My name is Charlie Brown and I am a Chocolate Labrador. Read more to get my thoughts on the world...

Dog Hot Spots Treatment
Dog hot spots can be very painful and uncomfortable for dogs. This is not just your ordinary allergy because hot spots are known to exude some pus and also noticeable because there's a foul odor being emitted off of it. It can easily get worse because dogs tend to lick at them and even chew on the site where the hot spots are.

Should Fearful Dogs Face Their Fears Head On?
A popular approach to dealing with a fearful situation, is to face it head on and (hopefully) come out stronger for it. But should we be using the same approach with a fearful dog and how will it help? The way we deal with our dogs fears is crucial because if we get it right we will be helping our dogs gain in confidence and live a happier life, but if we get it wrong we risk increasing their fear and making life even scarier for them.

The Dog Outfit Requires a Dog Coat
A dog coat is definitely necessary. Man's best friend is not just a dog; he is part of the family. I think of my dogs as children. In fact, most people I know view their dogs as their children.

What Is a High Dog Food Rating Really Worth?
This article highlights a fundamental weakness of all dog food rating systems. Most systems only rate the ingredients they are given on a dog food label. This means they must rely on the pet food manufacturers to provide accurate information.

Dogs get into tousles with other dogs, step or fall on sharp objects, or run into a multitude of wound causing events. Know how to provide wound care and make sure to have Vetericyn Wound Spray on hand for these situations.

Clostridium In Dogs - Symptoms and Treatment
The genus Clostridium is a group of anaerobic bacteria (they can thrive in conditions where oxygen is not present) which have been linked to several important diseases in dogs. Two of the most common clostridial infections in dogs are caused by Clostridium perfringens and Clostridium difficile.

3 Rules in Puppy Potty Training
Potty training your pet is one of the most important things that you need to teach your pet if you wish your pet to stay inside your house. This holds true for all kinds of pets. Most pet owners often get a dog and if they want their dog to not leave a mess inside their house, they need to potty train it while it is still a puppy

Basic Facts You Should Comprehend When It Comes To Dog Ticks
Taking the dog to explore the woodland or other areas that have an abundance of greenery might be a remarkable time for both you and them, yet there's definitely a really good likelihood that you 'll come back with some unwelcome visitors. Ticks are one of the most common types of parasites that influence dogs-- and as a product of this, they can often be passed on to humans as well.

Factors That Contribute to a Larger Market for Dog Grooming Scissors
Dog grooming scissors may seem simple, but there is a lot of choice even within this purchase. Long handles, short edges, simple trims are just some of what you will find. Depending on the kind of dog that you have, and the kind of cut you want to give, a pair should be selected to match.

Everything You Need to Know About Trimming a Dog's Nails
Despite the fact that trimming a dog's nails causes stress for the animal as well as the owner, it must be done as long nails can break, which can result in pain and possibly infection, or could create an irregular gait that could eventually lead to skeletal damage. There is a way that you could make the entire process a little easier on you and your dog.

Why Breed Standards Matter
I got into a semi-heated conversation about infamous Puppy (Mill) Alley. For those of you unfamiliar AQHA Congress is the largest horse show in the United States it goes on for two weeks and has every class imaginable and lots and lots of shopping.

Small Things You Can Do To Keep Your Dog Healthy
As a dog owner, you are probably fully aware of the expenses and discomfort for your pet associated with a visit to the vet, even if it's for a minor ailment. Thankfully there are many things you can do to help your dog stay in tip top health and avoid visits to the doctor, without having to change your routine too much. Follow these tips to help keep your companion happy and healthy.

Seven Things To Look For In A Pet Insurance Policy

Pet insurance has become an integral part of a pet lover's world. This is because pet insurance takes care of the medical and routine expenses like checkups and vaccinations depending on the policy you have selected. Though just a couple of decades old in the United States, pet insurance is fast gaining importance due to the high cost of living and the rising cost of medical bills.

There are plenty of pet insurance companies who offer coverage to your pets for various medical emergencies. As a pet owner it is important that you select the right insurance policy to make the most of it.

The top 7 things you should be looking at before buying pet insurance are:

1. Check for type of coverage you seek Some companies provide for accident plans, other for illness and high end coverage for surgeries. The premiums vary for all. So select one or a combination which covers the nature of your pet the closest.

2. Budget You should have a premium figure in mind which you can pay for the insurance policy. There are many plans in the market to suit all budget types. You will not only have to know the monthly amount you can put aside for your pet but also the long term consequences of such investments. Paying low premiums may at times leave you out of cover for a large amount of incidents and make your policy redundant.
3. Select from multiple options Carefully search the market for the best pet insurance deal for your pet. Look at all the policies that are on offer and select the one which is most suited for your pet. You know the peculiarities of your pet, so you should be the one to decide which insurer is best. Do not get carried away by sales talk.

