Holiday time is coming up, and what could be better than bringing your furry four legged friend with you! Sure, there are some challenges to traveling with dogs, but if you're like me, it's a bigger challenge to leave without them. The family just isn't complete without my full pack! If you've never brought your charming canine with you on holiday before, here's some helpful advice to make your trip a bon voyage. A bit of organization and careful preparation goes a long way.

First things first. Booking. When making plans for accommodation, be sure the places you stay at are pet friendly. Sometimes hotels use this as a marketing tool so get concrete details about what 'pet friendly' means to them before booking. My Pluto is an 'in the house at my side' kind of gal. So I have to be sure that dogs are allowed inside the property where I will be. Some places provide kennels outside and prohibit dogs from entering. While this may be good for some travelers, it's not a workable arrangement for Pluto and me. We like to stay cosy together.

OK. Packing. Two words... ID Tag. This is your most essential item. If for any reason you and your dog get separated... you know where I'm going with this. Also be sure you bring your dog's most recent vaccination certificate and any other important medical documents. Hotels may need to view the papers before allowing your dog entry and it never hurts to have those papers on hand in case y... [MORE]

There are several electronic or hidden wireless radio dog fences on the market today, but a few have separated from the pack and established themselves as leaders in the industry. The Pet Safe fence is one of those. Pet Safe has made electronic pet products for many years and they have established a terrific reputation among pet owners for creating quality products that are durable and work well. The Pet Safe fence for dogs is no different. Below is a synopsis of consumer reviews of this specific wireless radio electronic dog fence.

While they are not the cheapest on the market, Pet Safe dog fences are among the best and offer several features that most of the other brands don't. First, the dog collar that is included in the system not only beeps when the dog nears the boundary, it also vibrates. This goes a long way in helping to train the dog to not even get near the boundary and greatly reduces the amount of times a correction occurs.

Secondly, the batteries that are required to run the system are regular old 9 volt batteries. Not only does this cut down on the cost involved with buying new batteries, it also makes it much simpler for owners to switch them out.

The hidden fence system comes with literally everything you need to run the containment system. It even includes over 1000 feet of wire so that you can definitely cover every area of the yard, and any bushes or flower gardens you would like your pet... [MORE]

All pups start out doing everything possible to seemingly want to annoy you, get in trouble, or worse - hurt themselves. But at the same time they are incredibly cute - they have to be so you'll still love them when they are being really bad, which happens often while they are learning how to behave in a human world.

If your puppy is misbehaving, don't fret. You can do plenty to help teach him the right way to act in just about any situation. Let's look at a very common puppy problem of nipping and how to solve the issue. If you follow this approach then you can rest assured that your pup will stop nipping in no time at all.

The Nipping Problem: An Easy Approach

It's natural for a puppy to nip while playing, and your puppy surely will do it to you, especially when he's excited. But no matter how cute he is and how harmless it seems, you must put a stop to nipping the moment it begins.

Puppies need to learn that their teeth should never touch human flesh, even in play. This will pay off when your dog grows up - he'll be less likely to bite anyone, especially if you have a big dog. And even the smaller breeds can give a good bite if the nipping behavior is not taken care of.

When you play with your pup, redirect his biting behavior to his toys, especially soft plush toys that have a satisfying "give" in his mouth and have rubber toys that you can stuff with treats to engage his interest - and his... [MORE]

Finding a good quality book to help you learn more about your new Golden Retriever is a worthwhile exercise. Even if you're only considering adding this new pet to your life, a good book will help you to know what to expect as your dog grows up and how best to train and discipline to get a well behaved breed-typical golden retriever.

There are a lot of Golden Retriever books on the market. I have a couple of personal favorites. Likewise, you may come across a book that you feel is the ultimate manual for raising a happy and loving dog. As this breed gets ever more popular, you'll find that most people have a preconceived idea about how your dog should behave. If you want to encourage the best behavior out of your pet then using a good book as a guide will help you to do so.

A book also lets you be aware ahead of time about any breed-specific risks to health and what to expect as your dog matures. It'll help you with tips on how to control barking, chewing and other common issues as well as letting you gain some insight into why your golden retriever acts the way it does.

Understanding the history of the breed can also make owning this type of dog much easier. If you can easily accept why behavior patterns occur you can easily encourage the positive and work at controlling any negative behavior you might encounter.

