2007 | ePetsDirect Insider

Soulard Dog Parade - funny dog costume

Email to a Friend Darren December 14th, 2007

Soulard Dog Parade - funny dog costumes - 3.jpg, originally uploaded by KDern.

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Is your cat tooo fat?

Email to a Friend Kristi November 21st, 2007

Unlike humans, who tend to deposit fat under the skin to form obvious rolls of fat, cats tend to deposit fat within their abdomen, where it is less obvious visually.
Though in some cats it may be obvious, there is no single method to tell if your cat is overweight. The following questions will give you a rough guide though.

1. When stroking the side of your cats chest, can you feel the ribs when applying gentle pressure with your fingertips?

2. When looking at your cat from above, does he/she have a waist? In other words, do the sides taper in before the hips?

3. When applying gentle pressure to the midline of your cats back with your fingers can you feel the bony vertebrae and gaps in between them?

4. Can you feel your cats hip bones protruding slightly when you stroke his/her back end?

5. Does your cat seem slow to get up and move about, or generally lethargic?

6. Does your cat get matted around his/her lower back?

If the answers to questions 1-4 are no, and to questions 5-6 are yes, then your cat is probably overweight. Take a look at our sliding body condition tool and see if you can recognize your cats body shape.

Author: Dr Matthew Homfray
Website: http://www.televets.com/
Description: A new pet Q&A service connecting pet owners worldwide directly with veterinarians, vet techs, vet nurses, behaviorists, trainers, breeders, groomers, homeopaths and general enthusiasts. Visit us today, you will be impressed by the quality of our experts and the speed with which they respond to your question

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Traveling with your dog this holiday season

Email to a Friend Kristi November 21st, 2007

Dog travel is one of the most exciting activities for dogs yet the most exhausting task for the owner. This is due to the fact that dogs also have motion sickness and it is also annoying to bring along all the pet travel kits that is necessary. Dogs are the kind of pets that needs to be well-fed or else they will unstoppably bark and roam around feeling distressed.

To avoid this kind of situation, you can just look for the right and useful tips to make sure that you won’t have any hassle in the trip once you bring along your pet with you. For the benefit of every pet owner, here some of the important tips in buying dog travel supplies:

• Look for the kind of dog travel supply that will combine safety with convenience not only for the part of your dog but for you as well.

• First, make sure that your dog will never leave your side especially during the travel by purchasing important tools and kits like safety harness, chains and other stuff.

• If your dog is your only passenger most of the time, make sure that you will buy the safest and most secured seat belt with a lockable buckle so your dog will not have the opportunity to jump our of the car window.

• Also make sure that your dog has his own safety harness inside the car because he might need this especially when there will be sudden stop and bumps that may cause dizziness to your beloved pet.

• Look for dog travel supplies that are easy to use or install, requires simple cleaning or washing, and won’t be torn apart too easily.

• To protect your car seats, it is also advisable for you to buy pet seat covers to avoid stains and pet odors.

• Make sure that the affordable cost of your dog travel supply goes along with the right quality. Of course, you will choose a kit that will last for a lifetime without giving you too much cost.

• You might also try pet barriers inside the car to protect the driver, passengers and your furry friend as well.

• To avoid pet injuries, you might also buy a dog ramp in order to give your pet a simple and safer way of going out of the car.

• To avoid messy food and other leftovers, you may also purchase a dog traveling dish or food dish so that your dog’s drink and food will always be clean, safe and fresh.

Author: Andrei Smith
Email: www.dogtravel-4less.com

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Dogs , Pet Accessories , Pet Care , Pet Products , pets
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Teaching the “Quiet” Command

Email to a Friend Kristi November 20th, 2007

For some reason my dog barks at other dogs even when the other dog isnt barking at all. She just barks and barks and barks at other dogs. I really was not sure what to do but then I came across a great article about teaching the “quiet” command.

Behavioral therapy to control barking is not only gentle, but fun; it’s usually very successful; and it’s very long-lasting. Teach the dog that the word “quiet” means to stop barking. The simplest way to do that is to have the dog with you, get him to bark by excited play or whatever–bark at him, he’ll mimic you. Then after a few barks, gently hold his mouth shut as you say “quiet”.

