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.

Dogs need discipline, not punishment - how to correct your dog behaviour

Sometimes you need to correct your dog behaviour. But you need to remeber that dogs are not humans and they don’t have a logical sense of history. To dogs, a punishment relates to current activity. When your pet runs to a door to greet his owner and is punished for a mess done hours before, the pet understands only that he was punished for running to the door to greet you. He will curb the current behavior  - not the behavior for which he was punished.

There is no single dog who wouldn't want to please his owner. For example if you’ve ever gone to a pet store to view the puppies, you’ll realize that they want to please everyone. Puppies will exhibit happy exuberance for people unless they have learned through experience that punishment will be their reward for the attempt.

Dogs dont have special powers neither they can read minds. Our pets can only interpret expressions and body language. If your dog is used to having a happy owner greet him with a smile and a pleasant voice, he’ll turn himself inside out to express his joy. He will recognize mood and body language of his owner.

So now you know that when you want to discipline your dog you need to do it while they are doing the bad behavior and not after they’ve quit, because you can get different results that you want.

Here are some simple ways to discipline your dog. First of all try to distract your pet. Make a loud noise to distract your puppy from whatever they are doing. A loud yell or a slap on the table. This should startle him and focus his attention on you.

Next you can grab the fur under his ear on his neck and shake. This works best if you catch them in the act and the scruff-shake is a surprise.
Another method is to push the dog over (quickly but gently) either on to his side or onto his back and lean over him. This reinforces that you are dominant.
Last but not least - isolation. Say no to your dog and then ignore him. Dogs are very social and they won’t like it that you aren’t paying attention to them.

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

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.

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.

Is your dog afraid of car rides?

People like to travel and they usually do it by using car. It can be disheartening for dog owner to discover that the dog is terrified of riding with him in the car. Such fear is a very common dog phobia. Fortunately, most people are able to overcome this fear by gradually introducing the dog to riding in the car using lots of positive reinforcement.

So what causes the fear of car rides? There are several reasons:

First - car sickness. Just like people, some dogs may feel nauseous or even vomit on car rides.
Secon, the fear of the unfamiliar feeling. Dogs who aren't used to going on car rides may be disturbed by the odd feeling of riding in the car. Cars usually have their own smell, and there is also the sound of the engine, the vibrations of the floor, and seeing everything whizzing past at a fast speed.
Next one - association with negative experiences. For many dogs, the only time they set paw in a car is for a trip to the veterinarian. If your dog has negative feelings about going to the vet, he may transfer that feeling to car rides.

Now, that we knew what causes the fear, let's see how it could be overcome.

Begin by luring your dog to the car rather than forcing him to approach it. Many dogs with a fear of car rides put on the breaks as soon as the car comes into view. Instead of dragging your dog to the car, slowly lure him closer using lots of treats and praise.

Continue using positive reinforcement to get him inside. Once your dog is comfortable with approaching the car, you can begin to lure him inside. Start by opening up all the doors so your dog won't feel like he'll be trapped once he gets inside. Use treats and praise to coax your dog into the car.

Have some special bonding time with your dog inside the car. Don't rush to slam the doors shut and start the engine the minute your dog finally hops inside the car. Instead, leave the doors open, and spend some time snuggling with your dog in the car.

Start your engine. When your dog has become fairly comfortable hanging out with you in the car, you can start the engine. As soon as the car is started, give your dog some treats and talk to him in a happy tone of voice. Remember to make sure that your will travel in comfy conditions, it is a good idea to buy him special carbed.

Start off with small trips. Don't make your dog's first car ride a long road trip. The first few times out of the driveway, you should probably drive no farther than around the block, giving your dog treats the whole way. Gradually work your way up to going longer distances.

Is it safe to keep dog in your bed?

Sleeping with pet isn’t unusual. According to a recent survey, nearly half of dogs sleep in their owner’s beds. But is it really safe to bring pet into the bed?

People who suffer from pet allergies or asthma should not sleep with their dog or even allow them in the bedroom. For people with allergic it's best to use some filters and keep dog out of the bedroom to give nose a few hours a day to recover.

Sometimes the love for pet is soo strong that even if owners discover that theirs pets are causing allergy problems, they won't denny pets entrance to bedroom. For those people we recommend allergy shots to build up a tolerance to the pet dander that causes allergic reactions.

However if you’re not allergic, there’s really no big issue with having a dog in your bed. It should be fine as long as your dog does not want to disturb your sleep. In most cases, he will actually help with your sleep. With dog at your side you will feel much safer and calmer.

If your dog has no behavioral problems then it’s OK to let him sleep from time to time in your bed. In fact, from the dog’s standpoint, it’s a compliment, beacuse dogs sleep only with people who they trust. But aggressive or dominant dogs should not be allowed on beds. And if pet become a problem, he need to get off the bed.

Regardless if you want to keep your dog in bed or not it is smart to equip dog with alternative ( or main ) place to sleep. Just like one of our dog sofa or corners.