Regular ear care for your dog
Routine ear care is very important to the health of your dog. Perform regular checks and cleaning between visits to your veterinarian, it will help keep your dog’s ears healthy and pain free. This is extremely important to do. I have had Goldens and Black Labs for many years, and they are well known for ear conditions. But remember, no matter how efficient you are in caring for your dog’s ears, serious conditions may still arise. Also, beware when your dog flaps its ears too much. This can cause a hematoma, which I will discuss a little further on. My Golden had to be operated for this.
Regular inspection of your dog’s Ears
By performing ear inspections you will be able to detect problems early. Use both your eyes and your nose. A small flashlight will assist you in seeing problems. I have “smelled out” more serious problems using my nose.
This method can detect ear infections early. Normally a dog’s ears shouldn’t smell foul in any way. A dark waxy discharge this may be a sign of ear mites. A pus-like discharge along with a foul smell this is a sign of a bacterial infection. Allergies are also known to cause a foul smell in your dog’s ears. My Golden had very sensitive ears. If something feels wrong, make sure you have your Veterinarian check it right away. Have your Vet show you what to look for, and how to look for potential problems! My Vet is an amazing teacher and he is always willing to show me things.
What dogs are more susceptible to ear problems?
Dogs with floppy ears, like spaniels and bloodhounds, are very prone to ear infections because very little air flows into their ear canals. There are also breeds, like the Lhasa Apso, that have a heavy growth of hair inside their ears. Dogs that frequently swim are more susceptible to ear problems. And, Goldens can be very susceptible to ear problems.
If you suspect that excess ear hair is a problem, you may need to remove the hair that grows inside your dog’s ears. This is not very difficult and if you have a problem, find a good groomer to do it for you.
How to clean your dog’s ears:
Your dog’s eardrum is better protected than a human’s, but you should still proceed with caution when cleaning the ear canal. Do not insert anything into your dog’s ear. Use only the small square cleaning pads, or cotton balls. Use anything that is very soft, but has no tips. Ask your groomer or Vet to show you the best way to clean YOUR dog’s ears...
Checking your dog’s ears only takes a few minutes so make it a part of your dog grooming routine. And when your dog’s ears need a cleaning don’t put it off. Remember regular cleanings can prevent many common ear problems. If you think a problem may be developing that is beyond the scope of your home dog ear care routine, take your dog to the vet for a check up immediately. An infection, if left untreated, can be very painful.

Hematomas
My Golden had one once, a big one, from shaking her head because of her ear condition. My Vet says a hematoma can turn into a very serious condition if not treated. My golden had to have an operation for it.
Hematomas are collections of blood. They are common in ears because there doesn't seem to be anything in the ear to generate enough pressure to stop bleeding until
the ear swells enough with blood. Ear infections, ear mites, fly bite irritation, mosquito bites, allergies and immune mediated diseases have all been implicated as underlying causes for this problem. Anything that causes the dog to flap its ears can make this happen and it appears to occur spontaneously in a number of dogs. Large hematomas should be treated surgically or medically.
Surgery usually involves making an incision on the inner aspect of the ear and draining the blood, removing any blood clots that are left and then suturing the two sides of the ear together by putting sutures all the way through it, in a "mattress" pattern. Sometimes it is possible just to place a drain and massage the blood out of the ear daily until it heals.
If you use a commercial ear product please make sure it is of good quality and please make sure it is the proper product for the condition. So many dogs have had tremendous ear pain and complications because of the wrong product, or the wrong use of a product.
An educated dog owner is the best kind of dog owner.

About the Author

My name is Ruth Bird, and I am the owner of 3 dogs, 2 are Registered Therapy Visiting Dogs, my third dog is blind. My passions are health for people and pets and promoting a happy, healthy and wealthy lifestyle. http://www.mimfreedom.com
http://www.happypetstop.com

Most of pet owners know that their much loved four-legged members of the family come with a lot of personality and unique, sometimes almost human-like behavior. For instance, my cat would act as a peacemaker when she smells the human fight. If I become angry and start raising my voice during the conversation with someone, she would just jump on my legs and slightly scratch me in an attempt to cool me off. I am sure that people can tell us plenty of such examples of interesting pet behavior. But do they realize that their pets can be very picky when it comes to choosing a new friend?



