The Recent Dog Food Recall - Has it Finally Smartened People Up

It is well known that the pet food industry is a multi-billion dollar industry, which seems to be growing in terms of revenue each and every year. There are more and more pets that are either sold or adopted and we are led to believe that we will be meeting their daily nutritional requirements by feeding them pet food sold off the shelves. Much to our surprise, this is the power of marketing and advertising at its best. Through the power of suggestion, Dog owners believe that processed dog food will lead to a healthier and livelier pet dog.

An article by Laura Cunningham was published in the NY Times back in 1981. She reported that people spent about 4 billion dollars a year on commercial pet food. In 2007, a massive recall took place. It was then reported that people were spending more than 16 billion dollars a year on pet food alone. You may ask yourself how this figure is possible. The APPA (American Pet Products Association) in 1988 conducted a study that came up with some interesting facts. They reported that 56% of American households either owned a dog or a cat. In a more current poll, it was stated that about 63% of households across the United States owns a pet.

Although a more accurate figure cannot be gathered, it simply shows that there has been approximately a 7% increase in pet owners across the country. The numbers just did not add up. How could this mere 7% increase spend 16 billion dollars a year on pet food alone, compared to 4 billion dollars in 1981? The answer was simple. In the past, more people preferred to prepare food for their pets from scratch, as opposed to today's practice of consuming processed food. We all know the dangers of consuming processed food, so was the massive recall really that surprising?

We Are Now The Wiser

There are a growing number of pet owners that can now see the truth, despite the all out marketing and advertising campaigns. The saying, "Pet food is best for pets." is now a myth. However, due to the demands of the western workplace, we often have less time to prepare our pet's meals from scratch. This is why we find purchasing pet food more convenient, hence, the misconception of pet food being the most ideal for our pets. Due to the recent recall, a lot of dog owners are now waking up to reality. There is now a growing awareness regarding the true facts; commercial pet food may not have been as healthy as we were led to believe.

Although there are still a lot of people who still fail to see the truth, this does not mean that these people do not care for their pets. We all strive to keep our pets healthy and happy. Unfortunately, there are still a lot of people who still believe in the wrong practice. Fortunately, the facts are too hard to deny as more and more of our pets are stricken by diseases and it some cases, death. This will surely be an eye-opener, which will make way for a healthy change.

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So-Called High Dog Food Ratings

Have you ever wondered what ingredients are in the top rated dry dog food that your family pet eats? Most people see the pictures on the front of the top rated dry food bags showing choice meat cuts and fresh, whole grains, and just assume that their family dog is eating just as well as the family. However, once you understand what is actually put into the top rated dry dog food, and how it is manufactured, you may think twice about feeding these foods to your furry friend. In fact, you may actually wonder how dry dog food gets the high dog food ratings it seems to receive.

The harsh reality is that the industry responsible for manufacturing dry dog food is simply an extension of our own food and agricultural industries. The ability to create top rated dry dog food out of the waste and by-products that are not fit for human consumption has created a multi-million dollar pet food industry. Grains that are not fit for humans to eat, as well as animal parts that may be considered cancerous are just a few of the items that can be used in the manufacture of pet food products.

Some companies with high food ratings are created by a machine that is used to blend these materials in accordance with a recipe that was made by a computer. The computer tells the machines how much of each ingredient to add. The mixture will then be heated, created into a dough, and finally chopped into the bite-sized pieces we are all familiar with. As the dough cools, it puffs out into the final shape that we know so well. As it dries, it is sprayed with fatty compounds that are suppose to make it more appealing.

After the pieces have been cooled, they are then placed in bags. The cooking process that the food undergoes is said to eliminate bacteria. However, during the cooling and spraying portion of the process, it can pick up some forms of bacteria that if the food becomes wet again, will continue to grow. This leads experts to say that you should not add water or any other form of wetness to your dog's dry food. This included adding canned food to the mix.

The high rating canine food brands associated with dry food, like the super-premium, organic, and natural varieties don't use byproducts. Their labeling list meats for example turkey or even lamb as their first elements. However, these meats continue to be mainly scraps.

Regarding poultry, bone fragments are permitted. The "chicken" mentioned in certain food labels are in fact backs as well as frames, backbone and ribs, without their costly breast meat. Many of those meat products aren't even utilized fresh, they're rendered.

Rendering is really a process which involves extracting essential oil from body fat, blubber, and so on by burning it. Quite simply, the recyclables are put into big vats and boiled for many hours. The actual rendering sets apart the body fat, removes drinking water, and eliminates bacteria, infections, parasites, along with other organisms. But these types of high temperatures may also alter or even destroy organic enzymes as well as proteins present in the uncooked ingredients.

Rating dog food is not necessary when you offer your dog a natural diet, free from bagged dry dog food with their false dog food ratings.

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Pet Boarding Facility Amenities

If you were under the impression that dog boarding means that your dog will have a nice clean cage or pen while you are away then you have not familiarized yourself with the accommodations and amenities that are available today. Dog boarding and doggie daycare has taken a whole new direction to offer pets (and their owners of course) a long list of amenities and services when you board your pet.

The average boarding facilities will have a few options. The majority of them will offer a pen with regular meals, walks and exercise. They will also make sure your pet is given some individual attention each day and played with a few times. Most facilities also offer private dog runs where the dog can be both indoors and outdoors at different times. This is the most basic of dog boarding amenities and care.

