Saturday, November 3, 2007

Adopt a Pet

Are you are responsible pet owner? The millions of us that own pets believe that we can honestly say yes to this question. However most of us do not support the humane society or the local animal shelter by adopting animals from the programs. This is the responsible thing to do as a pet owner.

I am not suggesting that every pet owner needs to go adopt a pet from the shelter, but a monetary donation is a great way to insure that these programs can keep going. Also if you are a pet owner that breeds your pet, make sure that the people that adopt a pet from you are going to be responsible and will provide a good home to the animal. At times this may be hard. When our dog had puppies we had to deny one couple from buying one of the puppies. We have Labrador Retrievers. They typically have very large litters. Our dog had twelve puppies that we needed to find homes for.

My husband is a hunter and our dogs are whistle and hand trained so there were many hunters that had requested a puppy prior to the litter arriving, specifically because they're looking for a hunting dog. However because she had such a large litter we had two puppies that were not spoken for. We ran an advertisement in a weekly sportsmen’s paper that we would take applications from people that wanted to adopt a pet. We had developed a questionnaire that we used as an application. The questionnaire asks how many hours a day the animal would be alone, how much time the owner had to exercise the animal and how often they typically take their animals to the vet.

Some people think that this is a strange form to fill out, but we feel that we have an obligation to the breed to make sure that the people that are going to own the dogs are going to take good care of them. We check out each person that wants to adopt a pet from us. We want to make sure that the animal is getting medical care, good food and exercise. We also want to make sure that the animal is neutered or spayed if the owner is not going to be responsible in researching the breeding lines. The retriever breed is very common so it is important to keep healthy blood lines for those of us that want pure breeds.

Because of the number of retrievers that are available some breeders are trying to breed specialty lines in regards to color or skills, such as pointing. This can cause bloodlines that are too close which results in dogs that have high medical needs. Our system of asking questions to the people that want to adopt a pet from us is not going to make a huge difference, but at least we feel we are not adding to the problem of weakening the golden retriever breed.

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Police Dogs

Law enforcement departments around the world are depending on police dogs more and more to aide in daily activities. In many ways, a police dog is just as effective, or even more, than a human officer. Why? Dogs have an excellent sense of smell and can detect things that a human cannot. Most people think that a police dog is used for finding drugs and bombs, but they have taken on additional roles as the years move forward. Dogs are used to detect accelerants in possible arson cases, track suspects, search and rescue and even crowd control.

Most police dogs are not trained to be aggressive. In fact, if a dog is too aggressive, it will either be rejected or possibly turned into a prison K9. In prisons, the dogs are expected to be aggressive with anyone other than its handlers. A public police dog is bred and trained for its personality and skills.

... continued - more on police dog information.

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Thursday, November 1, 2007

How to Stop a Dog From Barking

How to stop a barking dog is a topic close to the heart of many a shift worker. You're trying to get some sleep during the day, and the neighbor's dog barks and barks all day because his owner has gone to work and the dog is bored.

So just how can you stop a dog from barking?

There are various methods. You can try training - this is a successful method if you have the time to conduct it properly. If you don't get the message across loud and clear to your dog, it won't work.

Then there are anti dog barking devices of various types. They work well.

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Dog Food Ratings

There are several top quality dog foods now available, but you'll never find them in your supermarket. You may not even find them in your pet store or even at your vet's. Why? Because the commercial pet food manufacturers have a virtual stranglehold.

But this is gradually changing. Here are a couple of dog food reviews - high quality, natural dog food.

Natural Canine Dog Food: This company provides a variety of natural supplements for your dog. And personal service has been the hallmark of their success. And service doesn't get any more personal than Natural Canine. They will even custom blend a dog supplement for your dog based on his current weight. The company's goal is to help you help your dog reduce excess weight and stay fit so that he can remain free of disease, especially diabetes.

Optimum Choices Dog Food: This company refers to their product as "superfood magic" and proudly promotes their number one product which is designed to balance your dog's glands and improve digestion. It is called Bio Preperationi and the ingredients contain over 4000+ enzymes, omega oils (3, 6, & 9), and an enormous amount of antioxidants that the company claims is 100 times more powerful than taking vitamin C or vitamin E.

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Recipes for Homemade Dog Food

whether you're looking for recipes for homemade dog food for your dog's main meal, or for dog treat recipes, dog biscuit recipes, dog cookie recipes or even dog cake recipes (yes, some people enjoy cooking cake for their dogs!), you'll probably find what you're looking for.

With 180 Gourmet Dog Recipes (all home made dog food recipes) you'll have all these and more - even raw dog food recipes, and not to mention dog shampoo recipes and recipes for making dog soap as well!

You'll even discover how to spoil your dog in the bonus!

So what are you waiting for? Now you've really got not excuse not to cook for your dog - and really treat your dog to your home cooking by feeding homemade dog foods to your dog from now on in!

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Good Dog Breeds for Children

Many types of dogs are good dog breeds for children, which is obviously something you'll want to take into account if you have children or are planning to have them, because you'll definitely want a dog breed that's compatible with your family.

The list of good dog breeds for children is, in fact, almost endless, particularly when you take into account the fact that many mixed breeds are perfectly suitable as family dogs - families with children, that is.

The most important aspects of having a dog with children is probably training your children to treat the dog appropriately, and never leaving your children alone with your dog.

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Dog Food Recalls - What Should You Do Now?

What healthy dog food is safe to feed your dog after the huge scare concerning recalled dog foods early this year?

Following are a few healthy dog food suggestions:

Life's Abundance

Honest Kitchen

Sojos Homemade Dog Food

Flint River Ranch

Your dog will thrive, and you'll never again have to worry about whether some sub-standard ingredients from China have tainted your precious dog's food.

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Vitamin Mineral Supplements for Dogs on Homemade Diets

Melatonin is said to have a positive result with at least 75% of dogs who take the supplement. With some dogs, melatonin is most effective when it is given just before the storm hits. Other dogs, however, do best when the supplement is given as they are starting to show signs of anxiety and fear.

But many other experts feel that a general dog vitamin supplement, or an antioxidant supplement for dogs is the best idea.

For dogs on a homemade diet, perhaps a pet supplement like the Missing Link, or another supplement containing ground greens, would be an excellent idea, and in addition, your dog will need a calcium supplement if you choose not to feed bones.

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