Innovation in the Puppy and Dog health and well-being

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There are literally thousands of different products for dog owners to spend their money on these days. This article gives you a pick of some newer products & ideas - targeted towards your dog's wellbeing and safety.

Innovative Dog Collars

Safety Release Collars

There is an argument that those nice sturdy looking traditional collars are dangerous. If the dog whisks out of your sight or is lost, and the collar becomes caught on something - well, its nice and sturdy, with its buckle, and it won't come off. This could lead to strangulation injuries as the dog tires to free itself... This idea has been around in the world of cat products for some time now, with many versions of a new safety release collar available that will come off if the collar snags on something. Its also evidently reached dog collar manufacturer's, because new safety release design collars are finally available. They feature plastic 'buckles' which 'snap open' if the collar gets caught or snagged on something. Look for the buzzwords 'snap open' in the marketing blurb.

Anti Choke Collars

Choke chains were such an everyday sight and everyday product for many years in pet stores. The next generation of products to replace them are anti choke harnesses. Manufacturers argue that traditional metal choke chains can sometimes cause health problems and dogs may cough, gag or, well, choke. Small dogs can also suffer collapsed trachea. The problem is felt to be pressure on the dog's neck and compression of the airways as the choke chain restrains the dog when it pulls forward. The pressure from traditional choke chains may also aggravate glaucoma. Anti choking newer designs look more like harnesses, and fit around the front legs and avoid the neck altogether. This is sounding like a boon for dogs, providing the design should not exert any pressure onto the chest or airways.

There are also new collars which put the pressure on the nose instead of the neck as the dog pulls. Similarly, companies claim they're better for the dog's health. Both anti choking harness designs and 'nose pressure' designs are generally advertised as more effective at controlling dogs that pull a lot than traditional choke chains.

Tracking collars

Losing a dog is distressing and there may nonetheless be laws where you live holding you responsible for its behaviour whilst 'away from home', depending on where you live. Tracking devices attach to or are incorporated in the dog's collar. The basic premise is the same across the differing technologies used - the devices send a signal from the dog's collar to a hand held device that homes in on the dog. The American Kennel Club works in collaboration with the Positioning Animals Worldwide Company who makes the Spotlight GPS Pet Locator. Other products use GPS or radio frequencies - with radio frequencies, the price tags tend to be lower but the range will be more limited. At the time of writing, radio frequency devices were selling online from $80 / 50 GBP with a range of 400 feet / 122 metres. The Spotlight device was around $200-$250 plus $8-15 monthly service fees, with similar or higher costs for other GPS tracking systems. Nothing, as they say, is perfect - if the device is attached to a snap open collar, it will enable you to locate the collar only if the collar has been discarded. This only serves to emphasize the importance of micro-chipping - should your dog be handed in to facilities with a reader, you will get a call so long as your entry on the micro-chip companies database is up to date. Readers are now in most shelters, some local authorise and most vets, depending on where you live.

Electric shock 'Anti Bark' collars

The ASPCA does not generally endorse their use and states the use of collars on puppies and young dogs can traumatise. Some Australian states have banned them by law. Training is obviously a more humane and less dangerous option. Online resources such as the Virtual Pet Behaviouralist from the ASPCA may help along with a good training expert - prolonged barking is a behavioural problem and can be safely overcome with kinder methods.

Dog Teeth Cleaning

Brush your dogs teeth 1 - 2 times weekly with a soft toothbrush to prevent caries and plaque build up. Many pet supply stores sell special rubber teeth brushes for dogs. Do not use human toothpaste. Do buy dog toothpaste - ask your vet to recommend, because dogs need specialised tooth paste to break down their dog-specific plaque. Use gentle circular motions.

'Dental' dog food products aim to clean the dog's teeth by using the mild abrasion action of dry foods rubbing against the teeth. Dental water additives also help plaque build up. You will still need to do the teeth brushing. There is a list of products approved by the USA's Vetinary Oral Health Council. Their 'Seal of Approval Scheme' is endorsed by the British Vetinary Dental Association and the European Vetinary Dental Association.

Pooper-scooper dispensers for your belt

These just clip onto your belt and mean you get at poop-scoop bags, without having to handle the doc lead in one hand whilst trying to scrabble around in your pockets. Good stress buster for you. The bags now come in 'antibacterial' with separate antibacterial wipes packs (like the ones you use on holiday) for you hands.

Visibility aids

There are fancy dress costumes for dogs, dog jumpers, dog coats... but a fluorescent dog coat or vest enhances safety. They act just like cyclists day-glo jackets, making your dog visible for traffic and people. Additionally, there are battery powered lights clip onto leads or you. Collars can be specially made to reflect light and some have battery powered lights built in, plus the new safety release designs.

Dog car harnesses

Like a seatbelt for the dog, the aim is to prevent the dog injuring itself or passengers in an accident. The dog also should have less opportunity to distract the driver by climbing around the car. Some types of anti choke harnesses double up as car harnesses.

Anti stress

Dogs suffer stress at times - firework season, moving home, trips to the vet... Homeopathic drops for oral administration & dog coats using body pressure points aim to calm anxious and frightened dogs.

You might also consider vetinary acupuncture. In the UK, there is The Association of British Vetinary Acupuncturists. In Germany, there is the German Veterinary Acupuncture Society e.V.. In the Netherlands, there is the Samenwerkende Nederlandse Vetinaire Acupuncturisten. For the rest of Europe, The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society may be able to help.

In the USA, there is the American Academy of Vetinary Acupuncture, or the American Holistic Vetinary Medical Association.

In Canada, there is the Association of Vetinary Acupuncturists of Canada.

