Posts Tagged ‘dogs’

How Do Dogs Speak?

Thursday, March 18th, 2010

Dogs are just about the most intelligent of household pets. If you take the time to look, you will see that they have the ability to communicate with humans, other dogs and even other species. They do this with body language and voice. Their signs are made with the their eyes, ears, eyebrows, head, mouth and tail.

Their voice is obviously not the same as ours, but they use pitch in their barks, whines, whimpers, pants, growls and howls and their gestures are made with their whole body and every part of it.

You can always tell a self-assured and therefore higher ranking dog, because they hold their tails aloft. Dogs, like all other animals, including we humans, have an inborn sense or their place in society. This is because dogs evolved in packs in the wild, just as we evolved in communities. which is why they fit well into our human society.

There is a pecking order within their group, as within human society. The subservient dogs submit themselves to the stronger dogs, which is why dogs lower their tail when they feel insecure. When dogs fight for dominance, the fur on their tails stands up and they have this trait in common with other animals. They do it to show that they are being serious in front of their enemy.

A dog that is unsure what to do will wag its tail slowly. A bit like you or I might give a weak smile, unsure whether to smile openly or frown. They are in a process of figuring out whether they should accept the status quo or fight. Excited dogs wag their tails very fast and if the dog’s hip wiggles along with its tail, it means that the dog is in subservient mode to a higher ranker. A pet should do that to its owner, as you have become the leader of its substitute pack.

When dogs become aggressive they show their teeth, the same as humans. If all of the teeth are visible, it indicates that the dog is prepared to bite or attack. We do the same unconsciously. People often bare their teeth and snarl insults, before a fight. However, they also show teeth when they smile but this is an indication of compliance, again as we do - submissiveness here meaning a recognition that a fight is superfluous.

With a dog, the number of teeth on display shows the difference between a smile and a snarl. In a smile, a dog only shows the front teeth, but in a snarl the dog reveals all his teeth and gums and makes an aggressive noise.

Ears are a good indication of the dog’s level of attention. When the ears are erect and forward facing, it means that the dog is concentrating. But if the dog is stress-free, its ears will lie flat. However, some breeds do not have as much control over their ears.

Dogs bark to defend their territory, which comes to mean their boss’ territory, which should signify your property. However, barking is their usual speech so you will have to learn the difference between friendly play barking and aggression in your dog. It is pretty obvious though.

Observation of your pet is the key, because, although all dogs are the same as in all humans are the same, there are small differences. They are not hard to learn, just spend some time with you dog and keep your mind open and it will become very clear to you.

If you are interested in dogs or Welsh corgi puppies, or even Wales in general, please go to our website at Welsh Products Online

Cool Dog Names

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

Fashion seems to dictate everything these days. From what you wear to what you name your dog, everything you do is dictated by the need to be fashionable. Cute dog names are hard to come by and even harder to choose. This is because as soon as something is in fashion, than it is out again.

Who would want to pick a cool dog name that may not be fashionable tomorrow? So, people usually play it safe, which is why the same names have been so popular for so long. To try and break that cycle, five cute dog names are given below with our reasons why you should choose one of them for your dog.

Phoenix: What could be cuter than a bird that goes up in flames and then rises from the ashes? Phoenix is one of the cute dog names that will never go out of fashion because it is located in mythology. It has a timeless quality which has surprisingly failed to boost its popularity.

Star: Star is one of the cute dog names because it has so many meanings that you can have a hard time finding out where to begin. A star in the sky is a phenomenon and a star can refer to someone that outperforms in a certain field. It is indeed a high form of praise and so is definitely a cool dog name.

Lady: Lady is one of the most popular dog names but it is also one of the cool dog names because of the Disney cartoon film, Lady and the Tramp, which was a massive hit. The film made the name popular but also gave it some credibility. In this case, popularity comes second to coolness.

Elvis: The coolest of cool dog names. Elvis Presley was definitely cool and remains cool today even after his death. It is infinitely cool to name your dog after an icon who never goes out of fashion.

Shadow: There is a dark and ethereal quality about Shadow that makes it a cool dog name. It would be best used on a large breed of dog however, because it wouldn’t have the same strong effect with a small one.

Whatever cute dog names you consider for your pooch, it is one sure-fire way to give them an identity of their own and make them memorable in the eyes of others. .

Does your dog need training? If you need further information on dogs in general, then visit our website entitled Successful Dog Training

Why Do Dogs Snore?

Friday, August 7th, 2009

We all know that it is not unusual for pet owners to permit their pets to sleep with them on their beds at night. In deed, one third of pet owners have at some time, permitted their pets to sleep on their beds. Dogs readily provide a companionship that can’t be given by any other breed of animal. However, this doesn’t mean to say that cat owners do not let their cats or another pets sleep with them too.