There are books that have been written by dedicated and experienced owners that can offer... [MORE]

A common dilemma among dog owners is choosing the healthiest and most suitable food for their doggies. There are a lot of dog foods sold in the market and dog owners are having a hard time choosing the best for their dog. Dog owners are confused whether they should buy generic food or branded products for their beloved pups. They are not sure if branded products is worthy of buying and whether the product is expensive because of a "special formula" that it has or just because of the paid advertisement by companies to promote their products and later pass the additional cost to the buyers.

Are branded products really worth buying? That is a typical question dog owners ask themselves. Several factors have to be considered in choosing the right food for your mutt. Dogs have different nutritional needs and it must be based on their breed, age, daily activities and body condition. Just like adults and babies, puppies have different dietary needs compared to adult dogs. In order to be sure that the dog meal you give to your hound is right for them, you need to consult a veterinarian. Veterinarians know what is best for your doggy. One of the popular dog foods that pet owners buy is the dry dog food.

Dry dog food usually consists of small pieces of kibbles. In buying dry food, dog owners should read first the ingredients of the product to make sure that there is no harmful ingredient included in the product. Some doggies ar... [MORE]

The year 2007 was a scary year for us dog owners, to say the least. It seemed like everyday that summer another dog food manufacturer was announcing a recall because of the wheat and rice gluten used in their formulas. As a result, a lot of owners switched to making their own home cooked raw meals. If you are one of those that like the idea of feeding your canine a raw dog food diet, but find it inconvenient or not cost effective, there is another solution called EVO.

EVO dog food is a gently prepared diet that provides benefits that match a raw or home cooked high meat diet. It is the first grain free formula that provides all the benefits of modern nutrition in a safe, convenient, and cost effective natural food.

The main concept of this brand is to create diets that mimic what their ancestors ate. Those of the wild eat high amounts of protein and barely any grain, except for what is left in their prey's stomach. EVO mimics this by using high quality, human consumable meats like duck, chicken and turkey. These protein sources offer a lot of benefits like that found in raw dog food, like stronger bones and muscles development. The essential fatty acids found in these sources also provide a thicker coat, healthier looking skin, and much more alertness.

One concern, caused by the dog food recalls, is the grains that are included in most brands. That's why a lot of us switched to making are own raw diets. But E... [MORE]

When it comes time to buy a German Shepherd you should have all the knowledge you need to ensure that you get the right puppy for you and your family. There are several tips that you can follow that make it much easier for you to get the right puppy in the end. You will have many options, sometimes hundreds of dogs to choose from, and with the right knowledge and selection you will get what you want.

Here are three tips for buying a German Shepherd:

1. Do you know which breeder is best in your area? You may be able to buy your puppy from a local breeder in order to cut back on commuting to a far off state. But even then, there is no distance too far if you know for sure you are getting the right dog. So if you have to drive a bit of a distance to find the right German Shepherd, so be it.

2. Consider the price, but do not let this totally influence your decision. You don't want to spend too much money on your puppy, but at the same time you cannot base this decision on cost alone. If you do you may end up doing business with a breeder that is not reputable and/or qualified.

3. Have everything you need before you take your German Shepherd home. This is a point that many people overlook. You must have the proper supplies before you take your dog home for its first night. This includes everything from a crate to toys to food and much more. Ask your breeder for a list of what you need if you are unsure.... [MORE]

Make Your Dog Feel Secure
The easiest way to make your dog feel secure is to bring him in his crate. A crate will contain familiar smells and provide comforting barriers between him and the other animals. If your dog is too large for a crate keep him closely leashed and bring a toy from home. This will distract him, but make sure that other dogs do not approach to take the toy, as this could cause fighting.

Be Free With the Treats
There is no shame in bribing your dog to behave. Sometimes the wait can be long, and getting your pup to sit still is very difficult. Let your dog know that his good behavior will be rewarded by slipping him treats occasionally. Make sure you feed them straight from your hand however. Once again, if any dogs approach to take a treat that has been placed on the floor it could mean trouble.

Exercise First
One of the best ways to make your vet visit stress free is by exercising your dog before his visit to lower his energy level. If your dog doesn't have nervous energy stored up, he won't be able to maintain a constant nervous anxiety. Take your dog for a short run or play fetch for a while to quiet his mind. This, more than anything else, will truly help make your dog calmer at the vet's office.

