First Coast Pet

Archive for September, 2009

For obvious cosmetic reasons you need to work on getting this disease reversed. But you also have many other reasons to do this and they are highly important.

Did you know that gum disease is caused by bacteria that are attack the tissue in your mouth? If not, you do now, and that’s what will lead to possible loss of teeth, or more medical problems. Gingival disease has been linked to causing heart disease, and even respiratory disease. If you have gum disease and/or bad breath, try the therabreath products and see if they will help you. 

But too it is shown to cause low birth weights in infants who’s mothers have smoked during pregnancy.

So now you know why you should focus on how to reverse gum disease, it’s about so much more than just teeth. It could be your life that you are cutting short by not getting that gum disease taken care of. As the bacteria continue to grow the gums will begin pulling away from the teeth.

That will be after you’ve notice that when you brush or floss you will cause the gums to bleed. It’s best to head into the dentist at that point.

Periodontal disease is not much fun, find a way to defeat it now. Because it does appear that more people have gum disease than realize it, this is not a disease to trifle with.  Many major illnesses are associated with this disease.  Research indicates more strongly as time goes by that this is true.

Your gums will no longer have the healthy pink look they should. They will most likely be swollen and maybe tender. But your teeth could be at risk for falling out too. So protect not only your gums, and teeth, but also your life. Disclaimer: If you have or think you might have gum disease or any other health problem, please visit your doctor or periodontist for advice, diagnosis and treatment. This article is for information purposes only and does not intend to provide advice, diagnosis or treatment for any health condition.

House training a dog

Do you feel that house training a dog can be stress-free? Well, I do. House training a dog is fine when the dog simply tells you that he needs to go outside. Teaching your dog to ring a bell when he needs to go out is one of my favorite methods.

…Every dog simply loves learning tricks and playing games.

The “Ring a Bell to Go Outside” method helps you to get your dog to do exactly what you want but for him to think that it was his idea all along! In order to teach your dog how to ring a bell to go outside, simply follow these simple instructions.

(Also, if you’d like a complete step-by-step video on how this is done, check out this house training a dog entry on the Best Dog Ever website. It’s awesome!)

*Step 1. Find a bell. You want to be using a light-weight bell here and. (This is not the time to use a heavy bell, like a cow bell.) Remember to consider the size of your dog when you’re choosing the size of the bell. (As an example, if you have a Labrador retriever he will need a bigger bell than a dachshund.)

*Step 2. Hang the bell from a door knob …within easy reach of your dog’s nose. (Remember also that different breeds will require different heights.)

*Step 3. Every time before you take the dog out, say “Outside? Do you want to go outside?” As you go through the door, move the bell so that the dog will bump into it and it will ring. (Don’t be afraid to shake the bell if you have to to make it ring.) Repeat for a few days. What happens is that your dog starts to link up the sound of the bell with the behavior you want, which is going outside.

*Step 4. Once your dog isn’t watching, you can then place a small amount of cheese or peanut butter on the bell.

*Step 5. Now it’s time to just wait and watch. There are generally two things that might happen …and both of them are positive! Some dogs will smell the food on the bell instantly, and go to it and ring it right away.. ?Perfect! Say “Outside?” …Now you want to open the door, lead your dog to the potty area, and tell her to “go potty.” Reward the dog when she potties with praise and a small food treat.

Some dogs and a little extra incentive to go and find the bell. ?If that happens to you try this: ?Hold the bell close to the dog’s nose so the dog smells the peanut butter, licks it, and rings the bell.

It’s possible that you may have to shake the bell at first if your dog’s touch is too light to make it actually ring.) As the bell rings, you want to say “Outside?” … Okay, now open the door, take your dog right to the potty area, and tell her to “go potty.”

While the dog is pottying, softly repeat saying “go potty.” Then, Reward the dog with praise and a small food treat.

*Step 6. As soon as the dog can ring the bell easily, without your help, that’s the time to ask your dog “Outside?”…and make sure to wait until the dog “rings” the bell by the door. Then, take the dog outside to do her business.

Knowing smart techniques for house training a dog is good for dogs of all ages! ?It’s easy to forget that senior dogs often need more frequent bathroom trips due to bladder problems. …But the bell reminds us.

Rescue dogs that have never lived inside a house, quickly learn the difference between “inside” house manners and “outside” house behaviors.

Any dog that lives in a house without a doggy door will keep your home accident-free when they learn how to ring a bell. Plus, puppy potty training with a door bell also works great when your dog travels with you on vacation.

All you have to do is bring your dog bell when you go away and tie it on the door. …you simply won’t have to stress about your dog having accidents!

