Responsible dog ownership not only involves taking top-notch care of your pet, experts agree, but also being considerate of those around you. A recent survey by the American Kennel Club (AKC) revealed that some dog owners need a tighter leash on their canine companions-especially when out and about in the community.
Forty-seven percent of non-dog owners surveyed cited “a lack of picking up after their dogs” as their number one complaint with dog owners. Twenty-five percent said “not controlling their dog” or “letting the dog jump on you,” and 13 percent said “allowing a dog to bark incessantly.”
One result that should cheer dog owners: Only 4 percent said they were most annoyed by “the way dog owners fawn over their pooches or use baby talk to address their dogs.”
Whether you’re looking to make peace with your neighbors or just now considering adding a pup to the family, you might want to circle the month of September on your calendar. That’s when groups across the country will be holding more than 350 free “AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day” events, aimed at educating first-time dog owners about their responsibilities and helping current owners enhance their relationships with their pets.
While each event is uniquely entertaining and educational, many include obedience/agility demonstrations, microchipping clinics, breed rescue information, therapy dog/service dog demonstrations, and presentations on safety around dogs for kids. Attendees can speak one-on-one with experienced dog breeders and trainers.
And for those looking to show their neighbors that their dog is a respectable member of society, there’s the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test-a 10-step test certification you can take that recognizes well-mannered, obedient dogs.
“We invite dog owners around the country to attend an AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day event in their area to learn how their dog can become a Canine Good Citizen and earn an A-plus in manners,” said AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson.
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Obedience Agility,
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Step Test,
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Feb 01, 2010 | | Dogs
There are a lot of dog lovers out there in the world who really love their dogs as members of their families some as much as their kids. I have known many people who celebrate their dogs birthdays with as great joy and fanfare as others do their childrens. There is nothing wrong in that. It is actually heart touching to see such love and bond between man and animal. But there is one big problem in these types of situations. What do you get as a dog lover gift? What would give joy to both your friend and his dog at the same time? The best bet for a dog lover gift is, in my opinion, a dog toy.
There are a great variety of dog toys available in the market today and one can definitely get a good choice both in price and novelty. There are rubber toys which are designed to exercise the dogs jaws by chewing it, as well as fetch-me rubber balls which can entertain both dog lover and the dog for interminable stretches of time.
Then there are raw-hide toys which most of the times come with meat flavor for added attraction. These serve a dual purpose the dog can actually eat it in time and it is reinforced with vitamins at time (so it is healthy) and it is a favorite play thing for all dogs without any exception.
Among other toys designed as dog lover gift are also soft toys and vinyl toys. You will be surprised to learn that dogs actually love to cuddle and play with soft toys, sometimes just as much as kids do. Some dogs carry their soft toys in their mouth during the day as a child would carry their toys, while some love to snuggle against theirs.
Keep a day or two for window shopping so you can see and choose the best possible dog lover gift for your four-legged friend. In this way you could match the toy better both to the nature of the dog and the pleasure of its master.
Tags:
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Birthdays,
Dog Lover,
Dog Lovers,
Dogs,
Dual Purpose,
Fanfare,
Four Legged Friend,
Great Joy,
Jaws,
Meat Flavor,
Play Thing,
Rubber Balls,
Rubber Toys,
Soft Toys,
Stretches,
Vinyl Toys,
Vitamins,
Window Shopping
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Feb 01, 2010 | | Dogs
Designer dogs – better dogs or just mutts – the truth about designer dogs
Designer or Mixed Breed dogs
Designer dogs are the up and coming rage among Hollywood and dog lovers alike. Dogs like the puggle (pug + beagle), the cockapoo aka cockerpoo or spoodle(cocker-spaniel + poodle), the labradoodle (Labrador retriever + poodle), the peekapoo (pekingnese + poodle) and the Schnoodle (Schnauzer + Poodle) are growing ever more popular today than ever before. Why are these mutts so big right now?
1.Cute Names Designer dogs have cute names that people love and make the appearance of a new breed of dog that very few have heard of. For example: the puggle.
2.Great for those with allergies Unlike some purebred dogs, designer dogs are often bred to reduce the amount of allergens they produce by not having an undercoat.
