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.

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

How to show your dog that you love him?

It's very normal and natural that we love our dogs. We hug them, pats them on the head and cuddle them. Although we love our pets with our human love language, does that love actually translate to our dogs? Read our article to know how to show your love to dogs in a way that they understand.

First of all, lets talk about touch. Very often when we see our dogs, our first instinct may be to pat them on the head. To you, patting your dog on the head is a form of affection but to your dog, this is a sign of dominance. So instead of patting dog on the head, try something different like scratching dog under the chin or behind the ears.

Moreover, we love bringing our pets with us to pet-friendly locations. It's  great way to show our dogs we love them. Dogs are very social creatures and they love going with you to meet other people or other dogs.

Furthermore, another way to show your dog love is one-on-one time. Dogs crave your attention but it not always mean smothering your dog for long hours. Sometimes one-on-one time is just sitting next to each other or playing fetch until your arm falls off. Paying attention to your dog’s needs will really help build a strong bond.

Last but not least is playing with your dog. Whether we’re towering over dog or hiding him under a blanket, it seems like your dog is having a great time. While this type of play is fun, it still asserts dominance over your dog and sometimes can increase stress. To avoid that you should play with your dog while you’re down on all fours. When you get down to dog level it will exhibits trust and equality.

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

Caring for senior dog - a short guide

As your dog ages, many of his basic needs will begin to change. In this guide we will try help you understand what you need to do to keep your senior dog happy and healthy.

As you may know, dogs are very good at hiding their health problems and as an owner, it’s your responsibility to keep an eye on your senior dog and changes that take place in your pet body.
You need to know that different sized dogs age at varying rates, with larger dogs reaching senior status much sooner than smaller dogs.Most pet become seniors between 7 and 10 years old.

When your pet gets older you need to constantly watch out for his health issues. You and your vet will begin looking for specific issues that become more prevalent as a dog ages. Similar to humans, regular health checkups become increasingly important as dogs grow older. According to experts you should take your dog to a vet at least once every half year. By doing it you will promote your dog’s health and longevity. Have chance to recognize and control your pup’s health risks and detect any illnesses at their earliest stages.

Furthermore it's very important that you keep up with routine preventive care such as parasite prevention, dental care, vaccinations, and nutritional management, because with age your dog’s immune system weakens.

Moreover, when your dog become senior you need to adjust his nutrition. Special foods designed for senior dogs often have less fat, but not lower protein levels. You can always ask your vet which food will be best for your senior dog.

In addition to this, senior dogs can’t regulate their body temperature as well as they could in their younger days. So it is very important to keep your pet warm but at the same time protect them from conditions in which they may overheat.

Dog bed with orthopedic mat.

Older dog very often has arthritis, so he may prefer a ramp instead of walking up the stairs. What is more, you probably need to buy him special bed designed to promote orthopedic health.

Source: e-doggy.co.uk

How to introduce your dog to your baby - a quick guide

Dogs are very in tune with us so they easily mirror our feelings like anticipation before pregnancy but they don't understands what this realy mean to new order in house when baby will be born. Experts recommend that you prepare the family dog before the baby arrives. In order to minimize stress for the dog and reduce the chance of an accident you can make some preparations - here is our guide what to do.

First of all, focus on leadership. These 9 month before baby is born is more than enough time for you and your pet to work through most issues and get rid of unwanted habits.

Moreover try to claim your baby's scent. Bring an item that contains your baby's scent to home before you bringing baby back. Allow pet to sniff this item from a distance, while you are holding it so your dog understand that this is yours and you are giving him premision to sniff. This way you will establish clean boundries and help your dog to respect also your baby.

You should also condition your dog to understand that there is an invisible barrier that he may not cross without your permission. Eventually, you can allow your dog to explore and sniff certain things in the baby's room with your supervision and by doing this you will let your dog know that this room belongs to its pack leader ( you ) and dog must respected it.

