Posts Tagged ‘dogs’

With Dog GPS, Never Lose Your Pet Again

Saturday, July 4th, 2009
by Adam Webster

Do you know what a dog GPS is? Are you willing to learn about a system that will allow you monitor your dog 24 hours every day so that your dog can no longer go out of sight? No more fear of losing your dog, and you have the assurance of recovering it even when it is stolen. Just read on and know more about it.

GPS when expanded reads Global Positioning System. The dog GPS is a system that is electronically designed to monitor the movement of dogs. Many dog owners have faced the challenge of losing their dog or the dog may come back home late. You can easily locate the where about of your dog with the electronic tracker. The dog GPS consists of two parts; the GPS collar that is usually fastened to the dog, and a receiver that displays information for the dog parent or owner. There are various types of dog trackers in different sizes and prices. The Dog GPS produced earlier are bulky but more recent ones are lighter and portable.

The mode of operation of the dog GPS varies as the types. Most trackers use rechargeable battery. In some types, alerts from the collar are received via e-mail; fax or GSM while there are modern once that have alert receiving device held by the owner.

The dog GPS has a number of advantages over the manual dog tracker. The manual dog tracker consists of a simple collar on which is written, important tracking information including name of dog, owner’s address and relevant contact information. But in a situation where the wonders away from residential areas so that people can not see it, the manual dog tracker can not do any thing.

The dog GPS will send alerts indicating the geographical location of the dog. When your dog goes astray beyond the stipulated boundary, the alerts will enable you to know on time. You can then follow the data to track the direction of the dog. You now know where to go and find your dog.

The dog GPS enables you to know where your dog has been when it returns. With this information, you can monitor the activities of your dog. Some dogs develop the habit of visiting certain places often if food is present or there is a companion dog.

The Garmin is an example of Dog GPS. It is designed in such a way that it does not need GSM to work. It can work anywhere on earth and in places which do not have GSM coverage. It does not also require monthly payment or additional communication fees. Some have special advantages. With Some you can set up a GPS fence which makes the device to produce audible alarm whenever your dog goes beyond the defined perimeter. It includes an LCD screen which displays information about your dog’s location, direction and velocity. It does not require installation and it can track up to three dogs at a time.

The Gamin astro does not also use GSM modem. Information from your dog is transmitted via radio signals. It consists of a hand – held colour screen GPS device and a transmitter referred to as DC 20. The device is first activated by taking both the hand- held and the transmitter out doors and turning them on to acquire GPS signals from the satellite. The DC 20 can then be attached to the dog. This system can track as much as 10 dogs simultaneously.

The GPS technology has found application not only in tracking of dogs; it can also be used to track vehicles, animals and human beings including children.

About the Author:

Decisions To Make Before Getting A Dog Bed

Sunday, June 14th, 2009
by Jane A Moore

Every dog should have their own dog bed. The varieties of dog beds available are as varied as the number of breeds of dogs. Across the various types of dog beds there are some common factors to consider.

1. Where will you be putting the dog bed? What areas are your dog’s favorite places to snooze. You might want to buy a bed that matches the d?cor in those areas. You don’t want to have to hide the dog bed every time you have guests. This would also be confusing to the dog. If your dog sleeps in a number of different places you might want a more than one dog bed.

2. Bed Covering: Make sure that the bed cover is removable. Most beds have a removable cover. Although fainting couch dog beds and other human like dog beds might not. Make sure the cover is durable and, above all else, machine washable. In the unfortunate event of dog fleas, you will need to wash the cover in hot water more than once. A removable cover makes this easy but even a dog bed without a removable cover can be steam cleaned. Choose a fabric that can stand up to sharp toenails and the occasional scratching. Dogs naturally paw at the ground where they want to lie and this will cause some wear and tear of the dog bed. Make sure that the seams of the cover are double-stitched and the cover has a good quality and heavy duty zipper. A stain-resistant fabric for the bed cover is another handy feature.

3. Dog beds come in a number of different shapes. There are nest beds, foam mattress beds and human-type furniture dog beds. Nest beds also good for colder climates since your dog can snuggle down inside the bed. A conventional and longer dog mattress might be the right choice if your dog stretches out when he sleeps. Dogs that sleep both ways (and generally speaking most do) might do best with a human-type furniture dog beds like a fainting couch dog bed. These beds are also conversation pieces although older dogs with mobility problems may have difficulty climbing up onto a furniture type bed.

