Friday, March 25, 2011

Choosing Fashionable Dog Clothing

Dog clothing is not something unique and new to listen at these days. Dog clothing has been in fashion for quite some now and you can find wide varieties of clothing and accessories in pet designer stores. Most people want their dog to look like a miniature version of themselves and they tend to dress up their dog in fancy clothes.

Buying clothes for your dog can be protective for him and also make him look fashionable and make him stand out from the rest of the dogs. These days you can find so many varieties of clothes which include dog shirts and t-shirts, hoodies and also short pants. Other than these clothes you can find shoes in large varieties and there are accessories available such as lockets and necklaces and other ornaments.

There are many designers brands which make dog clothing and they tend to be expensive than other clothes which are available round the corner. You can find different variety of clothes in designer shops and also in different sizes. These clothes are excellent in quality and they will perfectly fit your dog unless the size is not perfect. There are jackets, coats and waistcoats available which can be bought in winter season for your dog.

You can find summer and winter clothes for your dog easily in the stores and this is not a bad idea to buy clothes for your dog as they tend to be protective for your pet dog. In summers you can make your dog wear normal t-shirts which can protect your dog's coat from sunshine and also be protective against getting him scratched or hurt by things while playing.

Dogs that you see wearing fancy t-shirts with different colors look very attractive and they tend to be head turners as it is not much common to see dog's wearing clothes. Similarly during the winter season you should buy your dog hoodies or jackets so that he can stay warm from the inside and does not fall ill or catch cold. This is an important factor as usually military and police dogs in cold areas do wear some sort of jackets and hoodies so that they can stay warm.

Just like we humans need clothes for our protection same is the way with dogs as they too need clothes so that they can be protected by various things around them. Not only are these clothes protective but they are now as a status symbol as dressing up your dog to the best of opportunity available.

There are clothes available for special occasion such as for Halloween, Christmas and for other holidays. You can buy these special holiday clothes for your pet dog and make him look special and look like a family as everyone at home will be dressed up for some occasion so even your dog will be dressed up like you are.

You can find huge variety of dog clothes in pet designer store and also on the internet market easily.

Buy dog clothing and dogs jackets online at: PuppyLaPu.Com.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Pomeranian Puppy Dog Training

Training a Pomeranian puppy dog can be challenging, but with patience this can be achieved. As long as you properly plan the dog training from the start, everything will work out well.


Pomeranians are exceptional dogs and very active. These dogs are very enthusiastic to learn provided you are patient and consistent.

Start at Early Age

Ideally Pomeranian puppy must be trained between 8 to 14 weeks. By this time, his already receptive to any tricks or commands that you're going to teach him. A Pomeranian dog owner should start training their puppy immediately because he has only limited opportunity to train them quickly and easily.

Although Pomeranians are intelligent, if they are still younger than 8 weeks they should not be trained because they are not that receptive at this stage. Take advantage of this moment to bond and be familiar with your dog.

The first 2 months are vital parts of your puppy's training process. This is the moment for a Pomeranian dog owner to set a schedule for his dog to adhere and be used to it. You need to instill in your dog that you are the leader and he's the one who should follow. There is always a need to establish boundaries precisely but gently and consistently.

House Training

It's important to house train your puppy to avoid accidents inside the house. At this stage, you need to prepare yourself for any accidents inside the house because Pomeranian puppy has a hard time controlling their urinating and defecating. Avoid getting upset. Your puppy is still learning the tricks of the trade. Pomeranian puppy can hold his business for sometime after each meal. To resolve this problem, you need to specify a potty place whether inside or outside the house.

You can constantly specify a place in the house where your dog can do his business; you can use either a newspaper or potty training pads. Make sure to bring your Pomeranian puppy on the same spot every time he urinates or defecates if you're teaching him to do it outside the house. Your dog can simply pick up the odor and he would know that he needs to do his business on that place.

Crate Training

Crate training will let your puppy know that there are things or places inside the house which is off limits like the kitchen or furniture. You need to confine him if ever he will be left alone. Your dog will get use to his own place and feel more at home whenever you are away. It is going to be his home and shelter. Your Pomeranian puppy must spend his time in his designated space when he eats and sleeps. Crate training is one solution to your dog's separation anxiety.