Dog boarding now is not always long term. Many facilities offer "doggie daycare" in addition to dog boarding. These boarding facility amenities are usually designed to offer the dog comfort, pampering, exercise and play. The most common amenity offered to dogs is a salon. Here the animal is groomed and cleaned while they are boarded. This is one of the more common boarding facility amenities because it is easy to bring groomers in to care for the boarded animals or to keep a groomer on staff. A few even offer doggie pedicures complete with non-toxic nail polish!

Some boarding facility amenities are meant to help the families that entrust their pets by training them. More and more boarding facilities will offer training while your pet is boarded with them. This includes household manners and basic commands. This is one of the better boarding facility amenities to invest money into as your pet will come home with better behavior. Training is always a good idea.

There are also many ways that boarding facilities are pampering your pet while being boarded. Some facilities offer massage therapy for your dog. A dog massage is recommended for dogs under stress or older dogs who could benefit from the pain relief that massage offers. Massage therapy can also help dogs who suffer from arthritis or joint/hip issues.

One of the most common pet boarding amenities is a suite. Suites can vary in size and price. A no frills suite will give the dog some room to move around. Suites can also include access to the outdoors in a private run. The more lavish suites have dog beds, furniture and custom feeding areas for your dog. Finally, the most luxurious of suites even had a TV for the dog.

If you are leaving your dog in the summer it may be beneficial to look for a boarding location that has a swimming facility. Pools are becoming one of the more common boarding facility amenities because it offers a fun activity for the dog and allows them vital exercise. Many breeds of dog love to swim and a pool is a great way for them to occupy time outside of their boarding room.

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The Way to Keep Your Pet Dog From Digging

Many individuals ask us questions concerning pet dogs. One of the inquiries we receive are why they dig. It can be quite frustrating for individuals investing time and money in service dog certification training and then they get back and the dog heads out to the backyard only to tear it to shreds. You just think to yourself, he simply did go along with just about all his commands at training, precisely why can't he behave at home? You might even think maybe he's letting off a lot of steam or even exhibiting his aggravation with just about all the extensive training you might be placing him through.

Well in fact, there are many reasons why a dog digs. Some dig to keep cool, while others to get on the reverse side of the fence so he may go visit his buddies down the block. Several dig simply because they feel critters beneath the earth that he wants to capture. There are some other dogs which are just digging out of genuine boredom. For any of these reasons digging can leave your yard a mess, so here are several tips to stop the digging. Keep in mind service dog certification training should greatly reduce their desire in this venture.

First you will have to watch to find out where and when your dog is actually digging to be able to figure out why he's digging. It may be that he's digging because he is warm. Dogs don't sweat very efficiently and therefore they don't cool off as effectively as human beings. Digging into damp soil and then laying inside it, can offer summer relief. Try putting a child's pool along with water in it underneath a shaded tree.

If they are digging along the fence to get to the other side, try putting bricks along the fence so all they may be digging at may be the bricks. They will try for hours and not get anywhere except maybe their own nails filed down some and also worn out. But anyway they will be preoccupied for awhile.

In the event that they're digging because they feel critters, buy them a bone with the marrow inside it so that they focus on the bone and marrow and totally forget all about the critter.

In the event that they're digging from monotony, perhaps you aren't doing your job simply by walking them or providing them with more physical exercise. Therefore, perhaps discover someone to walk them daily or possibly toss a ball for an hour or so each day too. Keep your dog active and mentally stimulated.

Trying to get your service dog certification training can be plenty of work, however don't help to make it more difficult on yourself as well as your own dog by just shouting at them for digging in your lawn. As an alternative, check out the reason they're digging, and resolve this problem for them. In the event that you currently have a backyard full of holes, you might want to fill the holes with water, which usually discourages them from making the holes any larger.

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Ear Mites In Dogs And Cats Top 5 Sure Fire Remedies That Work

If your dog or cat is scratching their ears, you are probably wondering if they have ear mites. In this article I will explain what ear mites are, and how you can diagnose infection in your dog or cat. You will learn about the mite life cycle, how the mites spread, and the most effective holistic remedies to treat your pet's ear mite infection at home.

Ear mites are known as Otodectes cynotis, and they are a relatively common parasite of dogs and cats. Most pets with infected ears do not have mites, so it is important to properly diagnose them before you begin to treat your pet; you don't want to be using ineffective remedies for the wrong condition. Symptoms of ear mites include itching, head shaking, scratching of the ears, but differing from other ear conditions, ear mites produce thick black debris. Most ear mite infections occur in cats.

The entire life cycle of ear mites is within the ear canal; they do not burrow into the ear but stay on the surface. The life cycle of a mite is approximately 3 weeks; the female mites can lay more eggs after 3 weeks to continue the cycle. The mites are very contagious and easily spread from animal to animal through direct contact.

The easiest treatment is to visit your veterinarian and get a topical conventional anti-parasitic medication. I have found Revolution (Selamectin) to be very effective; it is applied topically between the shoulder blades, and lasts for one month. Other conventional medications that work include Acarexx, (topical ivermectin), and Milbemite, (topical milbemycin oxime).