How to House Train a Dog

Do you think that house training a dog can be easy? Well, I do. House training a dog is fine when the dog simply tells you that he needs to go outside. One of my favorite methods is to teach your dog to ring a bell to go out.

…All dogs love to learn tricks and play games.

The reason why the “Ring a Bell to Go Out” trick works so well is because not only does it get the dog to do what you want, but it makes him think that it was his idea in the first place! Here are the easy steps you should follow if you want to teach your dog how to ring a bell when he needs to go outside.

(By the way, if you want to see a complete step-by-step video on how this is done, check out this house training a dog entry on the Best Dog Ever blog. It’s amazing!)

*Step 1. Find a bell. Use a light-weight bell. (Don’t use a heavy metal cow bell.) Remember to consider the size of your dog when you’re choosing the size of the bell. (For example, a poodle doesn’t need a bell it’s as big as a German shepherd would need.)

*Step 2. Hang the bell from a door knob …it should be within easy reach of your dog’s nose. (Remember, nose level is different for Yorkshire Terriers and German Shepherds.)

*Step 3. It’s important to remember that you need to say “outside” before taking the dog out? Do you want to go outside?” Now, go out through the door, and manipulate the string so that the dog can’t help but bump into it and make it ring. (If you need to shake the string so the bell rings, shake it.) All you have to do is repeat these steps for a couple days. What will eventually happen is that your dog will start to associate the sound of the bell with going outside.

*Step 4. Once your dog isn’t watching, you can then place a small amount of cheese or peanut butter on the bell.

*Step 5. Wait and watch. There are a couple of things that could happen …and both of these are good! A few dogs will immediately smell the food you’ve placed on the bell, go to it, and ring it right away.. ?Perfect! Say “Outside?” …open the door, walk over to the potty area, and say “Go potty.* Remember to reward the dog with a food treat and praise when she potties.

Other dogs might need a little encouragement to find the bell. If this is something that happens to you, there’s a way around it — simply hold the bell close to your dog’s nose so that he wants to lick it, and rings the bell.

It’s possible that you may have to shake the bell at first if your dog’s touch is too light to make it actually ring.) When the bell rings, now is the time to use your happy voice to ask “Outside?” … open the door, walk over to the potty area, and say “Go potty.”

While the dog is pottying, softly repeat saying “go potty.” Now you want to praise the dog and give him a small treat to reward him.

*Step 6. As soon as the dog can ring the bell easily, without your help, that’s the time to ask your dog “Outside?”…and make sure to wait until the dog “rings” the bell by the door. Then, of course, you want to take the dog outside to have her do her business.

Knowing the right strategies for house training a dog is great for dogs of all ages! Don’t forget that older dogs will often times need more frequent bathroom trips. …However, the bell reminds us.

Rescue dogs, for example, find it fairly easy to pick up on the difference between an acceptable inside behavior and an acceptable outside behavior because they may have never lived inside of a house before.

This is a great way to eliminate accidents in your home, especially if you live in a house that doesn’t have a doggie door. Plus, puppy potty training with a door bell also works great when your dog travels with you on vacation.

Simply bring the bell with you the next time you go away and attach it to the door of your room. …you won’t have to worry about any accidents!

Many dog owners find puppy housetraining their hardest challenge. A puppy should not be left unsupervised as it needs to learn what housetraining is. You can have the opposite effect if you over harass your pup as it may become neurotic.

House training a puppy means disciplining yourself to be consistent and by using methods established by professional trainers. In the long run, a few weeks of effort will result in a housetrained pup and later, a well behaved dog.

Confinement Rule In Puppy Housetraining

In puppy housetraining you have to consider several important factors.  You need to have a small area with an easy to clean floor and keep your pup in this area, a playpen is ideal. You are not being cruel keeping your pup in a confined area, as it is happier when it can slowly adjust to the whole house. Your pup is very small and everything around it can be extremely overwhelming. Confinement keeps little paws and playful teeth out of range of dangerous places, while ensuring that your dog is close to its papers, or the door to the yard.  This means it is more likely to behave correctly, than to have an accident, which results in lots of praise and affection from you.

Praise When Housetraining Your Puppy

Praise is the second important factor in housetraining. Your puppy loves you unconditionally from the time you bring it into your home and to please you is its aim in life. Puppies respond very quickly to your moods and know when you are angry and when you are pleased. Praise and affection will achieve more response from your pup than any physical correction.  There is no place for physical punishment for any puppy, it is totally unnecessary and inhumane.

