Pet Lover for Life

People who own hunting dogs seldom treat their dogs like the tools (that they were intended to be), instead they treat them like any other dog owner treats their dog, a loyal friend and companion. One of the things you’ll discover very quickly is that a gun dog makes a great pet, and like any other dog, training them to live in the home is a necessity.

Training a hunting dog to behave in your house is not difficult and only requires persistence and love. You’ve trained your gun dog to be great in the field, so now it’s time to turn that same training into house living. If your dog is a puppy, this is even more important and will take longer to teach—puppies, while smart, are easily distracted and forget what they’ve learned quickly. Again, persistence is key. Teaching your hunting dog , whatever its age, to go outside to potty, to not tear up your furniture, and so forth is most easily and humanely done by crate training.

Some thing that crate training is mean or cruel, but they couldn’t be further from the truth. Remember: a hunting dog is not a human and has very different instincts. A warm, safe, quiet place for Fido to relax is a great boon to the dog’s self-esteem and well being. Dogs have a “den” instinct that prefers small spaces that give a sense of safety and security. That’s what a crate can be for your dog.

The crate you use should be large enough for your dog to turn a circle comfortably, lay out straight, and stand up without “hunching over.” For most gun dog breeds, this means a medium to large sized crate. For puppies, a crate sized to fit them as an adult with a “divider” inside to make it smaller while still a puppy is ideal. If the crate is too large, the dog will designate a corner as the toilet and use it. Too small and the dog will feel confined and cramped. A dog will naturally not want to go where he sleeps.

The reason there are people that think that crate training is cruel is because they are under the assumption that the dog spends most of its time in the crate. This is untrue, and if it is true, then that person is incorrectly using the crate. The dog should only be in the crate when you aren’t home or unable to properly supervise the dog’s activities. Dog’s are very smart, and will catch on fairly quickly. In order to prevent an accident you should take your dog out every half hour or so until he is successful. Rewards work very well to let your dog know that he has done well. Rewards can be a treat, a certain toy to play with, or simple praise works wonderful too.

Speaking of puppies, remember that they do not have the control of an adult dog and will probably have accidents inside their crate. First and foremost, do not berate or punish your puppy for this as it sends a mixed message that puppy won’t understand. Instead, put puppy in a safe area and clean up the mess. Make sure that puppy doesn’t see you cleaning up, as this also sends the wrong message.If your dog is still a puppy you’ll have to be patient because they simply don’t have the control of their needs as much as an adult dog does and accidents do happen (both inside and outside the crate). Dog’s are not able to easily understand what they’re doing wrong so don’t punish them for this because they simply won’t understand – the other thing to avoid is cleaning up a mess in front of them because they can get into the habit of thinking this is fine because you’re cleaning it.

Dogs love routine and learn more quickly when they are on a “schedule” for learning. So take your dog outside at about the same time every day. Make sure that the dog is inside the crate whenever you aren’t there and that he gets exercised at about the same time daily as well. This routine will make the training process go much quicker and much more smoothly.

Everyone should consider crate training their dog, it will make housebreaking your dog and teaching your dog “inside” behavior much easier.

Owners of hunting dogs are seeking a reliable provider of supplies. If this is true for you, then you might be looking for containment systems, training collars, tracking collars or other systems. This is where Innotek can be valuable to you. Innotek has built a reputation of being a company that is trusted and respected by owners of hunting dogs. Here are some products they offer and the benefits:

Innotek sd-2100

Known as the Innotek SD-2100, this containment system allows your dog to learn his boundaries at home or for play. The system works with a collar that receives signals that you send using your transmitter. You can set your dog up so that he has plenty of room for exercise or walks, but will send a jolt when your dog gets too close to the boundaries.

Some people argue that electronic stimulation systems are harmful and inhumane for your dog. However, this isn’t true. They have been tried and tested, and deemed safe for dogs. Many dog owners have experienced success using products that produce electronic stimulation or “jolts”.

