The holistic philosophy of health, environment and spirituality of the concept, you can hear more and more, and if you’ve ever wondered what it means exactly what it is not as difficult as you think. Holistic philosophy is the philosophy that relates to an integrated system, it is the belief that the components are fully interconnected and that all the affecting part only affect the rest of the Whole. This is basically the belief that all systems work together, and nothing is separate.

Holistic approaches to preventive care to animals become very popular among pet owners and even the scientific community has begun to embrace the concept. Many common veterinary practices are becoming more open to a holistic approach to help cure their patients. Some veterinary practices even offer alternative methods of treatment and working with chiropractors, nutritionists, acupuncturists, herbalists and massage therapists to meet the demand of its customers for healthy and safe medical alternatives for their pets. Because prevention is always better than cure and more pet owners are looking at alternative ways to maintain your pet’s health and quality of life.

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One of the most important aspects of holistic careis pet food. Provide your pet with a healthy and nutritious diet is one of the best ways to prevent diseases and health problems. How to avoid the harsh elements in the digestion of poorly designed food is crucial if you want to build your pet’s health and increase his immune system.

Intestinal tract of animals is not designed to handle toxic buildings as a result of chemical and bacterial agents. Feeding your pet a nutritionally poor diet or one that is full of preservatives and chemicals can lead to chronic diseases and health problems further down the line.

Another important part of holistic medicine is the emotional stress. Dogs are vulnerable to stress, as we do, and decrease their level of emotional stress, helps them both physically and mentally. Many professional dog trainersbegan to take a holistic approach in their teaching methods and assessment of the dog, they would be considered animal diets. There have been many cases where the earlier aggressive dogs were calmer and more manageable simply by improving their diet. Toxins in food can lead to dramatic behavioral problems and offering the dogs a balanced and nutritious diet can make a big difference in temperament dogs.

The nervous system plays an important role in the welfare of the whole and acupuncture, acupressure and massage, have been used for centuries to treat many chronic and debilitating conditions. These alternative treatments were a lot of traction among pet owners, despite the fact that there is no scientific explanation available as to why these treatments seem to work so successfully.

Getting a new dog or puppy can be a time of great fun, but it can also be a time of anxiety and new responsibilities. Will this new addition to your family be easy to live with? Will he or she be finicky and hard to train? How will your new dog get along with children? A little research, time, and patience can help build a wonderful new relationship. Here are some tips that can help put things into perspective and help ease the transition from stranger into beloved family member.

Make sure you get a breed of dog that fits with your personal situation. If you have a family, of course, you will want an easy going and kid friendly breed. In regards to your living situation consider whether or not your living space can accommodate a big energetic puppy or a smaller mellower, maybe even older, dog?

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Take your dog to the veterinarian for regular check-ups. This keeps your dog healthy and safe. If you do not have a vet, call a local shelter or other pet-owning friends for referrals. Give your dog a nutritionally balanced diet and plenty of access to water. Your vet can help you determine how much, how often and what kind of food your dog needs.

Give your dog plenty of exercise to keep him in shape. Dogs that get enough play time and plenty of room to run around live longer and have a sense of well-being. They also tend to be better behaved. Enroll your dog in a training class. Training ensures your dog can be a well-behaved companion, and it strengthens your bond with your new dog. It is important for your dog understand how to behave around people and other dogs.

Make sure your dog has tags and proper licensing. Your dog needs identification with your name and contact information as well as a license that shows that his shots are up to date. Hopefully, you will never have to deal with a runaway dog, but with the proper tags and license, you have a much better chance of finding him again. You might also consider micro chipping your dog. A microchip ID will give you a much better chance of finding your lost dog, as it can be scanned by a vet or animal shelter. Even if the collar gets lost, all your information can be found, and your dog can be more easily reunited with you.

Finally, be patient. Have reasonable expectations and remember most behavior problems can be solved.

Dog is a pet and  domestic animals that are kept by individuals in our various homes,cities and other parts of the world.

Dogs are trained by all and individuals with various reasons.
Many also believed that rearing dogs is a way of life which is quite different from other peoples views.
Now let us look at various reasons why we keep and trained dogs in our homes

The followings are importance of keeping dogs in our homes
1 DOG SERVES AS SOURCES OF INCOME-Many people today rear and keep dogs just for the purpose of raising money for their living and revenue generations.

2 IT SERVES AS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PEOPLE-Majority of people today are engaged in dog rearing and keeping business that serves a source of employment and jobs for them.
They devote all their time,money and energy and all other available resources towards the rearing and keeping of the animals

3 DOGS HELPS IN GIVING AND TRANSFERRING INFORMATION-Dogs are kept in order to give an alert whenever there is danger looming around our homes and vicinities.
Examples are when  people of questionable characters are around the house the dogs will bark and give sound that people are around thereby making the whole people wake up and  be at alert .