When baby will be already in home you need to make propper introduction. Take your dog for a long walk and make sure you drain all of his energy. Before entering the house, your dog will instantly know there is someone new inside it. If you have already introduced the scent of baby, it will be somewhat familiar. Person holding the baby must be in a completely calm state. Then you should allow your dog to sniff the baby, but from respectful distance. During this first meeting, do not bring the baby too close. There will be time for this later.

Learing your dog respect for baby is important but you should alos teach your newborn about your dog. Once your child is in the exploratory state, it is important to supervise all interactions between him and pet. This is a great opportunity to teach your child not to bother the dog, yank his tail, etc.

If you are planning to transport your dog and baby together in car, it would be good idea to buy your dog propper car bed that will separete him from baby seating in his own car seat.

In addition to this, don't forget about your dog. Baby is very time-absorbing and dog does not need any new toys extra attention to feel important but you need to maintain the routine, providing daily walks and leadership.

Soure: e-doggy.co.uk

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.

Can all dogs swim?

Dogs, like every other animals are born with strong natural instincts like barking. Some people may also think that swimming is a skill that all dogs naturally have. But swimming isn't necessarily all dogs ability. While many pooches are perfectly amphibious, many dogs tend to sink like a sack of bricks. For these dogs, keeping their heads above water is not an easy thing to do, sometimes even impossible.

When it comes to swimming, we can split canines into 3 categories. There are dogs that can swim, dogs that can be taught to swim and dogs that should steer clear of all aqueous environments. Water spaniels, golden retrievers and English setters fall into the first category. They are excellent swimmers. It's because of their strong limbs and some genes. Many were bred specifically for things like water rescue.

And we have also some others breeds like bulldogs and boxers. There simply isn't enough thrust from their short legs to keep them afloat. Breeds that have short faces, such as the pug, also have a very hard time swimming since they fatigue easily.

Furthermore, some dogs may have the physical tools to swim, but have some kind of a mortal fear of the water. These animals tend to panic when submerged. For a dog in water, panic quickly leads to fatigue, and that makes drowning much more likely.

Remember that if your furry friend isn't a dog version of gold medal swimmer, don't despair. You can still enjoy fun with a land-loving lapdog. Instead take him to you car, put in safe carbed and go for a trip somewhere where are no lakes and rivers ;)

Best dogs for people with allergies

If you love dogs but hate allergies, you may be tempted to spring for a hypoallergenic pet. However, the only pets proven to be hypoallergenic have scaly skin, just like iguanas or snakes. So if you want furry pet, below is a short list of a few that are touted to be better for people with allergies but are not 100% proven.

You should also remember that sometimes it may appear that a person is allergic to a dog, when it is not the dog they are actually allergic to, but what the dog is exposed to. For example a man who is allergic to dust mites may have a reaction when he is around a dog who sleeps in a dog bed that is dust mite infested. The dust mite feces gets onto the dog's coat and the dog carries it to the that man causing allergic reaction.

Our beds and pillows for dogs are an effecctive protection against allergies

You may think that best dog for people with allergies will be a short-haired dog? No! You’ll find short and long-haired breeds that do well with people with allergies.

It's because as we mention earlier it’s not the dog’s hair per se that causes allergies but it’s the saliva, skin, or other proteins. Allergens can latch on to the hair, so less shedding in general—rather than the length of the hair may be helpful.

Bedlington Terrier

Bedlington terriers have curly, wooly coats with an extra mop on the top of the head, and weigh 17 to 23 pounds.

Chinese Crested
This bred has little to no hair, which again can lower but not eliminate allergens in the home. Chinese crested dogs comes in two versions—hairless, which have hair on the head, feet, and tail and powderpuff, which have a soft coat over the entire body. These dogs weigh about 10–13 pounds.

Kerry Blue Terrier
These bred have a soft, dense coat and weigh 33 to 40 pounds. Originally bred as hunters, they may not do well in households with cats or other small pets,

Labradoodle
Labradoodles are a mix of a poodle and Labrador retriever. The original intent was to produce a seeing-eye dog that was also hypoallergenic.