The SD-2100 from Innotek allows you to set up boundaries that your dog collar enforces, teaching your dog where those boundaries are quickly. The gentle reminders that he’s nearing the boundary shows him exactly where it is and where he can and can’t go. Because the SD2100 has enough wiring to cover up to 25 acres of property, you’re sure be able to set the boundary size you prefer, giving your dog enough room to roam and exercise without worrying that he’s run off.

Innotek tracking collars

Innotek offers some of the most sophisticated and easy-to-use tracking devices on the market. Losing your dog in the field or coming home to find him escaped from the yard will put worry into any dog owner. This concern can easily become fear or panic, but if you have an Innotek tracking collar, your fears are gone. These are waterproof, lightweigh collars with strong antennas and easy-to-use receivers for you to use to find your dog. They have ranges out to measurements in miles and can make finding your lost pet quick and painless.

Innotek

Innotek also has training collars that can train your dog in many respects. Other than for training for basic commands, you can also find Innotek collars that can train your dog to behave around other dogs and get them trained in becoming good hunting dogs.

Summary

When it comes to your dogs’ needs, Innotek is very trusted and regarded as a leader in the industry. You can find the right tools for dog through Innotek.

Do you have a new dog? If so, your new dog will probably need some training. In the case of working dogs or hunting dogs, training is especially essential. For the welfare of both you and your dog, you’ll need to find a safe, effective method of training.

The Dogtra Training Collar is probably the answer, as it has been for many hunting and sporting dog owners. This is one of the leading brands of dog training collars—and for good reason. These collars have some great features, including:

Safety Features: Your dog can’t be harmed with jolts at higher levels because the collar will not allow long stimulations for more than safely allowable.

Waterproof: these collars are completely waterproof and work just as well wet as they do dry. Important if your dog is a water dog, such as a retriever.

Controlled Stimulation: You can control the type of stimulation your dog should receive. It is up to you whether your dog needs a gentle reminder or a larger impact for his behavior.

Pager: You can train your dog to behave without electronic stimulation.

Some people believe that training collars that deliver a stun to a dog means you’re being inhumane. This is simply a myth – these collars are veterinarian approved and are safe for your dog, and the added safety features ensure safe use. The secret to the successful use of the Dogtra Training Collar and any other type of training device is to combine the stimulation with a voice command so that your dog begins to learn what it expected of him.

Some of the Dogtra Dog Training Collar models that are available now are:

Dogtra 200ncp Gold Dog Training Collar

The Dogtra 200NCP Gold is perfect for the smaller or medium-sized dog that is not usually more than a half a mile from you when you’re training. Many non-sporting or smaller sporting breeds, such as terriers and beagles, will be sized right for these collars. The unit is lightweight and still has a respectable range (880 yards) in good conditions.

Dogtra 175ncp Dog Training Collar

This is Dogra’s top of the line unit, the Dogtra 174NCP is waterproof and works up to 400 yards away. While not perfect for hunters or longer-range trainers (scent dogs, flushers, etc.), this unit is perfect for the family pet and closer-to-home dog that doesn’t tend to wander far.

All Dogtra Dog Training Collars are known to be safe, and they are effective in training all kinds of dogs, be it a family pet at home or a new hunting dog. Because of its safety measures, you can be assured that your dog will not be injured or harmed when training him.

Summer brings along with it fleas in every nook and cranny of your yard. As a responsible pet owner, you need to know what flea treatments are available for us. Not only do you need to prevent eggs from turning into pupae, you also want to make sure that you treat your hunting dogs and your pets bedding, and other areas where he plays and sleeps. Fortunately, we have Pyrethrin which is an insecticide which has been proven to be both safe and effective. Combine that with Methoprene and Fenoxycarb and you can prevent not just fleas but eggs and larvae as well.

Fleas are difficult to kill – their pupa are resistant to most insecticides because of the cocoon they wrap themselves in – and this often results in new fleas being hatched about two weeks after you perform a treatment. What most people don’t realize is that the lifespan of a flea can vary from as little as two (2) weeks to as much as eight (8) months. If you fail to kill the pupa before they hatch you have to start the entire process all over again.