Clean your pet's ears with healing oils. I advise to start with this if the ears are especially painful. A simple recipe is 1 tablespoon of Olive Oil combined with 1 capsule of Vitamin E. Place this into the ear, leave it to soak for 5 minutes, then firmly rub the bottom of the ear and remove the debris with a cotton swab.

Another cleaning option is to use vinegar, but avoid this if the ears are very red and open wounds are present. You can dilute with water in mixture of 50:50, and squirt approximately 1 teaspoon into each ear. Put your hand around the base of the ear, and while holding your forefinger and thumb together, deeply massage the solution into the ears. After performing this, wipe out the excess solution, and black debris with cotton swabs. You can do this daily for 7 days, stop for 7 days, then again repeat.

Garlic and Olive oil in combination have been used to treat ear mites. Soak a crushed clove overnight in warm olive oil. Throw away the garlic clove and warm up the oil. Obtain a syringe or dropper, place 5 drops into the ears once every day for 21 days.

Soothing herbs that can also treat ear mites include Aloe and Calendula essential oils. These can be purchased at your local Natural Health store or pharmacy. Place in the ear, and wipe out the black debris. These can be placed in the affected ears once daily for 21 days.

Ear mites are the most common parasitic ear infection in dogs and cats, but they are often mistaken for bacterial and yeast ear infections. It is important that they are properly diagnosed so that your pet is given the appropriate treatment. You can now better diagnose if your pet has ear mites, and have an understanding of the mite life cycle. There are a number of both conventional and holistic remedies for ear mite treatment in dogs and cats, and you can now choose what is most appropriate for your pet.

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How a Dog Show on TV Changed Me

I used to fear dogs of all sizes: tiny, small, medium, big and huge. Especially when they barked. And if they did not, I would get even more scared. They looked like always ready to get a piece of human--me. The really cute ones with hair much longer and silkier than mine, I did not care much about. But they certainly did make me wonder what was wrong with my hair or with my shampoo.

I grew up in a rural farm where dogs were mostly stray. They were never on leash. They roamed the neighborhood, with houses few and far between, with or without their masters. I doubt if any were ever trained for proper dog behavior. But they knew the basics: run to their master when called or whistled to. To people other than their master or family, they were not too civil: they barked, bit, or barked and bit. So I survived with other kids where our normal reaction upon seeing a dog from a distance was to either freeze and cry, or to run away as fast as we could. In many of these situations we would have been bitten had it not been for a brother or father to dart us away from those sharp shiny fangs.

And then I find myself today in a world where not only do humans and dogs co-exist peacefully, but that every man and his uncle's dog are on very friendly terms. There are as many dogs as there are humans in the park and on the trail I run with my husband every other day. Each time I would see a dog, my childhood memories of sharp shiny fangs would all come back. My heart would always miss a beat and I would take cover behind my husband. Most of these dogs would really sniff at me to a full stop. And then they would go. Some would even come charging up to me. And the owner would say it is ok. It was never OK for me.

But then, the owners were right. The dogs did not bite. They just scared me. One night I saw on TV somebody who calls himself the Dog Whisperer. First time I have heard of him, Cesar Millan was supposedly fast making a name as a dog behavior specialist and was being featured on the O'Reilly Factor. His unique principle about rehabilitating dogs and training humans piqued my interest. My husband and I followed him on the National Geographic channel and pretty soon we were watching his programs on demand. One day I asked my husband, Can we have a dog? A few shows more, each time followed by the same question. Dog days came and went. Then I had Otis. How I got him, who he is, our many adventures and misadventures together will be the continuing thread of this series. I mean Otis.

Have a dog day! And I mean well.

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Top Five Features of Orijen Dog Food

Staying fit and healthy is one of the most important things a dog needs in order to have a long, happy life. As an owner, it is our responsibility to give them the care they need. We need to give them proper exercise, allow them to socialize with other canines, and to feed them a high quality diet. One food that I am writing about today is called Orijen.

Orijen Dog Food excels by matching the foods that dogs naturally evolved to need, thereby providing the ultimate solution to their nutrition. They understand that even though our pets lifestyle have changed over the centuries, the degestive systems have not. Following this simple concept, Orijen has created diets that hold five distinct benefits.

1. High Protein Sources - A dog's body is adapted for high protein, low carbohydrate diets. They are carnivores as you know. That's why Orijen diets contain 70% meat. Very high in protein, the various formulas provide amino acids that are essential for optimal health.

2. Grain Free - As was stated earlier, dogs are carnivores. They did no evolve to eat grains. Sy why are they in so many pet foods? Manufacturers and owners wanted to save on cost and wanted more convenient bagged products. Orijen Dog Food doesn't use this practice. They understand that grains like rice are high in carbohydrates and contribute to obesity and other health problems in dogs.

3. Low Amounts of Carbs - Dogs have no need for carbohydrates. That's why Orijens don't use much. Less that 20% of their products are carbohydate. Most premium dog foods use 40% or more. Again, because our pets don't need them and convert them to fat, this contributes to obesity, diabetes, etc.

4. Fruits and Vegetables - All diets consist of healthy fruits and vegetable which provide important vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. They use ingredients such as tomatoes, carrots, spinch and apples to name a few.