4. Bed filling or stuffing: The basic dog bed filler choices are either solid foam or chunks of foam. Inexpensive dog beds often use a cheaper quality foam that can flatten out within several months. You will need to replace cheaper beds more often. It might be worthwhile to pay a little more for a better quality bed that will last several years. However, if you like to change things up go ahead and buy a cheap dog bed knowing that you will need to replace it. If you buy a bed with “high-loft foam pieces” then those won’t flatten out and harden over time. Another nice feature is “baffled chambers” that will keep the stuffing evenly distributed. A bed that is “baffled” into quarters will keep the stuffing from being pushed to outside edges as your dog snuggles in. Good quality solid foam mattresses can handle heavier dogs. If your dog is older or has hip problems, you may want to speak to your vet about the possibility of an orthopedic foam dog bed.

5. What size bed will your dog need? Make sure you buy the right size. A bed that is a little too big is better than a bed that is a little too small. In the event, the bed is too small the dog will simply not use it. In order to determine the proper size you should measure your dog while he or she is sleeping. Consider all of his favorite positions. Keep these numbers in mind and add 2 or 3 extra inches when choosing the right length and width of dog bed.

Armed with the above information you are now ready to buy a new bed for your dog. If chosen wisely you dog will love his new dog bed for years to come.

About the Author:

The Flat Coated Retriever: Excellent Retriever on Land and Water

Thursday, June 11th, 2009
by Michael Bosworth

There’s no question in the popularity of the Golden Retriever and the Labrador but sadly, there is a less popular breed out there that’s more excellent as a retriever in both land and water. This outstanding breed is called the Flat Coated Retriever and it hails from the United Kingdom. This breed was thought to have first existed during the middle of 19th century, was introduced in 1860 in the United States but only received stability as a breed 20 years later.

The Flat Coated Retriever was intentionally bred to own outstanding instincts in water and land retrieval of shot birds and other game. Even then until today, avid breeders think that this breed makes a great companion in hunting and at the same time, an excellent pet for the family. Outside the house, this breed is an excellent nose for hunting but inside the house, it is an amusing creature that loves and devotes itself to the family.

Compared to the Golden Retriever and Labrador, the Flat Coated Retriever is more useful but it has a disadvantage when it comes to training as it is slightly more difficult to teach. Moreover, it is the type of breed that gets bored quickly especially at lessons that gets repetitive and slow. To keep its interest, each training session should be interesting, fun, short and varied.

Patience is needed in training this breed because it is not receptive of negative reinforcements and harsh corrections. This breed is very welcoming to other people and it is never the one to start a fight and because of it, the Flat Coated Retriever does not make a really good watch dog. Additionally, its friendliness can extend as far as being with harmony with all animals such as cats, smaller creatures and other breed of dogs.

It’s also as if no situation can spoil the mood of this breed for it is in a sunny disposition endlessly. What’s more, because of its devotion, friendliness, kindness and exuberance, it makes a fun and suitable companion for everybody. Take note that the Flat Coated is also an avid playmate to children but little children should be guarded when interacting with a Flat Coated because the creature’s liveliness and playfulness often knocks little children over.

This dog’s energy and youthful playfulness is also manifested even if its still a young puppy and continues until it grows as an adult and because of this, people tag this creature as the “Peter Pan of Dogs”. The Flat Coated’s affection towards humans and animals is also manifested through its unusual likeness for kissing. In fact, when it wants to show affection to a human, it would jump up and lick that person’s face and towards another dog, they would lick each other’s mouth as a form of greeting and people call it the “flat-coated kiss”.

Since this breed is extremely active, it must be supplied with constant forms of activities and exercise in order to keep it healthy physically and mentally. Amusingly, as well, this breed is calm and restful inside the house but once it is outside of the house with the master, its natural lively disposition comes out. This breed came to the US first then the Golden Retriever but when the latter was introduced, the Flat Coated became less and less popular until it nearly became extinct if not for the efforts of the few Flat Coated believers.