Flea Baths
When you wash your dog with flea bath using special flea shampoo, any live fleas will be killed. A flea dip is very strong and excessively laden with chemicals, so use them with care and only in severe situations. Stay away from flea dips if you have small children at home.

Spot On Medications
These easy to use once a month treatments are designed to kill adult fleas and are dispensed directly to your dogs skin beginning at the neck typically and going down the top of their back. Before you use this type of treatment, check and see if they also prevent the growth of eggs and/or larvae. Your dog should be at least two month old before you use this type of treatment and check the label for reduced potency if your dog is bathed often or enjoys swimming.

Pill Flea Treatment
Perhaps one of the easiest and most effective flea control is this one for the simple reason that it acts similar to birth control! These pills are effective for one month and they sterilize any flea that bites your dog preventing them from laying eggs before they die. The other advantage of this treatment is that it doesn’t wash off making it ideal for dogs that stay indoors.

Natural Methods
Today more and more of us are looking for more natural treatments for fleas. It’s really not that difficult to naturally treat fleas, it can be done with dried pennyroyal, pyrethrum powder or diatomaceous earth. The process is simple: Vacuum carpeting, furniture pillows and dg bedding, Get rid of the vacuum cleaner bag (throw it away or burn it), Wash all washable items in the hottest water that’s safe for the fabrics.

Clean from inside out
All of our dogs love to cuddle in their beds, on furniture and even on the carpeting. Unfortunately, these areas are favorite hiding spots for fleas as well. Vacuuming and treating all areas completely and thoroughly are the secret to success, however make sure that you don’t leave the bag in the vacuum or you’re just going to create a new nest for them. Your dog’s bed and bedding should be washed at least weekly in hot water to help prevent re-infestation.

If your dog loves to be outside and play under your porch, in your flower bed or in other areas that are wet and shady remember these are favorites of fleas too. If you fully mow and rake your yard and remove all dead leaves in your plant beds and under your shrubbery, you’ll at least minimize the possibility of offering a home to the fleas. Make sure you treat these areas with the appropriate flea prevention insecticide to reduce the possibility. Other areas that are of interest to fleas (where your dog may play) is in areas of your home such as your basement or your garage where you typically won’t find carpeting. These areas should be mopped often and thoroughly to prevent flea larvae from forming and potentially hiding and breeding. Don’t overlook your pet carriers and of course your car – these areas should also be thoroughly cleaned and treated.

There are many foggers and sprays that are effective treatments of your home and yard. Read and follow the directions carefully. Heavily infested areas should be re-treated in 2 or 3 weeks.

Flea bites cause all kinds of problems for pets and people. Intense itching can lead to skin problems, hair loss and infections. A bad infestation can lead to anemia and tapeworms. Allergies to flea saliva can cause flea dermatitis. Getting rid of a flea infestation is imperative for the health of your pet. Following these steps will help your pet and your home stay flea free.

Most of us are aware that when our dog has pups they take care of most of the work all by themselves. For almost all hunting dogs, having the pups and expelling the placenta is a natural process and when followed by sufficient rest your momma dog will be back on her feet and happy and healthy as she ever was. Most dogs that are healthy have absolutely no problems giving birth. There are some complications that as a responsible pet parent you should be aware of (especially if you are a breeder).

Within a day of whelping, the bitch should be taken to a veterinarian to be checked. Most vets will also want to look at the puppies, which is also a good idea. You want to be sure, in the mother’s case, that she is still healthy and that no unborn pups remain in her womb and that her placenta ejected completely. If she retains either, she could get an infection (or worse) and die. Most veterinarians will also offer a shot to help her let down her milk and clear her uterus.

Carefully watch the bitch for several days after giving birth to make sure that there is no high fever, lack of appetite, or diarrhea, as these are signs of bacterial infection. Without antibiotics, she can die or develop serious problems. And since puppies should never be away from the mother dog, they should also have the benefit of vet care. The vet will check temperature and examine them to make sure that everything appears normal. If anything seems unusual, you should take her to the vet immediately, especially during the first week after whelping.

Typically if mom is going to have any problems they will show up within a week of the puppies birth so you’ll want to watch her carefully and make sure that she is in fact returning to her old self.

