Interesting old dog tricks for dog owners looking for fun laughter

: The teaching and training of dog tricks while not a necessary part of a dog’s education, is an achievement that offer dog owners and his friends a great deal of amusement and adds materially to the value of a dog. Training your dog tricks can be difficult and frustrating if you cannot achieve the results you want. However, unlike house and potty training which are vital education for any dog, I feel that the end-results is not the most significant element in trick training, to me the most important part is that both of you enjoy the training process and have fun along the way. Listed in this article are 3 interesting dog tricks that you can teach your dog: Dead Dog Place a dog on his back or side or in any position you may select, threaten him with your forefinger and say “dead” or any word that you may select to associate with this trick, use both hands to help him stay in that position when you first begin training. Praise him and offer treats if he can stay in position. With regular practice, he should be able to stay in the position in which you have placed him, it is only a question of practice when you can call to him and say “dead,” and he will lie down and stretch out in the position that you have accustomed him to taking. Sneezing With careful and patient training, most dogs can be taught to sneeze. This is accomplished by tickling the nose - with a feather. At first he will snap at it, and under normal circumstances, most dogs will start to sneeze; he will not like the feather very well and in course of time his imagination will foreshadow its effects and he will begin to sneeze as soon as it is pointed in close proximity to his nose. When he sneezes, use a command like “Sneeze”, to associate with this trick. As usual, praise and treat when he gets it right. By repeating this operation at odd times the dog can be taught to sneeze very creditably when you point your finger at his nose and give him the word “Sneeze,” and finally will do so simply at command. This trick can be fun and entertaining but not easily achievable especially with dominant dogs. If your dog get irritated and turn aggressive toward you when you tickle his nose, you should stop training immediately. Bringing His Tail During play, dogs frequently grasp their tails in their mouths. If you haven’t notice, if you take hold of your dog tail while playing with him, he will probably seize your hand, but if you skillfully slip his tail in his mouth he will grab it – Interesting! These facts suggested the trick of “Bringing his tail.” It is a rather difficult feat to accomplish, but it is possible for any amateur to teach it to his dog providing the dog has a long enough tail and the trainer sufficient patience - Sorry to dog owners with short tails! Anyway, this trick is very amusing, for when the dog has his tail in his mouth he can only advance crab-fashion or sideways, with a tendency to go around in a circle without making much advance. The first step in teaching this trick is to praise the dog when he first gets his tail in his mouth, and after he has held it for a few moments bid him to let go and reward him. Should he give up his hold before you order him to do so, speak sharply to him and begin all over again. When he learns to hold his tail until ordered to relinquish it the first part of the trick has been taught, and you can begin to teach him to bring it to you. To do this, step back a few feet from the dog in the direction he can most easily advance, and call him. If he releases his hold of his tail to come to you, ignore him and replace the tail in his mouth again, but when he comes without letting go he should be rewarded gradually increase the distance you require him to carry his tail, but this task is so difficult that he should not be asked to go more than ten or twelve feet. In beginning the trick, when you place his tail in his mouth say “Bring me your tail,” so as to accustom him to the command. In time you will not have to place his tail in his mouth, but merely hold it for him to grasp, and after still further practice he will seize it at the word without your assisting him. Enjoy training your dog new tricks, and most importantly enjoy the process and have a great deal of fun and laughter!