Socialization

Pomeranian breeds can be companionable if trained appropriately. To boost your puppy's confidence, socialization must start at an early age; this is also one way to making them feel safer. You can present your puppy to your relatives or to other animals in the neighborhood when he is barely 12 weeks old.

Regular walks with your puppy will familiarize him with his environment thus excessive barking will be reduced.

You want your Pomeranian dog to behave accordingly? Then you need to begin your Pomeranian dog training at an early stage. You must have a lot of patience and be consistent during the training and enjoy your bonding with your cute looking puppy Pomeranian.

About the Site

Pomeranian Dog Training site is a free resource offering advice on Pomeranian dog training and a host of common Pomeranian problems that dog owners face, including: Pomeranian aggression, digging, chewing, whining and barking; and comprehensive information on Pomeranian house training methods with sound advice on tackling all of the most common Pomeranian problems.

For more tips on Pomeranian dog training, please visit http://www.pomeraniandogtraining.com/

Friday, March 18, 2011

Dog Boarding Kennel Or Pet Sitter - Which is Best?

When vacation time is upon us and families are looking to spend some time away from home, taking the family dog is not always possible. Will you choose a pet sitter or a dog boarding kennel?

A responsible decision has to be made for the care of your pet in your absence. If you do not have a trusted friend or family member to act as guardian, you have two other options that each have both pros and cons attached.

It is important to take your dog's personality into account and how it's likely to react to certain situations. Many dogs will become stressed in your absence and being at a kennel much more than they would in your absence and staying in their own familiar environment, where familiar scents, their dog crate, comfort zone or bed is. Would you be able to depend on the boarding kennel feeding your dog the food it's accustomed to? Dogs that are fed different food from their usual diet may experience upsets such as vomiting or diarrhea, conditions that can be compounded and made worse with the addition of "stress".

Many dogs confined in a small area coupled with the stress of boarding can induce a viral infection in some dogs such as kennel cough, a similar situation to having too many children in close quarters passing around a common "cold". Proper sanitation is critical for preventing the spread of contagious diseases. Cages and kennel runs should look and smell clean, and the other animals currently being boarded should be clean and appear well cared for.

In case your dog becomes ill, how will it be addressed? Is there a veterinarian on call for treatment, or will your regular veterinarian be contacted. Be sure this is discussed with the kennel owner.

An animal hospital is not the best place to board your pet while on vacation for the simple reason that you increase the possibility of your dog coming in contact with other dogs' illnesses that might transfer. If you are opting for the convenience of a dog boarding kennel, be sure to find a facility that you trust and, even better, that others have expressed trust in.

The most important things to look for in a boarding situation are general safety, and friendliness and competence of the staff. Not all boarding kennels are "great". Some facilities do not give the dogs the play and attention you would desire for your pet. Extra amenities and attention in the way of treats, walks and play time can be optional "add-ons" to your base fee, so you need to consider these factors for cost analysis and your dog's comfort, which is of primary importance.

Finding a boarding kennel with a good reputation is critical when entrusting the care of your pet to temporary guardians. Hopefully, you have gotten references and you can be confident that your dog is being monitored in a trustworthy establishment by professionals who understand their responsibility. The boarding kennel option removes any concern over having people you don't know in your home.

The concern over strangers entering your home can be alleviated by doing a little advanced preparation and seeking the recommendation of reliable people and checking of references.

The pet sitting situation has positive aspects by offering you the advantage of someone checking your house, taking in mail and making your home look occupied with normal activity. If you desire a higher level of service, you can often find someone who is willing to stay at your home while you are away. This gives your pet companion the added advantage of plenty of attention with the least possible stress.

Office and technical staff at veterinary clinics make good candidates for pet sitting responsibilities or they can often offer you reliable referrals. They or those they might refer are "animal people" and are able to properly handle medical problems should they arise.

Whether you choose a boarding kennel or pet sitter (the better choice, in our opinion, is a pet sitter), make sure you give clear instructions on what food your dog should be fed and any required medications. Whoever is left in charge of your companion should walk and play with the dog several times a day. Give clear directions on what you expect with regard to play time and interaction. Be sure you provide good contact information in the case of an emergency.