For your part, if all is going well, you will still need to concern yourself with your portion of the puppy’s and mother’s care. Keep their bedding area clean, replacing bedding daily and wiping up all messes as quickly as they occur. Keep everything as clean as possible, but be careful not to overuse cleaning products (especially bleach and similar) as these can cause eye and nose irritation in the newborns.

Mom needs to be watched for signs of eclampsia (i.e. milk fever) which could happen if she’s not naturally producing enough calcium. This condition typically occurs within a month of lactation and can be very serious if left unidentified. You can add supplements to moms food to help make up for her bodies lack of production, but you’ll want to make sure that it’s caught early. Watch and make sure that mom does not have any unusual stiffness, pain or fever (potentially leading to seizures). If you see any of these symptoms contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Mammary gland infections, particularly the teats, are a common problem so you should them frequently. As her puppies get older and teeth grow in, these infections can occur. Mastisis can set in within a day of birth; watch for purple spots around the glands and check for fever. These and other infections are common and is easily treated with topical creams.

Sometimes, agalactia can set in. This is a condition where the bitch can only produce little milk, or sometimes, not at all. The vet will be able to see if this is a problem during the first examination and take effective measures to treat the problems.

Most of the time, whelping is a natural, nearly worry-free process that will require little on your part to go well. Most bitches that are healthy will have pups without a problem and will be fine mothers.

Separation Anxiety is an attachment disorder. It can vary in degrees of severity from being very mild to very relentless. A mild case is often exhibited when the dog is pacing, over-grooming, and panting, whereas a severe case of separation anxiety can be quite a challenge for the owner.

Severe cases of separation anxiety may include behaviors such as: dog soils the house, cries nonstop, barks or howls, and destroys furniture and other objects around the house. Separation Anxiety in just 10-15 minutes after you have left, can be in full swing. There are some dogs that are ideal for separation anxiety and those are dogs that are shelter dogs. These are canines that have been abused or spent most of their lives in unsafe enclosures, devoid of human contact, kenneled for long periods of time, or living on the streets. Since you are not at home when this behavior occurs, there is no way to protect your home and belongings from your stressed out dog. There are some tips and positive training methods you can utilize in helping your 4 legged friend from panicking, being afraid, and stressing out in your absence. These methods are as follows:

1. Some dogs like being in a crate or confined space because they feel comfortable. Other dogs, however, do not do well at all. If you crate your dog and you see that it feeling anxious, then take them out and do not force them into a crate or vice versa. You can also get your dog some dog clothes and if you have small dog be sure to view these small dog clothes, these will help your dog stay warm and comfy.

2. Confining your dog to a small area where he has viewing access to the outside world is enough to make him feel comfortable and eliminate separation anxiety. You can place his crate or bed in front of a sliding glass door or a clear window.

3. Boredom can cause separation anxiety in your dog. By giving them a “job” to do such as teaching the game “Find It” you can give them a task that will keep them busy while you are gone. Find It, is a popular game most dog owners play with their dogs. Simply take their favorite treat (you may need more if you plan to be gone for awhile) and hide it in different places around the house. They will love the thrill of the hunt and will be so preoccupied with finding a yummy treat that they will hardly notice if at all you are gone!

4. Another way to combat boredom with your beloved pet is to provide them with toys. You may want to have “special” toys that you only take out when you are getting ready to leave. Rotate the toys so he will not get tired of playing with them. Playing, chewing, chasing, and hunting for his toys or treats has the power to cause your dog utilize his natural canine instincts while keeping him occupied for hours. You can view these dog supplies and pick up some right away to help your dog with his anxiety.

5. Leave the tv or radio on while you are absent. Researches have shown that soft, classical music relaxes dogs. Play music that you normally listen to around the house. By using a special “music selection” or only turning the tv or radio on when you are getting ready to go out only makes them have a negative association thus creates anxiety and creates a problem!