They do it using such criteria as smell, size, gender, age and even appearance. In fact, they can even discriminate other animals according to the color of the fur among other things, as I soon discovered about my new cat.



When I first brought home my jet black panther-looking cat Regina, I was so excited to have her in my house until I realized that she might feel lonely and need someone to play with her. So, I started to look around for a good match for her. I opened up the flier and found the advertisement for “Very cute cat to good home” and responded to it. Naively assuming that all cats that are cute and mellow will get along just fine, I brought him home. Almost immediately upon bringing him home Regina jumped into the air with him screaming and hissing. I was surprised to find the ugly side of my otherwise calm and sweet cat’s nature and immediately knew this would not work out. Later there were more cats: a white one, gray one, even multicolored cats, different ages and genders – although the U.N. or Jesse Jackson would have been proud; it was always the same story. Either they would fight or Regina would simply reject the cat outright. I began to think that my unassuming cat was “racist” or maybe just a loner.



Just as I was about to give up and thinking that maybe she doesn’t need or want anyone as a roommate, I gave it one last try. I brought home a younger male cat that was as black as she was. Despite his smaller size and obvious fear of her, he tried to look brave by showing off in a way that is typical for cats. He was trying to intimidate her by walking towards her sideways with an arched back in the attempt to look bigger. She just watched his “performance” for a while but eventually just started to ignore him as if she was embarrassed for him. It wasn’t long before she accepted him and even acted as good hostess.



Their temperament and personalities are very but they still get along very well. For instance, Regina is a very balanced and quite cat, very gentle and loves to eat. Casey, on the other hand can be very hyper and restless, a hooligan, to say the least like all boys in general. They sleep together during the days, play and beg for snacks. Sometimes Regina even tries to teach him how to open drawers and the refrigerator door, but he acquired his own little hobbies now such as meowing at 7am every morning, waking everyone up in the house demanding food and to be let outside.



My “racist” Regina finally met her dear friend/roommate named Casey.

About the Author

Julia Imaeva is a writer for Helpful Home Ideas. Please include an active link to this site if you'd like to reprint this article.

Even if you haven't had a run-in involving your pet of late, pet insurance has probably crossed your mind. And if you have, the bill for any non-routine care may have cost you anywhere from a cool couple hundred to nearly a grand.



You might have wondered why people have health insurance and most pets don't, when the medical costs seem practically the same! And yet, navigating through the underbrush of fine print involved in pet insurance may have put you off. Is it worth the money? What do insurers really cover? And why do some plans cost the moon while others seem much more affordable? We'll try to clear a path through the paper jungle.



Tip #1: Get Them in Young



Ideally, you'll want to identify right pet insurance plan for you, and get your pet in young while she's still quite healthy. The reason is, should your pet develop a long-term health issue such as a thyroid problem, she won't be eligible for many programs, having a "pre-existing condition." If you stick with one quality program, though, you'll probably be fine.



Tip #2: You Get What You Pay For



This may stick in the craw a bit, when you start looking at insurance premiums. Some of them cost an awful lot! Be sure to look ahead too, at estimated increases down the road. The older your pet grows, the more the premiums will cost. They will get quite stiff for an older pet, even a healthy one.



So why should you pay out a mint for plan A, when plan B offers coverage for half the price? The answer is: lack of nasty surprises.



Let's face it, no one but an insurance adjuster can tell what the fine print means when it comes to covering your pet. But we do know this: on the cheaper plans, unhappy things happen. Let's give an example -- let's say you have two pugs, both covered by an inexpensive plan. One sadly breaks his leg and needs several surgeries, costing two thousand altogether.



You may think your inexpensive plan -- which happily, covers 2K of expenses -- will handle it all. But when you submit your claim, you discover that 2K is the maximum coverage for both dogs, and your pug is only eligible for half. Even worse, but very common, is a lower limit per incident. In this case, Low Cost Pet Plan will respond that it only covers $500 for this "incident," but if your poor pug breaks his leg three more times this year, they'll be happy to help.



