Ten Reasons Why Dogs Are Better Than Cats
1. You can train a dog better than a cat. Have you ever seen a cat sit on command? Roll over on command? Stay? Neither have I.
2. Dogs are smarter. Have you ever seen a dog fall into a fish tank? I have not either.
3. A dog can protect your home much better than a cat.
4. Dogs are better suited to lead you to a more active lifestyle. Have you ever seen anyone walk their cat?
5. There are a lot of things cats will jump up on that dogs won't. I know a cat that would not get off the kitchen counter. Dogs won't do that. Your dog also won't climb up a tree.
6. Dogs are much more fun to play with than cats.
7. A dog knows when you are sad. And he will try to comfort you. Cats do not care how you feel as long as you remember where the can opener is.
8. Dogs will wake you up if the house is on fire. Cats will quietly sneak out the back door.
9. Dogs are happy. Dogs think you are the best person in the world even if you are grumpy when you come home from school or work, your dog will be there licking your face and jumping around and they can not wait to see you, while cats do not notice if you are there or not as long as they get their food.
10. Dogs listen. When you talk to dogs they will make faces and tilt their head and try to work out what you are saying while cats just meow and walk away.
Here are the top ten dog breeds that do not shed. However, there are also some dog food out there that help dogs shed a little less than usual. Without further adieu, here is the list.
10. Yorkshire Terrier
9. Dachshund
8. Poodle
7. Shih Tzu
6. Miniature Schnauzer
5. Boston Terrier
4. Maltese
3. Havanese
2. Westie
1. Bichon Frise
It is never any fun when your dog is in heat. I am grateful that Pebbles is fixed so I do not have to worry about her getting pregnant and making a mess in my house. But if you do not know when a dog is in heat and want to know, here are the three common signs to let you know when your dog is in heat.
1. Swollen vulva: This is one of the best ways to spot the beginning of a dog heat cycle. The swelling is a significant difference over her "normal" appearance. Her teats may also swell slightly, but this is not a great heat indicator and can be a little tricky to spot.
2. Discharge: Your female dog may suddenly spend a lot of time licking herself. Take a tissue and wipe her vulva. If you notice red discharge, and her vulva is swollen, that is a pretty good indicator that your dog is definitely coming into heat. It is important to check this, since timing is everything when it comes to mating, or preventing a mating, your dog. The first day you notice the bloody discharge is called "day one". Mark it on your calendar.
3. Suitors: The third sign of heat is not found on your dog, but in the presence of other dogs. You may notice neighbor dogs hanging out around your house. They can smell your female dog's heat cycle. You may notice that your dog will tuck her tail often, protecting herself. She is not ready to accept a sire.
I know, it is so gross to even think about or to even witness. But dogs do eat poop and there are ways to prevent that from happening. Luckily for me, my dog stopped eating her own poop when she was a year old. Now she just poops then sniffs it. I think that is disgusting, too. But I guess it is because she wants to check her poop. No clue, but it is gross.
Here are ten tips to stop your dog from eating his poop.
* Puppies may eat poop to get your attention, which means even yelling rewards their behavior. If you catch Fido in the act, do not make eye contact or speak to him. Instead shake a can full of pennies or clap your hands to make a noise to make a noise to interrupt him.
* For bored puppies, increase playtime to a minimum of twenty minutes aerobic exercise twice a day. Increase the number of toys to keep your puppy busy when you are away if he is left in the yard. A treat-spiked toy, such as a Kong, filled with peanut butter offers a tastier, healthier alternative.
* Prevent access by walking your puppy on a leash and leading him away once he is done. Reward him for leaving stools alone. Teach him to "come" and sit in front of you after each bowel movement, his or other dogs, and give him a fantastic treat while you pick up the waste.
* Some dogs may eat their own stool when it has not thoroughly "processed". A more digestible food may help. Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation. You will need to make a gradual change in the food or the sudden change could prompt.
* Make the stool unappealing by adding a spoonful of pineapple, canned pumpkin, or spinach to your dog's meal. Include a dash of MSG in the food, which changes the consistency so dogs will not find the poop as appealing. Commercial products, like For-bid, may help.
* Scoop and clean the cat box as often as possible. Leaving droppings any length of time asks for trouble. Automatic cat boxes sweep the feces into a bin within ten minutes of the cat's deposit.
* Place the litter box on a table or counter out of dog's reach. If the cat does not object, a covered litter box might deter the dog but allow the cat access and privacy.
* Use a baby gate to keep the dog out of the cat's domain. Some cats can jump over the standard gates, or you can install it a couple of inches off the ground so your cat can crawl underneath while your puppy can not.
* Add a tablespoon of vegetable oil to the cat's food so her poop becomes softer and less attractive to snacking dogs. A spoonful of canned pumpkin added to her food also changes the taste or consistency of her poop to make it less appealing, and many cats relish pumpkin as a treat.
* Finally, if all else fails, and you are not around, put a muzzle on your dog. (Side note: I am not a fan of muzzling your pets, as I see that as a bad idea. Your dog may think they did something wrong if you put a muzzle on him.)