3.Sheds less Some designer dogs are bred to shed less than other dogs.
4.Genetic advantage – Believed to be less prone to inbreeding, the
designer dog is thought to have better temperaments and also thought to be smarter and more trainable than their purebred counter parts.
Controversy surrounding these dogs have made purebred dog owners enraged. Its bad for there business and the qualities listed above only hold true in specific cases. The designer dog fad has also had its fallbacks.
1.Bad breeding bad breeding leads to unwanted dogs. Many people want to produce a designer dog without doing back-ground checks and without the skills needed to do so.
2.Bad owners Some believe that just because they bought a designer dog means that they dont need to train, care for or love their pet as much. This couldnt be further from the truth. Designer dogs need just as much care and attention as all other dogs do, if not more.
3.More expensive the price for these dogs have sky-rocketed sometimes hit the $1,000 mark. Sometimes its better just to go to the humane society or animal shelter and find a perfectly fine dog. The shots and care for these dogs can make their prices higher as well.
Dont get me wrong, these are wonderful pets. However, they need wonderful owners as well.
Love and care and proper healthcare and grooming are essential for a happy life-long companion. If you would like to keep your costs and concerns down when purchasing a designer dog I suggest that you check its breeding history and do temperament tests as well as get them screened for certain common genetic disorders such as hip-dysplasia and retinal atrophy. Proper preparation and responsible habits lead to a great dog.
Gabriel Killian
Tags:
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Labrador Retriever,
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These Dogs,
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Jan 06, 2010 | | Dogs
If you have dog lovers in your family, its time to think of some unique gifts you can give them this Christmas. They will remember this gift for a long time if you not only give them a gift form themselves, but include something for their dog or puppy.
To get your ideas flowing, here are some gifts you can get for the dog lover: of course, if you can take some pictures of their dog in advance, many of the following ideas will be even more special.
- a T-shirt/sweatshirt that says My Dog Loves Me – theyll be proud to wear it.
- a picture of their dog framed in a paw picture frame – there is no better way to let them know you love them: every time they walk past this picture, theyll be reminded of your kind gesture, and that you took the time to give them something special.
- a collectible figurine featuring their dog breed – this will become part of the room dcor.
- a dog lovers calendar – excellent gift that keeps on giving: every month theyll have a new beautiful dog to look at and enjoy.
- a nice, fuzzy, personalized throw to keep them and their dog warm on chilly evenings.
- a cooking book with dog recipes
- dog lover screen saver
Now that you picked a nice gift for the dog lover, its time to find some gifts for the dog. Here are just a few ideas to get your started:
- a plush toy: be it a ball, a bone, or some other shape, dogs really enjoy these fluffy toys. Some come with a noise maker, but be careful that this toy wont become annoying for the owner
- doggy clothing: you may get something pretty, or, if you like practical, get something warm for the winter, so when they take a talk the dog stays warm.
- doggy treats are very popular these days, and you can find them in pet stores everywhere. But, if you have the time, cook some treats yourself, and make a new friend
- treat machine, similar to the candy machines, where you press a handle and get a piece of candy. This will entertain the dog for hours and get him a treat every time he presses the handle. What fun!
- pampering items, like doggie shampoo, a nice brush, and even a nice bandana.
So, as you see, there are lots of ways to spoil your dog lover friends and family and their pet.
Tags:
Candy Machines,
Chilly Evenings,
Christmas Gifts,
Collectible Figurine,
Cooking Book,
Dog Breed,
Dog Lover,
Dog Lovers,
Fluffy Toys,
Kind Gesture,
New Friend,
Noise Maker,
Paw,
Pet Stores,
Picture Frame,
Piece Of Candy,
Plush Toy,
Room Dcor,
Time Cook,
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Dec 24, 2009 | | Dogs
People need accessories to accentuate the beauty of a certain thing. Though, there are times that they buy accessories in order to protect the product against harmful elements in the environment.
All of these concepts go the same way when applied to taking care of dogs. People who are into dogs know how important dog accessories are. In fact, many dog lovers even contend that buying dog accessories gives the same satisfaction as shopping for accessories is to women.
Today, there many dog accessories available in the market and choosing the best dog accessories can be very wearisome. So, its important to know the factors that need to be taken into consideration before buying them. Here are some tips on what to look for when buying dog accessories.