Tip #3: You Get What You Pay For



Yes, we know we said that already -- but we didn't say it enough.



Here's a horror story that can happen on a low-cost plan: you have an insurer. You pay your premiums. But one day, your aging pet develops diabetes. That year, when it comes time to renew the plan and update the premiums, your insurer sticks in an exclusion. As of that moment, they no longer cover diabetes in your pet. Yes, they can do that -- and you're out in the cold.



No less common -- and no more pleasant -- is the limited payout per condition problem. Your low-cost insurer may cover the first three years of your diabetic pet's vet bills, but after that, you've run through her lifetime allowance for diabetes. Now in her golden years, all her medical costs come straight from your pocket.



What you want is a reputable company that agrees to insure your pet for life, period. No tricks, no last-minute exclusions, no lifetime condition limits. But to have these things, you'll need to pay for them.



Tip #4: Follow the Wagging Tails



Pet insurance costs too much to be throwing darts in the dark. You need to know which plans will come through for you down the road after you've paid their premiums for years. So do your research -- look for good word of mouth. You can learn a lot with some smart surfing and Googling.



Although we haven't used either, we found many satisfied buyers with PetPlan and Marks & Spencer. There are other good plans as well, and plans that are best avoided. The tip we like most is to ask your vet what she uses. Yes! -- many vets insure their beloved animals, and are scrupulous in who they choose.



Tip #5: Do You Even Need Insurance?



There's an argument -- and it's a good one -- that pet insurance really serves no purpose. You can see the force of this line of thought when you check out the premiums of quality, reliable plans -- they're high. So why should you pay out all that cash for what *might* happen, instead of stashing it each month in your own high-interest savings account and simply withdrawing what you need?



The answer is simple: discipline. Some people have the discipline to pay their premiums, but not to establish a separate account they won't touch except for emergency pet expenses. Other than discipline, there's probably no real reason why you shouldn't self-insure.



With one exception -- liability. Some plans offer extra coverage if your dog injures someone and you get sued. These aren't the kinds of things you can effectively save up for on your own, so if you think it might be a problem, pet insurance might truly be the route for you.



Tip #6: One More For the Road



Is your pet a prize purebred, with a pedigree reaching back before William of Orange? Expect more vet costs over its lifetime -- it's just a statistical fact. Perhaps this subtle factor will help you decide whether you should self-insure or go for a plan.



Peace of Mind: Priceless



We're animal lovers. And in the back of our minds lurks the fear that Fido will someday come down with something we can't afford to treat -- simultaneous renal failure and diabetes, for example (to cite a sad chapter from my own pet annals). The peace of mind in knowing you can afford to care for your furry companion, no matter what the future brings, is profound. That's why insurance was developed, and that's why pet insurance might be the right choice for you.

About the Author: Blake Kritzberg is proprietor of Poodle-oo: Fashion for Toy Dogs. Stop by for toy dog couture and home decor, free toy dog postcards and the Toy Dog Blog. http://www.poodle-oo.com/ Learn more about pet insurance: http://www.poodle-oo.com/pet-insurance.htm

Source: www.isnare.com

The answer is "no" if you are the type who mostly leave your dog on a chain. Boxers require much of your love, attention and companionship although they are easy to take care of.
One Boxer-lover even said to never get one as pet if you work full time!

Another point to consider is that the costs for food, training, grooming, medical care, toys and other supplies do add up.
Still, for many years now, the Boxer has ranked in the top 10 of favorite purebreds by the American Kennel Club, numbering about 35,000 Boxers registered in 2003.

Boxers Crave Attention
Boxers need constant attention and love to be babied. Treat your Boxer as your best friend and play, play, play with him.
One three-month old Boxer loves her bath more when the owner sings to her. Be it playing, talking or singing to them or taking them for a walk, Boxers simply love the attention.
Shower them with love, affection and attention as well as some treats.

