May 14

Take Your Dog For Walks And Get Yourself In Shape Also

With less than three months until summer, you may find yourself a little anxious about what you will look like this pool season. Do not fret, there is actually a great way to get in shape and tackle one of those to-do-items on your list – take your dog for a walk. Walking is a great way to melt extra pounds away and is extremely good for both you and your pup. Not only are you exercising your bodies and cardiovascular systems, you are able to breathe in the fresh air and spend quality time with one another. If your dog has been on the noisy side according to your neighbors, it may not be time for a bark collar just yet, increase your dog’s daily exercise and see if that helps quiet your pup’s barking – he may just have too much pent up energy. So why wait any longer – take your dog for a walk and get in shape while you do it!

Now you may be wondering exactly how a stroll every day is going to melt pounds, or you may be stressing about making it around the block – either way, we have some tips to help you start out slow and maximize your fat burning while you walk.

image

Start Slow

If you or your dog are not regular on the exercise scene, it is important to start out slow. Start by taking a stroll around the block. If after two or three laps you both still have energy do one more. A good rule of thumb is small dogs should begin with a quarter of a mile, working their way up to half a mile of daily exercise, while large dogs should be able to begin with a half mile walk, working their way up to two miles of daily exercise. These distances are of course a general rule of thumb. It is always advisable to discuss exercise plans with your dog’s veterinarian to make sure all of your pup’s health concerns are addressed. The same also goes for you, if you do not regularly exercise, it is always best to check with your physician before starting a new exercise regimen.

Increase Your Distance

As you and your dog become accustomed to exercising, you may feel that you can push your limits by increasing the distance you walk. Try exploring different blocks around the neighborhood and even visiting parks and nature trails in your city.

Vary Your Pace

Another great way to increase your endurance and physical ability is to vary your pace. Try increasing your pace to a fast walk, or even jogging and quick bursts of sprints. The varying of your pace will surprise your body and cardiovascular system making it work better.

Change It Up

The most important thing about exercise is to change up your routine. One of the main reasons people quit exercising is because of boredom, do not let that happen to you and your dog. Change up your routine by hiking up a mountain, adding lunges to your daily neighborhood walk and even do multiple sprint bursts or run hills. The change of activity is a great way to continue challenging yourself and your body to help increase weight loss and muscle gain. Another great idea is to incorporate play with sprinting – play a high-impact version of fetch using a Frisbee – both you and your dog can race to get it!

By incorporating daily exercise into you and your dog’s life you will both benefit from weight loss, increased muscle tone and cardiovascular benefits – all great needs to live life optimally. Not to mention you will find that your dog is the best motivational workout partner – just look at your dog’s joy when he or she sees you grab for the leash!

About the Author

Susan Wright DMV is a vet, a wireless dog fence specialist and writer. You may click here to view some of Susan’s tips and advice on invisible fence alternatives.

May 12

Selecting An Ideal Dog Kennel

New products that can handle of all your pet care needs.

We want the best for our pets and are always on the lookout for products that will enhance the lives of our pets, as well as our own enjoyment of living with them. Pet products are hot right now, so it can be tempting to spend on every new product before realizing we don’t really need them.

image

But there are some new pet products that are a good investment and a definite must have. Here’s a short list of some examples:

Covered dog kennels:

These are great because they provide comfort, protection, and an easy way to transport your pet all at once. You can adjust these kennels to suit your needs. Dog kennel shade comes in handy for outdoor use and hotter weather because it keeps your pet protected. Leaving your animal exposed to the sun for long hours at a time could prove to be a potential health risk.

Organic, all natural foods:

These have flooded the market recently and for a good reason: they’re better for your pet and keep them healthier than foods that use corn, meat by products and other fillers as their main ingredients. Pet owners are treating their dogs and cats like members of the family, and that means feeding them food that provides better nourishment.

Pet clothing and accessories:

These are not necessarily a must have, but they sure are a fun and inexpensive way to enhance life with your dog or cat. Some hairless breeds actually do need some type of clothing during colder months to keep them warm and protected. Other than that, pet clothing is mainly for the benefit of the pet owner, who gets a kick out of dressing their pet in the clothing of their choice.

As more Americans are choosing to welcome pets into their homes, the more there will be a need for products to enhance the lives of these animals. The benefits to humans of owning a pet are becoming quite obvious as well. Some of those benefits include:

-Relief from stress

-Lower blood pressure and cholesterol

-Boost of immunity

-More socialization with other people

-Helps children develop

-Improves overall mood


With all these good things to look forward to, it’s no wonder that our dogs and cats are becoming so near and dear to our hearts.

About the Author

Kellie Swaim has years of experience in the pet advice field from her work with Quik Shade Pets, creators of dog keennels and dog beds. To follow Kellie and her pet writing follow her on Twitter.

May 10

Signs That Your Pet Might Be Being Abused

Animal abuse is an unfortunate epidemic that is happening all over the world. Too many owners are taking their aggressions out on their pets or they’re simply uneducated on how to properly treat an animal, and this is unfair.

