The addition of a new puppy to a home is a cause for celebration. Whether it is a golden retriever, a boxer, a collie, or a terrier, puppies are adorable pets that will quickly form a lasting place in your home. As puppies age, they become more secure in the home environment and mature into more responsible, and rule-abiding friends, but during those first few months there is a fair amount of training that needs to be done if your pet is to ever adapt the home-lifestyle.

Photo: k9capers.com

No one would contest that the puppy’s cuteness and fun is outweighed by their penchant for staining carpets, chewing couches, and barking relentlessly, but all the same, as a homeowner preparing to buy a new dog you should know both the risks and the preparation strategies for inviting a puppy into your home. As they say, the best defense is a good offense, so take a proactive, offensive approach to puppy-proofing your home by contacting odor and stain removal services and closing your yard.

The most obvious threat that a baby canine will pose to your home is the potential to leave waste in the house and on your rugs. There is no way to prevent this from happening before your baby dog arrives in the residence. The puppy’s personality and their adjustment to the new environment will be key factors in the way they are able to control themselves and keep your rugs clean, but this ability will only differ by degree because there are very few young dogs in the world that were born to be house trained.

A pup must be house-trained by their owner in their new home after they arrive, and they must be taught with patience and understanding. That being said, what can you as a homeowner do in the mean time to prepare for your puppy’s arrival? Try getting in contact with local rug service providers to identify the rugs in your house that will be especially susceptible to being soiled. If you find that one or more of your rugs would incur a very high level of damage, consider walling off that rug with a gate, or removing the rug and putting it in storage until your whelp has been trained. Additionally, contact multiple pet odor removal services and ’shop around’ for the best prices and companies.

An overlooked aspect of doggie care is the fact that your pup at some point will need to go outside. Many pet owners neglect to provide their pets with adequate exercise and fresh-air, leading to depression and lethargy in the animal. While you as a pet-owner may not (and need not) have the time and energy to keep up with your puppy’s exercise needs at all hours of the day, you should not take your inability to run laps around your house with your pet as a sign that your pet should suffer. If you cannot take your puppy out for a vigorous walk at least once a day, make a border around your yard using a traditional picket fence or an invisible, electric fence so that your dog will be sure to get the exercise that it needs.

A puppy is a great joy in the life of any homeowner. While they provide hours of entertainment and quickly become important members of the family, they can also bring problems into the home. Prepare for your new pet by taking a proactive approach to your puppy’s specific challenges.

Mr. Oliver is a marketing agent of Absolute Carpet Care. The carpet cleaning company provides carpet cleaning services throughout the Northern Virginia and Washington DC areas. For more information on their Carpet Cleaning please visit their website.
 

Are you just plain fed up? Always well trained, your canine companion has started to go potty anywhere and everywhere in the house. If she is not wanting out for the 100th time today, you are busy cleaning up messes. As much as you love your dog, you cannot take anymore! Should you take her to the pound and hope someone who lives out in the country will adopt her? Should you have her put down, and save you both from a life of misery? Before doing anything drastic, do yourself a favor and discover the concerns about canine urinary incontinence.

Photo: wizdoginfo.wordpress.com

If your furry companion has been well housebroken in the past, it is not natural to digress and start going potty all over the house. If you think about it, you will discover that your pooch has probably been giving other clues to urinary problems in dogs as well:

• Painful or difficult urination
• Increased frequency of urination
• Increased volume of urination
• Excessive thirst
• Pus in the urine
• Blood in the urine
• Crystals in the urine
• Lower back pain

If your pet has reached the point of canine urinary incontinence, she has probably been exhibiting one or more of the above symptoms. However, do not feel bad, because she cannot tell you she feels sick, and urinary tract infections can get bad fast.

Unfortunately, urinary problems in dogs are quite common. So, it is extremely important to take your canine companion to the vet as soon as possible. If it is just a urinary tract infection, an antibiotic will have her start feeling and acting a lot better in a day or two. But, if the cause of canine urinary incontinence is something more serious, prompt treatment is also necessary. To ignore the symptoms can ultimately cost your pet many happy years of taking you for walks.

Speaking of taking you for walks, you also need to know how to avoid canine urinary incontinence in the first place. A healthy dog is stronger and more able to fight off the infections and other health challenges. So, to avoid a urinary tract infection in dogs that can ultimately turn into more dangerous health concerns follow these three simple steps:

• Fresh water
• A way out
• Keeping you walking

Keeping canine urinary incontinence at bay starts by simply providing fresh, clean water every day. Forget the automatic jugs that water your dog. Avoid the humongous bowls that only require your attention once or twice a week. Instead, change the water at least once a day. Stale water will grow bacteria and also harbor food particles that foul up the water.