5. Use of Botanicals - The natural botanicals used in this dog food are selected for their large supportive role as antioxidants in promoting daily health and to aid in solving common health problems.

Orjien dog food is made with a simple concept that a dogs dietary needs is what a food should consist of. Backed by several studies that prove older beliefs wrong, they have created formulas that meet and exceed the requirements of your canine.

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What Is a High Dog Food Rating Really Worth

Introduction

Hello my friend. And thank you for reading this article.

If you have somehow made it to this particular page or site, my guess is that you are looking for the healthiest and most nutritious options for feeding your precious dog.

And I don't blame you! Dogs are a truly special breed (in many homes they are considered part of the family); but if you are truly concerned about your pet's health, you may want to think twice before relying on brands with a high dog food rating.

What is a high dog food rating really worth?

Recently, I ran across a site that rated the top 10 dry dog foods on the market. This site (which shall remain unnamed) had a long list of criteria by which they rated each brand. It was the usual: brands with a high named meat source, whole grains and vegetables and no harmful additives received high marks. Those with meat by-products, high (and substandard) grain content and harmful additives received low grades.

But what was truly shocking is that since their last update, this site had removed four of their top ten pet food brands from their list.

Doesn't that give you pause? Here were four brands, which previous to my hitting this site, had received the highest marks any dog food could receive. We're not talking one out of 100, or 50 or even 25. We're talking about 4 OUT OF THE TOP 10 BRANDS of dog food!

The real problem with dog food ratings

Upon closer inspection, the rating entity had really done nothing wrong in terms of their criteria, their research and their grading of a particular dog food. The real problem is that they were relying on the published ingredients contained on the manufacturer's pet food label. And therein lies the real problem with many of the raters.

Apparently, the manufacturer whose food was removed from the high rate list was under investigation by the Food And Drug Administration for "misbranding" their pet food. A food that was labeled as containing duck, had no such ingredient and one labeled lamb contained bovine material. The pet food company denied the reports, but the FDA continued with their investigation.

The other three brands were also deleted from the top 10 list because the manufacturer was bought out by another pet food maker with a not so great reputation.

The real problem is trust

Let me step back for a moment and ask you. Are you really confident that a giant conglomerate, that makes everything from soap, to motor oil, can do a better job of feeding your dog than you can? Do you know what the sources of the ingredients in your dog food are? Do you even know what those ingredients on the label mean? When did feeding our pets become so complicated that we must now rely on pet food formulas that only a chemist would love?

Are we that sold on convenience that we would turn over our pet's health to an industry that has serious credibility issues. How convenient are those vet visits you constantly make, which are likely caused by the processed food your pet is consuming daily.

The true highest rated dog food

There is one sure fire way to escape the ratings madness, and that is to make your own dog food recipes.

Once you truly take control of your dog's nutrition you will never go back to feeding them processed food day after day. And I can promise you that anything you put together yourself, made with only the freshest ingredients will always have a 10 top rating and will never be struck from the list.

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Silver Jewelry for Man

Man wearing silver jewelry like chain, cross or even bracelet is not so uncommon now days as it was sometime back. Those days are over, when wearing any kind of jewelry by man was looked as girly. Nowadays for man, Silver Jewelry can be a perfect way of showing others that you have your own distinct way of fashion sense. Wearing a cool artistic silver chain or a cross can really make you star attraction of any party and it shows that you like to stand out of the league. Always remember that you may have a pleasant personality but it's going to be what you wear, which will count first.

There are certain factors like being cheap, easy to handle as compared to gold and getting customized, which makes silver jewelry popular among today's man. The best thing about silver jewelry is that you can wear them as casual wear unlike other costly metal wear. You can wear them while on beach, or playing some outdoor game or at some meeting.

The cost of silver Jewelry for man can vary a lot as it depend on factors like how much artistic work has been done on it, what kind of finishing it has and whether it's having any other costlier metal or gem in it. But still you can get a good ear ring or chain for around $20 to $50.

The most popular silver items among man are chain, rings and crosses. After that we can count earrings, bracelets and some other jewelry. It's advisable to not to buy silver jewelry from online stores but find a shop in your town, as the looks can be highly deceptive from what you see online and what the actual jewelry is. If you have a friend who knows a thing or two about jewelry than take him with you.

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Submit Your Cute Dog Pictures

A Star Is Born

Everyday around the world people upload pictures of their pets to websites on the internet or to their own desktop to use as wallpaper. Our pets are family and we love to show them off.

Share Your Canine Star

Here are a few pointers for providing memorable pictures of your pooch. First, have as much fun as possible creating your little star. Second, think of a specific theme or story to add to your dog's portfolio. Be creative and work around your dog's individual personality. Besides our dog's real name, most of us have cute little names for our pets as well. We do this because of something they do or the way they look that makes them unique from their other furry friends.

Pick a topic and build yourself a star. For example, bath time. Take a before picture, maybe a picture while he's getting his bath and an after picture. This series of bath time pictures should tell a complete story about your dog. Cute dog pictures along with a cute story are something everyone wants to see and read.

Of course if you prefer just to submit a picture, that's o.k. too. One single picture is enough to communicate a special moment in the life of your dog. Dog pictures convey every emotion known to man. From adorable to mischievous to hilarious - dog pictures are enjoyed by any age group.