Lyme disease in dogs is a serious matter

Lyme disease is caused by an organism known as a spirochete, which is a coiled rod-shaped bacterium and named Borrelia burgdorferi. It is passed to dogs and people by deer ticks carrying the infection; the ticks get the infection from the white-footed mouse, which acts as a carrier. The only way a tick can transmit the bacteria is to remain attached to the animal's skin for one to two days. Unfortunately, these ticks are very small and easily can go unnoticed. Lyme disease in dogs has been found worldwide and in ancient Chinese medical literature they actually describe a syndrome very similar to Lyme disease, thousands of years before Lyme , Connecticut was named. In the United States , more than 90% of the cases occur in the Northeast, with California and Mississippi second. Lyme disease in dogs is fairly common, but rarely seen in cats, although some cats have been infected with it. The main clinical signs of Lyme disease in dogs include a sudden yet recurring lameness that may shift from leg to leg. Sometimes this lameness is associated with a fever and depression. Occasionally you will see swollen lymph nodes. Sometimes the joints may be swollen, feel warm, and it's very painful. The dog infected will usually walk stiffly with a hunched back. Lyme disease in dogs is really very painful and they commonly are very sensitive to touch and may cry out with even the slightest touch. Many dogs with Lyme disease that were diagnosed with slipped discs in their neck and crying in pain and it was actually Lyme disease causes muscle spasms in the neck and they only improved when they were administered the appropriate antibiotic. Sometimes you will see the classic red round target lesion around a tick bite on your pet and within a few days they may show the signs of lameness, fever and sensitivity to touch. If you suspect your pet has Lyme disease, take them to the vet immediately for treatment. Treatment Treatment involves the use of an appropriate antibiotic, such as doxycycline, for at least three to four weeks. Prognosis Dogs should begin to show signs of recovery two to three days after beginning treatment. However, the disease may recur within a few weeks or months; in these cases, the dog will need to return to antibiotic therapy for extended periods. Prevention There is a vaccine for the prevention of Lyme disease. Quick removal of a tick also will help prevent Lyme disease because the tick must remain attached to the dog's body for one to two days before the disease can be transmitted. Consult with a veterinarian about the different tick prevention products that are available, as they can be an effective way to prevent the disease. The sooner you start treatment, the sooner your pet will be without pain.

The bull y and strong dog staffordshire terrier

The Staffordshire bulls are known for their great strength because of their sizes. Their variety is muscular and stocky but is also known for their agility. Surprisingly, this breed is one of the two breeds recognized by the UK Kennel Club as very suitable for children. Furthermore, their types ranked 5th when it comes to dog popularity in the UK, where the breed originated. Interestingly, Staffies are the only breed of dog that are "totally reliable" when it comes to standard of breed. The following are some of the basic facts breeders would really love to know about Staffies: Category: Terrier Living Environment: either indoors or outdoors Coat: smooth (or silky like most terriers), dense, and short Colors: black, brindle, red, blue, fawn; or any of these colors mixed with white Height: between 14 and 16 inches Weight: between 24 and 38 pounds Colors: brindle, blue, black, red, fawn, white; or any of these with white Temperament: aggressive towards other animals but very friendly with children Health Issues: heat stroke, cataracts, and breathing problems Care and Exercise Tips: • Bathe when necessary. • Brush their coat only occasionally using a brush with firm bristles. • Rub down their coat with a chamois or towel to remove hairs that are loose. • Their physique requires a regular exercise routine which includes a daily play time while on a leash. • They should be on leash while walking in public places. Origin/History: The Staffordshire bull terriers, also known as the Staffies, are known to have existed around the 17th century. Since dog fighting gained a surge of popularity over bull baiting, it became a must to develop a breed of dog that is agile, strong, and has a more punishing head than the Bulldog. In this light, fighting Bulldogs of that time were crossed with some terrier blood. The hybrid was known as the Pit Dog or the Bull and Terrier. The new cross breed became well known for their tenacity and courage, and despite their reputation of being furious with other animals they were excellent companions especially with children. The Staffie pit dog became a favorite of steelworkers and miners alike. The breed also provided chain makers of the "Black Country" with extra income when worked against ratters or badgers. The enforcement of the Humane Act in 1835 completely prohibited sports like dog fighting and bull baiting. However, a group of men in the Staffordshire chose to maintain their breed of dogs by introducing them to the show business. Through the years, the breeders themselves changed the name of the dog into Staffordshire bull terrier to differentiate its physique from the English bull terrier. However, the name of the dog was officially registered only in 1935 by the American Kennel Club. In 1938, a couple of Staffies gained popularity as Champions at the Birmingham National. The popularity of Ch. Lady Eve and were Ch. Gentleman Jim reached many established countries including France, Australia, Germany, Spain, Holland and even the USA. Since then, Staffies became successful as show dogs and were very popular as compared to other terriers. The Stafford bull terrier, yes, has become a popular pet while still retaining reputations gained through generations of fighting dogs bred for tenacity, courage, agility, and most importantly, its reliability and great affinity with people especially with children. And today you can say that the bull is not so bully after all! In fact, the bull is totally reliable as children's pets.

