August 31, 2009

Sources Of Printable Dog Food Coupons

Filed under: Pets — Guest Author @ 3:06 am

Coupons can be a great way to save money. Dog owners can save on their dog food costs by using printable dog food coupons.

A few popular retailers occasionally have printable dog food coupons available on their websites. One retailer that sometimes has printable dog food coupons is Target.

The dog owner should consider that any coupons printed from a retailer’s website is likely to only be able to be used at one of that retailer’s stores. The dog owner may be able to look at the current sales circular on the retailer’s website which could include a sale on dog food. Finding dog food on sale can sometimes save the dog owner just as much money as if they found dog food coupons.

Dog food manufacturers are an excellent source for printable dog food coupons. Some dog food manufacturer’s websites do not have printable coupons, but will send you coupons if you request them by filling out an online form for their current coupon offer.

When looking for dog food coupons, dog owners should check both the websites for a dog food manufacturer and the dog food brands that they manufacture. The manufacturer’s website and the websites for their brands often have different dog food coupon offers.

While looking for dog food coupon offers, the dog owner may find offers for trials of new dog food. When feeding a dog a trial size packet of new dog food, do not replace the dogs meal of their usual food with a sample.

Sudden changes in the dog’s food can cause the dog to get sick. Half of the dog food sample can be given with some of the dog’s regular food. The dog’s usual food should be at least half of the meal when dog food from a dog food sample is added.

Printable coupon providers are websites that offer a collection of printable coupons for their viewers. Users of these websites are able to select the coupons that they would like to print. One such printable coupon provider that sometimes has coupons for pet supplies including dog food is Coupons.com.

Do you want to know more on how to make homemade dry dog food and found out details on natural dog food recipes that you can give to your precious puppies? Find out more at our healthy dog food resource site.

August 16, 2009

Bark Control Collars – Which Type Is Best?

Filed under: Pets — Guest Author @ 3:07 am

by Gail Rich

If your dog barks too much – and you’re ready to do something about it – you probably should get a bark control collar. Yes, there are other options, but will they work for you? It depends on the situation.

Why So Much Barking?

Before using a bark control dog collar, you should figure out why your dog is barking. Some dogs bark out of fear, aggression, or loneliness. If your dog is barking because of one of these, then the bark control collar isn’t the answer. These things can be dealt with other ways, like proper training and attention. But for dogs that bark just because they are bored, the bark control collar can help them break the barking habit

Choosing A Bark Control Collar

Bark control collars come in three different types. And there are even some bark control collars that belong to more than one category.

The citronella collar emits a strong citronella (citrus) smell when the dog barks. Dogs don’t like this smell, and, over time, the dog will avoid having the smell around them. Some citronella collars will also give a warning “hiss” sound so that the dog can learn to stop barking sooner.

Electronic collars will shock the dog when it barks. The shock is mild – about like we humans getting a static shock – but it is enough to deter the barking dog. Most of these also have a failsafe mechanism to shut off after a certain amount of time.

Then, there is the sonic collar, which emits a high pitched sound that humans can’t hear but dogs can. This sound is activated whenever the dog barks, so as to make the dog stop barking.

One of the biggest benefits of a bark control collar is that the dog will be being trained all the time, not just when the owners are around. This helps with dogs that are alone while the owners are away at work, or even just asleep.

If your dog barks because it’s ill or lonely, then a bark control collar is not advisable. bark control dog collars should only be used when the dog is bored or spoiled. You can choose between spray collars, sonic collars, or shock collars.

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July 26, 2009

Older Canine Heath Problems – Arthritis

Filed under: Pets — Guest Author @ 3:04 am

by Gloria Gangi

Arthritis occurs when you have inflammation of the joints. When a dog gets older their joints will swell and become stiff and painful. Previous injuries to such as torn ligaments can cause this problem. You will know if your dog has arthritis as they have trouble getting up from lying down, are not as willing to jump or even go for walks.

Here are some ways in which you can manage your dogs arthritis:

Weight control: – Ensure that your dog is the correct weight for their breed and age. As the owner, you have control over what you feed your dog. Feed quality food in an amount appropriate for your dog’s size, breed and activity level and keep treats to a minimum; your dog should be able to maintain an ideal weight. If your dog is overweight, seek the suggestion of your veterinarian regarding low calorie dog food and an exercise program.

Regular exercise: Ensure that your dog gets regular exercise in short sessions. Warm the muscles before exercising. Daily exercise will ensure that their joints stay limber and they maintain their correct weight.

By exercising it provides a good range of motion to the joints which in turn will limit the wear and tear on the joints. Exercises such as leashed walks, swimming or slow jogging are ideal for your dog. The programs should be catered to your dog and its needs depending on the severity of the arthritis, his weight, age, and physical condition.