4 DOGS ARE KEPT FOR HUNTING PURPOSES-Many farmers and hunters today used dogs as their companion when they are out for hunting and farming
The dogs are used to detect where animals are hidden in the bush by hunters and farmers.
They also serves as an escort and defense for the hunters and farmers when going out for farming and hunting.

5 IT IS USED AS EXPERIMENTAL PURPOSES BY PSYCHOLOGIST-The psychologist used dogs as an experiment to determined peoples and workers behaviors and attitudes towards their duties which automatically affects and impact the level of success achieved by the company or establishment.
In this way they used two model approaches which are

1 COERCIVE METHOD APPROACH MODELS

2 MOTIVATIONAL METHODS APPROACH MODELS.

1 In coercive method approach models, dogs are  coerced and forced and threatened to do or perform certain acts under duress which made the dogs to be very stubborn and fierce and turned to be aggressive without listening to his masters voice or instructions.

When dog is forced to drink water first without first giving it food to eat,it will refuse and feel reluctant to drink water no matter amount of pressure mounted on it will not make it drink water.

2 In motivational methods approach models,the psychologist assume that if dogs are given food first instead of water and after eating and finished with the food,it then have ability to drink from the water without anyone forcing it to drink water and if the dogs are motivated every day by way of regular food intake and be given all necessary attention due to it the dogs will performed to expectations.

If there are enemies around the dogs will bark and give a sign that the keeper will know that there must be cogent reasons while the dogs barks and prepare himself ready against any attack.

He then likened the studies of this dogs behaviors to the work environment whereby if the workers are handle and controlled by coercive leaders,there will be low productivity and failures in business in general but if the workers are motivated from time to time and given all necessary assistant by the employer that will enhanced their life positively they will performed better and this will enhance and increased production levels and also maximize profit.

He therefore suggested that employers of labor can boost and maximize profit if their employees are motivated adequately while non motivated employee will not put in their best in promoting and developing the company or organizations.

6 IT IS USED IN COMMUNICATION PURPOSES-Dogs are used in communication purposes such as sending them on errands to deliver parcels and messages from one place to the other.
In the developed world some experts used dogs to distribute letters and parcels of envelopes to the owners.

Bags are tied round the waist of the dogs with lots of pockets that can contain letters and parcels inside,then the dogs are directed by the owners to go and deliver it to the owners in the neighborhood the first time while the dogs can go and deliver another messages next time.

7 DOG SERVES AS A COMPANION-This means that dog helps in keeping companies with people.

It will not let someone feel lonely and helps in domestic activities but sometimes cruel if condition is not conducive.

8 IT SERVES AS SOURCES OF FOOD FOR THE MASSES-Dogs are used a s meat for consumption by both people who rear it and those who buy them for food consumptions
The meat and the flesh are full of fats and protein substance that helps in healthy growth.

9 DOGS ARE USED TO TEST IF DEADLY DISEASES ARE AROUND BY THE SCIENTIST AND RESEARCHERS
The researcher and scientist came out with a views that whenever there are deadly diseases looming around the town or cities,it will first affect the dogs rather than human beings and when the rate of death among the dogs rises above normal,then there is tendencies that same disease and sickness can be transfer to human beings thereby finding immediate solutions to avoid occurrence by ways of immunization and quarantine measures and approach.

Since dogs are sensitive to odors and irritations,they quickly respond to stimuli while the scientist take cognizance of their actions immediately

.it is called scientific discoveries and revolution

10 DOGS ARE USED FOR RECREATION AND EXERCISES-
Many dogs today are used for racing, recreations and exercises and sporting activities.

Many sports men or athlete today used dogs as their running partners that encourage them to increase their strength and ability to do more when engaged in sporting activities.

Above all dogs play a significant roles in many peoples life and serves a s protection for the masses.

HOW TO CARE FOR OUR DOGS AND GET THE BEST OUT OF THEM

Dogs are domestic animals that needs to be care for so as to get the best out of them
We can care for our dogs in various way amongst are

1 GOOD FEEDING HABIT-Dogs must be given a special and accurate feeding so that it will get power and ability to work and perform all duties expected of them
Good feeding habit must be practiced both in the morning and afternoon and evening.

2 GOOD MEDICAL TREATMENT- The dogs must be given adequate and good medical attention to prevent them from diseases and sickness
Dogs need good vaccination and treatment against contagious disease and sicknesses.

3 GOOD HOUSING HABIT-Our dogs should be given good and sound housing care that will prevent them from danger and injury.

4 REGULAR AND ROUTINE CHECK UP-This means that you have to inspect the dogs on regular basis to determined how they are doing and know if any is affected by disease and infection and see how to cure and prevent such occurrence.