What you should know before deciding to buy puppies

They are cute, cuddly and have all of the love in the world to give. But in return, they expect the same from you. If you plan to buy puppies, then you are in for a treat and a workout all at the same time. These little furballs are full of energy and cannot wait to unleash it on you, but there is nothing better than a wag of the tail when you walk in the door. People buy puppies for different reasons, including companionship or to raise them for breeding. There are a number of locations to buy puppies, including animal shelters or directly from breeders. If you buy puppies from an animal shelter, you are literally saving a life. If you are planning to spend money for your new pup, there are some important considerations to think about before adopting the newest addition to your family. The first thing to consider if you plan to buy puppies is their demeanor. If you want a companion, some types of dogs are more ideal than others and this is especially true if you have young children in the home. A gentle dog is the best kind for children or the elderly. Even though almost every kind of puppy is rowdy, certain ones will grow up to be gentler than others. It’s a good idea to read up on the various breeds from the American Kennel Club so that you will know what kind of puppy you want and which will best fit your lifestyle. Now, do you have the space for a puppy? In the beginning, nothing is puppy-proof and you have to be ready for anything. Because they have a lot of energy, puppies love to play and they will need a lot of space to enjoy. If you plan to keep your new pup inside, be sure that you have a yard that is large enough for him/her to run and play in during the day or, at least, to go for several walks in. The next thing to consider when you buy puppies is whether or not you have the time to take care of them. Puppies require a lot of work and, if you are keeping them inside, possibly a lot of repairs to your home or furniture. You will have to train your puppy, which takes time, and also make sure that he/she has plenty of fresh, clean water and is fed on a regular schedule. Puppies need to be fed several times each day and, like babies, it’s best if they are on a schedule. Don’t forget bath-time because a puppy that plays hard will need a good scrubbing. The good news is that if you start giving them a bath early when you buy puppies, they will be better behaved and become more adapt to the process as they get older. You probably do not want to be trying to teach an 80lb. Labrador Retriever that a bath is normal.

How to help a dog suffering with arthritis

Is your beloved dog suffering with arthritis? There is no cause for worry as you can get the right medical aid with natural treatments for your dogs. First, however, it is essential that you are properly informed of what arthritis is all about. You must know how your dog became infected with the disease and how he or she can recover quickly. The immediate response of many dog owners that have discovered that their dog is infected with arthritis is to go the nearest veterinary. Though this is good, you need to be aware that there is a better alternative to the problem of arthritis in your dog. The solution is natural treatment for dogs with arthritis. Not many people are informed about natural treatments for dogs with arthritis. It is not as complicated as many thought. And also, there is nothing diabolical in it. It is just an alternative solution to the medical aid we get from our doctors. What is arthritis and how does it affect your dog? The inflammation or swelling in a joint is referred to as arthritis. The causes include the following: - Abnormal bone or joint development - Instability of the surrounding ligaments and tendons - Damage to joints - Infection - Injury caused by immune system Though there are anti-inflammatory medicines in the market for the treatment of arthritis, there is a better approach to its treatment. The approach is a natural treatment for dogs. The following are tips that will greatly assist your ailing dog with arthritis. - It is essential that you have your dog placed on slip-free flooring. A slippery floor will not be of help in the treatment of arthritis in your dog. This is because your dog needs to have a firm grip on the floor while recuperating. It is therefore recommended that you have a rug or carpet in place. - Swimming has been discovered to be of great help in the treatment of arthritis in dogs. Swimming is a no-weight bearing activity that will help your dog recover quickly from arthritis. It is advisable that the swimming is monitored so that the dog doesn't drown in the pool. Swimming will help exercise all the parts of the body of your dog. - It is recommended that you give your dog a soft bed in the quest for recovery. Your dog needs all the rest he or she could get on a soft bed that can cushion its ailing body. Just like a slippery floor is detrimental to your dog's recovery, a hard bed is not ideal for him either. - A peaceful and quiet environment is what your dog with arthritis needs to recover from the disease. Let your children be informed of this as your lovely dog may not be tolerant of their noise and playfulness while recuperating. - A good massage could also be what your ailing dog needs to get off arthritis. A gentle massage from you might provide the much needed assurance of your love for the dog. But if you cannot do it for some reason or other, it is advisable that you employ a professional animal massage therapist to do the job for you. The massage will increase flexibility, blood circulation, and calmness which go a great length in giving your dog the good health he or she deserves. Above all, you must be aware that recovery of dogs with arthritis takes a while. Hence, it is worthwhile giving them that extra attention that they need. Give enough time to your dog as he or she recovers from arthritis. A natural treatment for dogs with arthritis is highly recommended when you can't afford the huge fees charged by veterinary doctors out there.