Here is a list of ten reasons why it is great to be a dog. I think being a dog is great because they get to sleep all the time, play when they are in the mood to play, get fed, and they do not have to work and worry about paying bills.
1. If it itches, you can reach it. And no matter where it itches, no one will be offended if you scratch it in public.
2. No one notices if you have hair growing in weird places as you get older.
3. Personal hygiene is a blast. No one expects you to take a bath every day, and you do not even have to comb your own hair.
4. Having a wet nose is considered a sign of good health.
5. No one thinks less of you for passing gas. Some people might actually think you are cute.
6. Who needs a big home entertainment system? A bone or an old shoe can entertain you for hours.
7. You can spend hours just smelling stuff.
8. No one ever expects you to pay for lunch or dinner. You never have to worry about table manners, and if you gain weight, it is someone else's fault.
9. It doesn't take much to make you happy. You are always excited to see the same old people. All they have to do is leave the room for five minutes and come back.
10. Every garbage can looks like a cold buffet to you.
About thirty-some years ago, my family and I went to visit my grandma for the summer. She lived up in the country and had lots of animals. She even had a dog that looked like a mutt. I never encountered the dog, but my sister did. My sister actually approached my grandma's dog while he was eating dinner. Bad idea. Of course, the dog ended up biting her and forever scarred my sister for life on dogs.
So, here are some correct ways to approach an unfamiliar dog.
* Ask the owner if it is okay to approach him.
* Hold out your hand, fingers closed, palm down, and slowly walk toward the dog. Allow the dog to approach your hand and sniff it.
* Wait for the dog's "okay" and see if he wants your affection. If he does, he will lower his head, perk his ears, or even come closer to you. If the dog puts his ears back, flat on his head, or growls, or cowers down, don't pet him.
* Pat the dog on the top of his head or you can pat him along his back. But avoid touching him on his belly, tail, ears, or even his feet.
There are also wrong ways to approach a strange dog. Here are the wrong ways to approaching a strange dog.
* Don't run toward an unfamiliar dog.
* Don't get eye level or very close and smiling at the dog. When a dog sees you smile, he thinks that you are "bearing your teeth" and that is an invitation to fight.
* Don't surprise him by sneaking up on him. When a dog is surprised, his defense mechanism will kick in and will bite in self defense.
* Don't ignore their warning. If a dog barks at you or growls at you when you approach his territory and you continue, that is like an invitation to get bitten. They are warning you that they don't like that and you need to stop and listen.
* Don't touch them inappropriately. Dog's usually don't like their ears, tail, and feet tugged. Some don't even being inverted and being rubbed on their belly. This is a submission position and an aggressive dog will resist this challenge and will resist vigorously.
Here is what you should do when you are threatened by an aggressive dog.
* Remain calm and stay still. Do not run. This is one race you will not win. If you are by yourself, walk backwards slowly. Do not turn your back on the dog.
* If you laying on the ground, curl in the fetal position and cover your head with your arms and keep your fingers curled into a fist.
* Avoid eye contact with the dog. Remember that staring at an aggressive dog in the eyes is a "challenge".
* Remember to not smile at the dog.
* Be sure to use a soft, soothing tone of voice. If you are loud, angry sounding, and screaming will only spur on the dog.
* If you happen to get bitten by the dog, do not pull away. This willy only spur the dog on. Just try to remain calm. Try to put something between you and the dog like your purse, jacket, a bicycle, backpack, etc. Do not hit the dog. This will just make the situation worse.
If your dog is suffering from constipation, there are a lot of remedies you can do to save your dog from this uncomfortable situation that he is in. Here are some remedies you can do to help your dog out.
* Water - This is an easy remedy for your dog who has constipation. Just make sure your dog has water at all times. And always refill his water bowl at all times to ensure that he has enough to drink all the time.
* Pumpkin - Pumpkin is known to be a natural laxative because of their high fiber content. Feeding your dog pumpkin will help soften their stools and make it easier for them to go to the bathroom.
* Fiber - Fiber is helpful when you want to regulate their bowel movement. You can find fiber at your pet store or even at the supermarket. If you get the powdered kind, you can dilute it in water so that your dog can drink it that way.
* Wet Dog Food - Changing their dog food may be necessary when your dog is constipated. Just make sure to choose a dog food that is rich in fiber and it also has a minimum grain content. Changing your dog's food can make digestion easier and help soften their stools.
* Aloe Vera - This is a common remedy for dog's who have constipation. It helps in regulating their bowel movement. However, aloe vera does not have the best taste, so it may be necessary to get it in juice and mix it with your dog's food to make sure your dog takes it.
* Olive oil - This is a popular lubricant and laxative. If your dog is constipated, mix in olive oil with your dog's food.
You can use more than one remedy to relieve your dog from constipation. But if your dog is having constipation constantly, the best thing to do is change their diet.
A therapy dog is a dog that is trained to provide affection, comfort, and love to people that are in hispitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, hospice, disaster areas, and for people with learning disabilities. According to ehow, there are eight ways to train a dog to become a therapy dog.