Above all take good and proper care of your dogs and they will serve you better
Thanks

Learn how to brush your dog’s teeth at home for better canine dental health. Cleaning your dog’s teeth can prevent bad breath, and also in more severe cases, peridontal disease. Preventing bad breath in dogs can be accomplished by keeping a good teeth cleaning schedule. A few minutes a day can prevent plaque buildup, which can lead to more serious disease if left unattended. Ideally, you should brush your dog’s teeth everyday, but at least a few times a week. If you don’t have time for a complete tooth brushing, we offer dental pads which you can use that kill bacteria on the surface of your dog’s teeth, leaving your dog’s breath fresh! Shop Now: www.drsfostersmith.com

Caring for a Vomiting Dog or Puppy – Home Treatment Versus Vet Care

Most dogs will experience vomiting at one time or another. Vomiting can have various causes and can be transient and mild or serious and even life-threatening.

What is Vomiting?

Vomiting is defined as the forceful expulsion of the contents of the stomach and upper part of the small intestinal tract. These contents travel up through the esophagus and out of the mouth when a dog or puppy vomits. Vomiting may be accompanied by nausea, excess drooling and apprehension on the part of the dog.

Treating Vomiting in a Dog or Puppy – When to Contact the Veterinarian

If vomiting in a dog or puppy is mild and the pet is still active, bright and alert and seems to be feeling well otherwise, it may be possible to treat the vomiting at home. However, some causes of vomiting can be quite serious and even potentially life-threatening. If a pet is lethargic, depressed or showing signs of dehydration, veterinary care is recommended for the dog or puppy. If the vomiting is persistent or is accompanied by severe diarrhea, veterinary care should sought.

Home Treatment for a Vomiting Dog or Puppy

If a dog or puppy is vomiting and it has been determined that the symptoms are mild and do not require veterinary care, the first thing to do is to take all food and water away from the vomiting dog or puppy. This will allow the dog’s stomach and intestinal tract time to recover from the insult which caused the vomiting. Allow at least six to eight hours without offering food or water to the dog or puppy.

If the vomiting is still persistent after the initial six to eight hour fasting period is complete, it is time to contact your veterinarian to schedule an appointment for your dog or puppy. Your dog or puppy requires veterinary intervention if the vomiting has not stopped after this length of time.

If the dog or puppy has gone six to eight hours without vomiting and is still acting normally otherwise, it is time to introduce a small amount of fluid to the dog or puppy. The fluid should be in the form of a clear liquid such as:

water (ice cubes can be used as well)

Gatorade

Pedialyte

other electrolyte solution

Offer the clear fluids in small quantities every two to three hours over the course of the next 12-24 hours. Do not allow the dog or puppy to gulp large amounts of the water or other clear liquids at one time. This will promote further vomiting. Small amounts of clear fluids given frequently will keep your dog or puppy hydrated and help return him to normal health.

If your dog or puppy has held down the fluids and has not vomited for 12-24 hours, it is time to introduce a small amount of a bland food. As with the fluids, offer small amounts frequently at 2-3 hour intervals. Do not allow the dog or puppy to ingest a large meal all at one time.

Once the dog or puppy has recovered from the vomiting, he can be slowly transitioned back to the regular diet and feeding schedule.

What Should Not be Done for the Vomiting Dog or Puppy

Never administer any over-the-counter medications to your dog or puppy without seeking advice from your veterinarian. Though there are over-the-counter medications which are safe for dogs and puppies, there are some which can be harmful. Doses for dogs and puppies are usually different than dosages used in people as well. In addition, a vomiting dog or puppy may not be able to hold down oral medications.

Following these steps is often all that is necessary to help a dog or puppy recover from common, minor causes of vomiting. However, if vomiting continues or other symptoms appear, veterinary care should be obtained for the dog or puppy.

Question by jamgirl48: I have a small dog care business, do you know how to get me more noticed by the community?
ok so its called Alexa’s Dog Care and I need a lot of people to come because last year only one person called and came so yeah..please provide me with some answers!

Best answer:

Answer by hu_hu_cool
Advertising! any form is helpful. Go out out and put some posters. Have a street party and encourage people to bring their dogs. Remember that you have to spend money to make money. Try sponsoring a sports team. Get on the local radio and get them to promote your buisness. It’s all about getting people to remember your company’s name.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Canine Dental Care: How to do it and Why

Maybe you’ve always joked that you need to do something about your dog’s terrible breath, especially when he wakes you up with sloppy, loving kisses all over your face.  But while actually brushing his teeth may sound downright strange to you, keeping up with your dog’s dental care is about much more than bad breath- it is a question of health.