Just as taking the time to cook your own meals can be healthier than eating out or eating a meal that comes in a box, making your own dog food recipes is a way to both add variety to your pet’s diet and have more control about what goes into your dog’s body. And although making your own dog food recipes with Dog Vitamin can result in a happy, healthy canine who doesn’t have a lot of artificial flavors or preservatives, there’s also the potential for missteps if you add the wrong foods. If you’re starting to cook your own dog food recipes, here are some foods to avoid:

Chocolate

One of the most commonly known things to avoid feeding dogs, you should never add this food to any dog food recipes. The substance theobromine, which occurs naturally in chocolate, is toxic to Healthy Dog%s. While the concentration of theobromine varies in chocolate, with milk chocolate containing the least and baker’s chocolate the most. In any case, avoid chocolate in dog food recipes.

Onions

Onions, though they make great flavoring for both human and dog food recipes, can lead to a condition called Heinz body anemia, which destroys red blood cells and can lead to full-blown anemia in dogs. You have a few ways to minimize this risk, such as cutting the onions big enough that they impart some flavor to the food before easy removal before serving, or just leaving the onions out of your dog food recipes altogether. It’s been suggested that the biggest danger in this comes from low-quality onions, so if you purchase good-quality onions, you may also minimize the danger. Two Japanese breeds, the Akita and the Shiba Inu are particularly susceptible.

Honey

While an excellent natural sweetener, honey is a food that is dangerous not only in dog food recipes fed to puppies, but if given in any recipe to a human infant as well. The reason behind this is that the honey can contain botulism spores, which don’t affect adults due to their strong immune systems, but can affect young animals and humans, who haven’t built up strong immunities yet. So be sure to leave the honey out.

Alcohol

Great for cooking in recipes for people, don’t try to get fancy and put any alcohol in dog food recipes. While wine or sherry make great, flavorful liquids for sauces for people, the alcohol never completely cooks out, and just as with people when it’s ingested in large amounts, alcohol can be fatal to Diabetic Dog%s. Err on the side of caution and leave the alcohol out. By avoiding these dangers in dog food recipes, you will ensure that by cooking for your pet, you’re making him or her healthier instead of ill.

As the name suggests the Siberian Husky is native to Siberia. It was there that they were trained for hundreds of years to pull sleds by the Chukchi people. The Chukchi were a semi-nomadic tribe that used the Siberian Huskies to pull sleds with light loads for long distances, which made them an excellent companion for the tribe. DNA testing has recently found that the Siberian Husky is one of the oldest breeds of dogs. It wasn’t until 1909 that the Siberian Husky was brought to the United States where it took part in the All Alaska Sweepstakes Race. A number of Siberian Huskies were imported to Alaska after this initial appearance and the breed won the same race on the following year. The Siberian Husky breed not only went on to win many different races in the following years but it also gained fame for their great speed and endurance as well.
In 1930 the Siberian Husky was finally recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club. The breed is still widely used in various sledding, carting and racing events. Because of the breed these activities have became increasingly popular. However, in many of today’s races the Siberian Husky has been replaced by the Alaskan Husky which is specially bred for speed. As a result people have started a movement that creates races specifically for the Siberian Husky.

The newest role for the Siberian Husky is as a hiking companion, therapy dog and devoted house pet. People often confuse the Alaskan Malamute with the Siberian Husky. However, the Alaskan Malamute is a heavily built dog that was built for draft work and not speed. The Siberian Husky itself has a very unique appearance. A part of this is their double coat, which helps to keep them insulated in both hot and cold weather. They also typically have long tails that are used to protect their noses while sleeping.
The typical height for the Siberian Husky at the withers is between twenty-one to twenty-three and one half inches with the female being slightly smaller. For a female Siberian Husky the ideal weight is between thirty-five to fifty pounds depending on the size of the dog and the male can weigh about ten pounds more. The bone density of a Siberian Husky should be moderate and never slight or dense. The Siberian Husky should have a slightly longer size than their height. The Siberian Husky breed standard states that the dog should have an overall display of balance, grace and athletic study. The main eye colors are brown and blue but they can even be one of each and sometimes speckled. The eye color of the dog may be enhanced by a white mask around the face. Overall the facial expression of the Siberian Husky is described as friendly, alert and even rogue. White to black is the range of coat color and most are black or red with white markings or shaded gray. Although color isn’t the main importance of the Siberian Husky, rather it is their ability to perform with speed, ease and stamina.