Once you start providing your pet with plenty of clean water, you will also need to provide a frequent way out. In other words, do not make your poor pooch hold her bladder for most of the day, while you are at work. The stale urine also becomes a breeding ground for germs and infection. You will need to install a doggy door, or come home during lunch and right after work. The only other solution is to find someone to babysit during the day, so your dog can go outside and empty her bladder as needed, so she will not suffer from canine urinary incontinence.

Finally do both of you a favor and go for a walk twice a day. The exercise will do you both good, and your canine companion will have ample opportunity to empty her bladder. She will not have to know it is to maintain good health. She will just be glad for the activity and fun.

In conclusion, canine urinary incontinence is not as rare as some pet owners might think. In addition, it can be a sign of a urinary tract infection or even something far more serious. So, if your pet is exhibiting unpleasant behavior, in conjunction with symptoms of illness, do not delay. Take your pet to the vet today, so you can have many happy tomorrows.

Tina Matsunaga is a freelance writer for home-based businesses, Internet marketers, and professionals around the world. She enjoys working at home while raising 2 children. She holds a BA in English and secondary education from Regis University.

For more information on how to prevent canine urinary incontinence, please visit http://www.pet-bladder-treatment.com

There are many different types of small dogs, and they come in lots of different shapes, colors and sizes. From cute to tough breeds, toy dog or terrier breeds - there are many different small dog breeds for you to choose from.

Small Dog, Big Heart - The Cutest Small Dog Breeds in the World
By Otto Kreistler

Sometimes we feel we are all alone in this world. Our love lives just don’t work out, our friends always go away in the end, and our family members eventually get lives of their own. And we are left absolutely alone with nobody to comfort us. And what do we do? Do we mope around alone in the dark? Do we go around picking up members of the opposite sex in bars? Of course not! We just get the cutest thing in the whole world that we are sure will love us unconditionally: a dog!

Photo: nola.com

And not just any dog will do. A small dog is not only cute but it is also generally easier to take of than their larger cousins because they don’t require as much space and exercise. And you also have the advantage of most of them being really, really good with kids. A cutie with a soft heart, undying devotion and who is good with kids? What more can you ask for?

Here are a few suggestions on the best small dog breeds to get when you absolutely need it:

- Mini Dachshund: These are some of the most curiously shaped dogs in the world. They were bred this way because their initial purpose was to hunt moles in the ground, a job which they did to perfection with their ‘hotdog’ appearance. They are loving, energetic and great companions. Just beware how you pick one up!

- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: As its name suggests, this is one of the most dignified breeds of dog in the world. And it is also one of the best with kids, because of its cuteness and its patience. You should however be sure to give it enough exercise and grooming every week.

- Beagle: The undying Snoopy was a beagle and if that isn’t motivation enough for you to get this wonder of a dog breed, then something must be wrong with you. The beagle is one of the most playful, active, and friendly dogs you could ever hope to meet. Exercising them constantly though is a must.

These are only a few of the amazing small dogs that you can treat yourself to when you feel lonely. If you want more ideas, and you want to find exactly the right one for you, just visit: http://crunkish.com/top-ten-kid-friendly-pets/

Different types of cancer are unfortunately very popular with all types of breeds and sizes of dogs. One should be very aware of your dogs health and should be able to recognise any form of cancer appearing as soon as possible. The sooner the cancer is found the better chance of treating and minimising the dreadful effects of this disease.

Cancer symptoms to watch out for on your dog

• Unusual lumps or swellings that appear all of a sudden, a biopsy is required to confirm if it is cancerous.
• Open wound and skin related problems that don’t go away, skin cancer form because of reaction to allergies, exposure to certain chemicals and UV rays from the sun from being exposed in the sun for too long periods.
• Prostrate cancer can also be found with older dogs, common symptoms are hard to see but dogs tend to have problems urinating and defecating. Often bloody urine and stools can be seen. Stomach, liver and kidney cancer are more popular with dogs. They tend to stop eating and drink a lot of water all of a sudden. Occasionally they will start eating grass and certain plants. Rapid weight loss is very common, along with chronic diarrhea.
• Bone cancer known as osteosarcoma which is a common long bone tumour, is often diagnosed with symptoms like arthritis and muscle pains. When you dog starts behaving out of the ordinarily, take note and investigate what the problem might be.