1. Dog collars
There are varieties of dog collars available in the market today, ranging from plain to fancy. Whatever type or design one may prefer, the most important thing to consider is that it should properly fit to the dog. It should never be too loose or too tight. Experts say that the ideal space between the dogs neck and the collar should be two fingers wide.
2. Dog leash
If the owner is fond of bringing his dog to the park or just for a walk around the corner, it is best to buy a quality leash. It should provide convenience both for the dog owner and the dog.
3. Food and water bowls
Dogs are like people too. That is why it is important to buy them quality food bowls and water bowls that will not be easily tripped or spill over.
4. Dog toys
Most dogs are fond of playing, so, its best to give them toys to gnash, chew, or bite with. Having his own things will make him more behaved instead of chewing the slippers or shoes.
5. Doghouses
When placed outside, dogs should have their own place for shelter. This is to keep them away from direct sunlight or from the rains.
Indeed, choosing the best dog accessories are relatively important. The point here is that if dog owners know how to respect their dogs by giving them the things that they need, chances are, their dogs will give them the respect and service that their masters are expecting from them.
So, its important to bear in mind that the next time people decide on buying a dog, its best to buy them their accessories as well.
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Dog Collars,
Dog Lovers,
Dog Owner,
Dog Owners,
Dog Toys,
Doghouses,
Elements In The Environment,
Food Bowls,
Harmful Elements,
Quality Food,
Satisfaction,
Shoes,
Shopping,
Slippers,
Spill,
Sunlight,
Taking Care Of Dogs,
Two Fingers,
Water Bowls
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Dec 02, 2009 | | Dogs
There are lots of dog lovers clubs in the US that offer a lot more for both the dog lovers and their dogs. Here are some of them.
The American Kennel Club has a dog lovers sections called For the Love of the Purebred Dog. This article is more than a canine purebred section. It is dedicated to living at home with dogs. This dog club gives informative and educational materials pertaining to pet care, training, nutrition and a lot more. It also includes funny stories, art, pet history and the more popular Companion Animal Recovery method. There are also more popular sites like the dog breeds and events page.
The American Mixed Breed Obedience Registration or (AMBOR) on the other hand was created in 1983 with the objective of taking into accounts the perseverance and accolades in obedience contests of mix breed dogs and handlers. This dog lovers club also gives support and inspiration to dog handlers.
Important Information for Members:
1. Mixed-breeds
Unlimited full membership is open to handlers and owners of mixed-breed dogs as long as the pet is spayed and nails are cut. There should be front and side photo shots of the dog that will be included in the application. This is the ticket to all the obedience and agility programs, automatic tabulation in the agility and obedience nationwide ranking system. This also includes a given eligibility for the annual awards.
This achievement will be given honor in AMBOR highlights (AMBORS newsletter) and on the website. The member will be eligible to any agility and obedience national competition in the future. Dogs with assigned numbers are marked as purebred and should be enlisted as a purebred. Also, dogs that are listed as mixed-breeds that are given a number based on the owners application causes its membership to be changed to a status of a purebred.
2. Purebreds
Purebred dogs can be listed with AMBOR with a rule that entry is limited to the AMBOR-supported agility program. All dogs that are purebred, listed with AMBOR and exhibits AMBOR-supported programs on agility will have competition points monitored and there will be an automatic issuance of certificates.
Dogs that are purebred and listed with AMBOR are not qualified to be a part of the agility and obedience scoring systems. They will also not be included in the website on highlights and not qualified for any mixed-breeds national competition in the future.
Handlers that register to the AMBOR-supported trials on agility should put their AMBOR number on the form at the clubs entrance so that competition points will be monitored.
Tags:
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Ambor,
American Kennel Club,
Art Pet,
Breed Obedience Registration,
Companion Animal Recovery,
Dog Breeds,
Dog Handlers,
Dog Lovers,
Living At Home,
Lovers Club,
Mix Breed Dogs,
Mixed Breed Dogs,
National Competition,
Perseverance,
Pet History,
Photo Shots,
Purebred Dogs,
Spayed,
Tabulation
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Nov 09, 2009 | | Dogs