We have existed as a company since 1985, but it was a love of dogs, the dogs that have been a part of our life, and the passing of one dog in particular, Rusty, that inspired the creation of http://www.CalloftheDog.com and http://www.CalloftheDogShop.com -- created to provide the things your dogs and pets need. Visit us for great information and quality dog supplies! Be sure to see our About Us page as well.

The two sites are dedicated to the dogs we have loved so deeply, and who have given us so much love in return. Purebreds and mixed breeds, but mostly rescues in need of a home. We educated them, but each one has had something to teach us in exchange.

Monday, March 14, 2011

How To Get Rid Of Fleas Successfully!

"Fleas are a nuisance" - that's what people would most probably describe these little pesky creatures. However, fleas can be more than just a nuisance to their host. They can in fact cause some medical problems which include:

Flea Bite dermatitis which are caused by the saliva of the fleas. When flea bites, it excretes its saliva to prevent clotting of its victim's blood and some people and some animals suffer allergic reactions to the flea saliva resulting in flea bite dermatitis. These may causes intense itch and inflammation and hair loss in cats and dogs, which are often seen as bald patches especially near the rear.

Fleas also cause tapeworm Infestation: These worms appear as tiny white rice grains that are usually seen stuck on the hairs near the anus of your pets. Although tapeworm doesn't usually cause serious disease in pets, they are disgusting. People can also become infected with tapeworm if they accidentally ingest an infected flea.

Fleas are blood-sucking insects and in heavy infestation, anemia may results and in young pups and kittens, fleas can cause anemia to the point of death.

Hence "How To Get Rid Of Flea" is a billion dollar question as pet owners alone spend close to a billion dollars each and every year on flea control.
Why is flea control such a difficult task that many have even deemed impossible?

Here's the list of the reasons why people have failed in their attempts to control fleas:

1. Very often, people tend to believe that flea is only a pet's problem and hence they focus on treating their pets in the hope that the problem will be solved totally disregarding the surrounding environment. At least this would mean less work for them by simply treating the cat or dog instead of treating the whole house which is indeed a daunting task to many.

2. There are many flea treatment products available in the market. The lack of understanding and confusion as to which is the best to use for their own needs have often lead to less than satisfactory results obtained. Fleas have evolved through the years and they have gained resistance to a number of chemicals. Many products currently sold in the market are not effective anymore due to the resistance build up by the fleas against them. Unaware of this, people tend to simply pick the cheapest and most economical one from any supermarket or pet store, only to be disappointed when it did not help at all.

3. A lack of understanding of the flea's life cycle has also contributed to a low success rate in flea control. Fleas exist in different life stages in their entire life cycle and getting rid of just the adult fleas would not solve the problem at all. Adult fleas only represent a small percentage of the total flea population. The rest of them >98% are in the eggs, larvae and cocoon form and ignoring these will simply means that your flea problem would be never-ending as the whole flea life cycle will be repeated over and over again.

4. Lastly, people lack diligence in their efforts to control fleas. The very instance when no more fleas are detected, they often feel contended and all work is stopped almost instantly. They see no need for repeated treatment in the days or months to come and guess what? The tiny pest will be back in no time and much to their exasperation, the whole flea control process has to be repeated all over again. Diligence is of utmost importance when dealing with fleas!

To succeed in getting rid of fleas, it all boils down to diligently following an integrated plan whereby you need to treat both your pets and the premises at the same time.

Treat your pets.
The first instance when people detected the presence of fleas is usually on their pets. Many anti-flea products are available in the market for flea treatment on pets. These include flea combs, shampoos, sprays, topical spot-on and oral medications. Choose one that is suitable for your pet and when in doubt, always consult your vet for a recommendation.

Treat your house.
This is the most tedious part of flea control and the part that people would fail most of the time. The whole house would need to be treated including frequent vacuuming of floor and furniture surfaces, together with a regular schedule of washing pet bedding and furniture coverings to remove the immature stages (egg, larva, and cocoon). For heavy infestation, the use of flea bombs or flea foggers may be needed which helps to cover a more extensive area.

Treat your garden or yards.
If you find fleas within your house, chances are that the gardens and yards would be infected as well and treatment of these areas need to be carried out as well as part of your flea control plan. Products specifically used for outdoor flea treatment are available and these include the use of Diatomaceous earth (DE) and Nematodes. Both are natural products, which helps in killing off fleas but non-toxic to other insects and birds.

The Need to REPEAT at regular time interval.
Lastly, treatment needs to be repeated at regular interval to see a more lasting effect. Re-treatment of your pets, house, gardens & yards are needed after several months initially and then perhaps at a 6 months interval and eventually only once a year treatment may be necessary to maintain a flea free home.

Do you find the above information useful? You can learn a lot more at "Flea Control" – Your Guide To a Flea Free Home, which provides more details on the right choice of products and methods to be used.

Friday, March 11, 2011

How to Find a Great Pet Sitter - 5 Tips For People With Pets

There are times where a pet sitter may be a good choice for you and your pets when you travel without them. Unlike a boarding facility or kennel, your animals stay at home and the pet sitter comes to your house (usually once or twice a day). If you have a single pet or a highly social animal, such as a dog, it is better to board them at a facility where they will have lots of attention. However, if you have several cats, horses, birds or an animal not suited for a boarding facility, a reliable pet sitter may be the best choice for your pets. Multi-pet households often benefit from pet sitting services because it's usually less expensive and less stressful to hire a pet sitter rather than transporting and boarding all your animals. The following suggestions are designed to help you find a good and reliable pet sitter.

Ask friends or veterinarian for a pet sitter referral.

Even if you are new in a neighborhood, or don't know your neighbors well, it's pretty easy to identify people who value their pet. Ask several neighbors for recommendations. Try to find a little bit about your neighbors pet and their pet sitter experience. This will give you a good indication as to the level of care you can expect from the people they recommend. Many veterinarians, in addition to having boarding facilities, may have a veterinary technician on staff that also provides pet sitting service, or they may know of a high quality pet sitter.

Research your pet sitter.

As you call potential pet sitters ask them the type of animals they like to work with, how long they've been in business, how they got started in business, and specific questions about your pet's needs. People who have some experience as vet techs, animal shelter employees, or veterinary students often supplement their income by pet sitting. Some excellent animal care workers start a pet sitting service if they've suffered from career burnout. Pet sitters with these type of credentials can offer the best type of service because they are more likely to recognize illness in your pet, and may be more experienced with administering medications or tending special needs. However, the most important thing is to find someone who will be attentive, reliable and responsible with your pet. Once you feel a level of comfort with a pet sitter, ask for three client referrals. Follow up with the referrals, and use your intuition before you provide the pet sitter a key to your home. If you are not able to get a pet sitter referral in your area and you cold-call a potential pet sitter, I'd recommend a criminal background check on your pet sitter. A quality sitter won't mind your concerns for safety.

Shop around for services and fees.

Most pet sitters charge a per visit fee, regardless of the number of animals you have. However, if you have more than three animals or an animal that needs medication, it's normal to expect a slightly higher fee per visit. Ask the pet sitter how much time they will spend with the pet, and what they charge per visit. Some pet sitters give a break if they are doing two visits a day, or if you are taking a long trip. A few pet sitters offer overnight visits-where they sleep at your home. If your trip is long, ask them if they will call or email you every few days.

Meet your pet sitter.

Several weeks prior to your trip, have the pet sitter stop by so she can be introduced to your animals. Watch how they are with your pets. Are they gentle, and non-invasive? If the pet sitter breezes in and out of their first visit with you, most likely that's what they'll do when you are paying them to care for the pet. If you have any negative feelings or thoughts, do not give them a key-trust your instincts. However, if you feel comfortable, provide them with a key, and show them around your house; pet food storage, where pets are feed, how to administer medicine, toys, alarm system, and anything else that will make them comfortable. I always encourage my pet sitter to feel free to watch t.v. or take a nap at my house. The more time they spend with the animals, the better.

Final Tips.