Even those who do not have a dog or any pet at all, love dog pictures. Asking an owner to show off their canine pics is like asking Cleopatra to belly dance. It comes naturally.

Tips on How to Take Nice Pictures

To be certain of taking good pictures it will help to know a few simple rules.

Distance

Getting close to your dog will fill the frame. Remember your dog has facial expressions that need to be captured.

Angle

Do not take the picture from above. Crouch down to dog level. This gives a more intimate view of your pet.

Color

Keep it simple. However, props can add interest. For example, introduce a favorite toy such as a ball.

Lighting

Easy - press auto. Take care as too much bright light can dim those exceptional features.

Patience

Getting the right pictures will take some patience. (Easy for a dog lover)

Lots

Be prepared to take lots of pictures. Try different angles, stances and behavior.

Fun

Have lots of it!

A Model is Made

Now that you have taken plenty of cute dog pictures it is time to share those happy moments with us. All the dog lovers who visit will be able to share anecdotes and stories by means of pictures - the cuter the better. Turn your pet into a model pooch.

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Master Dog Training

Home dog training is quite popular nowadays, thanks to the high availability of reliable teaching guides and resources for beginning trainers. If you have a healthy, happy dog at home, there is no reason for you to not train it at home.

You don't have to spend hundreds of dollars to pay for obedience lessons. If you have a clicker, and some form of reward for your dog, you are all set to teach him any action or behavior that you want him to perform. You can accomplish all of this through clicker training.

What is clicker training?

Clicker pet training is simply teaching a dog to perform an action because it will bring a positive experience to the animal (i.e. edible treats, toys, etc.).

Unlike more traditional forms of dog training, clicker training avoids the common pitfalls of animal training (e.g. the use of aversive control, direct commands, etc.), and uses more natural means of getting results during training.

This training works extremely well because it teaches things to dogs in a phases. First, the dog is taught that a click will bring a reward. This is repeated many times to solidify the association between the metallic click, and the treat.

When this association has finally been made, the trainer can then proceed to teach the dog different tricks. The second set of associations uses nonverbal signals (such as hand movements). This practice emphasizes that the dog has to figure out on his own what you want it to do.

Demystifying clicker training

There are many misconceptions about clicker training that prevent people from using this simple method from training not only dogs, but also cats, and other pets. The most common myth about clicker training is that it doesn't use any form of discipline.

That is clearly false, since trainers have been known to use non-aversive means of correcting bad behavior. When a trainer says "no" or "wrong," the trainer is helping the dog understand which activities are target activities, and which ones are not.

The second most common myth is that when you start clicker training, the dog will forever be dependent on the clicker. Again, this is a misconception; dogs are very capable of responding to verbal, and nonverbal, commands. You can use gestures and words to tell your dog what you want it to do.

The third myth, that I hear all the time, is that this training cannot be used on other animals. That's false, since clicker training has been used countless times on different animals (including parrots, and dolphins), and each time, the trainers got good results. Dogs are only the most commonly trained through clicker training.

That doesn't mean that you can only train dogs. If you have a cat or a chinchilla at home, you can train those animals just as easily. You just need to know the basic strategies, such as loading and targeting, and you are all set to train your pets at home. Train one or ten - it doesn't matter how many. As long as you have time to spare and a clicker, you can do it.

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Should I Be Brushing My Dog's Teeth

Quick, when was the last time you brushed your dog's teeth? Of course, I know what you're probably thinking: "Oh my god, it was the day before yesterday! I'm a horrible puppy parent for having skipped a day!"

Really, though, the notion of brushing a dog's teeth is foreign to a lot of people. Just who are these people who actually brush puppy teeth, anyway? I mean, is that not a little bit weird? A little bit twisted, even? Eccentric? The notion of a crazy dog-person may come to some of your minds if you don't know the actual strong benefits that brushing your dog's teeth will have for your canine's health.

Many people believe that a dog's teeth will stay nice and strong as long as they have their bone to chew on. They think that this will somehow make their dog's teeth whiter. Of course, this is not the case. Certain dog bones are formulated to help a dog with cleaning its teeth, but, if the bone is too big or too hard-or the teeth of the dog becomes too decayed-then a bone may be just the thing that leads to chips and pain-ridden puppies. The whitening of your dog's teeth has to do with oral hygiene, and it is actually a very important part to healthy maintenance of any pup.

When you have a dog who grows up without brushing, you will see yellowing and decay around their teeth, just like you would in humans. Of course, a dog's diet is more restricted than a human's-they consume a horribly small amount of sugar and other cavity-causing things of that nature, for instance-but that does not mean that a dog's teeth will not yellow or rot. So, that comes to the question: What are you going to do about it?

Well, first things first: the natural answer to that is to take the dog to a vet for a clean-up. No dog needs to have their teeth brushed every day, but a regular and probably much-needed cleanup may be just what the doctor (or veterinarian, in this case) ordered. A cleanup is a very simple process by way of the doggy dentist gets rid of the layers of buildup that lead to staining and tooth decay. You may want to go sooner rather than later, too, because, once the dog's stains are there, it takes more than just a few trips to the veterinarian to get them out.