He has to be quiet because you’re holding his mouth shut. You then praise him lavishly for being quiet with something like “Good quiet, that’s it, good quiet!!” Repeat that a few times and soon the word “quiet” will be learned.

This may also be the first time the dog was praised a lot for shutting up. Once the dog knows what “quiet” means and that it’s lavishly rewarded, you begin to communicate effectively in an actual situation. When the dog begins to bark at something, the first thing you say is, “Good dog, that’s it!” “Good speak!” That ought to confuse the little whipper!. It may be the first time you praised him for barking.

Your voice is excited and full of praise. You immediately follow that with a neutral, “okay” and then a firm “quiet”. Then, of course, you reward the silence by sincerely praising the dog for shutting up. The entire routine sounds like this: “Good dog, good speak!” “Okay.” “Quiet.” “Good quiet!!!” Goooood quiet!” There! You’ve just successfully communicated exactly what you mean to the dog–that it’s okay to bark at the stranger, but after the initial alert, stop.

The article goes on to state:

There are many okay barking circumstances, so you want to control the act, not eliminate it. Don’t teach the dog that all barking is bad, because that’s not true. Control is the key here, and this may be the first and only time that that’s so. With most problems, your goal is to eliminate them.

With barking your goal should be to teach discrimination. You’ll never be glad your dog bit you, but there sure are times you’ll be glad he barked.

To read the article in full click http://www.terrificpets.com/articles/stories.asp?art=18
Author: Dennis Fetko, Ph.D., “Dr. Dog
Email: www.DrDogsBehaviorSolutions.com
Website: http://www.DrDogsBehaviorSolutions.com
Description: The author, Dr. Dennis Fetko, “Dr. Dog” is a world-renowned animal behaviorist who has appeared on the 20/20 television show, managed the reintroduction of captive-bred Arabian Oryx into the Saudi Arabian National Wildlife Research Center, and made a presentation at the South American Veterinary Congress. His ebook, Dr. Dog’s FAST, EASY FUN Behavior Solutions, reveals his proven methods for eliminating barking, jumping, chewing, digging, pulling and his puppy housetraining methods. Learn more at http://www.DrDogsBehaviorSolutions.com.

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Dog Training , Dogs , Pet Training , pets
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Time changes most everything

Email to a Friend Darren November 16th, 2007

I thought this post was great. Check out the growth of these dogs over time.

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Top 10 Pet Cities

Email to a Friend Darren November 5th, 2007

Forbes Names Colorado Springs Friendliest City for Pets

TOP PET CITIES

1. Colorado Springs

2. Portland, Ore.

3. Albuquerque, N.M.

4. Austin, Texas

5. Charlotte, N.C.

6. Virginia Beach, Va.

7. Kansas City, Mo.

8. St. Louis, Mo.

9. Seattle

10. Denver

In the Forbes survey, Colorado Springs landed in the top 20 in all categories factored into the rankings: public park acreage, dog parks, pet supply and service businesses, and veterinary facilities and costs. The Springs has more than 10,000 acres of public park space, or almost a tenth of an acre for every pet, seven dog parks, and 113 veterinarians, the magazine said. Colorado Springs fit a profile similar to the other winners in the top 10: a small to medium size city with a median population of 507,000 people. All are “large enough to draw lots of pet shops, vets and public parks, but small enough not to drown out such amenities with overly dense populations,” the magazine said.

To learn more about the survey and see photos of winning cities, visit forbes.com.

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WHY EXERCISE WITH YOUR DOG?

Email to a Friend Kristi November 5th, 2007

You both need it! Lack of activity is a fact of modern life for humans and canines. Nature designed us both for constant activity. Even today, primitive peoples - and primitive dogs like wolves - are constantly on the move. The search for food and shelter works their bodies nearly every waking moment. Those unable to endure simply perish.Success has replaced the strain with stress. We no longer toil long hours tilling the soil by hand. Dinner now waits in the microwave. Our companion dogs no longer spend the day running down wild animals for food magically appears in the bowl. Life was hard, but simple for our ancestors. All could be answered with one of a pair of solutions: fight or flight. Uninhibited effort was always the answer. Early man could, literally, run away from his problems. This is obvious with the threat or fear of attack, but even starvation was generally avoided through migration.

I just noticed today that I have not had a chance to walk Keltee for 4 days. I feel so bad that she has been cooped up in the house. So I wanted to be motived to get myself out the door with my dog instead of just going to the gym where I have to leave her at home.