There are several breeds that are said to have contributed to the stability of the Flat Coated’s breed and they are the: Collie-types for increased trainability, Newfoundland for strength, and Setter for stronger sniffing ability. This breed is called Flat Coated because its single coated fur is indeed flat, medium-length, lustrous and dense. The main and standard colors of this breed are solid black and solid liver, however, there are some that appear cream and yellow and these are considered as disqualifications by the breed standard.

About the Author:

How to Prevent Puppies from Biting

Monday, June 1st, 2009
by Joe R. Hilliard

Having a puppy is a fun experience, but that experience will sour if you dont give it proper training. For example, it may never grow out of its puppy habit of biting. People ask me from time to time how to get their puppy to stop biting, and I always tell them that this is a puppys natural behavior; young puppies like to bite and chew.

However, if your puppys biting tendencies get overboard, you should now probably think about how to get it to stop biting.

One technique to get a puppy to stop biting is by obedience training involving water. What you do is take a water sprayer, wait for your puppy to chew on something, and spray water on it. A nice, good spray, especially when caught off-guard, is a great way to get your puppy to stop biting.

Of course, for this to work you have to be around your puppy enough so that you can quickly catch and punish it whenever its doing something wrong. If you cant be around enough to catch your puppy when it is biting, your punishment will be inconsistent, and it wont work. Consistent water sprays are effective in training your dog to stop biting, but inconsistencies wont help your puppy understand its punishment.

You can also try the yelp technique, which is also effective in preventing your puppy from biting. This method is used to make your puppy stop biting you or other people, and not items around the house. What you do is when the puppy bites you, you yelp instead of being angry at your puppy.

This makes use of the pack mentality, and it makes the puppy think that by yelping, they bit you too hard and will stop biting. This is very effective in getting puppies to stop biting, and it also doesnt confuse, pressure or intimidate your pet.

Yet another technique is to use orange peels to keep your puppy from biting. Dogs dont really like orange peels, so you can put orange peels on whatever items your puppy likes to bite, and those will make your puppy keep away from that item. If you dont have orange peels then white pepper can do the job too. After your puppy has been experiencing orange peels for some time, it will learn to keep away from these items.

Overall, however, just remember that biting in most puppies is just a passing stage of doghood; most puppies grow out of this stage, and it helps if you add in a little training to make sure it doesnt continue when your puppy gets older.

About the Author:

Pet Insurance Adds A New Dimension To Flexibility

Friday, May 22nd, 2009
by Sherry Harris

Affordable pet insurance is now available for all the pets in your household. Although compared to Europeans, very few Americans insure their pets, more and more are beginning to do so. Health insurance for your pets just makes good sense. As vet bills continue to climb and we all feel the pinch of the economic downturn we are looking for ways to ease the impact on our pocketbook.

Study after study has proven that regular medical care is a prime factor in giving humans longer healthier lives. The same is true of our animal friends. If they are given access to regular medical care they will not only live longer but maintain a higher degree of energy and mobility into later life.

Now is the time to take action get insurance for your pet. Whether you are facing routine or critical care, pet insurance can help you have peace of mind. A stable insurance policy can keep you out of financial trouble should you face an emergency bill.

Preventive care is specifically tailored to make the cost of routine care affordable and when you compare plans you get a better deal. Pet insurance policies are specifically tailored for the age of your pet. Routine care plans will cover vaccinations, routine dental cleanings, lab work, and annual tooth-to-tail comprehensive check ups.

Annual preventive care for pets is even more important than it is for humans because pets age faster. A single year can be equal to 6 or seven years of human aging. Imagine your 60 year old grandmother going for nearly 10 years without medical, dental or optical care. It is easy for us to forget how rapidly time can affect our pets. This is where a preventive health policy comes in.

Basically you want to find the company that offers the cheapest price for the greatest value of services. Affordable pet insurance does not need to be low value. Many highly reputable companies offer affordable insurance that will cover accident and illness and some routine care.

A full-service pet insurance plan should cover annual check ups, emergency visits and vaccinations. The purpose of a pet insurance policy is to give you peace of mind. If your pet were to become ill or have an accident, you know that you will not have a financial burden getting medical attention because you are covered.

Affordable pet insurance is smart money management in times of plenty and in economic down-turns. Ensuring that your animals are covered in the event of accident makes good sense. Our pets are members of our families and we want the very best for them. We also do not want to face the devastating time when we have to put down an animal that could have been saved because of economic necessity.

About the Author: