Ways to make your dog happy for life - a short guide

If you’re looking for some new ways to stimulate your dog senses or want to make sure he has a healthy, happy life, here are some tips and trick how to do it.  Remember that happy dog is a friendly and more lovable member of your family.

So here is a list of things that you can do to make your dog happy. Fist of all you can go for a ride in the car together. Dogs love to travel and be all the time with their owners. But remember to keep your dog safe during this trip and buy him special bed designed for car transportation.

Transporter - car bed for dogs

Moreover, try to exercise and play with your dog as much as you can. For example, you can go to the local park and play Frisbee with him. Dogs love it and we all get plenty of exercise.Both of you will feel better and have lots of fun. You can also take a daily walk together.

Furthermore, keep fresh water available for your dog so he has good clean water when thirsty. Keep in mind to change the water daily.

Take care of your dog health by making sure you have scheduled regular checkups in vet office for your dog every 6 months.

What is more, make sure your dog is always safe. This can be with an identification tag snapped on his collar, a microchip for locating him if he became lost or is stolen.

Feed your dog properly and say no to sweets. Even though your dog is part of your family, he does not need his own Easter basket. In fact, desserts such as chocolate can seriously harm dogs. And as we speak about eating - brush your dog teeth. Regular dental care can prevent gum disease, tooth loss, and doggie breath. It can even lengthen your dog's life.

Changing the name of your dog - how to do it

Maybe you don't know that but a dog or puppy of any age can learn a brand new name within a few days. So if you don’t like your pet name, you can change it. It's rather easy to do and it will not causes any harm to your dog. What is more dogs can have multiple names and respond to each one. For example, in many households, dog is called by his actual name as well as variations by different members of the home and he reacts to every one of it.

Changing a dog’s name doesn't require special skills and is rather easy. Here’s how you do it.
First of all, decide on any new name you wish for your dog to has. It can be little tricky because there are so many cool names. When you are looking for dog names, there are several places to get good ideas like fictional characters (from our favorite movies, books, or games), famous people, historical figures or stars and heavenly bodies (for example, if your dog loves to hunt, you may name him Rigel, which is the brightest star in The Hunter constellation).

During the first few days on changing your dog name remember to carry a pocketful of treats. Every once in a while, and also specifically when you do want your pet’s attention, say his new name and then immediately smile, praise him or  feed a treat.
Repeate this process and soon your dog will know that hearing that word means great things are coming, and he will respond to it.

By doing this you will teaches him to love hearing his new name and responding to it. Usually dogs can learn their new names within a few weeks if you do this multiple times each day. The whole proces will be faster if you avoid using the name for no reason and also avoid associating dog name with anything bad.

Teaching your dog to eliminate in a specific place

You can get rid of a yellow-spotted, burned grass lawn and reduce the odds of stepping in dog poop if you just have a designated place that your dog can treat like his own bathroom. It doesn't matter if you have a puppy or older dog, you can easily teach him to go in one area if you practice patience and consistency. You just need to keep in mind that when you’re teaching your dog where to go, you’re also teaching him where not to go.

First of all, you need to clearly define the area you want your pet to use. To do this you can use wire garden fencing, rope or even a circle of stones. By giving your dog a physical landmark will help your dog remember and develop his new habit. After you’ve created your bathroom area, take your pet on a leash directly from the house to the area every time he needs to go. Moreover you can give him a command, like "go pee" or something simillar. When he does, generously reward him.

After few weeks of taking him on the leash, try escorting your pet off leash to designed area. If he gets off track try to clap your hands to get his attention and guide him to his “bathroom”. Remember to always praise him, when he goes to the right direction.

Once your dog has mastered the way to his bathroom are, it’s time to graduate to unescorted. When it’s time for him to go, open the door, give the command, and let him go on his own.
If he doesn't go where he should, go outside, clap your hands and verbally correct him. When he gets to his designated area and does his duty, give your pet positive affirmation and reward.

To teach your dog this you need to be very patience and consistent, and always reward the positive behavior. Don’t be discouraged by initial setbacks. Housetraining your pet is a process and part of being a responsible owner.

Source: e-doggy.co.uk

Does a cold, wet nose mean your pet is healthy?

A cold, wet nose is just one sign of wellness in dogs and should not be considered as a main indication of overall pet health. You may easily find a healthy dog with a warm dry nose. On the other hand a sick pet can also have a cold, wet nose. So the common belief that a healthy dog has a cold, wet nose and a sick dog has a hot, dry nose is false.

The temperatures of dogs' noses fluctuate day to day so it's very difficult to say exactly why as it could depend on environment or other factors. You need to remember that dog can be perfectly healthy and have a warm, dry nose or be really sick and have a cold, moist nose.

The moistness of your dog's nose is also not an indicator of health. According to experts very dehydrated dog can have  dry nose but dogs can have moist noses because they're healthy, and they can have moist noises when they have a nasal disease. So nose moistness is not a reliable sign.

Moreover, moist noses are also one of the ways that dogs can regulate their body temperature and cool down. Unlike humans, dogs don't have sweat glands. They secrete sweat from the pads of their feet and their noses.

Whenever your dog has a dry nose and is showing signs of illness or pain, you should take him to see a veterinarian. Similarly, unwell pets with cold, wet noses should also have a veterinary check-up.
If you notice any unusual nasal discharge it's also smart to visit your vet.

As you see dog's nose is not such indicator of his health. It's better to look for symptoms such as not eating, not drinking, or behaving oddly.

Source: e-doggy.co.uk

Why your dog needs bed?

Most of us don't pay to much attention to our own bed as we don't see it as the most cherished possession, but for sure we would not like to live without comfy bed. Our furry pets are just like us and they also need comfy bed - here is a short list why do they need one.

When dog owners ask what items are essential for their pet, a comfy bed is always at the top of the list with things like a collar, leash or food. Dog beds are so important that they aren't optional - they are necessary piece of equipment for all dogs as they have so many benefits to offer.

First of all, dog bed insulate your pet from the floor in winter and summer. During cold winter days, many small dogs love to curl up in a nesting-type bed like our model corner, which provides the warmth needed for both comfort and good health.

Moreover, dog bed provide your pet with his own private space and a sense of security.

Furthermore, comfy bed helps cushioning joints and bones - especially for older, arthritic or overweight dogs. Usually orthopedic dog beds have special foam mat - in our product we use Visco to give your dog extra joint support and comfort.

In addition, if your dog has his own bed you can easily controll the spread of hair and dander by concentrating it in one, easy to clean location.

Dog beds can also help avoid injuries by keeping your dog from jumping up and down from the furniture.

As you may see buying bed for dog is very important. If you spend the time to research and purchase best bed for your dog's individual needs, you will soon find that it is your pet's favorite place to spend time. Keep in mind that low quality beds quickly break down so buy only tested, high quality beds like the ones we offer.

Odd dog sleeping habits and what do they mean

If you are a perceptive person you may notice that dogs have some weird sleeping habits. From napping curled up in a ball to the twitching that some dogs do when they dream.

Below we will try to explain what  these habits mean. So without further ado - let's start.

First we will discouss curling up in a ball. This behavior is very cute and has a fascinating evolutionary basis. Long time agow when dogs sleep in the wild, they often dig a nest and tuck into a ball to conserve body heat and protecct their vulnerable organs from other animals. This ofcourse doesn't necessarily mean that your pet feels unsafe in his bed - he just has the same sleeping preferences as his ancestors.

Another interesting habit is sleeping belly up. According to scientist this sleeping position might signal that your dog feels very relaxed and comfortable in place he is sleeping, so there is no need to protect his organs. On the other hand it could also mean that he's hot and is trying to cool off himself.

Next habit - twitching while asleep. If you see your dog twitching for the first time you may fell a little scared because it's very weird. You need to know that some dogs twitch while they're asleep
and maybe even vocalize a little. Experts thinks that dogs dream during the REM stage of sleep and may act on their dreams by twitching.

Last habit that we try to explain is crawling under the covers. Some dogs do it - others don't. Experts have some theories for this behavior. Some think that it mean dog's need to feel companionship while sleeping with a owner others explain it's evolutionary behavior from when wild dogs raised their puppies in dark dens.

Dog snoring and his health

Does your dog’s snoring won't let you sleep at night? In this article we will discouss why your dog is snoring and can this be dangerous to his health.

You need to know that dog’s snoring, is more than an annoyance. It may be an indication of a wide range of health problems. If your dog began to snor recently you probably need to visit a vet. Any change could indicate some problem. If it’s not a new problem but is progressing, your dog should also see a veterinarian.

Here are the most common causes of dog's snoring.
First, your dog might have a temporary inflammation in its nose. Dogs can catch upper respiratory infections or even suffer from allergies.
Next are fungal diseases like aspergillosis - caused by a mold found in hay, grass clippings and similar environments. Left untreated, this fungal disease can cause discomfort, loss of appetite and serious health problems.
Foreign bodies or tumors are another cause of snoring. Your dog could have inhaled something that is blocking its breathing.

Moreover dental problems like bad teeth can cause your dog to snore. Left untreated, dental problems can become a source of infection for the whole pet body.
Obesity also can cause snoring. Obesity is not only humans problem, it may cause breathing difficulties also in dogs.
You need to keep in mind that some breeds with very short noses, such as English bulldogs and pugs have a natural tendency to snore. But it’s a good idea to check with your veterinarian to make sure the snoring is normal and not an indication of a health issue.

And how to help your dog and yourself with this problem?
Because snoring can be related to so many different causes, it's very important to evaluate why your pet is snoring. If your dog new habbit is bothering you it would be good idea to take your dog bed, or buy him new one and move it into another room, where his snoring won't be heard and install camera or smartphone to record sounds he makes. It could be very helpfull for your veterinarian to evaluate cause of snoring. You can also keep a pet diary to note changes in his behavior and show it to a vet.

Moving your dog with his bed to another room could be salvation for your ears ;)

Remember - you can't simply tolerate your dog’s snoring as it can really decrease your dog’s quality of life and yours as well.

Feeding your dog - few tips for all size of dogs

Feeding a dog is not an easy task. You must be very carefull what you give him to eat and in what doses. If you are wondering - does size affect how you should feed your dog, the answer is simple - only when you feed puppies, because they need to eat four times a day. The general recommendation for adults of all breeds is that they need to be fed twice a day.

Now lets talk about free feeding. Leaving food out for a dog to eat whenever he wants is called free feeding and most experts recommend against it for several reasons. If you have a puppy you should feed him on a meal schedule - giving dog food at the same times every day and leaving it down for only about 20 minutes. Then you should pick up the bowl whether your dog has eaten or not. That way you will learn your puppy when it's time to eat.

One of problems with free feeding is that it can lead to health problems related to obesity as some dogs can't controll themself and could eat more than they should.  Some dogs know when to stop eating, other won't stop eating, and many owners don't measure and even refill the bowl throughout the day and they have no idea how much food their dog is eating.

This leads us to another important issue - why you should measure the food you give to your dog.
By measuring food it is easier to know how much your dog is eating, which helps control your dog's weight. And how much should your dog eat? It all depends on his size and level activity. You can always ask your vet how many calories your dog can eat daily.

And what about the situation in which your dog don't want to eat and is skipping meals? Some people get concerned if their dog misses a meal, but if there are no symptoms of illness - such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy,  there's no particular reason to be concerned about an occasional missed meal, bacause dogs can go a long time without eating.

Tips to keep dogs cool in the heat

Summer is one of the happiest times of year for people and dogs, but if you’re not careful, it can also be a dangerous time for your pet. Here are some tips that will help you and your dog have safe and fun summer.

First of all you need to provide shade to lessen risk of heat exhaustion. As we know summer is the perfect time to enjoy green parks and sandy beaches where you can walk with your dog. Just make sure you protect your dog from the potentially dangerous summer heat.
Unlike people, dogs can’t perspire as efficiently as we do. In order to cool off, they dispel heat by panting and perspire only minimally thru their pads. Unfortunately, this method is less efficient than sweating and your dogs can overheat quickly on a warm day. So make sure that your dog always have access to shade and fresh water.

You should also know what are the signs of heat stroke and what to do when they appeard.
Stay watchfull all the time and look for the following sympthoms: excessive panting, bright red tongue and gums, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, unsteadiness, collapse, and seizures. If any of this happend to your dog, take him immediately to the vet.

You can prevent all that to happend by doing some little things like for example, add a few cubes of ice to your pet water bowls. He’ll enjoy it, and it will help to keep his body temperature down.
If your pet can’t be in an air-conditioned area, consider placing a fan where it will blow on him.
Remember also to exercise your pets only in the early morning or late evening when the temperatures are lower. Try to avoid the hottest part of the day.
Last but not least, freeze some treats and give them to your pet. It will keep him busy for a while and help cool him down.

What your dog is trying to say - dog tail language

The most common misinterpretation of dogs is the myth that a dog wagging its tail is happy and friendly. Although it may be true in some cases, other wags move can mean fear, insecurity or even a warning that if you approach you can be bitten. You can say that, tail wagging serves the same communication functions as a human smile, greeting or a nod of recognition. Nods and smiles are social signals and are thus reserved mostly for situations where somebody is around to see them. For dogs, this same can be said about the wag.

When not wagging, dog tails may be in one of 3 positions: up high, horizontal to the ground or down/between hind legs

Let's check what this position means - first up high
Dog that his tail in the up high position, is confident, powerful, and secure.  In fact, this position indicates a dominant pooch with an alpha streak.  Alpha dogs are commanding, take charge creatures. Self-assured, the dominant, tail up dog communicates power and control via body language.

Horizontal to the ground position
Dogs with their tails held straight out in the horizontal to the ground position indicate neither clear dominance nor submission.  Their unrelaxed position indicates curiosity.

Down/between hind legs position
Just as up high position means dominance, the inverse position indicates the exact opposite emotion. With his tail in the down dog communicates an understanding of another’s dominant position and his submissive one.

So now when we explain what non-moving position of dog tail means, lets take a look at wagging tail position
In recent years, with increased observation of the link between action and right and left brain reactions, scientists have been able to isolate certain prevalent characteristics to help shed some light on this issue.

There are studies that demonstrated that lopsided tail wagging links to right or left brain relationships. Scientists involved in the studies determined that a right wag tail position indicates happiness and playfulness because the left brain controls the right side of the body as well as energy and engagement responses.  According to these scientists a left wag tail position indicates restlessness and insecurity.

Help your dog survive hot summer

You may think you feel hot on a summer day, but you should consider a heat wave from your dog's perspective. Dogs have no more layers to take off and are still stuck in a fur coat. This could not only be uncomfortable, but also very dangerous.

If your dog is very active animals, your biggest summer concern could be the threat of heat stroke. Unlike human, dogs are not capable of sweating profusely to regulate their body temperatures. Moreover, temperatures close to the ground can be a few degrees hotter than what is officially recorded. That way, small dogs are at a high risk for heat exhaustion.

So make sure your dog has plenty of shade and fresh drinking water. A place for cooling down is always appreciated by dogs. Most importantly - do not leave pet alone in the car.You should also remember that not all dogs respond to the heat the same way. For example, older dogs and puppies have a harder time regulating their body temperature.

Keep your pet wet
Water is a dog's best friend during hot summer days. By getting your dog wet you will have great solution to minor overheating. Afterward, let your pet rest in the shade or in air conditioning. For more serious overheating, wet him down and don't hesitate to get him to a vet immediately.

Rearange your walking schedule
Your dog may loves lunchtime walks during winter or autumn, but not so much during the summer. So during the sammer you should walk your dog early or late in the day, when the weather has cooled off.

How to really clean a dog

Do you know what a stinky dog, an itchy dog and a muddy dog all have in common? 

The fact that they need to be washed! Time to round up the dog shampoo, towels, comb and brush and clean your dog really good - here are some tips how to do it properly.

When we talk about getting a dog clean, we think about 3 things: that he smell clean, that his fur look clean and he appear to be well kept. As you may guess, this is harder to achieve with some breeds than others. 

Firtst o all - brushing

Brushing is any dog owner's first line of defense in the battle to keep a dog clean. You should brush your dog at least once a week or few times a week if your dog belongs to long-coated breed.

Brushing removes loose fur, prevents matting, gets rid of existing mats, and helps eliminate dirt. And remember that brushing is essential before giving your dog a bath.

Next - ear cleaning

Dirty ears can cause odors and lead to infections. Some owners prefer to clean out a dog's ears prior to a full bath, but you can always take care of this task after bathing.

Hoolywood smile or tooth brushing

You can choose to use doggie toothpaste or simply use water. Start at the back teeth and gently work the brush against the teeth in a circular motion, taking care to clean the gum line especially well. 

Bathing

As you know bathing is the single most important step in cleaning your dog. It's honestly better to forego the tub full of suds in favor of a sprayer set up. It will be easier to see if you're really getting your dog clean when he's not submerged.

Time for drying

Many people prefer to skip the drying, however, blow drying does give the coat a finished look, and is required for long coats in order to keep your dog from becoming chilled. It also makes it easier to brush out mats.

Pediciure / maniciure or just nail clipping

Once your dog is clean and dry, it's time to carry out any clipping he might need.

First, examine your dog's nails to see if they need to be trimmed. Only trim the nails up to the pink just barely visible through the nail. If you go any further the nails will bleed. 

Last but not least - fur trimming

Some extra trimming may be necessary to help your dog stay clean. Check his pads to determine if the hair between them needs to be trimmed a bit. Excessive pad hair can become matted and also trap debris.

Easy to clean sofa for dogs

Now when your dog is clean and smells good you can easily let him take a nap in his favourite bed or pillow. Even when he gets a little dirty it won't be problem - if he uses one of our products - you can clean them easily.