A trip to the vet's office doesn't have to be a barking, leash-tugging nightmare. With a few simple human tricks you can calm your dog and lower his stress level

If you are interested in purchasing or adopting a dog, one breed you might be interested in owning is the Rottweiler. If so, you are not alone. In fact, many people adore these strong, powerful dogs. But, before you bring a Rottweiler home, there are many things you need to know and to understand about this breed in order to make certain your home is a good match for your pet.

The Rottweiler Personality

Rottweilers are very strong dogs that have a natural protective instinct. As such, they are often chosen by those who are looking for a guard dog to help keep their family and property safe. Unfortunately, when improperly trained, a Rottweiler can also be quite aggressive, which is why this breed has been selected by those interested in participating in illegal dog fights. When properly cared for, however, a Rottweiler can be an excellent companion who will generally only bark when an unwelcome intruder has entered the property.

Rottweilers are very alert dogs that often appear to be fearless when in the face of danger. Because they are such strong and potentially aggressive dogs, however, it usually is not a good idea to bring home a Rottweiler if you have small children. Rottweilers are often intolerant of the antics of small children. On the other hand, they do tend to form very strong bonds with their owners.

The History of the Rottweiler

Taking a look back in history can make it easier to u... [MORE]

When your pooch gets sick, what do you feel? Maybe you feel uneasy and worried. It is usual for a caring dog owner to feel that way. Now, I'm not saying that if you don't feel uneasy you are uncaring owner. It doesn't look that way. On the contrary, some owners do not know how to react and others interpret them as uncaring. But before you panic, remember that it is very important to stay calm because it allows you to think. If your pup is sick you need to get it to a vet to be checked. However, there are times when you do not notice anything amiss on your pooch until one day when it suddenly urinates frequently.

One of the things you need to watch out for your dogs is their urinary problems. If your pup is urinating frequently you must be alarmed. Either it has urinary problems caused by bacterial infection or it has serious problems inside its body such as bladder stones and tumors. If your pet has kidney problems when it was born, regular check ups and monitoring should be properly administered. However, if you have a healthy pet from the start, you just have to maintain its condition. But when it has already acquired urinary problems you will notice the following signs: the most obvious is its frequent urinating, blood in its urine, pain or difficulty when urinating, and its urine has a foul smell.

It is important that you get your pup to the vet to be diagnosed. Because their might be complications and the proble... [MORE]

Are you considering a pet for yourself or your family? If you are considering adoption, there are some questions you need to consider before bringing one of those wonderful animals home.

The first question is why do you actually want one? Don't adopt a pet because it's just the thing to do or because your children are annoying you whining for a pet. Remember, your pet could be with you up to 20 years. The next question is deciding if you have time for one. The pets can't be ignored. They require those things for life such as food, water, exercise and care, along with companionship.

Another question is - are you financially able to take care of your pet? The pet can be expensive with the costs of licenses, training classes, vet care, toys, grooming, food, litter, as well as other costs. Are you ready to deal with a pet that creates problems? Pets can be trouble with furniture that gets scratched or bitten, accidents in your home, become infested with fleas, medical emergencies, among other things. Are you allowed to have a pet where you live now? A lot of rental places won't let you have pets or hold restrictions as to size and type of pet. Be sure you are aware of those rules before bringing a pet home.

You need to consider whether this is the appropriate time to adopt a pet. If you have children under the age of six, you might want to wait before adopting. If you travel a lot, adopting a pet would be better i... [MORE]

Are you aware that training your dog is a science? Recently dog training all over the world has undergone a marked change and now certain techniques are developed in order to establish a better, healthy relationship between man and dog by proper perspective and understanding of their behaviors.

Dogs have been researched during training and many theories have emerged from this. Dog training theory has been largely based on the signals a master sends to his animal.

Most training sessions consist of the learning theory that comprised of four important messages.

A reward marker : also known as a release marker, is a message sent out to a dog letting him know that he has exhibited a good behavior. You must reward your dog instantly with a treat or something he enjoys after he preforms the task you were asking of him.

Keep going signal : The signal is shown to a dog to encourage its current positive desired behavior. The "keep going" signal means exactly what it implies; if the dog "keeps going" with its current desired behavior, it will be rewarded. Words like "come on" and "excellent" should be communicated to the dog.

No reward marker : the no reward marker lets your dog know that the behavior is incorrect and it won't get a reward. This message can be conveyed through using words such as 'uh-oh' and 'try again.'