Caring for your dog’s teeth could actually save his life.  How?  Over time, your dog’s decaying teeth become a breeding ground for bacteria that can enter his blood stream causing dangerous and even life threatening infections.  The best way to treat these infections is to prevent them in the first place through proper dental care.  The most popular ways to keep up with proper dental hygiene for your dog are with dental chews, tooth brushing, and professional cleaning.

Dental chews, sold in many sizes and varieties at any pet store, are dog treats shaped in a way to scrape plaque off of your dog’s teeth as he chews them.  The obvious benefit to these treats is their ease of use.  There is no need to pry your dog’s mouth open and head in with a toothbrush.  Simply give the dog the treat and he will chew on it on his own.  The downside, however, is that these treats are not as thorough as a full brushing session.

When choosing a dental chew, make sure you buy the appropriate size for your dog and that you give the treat no more often than recommended on the label.  Also make sure to select ones without dyes if your dog will be chewing them in a carpeted area.  As with all dog chews, you should supervise your dog while he is eating it.

Another important part of dental hygiene is brushing your dog’s teeth.  Pet stores sell appropriately sized brushes and toothpastes with flavors that will appeal to your dog.  The most important thing to remember when you begin is to introduce your dog to this slowly.  First place a little toothpaste on the brush and allow your dog to lick it off.   This will get him used to both the toothbrush and the taste of the toothpaste.  Slowly transition from this introduction to brushing your dog’s teeth, making sure to use lots of praise.  He may not let you brush all of his teeth the first time, but the important thing is for him to get used to the feel of the brush and learn that it will not hurt him.  Eventually he will get used to tooth brushing as it becomes part of his regular routine.

The final, and perhaps more controversial, aspect of canine dental hygiene is having your dog’s teeth cleaned professionally by a veterinarian.  These cleanings, recommended annually by some vets, are much like our own regular dental visits with one key difference: your dog will be placed under anesthesia.  Although most dogs will do fine with this, anesthesia always carries some risk, and there will be a small number of dogs who never wake up.  Your dog’s risk will depend on his age, general health, and other factors.  When considering whether to have your dog’s teeth cleaned professionally, talk to your veterinarian about the possible benefits and risks for your individual dog.

Whether you opt for dental chews, teeth brushing, veterinary cleaning, or any combination of the above, you can feel confident that any step you take towards maintaining your dog’s teeth today will help keep him healthy in the years to come.  

Here is part two on food. I will post more give me time.

Holistic philosophies in healthcare, the environment and spirituality is a concept you may be hearing more and more of and if you’ve ever wondered what it means exactly, it’s not as complicated as you may think. Holistic philosophy is a philosophy that is concerned with the wholeness of a system, it is a belief that components of a Whole are interconnected and that anything affecting a part of the whole will affect the rest of the Whole. It is basically a belief that everything in a system works together and nothing is separate.

Holistic approaches to preventative pet care are becoming very popular among pet owners and even the scientific community has begun to embrace the concept. Many conventional veterinary practices are becoming more open to utilizing holistic approaches to help cure their patients. Some veterinary practices are even offering alternative treatments and working with chiropractors, nutritionists, acupuncturists, herbalists, massage therapists and ayurdvedic practitioners to satisfy their clientele’s demand for healthy and safe medical alternatives for their pets. Because prevention is always better than the cure (and considerably cheaper), more and more pet owners have been looking into alternative ways of maintaining their pet’s health and quality of life.

One of the most important aspects of holistic pet care is nutrition. Providing your pet with a healthy and nutritious diet is one of the best ways of preventing disease and health problems. Avoiding hard to digest items in poorly designed pet food is crucial if you want to build your pet’s health and boost his immune system.

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The intestinal tracts of pets aren’t designed to handle toxic buildups resulting from chemical and bacterial substances. Feeding your pet a nutritionally poor diet or one that is full of preservatives and chemicals will result in chronic illnesses and health problems further down the line. Harmful substances collect and buildup in your pet’s kidneys and liver and fester there until they affect every other organ in the dog’s system.

Another important part of holistic medicine is emotional stress. Dogs are vulnerable to stress just like us and lowering their levels of emotional stress helps them both physically as well as mentally.

Many professional dog trainers have started using holistic approaches in their training methods and when assessing a dog, they will examine the animal’s diet. There have been many instances when formerly aggressive dogs were made calmer and more manageable simply by improving their diet. Toxins in food can result in dramatic behavioral problems and offering dogs a balanced and nutritious diet can make a big difference in a dog’s temperament.

