dogs

Dog agility is gaining speed as one of Europe and America’s best animal sports. In dog agility, a handler guides the dog in going through a course in the least amount of time possible.

The dog cannot be confined to a leash during agility competitions. As the clock ticks on, the dog has to complete various obstacles, ranging from jumps to pipes as spectators watch from the stands.

Dog agility is a knock off of equestrian stadium jumping, but it now has its own obstacles, rules and scoring agenda separate from the original root source. There are numerous organizations that cater to dog agility participants.

In the United States, you can find organizations that conduct trials through local dog training clubs. These groups adhere to the rigid international rules for agility performance.

During a dog agility competition, the participants are judged, not only on speed, but also on physical performance within the obstacle course. Each country also has its own set of domestic rules they sometimes go by, such as scoring that is handler-based rather than performance-based.

Ideally, the organization handling the trial will ensure that the agility obstacle course is designed with the safety of the dog in mind. For instance, if a dog calculates distance wrong, he won’t get injured on the jump bar because they’re displaceable. And surfaces are roughened up before competitions to ensure the dog doesn’t slip or slide and get injured during an agility competition.

During an agility competition, the animals and handlers will participate in various obstacle courses that offer different levels of challenge based on the pet’s level of ability. When the trial begins, the handler has to maneuver the dog through the course without use of a leash or reward, beating the complicated course in the least amount of time.

As the dog and its handler participate in more agility trials, they will usually move up to a higher level of competition, where the courses get more complex and higher levels of skill are required.

When a dog does something wrong during a competition, it’s known as a “fault,” and they are penalized if they go over the standard time calculations. Dogs of equal size are pitted against one another in divisions. Then the animal that participates in the agility training and garners the shortest time and least number of faults wins, along with its handler who helped guide him through the course.

Dogs are considered man’s best friend and some consider their dog a part of their family. Do you insist that your friends and your family see a doctor regularly? Is it because you care very much for them and want to make sure they stay healthy?

Your dog should be no different. They need to see their doctor on a regular basis as well. A lot of dog owners only take their dogs to the vet when the dog is sick or injured.

It’s very important that the dog see the vet for regular checkups as well. Sometimes the emergency appointments are very costly and could have been avoided with regular visits to the vet.

Here are some reasons why taking your dog to the vet is important:

Shots – Dogs need to have regular shots in order to stay healthy. Their shots can prevent many diseases and can prolong their life span, so they can be around for a long time to come. If a dog is left unvaccinated, then he can easily contract diseases, which can be costly to you in the end in order to try to treat them.

Ear Mites – Ear mites are common with dogs. It’s important to have your dog be seen by a vet regularly to keep on top of these infestations. The vet can determine how severe the infestation is and prescribe appropriate medication to help treat it. If it’s left untreated, bacteria can grow within the tissues and find its way to the dog’s brain, possibly causing death.

Fleas and Ticks – These are also common among dogs. It’s important that they be treated right away. Your vet can help you determine how bad the situation is and provide the necessary treatments to keep the infestation from causing too many problems.

Worms – Worms are also common with dogs and they can easily be treated, but since there are so many different types of worm infestations and different treatments, a vet is more qualified to examine the dog to figure out which type of worm has invaded your pet and what the best treatment is for them.

Dental Health – A vet will sometimes clean a dog’s teeth for you or explain the best way for you to clean them. It’s important for the vet to check the dog’s teeth to prevent bacteria from growing and getting out of hand.

Bacteria can cause all sorts of ailments for a dog, so keep on top of your dog’s dental health and prevent any costly treatments that you could incur if their dental needs are left unchecked.

A dog’s health is just as important as your family’s. Prevention of ailments is always the key to a long and healthy life, so take care of your dog and get them checked on a regular basis.

A vet is trained to recognize many different ailments, sometimes detecting them long before things go wrong. Your dog could live to a ripe, old age with the proper care and the watchful eye of his veterinarian.

Your dog has become a special part of your family. He provides companionship and devotion to you without asking for much in return. You’ll want your dog to stay around for as long as possible, so keeping him healthy is important.