Punishment marker : denotes to the dog that its behavior has been unacceptabl... [MORE]

Does your dog bark too much? This is indeed irritating for you as well as your neighbors. Moreover, if your dog keeps on barking at night, it may cause disturbance of sleep to everybody. Your neighbors won't forgive you for that, and will not try to understand, especially if they don't have a pet at home.

Area incursion by the other stray dogs, fright for certain things or animals, and disjointing grief may be some of the reasons why dogs bark more than usual. Do not try to train your dog not to bark, as that is a completely natural characteristic of it to bark. Dogs are known due to their barking, just like humans talk; it is their way of expressing themselves. Dogs use barking as an alarm to warn its owner about some problem they sense or about some stranger who is attempting to get into the house or nearby area.

As natural as it may seem, neighbors are sure to have a problem when your dog starts barking at night or incessantly without reason. They may be right in doing so too, since it is affecting their peace. In such cases you will need to use a tool to regulate your dog's excess barking. This tool is specifically designed to keep your dog's barking in control.

Incessant barking also causes noise pollution. Inadvertent barking implies that your dog has some psychological problem with his actions; which needs to be taken care of. There are some tools like a Bark collar which are made especially for contro... [MORE]

So, you have decided on a purebred dog, now what? The most important decision you l make will what breeder to use. How do you go about finding a reputable breeder, one you can trust, that does the proper screening for hereditary problems such as hip dysphasia and other joint problems and for hereditary eye diseases. The list can go on and on. And let's not even get into the puppy mill situation!

When we were looking for a dog we found one of the best ways to make contact with breeders was at dog shows. Those participating are usually very serious about their breeding. They want their animals to be of good show quality. They want very good physical and mental qualities to stand out in their animals, after all, their names are on the line when they sell their animals.

Once we decided on the breed we wanted we went to a large show and was delighted with the contacts we made. One person led us to another who led us to another until we finally ended up going to Kansas City, MO. for our baby Great Dane.

Good breeders will have their dogs screened for all of those hereditary problems we talked about. And poor temperament can be a big issue. Breeders that don't care and only want to make a buck can spread these problems rather than working to bring healthy, well-balanced pets into the world. Temperament can be quite a problem with German Shepherds or Cocker Spaniels for example. While then can be delightful if well-br... [MORE]

So you really want a dog? Or maybe your kids are just begging you for a puppy. Whatever your reason, a puppy dog is a serious responsibility. You have to be sure that you are ready.

Here are 5 awesome reasons for wanting a puppy

• Companionship - Dogs make the best of friends
• Unconditional love - No matter what, your dog will always love you
• Loyalty - Dogs will die for you if they have to
• Protection - Dogs will warn you when people get on your property
• Joy - There is nothing like coming home to your little bundle of joy

Here are 5 bad reasons for wanting a puppy

• Cuteness - A puppy may be cute but it also comes with lots of responsibilities
• Child's request - Don't expect your children to fully care for the dog like they promised
• Masculine Breed - If you want a dog just to look tough, you will probably end up giving him away later
• I saw her on TV - Just because a puppy or dog is popular on TV doesn't make them a right choice
• Teach you kids responsibility - there are other ways to teach children to be responsible

If you reasons for getting a puppy dog are listed under the awesome reasons then a puppy will probably be the right choice for you. If some of your reasons for wanting a puppy are listed under the bad reasons then you may want to recon... [MORE]

The first tip for taking care of your puppy is to make sure that you keep your puppy warm. Puppies can't regulate their body temperatures so they need to be kept warm as much as possible. The best way to do this is to use an electric blanket that warms up. Place this under half of your puppy's bedding. If your pup gets overheated he or she can move to the unheated side to bring down their temperature.

If you have a whole litter of puppies you'll want to start to find them each good homes by around 8 weeks old. By this time the pups are no longer completely dependent on their mom for food, as they are able to eat puppy chow. If you are looking to bring a puppy home this is the age you want your puppy to be. Before you bring him or her home you'll want to make sure that you have all that you need ready for your new furry friend.

You'll need to have a place where your pet can sleep, eat, and do other activities safely. You should pick a corner of your home that is out of the way and make sure you mark it off so your puppy can't get out. This is to help keep your new family member safe and secure. This will also keep your puppy from teething on your things, such as your shoes.