1. Make sure you choose a dog that is calm with a friendly demeanor. Hyperactive dogs will not be good therapy dogs.
2. When teaching dog basic commands, try using gentle, positive reinforcement. The dog must learn how to come, sit, stay, and down. All therapy dogs must be housebroken, have good manners, and obedience skills.
3. Make sure to teach your dog that it is okay for strangers to approach and talk with you. A therapy dog cannot become protective if someone touches you, shakes your hand, or pats you on the back.
4. Take walks with your dog in public places and to a variety of outdoor events such as parades, carnivals, or flea markets. Let your dog get acclimated to loud noises and being around crowds.
5. Make sure that you let your dog know that it is not acceptable for them to jump, sniff, bark, lick, and growl.
6. Make sure you maintain your dog's health by taking him to the veterinarian regularly. This will prepare your dog to allow the CGC (Canine Good Citizen Certificate) examiner to groom him and inspect him without him being shy or resistant.
7. Try to teach your dog to heel on command and not to pull or strain on his leash. To pass the CGC test, he must walk with you on a loose leash to prove that you are in complete control.
8. Take your dog to the dog park so they can learn how to play well with others. A therapy dog must learn to show no more than a casual interest in other dogs when you stop to talk with other dog owners.
Here are some tips and warnings:
* Remember that "down" is not a position that is comfortable for your dog, so don't try to make him stay in that position for long periods of time.
* The dog must learn to let a stranger pet him.
* It is very important that a therapy dog be comfortable with children and not respond negatively if a child tugs an ear or touches a dog in a way he may not like.
* The dog can not show signs of shyness, try to go to another person, or break position to pass the CGC test.
* The dog will be tested by a AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator before a designation of therapy dog is given.
When your dog has an upset stomach, it can easily be treated at home with a bland diet and a couple of simple at home remedies. But if your dog's vomiting persists for more than four hours or you notice that there is blood in the vomit or in the diarrhea, make a visit to your veterinarian immediately!
There are many causes for an upset stomach, such as him eating something he should not have or having a change in his diet. But most of the time, these problems are mild and can be treated at home. One of the most important things is preventing your dog from becoming dehydrated when he is not keeping his food down. One of the ways to find out if your dog is becoming dehydrated is by pulling back on his skin and see if it snaps back quickly. If it does not, then he is becoming dehydrated.
You can also replenish his water bowl with a little Pedialyte or Gatorade. Encourage him to drink, and if he does not, then use a dropper if needed.
If your dog has diarrhea or is vomiting, it is a good idea to have him fast for twelve hours. This will allow them to purge whatever is making them sick without making them even more sick. Then after the twelve hours feed him a reduced portion of food or give him a bland diet. A bland diet consists of half boiled skinless chicken or turkey and half of some brown rice. The brown rice will help harden their stool and the chicken or turkey will give them the nutrients they need to bounce back. Feed them three to four times a day rather than their usual meal times.
Sometimes a spoonful of yogurt or cottage cheese can help replace some of the good bacteria that was lost when they were sick.
At times, veterinarians will recommend antacids to help reduce stomach inflammation. But do not do this without consulting with your veterinarian first. Ginger root in the pill form can also help with the nausea naturally. If you happen to notice your dog eating grass, let him. It is his little way of cleansing his system out. These remedies will only work for a mild stomachache.
If your dog is vomiting or has diarrhea, it should not be ignored. But if it is a mild problem, make sure to not feed your dog for 12 to 24 hours, proceed with a bland diet, and add a little pumpkin, cottage cheese, or ginger to help with the nausea. This should clear up the problem in a short period of time.
It's Monday, so that means it's Make a Treat Monday! I actually stumbled upon this cookie recipe on www.best-dog-treat-recipes.com and I made these for my dog a week and a half ago. My dog ate the whole thing in just three days! I hope your dog enjoys them as well. Let me know if they like them, too. Without further adieu, here is the recipe.
Smiley Face Homemade Dog Cookies
1 cup water
1/4 cup olive oil or coconut oil
1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup unbleached white flour
1 cup oat flour
1 1/2 tsp. dry baking yeast
2 tbs. parmesan cheese or cheddar cheese powder
2 tbs. soy bacon bits or real bacon bits or pieces
1 tbs. turmeric powder
1 tbs. dry milk
* Place all the ingredients in your bread machine or mix in a heavy duty mixer with a dough hook.
* Set the bread maker for the dough cycle.
* When the dough is finished, remove it and divide it into thirds.
* Roll each ball of dough into a sheet that is 1/4" thick.
* Cut circles that are about 1 1/2" to 2" in diameter. You could use a biscuit cutter for this or you could use a small glass. Dip the cutter or glass in flour in between cuts so that the dough does not stick to it.
* Place the smiley face circles on a lightly greased cookie sheet.
* Put puppy dog food circles on each face where the eyes should be.
* Taking a sharp knife, gently cut the smile into each circle face.
* Bake the dog treats for about one hour at 275-300 degrees. Check frequently to make sure that they do not get too brown.
* Turn off the oven and let the dog cookies dry in the oven for several hours or overnight. When completely done, the cookies will be dry and snappy crisp.
Note: You can store these homemade dog cookies at room temperature for several months. But I am willing to bet that they will not last that long, because your dog is sure to love them.