4. Check for renewal terms Some pet insurance companies treat an illness in a year and then classify the same as pre existing when the policy comes up for renewal. This means that pre existing conditions will not be covered as part of claims and you will not be getting any insurance benefit on it the time your pet contacts that illness again. So beware.

5. Insurer's track record Select an insurer with a proven track record of insuring pets. Check for any customer testimonials positive and negative to decide. Read up on the insurance provider's certifications and credentials before you commit to any pet poli cy for your precious pet.

6. Scope of insurance coverage Some pet insurers want you to visit the vet who is in their network. This may not be feasible for you for various reasons. So check if your pet insurance plan is good enough to use at the vet you prefer to take your pet to.

7. The age at which you can insure your pet Some insurance companies charge very high premiums for older pets and also do not cover many of the illnesses that you're pet may have at that age. So it will be wise to check up on the pet insurance policy if you have an older pet.

Pet Insurance Vpi - Insuring Your Pet – Why Is It Important?

Pet lovers know that their pets are an integral part of their lives and their families. Holidays and family outings are made more memorable when we take our pets along for company. It therefore becomes very painful if our pet falls ill, breaks any of its bones or needs constant medical supervision due to an illness like cancer. As the pet owner, the responsibility falls on us to get the best veterinary care and bear the costs associated with the treatments.

Advancements in veterinary science have made all kinds of treatments possible to cure your pets. At the same time this technology demands compensation in the form of thousands of dollars. In such a situation what you need is pet insurance. Pet insurance guarantees that the medical expenses incurred on your pets is met by the insurance company partly or in whole. Some pet insurance policies also cover annual pet checkups and immunizations. It all depends on the type of policy you select. Insurance costs can begin as low as $10 with incident costs being in the range of around $40.

The top reasons to go in for pet insurance are:

• Bears the cost of medical expenses – Needless to say, that this is the primary objective of pet insurance. You have insurance to fall back on when you take your pet to the vet. All pet insurance policies can be used at any registered vet's clinic. So you need not compromise by taking your pet to any clinic. You can visit your own vet and be at peace.

• Insuring multiple pets – Most pet insurance companies give you a discount if you have more than one pet and give you a package insurance deal. This not only brings down the cost of maintaining and taking care of your pets but also saves you thousands of dollars in pet medical expenses


Taking care of tomorrow – As time passes, your pet becomes older and prone to more illnesses. Pet insurance comes handy in such a situation. Getting your pet insured when it is very young ensures coverage for accidents and diseases which may occur at a later stage.

• Inflation shield – Pet insurance acts as a shield due to rising prices in the economy. Medical expenses which may seem affordable now will look enormous after a couple of years. The years gone by will also bring your pet closer to you and you would not want to lose it when it is ill and old just because you cannot meet its medical expenses.


• Peace of mind – Pet insurance gives you the peace you always sought when you bought your first pet and wondered how you will deal with any medical emergencies that may arise when your pet needs medical care or taking care of the vaccinations and checkups. Pet insurance makes having a pet more affordable and truly keeps your pet protected for a rainy day.
So if you are one of those pet owners who really love your pet and want to take care of them till the very end, pet insurance is an attractive and affordable solution.

Pet Insurance - About the Author:

Pet Insurance 101 writes about VPI for Cat Insurance, Dog Insurance and all Veterinary Pet Insurance. If you're looking for Affordable Pet Insurance or Cheap Pet Insurance, Pet Insurance 101 has it all."

Taking Small Dogs On Planes - What You Need To Know

Numerous airlines allow for small dogs on planes. Each airline has its own specifications, so it is better to get in touch with the individual air carrier that you'd rather fly. You are able to get a list of the rules or requirements. In just about any situation, it is very important to make reservations for your pet, as the airlines usually have a limit regarding the number of dogs and cats per cabin. Each airline has a toll-free number and website.

You must take your dog to a vet, no more than ten days from your departure date to make sure all the shots are current and to obtain a duplicate of the vaccination records to give the airline ticket agent. At the same time, have the vet make certain your pet is healthy and up to airline travel. Some people believe dogs and cats shouldn't fly due the altitude differences and staying in a carrier for a long time of time;however, a veterinarian will provide you with good advice on this issue.

Your pet also needs to have a collar with name address, and phone number and tags showing evidence of vaccinations. It is also a great idea to have your dog micro-chipped, in case the collar comes off or your pet gets split up from you. The Humane Society, kennels and even pet shelters make use of scanning devices to read the chips that have been implanted. This process is not unpleasant for your dog and isn't prohibitive in terms of price tag. Many times this process has shown to be the real difference in locating your dog or losing him forever.