If you have a pet, it’s likely that you treat them as a member of your family. You give them love and affection and ensure that they are properly cared for so that they can live a long and healthy life. But just because you’re treating your pet with the utmost care doesn’t mean that everyone is. It’s possible that a family member or another caregiver of your pet, including pet sitters or workers at a pet daycare, could be abusing your pet.

While you would hope that nobody would ever abuse your pet, the following are some signs to look for.

image

Your pet stops eating

Constant abuse can take a major toll on your pet’s health, and one major sign of abuse is that they stop eating. If you notice that your pet hasn’t eaten regularly for a few days, it could be a sign that they’re being abused. It’s possible that this is just their way of coping with the abuse, or it could be that the abuse has damaged them internally, making it hard for them to eat.

Your pet has accidents

If your normally well-trained pet is suddenly having accidents around your home, it’s another sign that they’re being abused. Your pet tries to cope with the abuse by behaving differently than normal, and it’s likely that they’re having accidents because they’re scared.

Your pet resists certain people

If your pet becomes suddenly scared of a friend or family member, it could be a sign that this is the abuser. Pets tend to avoid their abuser at all costs, and if they suddenly leave the room when a certain person walks in or if they cower every time they’re around, it’s a sign of abuse.

If your pet’s abuse is coming from a day care, your pet may start to resist leaving the house. For example, when it comes time to leave for day care, your pet may hide somewhere in the house or act out so that you have a hard time getting their leash on or getting them into a crate. This is a major sign that something is wrong, so it’s best to investigate.

Your pet cowers during loud noises

If your pet is suddenly cowering every time there is a loud noise in the house, it could be a sign of abuse. Most pet’s are yelled at or hit with objects that cause loud noises, and any loud noises may remind them of their abuse, forcing them to cower out of fear.

Your pet acts out

If your mellow pet is suddenly biting, growling, hissing or snarling at everyone or if they’re suddenly chewing or scratching at objects in your home that they used to ignore, it’s a sign of abuse. Abused dogs tend to become aggressive and use this aggression as a way to cope with the abuse.

If you feel as if your pet is being abused, it’s extremely important for you to investigate. If you think it’s someone in your home, set up cameras around your house to try and find out who’s causing the abuse. If you think that it’s happening at doggy daycare, change companies and take your pet somewhere else. Do whatever you need to do to find out who is harming your pet, and take the necessary steps to stop it.

About the Author

Julie Myers works at an animal shelter and avidly writes in her spare time.  She has recently been writing about pet care and animal abuse prevention.

May 09

Bling Dog Collars For Fun Fashion And Function

Having pets is not just fun, it turns out it’s also good for your health! Studies indicate that owning a pet can lengthen your life span, lower your risks for heart disease and provide a welcome distraction from the dreaded “empty nest” syndrome. Many people enjoy providing their pets with quality collars, clothing and accessories, and some even like finding those unusual bling dog collars that really stand out.  There are many merchants that have been providing quality accessories and toys to pet owners for many years and have a desire to provide the best pet products around.
glutenbed_thumb.jpg

Get the Right Price

From quiet little leather collars to the most sassy bling dog collars, many companies specialize in proving a wide range of accessories that will match any tastes. You can use the internet to find collars by color, size, style or even designer. The Mecca of all things dog, these companies have blankets, identification tags and even cat items as well. Pet owners that are tired of paying high prices from local pet stores can save on the discounted and clearance items. This is a great website to use if you have a pet that makes it hard to find collars or accessories for.

Get the Right Size

Since it can be tough to find just the right kind of collar, pet accessory companies offer techniques to get a comfortable fit for the collar.  If a collar is not the proper size, it could cause your dog to have a hard time breathing or moving easily, or if it is too big, it could let your pet slip away. The proper way to measure the collar fit is with a measuring tape; add one to two extra inches and this should be the right size for the collar. Once you have the right size, you can look over the very large selection of collar options.

Whether you have a pet to keep you young or are simply one of the millions of pet lovers around the country, you need to have the best quality items to keep your pet happy and safe. Find a company that has been providing quality specialty items to the dog community for years and wants to make their customers a customer for life. They can offer you a chance to not only get properly fitting collars and pet accessories, but also save money while you are doing it!

Look over the user friendly website that lets you find exactly what you need. Be sure to check out the clearance sections for even more deals.

About the Author

Stephanie Frasco is the community manager for the http://myreviewsnow.net website – come find out why Social Shopping is where it’s at!

May 07

Advantages Of A Pet Hotel

If you are on vacation or else you have to travel for work and there is no family left behind to look after your pet, you face a dilemma. On one hand, you could ask a friend or neighbor to check on your pet while you’re away but a pet hotel is a much better alternative and below, we outline 5 reasons why this is the case.

image

Exercise

High quality pet hotels will offer a pet walking service which ensures your dog/cat will get the exercise it needs. This also removes any concerns you may have about giving someone the keys to your apartment in order to come in and walk your pet. Some pet hotels walk your pet several times a day but check before you book.

