Young dogs respond better to training as they have not yet developed certain undesirable habits that older dogs may. Just like humans, dogs find it hard to break habits as well. The longer a dog is left untrained, the harder it may be to train him (although certainly not impossible).

Owners of large dogs are more likely to train them rather than owners of small dogs, although small dog owners are increasingly turning to professional training for a number of reasons.

Dogs may be trained for:

• Obedience
• House training
• Toilet training (indoor litter, similar to cats)
• Tricks
• Guard dog
• Behavior towards other pets and children
• Guide dog

In this section of the website you will learn about:

• Dog obedience training – All about obedience training.
• Dog training tips – Ideas to get the most out of training your dog and how to get results quicker.
• Dog training collar – How a dog training collar can help.
• Dog training classes – What is taught in classes and how they compare to private training.
• Dog house training – How to house train your dog.
• Dog training DVD – Which are the best dog training DVD’s?
• Dog training aids – Some useful products to assist in training your dog.v
• Dog training commands – Popular and effective commands that work.
• Dog training camp – Some people send their dog to training camp, find out about it here!
• Dog training treats – Treats are the most popular dog training incentive.

Along with toys and fun stuff, you’ll also require other products when you adopt or purchase a pet dog.

These include:

• Dog collars
• Dog grooming supplies
• Dog bed
• Dog travel supplies
• Dog training supplies
• Dog carriers
• Dog health supplies

In addition to the above you’ll probably want to buy dog treats every now and then as well as dog clothes which are great for winter. It’s becoming more and more common place to see dogs walking around with sweaters and even gourmet clothing!

Your dog will be happy if he has a nice comfortable bed or kennel to escape to and you can even purchase heated beds for winter time.

If you plan to travel with your dog then you’ll need some travel supplies. Although dogs are able to be loose in a car, it’s wise to buy a dog carrier anyway just in case it is needed. Remember to purchase one that will accommodate your dog when he or she is full grown, not just when she is a puppy!

Please browse this section of the site as we review and show you the best dog supplies that are available.

The wrong diet can be a potential disaster for any dog and although it’s tempting to feed table scraps on a regular basis as a treat, you could be doing your dog more harm than good. In fact, there are some human foods which absolutely should never be fed to dogs at all, including cooked meat bones and chocolate.

In this section of the website we cover topics such as:

• Dog food – which types are best and what NOT to feed your dog.
• Puppy food – puppies require special diet. Learn all about it here.
• Natural dog food – Is natural food better than commercial dog food?
• Science Diet dog food – Science Diet is a very popular brand, but is it the best?
• Raw dog food – Dogs love raw meat, but some can be dangerous. Find out here.
• Dry dog food – Which dry dog foods are best for your pet?
• Royal Canin dog food – Royal Canin make a variety of dog food. We review them here.
• Natural balance dog food – Natural Balance is a popular dog food brand. Find out about their products.
• California natural dog food – Another good brand of dog food that we cover in detail.
• Prescription dog food – Some dogs require prescription dog food due to a number of reasons. Find out why and how here.

Dog nutrition is something that every dog owner should be familiar with, so please browse this section of the site to learn all about it.

Dogs, like people, naturally have a tendency to suffer from ailments as they age. While we can minimize and at times prevent this, sometimes it is out of our control. However as a responsible dog owner you will want to do all you can to make the rest of your senior dog’s life a happy one.

You can slow down the aging process through regular vet visits to check for things like cancers, arthritis, hepatitis, kennel cough and distemper. By applying regular heartworm and flea treatment you’ll also ensure the longevity of your dog’s life. It goes without saying that vaccinations should also be up to date through the dog’s life.

Like humans, dogs will tend to live longer if they live healthy. Therefore a good diet and daily exercise is vital for maintaining vitality in any dog, regardless of breed or size.

Ideally you should purchase the best quality dog food that you can afford. Cheap generic and even most supermarket brands contain additives that are not ideal. However if this is your only choice, ensure you mix it up with some raw meat and chicken bones regularly. These also look after the dental health of your dog.

Hearing loss and visual problems are a sign of old age and although they can not always be avoided, owners can work to make their dog’s life more comfortable by perhaps bringing it inside more often where the dog will not become scared. Dogs also generally feel safer when they are near their owner.

Older dogs may not be able to negotiate stairs well so try not to keep your dog in a spot where he needs to use the stairs.

Different breeds have a different life expectancy. Some breeds are only expected to live for up to 10 years while others will last beyond 20 years.

Many vets conduct what is called a geriatric screening of dogs when they research a certain age (depending on breed and size). This process involves a physical examination, blood tests and other tests which the vet sees as appropriate. This examination gives the vet an overall view of the health of your dog and points out any issues that need addressing.

Senior dogs are a joy to live with, whether you have had the dog since it was a puppy or whether you adopt a senior dog, they are sure to enjoy the rest of their lives in your loving care.

• Environment
• Age
• Breed
• Activity Levels

Sometimes however dogs will become ill regardless of you taking the utmost care of him. Just like humans, dogs are also susceptible to certain diseases and conditions.

Some breeds are more prone to getting certain illnesses than others and this section of the website is dedicated to bringing you details of common dog conditions and which dogs are more likely to fall prey to them.

We cover things like:

• Dog Dental
• Dog Ear Health
• Dog Fleas
• Dog Diarrhea
• Dog Worms
• Dog Hip Dysplasia
• Dog Parasites
• Dog Skin Health
• Dog Weight
• Senior Dog Health

These are just some of the common problems which are covered in articles on this website. I hope you find the articles informative. If you have any concerns about your dogs health please see a vet as soon as possible.