The history of the Siberian Husky breed is both long and distinguished. Siberian Husky information can help you to learn about the specific appearance and ability of the breed.

If you are one of the many people who suffer from allergies you know how uncomfortable it can be.

Imagine how hard it must be for your dog to suffer with allergies. She cannot complain and she cannot ask for help. So as responsible dog owners it is up to us to figure out when she is having an allergy outbreak and to provide her with medicine as soon as possible.

Similar to humans, dog allergies are usually passed through genetics from parents to puppies.

There are various things that can cause a dog to have an allergic reaction. The more common dog allergies include dog food allergies, protein allergies, allergies to pollen, and dog skin allergies. Thankfully with the proper treatment they can all be treated. For dog food allergies you can try and change her food until you find one that is fine for her to eat. For other types of allergies you should be able to find the appropriate treatment.

If you believe your dog has allergies then schedule a vet appointment. You vet can examine her and then recommend the best course of treatment.

The easiest way to identify dog allergies is to know your dog. Know what “normal” looks like for her. So, you may be able to better tell when something looks out of the ordinary. This can be helpful not only in identifying potential allergies, but it can help to identify the start of other illnesses as well.

Several symptoms can indicate that your dog may be allergic to something. You may notice that she is always scratching, or she may be gnawing at her skin. There is no sure set of symptoms that you can use to identify your dog’s allergies since there is no telling how a dog will exactly react to something.

So anything that seems out of the ordinary is cause for further investigation. Try to find out what is causing the change in your dog’s behavior.

Dog allergies should be identified and treated as soon as you can. This can help you poor little dog to avoid additional pain and discomfort and bring her some relief to her allergy suffering.

If you got your dog from a breeder then it is quite likely that they can tell you if her parents had dog allergies too. That may make it a bit easier to pinpoint what she may be allergic to.

Read the rest of the articles in the dog allergy series.

Stop by our online pet store for all your dog supplies.

Since the large pet food recall occurred people have started to look at buying or making natural dog food. In the pet food recall it was found that tainted ingredients imported from China were the cause of the Dog Diseases and deaths of pets. By making or buying natural dog food the owner can be confident that their dog is getting healthy food which is not tainted with harmful substances.

Buying Natural Dog Food

There are many pet food stores and internet sites that advertise Natural Dog Food. Buying the food will certainly be easier than making it but will probably prove to be quite costly. For example, Life’s Abundance Premium Health Food for Dogs is a great quality dog food but will cost about fifty dollars for a forty pound bag. This dog food has such ingredients as chicken, catfish, fresh fruits and vegetables, and select farm products. It is costly but for those who can afford Life’s Abundance it will be a great food for their dogs.

Flint River Ranch Dog Food offers several varieties of their natural dog foods and these also will run about fifty dollars for forty pound bags. The food comes in several flavors including fish and chips (trout and sweet potato) style. Flint River has food for all age dogs that will provide great nutrition and great flavor.

Canidae Dog Food is another natural dog food that offers great Dog Vitamin for any dog. This food will cost a little less at about forty dollars for forty pounds. There are four types of food that come in dry or canned styles. Canidae offers the All Life Stages, Platinum, Lamb and Rice, and the Chicken and Rice formulas for the pet owner to choose from. For a pet owner who wishes to buy natural dog food these three companies offer great choices and there are other brands with good selections as well.

Making Natural Dog Food

If a person chooses to make there own natural dog food there are many great recipes available on the internet and in pet care books and magazines. A person can even get ideas for recipes by just looking at the ingredients listed in other natural dog food products. Making natural dog food can be time consuming but is worth the time and trouble to provide great nutrition for a best friend. The Dog Owner will notice within a short time of starting the new diet that the pet seems to have more energy, is more content, and has healthier skin and coat. Natural dog food will help the pet to live a longer and more satisfying life.