So what is the most common cause for all these cancer diseases?

If you look all the ingredients on a cigarette pack, it’s no wonder why smokers suffer from lung cancer and other deadly associated diseases.

Same applies here, if you look at the ingredients in commercial dog food products, it is unbelievable what passes for nutrition for dogs. The cheaper the food, the worse the ingredients get. Most commercial food is loaded with all sorts of toxic chemicals and preservatives.

There are traces of Sodium Pentobarbital found in some commercial food. This is the same chemical used to euthanize animals. It is present because the meat in the food they use is processed meat which is made from dead animals or euthanized animals.

Dog food manufactures also use the chemical ethoxyguin (EQ) to preserve the dog food and give it a longer shelf life. This chemical is not allowed in human food, care to guess why? The chemicals and preservatives in commercial dog food is not fit for consumption.

If you think about all the common illnesses and problems dogs have, you realize that they are common symptoms that humans have when we are poisoned by chemicals.

Some illnesses like Kidney cancer, bladder cancer, stomach cancer, hair loss, chronic diarrhea and other major organ failure is directly related to these chemicals and ingredients used. Dog food is simply not regulated.

The only true way to prevent your dog from getting ill or getting cancer in the long term from harmful dog foods, is to make the dog food your self. Your dog could live nearly twice as long if you do this. They are easy simple methods of making home made dog food. The best way is to make dog food in bulk and to freeze it for later use in the week. If you follow the recommended recipes your dog will get al the protein, vitamins and minerals without much effort.

If you want to learn more preventing cancer and common dog illnesses, go visit http://www.dog-food-conspiracy-secrets.com You will get a step by step health plan, real easy recipes and all the secrets to better living conditions for your dog.

This article was written by Kiera Grey

Dog Health Secrets

What are the medical advantages of spaying? The medical advantages of neutering? How about the disadvantages?

Photo: sierraanimalhospital.com

Medical Advantages

Your bitch is no longer subject to reproductive cancers, such as mammary cancer (the most common tumor of the sexually intact bitch).

Bitches spayed prior to their first estrus have about 0.5 percent risk of developing mammary cancer. If spaying is delayed after the second heat period, the chance of developing a tumor jumps 8-26 percent.

Bitches spayed later than this remain at the same level of risk, 8-26 percent.

The incidence of pyometra is eliminated in spayed bitches.

Pyometra is a common disease of intact bitches, particularly in bitches over 6 years of age, although it can occur at any age.

It is a potentially fatal disease.

Your dog is less at risk from prostate disease and testicular cancer, both of which can be life threatening. Even non-malignant growths are a threat because the growth can cause infection that can eventually kill your dog.

Medical Disadvantages

General anesthesia is a risk to any dog. A small percentage of spayed bitches may develop estrogen imbalances in later life that causes incontinence (or rather, "leaking"), which is easily controlled with dosages of estrogen. There are no medical disadvantages (other than anesthetic risk) to male dogs.

What are the psychological effects on your dog?

There is wide disagreement over this, but there are various relevant facts to note.

First, neutered dogs are no longer concerned with reproduction.

This is a psychological effect, but the extent of it is confined to its behaviour with respect to heat.

The argument is often over whether or not neutered dogs remain "aggressive". In particular, guard dogs and working dogs are often thought to lose something by neutering.

This is accountable with specific examples.

E.g. Seeing Eye dogs are always neutered and they are fine, working dogs.

There are many neutered animals that are dominant over intact animals.

For each claim made about the effect of neutering an animal, a counter-example can be cited. This means that the effect of neutering is largely dependent on the individual dog. And, most likely, because dogs are so attuned to their owners, dependent on the owner.

Dogs are very good at picking up expectations: if you expect your dog to mellow after neutering, it probably will, whether or not the neutering was actually responsible for it.

The question also arises over whether dogs "miss" sex or not.

Neutered animals never display interest in sex afterwards; the argument is fairly strong that dogs do NOT miss their sexual capability.

"Mounting" or "humping" is a dominance related behaviour that any alpha dog, of either sex, intact or neutered, will engage in.

On a more serious note, there could come a time when you have to make the gut wrenching decision to put your dog down.

For a detailed procedure of dog euthanasia and to help prepare you for the day, there is a tutorial at http://here-is-your.info/dog-training/when-to-put-a-dog-down.php