These keep Boxers happy. Left to their own devices, Boxers can become very destructive when lonely, bored and ignored. One is known to jump over 6-footer fences if the owner is gone for too long.
Give extra space when you have to leave Boxers alone over extended period. They don´t like to be locked in a room. One owner gives a 4-year old male Boxer the run of the hall stairs, landing and its own bedroom and the dog is much happier and not destructive at all.
When you have to leave Boxers alone, you better make sure they have a toy they really like or they'll find something to do that you probably really won't like.

Destructive Streak in Boxers
Boxers are too smart and strong for their own good, and if they're bored and undisciplined they can be a disaster in the house.
That is why obedience training is important, in order to prevent the destruction of too many of your belongings. Training makes a happier dog.

The accepted temperament for Boxers rules out aggression, hyperactivity and extreme shyness in the breed. You want to have these under control in your pet.

Experts suggest that, when adopting a Boxer, you should at least check the parent dogs for these undesirable traits before even looking at the puppies.

Aggression
One owner said: "I love my Boxer girl, but she can be a terror sometimes and could get really hyper to where she´d attack us. I'd hate to think what all she'd get into without any training at all!"
By the way, there are more accounts, from owners, of aggression among their female Boxers, especially towards other female.

Hyperactive
Boxers have high play drive and they need their exercise or they´d get excitable and destructive.

Play, play and play with them. Give them extra space especially when you have to leave them alone for long period. Tire them out with long walks and play sessions but within a fenced area or on a leash.
When going for their walks, opt for body harness if you have a Boxer that pulls or strays.

Harness is the answer to the Boxer slipping out of the collar. The chain-harness combo looks good as well as trains the Boxer to walk without pulling or straying.

Extreme shyness (not to be mistaken with independence)
It's critical to socialize your Boxers. When they are still puppies, take them to public places like a pet store so they won´t be so shy.
Begin training in an area that is familiar to your Boxer, where there is minimum distraction. Once both of you are skilled at several obedience commands, take him to practice at different areas with increasing amount of distractions present.

This may seems like starting all over again, but it's worth the effort. One family took theirs to the local mini-mart and practiced obedience training right outside, where there were distractions from people.

"Strangers came over and petted him and gave him treats. He met all kinds of people and learned to follow commands despite the distractions, and is a better dog today."

About the Author

For more information about boxer dogs visit: http://www.dog-owner.net

Buy dog supplements online

Dog Supplements

A good nutritional program of dog supplements is just as important for your best pet friend as it is for us. Our pets have feelings, emotions, aches and pains just as we do. It's pretty tough to look your buddy straight in the eyes and not feel love and compassion that drives itself right to our hearts. Foods lacking of vitamins and minerals do little more than temporarily fill the tummy. Dog supplements are ever so important for optimum health and happiness of our doggie.

Finding help for our pet best friend whether for joint, arthritis, heart, muscle, hair, or plain ole good fiber needs isn’t difficult any longer. Whether holistic or natural things like calcium, cranberry, dhea, minerals, and the whole spectrum of essentials should be on the dietary list. It's not really that hard to deal with once your get your hands on the information. Many times all or many of these needs are dealt with in a multiple fashion.

Amino acids, acids, antioxidants and enzymes are just a few of the ingredients that cover issues from dandruff, to cardiovascular, circulatory, skin care, and immune system strengthening for the pets we love. If our little guys aren't bouncy, peppy and happy you know something's missing in the diet most likely.

For a little example, did you know that msm (we humans use this as well) is a pure source of nutritional sulfur. Sulfur plays an important role in the formation of strong, resilient cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. MSM is also indicated for air borne allergies. There's things like a combination of freeze-dried meat, organ meat, nutritious oils, and freeze-dried fruits and vegetables providing vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, probiotics, prebiotics, and other nutrients.

With touch of the mouse, your favorite drink and best pet friend sitting at your side you can shop comfortably right there in the convenience of your casa. When your little guy figures out what you've done by watching you open those dog supplements that were mailed to your front door he's gonna love you even more.