Add new activities to your dog’s daily routine

Your dog should never feel bored. Providing dog with mental stimulation, as well as physical and social interactions are critical factors for maintaining his good health. Enrichment activities can help relieve a dog’s boredom and stress. Usually, the best types of activities involve interaction with people or other dogs.

I'm soo bored

Below, are some enrichment activities that will help to keep your dog busy, so he is less likely to do things you don't want him to do.

Earn your meal
Food puzzle toys are sturdy containers, usually made of hard rubber or plastic, which hold food or treats inside but don’t give dogs easy access to the food. They usually have holes on each end or on the sides, and dogs must work by shaking, pawing, rolling, nibbling or licking the toy to get the food to come out. Food puzzle toys require time, patience and problem solving – all skills that are good for your dog and will help him enjoy quiet time alone. Puzzle toys also encourage chewing and licking, which can have a calming effect on dogs.

Chew time
All dogs need to chew and will spend hours doing it to keep their jaws strong and their teeth clean. They also chew for fun, for stimulation, and to relieve anxiety. Whether you have a puppy or an adult dog, it’s important to provide a variety of appropriate and attractive chew toys, like hard rubber toys.

Play a game of - Find It
Giving your dog a chance to use his powerful nose can really wear him out! It’s easy to teach your dog to find hidden treats. Try placing treats behind the legs of furniture, partially in view. After you’ve hidden the treats, go get your dog and say “Find it!” right before letting him into the room. Encourage him to look around for the treats. As your dog becomes better and better at finding the treats, you can hide them in more difficult places, like behind pillows or underneath objects.

Chase
Some dogs love to chase things, but have no interest in bringing this itmes back to people. There is a way to make it work - the chase game. Try tying one of your dog’s favorite toys to the end of a sturdy rope. You can attach the other end of the rope to a stick. Use the stick to drag the toy around on the ground. Many dogs find this game exciting and will chase the fast-moving toy until they’re exhausted. But remember to let your dog catch it at times! There is no fun if he can't catch it from times to times.

Time for rest
After so many activities during a day your dog will be extremely happy and dead tired. He will gladly rest in his comfy bed or on pillow.

A place where dog can rest after his dialy activities - comfy sofa 

Is it possible to keep a clean house with dog? Few tips for you!

Living with a dog or dogs doesn’t mean your house has to look and smell bad. Perhaps you don't want to spend entire day cleaning. Here are some tips how to clean up in the quickest way possible and how to prevent a mess.

First of all, manage your dog hair. One of the most persistent issues pet owners face is animal hair. They are everywhere - on floors, furniture, and clothing. Place an old towel or sheet wherever your puppy likes to rest, and periodically shake it outside to remove most of the hair before tossing it in the washing machine.

If you need to get rid of hair in a hurry, go for the vacuum.
It works tons better than a broom. These little cloths grab hair, dirt, and dust, and other dirt quick, and you just throw away the cloth when you’re done.

For hair on your clothing, it is best to use a tape roller. Loop a ribbon through the handle and hang one from the doorknob inside closets throughout the house so they're always available to use. For furniture, use the hand vacuum.

Keeping your dog paws clean
Stop muddy paws at the door. Place mats at both the outside and inside of every door. They really help cut the dirt down. Be sure to get a washable mat.

Another way to keep the mud out - pet wipes. It only takes a few seconds and you’ll be amazed to see how much dirt comes off your dog’s paws when they come in. Most dogs don’t seem to mind the routine.

Work quickly on stains

When accidents happen, clean them up as soon as they happen. If you leave a mess, it will spread, stain, and smell. Also your dog will want to come back to that spot and use it again thinking that’s his toilet.

Moreover -buy right furniture. For furniture that repels hair, resists tearing, and can be cleaned easily, look for top-grain, semi-aniline leathers. Scratches are disguised on such pieces because the hide is dyed through and then treated for additional protection and color consistency. You can also buy your dog one of our easy to clean and hygenic beds or pillows to make cleaning much easier task.