Cute Picture
March 10th, 2012 
admin 8 Best Dog Photography Tips
September 26th, 2011 admin
Eight Helpful Hints to Make Your Dog Photographs Great
Taking great photos of your dog is easy if you follow a few simple pointers.
1. Lighting – be sure that photos are taken in the proper lighting. The best place to take photos is outside.
2. Action Shots – get photos of your dog doing the things that he or she loves to do; like fetching, swimming, or playing with a favorite toy.
3. Avoid the werewolf eyes – Try not to use a flash or your pets eyes may have an odd green glow to them.
4. Use a table – for smaller dogs or puppies the use of a table or other elevated surface makes snapping your photos easier.
5. Get down to the dogs level – The best shots are the ones where the dog is looking straight ahead rather than up at you.
6. Use treats and toys – dogs will oftentimes pose for a treat or special toy.
7. Take lots of close ups.
8. Use Humor – Catch your furry friend doing funny things. Bath time is also a great time to take pictures.
DNA Testing For Mixed Breed Dogs
August 13th, 2011 admin Have you always wondered what your mixed breed dog’s ancestry is? Now finding out is as easy as collecting a sample from your dog’s cheek and sending it in for analysis. The product is called Wisdom Panel Insights and it compares your dog’s DNA with a database of over 185 different breeds.
Why Would I Want to Know My Dog’s Heritage?
A mixed-breed identification test for dogs helps reveal the breed composition of a dog. Finding out a dog’s breed makeup does more than just satisfy curiosity. With knowledge of a dog’s breed mix, owners can work together with their veterinarians to develop a more targeted care plan for their dog. Different breeds are more predisposed to different medical conditions. A dog’s ancestry can influence him/her in other surprising ways. Obvious and not-so-obvious physical traits, plus behaviors like digging, herding and barking, can all come from the various breeds in your dog’s family tree.
How Do I Collect and Submit a Sample?
The kit comes with a DNA Sample Collection Form, 2 DNA Cheek Swabs and a Pre-paid envelope. You need to complete complete the DNA sample collection form, filling in all of the questions to the best of your ability. A valid e-mail address, the dog’s name and your phone number required for processing the sample in the lab.
To collect the sample hold your dog’s head, insert the swab into his mouth, turning the bristles away from his teeth toward his cheek.
Roll and rotate the swab’s bristle head against the inside surface of your dog’s cheek for about 15 seconds. This will not harm your dog in any way. The goal is to collect a large quantity of your dog’s cheek cells for DNA analysis.
Place the swabs and one copy of the DNA sample submission form inside the pre-paid envelope and drop it in your mailbox. No postage necessary. It takes up to two weeks to get results. You can check the status of your dog’s test online on the Wisdom Panel website.
How Does It Work?
Wisdom Panel Insights only uses what are called autosomal DNA markers, chromosomes that contain most of the genetic instructions for every canine’s body make up (height, weight, size etc.). There are no markers from either the so-called sex chromosomes (the canine X or Y chromosomes). Mitochondrial DNA, or Y-chromosome DNA testing, is rather different as these parts of the genome are passed on intact from mother to daughter and father to son respectively, but are therefore only representative of either the female or the male lineage. Autosomal DNA is inherited both from the maternal and paternal lineages equally and constantly shuffled by a process called recombination at each successive generation, and therefore is able to give useful information on the breeds found on both sides of a dog’s lineage.
What Does a Report Look Like?
Page one is an ancestry chart predicting the most likely combination of pure and mixed breed dogs in the last 3 ancestral generations that best fit the DNA marker pattern observed in your dog.
Page 2 lists the 5 closest breed matches which appeared in the dog’s DNA analysis. Each is listed by percentage.
The following pages go over the characteristics and predispositions of the breeds which were detected above.
The last page is a statement of authentication certifying the analysis results.
If you are interested in finding out about your dog’s heritage, you can find the Wisdom Panel Insight at home test kit in many pet shops or you can order it online from Amazon. If you would like to read customer reviews on this product, Click Here!
Onion Toxicity in Dogs
August 6th, 2011 admin As dog owners we love to treat our dogs to our leftovers. We need to be aware of the toxic nature of some ingredients that we cook with. Two of these ingredients are onions and garlic. Onions and garlic contain theosulphate a substance that dogs are unable to process. Garlic contains less theosulphate and is therefore less toxic than onions. Theosulphate is not destroyed by the cooking process and is also found in dehydrated onions and onion powder. The good news is that it takes a relatively large dose of to be toxic (15-30g/kg).
What Happens
Theosulphate causes hemoglobin oxidation. Bubble like clumps called Heinz bodies are formed in the dog’s red blood cells. These red blood cells rupture causing the dog to become anemic. Anemia is the condition where the number of red blood cells and/or hemoglobin is unusually low. Since red blood cells carry much needed oxygen to the tissues and organs, lack of red blood cells can create a range of problems including organ failure.