It is facilitated too by dogs having a sleep pattern which is rather similar to our own. Dogs usually have complete trust in their masters, which makes them a lot more relaxed during the night. This goes a long way to explaining why most dogs fall asleep easily and even go into a deep sleep where REM sleep activities can occur. In fact, once a dog enters this phase, the owner often has to call them several times before they can be woken up completely.

For sure, many of us have already observed a dog paddling during sleep or at times, barking with his eyes closed. These dogs are believed to be dreaming. Breathing patterns can also be observed among dogs. For instance, there are breeds which breathe more heavily while there are those who breathe very lightly. The heavy breathers are much more prone to snoring than those who do not breathe as heavily.

Often, dogs that snore can be rather a nuisance during the night, depending on the degree and frequency of the phenomenon. Like with humans, there are various considerations why dogs snore, although most deal with the obstruction of the passage of air in the windpipe, which in turn is caused by the collapse of certain areas along the throat. It is the same problem as with humans.

A dog that snores very badly ought to be checked for various issues to evaluate which treatment can be best provided. Some dogs are especially prone to some allergic reactions that cause obstruction in the airway. It may also be that there is some excess tissue in the areas that are preventing proper breathing. It is best if a veterinarian checks on various factors through careful evaluation of the dog’s anatomical features and general physical symptoms.

Is you dog obese? I ask this because, as with humans, obese dogs are more likely to snore than thin ones. This is because they have more tissue surrounding their windpipes. Therefore, they have excess fat hanging around the throat which can potentially cause obstructions. Once this problem is corrected, the risk of snoring will be decreased. This would not only be healthy for your dogs, you may eventually enjoy a decent night’s sleep too.

The general facial features of the dog affect the amount of snoring too. Some dogs seem to have pushed-in faces which narrows their air passages to a certain degree. The construction of their nasal passages also largely contributes to their problems of breathing. They are pretty much like humans with the flu, who are forced to breathe using only twenty-five percent of their nostril capacity. Dog breeds with shorter faces need to expend lots of effort to breathe properly. It takes them more effort to breathe and they are also more prone to snoring.

Minor surgery can afford your dog great relief. Be sure though that, before any decision is made, you are well informed about the potential risks and consequences of surgery to stop a dog snoring. Most procedures are irreversible, so careful thought must be given to any operation you allow. In fact, it is best to accept the guidelines provided by your veterinary surgeon.

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Parasites on Dogs

Saturday, July 25th, 2009

You really need to get rid of heart worm, fleas and other parasites in dogs whenever it becomes apparent that your dog is infected by using the relevant treatment against them. Loads of products are available to protect our dogs from heart worms, fleas and other parasites like hook worms, whip worms, round worms, lice, ticks etc.

Of the heart worms, fleas and other parasites, fleas can produce a hyper-sensitive reaction in the affected animal. Animals infected with fleas scratch their skin very vigorously. Often the scratching is so bad that the skin becomes hyper-sensitive and dermatitis is the result in the scratched areas of skin.

The result of a serious flea infestation is often that your dog can not lie down for long or sleep properly due to the persistent flea bites. Therefore, the animal looks as if has some severe skin disease. If the the animal is not properly treated for these flea bites, there could be a secondary bacterial attack in these sites and there may even be a bad smell coming from the affected area of the animal’s skin.

You have to inspect your pet closely in order prevent a serious outbreak of fleas. However, it is essential to avoid such a serious outbreak as they are extremely upsetting to your dog. Similarly, the skin of the animal needs to be inspected often for the presence of ticks and lice. In order to do this effectively, you must inspect the dog’s skin by separating the dog’s hairs. The easiest way to achieve this is by slowly back-combing or ruffling the animal’s hair.

Often, if your dog is anaemic, and he is not infested with fleas, you have to rule out hookworm. Symptoms of hookworm are anaemia, loose stools and a pot belly. The dog’s owner may notice these symptoms themselves, however, to be honest, the dog needs to undergo a routine health check at the vet’s involving faecal and hematological tests.

There are many products available commercially, some of which are useful for dealing with all these conditions in a single dose. Drugs like ivermectin are highly efficacious and are available in injection, oral and solution forms. The latter should be applied directly on the dog’s skin. These drugs can lead to the prevention of the above conditions too.

Therefore, the best policy to adopt is to keep a keen watch on your dog. This can very easily be carried out at bath time and when you are brushing him. You can use an anti-flea and anti-tick shampoo, which will keep these pests at bay, if used as stated on the bottle. Couple this with frequent grooming with a lice comb and the use of a flea collar should keep your pet flea, lice, and tick free.

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Organic Dog Food

Monday, July 20th, 2009

The desire for healthy food appears to apply just as much to humans and their animals, because a lot of animal owners would rather buy organic foods to feed man’s best friend. One could be forgiven for being surprised at the large amount of organic dog food on offer in the market. Just like for humans, there are a lot of pet illnesses that one could cure or even prevent in the first place by the use of organic pet food.

For instance, organic dog food could reduce the risk of the pet developing skin diseases and allergies. The explanation for the positive health impact is the absence of additives, chemicals, colourants and pesticides. Instead there are only grain extracts and high quality proteins as ingredients in organic dog food. Organic dog food also contains more nutrients, which is reflected in the higher levels of energy and the normal weight of the pet.

Normal dog food can cause diabetes and excess weight with all the other problems that accompany these illnesses: back ailment, organ failure and decreased mobility. How can organic dog food help here, then? Well, because organic pet food does not contain bulk filler; they are nutrient-packed products that create energy not fat. Moreover, it is far better and definitely a lot easier to prevent health problems than try to cure them afterwards.

A better digestion and a stronger immunity system are the other main benefits that come with the use of organic pet food. Due to the absence of chemicals usually present in regular pet food, your dog will no longer be sick or experience wind or diarrhea. A more efficient is what you will achieve with a healthy diet. Furthermore, the quality of the nutritional substances in organic dog food, boosts the immunity functions, thereby reducing the risks of infection and all sorts of specific diseases that affect dogs on a routine basis.

A large number of veterinarians say that organic dog food substantially extends the life of any animal, not to mention the fact that it will pass through old age a lot better. It is not uncommon that pet owners who choose organic dog food, are also interested in eating organic foods themselves, sticking to healthy natural food that enhance bodily functions and avoid toxins and disease.

Ask your local dog food supplier about organic dog food and if there is none available at your local shop, try to order it online. There are many web sites that offer such products at pretty decent prices.

One last tip, be very, very careful with dried dog food like biscuits, no matter what the label says. A few years ago, I had a dog called Becky that stayed at home alone during the day, while I went to the office. I didn’t like to leave her tinned food, because of flies, bacteria and vermin, so I bought dry food, which would not deteriorate during the day. However, within six years she had gotten diabetes, which meant that I had to inject her with insulin every morning. Sometimes, she would have a fit. The vet said that it was quite common for dogs fed only on dry biscuits to contract diabetes, so check the food with your vet first or feed organic wet food.

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Dog Names

Wednesday, July 8th, 2009

Dog owners will explain that there is no proven method for picking a good name for a new dog or puppy. Whether they need to come up with girl or boy dog names, they will normally pick a name that sounds trendy or a name they like rather than putting some thought into what the name really means. Popular boy dog names have meanings, as do human names, so more often than not the meaning will not suit the dog it is given to. Here we give a list of the top five boy dog names and what they actually mean.

Undoubtedly, one of the first things you do when you get a new dog or puppy is pick a dog name for him or her. For most dog owners, this actually requires little thought. They just pick a dog name at random and that is the name by which the poor animal will be known forever. However, there are certain issues that ought to be taken into consideration when going through dog names in order to make sure that you choose a suitable one.

First of all, dogs can sense attitude and tone of voice better than humans can. If you pick a dog name for comic value or after someone you don’t like, your dog will know by your tone of voice that something is not right. As a result, their attitudes may change towards you or they may refuse to respond to your commands. Dogs’ names should mean something but should not hinder their training, so you should really take the decision of the dog name carefully.

Although dogs are very intelligent creatures, they can’t understand the same amount of data that we can. Therefore, dog names ought not be more than two syllables long. If they are more than that, most dogs will not respond. Max, Sam, Becky, Lady, Molly and the like are excellent dog names because they are short and the names are easily heard. They understand these dog names and that will help your chances of training them successfully.

However, dogs’ names ought to assist them mould a character of their own. Common names don’t really help them to do that, so finding something simple but unusual can help their characters grow a great deal without reducing their willingness to respond to a command.

Max: This is probably the most popular boy dog name and the meaning is probably the reason why most people choose it for their hound. It literally means “the best”. After all, every dog owner thinks that their dog is the best.

Jake: Jake is short for Jacob, which means “conqueror”. This is an apt boy dog name, if your puppy takes over the house within moments of setting foot inside it!

Buddy: Buddy is a familiarization of Budd, which means “messenger”. This boy dog name may be apt for a working dog, or one you can train to bring in the newspaper every morning. It is a popular boy dog name and can be very widely found within the USA.

Bailey: The boy dog name Bailey is French and means “steward”. This is fairly apt if your dog is responsible and sensible, so it is probably not suitable for a Jack Russel puppy, for example!

Sam: Sam seems to mean “an answer to prayers”. This is a good boy dog name for dogs that are easy to train and are largely quiet!

Few new dog owners consider a name’s meaning when picking a boy dog’s name, so instead of just going ahead with your first idea, it would be worth taking the time to choose a dog’s name that is really suitable for your dog. After all, it doesn’t cost you anything to spend some time considering your dog’s name.

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Is She a Bitch or a Lady?

Thursday, July 2nd, 2009

So you may wonder, what is in a dog’s name? Just what does it matter what your female dog’s name is? The answer is a lot, because your bitch’s name defines him or her in the eyes of your neighbours, especially if you have a small dog. What small dogs lack in stature they can make up for in attitude. For small dogs, being cute will get them everywhere. But what is a cute dog without a cute dog name?

Cute dog names are really meant for female dogs or bitches. Abby, for example is a very cute dog name. When you match with a mental image, you probably see a little Westie or a Labrador pup romping around on a lawn in your mind’s eye. Other cute female dog names are Queenie, Beauty, Becky and Blackie. All of these cute dog names seem to embody a bundle of fur that has a sweet nature and just loves cuddles. They all allude to a pretty appearance and a very happy dog owning experience.

However, there seems to be very few cute dog names out there for male dogs. This may be because it reduces the masculine image that male dogs are supposed to have. Still, there are some male cute dog names about. Bobby, Casper, Patch and Spot are all cute male dog names that have the same effect as the female ones do. However, you do have to ensure that you have the right kind of male dog to give a cute dog name to, because if you get it wrong, he will sound ridiculous.

Cute dog names can be very appropriate for male and female members alike of certain breeds and can help to develop a lovable personality, because of the affection it will be shown. But be warned, you do not want to leave your dog open to ridicule so choose when to use cute dog names very carefully.

Whilst dogs are very intelligent animals, they cant process the same amount of information that we can. Therefore, dog names should never be more than two syllables. If they are more than that, it is very rare that a dog will actually respond. Max, Sam, Lady, Molly and the like are excellent dog names because they are short and the syllables are hard. They easily respond to those dog names and it can increase your chances of training them successfully.

Moreover, dogs names (can|should help them shape a character of their own. Common names dont encourage them to do that, so finding a simple but unusual name can help their characters a great deal without hurting their ability to respond to a command.

I am prepared to bet money that most dog owners do not think of the factors outlined above when thinking of dog names for a new pet. Instead, dog names are chosen at random, but it is worth putting a bit more thought into it, for your dogs sake if for no other reason.

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Is She A Princess Or A Lady?

Saturday, June 27th, 2009

So, you may be asking yourself, what is in a dog’s name? Just what does it matter what your girl dog’s name is? The answer is perhaps a fair bit, because your dog’s name defines him or her in the eyes of your neighbours, especially if you have a rather small, puny dog. For what a small dog lacks in stature it can make up for in attitude. For a small dog, being cute will get her everywhere. But what is a cute dog without a cute dog’s name?

Cute dog names are really meant for female dogs or bitches. Abby, for example is a very cute dog name. When you put that together with a mental image, you probably see a little Westie or a Labrador pup romping around on a lawn in your mind’s eye. Other cute female dog names are Queenie, Beauty, Becky and Blackie. All of these cute dog names seem to embody a bundle of fur that has a sweet nature and just loves cuddles. They all allude to a cute appearance and a very happy dog owning experience.

However, there seems to be very few cute dog names available for male dogs. This may be because it lessens the masculine image that male dogs are supposed to have. Still, there are a few cute male dog names about. Bobby, (Old) Nick, Patch and Tigger are all cute male dog names that have the same effect as the female ones do. However, you do have to make sure that you have the right kind of male dog to name with a cute dog name, because if you get it wrong, it will make him sound silly.

Cute dog names can be suitable for male and female members alike of certain breeds and can help to develop a lovable personality, because of the affection, with which it will be treated. But do be warned, you do not want to leave your dog open to ridicule so pick when to give your dog a cute dog name with caution.

Whilst dogs are very intelligent creatures, they cant process the same amount of information that humans can. As a result, dog names should never be more than two syllables. If they are more than that, it is very rare that a dog will actually respond. Max, Sam, Lady, Molly and the like are excellent dog names because they are short and the syllables are hard. They easily respond to those dog names and it can improve your chances of training them successfully.