When you picture brushing your dog's teeth, you may very well picture a hellish nightmare filled with wagging heads and growling barks, because what kind of dog will sit there idly by while you rub a bristle up and down its gums and teeth? The answer to that, my friends, is a well-trained dog. Did you know that there are special brands of toothpaste made just for keeping dogs interested in keeping their teeth their whitest? Okay, it probably doesn't make a difference to the dog what you're putting around its teeth, because they don't know why you're doing it, but if it has a tasty smell to it, that could help things. Make sure to get the dog used to the idea of sitting still for the whole shebang by training it to sit and stay with you. Also make sure that it is comfortable with you around its teeth, or you may find yourself uncomfortable with its teeth around you.

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Why Dog Treats Won't Help You To Get Your Service Dog Certification

I'm positive you've noticed this before, and you may do it yourself all of the time. Get a dog bone and hang it in front of your pet as you simply tell him or her exactly what to do. Roll over, play dead, sit, speak and I'll present you with this treat. Of course your dog will probably obey. They really want that treat. If you hang a peanut butter cup in front of me, I'll play dead as well and roll over too. Does this signify I am trained to roll over? Or does it simply suggest I really love peanut butter cups? Any time training for your service dog certification you are very best served to leave the doggie snacks behind you. The key to successful service dog training would be to help make the dog respect you. This can not be completed if the dog just looks at you as a supply of doggie snacks.

We constantly suggest utilizing a compliment strategy whenever training your dog. However, praise could be as simple as a verbal acknowledgement, or even just a pat on the head. In the event that the dog obtains a treat every time she or he follows a command, then you haven't earned the dogs respect. You have turned your canine friend directly into a spoiled pet.

Remember that your dog needs to learn who the authority figure in the partnership is. A relationship where almost all you do is supply treats for obeying commands, doesn't illustrate any authority. One other reason making use of dog treats like a training tool isn't the greatest idea, especially for service dog certification, is you won't always have them together with you. Service dogs need to know when they're working and in the event that they've been trained to react to get a treat, just what may occur whenever you don't remember to bring them from home? All of a sudden your dog is unhappy with you for not really treating them right after following a command and ultimately will no more follow that order. In certain rare cases, dogs could become troublesome in public areas since they're not really getting the treat they feel they've earned. The final and most obvious reason behind not necessarily utilizing dog treats while performing service dog certification training is that it may have an adverse effect on your own dogs health.

Just like humans, dogs are not designed to snack heavily during the day. If you happen to be giving your dog a treat each and every time they comply with an order, they'll be adding some really serious calories to their diet regime. You would like your pet to obey you increasingly more as training goes on, however, if the more they comply with you, the more they eat, you're developing a health risk for your dog.

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Using One Way Anchor Text Backlinks To Increase Google Rankings Fast

One of the keys to getting higher search engine rankings is the proper use of one way anchor text backlinks for both internal linking (linking between pages on your site) and external linking (linking to your site from someone else's site).

One way anchor text backlinks are basically just clickable text links. Here is the definition right from Wikipedia, "the anchor phrase, a link label or link title is the visible, clickable text in a hyperlink. The words contained in the Anchor text can determine the ranking that page will receive by search engines."

These clickable keywords, or anchor links, make it easier on search engine robots to determine what the site the text is linking to is actually about. So whether linking between pages on your own site or linking from other sites, use the proper anchor phrase and link to the appropriate pages on your site.

To illustrate this let's say you have a page on your site specifically about wiener dog training. You've optimized the site like we've talked about by putting "wiener dog training" in your meta tags and the other strategic places we've discussed, so when the search engine robots scan your site they know that page is about wiener dog training. Now to further support the on page work you've already done, you need an incoming link from another site, but not just any link. You need a link from a related web site using the text "wiener dog training."

We're really getting rolling here. I hope your enjoying the content by our Atlanta SEO experts. Remember to always use one way anchor text backlinks for any linkbuilding campaigns you do. This is vital to your success.

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Silver Labs Make Great Pets

While silver labs are known for being great hunting dogs, many would-be owners wonder if they also make great pets. The answer is a resounding - yes!

Silver labs are a breed of dog exhibiting a diluted "silver" coat color that is distinctive. The silver coloring happens when a diluted gene is made dominate through selective breeding. This gene changed the color of the Labrador's coat producing the silver lab's trademark color.

The breed can trance its ancestry back to the early 1930's when the color was first bred consistently. There is still a good amount of controversy about the breed, and some experts still claim the silver Labrador is really in the family of chocolate Labradors.

But do they make good pets?

Like any Labrador, silver lab puppies, and full-grown dogs, will give your family a lot of love and joy. Knowing what to expect is the key to a lifelong friendship. Labradors do better when they have a lot of space to play and can go "full out" when running, jumping or even swimming.

A prospective owner should be knowledgeable of the physical requirements of Labradors and the amount of exercise they require. Some owners notice excessive and oftentimes destructive chewing the dogs may inflict on furniture and possessions, so always having a supply of toys available for the dog to chew on and play with is a must.

Labs do well with obedience training, although it will take time and patience. Silver labs also get along with almost anybody as well as other animals, so adding them to your family or having frequent visitors should not be a problem.

Silver Labradors are great pets and hunting dogs, and will definitely be a source of love and fun for your family.