Your puppy will need a comfortable place to sleep as well. One of the most comfortable beds you can make for your pup is a cardboard box that is cut to be low walled. Your puppy will be able to get in and out of bed easily while they are sti... [MORE]

When we watch the old cartoons on television we get a kick out of a dog comically eating out of a garbage can. Yes, it is funny to watch a stereotypical cartoon image of a bulldog wearing a chefs cap while eating a discarded ham bone. But, let the truth be told, in real life things hardly look like a cartoon. When you stumble into your kitchen and discover the garbage can knocked on the floor, trash strewn everywhere and your dog chewing on something you probably will not be very happy. Or, the situation could even worse. The dog may have ended up eating something that causes an injury. Needless to say, it is critically important that dog housing training will instill in the dog that eating out of the garbage is an absolute no-no.

Probably the easiest way to keep a dog out of a garbage can would be to firmly tell the dog to stop when it approaches the garbage can in a mischievous manner. If the dog is not listening to you can clap your hands really hard and yell "get out of there!" Or, you could even blow a whistle or a horn. Stranger things have been done and the dog will get the hint.

Whatever you do, do not a look at the dog shifting through the garbage can and say "Oh, the poor thing is hungry" and then turn around and feed it. But this would be the equivalent of rewarding the dog for eating out of the garbage can! Not only will you not break the dog out of the habit, but you'll be affirming the dogs bad behavior... [MORE]

For puppies, giving them instructions is not that difficult to do. But house training a dog, especially during his young adult years may yield some complexities along the way compare to doing it during the puppy years. But then, it pays if you are uncomplaining in performing it together with him.

No matter how cute or cuddly your dog is, if he doesn't know where to put his waste properly, he will surely be labeled by your visitors as a 'bad dog' or worst, 'dirty dog'. Surely you wouldn't like it to be that way, nor do you not want to be blamed for having nottrained your dog to do it in the right manner during his puppy years.

To start your dog in the house training process, it is important that you should establish a good working relationship with him. It may sound crazy, but try to talk to your dog by sharing words of encouragement to him. He may not interpret every word that you say, but he can feel the dedication you give to make him a better dog.

For training on his elimination manners, you should try to open the areas at your home, and locate where your dog goes when he has the urge to defecate. Probable he will go to the gardens or any place he considers as private for such an activity to do. Take note of the place, and allow him to go to that place again and again if he feels urges to drop his waste. But if he is litterin... [MORE]

Dog training is more than just telling your dog to stop doing what he's doing, it is the process of teaching him or her to exhibit certain desired behavior in specific circumstances. Proper training is not a "quick fix" - it is an ongoing, life-long process. It is especially important when adopting an adult animal since new owners generally have no knowledge of the dog's behavioral history. Additionally, a successful program means your dog is less likely to end up a lost pet. A dog obedience program is easy, but fixing problems born from nervousness is very hard.

Dog training is similar to raising children but more difficult for people to understand because we must communicate with the animal from a canine point of view. This requires that we have an understanding of how dogs think and perceive their world. It is an ongoing process that occurs during specified sessions and through the rest of every dog's day. The lessons taught during training times should be reinforced at all times. This training is a process that may involve treats, but too many of these treats can be a bad idea for his waistline. Use small treats and wean your animal off treats as they understand the different commands.

Dog Crate Training

One method of training a dog is by using a crate. Crating is not always easy and you have to do it consistently otherwise it will not work the way you would like it. You may also need an a... [MORE]

Did you know that one of the biggest problems for dog owners is leash walking? Every week I get a call from someone complaining about the way their dog pulls.

It can actually be dangerous for you to walk your dog if he is a really bad puller. I've seen people dragged down and hurt by how hard their dog pulls.

I'm going to share with you here some valuable tips on leash walking. Here they are:

Tip #1: Never try to walk a dog that has been cooped up all day.

If your dog has been lying around waiting for you, let him burn off some of his energy before you take him for a walk. Throw a ball, play tug-o-war, or do something to calm him down before the walk.

Tip #2: Use a gentle leader.

One of the best collars on the market is the gentle leader head collar. It works by controlling your dog's head. When you control the head you can control the body, much the same as a horse bridle is used. They really are great collars.

Tip #3: Teach him where you want him to be.

Your dog does not know that he is supposed to be walking on your side. Spend some time using a lure. Put a little piece of food in your left hand and hold it close to your dog's nose. Have him follow the lure; reward him every five or six feet. As he gets better, go for longer and longer periods.

Tip #4: Don't let your dog's opposition reflex kick in.

When you apply pressure, your dog will resist with coun... [MORE]