Pets Webblogr

Everyone knows that dogs love to chew. Have you ever returned home to find your favorite shoes damaged by your dogs teeth or your favorite book ripped to shreds? Sometimes dogs get bored, and playing is essential for keeping them mentally occupied. If dogs are not given toys to play with, they will find something else to play with or, rather, destroy. Chewing is normal behavior for puppies who are teething but some adult dogs may show destructive chewing behavior, and some dogs are more destructive than others. Toys should not take the place of human attention and regular exercise, but if your dog is left alone and you don’t want him to chew your personal items, make sure he has plenty of toys to keep him satisfied. It’s been said that a dog should have at least 10 toys at all times to keep from chewing on things he shouldn’t.

Recently there has been concern about the safety of dog toys that are imported from other countries, but there are high-quality, non-toxic dog toys on the market that are made in the USA. There are different types of toys, including plush dog toys with squeakers sewn into them, tough chew toys, tug toys, toys that can be tossed like balls and frisbees and toys that can have treats hidden within them to make them more challenging to your dog.

Plush dog toys, even though they are made with reinforced and strong fabric, typically do not last as long as other types of dog toys, depending on the chewing behavior of your dog, but they can easily be cleaned by throwing them into the washer and dryer.

It’s a good idea to rotate your dog’s toys to refresh his interest in them as “new” toys are more interesting than old ones. Stash away some of your dog’s toys so that only a few are available at one time. This helps to prolong the life of each toy, while rekindling his interest. The toys can be washed in between use so that the dirt and slobber do not become “ground in.”

When washing squeak toys, sometimes the squeaker will become water logged. Most of the time this will clear up quickly if the toy is shaken and the squeaker is repositioned to promote drainage. Also letting your dog squeak it to force air through it may help with the problem. If your dog’s squeak toy becomes so battered that it can no longer be repaired and is not safe anymore, the toy can be quietly disposed of when your dog is distracted, and if you’ve been rotating his toys all along, he’ll be happy when you pull a “new” one out of the closet.

Chew toys often last longer than plush ones and there are even “guaranteed tough” dog toys that are guaranteed to last or you can get a free replacement. For anyone who wants to “go green,” you can find dog toys that are made from recycled materials, and some of the toys are even recyclable again. You may also consider toys that can be stuffed with treats as these toys often hold a dog’s interest longer at one time, especially when left alone. Interactive dog toys are fun for both dogs and humans, and it’s easy for your dog to get exercise while he catches a frisbee or fetches a ball.

Dogs really do need toys, that is, if you don’t want them chewing your personal things. Dog toys keep dogs mentally occupied so that they don’t get into mischief and help puppies with teething, so it’s important to make sure your dog has enough toys readily available to him or her at any given time.

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Anita Funkhouser is the owner of GoGreenDogBeds.com, offering high-quality, eco-friendly dog beds, toys and sweaters made in the USA from recycled soda bottles, and GoGreenDogBeds.com Blog, a blog about tips on dog care, dog product information, dog training ideas and more.

With several public holidays coming up this Fall, many people might be thinking of getting their family and friends a pet as a gift. In the UK, the slogan ‘a dog is for life, not just for Christmas’ is well known, but every year thousands of pets end up being given away or even neglected because they are an unwanted present. If you’re thinking of getting someone you know a pet as a gift in the next few months, there are a few things to consider before making the decision.

1. Lifestyle: does the person you’re thinking of have a suitable lifestyle for the pet you have in mind? Dogs and cats both need a lot of attention, walking and care. If the recipient is out of the house all day, these might not be good pets for them. On the other hand, something like a hamster is perfect as, although they still require food and play, they sleep during the day. Think about the kind of activity your friend or family member enjoys. For instance, if they are a keen runner then a more active dog might provide them with a jogging companion.

