have some tips to help you deal with your puppy barking situation:

1. The first step is to try to ignore your puppy’s barking if at all possible without yelling at him. Yelling will either scare him from wanting to come near you or will further add to his anxiety levels that and he will continue barking.

2. There is a product called a “teaching lead” which will enable your puppy to be around you at all times in the house. Use these types of tools so that your puppy can be around you while he is getting used to his independence.

3. When you leave the house, try to refrain from long and drawn out departures. Although it’s understandable to want to pet your puppy and talk sweet to her before leaving the house, it only creates more stress because she will start to associate your behavior with you leaving her side. The same advice goes when you arrive home. Avoid big and exciting welcomes after walking through the door.

4. Try using a simple training aid to get your puppy to quiet down immediately when she is barking. A water bottle that sends a quick burst of streaming spray is a perfect idea. Or you could use a small tin can filled with a few pennies in it. When you go to leave her side and she starts barking, simply throw that can in her area. It will create a startling noise while at the same time diverting her attention.

Popularity: 74% [?]

Share This

It’s a real concern isn’t it! We all assume that the Dog Food that we feed our dogs is safe and surely they cannot come to any harm! The reality is sadly different and it’s one of the reasons we have put together a Free 7 Day eCourse Can Show You How to Protect Them and keep them healthy. To read more you can go to Healthy Dog Food and sign up or you can sign up for your Free 7 Day Course below:

Popularity: 91% [?]

Share This

Socializing your pet to accept new animals into the household is not always an easy task. We all read the biblical account of Noah and his Ark and wondered just how he got the animals to survive in the ark together for five minutes let alone 40 days and nights of rain. The dog usually has its own ideas of its territory and home and is generally not a generous creature when it come to sharing but would much rather chase the intruders away. We have to reprogram the dogs thinking to make it understand that chasing the cat or iguana or whatever other pet you may have, is not acceptable. So how about some instruction on just how it’s done?

For the First tip, Insure the Safety of Both Animals and Yourself. To start, make certain that the new animal will be safe. Place the new pet in a pet carrier or some other sturdy structure that prohibits the dog from actually physically contacting the animal but still allows for both animals to see, smell and hear each other. This provides a way for both animals to acclimate to each other in a safe, though possibly a bit stressful, situation. In later steps, gloves might be advisable to avoid scratches from a nervous pet.

Secondly, Rewards Work Wonders. After the animals have both calmed a bit give them each a small reward, such as a morsel of some favorite food. Be sure to give the dog lots of verbal praise and affection when it is not barking or trying to get to the new animal as this will show the dog that you are accepting of the new pet’s presence and you expect him to be also. Repeat this process several times over the course of a week or so, until both animals seem fairly accustomed to the presence of the other and their aggressions seem to have subsided. At this point, you are ready to move on to the next step and tip number three.

The third tip to socializing your animal is Get Help. This step will require an assistant to help with one of the animals. Have the assistant leash the dog and hold him firmly on a very short leash. After instructing the assistant to maintain control of the dog, open the pet carrier and bring the new pet out carefully. Your dog will likely move towards the animal so be sure the assistant has the dog held tightly and be careful not to let the new pet panic and escape your grasp. Gradually bring them closer together and let them calmly adapt to each others presence. Repeat this step several times over the next few days and by the end of the week, these two animals should be like old chums.

Another tip to remember in socializing your pets is that, while the animals most likely won’t make an instant attachment to each other, there are those special picture perfect moments that you will want to cherish a lifetime. So keep the camera handy and loaded with film. The candid shots of training at its best provide memories that will last forever. Few things are more fun than looking at a picture of your dog with an iguana riding around the room perched on his back and telling a little white lie that you taught the two of them to do that.

Our Fifth and final point is remember that just like humans, not everyone is going to get along. There will be days where the dog and the cat are going to feud or the iguana will get cantankerous and slap the dog with his tail for the fun of it. Some animals were just never meant to live in harmony but with a lot of patience and a little direction you can make your household fairly peaceable most of the time. When things go sour, just take it in stride and put the animals in their separate areas for a bit and, given a cooling period, they will be friends again in no time.

With these simple tips you can be certain that life around your home will be much more harmonious and you might just have a bit more respect for Noah and his Ark.

Popularity: 72% [?]

Share This

There are more and more concerns being expressed by dog owners about commercial dog food. What exactly does it contain? In the same way that we have become increasingly concerned about what is in the processed foods that we eat so dog owners are now becoming equally concerned!