Housetraining Consistency Rule

Consistency is the third vital factor in housetraining. Consistency in schedule, feeding habits, praise and reward for proper behaviour and in verbal reprimand when accidents occur. It is of supreme importance. As with children, a puppy must learn that your word is law and obedience comes from them understanding that what you say, you mean. If you ignore some mistakes, forget to praise, overlook a mealtime, forget where your puppy is and if it needs to use its paper or go outside, you will never housetrain your pup.

These are just a few factors to help you in housetraining your puppy. The ultimate house training guide is where a professional dog trainer answers many of the problems associated with housetraining your puppy. Following a few basic rules will help you when you begin housetraining your new puppy.

Dog grooming training is available with many accredited schools and institutions. Thanks to a comprehensive range of programs, trainees can learn how to perform pet care according to the highest standards. After you complete dog grooming training you can get a job in a pet care organization or start your own pet grooming business. Traditional dog grooming training takes place in accredited institutions that function on the basis of a well established curriculum. And although Internet programs are a lot more flexible, their reliability is doubtful most of the times. Another criticism against home training is the lack of resources and the impossibility to develop proper skills.

A lot of emphasis is placed on video materials in distance dog grooming training, because they are supposed to cover the practical part of the education. It is certainly hard to tell whether one can start a career on such grounds. Certifications are provided at graduation, but before paying for any such courses it is important to check whether the program or the center organizing the training is accredited and corresponds to the legal policy of the Better Business Bureau.

The costs of dog grooming training represent another issue worth considering because budget often has limitations. Traditional school classes are more expensive than long distance programs. Nevertheless, good bits and bad bits can be found for any situation, yet, an expert recommendation will always go for the in-class form of training because of the possibility to develop skills more rapidly and in better circumstances. Thus, choose a local dog grooming training facility instead of a long-distance course conducted on the Internet.

We cannot conclude without touching on the fact that all forms of dog grooming training are rather new and modern. The demand for professional groomers have increased over the last three decades but thirty years ago, dog grooming definitely didn’t sound like a promising job, not to mention career. Social transformations have actually come to shape and improve dog grooming training because of the higher demands for quality services. Consequently, a grooming school that has a fifteen year tradition is more reliable as compared to one that has just been founded. The longer the history of a training school, the better the references.

house training a dog

Do you believe that house training a dog can be easy? Well, I do. Housetraining a dog or puppy can be very simple when you teach him to simply tell you when he needs to go outside to do his business. One of my favorite methods is to teach your dog to ring a bell to go out.

…Dogs love to play games and learn tricks.

The reason why the “Ring a Bell to Go Out” trick works so well is because not only does it get the dog to do what you want, but it makes him think that it was his idea in the first place! If you want to teach your dog to ring a bell when he needs to go outside, all you need to do is follow these easy steps.

(Also, if you’d like a complete step-by-step video on how this is done, check out this house training a dog entry on the Best Dog Ever blog. It’s fantastic!)

*Step 1. Find a bell. Use a light-weight bell. (Don’t use something that’s heavy, like a cow bell.) Remember to consider the size of your dog when you’re choosing the size of the bell. (A dachshund needs a smaller bell than a Labrador retriever.)

*Step 2. Hang the bell from a door knob …in easy reach of the dog’s nose. (Don’t forget that what exactly nose level is is going to be different for different breeds.)

*Step 3. Now, make sure to say “outside” before you actually take the dog out through the door? Do you want to go outside?” As you go through the door, move the bell so that the dog will bump into it and it will ring. (You can also shake the bell if you need to so that it rings.) Repeat for a few days. So obviously what happens is that eventually there will be an association in your dogs mind — the sound of the bell will mean that he goes outside to do his business.

*Step 4. Once your dog isn’t watching, you can then place a small amount of cheese or peanut butter on the bell.

*Step 5. Now it’s time to just wait and watch. Two things might happen …and both of them are positive! A few dogs will immediately smell the food you’ve placed on the bell, go to it, and ring it right away.. ?Perfect! Say “Outside?” …Now you want to open the door, lead your dog to the potty area, and tell her to “go potty.” Reward the dog when she potties with praise and a small food treat.

Other dogs need to be encouraged to find the bell. ?If that happens to you try this: ?Hold the bell close to the dog’s nose so the dog smells the peanut butter, licks it, and rings the bell.

If your dog’s tongue or touch doesn’t move the bell enough to make it ring, you may have to shake it just a bit.) As the bell rings, you want to say “Outside?” … Okay, now open the door, take your dog right to the potty area, and tell her to “go potty.”

While the dog is pottying, softly repeat saying “go potty.” Then, Reward the dog with praise and a small food treat.