Grooming products

There are far too many products to list individually - here's one not very glamorous idea which could be incredibly useful in hotter weather. 'Tick pickers' are plastic tools to remove ticks. Why? Because ticks bury their jaws into skin and then 'lock on', remaining in place to suck the animals blood. Never simply take hold of a tick and pull it out. Parts of the tics jaws and head can stay embedded in the skin, leading to nasty infections. The pickers aim to safely remove all of the tick, after which you clean the area with a dog friendly disinfectant. Tics shouldn't be left to 'drop off naturally '- they carry bacteria and can therefore cause infections. If you can't handle the gross factor, take your dog to the vet and have them do it while you look away. Your vet can also sell you tic repellent spray for prevention of infestation.

Norma De Bloom is fanatical about pets which puts her on a par with most other British people. What makes her stand out is that her commitment to finding the latest and greatest innovations for the general wellbeing of her pets has led her to build a series of sites including this one, at http://www.petsupplyadvice.com.

Nervous dogs-how to deal with nervous dog or Puppy

4) in situations where your dog shows fear towards strangers or visitors to the House try and explain the visitors that you prefer to simply ignore the dog completely, not even looking at the dog once or paying them the slightest bit. Very often the visitors feel the need to try and "comfort" the dog and this may lead to the dog feeling even more vulnerable.

After the dog has learned to not respond to all visitors, ask the occasional Guests "dog knowledge" to nonchalantly and without any ceremony, simply fix Treat by the dog and then walk off in another direction. It is important not to try and make a fuss dog or offer a Treat from the hand. Doing this regularly with the various guests will accustom the dog to the idea that all visitors are intruders to "den" and they are not intent on causing injury to the dog or its pack.

3) Free therapy and treatments can be very helpful to develop nerves. Diet also plays an important role. If the DOG is extremely nervous, listless, depressed or under the coat of arms of condition changes of food may be in order. Dieticians specialist and has a comprehensive veterinary surgeons, who may be able to significantly increase your physical and psychological welfare of the dog, thereby improving the confidence of a DOG and reduce nervousness. Try the Internet or yellow pages and look for holistic veterinarians and animal dietitians.

2) Keep in your mind all the time, how the language of the body affected dog shy or nervous system. They are very large creatures with the ability to sort all the dismay of noise (hoovers, washing machines, shouting at the TV). Imagine another creature, which was equivalent to the distance from the size of the DOG and you will need to knows how dog shy or nervous system can see you.

Now imagine that the creatures ' bearing down on you with eyes wide, booming voice and hands the size of the saucepans on their way to touch your face. Frightening isn't it? Well to DOG shy or nervous system may be how they see the world of people and language of the body may be misinterpreted by the dog.

The fact that you're so much bigger than him and the fact that the people at large generally tend to approach dog with upright, therefore bearing down on them, you can make the world a terrible place. Always try and narrow the difference in size with a nervy by getting down to the level. Avoid direct contact with the eyes all the time, do not wear sunglasses (PSA, look like a pair of eyes wide, staring, which will never go away), and remember, as the dog sees the world from different angles than you. Body language is important in helping nervous dogs overcome their fears.

1) Make use of other dogs. Dogs, as a rule, you will copy and emulate their canine counterparts. If you have a nervous DOG can be a great experience for his or her face friend carefully selected. Only one other dog to begin with. Let them play, Explore and nervous dog will very quickly start to absorb the confidence of their more explicit and imitated their playmate behavior around people. It may take some time, but regular "play sessions" with other dogs may be the ultimate technique for many dog food hang-ups about the life of nervousness.

Ensure a good playback is selected, this is funny, but not a boisterous and not aggressive tendencies. Not to try and help the dog into the nervous system by introducing them to playmate equally nervous, double issue. Meeting other dogs is the best hobby Done socially, where the process of "classification" can take place. Having regard to the nervous DOG somewhere where there are probably lots of other dogs may be problematic. An explanation of the problems to friends, family, colleagues and be fair concerning the need to find the dog well-mannered, sure to meet games from time to time.

Dog training and behavior-all you need to Know http://www.dogadvice.co.uk

Stop Puppy Mills now

There is no shortage of news stories reporting puppy mill Buster, and it is always tragic. But it worries me more than busted puppy Mills is that there are numerous puppy mills out there, are still operating. Some States such as Missouri, have adopted legislation to prevent the cruel practices of puppy Mills, but it will ever be enough?

What is a Puppy Mill? Basic used the term "puppy mill" to describe a large-scale commercial dog breeding, which puts profit above health and safety of dogs. These facilities operate frequently in rural areas, hide from public view. The over-breed dogs and forcing both dogs and puppies to live in appalling conditions. Puppy mills are trying perhaps to masquerade as responsible breeding kennels, but the truth is that they are prisons for dogs. Knowing all this, we might ask how these facilities manage to stay in business.

Ultimately, what keeps puppy mills in operation is quite simple; It's all about supply and demand.

No matter how hard the work of legislators and citizens in order to adopt the laws, anti-puppy mill, the "evil" find a way to hide. The only real way to stop puppy mills are to cut their profits. Puppy mills often sell their Pups through brokers, who in turn sell puppies to pet stores. In recent years, the puppy mill operators decided to cut out middlemen and sell puppies through online kennels. Create a beautiful site with cute puppy portraits, and it may be easy to fool consumers. One can only imagine what is happening behind the scenes.

WE are the ones who can make a difference. If the puppy mills cannot sell puppies, what is the purpose of the stay in business? Secure, changes do not happen overnight, but if we spread the word, we can gradually make a difference. Promise only adopt your next dog from a shelter or rescue group legitimate. Avoid so-called "designer breeds" or hybrids. If a purebred puppy, you only need to buy your dog from a responsible dog breeder with valid references. Demand to see the stables to puppies and mother dog (father, because if it is possible). Advise others to do the same. What are you doing to stop puppy mills?

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