The one thing most people forget about in taking care of their dogs is that their teeth also need to be taken care of. We know that wild dogs keep their teeth free from plaque because they chew on raw bones, which are a natural scraper of the plaque that also helps to remove any soft meat that may get stuck in their teeth that would normally cause bacteria to grow rapidly.

You need to remember that your dog isn’t like a wild animal – he needs your help from the bacteria that causes bad breath and other problems. Your dog generally eats soft canned food or small chunks of the hard food, so these aren’t going to provide him much for natural teeth care like the raw bones that wild dogs chew on.

If your dog is special to you, help him out and take care of his teeth for him. The first thing you need to do is to let them chew on raw bones regularly – at least a couple of times a week.

It doesn’t have to be your soup bone – it could be a rawhide bone you can find in your local pet store. They’ll instinctively chew on the bone and the plaque can easily be scraped off and any soft meat that may be stuck between their teeth will get loosened up before any problems can occur.

If the bone isn’t working, or if they just aren’t interested in chewing on bones, then you should take his mouth care into your own hands and brush them with toothpaste. Don’t give him the same toothbrush and toothpaste that you would use.

You can find special brushes and toothpaste for your dog at the local pet store.
Brushing them daily is preferred, but if it’s not feasible, then brush them at least 3-4 times weekly.

Scrub the teeth well and massage the gums also to provide for good circulation within his gums. Get rid of any food that gets stuck in his teeth. The hard, dry food is always better than soft food when it comes to cleaning his teeth.

It’s not a substitute for proper cleaning, but it does help to some degree, so make sure he gets to ingest dry food as well as soft, canned versions. Even dog biscuits can help since they’re hard and dry and can help remove any plaque.

Have the vet inspect his mouth and teeth every time you take your dog in for a checkup. They can spot anything that you may have missed and they can offer advice on how to clean the teeth better or what foods you could give to your dog to naturally help clean the teeth and keep bacteria at bay.

It’s better to treat the teeth before things get out of hand and get more expensive for your pocketbook. Keep your dog around for your family for as long as you possibly can by keeping him healthy and keeping his teeth healthy, too.

You may like to supersize your coffee and get extra toppings on your pizza, but when it comes to choosing a dog, bigger doesn’t always mean better. Dog breeds differ by heritage in what they require.

Some breeds, like hunters, are genetically programmed to crave the open spaces and outdoor exercise. Other breeds (like toy dogs) make ideal “lap dogs,” enjoying the casual lifestyle without needing much space or time to run and play outdoors.

The size of your dog has to match the size of your living space. A German Shepherd is a wonderful watch dog for your city apartment, but you must give that dog time in the park to run and be active every day.

If you’re too tired or lazy to give this beautiful dog the exercise it needs, then buy an alarm system, not a guard dog. A toy dog like a poodle or Chihuahua is content in your apartment and requires less outdoor time.

If you have a secured balcony with solid, high railing, that may be enough outdoor time for a small dog, supplemented with at least one daily outdoor walk. Don’t let the dog’s appearance or temperament fool you.

A greyhound is a gentle dog that’s also very quiet, which is good for attached living spaces. But that gentle greyhound must have daily exercise in enough area to run and play. Greyhounds can run up to 45 mph, so you don’t want them turning your family room into a track for running. Neither you nor the dog will be pleased with the result.

Size has everything to do with dog maintenance. That cute, furry puppy that you fell in love with at the pet store that barely nibbles puppy chow, grows up to be a 120-pound St Bernard that will eat you out of house and home.

To keep him in 8-10 scoops of high quality dog food daily, you’ll be spending the price of a daily steak dinner – only you don’t get to eat the steak. Your huge dog also pushes around furniture like feathers. When there’s nothing to do and you’re running late, the large dog may decide to deconstruct the living room just for fun.

On the flip side, plenty of toy dogs take up their own closet in little designer costumes, knit sweaters and clever playthings. They also have chic beds, including those that are canopied or French provincial. The doggie stuff can take up far more space in your home than the dog does.

If you have more than one dog, regardless of breed, you need to provide sleeping space for each dog. Don’t expect them to crowd together. They need space just like you do. They also need personal territory for sleeping, relaxing and hiding their toys or bones.

Dogs that remain outdoors need their own doghouses to protect them while sleeping or in bad weather. You aren’t sharing your bedroom with the neighbors, so why would you expect your dog to share his doghouse with the new dog? Consider the space and care needs of each dog when you bring a second or third dog into the family.