The nervous system plays a major role in the wellbeing of the Whole and acupuncture, acupressure as and massage have been used for centuries to cure many chronic and debilitating conditions. These alternative therapies have been gaining a lot of traction among pet owners despite the fact that there is no scientific explanation available about why these therapies seem to work so successfully.

Small rodents to zoo animals have made seemingly miraculous recoveries after being treated holistically and veterinarians have become more curious and interested in exploring these therapies in their practices. An increasing number of formerly skeptic veterinarians are becoming open to the idea of holistic care especially since holistic approaches don’t involve any negative side effects.

Chiropractic therapy, acupressure, acupuncture and massage have become very popular forms of treatment among sport dog owners as these treatments have been shown to protect athletic dogs from injuries. These alternative approaches also serve to fine tune a dog’s nervous system allowing him to perform more efficiently.

Aromatherapy has also been used in treating animals with some success. As animals very sensitive olfactory senses, this makes a lot of sense.

An appropriate exercise program is an integral part of holistic pet care and your dog’s health.

Last but definitely not least is the fact that when our dogs are unwell we stress and worry, so keeping your dog healthy and happy will help you be healthy and happy as well!

Question by Hallie: Not sure what to put on posters about dog care?
For my extracurricular activity im doing B-ball and 4-H, anyway for 4-h I am doing CPA. And I have to do 3 posters about dog care, I ‘m not sure how to make them accurate but creative?

Please help! I only have until next friday
I just need help and tips! Not for you to do it…gosh!!!

Best answer:

Answer by Kendra
You put in for 4-H; not us. Each place wants different things, and since you experienced with that place more you should know better. You should obvously know at least SOME, especially if you have a dog. It’s very easy things to come up with. Research about dogs, then you’ll find out.

You do our work we get zero credit, interesting!

What do you think? Answer below!

Brining a puppy or a dog into your home is one of life’s most exciting and fulfilling experiences but there is some preparation work to be done in order for the transition to be made as smoothly and as successfully as possible. Owning a dog is a lifetime commitment and you will have to provide for the dog’s needs for the rest of his life. The dog will also need to be trained and socialized properly if he is to be a valued member of the family and society.

Here are a few important tips to help you make the right decisions when it comes to getting a dog:

Should I get a puppy or an adult dog?

Puppies make even the most hardened of hearts melt and we are naturally drawn to a puppy’s soulful eyes and endearing demeanor but there are many advantages to be gained by adopting an older dog that are commonly overlooked. Adopting an older dog may be a better option for some people, especially when it comes to first time dog owners.

Older dogs usually have more even temperaments than puppies and with an older dog you get what you see. An adorable puppy can grow into a menacing and difficult to manage adult but with a mature dog you know what you’re getting. Older dogs are less prone to many diseases puppies are susceptible to and many are already housetrained which will make your life much easier. An older dog may also be a better dog for a household with children as puppies can be very rambunctious.

As every dog has a unique personality the choice should be made on a particular dog and you should base your decision on getting the most suitable dog for your particular situation.

Where’s the best place to get a dog?

Not all dog breeders are honest so be careful before buying from a breeder. Make sure you do your research properly to avoid falling victim to an unscrupulous breeder, they are rare but they do exist. Insist on visiting the breeder’s facility and take a look around with a skeptical eye. Try to arrive earlier than your scheduled appointment to get a better impression of the place.

Take a good look at the cages the animals are kept in, if they’re dirty or the dogs seem unkempt, walk away. Trust your gut instinct, if you’re uncomfortable about the place, you’re under no obligation to do business there.

Which breed of dog should I get?

There are many breeds of dogs to choose from and you should try to narrow your choices down. If you like a certain breed you should research the breed extensively. As many purebred dogs suffer from genetic conditions and many breeds are predisposed to certain illnesses, the more you know about a breed, the better educated you’ll be when making your final decision. Knowing potential health problems in a breed before getting a dog can save you a lot of heartbreak further down the line.

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Interview breeders about your chosen breed and research the breed on the internet. There is a lot of information online, make use of it. If you want to get a dog from a breed that is known for having certain genetic problems there are genetic tests that can be done on dogs to determine if they’re at risk of developing an illness.

When should I start looking for a trainer for my new dog?

Training your dog and socializing him is a vital part of dog ownership. A well trained dog is not only a joy to own but he will also make a good canine citizen, reducing your risks of a lawsuit stemming from any canine misbehavior.

You should research your options before bringing a dog home. There are special dog clubs and puppy kindergartens you can take your dog to for his training and you should look into these options to decide which is best for you and your future dog.

When should I choose a vet?

Don’t wait until you’re faced with an emergency to start looking for a vet. It is much better to choose a good vet before you need one. Ask family and friends for any word of mouth recommendations they can give you about a good vet they’ve used. Asking around extensively will put you in a good position to make an informed decision.