2. The pet’s lifespan: This is often overlooked when a pet is bought as a present. If you know a 15 year-old who desperately wants a puppy, bear in mind that they might be disappearing to college in three or four years, leaving their parents to look after an energetic young dog. While smaller animals generally have shorter life-spans (between 1 and 6 years), animals like dogs and cats can live to 15 years plus. That’s 15 years of buying food, making time to play with and walk them and many years of vet’s bills. If you don’t think your friend or family member is going to appreciate that kind of commitment in the long-term, then it might be best to check with them first rather than just surprising them on the day.

3. Age of recipient: If you are thinking of giving a pet to a child then there are extra factors to take into consideration. Ultimately, they will probably not know how to take care of the pet properly at first which will require time and teaching from their parents. It won’t spoil the surprise to check with their parents first and ask them if the time commitment is ok with them.

4. Personality: Think carefully about the personality of the family member or friend you have in mind. Are they going to be patient, kind and tolerant when they are woken up at 2am by a hungry kitten? The personality of the pet is also important – some pet owners can find a bouncy, energetic puppy too demanding and will be better suited to a smaller, more placid breed of dog. There is plenty of information available online and in breeding books on the different kinds of personality that come with each breed of pet.

Giving a pet as a present is a risk. Ideally, it is better to check with the recipient first and make sure the  are comfortable with the commitment. Although it won’t be as much of a surprise then, at least you will know that the animal will be taken care of properly.

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One of the several kinds of retriever, Labrador Retrievers (or Labrador dogs) are currently listed as the number one registered dog with the American Kennel Club (AKC). This breed is ranked very highly by dog enthusiasts on all levels; playfulness, friendliness towards strangers and pets, easy to train, affectionate and even make a great watchdog.

It was in 1903 when the breed was officially recognized by the English Kennel Club and later in 1917 by the AKC. It was in 1991 when Labrador Retriever was first voted as the most popular breed of dog and has continued to hold the spot in the charts even until today.

Labrador dogs are very amiable, obedient and good natured provided they are trained. They make good companions and are wonderful around kids because of their high tolerance levels towards children and their antics. These dogs can sometimes remain gentle and very calm around the house but when provoked, can immediately become intense, energetic and boisterous.

Labradors are known for its extreme loyalty to its owner and is eager to please. It enjoys being challenged mentally such as learning new tricks and makes a wonderful student of obedience training. They also enjoy doing activities that involves physical effort such as swimming, running and of course, retrieving.

Labrador dogs’ daily upkeep must be kept fairly active. Their daily exercise must include activities in the form of running and swimming. Since they were historically bred for retrieving in water environments, retrieving tops the list of fun games that Labrador dogs enjoy, especially through water such as the beach or even a large outdoor swimming pool.

This breed aren’t particular when it comes to shelter. They can either live and enjoy the warmth and coziness of staying indoors or remain outdoors during any type of weather. When letting your dog live outside, just ensure they are safe and comfortable either during the hot humid months or the chilling winter temperatures. But, just like any other companion dogs, staying inside with its family and enjoying the stable temperatures is more preferable for Labrador Retrievers.

Generally, Labrador dogs can live for up to ten to twelve years as long as they are living a healthy lifestyle. Major health issues that can affect Labrador dogs are elbow dysplasia, CHD, OCD, patellar luxation and obesity. Other health concerns that may occasionally occur among this breed are diabetes, tricuspid valve dysplasia, over exercise (leading to collapse), distichiasis and muscular dystrophy.

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Richard Cussons is great lover of Retrievers. Discover more about Labrador dogs at Labrador Savvy.com.

Any type of horse riding usually begins with the rider buying riding clothes. Even a person simply going for a pleasure ride will benefit from the correct riding apparel. Horse riding apparel protects you and is designed specifically for being on a horse. Comfort and protection come in several styles and designs.

Depending on your style of riding whether western or English, your wardrobe will look slightly different, but consist of the same basics.