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Are You Walking Your Dog Safely

We've already established just how important regular walks are for your dog, but as with most things in life, there's often a good, better, and best way to do something. So what then, is the best way to walk your dog? What might seem like a silly question is actually not as quite simple as we may first think. There are many safety factors to keep in mind when planning your daily strolls.

First of all, always consider the elements. If heat is an issue your area, consider walking you dog in the morning or evening, before or after the hottest part of the day. If you're bringing water, anticipating needing it for yourself, don't forget to bring something for the dog as well. Collapsible plastic bowls are great for sharing your drink, or even a small plastic bag works too. Think about it - if you're hot, imagine how hot you'd be in a fur coat.

In addition to heat, there can also be potential problems from cold. Especially if you have a smaller dog (under 30 pounds), consider a sweater or jacket for your pet. With pet clothes increasing in popularity, you can get a quality jacket for a fairly low price. A great alternative if your dog doesn't have a jacket is one of your old sweatshirts. Tie the arms around the dog's neck and let the body of the sweatshirt cover his back. (Just don't forget to tuck the arms of the sweatshirt into the "scarf" you made around his neck of you will come home with a wet and dirty sweatshirt.) For extreme cold, a pair of boots is not a ridiculous idea. Don't have boots for your dog? You can always make your own using some old pairs of socks. Simply place the socks on your dog's feet like... well, socks. If you're concerned that your dog's feet might get wet (or sandy/salty from the roads), you can always tie bags around the paws or cover them in Saran wrap. Yes, your dog may look crazy and may not like it at first, but once he gets used to his "boots" he will thank you. Salt between the toes is not a comfortable feeling.

If you're planning to walk your dog in the early morning or evening, we highly recommend some form reflective gear on your dog. There are a lot of options here, most common of which is a reflective harness. Your dog will be safe without even knowing it. I've also seen dogs with blinkers on their harnesses - if this doesn't scare your dog, this is also another good option. And if you want to be really safe, consider a reflective leash as well.

Last but not least, the most important thing to do is listen to your dog. There is no "one walk fits all" for dogs - you need to consider your pet's age, energy level, and overall health when planning your route. If your dog starts dragging behind on your walk, you're probably going too far or too fast. This is especially true as your dog ages - the once favorite route may need to be shorted over time. Make sure your dog sees the vet regularly as well and is healthy enough for exercise. Walks are just so much fun for dogs - they can be in pain and not necessarily show it on the walk.

Oh - and just as people get bored with the same work-out routines, don't forget to mix it up a bit for your dog from time to time. Happy trails!

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How to Get Your Sheltie to Stop Barking

Shelties are prone to excessive barking, they are a herding breed, it is in their nature to alert you to strange animals or people that are getting near the parameter of their property (i.e. people walking by, stray dogs or cats on the loose, they may even try to "herd" cars, which is why it so important to have your sheltie in a securely fenced yard when outdoors for their safety!), this is their herding instinct in action! But with gentle firmness and consistency they are relatively easy to train.

Here is an easy tip that I personally use and it works great on my shelties (and I have several!) I no longer get complaints from neighbors and my dogs are quiet, obedient and relaxed. Shelties are eager to please you, but you have to let them know what you want!

If your sheltie begins barking and it is not desired, burst outside (or into the room where they are if they are inside, though shelties seldom bark indoors) and firmly say the command "Quiet!", keep doing this every time they start to bark. Within a few days, the problem should be resolved. Just don't give up and be consistent (use the same command every time, and do this every time you notice them barking), this is the key! Soon you will have a quiet sheltie and you and your neighbors will rest easier.

I start this process over with new puppies and with any new dog I introduce. Because of course new puppies will get excited and want to bark, with patience and consistency, they too will learn to be quiet. It is reinforced quickly when they observe the older dogs are not barking. Here's to a quieter future for you and your sheltie :)

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Dog Food Recall - Questions and Concerns

Pet owners are concerned about the health of their dogs. And the item we are most concerned about is food.

Can you remember a time when dogs were fed table food scraps and they were left to wander about the farm or the community and folks or neighbors might toss some food there way? None of these foods had hurt the dog.

If your pet passed a butcher shop, a bone or a piece of meat may have been given to him, if he passed a bakery, perhaps he was given an egg, and as he passed a farmer milking his dairy cow he probably received a squirt of milk.

When I raised German shepherd dogs a trip to the grocery store allowed me to purchase leftover bones and meat cuttings from the meat counter to be used for dog food. If this opportunity is open to you, great! Currently, in the city which I reside grocery stores are not permitted to sell these bones and scraps.

Then commercial pet foods came along and turned the heads of pet owners with promises of their prized healthy dog food recipe, excellent nutrients, and convenience for pet owners at a reasonable price.

Regardless of where you got your meat for the high protein content, or the dry or canned commercial dog foods, I do not recall every hearing about a dog getting sick as much as we do today. And today there are many dog food recalls which cause alarm for pet owners because of dog illnesses.

Do you remember when television dinners and fast foods were first introduced for people to eat? These served as occasional meals and were particularly handy when traveling or there truly was no time to make a home cooked meal.

Have you begun to notice the fact that now in both situations, we are hearing of animals and people getting sick from commercially produced foods? What is the dilemma?