Sleeping areas: Cold and damp weather will aggravate the symptoms, keeping your dog warm, with a pet sweater and keep the temperature in the house a bit warmer. You can purchase orthopedic dog beds that will mold to the dogs shape and distribute weight evenly and reduce pressure on joints.

Massage therapy: Your vet can show you how to execute physical therapy and massage on your dog to help relax stiff muscles and encourage a good range of motion in the joints. Remember, your dog is in pain, so start slowly and build trust. Begin by petting the area and work up to gently kneading the muscles around the joint with your fingertips using small, circular motions. Gradually work your way out to the surrounding muscles.

Every Day: Climbing stair becomes difficult for dogs with arthritis. Dog owners will tend to build or buy ramps, especially on stairs leading to their yard, to make it easier for their dogs to go outside.

Don’t let your beloved dog suffer from arthritis there are many things that you can do as a caring owner to help them manage their pain

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June 16, 2009

The Secrets to Housebreaking a Puppy

Filed under: Pets — Guest Author @ 3:12 am
by Craig Clemins

Successfully housebreaking a puppy is perhaps on of the biggest challenges any dog owner faces. In order to successfully housebreak a puppy, dog owners need to be consistent and patient. A lot of the time new dog owners won’t have the patience required to train the puppy effectively and it will end up passing most of its time in the crate.

Dogs that are properly trained are also very happy dogs, usually these dogs have been shown love, attention and patience. If you use these three things mixed with the ability to be firm and consistent, you will house break your puppy much more quickly.

If you find that your dog has had an accident, one of the worst things to do is yell at him. On the other hand, you can’t just do nothing as this will result in your dog believe he is the Alpha dog. One useful thing to remember here is that dogs always avoid going to the toilet near where they sleep and eat. You can use this to your advantage when puppy training your dog by keeping it inside its crate when you are not there.

Crate training is the preferred method of housebreaking dogs by many leading dog trainers and dog owners. Crates provide just enough space for dogs to sleep and eat and over time will become one of your dog’s favourite places to just chill out.

Dogs need to go to the toilet at least a couple of times per day. In most cases they will need to go to the toilet immediately after waking up, and after meals. Get your dog into the habit of going outside after eating and after waking up. If you forget to take your dog outside, you may find he urinates inside the house.

For people who live in downtown apartments or places that don’t have outside space, paper training may be a more convenient way of housebreaking your dog. Paper training works by teaching your dog to always use the paper as his toilet spot. If you use paper training you’ll need to replace the paper each day.

As your dog gets used to his new toilet schedule he will begin to let you know when he needs to go. He may start running round in circles, scratching at the door, or barking to signal that he needs to go outside. If this happens, let him go outside, then reward him with a small treat for the good behaviour.

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August 23, 2008

Thinking to get a guard dog?

Filed under: Pets — Guest Author @ 9:16 pm

These days, home security is simply a must have.  Burglaries and crime are always on the rise, which makes it all the more important to protect your home.  There are various burglary alarms and home surveillance systems available, designed to help you protect your home.  Although they are good in their own rights, nothing compares to an old fashioned guard dog.  Guard dogs have been used for generations – to help people protect their homes and their belongings.

For many years, guard dogs have helped to scare off burglars and thieves.  Although most have gotten used to dogs now days, nothing fends off a thief more than a vicious dog grabbing his ankle and clamping down.  Almost all guard dogs have serious bites and can seriously injure a burglar.  Guard dogs are trained to protect one’s home – and they will do so no matter what.

When you get a guard dog, you should always make sure that you let him know who is safe to be around your home.  You don’t want the dog to be vicious towards everyone, as friends and family are certainly allowed to be around your home.  Most guard dogs are left outside of the home, with some deciding to keep them indoors.  Indoor dogs are great, as they will instantly catch a burglar the second he decides to break into your home.

If you plan to keep your guard dog indoors, you should always have a supply of food and water available, as he will be there when you aren’t.  You will also need to give him access to an outdoor area as well, so he can use the bathroom.  A fenced in yard is an ideal place for a guard dog to go outside, as he can come and go as he pleases.  Sometimes, a burglar will try and sneak around the back entrance – which is where giving a guard dog outside access can really come in handy.

Before buying the dog, you should always carefully research the species and where you plan to get your dog from.  Police dogs or dogs that have been trained for protection are ideal, as they already know how to defend things.  Dobermans and Pit Bulls are great for protection as well, simply because they are well known for being very vicious.

If you carefully research your options and get your guard dog from a reliable source, you shouldn’t have much of anything to worry about. You should never get your dog from a lesser known or poor source, as the dog may be poorly trained or not in good health.  A guard dog can be a great addition to any home – providing you get a dog in good health and more than capable to fend of burglars.