A crate, or wire kennel, whether for travel, or den training, should be big enough for your dog to stand up on all fours, turn around easily, and lie down comfortably. If you plan to use the dog crate for travel, you can go as large as you wish, beyond the aforementioned guidelines. I hope that by using this size chart. It will give you a better understanding of the sizes of a dog crate:

X-Small – Toy poodle, Yorkshire terrier, Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Australian terrier & other similar sized dogs.

Small – Silky terrier, Boston terrier, Maltese, Jack russell terrier, Pug & other similar sized dogs.

Medium – Cocker spaniel, Scottish terrier, Bichon frise, Beagle, Corgi & other similar sized dogs.

Large – Springer spaniel, Brittany spaniel, Border collie, Dalmation & other similar sized dogs.

X-Large – Golden retriever, German shepherd, Rottweiler, Doberman pinscher, Labrador retriever & other similar sized dogs.

XX-Large – Great dane, St. bernard, Newfoundland, Mastiff, Irish wolfhound & other similar sized dogs.

The warm weather is upon us and people are starting to plan their vacations. Vacationing or just any travel with the pooches is easier than ever. Hotels and resorts are more and more accepting of the furry family members these days, which takes some of pre-departure stress out of your trip. Or if you aren’t so lucky, learn to what to look for in a good boarding facility.
Pack the car and off we go! – If you and your pooch are planning on taking a long road trip anytime during the year, here are a few things you should know, and a few items you should definitely have in the car with you. If your pooch is not use to riding in the car take your dog for car rides before your trip just to get your dog use to riding in the car. Also bring bottled water

First Aid Kit – Something every vehicle should have, regardless of pets or children. In an emergency, you never what you will need, keep a fully stocked first aid kit in your vehicle at all times, since accidents can happen at any time.

Stuff You’ll Need

Full water bottles – There’s no guarrantee that you’ll be able to stop along the road near clean water, and even an air-conditioned can make your dog thirsty on his trip. By keeping a water bottle or two full of drinkable water, you’ll ensure that he has plenty of moisture. Also keep a bowl handy, as some dogs just will not drink from a bottle.
Extra food – If you don’t bring your dog’s regular food with you, you do run the risk of having to switch him to a different brand if what he is used to is unavailable wherever you are. This can stress out a dog’s digestive system, giving him gas, diarrhea, or causing him to vomit, which makes for a very smelly ride.
His own blanket, or cuddly toy – A little comfort from home goes a long way, even if Mom and Dad are sitting in the front seat. Anxiety and stress can do funny (and smelly) things to a dog, like diarrhea, and nausea. Not pleasant to drive with.
Spare leash and collar – And keep it handy. Not only good for the dog, but a spare leash can used for many things, including tying a splint in place if somebody breaks a bone. And if you put two six foot leashes together, you’ll have a twelve foot lead should you need to secure your dog to anything, for any length of time.

Vaccinate your dog – Rabies vaccine, which your dog should have anyway, but he needs it at least thirty days in advance of crossing the border from any side.

Bordatella vaccines for Kennel Cough prevention, if you plan on boarding him at any time. This should be done at least 4 weeks in advance. Lyme Vaccine is recommended if you plan on entering an area where ticks are present.

Veterinary records – Simply because you never know when you might need them. They’ll prove invaluable if you end up having to rush your pooch to the local veterinarian’s office for whatever reason. And if you plan on leaving the country, a current statement of health will be needed, saying that your dog is free of any diseases and has had the current rabies vaccine.