Try to find a quality vet close to where you live as this will make your life much easier in the case of an emergency. Communities can help provide you with independent research on the quality of vets in your area. Try to choose a vet who is open after hours and is on call during the night (emergencies tend to happen at the most inopportune times!).

Should I enlist my new puppy in a training class?

If you adopt a puppy, you should try to enroll him in a puppy training class as soon as you can. This will allow the puppy to become properly socialized to other dogs and humans. Another advantage to doing so is that puppies learn faster than older dogs so delaying your dog’s training isn’t a good idea. But that being said, you CAN teach an old dog new tricks, it may just take a little longer.

Puppy training classes can help you learn a lot more about your new pup as well as teach him how to behave among other dogs and people. He will learn to deal with new situations in a self confident and courageous manner as well.

Should I seek out advice from other dog owners?

Brining a dog into your home can be a daunting experience if you’re a novice dog owner but sharing stories and experiences with other, more experienced dog owners can teach you a lot. You should try to seek out the advice of experienced dog owners to learn more about how to care for your new dog.

Puppyhood, what does it entail?

Playtime is vital for puppies; they learn how to interact with their environment through play. They also learn important canine social skills through playing and you should devote some daily time to play with your pup.

Buy your puppy toys to keep him entertained and to provide him with an acceptable outlet to chew – pups teeth and need something to chew on. Buy toys that are suitable for your puppy, cheap, fragile toys can get swallowed and cause serious health problems so choose only good quality and safe toys for your dog, just as you would for a child. If your dog’s toys become damaged or worn make sure you replace them.

What should I feed my dog?

There are so many different diets and brands of dog food to choose from that the task of choosing what to feed your dog can be a daunting one. Cheap and inferior supermarket brands usually don’t provide the proper nutrition your dog needs so be careful to read the list of ingredients before deciding on brand for your dog. Ask other more experienced dog owners and breeders for advice on what to feed your dog.

Don’t overfeed your dog as an obese dog isn’t a healthy one. Make sure you monitor your dog’s weight to detect any sudden changes that could be an indication that there is something wrong with the dog.

10.  Should I take my dog for veterinary checkups?

You should have your new dog thoroughly examined by your chosen vet within a few days of you brining him home. First of all this will help you determine the dog’s general health and secondly, this will help you establish a relationship with the vet.

Ask the vet any questions you may have about the breed of the dog, if the dog has any special needs or requirements and ask about any genetic tests the vet may recommend. You should maintain a regular vaccination program for your dog and have the dog checked regularly to detect any health problems early on before they cause serious health issues. Early detection is vital in the successful treatment of many dog diseases.

Question by drcc909: Is it legal for landlord to add by hand writing that I also have to take care and walk his dog too?
It’s a texas home rental lease. Do I have to honor the dog care? It was not a part of the original lease, he hand wrote it in.

Best answer:

Answer by deonejuan
A contract is two copies, signed and witnessed. Is the handwriting on both copies?

Personally, I would say you are lucky if you are allowed to keep a dog in a rent house. You will have to talk this over with the landlord to change anything.

Add your own answer in the comments!

Like older humans, older dogs are very susceptible to a wide range of health conditions.  This is a primary reason you need to take special care of your senior dog.  There are a few things you should know.  Read on for a number of important tips on geriatric dog care.

As your senior dog ages, it is vital that you take him to the vet for exams on a regular basis.  It is best that you take him every six months instead of only once a year.  This will help catch any diseases early before they have a chance to progress.  Conditions such as osteoarthritis and organ failure are common problems.

Proper exercise is also an important part of geriatric dog care.  It can be harder for older dogs to move around as well as they used to.  If they do not get the proper exercise they need, their muscles may start to degenerate.  Obesity can also become a problem.  That is why you need to ensure your senior dog gets plenty of exercise.

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It is also a good idea to provide your senior dog with an orthopedic foam bed.  These beds help distribute your dog’s weight evenly.  This has the effect of reducing pressure on his joints.  Reduced pressure is essential for preventing arthritis.

Another important part of geriatric dog care involves taking proper care of your dog’s senses.  His senses like sight and smell will deteriorate over time.  You can help prevent his senses from becoming dull by keeping your dog active.

Your dog’s kidneys are particularly prone to wearing out over time.  This can lead to hormonal imbalances.  It is common for senior dogs to start having bathroom accidents around this time.  These accidents are often not their fault.  Rather they are due to various medical conditions such as diabetes or kidney failure.

Senior dogs need a different diet than their younger counterparts.  It is best for you to buy specially-formulated foods designed to help meet these requirements.  This will help prevent the onset of various health conditions.