Symptoms
Onion toxicity is dose dependent. If only small amounts are ingested signs may not be seen until a toxic level has been reached. The first signs are vomiting and diarrhea. Signs of anemia (lethargy and difficulty breathing) can occur up to 5 days later. Sometimes the urine becomes a reddish brown color due to the red blood cell destruction.
Treatment
If the onion ingestion just occurred the veterinarian will induce vomiting. Sometimes activated charcoal is given to absorb any leftover theosulphate in the GI tract. Supportive care is usually given in the form of IV fluids and anti-vomiting / anti-diarrheal medications. When the anemia is severe, oxygen therapy and blood transfusions may be needed.
Dog Training for Beginners
August 4th, 2011 Martin Elmer When a professional dog trainer trains the dogs, it looks very simple; but it is not. So you will probably find that even the simplest training methods are difficult. But when things look darkest, you must remember that most dogs want to please their owners. So the more time you spend training your dog, the more it will love you; and obey you. You should start to train you dog, when it is between 6 and 16 weeks. The bonds between it and you will start to take hold. So the future training will be much easier, if you earn its respect there. The pillar of good dog training is commands. But even though it looks simple, when the professional dog trainer is doing it, you might find it difficult. And the dog will probably not obey you. The success lies in the tone of the voice. It may seem like the experienced dog trainer knows a secret dog language. But actually they just know how the tone of the voice can make the dog obey. And if you practice a lot, you can learn the same. You must have a firm (but non-threatening) tone of voice to show who is the boss. If you do not establish that, you will not be able to train your dog. And it will only fear you, if you threaten or yell. Instead you should praise your dog, when it is doing something right. A positive attitude is the most effective thing in dog training. A dog is able to distinguish between right and wrong; but it is not capable of understanding the difference without the proper feedback from the trainer. So to show if it behaves right or wrong, you should use your voice. This way you teach your dog to distinguish between good and bad behavior. And remember that all dogs are trying to please their owners, so it will do everything it can to follow your instructions. As a dog training beginner the voice is the first thing you have to master. When you feel comfortable with that, you can start practicing more complicated training methods. And a final issue; the temperament and intelligence are different for all dogs. So when a method might work on one dog, it might not on another. So learn which methods work for your dog; and stick to them. For some more great information on training your dog click here!
New on Best Puppy Dog.Com: A Breeds Page
July 30th, 2011 admin I have just started working on a breeds page. I am hoping to have a link to all AKC recognized breeds to start. Later I will add some of the more common mixes as well. Here is a link to the page: Dog Breeds
Hope You Enjoy!
Keith
Selecting the Best Dog Flea Treatment
July 23rd, 2011 Alison Graham
Fleas are a lot more than an inconvenience for dog owners and their animals. They might turn into a medical issue for animals, as well as people, and having a home overrun with jumping, biting insects is a real drag for everyone. This is the reason why each dog owner must purchase dog fleas treatment.
There are plenty of over-the-counter dog fleas treatment items animal owners can obtain. A popular treatment for fleas is the flea collar. This is a collar, which is treated with contra – flea components that don’t damage animals. If your pet dog wears the collar, it discourages fleas and other insects to varying degrees. This is the one of the least effective forms of flea control. I have seen dog’s with flea collars on that are still infested with fleas.
Yet another short-term strategy is a flea bath. Special shampoos manufactured particularly for dogs and cats are offered from just about any pet shop, and quite a few department and food outlets. Cleaning a dog with this particular shampoo should really get rid of fleas at present on a pet, and many shampoos eliminate eggs as well. Unfortunately a flea bath has very little residual effect and the pet will soon have fleas again.
For those on the lookout for better, longer lasting flea prevention, a good veterinarian can provide remedies to take care of your dogs. Generally, these types of medications will be put on an area on the back of the neck every month. The most popular and effective flea products are Frontline and Advantage.
Frontline Plus is Now 47% OFF at Amazon – Click on the Banner Below to Get this Great Deal!
Dog Behavior Advice
July 20th, 2011 Sorgen Cartonter
Good pet advice is simple and practical – it doesn’t have to sound like a fancy plan. Nothing speaks better than direct experience. You and your pet are on a journey of understanding one another, and along the way you will learn about each other.
A common recommendation to follow if your dog has behavior issues is to claim your right as its master. Be strong enough to give it a set of rules and boundaries that limit it. Dogs will interpret this as a sign that they are the followers and you are the leader. If they recognize your supremacy in the household, then they are more reluctant to try and misbehave for fear of defiance and out of respect. Be cautious when trying to sound commanding though, as being too strict and domineering can cause your pet to fear you instead of respecting you.
A hungry dog can lead to a dog with bad behavior. Feed your pet properly and correctly. Feeding it too much will spoil it, feed it too little and you’ll have a malnourished dog on your hands. Learn to balance it according to your dog’s needs.