Listen, nobody ever said you had to rely on a bag or can of food to feed your dog. You cook for yourself or your family all the time. Doesn’t your dog deserve similar treatment? Most owners say they’d love to cook for their pups but just don’t know where to start, and that’s where Homemade Dog Food Recipes comes in!

I have been looking around at what is available for concerned Dog Owners and you would not believe the price some people are charging! Well you probably would because at the moment a lot of people are expressing concerns and sadly some people seek to play on that! That’s why we have made Homemade Dog Food Recipes extremely affordable - your dog deserves it! Take a look by clicking on the links or on Homemade Dog Food Recipes.

Popularity: 83% [?]

Share This

In today’s world the possibility of an emegency requiring evacuation of your home has become a reality we all have to live with. So we really need to think about what would happen if our family faced an emergency! Are you prepared? Have you made an evacuation plan in case of tornado, fire, hurricane, or any other natural disaster. What if there was an emergency evacuation of your area because of a chemical spill, again are you ready? Most people nowadays have thought of these things and prepared accordingly. However, have you thought about what would happen to your four legged family member? Being prepared for your dog’s safety is just as important.

How do you prepare to evacuate with a dog? Basically the same way you would for yourself. Think about what your dog needs every day. What about what he uses on a weekly basis. Does your dog take any type of medication? The following is a list of a few things that you might want to think about:

1. Food: You will need to pack at least a week’s worth of food (2 weeks would be even better). Don’t forget to pack some bowls as well. If you use canned food (or even if you don’t, you may have to use it in an emergency) remember to pack a can opener. Also any type of doggy treats that you use for your dog. This will help your dog feel a little more settled in what will be a very unsettling situation for him.

2. Medication: You will need to pack any prescription medication, if it needs to be refrigerated don’t forget to have an insulated bag to put ice in to keep it cold. Also think about any thing else your dog takes such as: heart worm medication, flea and tick controls, and ear medication. You will want to make sure to keep your pet healthy in an emergency situation.

3. Restraints: You will need to make sure you have a walking leash and a short leash (in case you are stranded in a crowd). If it is a possibility that you will be driving during an evacuation you will also need a harness to attach to the seat belt. Even if you don’t use one regularly, you may want to have a muzzle handy as well. You may have the most well behaved dog on the planet, but when everyone is running around, or in a crowd, you dog could very well misbehave with all the disturbance and excitement.

4. Bedding: Make sure you have a dog bed, blankets, and possibly a crate as a secure place to sleep. You will want your furry companion to be as comfortable as possible.

5. Familiar item: Just as you would when preparing for children, make sure you have some familiar toys for your pooch to play with. Not only will it possibly keep him occupied but may make him feel more secure away from home. A good tip is when you buy your dog a toy, buy an extra one for your emergency kit. Also in case you have to leave your dog in a shelter, an article of your clothing that you have worn may help your dog feel less insecure.

6. Important papers: Current shot records as well as registration papers should be sealed in a waterproof plastic bag. You may also want to include a recent photograph, in case you get separated from your dog.

7. Hotel listings: You may want to include in your kit a listing of dog friendly hotels with phone numbers. You may want to break this down into a 10 miles away, 20 miles away, 50 miles away, 100 miles away, etc. type list. In an emergency situation, you don’t want to be wondering which one to choose.

8. Basic care items: Don’t forget that your dog will need basic care just like yourself. Make sure to pack shampoo and brushes.

9. First aid kit: When packing your first aid kit don’t forget about your dog. Pack anything you may need to care for your dog if he is injured. Also you may want to talk to your vet about anything extra you will need to take care of your pet, such as what to use if your dog has an allergic reaction to something.

With some planning and forethought you can prepare for an emergency evacuation with your pet in mind. Your dog’s safety will depend on you, so plan well.

Shop now and save 10% on all pet supplies with CheapPetStore.com Coupon Code: CCP1

Popularity: 81% [?]

Share This

I have just sent an email to my subscribers with a special offer that I wanted to let you know about here at my dog blog! It’s a Dog Health and Dog Care package that I have put together. I think you will find it of interest!

The Dog Lover’s Essentials MegaPack is a complete and exhaustive package of information that’ll have your dog begging for more home-made treats, you revelling in the newfound bond you have through communicating with your dog, your bank account thriving, and your mind at ease because you know what to do in a health emergency. You won’t find anything like it anywhere else, and certainly not for such an incredibly low price!

Do have a look at The Dog Lover’s Pack

Popularity: 72% [?]

Share This