As your senior dog ages, you need to keep an eye on his behavior so you can notice any changes early.  There are a range of health conditions which your dog will become prone to as he ages.  You will want to schedule vet visits every six months so you can catch any conditions as early as possible.  It is also best to provide your older dog with an orthopedic foam bed to help protect his joints and prevent arthritis.  Taking the best care of your older dog is not all that difficult.  Just start with these important tips and follow the direction of your veterinarian.

Do you love dogs? If you happen to love dogs, you might want to start a dog care home business. A lot of dog owners don’t have time to groom or walk their dogs that they will often rely on pet care businesses to do the job for them. Considering the number of dog owners in the country today, you will not really run-out of clients who will ask to groom and walk their dogs.

Setting up a dog bath

The first thing that you will need is a place where you can bath and groom dogs. If you live in a house with a big lawn, you may want to set up a place where you can bath dogs. Never attempt to bath dogs, especially the big once inside your house. Dogs love to wiggle around and shake their hair during baths thus creating a huge mess. Playful and rowdy big dogs are adorable but when they start running around your house in their wet coats, things will not really look very funny at all so keep them out of the house. There is no point of wasting a lot of energy cleaning after a wet dog.

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When setting up a dog bath, a tub or a huge basin, a garden hose, some dog soap, shampoo, a brush and some cotton towels. You don’t really need something elaborate when bathing dogs. Certainly not those pet washers that torture the poor things. Some experts believe that using pet washers where you simply put the dog inside a box and turn on the water cause emotional trauma on the dogs and must not be used at all. Well, who wouldn’t be traumatized if they were put inside a closed box with water gushing all over the place? If you want to bath dogs, forget about the pet washer and do things the old fashioned way. Dogs love it when you brush their coat and massage them. Besides, bathing a dog the old fashioned way could be a lot of fun for you too.

Setting up a grooming area

For grooming dogs, select a quite area inside the house. Of course you can set-up a grooming area outside of the house if you want to but grooming a dog inside the house is lot better. First, most dogs are less playful when they are inside the house than when they are in the yard, second, there are less distractions inside the house and third, it would be easier on your part to store all your grooming stuff. For grooming dogs, you will need the following materials; a table, towels, cotton, mineral oil, eye ointment, nails clippers and a brush. You can easily get all these stuff at your favorite pet shop.

Every day millions of people go to work hating their jobs, I am one of them.  While just about everyone would rather be doing something they love, I happen to love dogs.  Watching their reactions, their behaviors and their undying loyalty to their owners, brings me a lot of happiness.  While we all can’t be Cesar Millan, I believe that if you can’t be both rich and happy, just be happy.  After doing some research I found many great jobs for dog lovers, here are the top 20.