A carrier is another necessity. Again, they differ from a Sherpa (soft exterior with fleece pad on the inside) to a hard shell dog crate. There should be good ventilation and a durable luggage tag with pets name, address and contact number ( both home and destination).

On the Plane:

Take a container of water and small bowl, as your dog may get thirsty. Drinking water is essential, nevertheless take a small amount of food in a zip-lock baggie. Some attendants will allow you to go ahead and take pet out of your carrier and put him in your lap; however, as far as we know, none of them allow this during meal services, even if it is just drink and pretzels. Also, put one of the dog's preferred toys inside the carrier as, just like children, they really like a familiar item.

Only one more thing prior to taking your small dogs on planes. When heading through security, it is mandatory that you take your dog out of the carrier and proceed through security holding him. That said, be sure to put a leash on the pet in the event he or she gets frightened and leaps out of your arms.

Joseph Santos is a retired executive living in Rockport, Massachusetts. With several decades of experience traveling with small dogs on planes, cars, and even boats. He now contributes to a popular website completely devoted to dog travel. For more important travel tips, please go to his web site => http://www.doggietravelinfo.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Santos

Secrets to Dog Training - Can You Really Learn Them?

People often get frustrated when they are trying to train their dog or change their behavior. They read many books and try to apply the various principles with no result. They wonder if there is a secret that they are not aware of.

The problem with this scenario is that they are confusing their dog. By constantly changing tactics, they prevent their dog from learning what they want. A dog owner must be consistent with their training in order for their pet to learn what they are trying to teach.

Expert Daniel Stevens has written a book called Secrets to Dog Training. He details the methods you need to train your dog quickly and easily. Many different scenarios are dealt with and, behavioral issues are discussed.

Problem behaviors can be extremely frustrating and difficult to deal with. Does your dog run outside every time the door opens? Does your dog bark the entire time he is outside? Maybe you are trying to figure out a way to stop him from jumping on you. There are many behaviors that dog owners have to deal with and attempt to change. This can be a challenge for a puppy but dealing with a grown dog can be worse. People often think you cannot change a dog's behaviors once it is grown.

The Secrets to Dog Training will show you how to work with an adult dog to make it obedient and well-behaved. This book dispels the myth that you can't teach an old dog new tricks. It may take longer for your dog to relearn his behavior, but it can be done with patience and consistency.

A dog with behavioral problems will be a challenge to take for a walk. He will pull on the leash and try to dart away when he sees something interesting. By the time you get home, you are exhausted and frustrated. If you teach your dog the proper behavior when he is on a leash, your walks will be much more pleasant and enjoyable for you and your pet.

Never use the word "come" when you are mad at your dog or he will learn to associate that with getting in trouble. You will have trouble getting him to come to you at all, even if it is for something he will enjoy. The book tells you other ways to get him to respond when he is doing something wrong.

The key to getting your dog to obey your commands is making sure he understands what you want. Since he does not understand human language, he uses tone of voice and body language to develop the meaning of a command. When the owner gets frustrated and allows it to reflect in their voice, the dog will be even less likely to understand what you are telling him.

By learning the techniques used by professional dog trainers, you can teach your dog to be well-behaved and disciplined. The Secrets to Dog Training will show you how to develop the skills you need.

Get information on Daniel Stevens.

Looking for Secrets to Dog Training?

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Davey_Martin

Pet Grooming With Care

Regular pet grooming can help to prevent problems such as skin and paw disorders, excessive shedding, painful mats and periodontal disease. They can also help you catch other problems that might otherwise go unnoticed on your pet. Pets of every breed size, age and coat type need to be groomed regularly.

If you decide to take you pet to the groomer, remember that a pet grooming professional should have a good reputation for you to choose them. You can research the professional online or ask others who have used that same groomer in the past for their pet. A good reputation will dictate whether or not you should send your pet to a certain pet grooming professional or if you should keep searching for a better option. Don’t ever settle when it comes to your pet’s well being.

Your pet grooming professional should also operate out of a clean grooming facility and use clean grooming instruments with your pets. This will help to prevent your pet from getting sick or falling prey to fleas from other animals that have just been groomed. This is important, so make sure to ask the groomer what he or she does to keep pets safe and secure while in their care.

For on going grooming at home, pet grooming supplies help us give our pets the care they need and deserve. Although pets may act pretty independent at times, they still require a little extra tender love and care that only their owners can give to them. Pet grooming supplies make it very simple to care for our pets and make sure they stay healthy. Not only that, but it’s always nice to have a pleasant smelling pet to cuddle with.