Meals

You can be sure that reputable pet hotels will provide nutritious meals with wet or dry food from the best brands on offer. This is especially useful if your pet has issues with nutrition as you can ask the hotel to provide special meals. They also provide snacks, catnip and treats. The alternative is to rely on someone to feed your pet in your home.

Internet Access

Obviously, your pet can’t use it but you can! Some pet hotels allow you to check on your pets online. The downside is that even if the pet hotel you choose has this capacity, you may not be able to access it from where you are staying.

Save Your Furniture!

Leaving your pet alone in a house or apartment is a recipe for disaster as they can go wild on your furniture with no one left to scold them. When you return, your carpet could be ruined, your wooden table could be scratched and your sofa could be torn. In pet hotels, staff plays with your pet and curbs its destructive streak.

Variety

Although dogs and cats are the most common creatures, pet hotels often cater to a wide selection of unusual animals. If you have a puppy, it is normally easy enough to get a friend to look after it but the same cannot be said for lizards! If you are planning to travel for any length of time and have exotic pets that need care, a pet hotel is the perfect fit as it will have the facilities and staff expertise to keep it safe.

Naturally, pet hotels do not come cheap but when it comes to the safety of your pet and you peace of mind, it is well worth it!

About the Author

My name is Sarah and I enjoy writing about pet-related topics, including dieting tips, grooming advice, and where you should take your pet if you’re looking for the best dog boarding in Scottsdale, AZ.

Apr 12

Boston and the Tennis Ball

Boston Terriers can be toy addicts and when they are owned in packs they can play for hours chasing each other around to take possession of various toys like Tennis Balls, Rope toys (favorite) and more.  Sometimes they will just play with each other out of the blue and I can hear them barking, wrestling and challenging each other in the other room while working.gluten tennis ball (1) gluten tennis ball (2) gluten tennis ball (3) gluten tennis ball (4)

Feb 02

Boston on a Trampoline

My dog Gluten loves going on the Trampoline with the kids but doesn’t have the hang of jumping up and down, he just braces himself like he is suffering through an earthquake even though he is always wanting to go back on. This Boston Terrier clearly has this trampoline thing down pat!

Jan 29

Boston Terrier vs. French Bull Dog

The negotiation between a Boston Terrier and a French Bulldog, is a funny video showing a Boston bringing stuff and trying to convince the French Bulldog to do something, the captions tell a story.

Jan 27

3 Bostons on a Rope

Seriously, these dogs love rope anything, and any chance to jump, grab, tug and fight with a rope toy. This video showing how all 3 Boston Terriers jump up and grab on a hanging rope is so funny!

Jan 25

Dogs Breeds Known For Shedding

Dogs That Shed

Shedding remains a common concern among potential dog owners. Unfortunately, many dog breeds that otherwise make great pets also shed significant amounts of fur. This especially concerns people who suffer from allergies, although it will inconvenience any dog owner. Therefore, prospective dog owners should carefully consider their desire and ability to deal with a high-shedding dog and select a breed whose upkeep will meet the owner’s criteria. The following dogs are known to shed large amounts of fur:

Pugs

Most people do not think of pugs as high-shedding dogs because of their short fur, but they actually shed frequently and continuously year-round. Because their fur is short and stiff, lint rollers and vacuums cannot always adequately remove it. Regular brushing helps reduce shed fur, but it cannot completely eliminate it.

Dalmatians

Like the pug, the Dalmatian sheds significantly year-round despite its short, spiky fur. Training Dalmatians to stay off of furniture can reduce daily cleaning, but it will not eliminate it. Many owners of this breed recommend using a rubber brush instead of a bristle one.

Great Pyrenees

Unlike pugs and Dalmatians, this breed sheds excessively only twice a year. Unfortunately brushing does not easily remedy this problem, and some owners compare brushing their dog to shearing a sheep! Only owners willing to deal with large amounts of long fur should consider this breed.

Golden Retriever

Like other sporting dogs such as spaniels, the golden retriever sheds every season and requires frequent grooming. Professional groomers experienced with this breed can sometimes help keep the fur thinner and shorter without shaving it off. Feeding a diet rich in protein can reduce fur loss in this popular family pet as well as for other breeds.

German Shepherds

The German shepherd also remains a popular family pet despite its above average level of shedding. This breed sheds moderately year-round and more significantly during the spring and fall as the German shepherd adapts to the change in season. Surprisingly, the long-haired German Shepherd actually sheds less than the short-haired variety.

All dogs shed to some extent, and unfortunately no truly hypoallergenic dog breed exists. Shedding removes dead hair year-round and allows dogs in variable climates to adapt to the seasonal conditions. By avoiding the above breeds that shed more that many others, those owners who cannot cope with shed fur will help ensure that fewer pets end up in animal shelters for this reason.

About the Author:
Eric Blair writes about canine health and how supplements from NuVet Labs can greatly improve your dog’s coat.  

Older posts «