The day before your trip, call the pet sitter and confirm your travel plans. Inform them of your expected return, but ask them to continue pet care until you call them to say you've returned. Leave a note on your kitchen table or refrigerator that has a brief description of each pet, your veterinarian's name and phone number, unique habits or medical needs, how to reach you, where you will be staying, expected return date, and who to call in case of an emergency-such as your trip being severely delayed or if you have a health emergency. I typically check do a quick check in with my pet sitter every two to three days. This gives me peace of mind. If you require a daily call from your pet sitter, please be respectful of their time and give them a generous tip upon your return. Pay all pet sitting fees promptly. When you consider gas, travel time, and the initial and post visit key exchange, you'll realize most pet sitter charge a low fee for their time. Also, let your closest neighbors know what your pet sitter looks like, so they won't be concerned when they see a stranger going in and out of your house or apartment.

If your travel plans are more than 10 days, or if you travel frequently, you may want to consider whether or not you should have a pet, or you may want to find a roommate who loves animals and does not mind taking care of them for you as you travel. Having a pet and finding quality care is similar to being a parent. A reliable pet sitter can make travel plans fun and relaxing.

Kate Garvey is a former Vet Tech and animal rights supporter. She teaches Sound Healing Workshops (throughout the US) and treats clients by appointment in the San Diego area. For more information on how you can use sound for optimal health please visit http://www.InstituteOfSoundHealing.com
Kate is also a freelance writer, published author, and the author of several books; "Aging, Death and Euthanasia-A Guide for People with Pets", "Summer Pet Care Tips", and "The Low Risk Guide for Real Estate Investment."

 Pet Sitter Data 
- Pet sitting directory and association for professional pet sitters.
- Online directory of pet sitting services in the UK.
- Pet sitting directory in the US, search by zip code.
- Pet sitters' organization that includes liability insurance with membership.
- An educational organization for professional pet sitters which provides you with the benefits you need and want, at a price which fits your budget.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Vizsla Dog

The Vizsla is a natural hunter endowed with an excellent nose and an outstanding trainability. Although they are lively, gentle mannered, demonstrably affectionate and sensitive, they are also fearless and possessed of a well-developed protective instinct

 

 

Appearance

 

The Vizsla is a medium-sized short-coated hunting dog of distinguished appearance and bearing. Robust but rather lightly built, they are lean dogs, have defined muscles, and are observed to share similar physical characteristics with the Weimaraner.

Various breeds are often mistaken for Vizslas, and Vizslas are often mistaken for other breeds. Redbone Coonhounds, Weimaraners and Rhodesian Ridgebacks are some of the most commonly confused breeds. The body structure of a Vizsla is very similar in appearance to a Weimaraner and Redbone Coonhound, though the Vizsla is typically leaner with more defined musculature. Weimaraners and Rhodesian Ridgebacks are larger than Vizslas. The nose of the Vizsla will always have a reddish color that blends with the coat color. Black, brown, light pink, or another color nose is an indication of another breed - or at least not a pure Vizsla. Eyes and nails should also blend with coat color.

Color and coats

The standard coat is a solid golden-rust color in different shadings, but some breeding programs have resulted in a solid rust coat. The coat could also be described as a copper/brown color, russet gold and dark sandy gold. Solid dark mahogany red and pale yellow are faulty. Small areas of white on the fore-chest and on the neck and pie. permissible but not preferred. Some variations in the Vizsla coat color along their back (saddle-type marks) is typical.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) breed standard for the Vizsla states that the coat should be short, smooth, dense and close-lying, without woolly undercoat. The Vizsla is totally unsuited to being kept outside, since unlike most other breeds, it does not have an undercoat. This lack of undercoat makes the Vizsla susceptible to the cold so it must not be kept in a kennel or left outside for extended periods of time. They are self-cleaning dogs and only need to be bathed infrequently, and are somewhat unique in that they have little noticeable "dog smell" detectable by humans. After several forays into lakes and streams they will develop an aroma that is a weaker version of the 'wet dog' smell. A quick bath and this odor will vanish.

Tail

The breed standard calls for the tail to be docked to two-thirds of its original length. Although the remainder of the tail is strong, the third docked is thin and whip-like and is open to damage in the field. The Vizsla holds its tail horizontal to the ground and wags it vigorously while charging through rough scrub and undergrowth. Without docking, the unprotected tip can suffer splitting and bleeding. Once damaged, the tail is extremely difficult to heal, sometimes requiring amputation later in life when the dog must be placed under general anaesthetic causing undue stress and pain.