Veterinarian – The most popular job of dog-loving little kids, the veterinarian is a true animal lover.  The problem is he has to go through a ton of schooling.  Being the doctor of dogs requires as much education (and incurs as much debt) as a human MD.  Not a quick career switch but the veterinarain is a true dog advocate
Vet Tech – Probably the next best thing to being a Veterinarian is being a Vet Tech.  They don’t have nearly as much schooling to go through and get to do a similar, but scaled down job as the Vet.  You also won’t make nearly as much money, so it’s a toss up.
Animal Behaviorists – This is actually a college degree program, or more correctly, several different but closely related degree programs.  These professionals work with everything from dogs to zoo animals to sea animals to migrant birds.  The dog behaviorists work with troubled dogs as sort of a doggy psychologist to try and fix problems.  It’s funny until you have an anorexic purebred that you want to show.  That’s when people pull out the big bucks.
Doggie Day Care Owner – This has become a sustainable business and actually thrives in highly populated areas.  Similar to a child day care, the doggy day care has become a place where people can take their dogs to be cared for during the day while they’re at work.  It’s a real business so it’ll require all the things that small businesses need: company formation (like LLC), leasing a place to exist, marketing to get customers, employees, payroll, etc.
Dog Sitter – If the business end of things seem too much, you can just be a dog sitter.  Here you’ll only have one, two, or a few more to take care of and usually is when the owner’s are out of town.  By no means a full time job (although if you’re lucky it could be), it’s a great way to have the grandparent effect: you get to see the dogs for just a little while and then hand them back when they start to get out of control.
Dog Walker – The job of professional dog walker combines two of my favorite activities: dogs and exercise.  In highly populated areas (most often full blown cities) people don’t want their dogs to be sedentary so they’ll pay you to walk them.  I saw an ad in the DC area for /hour.  While not a great salary, it’s the perfect job for someone who isn’t too concerned about paying rent.
Shelter Worker – This one breaks my heart but it’s such a necessary job.  Because so many dogs go homeless or get left behind, animal shelters are so important.  Shelter workers are truly working with their heart making a big difference in animal’s lives. However, this sense of satisfaction won’t pay the bills and shelter workers don’t make much.
Working for an animal organization – There are many national organizations such as the SPCA and PETA that do a lot on behalf of animals both at the national and regional levels.  While this isn’t directly interacting with dogs, it is doing a lot of support work, from raising animal cruelty awareness to pushing for legislation that is a direct benefit to animals everywhere.
Run a rescue – An alternative to the animal shelter is a rescue, where they specialize in a certain breed.  While this can be done out of your own property, I believe it requires special licenses to properly start one.  To be honest I’m not sure how you make money running a shelter, I just know I could have lots of huskies!
Breeder – Being a dog breeder is a full time job and requires a lot of specialized knowledge about a breed.  If you love a particular breed of dog and know quite a lot about them you could look into becoming a breeder.  A lot of the high dollars a breeder can make comes from a reputation of breeding the best of the best.  You’d probably want to train with a current breeder to learn the ropes.
Handler – These guys are responsible for getting the high marks (along with the dogs I guess) that allow breeders to make the big bucks.  Handlers have to know every little detail about what makes a dog the best of its breed, how to work with the dog to show that off, and basically how to handle the dog during the dog show.  There is a lot of prep work that goes into dog shows.  It’s nuts.
Dog Trainer – This can range to part time at Petsmart to your very own TV show but basically a dog trainer spends countless hours working with dogs teaching them obedience, or it could be a trainer that trains dog for competitions be it dog show, obstacle course, or jump out into the water after a fake duck competition.  It also means being strict with the dog, something I have a hard time with.
Dog Groomer – Probably more on the thankless end of the dog-job scale, the dog groomer makes some decent dollars bathing, trimming, grooming, and otherwise cleaning up the dog.  This can be tough because some people let their dogs go a little too long and you have to try and remove mats from a very grumpy dog, you should also know how to do the special poodle cuts (something you could learn easily).  One interesting twist is to take the groomer to the dog, which appeals to many busy people who don’t want to take the time (or energy) to take and pick up the dog from the grooming shop.  You’ll get more business and more bucks and get to see the insides of more people’s houses.
Boarding Kennels – Remember the familiar sadness when you leave your pooch at the kennels while you go get to have fun in Florida?  Well, now you can be on the other end and look after forlorn fido.  It’s a pretty good gig if you don’t mind excessive dog poop and barking.  You’d have to get a license and it may be a good idea to form a business entity (for the never going to happen worse case getting sued scenarios).  The only big downside is that it’s difficult to schedule your own vacations.
Dog Food and Toy Manufacturer – Working for a dog food or toy manufacturer gives you a good opportunity to learn about dogs and what nutrition they need and what kind of toys they like.  There are many different types of positions at a company like this so if you’ve a background in marketing or manufacturing you could pick up a job here.  If you don’t live near one, start your own.  There are a ton of niche markets for health dog food and starting a dog toy company is incredibly easy, you just need to contract out manufacturing.
Organic Bakery – As mentioned with the niche dog food markets, there’s also a rising trend in pet owner’s social awareness and conscience.  More dog owners are turning to natural and organic dog treats, and many a dog health bakery have been started in people’s kitchens.  Just be sure to be very familiar with what dogs can and can’t eat.  Last thing you need is your tasty treats being full of melamine and another Purina incident.
Search and Rescue Team – The recent earth quake in Haiti brought the Search and Rescue team into the spotlight, but these teams are unique and rarely needed.  However, there are plenty of opportunities in the Rockies and other mountainous ski areas where avalanches occur.   It will require a lot of training and I’m not even sure how these people get paid…it might be volunteer.
Police Officer K-9 unit – While everyone immediately thinks of Rin-tin-tin, you’re just as likely to be patrolling the halls of your local high schools as wrestling down bad guys.  In either instance, you’l l need to go through police academy training and if you’re lucky you’ll get into the K-9 unit.  It requires a lot of training and a good sense of what you’re best friend is going to do.  On the bright side, the dog is usually your partner 24-7.
Pet Therapy – There is a lot of value to working with dogs as part of a pet therapy program.  Both nursing home/assisted living as well as autistic children have been shown to benefit from dog interaction.  You’ll get the satisfaction of making a difference in people’s lives, and that’s probably about it.  It’s possible that these centers will have grants for this type of program, but usually they have tight budgets and this is volunteer work.
Start your own business – This is kind of the catch all; you’re the boss you make the rules.  So long as no one is allergic or you’re not endangering the animal, you can bring your dog to work with you every day and have him/her hang out with you while you do what you do.  You probably won’t have much time for the dog, but at least there will be more face time, and customers love it when they’re greeted by a smiling, drooling mug.