These therapeutic, heated dog beds will make a world of difference in your sore dog. Warmth soothes sore muscles and eases joint pain, and their cushiony softness will give your dog a comfortable place to sleep all year long. Perfect for your arthritic hound, or even your younger dog that aren’t fond of winter, the Dolce Vita Heated Pet Bed comes in all sizes, including extra-large for the big dogs, or little dogs who think they are big. Its cover is stain and scratch-resistant and removable for easy cleaning. Or with the Orvis Heated Memory Foam Dog Bed. The heated memory foam bed will help your older dog wile away the evenings in comfort. Its soft micro fiber cover is both waterproof and stain-resistant, and removable for easy washing. Available in sizes large, and extra-large

Regardless if you have had a puppy in the past or if you are a first time parent, we all know that owning a puppy is a huge responsibility. You’ll want to start crate training right away. Not only should the crate give your puppy a sense of security whether the owner is home or not, it should be comfortable too. The important thing to remember when crate training is to be patient and take the time to do it right.
Crate training a puppy has proven to be an effective method of teaching a puppy to be house trained. The benefits of crate training done properly are numerous. Dog have a very strong “den” instinct. Most will not eliminate in their den, and being in there gives them a more secure feeling. Your dog will grow up a little more confident if she knows that she has that safe place to go to when the world becomes too much for her to handle. The crate, however, is NOT a substitute for social interaction, and leaving a young puppy in a crate for hours on end is abuse. A good rule of thumb is no more than one hour of crate training for every month of life your pup has. A good crate should be just big enough for her to lie down, stand up, and turn around comfortably. Too big of a crate will ruin the ‘den’ feeling and you may find that your puppy has established a bathroom in a corner. To keep your puppy safe, she should be crated when you cannot watch what she is doing, but never for too long. Done successfully, crate training will result in a happy, clean puppy that will grow to be a well-adjusted member of your family.

We all know that dogs will find something to bite, whether it’s your favorite pair of shoes or your sofa. There is no limit to the variety of squeaky toy on the market. Some are plush, some are hard rubber, soft plastic, or hard rubber, and in all shapes and sizes … but they all have one thing in common. An ear-splitting squeaker inside them. Dogs tend to have mixed reactions to squeaky toys. This, while immensely satisfying, is not a safe exercise. If your dog is a squeak-assassin, please supervise him and remove the squeaker before he can choke on it.

The warm weather is upon us and people are starting to plan their vacations. Vacationing or just any travel with the pooches is easier than ever. Hotels and resorts are more and more accepting of the furry family members these days, which takes some of pre-departure stress out of your trip. Or if you aren’t so lucky, learn to what to look for in a good boarding facility.
Pack the car and off we go! – If you and your pooch are planning on taking a long road trip anytime during the year, here are a few things you should know, and a few items you should definitely have in the car with you. If your pooch is not use to riding in the car take your dog for car rides before your trip just to get your dog use to riding in the car. Also bring bottled water

First Aid Kit – Something every vehicle should have, regardless of pets or children. In an emergency, you never what you will need, keep a fully stocked first aid kit in your vehicle at all times, since accidents can happen at any time.

Stuff You’ll Need

Full water bottles – There’s no guarrantee that you’ll be able to stop along the road near clean water, and even an air-conditioned can make your dog thirsty on his trip. By keeping a water bottle or two full of drinkable water, you’ll ensure that he has plenty of moisture. Also keep a bowl handy, as some dogs just will not drink from a bottle.
Extra food – If you don’t bring your dog’s regular food with you, you do run the risk of having to switch him to a different brand if what he is used to is unavailable wherever you are. This can stress out a dog’s digestive system, giving him gas, diarrhea, or causing him to vomit, which makes for a very smelly ride.
His own blanket, or cuddly toy – A little comfort from home goes a long way, even if Mom and Dad are sitting in the front seat. Anxiety and stress can do funny (and smelly) things to a dog, like diarrhea, and nausea. Not pleasant to drive with.
Spare leash and collar – And keep it handy. Not only good for the dog, but a spare leash can used for many things, including tying a splint in place if somebody breaks a bone. And if you put two six foot leashes together, you’ll have a twelve foot lead should you need to secure your dog to anything, for any length of time.

Vaccinate your dog – Rabies vaccine, which your dog should have anyway, but he needs it at least thirty days in advance of crossing the border from any side.

Bordatella vaccines for Kennel Cough prevention, if you plan on boarding him at any time. This should be done at least 4 weeks in advance. Lyme Vaccine is recommended if you plan on entering an area where ticks are present.

Veterinary records – Simply because you never know when you might need them. They’ll prove invaluable if you end up having to rush your pooch to the local veterinarian’s office for whatever reason. And if you plan on leaving the country, a current statement of health will be needed, saying that your dog is free of any diseases and has had the current rabies vaccine.