Riding Pants – Breeches, Jods and Jeans:

Jodhpurs (English Riding) could be described as kind of riding pants. The legs on these pants extend all the way to the ankles. At the end of the pants there is a cuff. This cuff fits over the top of a low riding boot. Modern breeches (English Riding) are skin-tight; they have either zippers or Velcro fastenings where they end at the calves.

Riding Boots:

Typical English riding boots are long to prevent the saddle leathers from chaffing the leg of the rider. The heel of the boot protects the rider’s foot from sliding out of the stirrup and the toe should be sturdy to protect the rider’s foot when on the ground. The sole of the boot is smooth enough so that in the event of a fall, the rider’s foot will not be caught on the stirrup.

Western riders wear cowboy boots. The heel of the boot varies depending on the style of boot, such as the “roper” style heel that is similar to that of English boots.

Riding Shirt:

Riding Shirts can come from your existing wardrobe unless you are riding in competitions where a more formal type of show shirt is called for.

Riding Helmet:

A riding helmet is an essential part of riding; it is specifically designed to protect your head. Do not overlook the use of a helmet.

Riding Chaps:

There are two basic types of chaps – full or half length. Chaps in the case of full length is used to protect the complete leg whilst working; they also help to keep the legs warm and dry. Half chaps are worn with Jodhpur boots. Jodhpur boots are short and the chap covers the leg from the ankle, overlapping the boot slightly, up to the knee. Half chaps provide protection to the leg from chaffing and help the jodhpurs stay in place whilst riding.

There is no harm in checking out what is in fashion and what is not. You do not want the focus placed on you in a show ring instead of the horse. Many local tack shops stock new and used riding apparel for you to try out. What ever your budget your ride will be far more comfortable in the correct horse riding apparel.

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Get information on buying, owning and caring for your horse, learn about Horse Riding Apparel. Learn about your horses anatomy.

Puppies are like children in many ways. They need constant care, supervision, and a lot of affection. Having both together, your kids and your dog, especially during playtime, require extra supervision and patience. The key is to teach your child how to play with the puppy and for the puppy to understand that he needs to listen to the child the same way he listens to you and the other adults in the family.

Always Use The Same Commands: It is important for your child to use the same commands that you and the rest of the family use. Doing so teaches your child to use the commands with respect toward the dog. At the same time, your puppy will realize that he needs to obey the child’s commands, thus teaches both to respect one another.

It sounds like it can be quite a handful, but it is also a lot of fun. Combining training and playtime helps to create a closer bond between your child and puppy. Let them run together and then see how fast your child can command the puppy to stop and sit. The puppy needs to learn to sit and wait while your child to throw a toy for your puppy to retrieve. Your child can also train the dog how to roll over by rolling in the grass while having the puppy mimic him.

There are many other ways you can incorporate training and fun between your child and puppy.

Below are some helpful rules to keep in mind:

1. Your dog should understand who the leader is. If he has an instinct to herd, don’t let him herd your child. Doing so will make the dog think that he is in charge and will not obey your child’s commands.

2. No roughhousing whatsoever. Discourage aggressive play at all times. Do not let your child drag, pull, wrestle, hit, or poke the puppy, even in a playful way. Your puppy may react differently and may jump and bite. At the same time, do not let your puppy jump on your child. A four year old German Shepherd can easily knock down a 6 year old child.

3. Teach your child to respect the puppy, and vice versa. Your child should learn how to properly treat the dog, which will then earn him the respect and leadership from your puppy.

4. Establish consistency. Puppies learn through repetition. Your child needs to understand that commands that we teach him are firm and absolute. If the puppy doesn’t obey the command, the child should repeat the command until the puppy does what he is told to do.

5. No squeezing. Hugging the puppy too tight can result in injury.

6. Always be there to supervise playtime, especially if you have a young child and/or you have a new puppy. This way, you can easily intervene if things get out of hand.

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Jane Saeman loves dogs and strives to keep other dog lovers informed. A whole world awaits other dog lovers. Find out how cute the dog in your life is at my website which is at www.PicturesOfMyDogs.com.