Moreover, dogs names (can|should assist them form an identity of their own. Common names dont encourage them to do that, so finding a short, simple but unusual name can help their characters a great deal without damaging their ability to obey a command.

I am willing to bet money that most pet owners do not consider the factors outlined above when thinking of dog names for a new pet. Instead, dog names are chosen at on a whim, but it is worth putting a bit more thought into it, for your dogs sake if nothing else.

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Is She a Lady or a Tramp?

Saturday, June 27th, 2009

So you may ask, what is in a dog’s name? Just what does it matter what your girl dog’s name is? The answer is maybe a lot, because your bitch’s name defines him or her in the eyes of your neighbours, especially if you have a rather small dog. For what a small dog lacks in size it can make up for in attitude. For a small dog, being cute will get her everywhere. But what is a cute dog without a cute dog’s name?

Cute dog names are really meant for female dogs. Abby, for example is a very cute dog name. When you put that together with an image, you probably see a little Westie or a Labrador pup running around a lawn in your mind’s eye. Other cute female dog names are Brownie, Beauty, Becky and Blackie. All of these cute dog names seem to embody a bundle of fur that has a sweet nature and just loves cuddles. They all allude to a cute appearance and a very happy dog owning experience.

However, there appears to be rather few cute dog names available for male dogs. This could be because it lessens the masculine image that male dogs are supposed to have. Still, there are a few cute male dog names out there. Bobby, (Old) Nick, Patch and Tigger are all cute male dog names that have the same effect as the female ones do. However, you do need to ensure that you have the right kind of male dog to name with a cute dog name, because if you get it wrong, it will make him sound silly.

Cute dog names can be suitable for male and female members alike of certain breeds and can help to develop a lovable personality, because of the affection, with which it will be handled. But do be warned, you do not want to leave your dog open to ridicule so pick when to give your dog a cute dog name with caution.

Whilst dogs are very intelligent creatures, they cant process the same amount of information that we can. As a result, dog names should never be more than two syllables. If they are more than that, it is seldom that a dog will respond. Max, Sam, Lady, Molly and the like are excellent dog names because they are short and the syllables are hard. They easily respond to dog names like those and it can increase your chances of training them.

Moreover, dogs names (can|should help them shape an identity of their own. Common names dont allow them to do that, so finding a short, simple but unusual name can help their characters a great deal without damaging their ability to obey a command.

I would bet money that most dog owners do not think of the factors mentioned above when thinking of dog names for a new pet. Instead, dog names are picked at random, but it really is well-worth putting a bit more thought into it, for your dogs sake if nothing else.

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Fleas, Ticks and Worms

Tuesday, June 9th, 2009

Fleas and other parasites ought to always be awarded the top priority by dog owners. Flea bite allergy in dogs is very common and causes worry to many dog owners every year, especially in the summer, although all year round if your dog lives indoors with central heating. This is because flea bites often produce allergic reactions in the area bitten by the fleas, which is very often on the back just above the tail. In these cases, the affected area becomes red and bald due to the dog’s continuous scratching of itself.

Heavy flea infestations can cause severe dermatitis in dogs. If the flea bites cause allergic reactions or dermatitis in the dog, it really ought to be taken to the vet, because on many occasions, the dog will be experiencing severe discomfort.

The vet will provide a cream to ease the itching and powder or a spray to kill the fleas. Therefore, prevention is better and medicated collars are available to treat and prevent an infestation of external parasites like ticks and fleas.

Apart from fleas, other parasites like ticks and lice plus the internal parasites like hookworms, round worms, whip worms etc. can have an adverse effect on the the well-being of your dog. For example, if hookworms have infected a dog, that dog will almost surely suffer from anaemia soon. The signs of anaemia become more obvious depending on the advancement of the hookworm infection.

Hookworm larvae can enter directly through the skin into the internal body and cause severe problems inside the infected dog. These dogs may show cuts on their paws and on their skin because of dermatitis. Often, skin rashes result too in these cases and the affected animal may also have diarrhoea, which is flecked with blood.

Most dogs and all puppies get round worms, which is why dogs can often be seen rubbing their bottoms along the floor. However, if round worms are present in large numbers, affected puppies show a pot belly, which is easily recognized by dog owners themselves. Piperazine salts are given orally for the treatment of this condition. However, broad-spectrum anthelmintics like pyrantel pamoate, fenbendazole etc. are also used to treat this condition.

Lately, many drugs have come onto the market to treat fleas and other parasites. Nowadays, the medical agent called ivermectin is highly preferred by many dog owners to treat fleas and other parasites in dogs. This drug is available in injection form and oral form. The drug is available for external application also.

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