One sure ingredient causing problems is sugar. Too much sugar in both animal and people food. Now we hear much about overweight, immune deficiency diseases, heart and circulation diseases, and diabetes on the increase. Dogs and people are having health problems which seemingly are related to the ingredients in our food.

Where are the wholesome foods for us and our pets? Why are there so many preservatives, chemicals, dyes, and names of ingredients that we cannot pronounce being put into food?

Pet owners are questioning ingredients in pet foods, both dry and canned, because their pets are getting sick. If commercially prepared pet food is so good why have there been so many pet food recalls by the manufacturing companies?

You have read or heard of human error at the factory, or the wrong additive being added to the food or too high a dose of certain vitamins, wrong ingredients, and contaminated ingredients from foreign countries.

Do you have questions about pet food? Visit the pet category on the home page of Tricia Deed at http://www.Infotrish.vpweb.com/ and review Dog Food Secrets.

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Ear Mites In Dogs - Diagnosis and Treatment

Ear mites in dogs are the typical cause of ear infections found by veterinarians. A tiny spider like parasitic mite that, though labeled ear mites, they can be found on any part of your pet's body. They especially like the warm moist area of the ear canal and will take up permanent residence there and do their worst damage. Cats appear to be more susceptible to them, but they seldom find a dog they don't like.

Dog breeds with long floppy ears are the most prone to mite infections. Those long ears are very effective in restricting air flow to the ear canal entrances.

Of the several types of mites that will invade your pup's ears, otodectes cynotis is the one most likely found. However,it really doesn't matter if mite's species is identified in order to treat the problem properly. They are simply considered ear mites regardless of the species they happen to be.

These parasites are actually rather contagious, so it's a good idea for you as a pet owner to know exactly how they are transmitted. Puppies can get them from their mother. It you have an infected pet in your home and also have various other pets it's likely that the mites will spread to the others because as the mites most likely will infest the living area. Any animal, such as a cat, gerbil, mouse, hamster, rabbit, and ferret is susceptible. However, they don't survive long off a pet, so you won't have to treat the house. Don't worry about yourself or your family; humans can't get them from animals.

Here are some symptoms.to watch for to determine if ear mites in dogs or puppies are present. You may notice that the animal will either be continually scratching around the ears or shaking it's head. If the infestation is severe, so too will the scratching and head shaking be severe. When a case is of a more advanced nature, oftentimes the ear canals will bleed and you'll be able to notice either dried or even fresh blood inside the canal. So you know, dried blood looks a lot like coffee grounds. If you look into your dogs ear and notice anything similar to this then it's a good bet that you dog has ear mites. Some other possibilities are yeast infections or bacterial infections.

Although these pests in dogs are very common, they should be taken very seriously. If your dog goes too long without treatment, it can suffer permanent hearing loss due to damage to the eardrum and ear canals.

There are many different preparations available to help manage ear mites in dogs. Most of the available products contain an insecticide called pyrethin. Without the insecticide the mites would not die. Some brand names of mite medication are Frontline, Revolution, Milbemite, and Hartz.

Depending on which medicine you choose, it could take between two to four weeks before all the mites will be killed. Just to reiterate, these mites aren't limited to just the ears. They can attack any part of a dog's body, so remember to treat those areas as well. If you have other pets in your household, it's a good idea to treat all pets at the same time. Ear mites in dogs or other animals spread easily, so if one is infected assume all your pets are most likely infected.

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Laws Involving Service Dogs

You may not possibly know this, but service dogs are in actuality acknowledged as part of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. This is providing they are individually taught to perform a particular action for the dog owner. Therefore, service dog certification is an essential aspect of this particular definition.

All these dogs have to be allowed to go anywhere together with their particular handler. Including, however not restricted to, restaurants, concert halls and even commercial airliners. This is all clearly stated by federal and state laws.

What may surprise everyone, is that in fact, these dogs need not wear any type of distinguishing articles like an identifying jacket or vest. It is totally at the option of the dog owner and never legally required. In fact, it is not legal to even request any type of specific paperwork as proof of the animals training.

However, the value of service dog certification cannot be emphasized enough, due to the fact that when your untrained dog misbehaves in any fashion, often the operator of the place you happen to be visiting, will exercise his right under the law, to ask you to have the animal under control and failing that, ask that you just leave the premises.

These kind of dogs can also escort an individual to the workplace. But it should be noted, the company is only asked to make a reasonable accommodation for this animal. This makes it a very subjective view in reality, as compared to other public spots. With that being said, often the employers have to realize that their evaluation of a reasonable accommodation is questionable in a court of law. Judgments in the tens of thousands and even larger amounts of money are already being paid as a result of this kind of lawsuit.

Housing is also an issue where even in residential areas with "no animal" rules, acceptable lodging needs to be attempted permitting service dogs to reside together with their owners. With regards to housing however, it is outlined in the fair housing guidelines, the actual owner of the residence can certainly require certification from an individual who possesses enough experience to generate this specific judgement. An animal deposit fee is not allowed in any event involving assistance dogs. As in the case with the animal in public places nonetheless, the owner of the service pet must show they are in entire control of their dogs all of the time. If the animal does not conduct themselves within a correct way, the supervisor of the premises has got the right to request the pet be taken out of the particular building immediately.

These types of episodes, once again, stresses the value of excellent service dog certification education for the teaching of proper behavioral tendencies.

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