*Step 6. Once the dog can ring the bell easily without assistance from you, that’s when it’s time to ask him “Outside?”…and make sure to wait until the dog “rings” the bell by the door. Next, lead your dog outside while she does her business.

Understanding the right techniques for house training a dog is great for dogs of all ages! Don due to bladder problems, some older dogs will often need to make more frequent bathroom trips. …However, the bell reminds us.

Rescue dogs that have never lived inside a house, quickly learn the difference between “inside” house manners and “outside” house behaviors.

If you don’t have a doggie door, this can be a great trick that will help you prevent or eliminate accidents in your home. This trick is perfect if you take your dog with you on your travels.

Just bring the dog’s bell with you and tie it on the motel door. …you simply won’t have to stress about your dog having accidents!

Dog and puppy owners need to be sure they understand a few dog health problems basics so they can help their pets if by chance they contract one of the common dog health problems. An oldtime belief, still held onto by many people, is that if their dog has a cold and wet nose, the dog is healthy. There are no scientific basis for this belief as no one can tell from how wet or how cold a dog’s is has anything to do with hereditary heart problems, parasites, intestinal worms, blindness, deafness and every other health problems that dogs can contract.

Responsible owners should disregard such beliefs without scientific basis and focus on looking at the overall condition of the dog including regular physical checks of the eyes, teeth, ears, mouth and skin for any abnormalities that could be signs and symptoms of a particular disease. On top of that, the dog owner should be responsible enough to provide all the care and attention that their dogs need including proper nutrition, preventative medicine and good grooming to ensure that their pets will be in good and healthy condition for years to come.   

Signs Of Common Dog Health Problems

There are a number of signs and signals that might be telling you that your dog has specific dog health symptoms or problems or diseases. Dog owners need to make sure they are familiar with symptoms of potential dog health problems so they can take quick action and avoid bigger problems later on.

* Overall, a healthy dog’s coat is shiny, soft to the touch and full. With wiry coated dogs, like Australian terriers, you need to be sure that the coat is springy and has thick strands of fur. Breeds with double coats should have no indication of thinning on the undercoats.

* Redness, sores, scabs, scales, flakes, lumps and growths on the dog’s skin can be signs of health problems. The skin and coat should be free from parasites including fleas, ticks and mites. An overabundance of scartching or biting of their own skin could mean your dog is infested with parasites like mange mites.

* Just like people, if your dog’s eyes are bright and shiny, this is a good healthy sign. Around their eyeballs, dogs have an area that needs to be pink to show that they are healthy. This region is called the conjunvtiva and if its pale in color, this could mean some hidden health challenges. Make sure there are no out of the ordinary discharges seeping from your dog’s eyes, particularly nothing green or yellow.

* Bad odors and/or bloody discharge from the ears is good symptom that something is wrong. The ears should be clean with no signs of parasitic activities.

* Gum regions that have that healful pink glow to them but that may have some black coloring mixed in is a healthy sign. Pale gums might mean your dog has a problem with anemia. Reddish gums that leak droplets of blood can often be signals that there is something amiss peridontally and this combined with a rank breath odor can spell trouble with a hidden health problem.

* Going back to the age-old belief on the dog’s nose, a healthy dog normally has a cold and wet nose but this should be caused only by clear and watery discharges that are common in dogs. If a foul and colored discharge from the nose emanates, this is a sign of an abnormal condition and should be looked at. These kinds of discharges in young puppies could indicate canine distemper and may turn out to be fatal.

A few other things that indicate a healthy dog are the weight – normal for the breed, body temperature – dogs get fevers just like children, and how the urine and feces look and smell. The most important thing is to understand these symptoms of dog health problems so that the minute you spot something out of the ordinary, you can take action right away.

better eyesight

Dr Bates championed vision improvement and devised many different techniques which he claimed improved a patient’s eyesight. He claimed that strain on the eyes to see was infinite, and he devised a method of relieving the strain to improve vision.

He particularly explained that a set approach would not work for everyone, and so Dr. Bates became a well known alternative therapist. This is still widely practiced today.

He used techniques designed to dissociate strain and then achieve central seeing; which is the central point of vision omitting staring. He claimed that all errors of refraction and disturbances of function disappear when the eyes see by central fixation; and if there were any other associated conditions they too would be relieved. He also stated that exposing the eyes to sunlight would improve vision.

Medical associates have criticized Dr. Bates methodology and have stated what negative consequences could occur if patients followed the protocol; especially if their eyes are over exposed to sunlight. They also stated that it would be negligent to not wear corrective lenses while driving and would worsen or even cause serious implications to the eyes.