About the Author

More about dog nutrition and training

This is an old saying that many of us have grown up hearing since we were children, but the problem is improving on an invention that has been around for years. This is especially true for simple inventions like the common pet identification tag, or dog tag as it is normally referred too as. The pet identification tag has been a staple of our society for hundreds of years as a way to identify the owners of a particular lost pet, but it was not until World War I that the pet tag became famous and picked up its moniker as the “dog tag.”

The idea was simple, it was a piece of metal worn around the collar to identify the owner of the pet, and this tag usually contained the pets name, and owners contact information. During that time it was all a pet owner needed if their pet was lost, because generally they worked for one company for forty years, brought their home and lived there for about the same amount of time, so there was no need to change the contact information. Today it is completely different with the average stay on the job lasting about five years, and the turnaround time in the average house lasting only five to seven years. Because of this, the average pet owner will have to purchase a new pet tag almost every three years to update contact information, and this brings us back to improving on that mousetrap.

With pet owners constantly on the move in an ever upwardly mobile society changing addresses and phone numbers, purchasing a new pet tag every couple of years has become a waste of time and money, because there is a service that allows the pet owner to purchase only one pet identification tag, and update their contact information free for the life of the pet. This company also links that pet tag to their contact page on its website, so if the pet is ever lost, no matter who finds it they will have up to ten ways to contact the owner to return the lost pet. This owner locating service is internet based, so it is accessible around the world to anyone that has access to the internet, this makes it especially valuable for those who travel with their pets.

The company that has, if not built, improved on that old mousetrap is RecoveryPets.Com, and they specialize in the global recovery of lost pets for those registered with their service. This company has taken the pet tag and linked it with their website to provide a service that out exceeds the original purpose of the pet tag. They provide for their registered pet owners a webpage that contains the pets name, a complete description, a photograph, and up to ten contact phone numbers or email addresses.

RecoveryPets.Com has a mission to help pet owners feel more secure that if their pet is ever lost, the person that finds them will be able to return them to the owners. The company is also working with various agencies to get the word out about their services in an effort to have these agencies have a one-stop location to identify lost pets for possible reunification with their owners. They will work with animal shelters and rescue agencies in any geographical location to set up services and distribute information about their services, all the agency has to do is contact them by email at partners@recoverypets.com for more information.

Now that the common mousetrap has been greatly improved, and their is a service that offers pet owners the ability to register once for a service that provides all the benefits that RecoverPets.Com provides, it is time to take the steps needed to ensure that our family pets will be returned if they should ever become lost. To get more information on the services provided by this company, all a pet owner has to do is log-on to their website at: http://www.recoverypets.com.

About the Author

Thaddeus Collins is the owner of RecoveryPets.Com and they specialize in the global recovery of lost pets using a unique tracking number. For more information visit http://www.recoverypets.com

So you just loved that sweet little puppy that you found in the pet shop. It will keep you company, and give you kisses, and guard your valuables. But what do you need to care for the lovable little thing and ensure it is happy and healthy?

Basic Needs -- All puppies will need a water bowl, a food bowl, and a place to sleep. Some pet owners get automatic feeders and water dispensers for the convenience. For sleeping, there are various sized doggie beds and crates. Many people crate train their dogs for sleeping and while the owner is away from home.

Play Time -- Pets need exercise. You should walk your dog once a day if possible. You will need a collar, a leash, and some disposable plastic bags to take with you to clean up any unsightly messes. A good leash to use is the retractable type. Also included in play time are toys, toys, and more toys. A good game of fetch is a great way to get exercise.

Health -- All new puppies need to be taken to a good vet. They need shots and heartworm medicine.

Training -- A good way to train your dog is to get a good book on the subject. Also needed are small treats that you can keep in a pocket while training. Dogs live for treats!

A puppy can be a lot of fun and will give you a ton of love over time. So be sure to have on hand all the things you'll need for your puppy to be happy healthy, and secure in its surroundings.

Copyright © 2005 Susan Daniel and Debbie Overstreet

About Susan and Debbie: Susan and Debbie are internet marketers. You can review more articles and Web sites on dogs and dog accessories by visiting http://www.adoggiesworld.com.