Behavior problems sometimes come from improper training. It is advised to keep your pet mentally as well as physically fit. Training not only gives your pet a reason to run around and have fun, but it also reinforces its obedience. If it’s been a long time since you’ve commanded your pet to fetch your newspaper or go after a stick, then go outside and try. A few half hour sessions a week won’t hurt either.
Being consistent is an important piece of advice in keeping your pet on its best behavior. It’s a balance of respect and friendship that you must keep from tipping. You might end up scaring your pet if you’re too commanding towards it or might spoil it if you keep on showering it with too much attention.
Click here for more information on dog training.
We’ve always had pets around ever since I was a kid
July 19th, 2011 John Sharmanalski When our family was “between dogs” I adopted the next door neighbor’s Boxer dog as my own. Despite this, as a family we didn’t have a clue how to correctly train a dog – as long as it didn’t mess on the floor, chew up our slippers and finally came on the fifth yell of its name we thought things were just fine.
Then I bought my very own dog when I got a place of my own. As she grew she changed from loveable puppy into a liability. She wandered off, never came when called and turned into the Tasmanian Devil whenever anybody called around. The final straw came when she tore into the room and scrambled up to sit on the shoulders of a visitor who had come to evaluate me for a voluntary position. He was not a dog fan and I can still remember the look on his face now…
Trouble was, I had always treated dogs as furry friends, always giving in to those sad-looking eyes and never realizing that the dogs saw me in a totally different way. Dogs are pack animals and as such they are acutely aware of their position in the pack – and you and your family are its pack, even if there’s just the two of you.
Grasp that little fact of dog psychology and you are well on your way to a happier dog. From now on you are going to make it plain to your dog that you are the Alpha male or leader of the pack and what you say goes. See that furniture? That’s mine. You lie down on the floor or in your dog basket. Don’t feed the dog tidbits from the dinner table – in fact the dog should be in his basket while you eat, and he only gets fed after everybody else has finished.
But isn’t that just being mean and taking all the fun out of owning a dog?
The leader of the dog pack eats first. He sleeps in the best spot. The Alpha male takes no notice of subordinate dogs fussing around him when he returns from the hunt. When you consistently act as leader you are communicating to your dog in a language he understands.
When you come home, ignore your dog’s frantic attempts at attention seeking until he calms down – then you praise him. It won’t be long before your dog realizes he’s gone down a few notches in the pack power structure and acts accordingly. You’ll soon find that your dog greets you quietly and quickly settles down as he’s worked out that is when he receives praise from you.
Still not confident that training your dog makes him a happier dog? Look at it from the dog’s point of view. He’s living in a human world full of confusing things and behavior he can’t understand. By not teaching your dog his place in your pack he will feel it’s his place to take charge. But this leaves him feeling stressed, resulting in an unruly and confused dog constantly trying to make sense of an overwhelming world it cannot understand.
But when you assume command as leader of the pack, you take that responsibility off his shoulders. Just like a well-trained soldier, he will be happy knowing his place, his role in the pack and what’s expected of him – and happy to defer to your leadership knowing you’ll take care of the “big stuff”.
The Issue of Crate Training a Puppy
July 18th, 2011 Shane Cowler Cute, furry and adorable – these are the reasons why we buy a puppy, right? Crate training a puppy usually does not factor into the equation at that ‘let’s get him” stage. When we get home we are reminded of the importance of crate training our new friend.
Puppy training – from housebreaking to crate training can be very frustrating. Honestly, though, it need not be too challenging if you approach it with love, tolerance and patience. Without looking for super fast results, you can methodically get your puppy to a point where they are fully house and crate trained.
Preparation for the crate training is key
Crates need to be big enough for the pup to move around in easily
Have a toy that the puppy enjoys in the crate
Get some warm blankets to cover the crate floor and make it comfy
Dogs are, by nature, territorial. If you put the crate in a remote but easily accessible space this will let the puppy have its own domain to enjoy. This will help the puppy to be comfortable in this area.
Puppies do not like being left alone. They will resist this idea with whining and whimpering. It takes a little time. Get the pup used to the idea of the crate with small intervals at first and try and coerce the puppy to go there when it wants.
It is VITAL that the crate does not become a place of punishment. Throwing the puppy in the crate when he’s been naughty will only signal bad things about the crate to him. This will make crate training a puppy at night really hard.
The success to crate training puppies at night is to ensure that they feel secure and are content. You can always encourage the pup at night to get in the crate with a treat. The thing is, dogs thrive on consistency and this is what you want to instill when you are crate training a puppy at night. Make a habit of the treats and try and keep the same times for bed.
The essential ingredient to any successful training of an animal is to have love, trust and consistency all working for you. Curb your irritation when the pup does not understand. Remind yourself that the pup most likely is not trying to be disobedient. With patience and gentle direction, you will have a crate trained puppy.