Exercise leads to longer life. Increased strength, endurance and flexibility directly give us the the ability to better deal with modern times. The effort invested in exercise pays dividends. Research has proven that, within limits, we get back two hours in increased life span for every hour spent working out. As mentioned, as always, there is an end to a good thing — nobody has managed immortality through exercise! Not only the quantity but also the quality of life is improved. Physical discipline provides many psychological rewards. Most experience a heightened sense of well being during training. This has been described as the `runners’ high.’ Other athletes report similar sensations. An exercise regime promotes a positive attitude towards life in general. Of course, physical activity provides weight control and muscle tone. An improved appearance never hurt anybody’s feelings!

Exercise helps both people and dogs to lose weight in a number of ways. An enormous number of calories are burned while working out. Exercise engenders a faster metabolism so that fat is being burnt up even during rest. Also, muscle tissue uses more calories than fat tissue. Since muscle grows with exercise, the loss of fat is compounded yet again.

Ya. this sounds great to me. Maybe some uphill runs tomorrow. Below are some tips for excercising specific breeds.

Now take a look at your dog. A breed like a Pekinese or Dachsund has a very limited capacity for exertion. The short legs, long spines, and poorly developed hips simply don’t allow for much exercise. These little guys will love to take a brisk walk with you, but be prepared to cary them most of the way on a long hike. The toy breeds have great spirit, but caregivers must be realistic and considerate of their pet’s limitations.

The hounds, spaniels, terriers, collies, retrievers, pit bulls, and sled breeds have tremendous stamina. This should come as no surprise, since, in the fairly recent past, for the grandparents of these dogs rest, not exercise, was the rare commodity. The hard life of the people simply did not permit the luxury of catering to pets. Dogs had to help the entire family to eke out a living. The Akita is also noted for physical prowess. The sight hounds, like the Greyhound and the Afghan Hound, were born to run

Special mention must be made of the German Shepherd and the Rotterweiler breeds. Healthy examples will out run all but the most physically fit humans. Unfortunately, these breeds are notoriously prone to hip dysplasia. There are varying degrees of this chronic condition. The milder forms will actually be helped by exercise. More severe cases will only be able to tolerate a mild routine. The worst cases will not be able to stand any prolonged activity. Your dog’s veterinarian will tell you what to expect.

For a complete copy of the article see PETCRAFT.

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Dachshund , Dog Breeds , Dogs , Pekinese , Pet Care
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Haute Dog Howl’oween Parade and Pet Adoption

Email to a Friend Kristi October 31st, 2007

HHAUTE DOG organization (pronounced “HOT”) is a diverse and growing network of dog owners, lovers, educators, rescuers and supporters. Our common bond has resulted in a unique and lively community of folks who share some qualities of our favorite dogs: devotion, spirit and tenacity.

7th ANNUAL
Haute Dog Howl’oween Parade
with Vendors & Pet Adoption Fair
–––––––––––––——–––––

THE PARADE IS
Sun., Oct. 28, 2:30 p.m. The start/finish is at Livingston Park, 4900 E. Livingston Dr. (@ Park Ave. in Belmont Shore), Long Beach, 90803. The 12-block sidewalk parade takes place on Second St. between Roycroft and Granada avenues and lasts about an hour in Long Beach California.

For more information visit: http://www.hautedogs.org/howloween.html

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Cheney’s Dog Darth Vader for Halloween

Email to a Friend Darren October 31st, 2007

ABC News’ Jennifer Duck Reports: The Vice President’s dogs may beat the President’s dogs in the best dressed category this Halloween.

Late night TV shows have ridiculed and compared Vice President Dick Cheney to Darth Vader.

So in a wicked response, Cheney dressed one of his dogs, Jackson, as the famous Star Wars character. Cheney’s other Labrador retriever, Dave, is dressed up as superman.

The canine costume may also be a jab at Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.

In September after the Democratic-led Congress failed to persuade congressional Republicans to force the President to change course in Iraq through legislative means, Clinton told supporters at a New York fundraiser, “You can always tell when the Republicans are restless — because the Vice President’s motorcade pulls into the Capitol. Darth Vader emerges. And honestly I’m not invited to their meetings I don’t know what he says or does.”