One of his techniques to vision improvement was closing the eyes which would help relax them; the patient would cover their eyes with their palms applying no pressure at all to the eyeballs. The theory behind this method was to eliminate light creating total relaxation of the eyes. Although some patients stated that they have illusions of light and colour; Bates claimed these would totally disappear when the eyes were relaxed.

The Bates Association for Vision Education are qualified professionals that teach the Bates method for vision improvement. The teachers mostly work with children, but offer individual lessons to adults.

Workshops and lectures centered around perfect vision. Training is offered on an ongoing basis. Pupils are taught how to improve their eyesight without having corrective surgery; as well as teaching how to increase the chances of eliminating degenerative eye disease. Black lettering is used as well as the swing method to help correct vision.

It is debatable as to whether these eye therapy methods really work; or maybe it is mind over matter and those that claim that there is improvement could be purely from "autosuggestion". Dr. Bates and vision improvement has no solid evidence of proof that this therapy actually works. However, many individuals claim that it does.

William B.B.

*Disclaimer: Please be advised that this article is for information and entertainment purposes only. It does not intend to advise on, treat, or diagnose any health condition including, but not limited to, vision problems. If you have or think you might have a vision problem, please visit your doctor for advice, diagnosis and treatment.

Older dogs, dogs with hip dysplasia and just about any other dog would love an orthopedic dog bed. If you are considering getting one for your dog, consider getting as large an orthopedic dog bed as you can afford and can fit in your home. There are some ridiculously tiny orthopedic dog beds made for toy dogs, but even toy dogs need their personal space. For them, an orthopedic dog bed large enough for a fat Beagle would be a large orthopedic dog bed.

What About The Cost?

Large orthopedic dog beds are far more expensive than traditional pillow or beanbag dog beds. If you can only afford a small orthopedic dog bed and have a small dog suffering from joint or mobility problems, then that would be better than nothing. But if you have a dog that’s at least thirty pounds, then you should consider investing in a large or very large orthopedic dog bed.

In the long run, you’ll pay less for a large orthopedic dog bed than you would for a series of regular beds and trips to the vet. Large orthopedic dog beds last for a long time, which is one reason why they cost so much more than a usual dog bed. They also are made with little extras like reversible covers, easy clean covers and the dog’s name, too. They also stand up to dog claws a lot better than a beanbag dog bed.

Not The Same Old Mattress

Have you ever really watched your dog sleep? They go into quite a lot of contortions. A dog that only stays in one position in sleep all night is usually not having a very deep, satisfying sleep. Good sleep is key in overall canine health and combating illnesses. This is one reason why you need to get the largest orthopedic dog bed that you can afford.

If you have an older dog or a dog who loves to get messy, then don’t worry. There are many waterproof orthopedic dog beds on the market. Of course, they won't survive being stranded at the bottom of the ocean, but won't rot when a rain drenched doggy decides to take an afternoon nap on them.

Many large orthopedic dog beds are nearly as long as your mattress. In case of emergency, your dog probably won’t mind sharing his or her large orthopedic dog bed with you. You never know when your own mattress is going to give up the ghost -- or if your spouse send you to the doghouse.

About Author: David Hueber is a Green Geeks Web Hosting expert. He also offers top Dog training and puppy training tips online.

Bulldogs are members of our family, and they need specific care in the matters of food. There are numerous advantages of feeding natural foods to dogs. organic dog food is very heavy in vitamin E and C, which is really key for their body. Vitamin E keeps their coat glowing and vitamin C is good for their bones. All of these vitamins have the same affect as in the human body. The vitamin beta-caroten is helpful in eliminating free radical toxins from the body.

When animals eat meat their body can gain toxic material which if not removed could increase the chance of lung and heart disease. It is good to give supplements of natural food each day to maintain their metabolic system free from disease and infection.

All natural dog foods are a great source of antioxidant and fiber. Some of the natural food contains manganese, phosphorous, calcium and potassium.  All of these vitamins and minerals are necessary in their diet. Many vegetables are rich in antioxidants.By feeding this to them in their meals, it is a great benefit to your dog.
There are many name brand foods available for your dog.

Every pet owner feel his pet should have good breath, a brilliant coat sheen, clean teeth, bright clear eyes and be healthy. Only a complete diet of natural dog food will allow all of this for your pet.

Common veterinary disease can be prevented by providing nutrition rich food to your pet. It is suggested to give holistic food to your pet because home made food will keep artificial ingredients away.

Foods conatining high amounts of food supplements and oil should be avoided. This type of food leads to digestive problems.

Natural dog food has an advantage of being recommended by many doctors for  your pet. Natural dog food can also make your dog more active.

To ensure a healthy and happy dog, feed them all natural dog food.