The docked tail of the Vizsla is significantly longer than that of other dogs with traditionally docked tails such as the Weimaraner, Doberman, Boxer, and Australian Shepherd. Since the tail is docked when the puppy is less than three days old, this longer dock can result in some variation in tail length among Vizsla dogs from different breeding programs.

Size

The Vizsla is a medium-sized dog, and fanciers feel that large dogs are undesirable. The average height and weight:
  • Males
    • Height: 22–25 inches (56–63 cm)
    • Weight: 45–66 pounds (20–30 kg)
  • Females
    • Height: 21–24 in (53–61 cm)
    • Weight: 40–55 lb (18–25 kg)

Health

The life expectancy of the Vizsla is 12–15 years. The Vizsla is considered to be a robust dog, but some localized breeding programs using a small number of dogs have led to heritable illnesses in some offspring, including:
  • Hip dysplasia is very rare but remotely possible.
  • Canine Epilepsy
Responsible breeders do not select dogs for breeding if they have such inherent problems.
Vizslas can also be prone to skin and food allergiesData reffer :  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vizsla


 


Vizsla Dog Club Directory

- Breed description, photograph album, and pictures of rescued dogs in need of homes. 
- Membership application, frequently asked questions, photographs, and rescue information. 
- Calendar of events, photographs, club information, newsletter, contacts, and links. 
- Events calendar, list of club officers, articles, and rescue information.
- News, calendar of events, code of ethics, and membership application.
- Profiles of their dogs, with photographs at shows and in the field. Includes blog and contacts in Powhatan, Virginia.
- Information, articles and photos of the Hungarian Vizsla dog. 
- Photographs, pedigrees, related links and contacts in Morrinsville, New Zealand. 















Wednesday, March 2, 2011

How to Choose a Good Dog Sitter

If you are going away from home for any period of time then you will need to either kennel your dog or hire a pet sitter. Many people prefer to hire a pet sitter because it allows their dog to stay at home and maintain their normal routine, which is much better for the dog. Also, there is no risk of common kennel diseases and ailments. When hiring a pet sitter you also know who will be caring for your dog and you have the chance to fully assess their skills.

You Must Trust Your Sitter

There are many things that you will consider before hiring a pet sitter. The most important thing that you need to think about, though, is trust. You must have complete trust in the person that you hire so that you can be worry free while you are away and know that your dog is being cared for properly. There are many ways to build trust with your dog sitter.

You should always have the sitter come over prior to you leaving so you can watch the interaction between him or her and your dog. You want to talk to the sitter and get to know them. You need to build a good relationship with them so that you are completely comfortable with the idea of them taking care of your dog.

Finding a Sitter

One of the best ways to find a good dog sitter is to ask around. Find out is people you know have a dog sitter. Ask them if they know anyone who might be interested in the job. Getting a sitter through a referral can often boost the level of trust right away. You can usually trust that a friend or family member would not recommend someone who won't do a good job.

Do an Interview

You need to interview the dog sitter before you make any final decisions. Even if it is someone that you know, you still want an interview. During the interview you will not only be asking about them, but also telling them about your dog and making sure they understand everything that is involved in caring for your dog. You want to take this time to iron out details and make sure the sitter can give you the type of commitment that you are looking for.

If the person is not someone you know or is not someone that was referred to you then you should ask for references. You want to take time to check the references before you hire the sitter.

Once you have found a dog sitter that you feel comfortable with you will then need to create written instructions and a schedule for them. Set a tie to go over everything and start having the sitter come over to play with the dog and go over the different tasks they will be handling when you are gone. This allows time for them to ask questions and to be sure they know exactly what they are supposed to do.

Hiring a pet sitter can be a great idea that will make it easier on your dog when you go away. However, it can also create problems if you hire a sitter without being able to fully trust them. Just be sure that whoever you hire is someone that will treat your dog right, respect your home and be complete trustworthy to do what you are paying them to do.

Kelly Marshall is a popular writer at Oh My Dog Supplies - the leading online dog supplies store featuring elevated dog beds, elevated dog feeders, portable dog bowls and more unique dog gear you won't find at your local pet store.