Dog weight gain can occur due to too much food, the wrong type of food, an illness or simple due to genetics. Like people, some dogs are predisposed to having a slow metabolism and therefore putting on weight easily. If this is your dog then you need to be extra careful with what you feed him.

If your dog has been constantly putting on weight then your vet may recommend a prescription diet such as Hills Science Diet. These diet foods contain less fat and other weight gaining ingredients but must be fed exclusively.

Raw meat and chicken wings/necks etc are also healthy compared to commercial canned dog food and will not incite as much weight gain.

It goes without saying that regular walks are a huge factor in dog weight loss. You should try to walk your dog everyday or at least get him to run around the backyard chasing a ball. Thirty minutes of exercise per day is a good target.

Dog obesity can become a serious health problem so you are advised to act upon it sooner rather than later. The breed of dog you have will determine his ideal weight. Your vet will have a dog weight chart that you can check if you unsure.

Once on a diet weight loss plan you should weight your dog once per month to see if he is gaining or losing weight. Your vet will want to know the results so the plan can be altered accordingly.

Although weight gain is a problem, weight loss is another serious issue in dogs. Generally a dog should not lose weight but if it happens and happens suddenly, there is likely a cause such as worms, infections or other illness. See a vet if you notice your dog losing an unusual amount of weight.

Dog weight problems can be avoided by a regular worming routine, quality diet and plenty of daily exercise.

Healthy dog skin should be flake free and without redness, irritation, itchiness, parasites and lumps. There should also be no hair loss in a healthy dog.

Some common dog skin problems include flea bites, sores and scabbing or bleeding, swelling, redness and itchiness. Dogs can also get dandruff just like humans.

Parasites such as fleas and ticks commonly cause skin conditions in dogs. They will itch the dog which therefore begins scratching itself and eventually pierces the skin which can lead to infections.

vDogs can display skin allergies just as humans can. It is common for a dog to be allergic to fleas but also possible for it to be caused by certain grasses or foods. Your vet will be able to conduct tests to determine the cause of the allergic reaction in your dog.

Demodex mange and sarcoptic mange are mites which are commonly found on dogs and which can cause severe skin irritation. These can be seen under a microscope by your vet. Hair loss can also result due to mites so if you notice hair loss on your dog, it should be straight off to the vet for an examination.

Certain shampoos may also cause a reaction in dogs. Dogs should only be washed with quality dog shampoo, not with human shampoo. Your vet or vet nurse will be able to advise on certain shampoos which are suitable for your dog and even anti dandruff shampoos are available for dogs with dry skin.

As with humans, the quality of a dog’s skin is also relative to diet and exercise. A healthy dog will display healthy skin so regular intake of raw meat and chicken bones is essential as is regular daily exercise to assist with circulation of blood to the skin.

The dog parasites list is rather long, so here are the main parasites that could affect your dog:

• Ringworm
• Roundworm
• Heartworm
• Tapeworm
• Ear Mites
• Fleas
• Cheyletiellosis
• Coccidia
• Giardia
• Red Mange
• Pinworm
• Ticks
• Scabies
• Sarcoptic Mange
• Demodectic Mange

There are two groups of parasites. Internal parasites in dogs are one and the other is dog skin parasites. Both can cause considerable discomfort, pain and serious illness to dogs if not treated in a timely manner. Often it is difficult to diagnose whether your dog has a parasite however he or she will generally begin to display symptoms of being ill which is when veterinary advice should be consulted.

These symptoms may include:

• Vomiting
• Coughing
• Diarrhea
• Bloated stomach
• Blood in stool
• Appetite loss

The above are symptoms of roundworm in particular. Roundworm is an internal parasite which is more common in young dogs and pups as it can be infested in the womb if the mother has roundworm. Roundworm will show in the dog’s stools so your vet may as for a stool sample. Round worm is treated through prescription medication.

Another quite common condition is ringworm which is actually a fungal infection despite its name. It is a skin condition which shows itself as redness which forms into a round shape with crust patches and pimples on the skin. Anti-fungal medication is used to treat ringworm. Please note that ringworm can easily be transmitted from dogs to humans so ensure children in particular are kept away from a dog with ringworm.

Another parasite all dog owners are familiar with is heartworm. It is a parasitic roundworm which is spread through mosquito bites. All dogs are advised to have heartworm preventative treatment on a regular basis. Infected and untreated dogs can die from heartworm so it is imperative that dogs are given monthly heartworm prevention particularly in the mosquito season.

We have covered just a few of the many types of dog parasites.

It has been proved that hip dysplasia is a genetic condition. So, if the parents of a dog had hip dysplasia (or just one parent), chances are higher that the pup will get it too. For this reason you should never breed from a dog that has been diagnosed with hip dysplasia. Although not always inherited, hip dysplasia can occur regardless of the genetic history.

If you are breeding dogs then it is imperative that the parents are given pre-breeding pelvic x-rays to rule out hip dysplasia. The last thing you want is to breed pups that end up with this terrible condition.

Vets believe there are several factors which can also contribute to hip dysplasia. These include nutrition, bedding and physical activity.

If a dog becomes overweight they are more likely to get hip dysplasia. Being overweight places more stress on the joints therefore bone problems of all sorts will be more common.
Excessive strenuous exercise can bring upon more severe dysplasia and arthritis in a dog which has the genetic make up to develop hip dysplasia. Things like running and jumping can increase the discomfort the dog may feel in future so it is vital that you are aware if your dog is has a hip dysplasia genotype.

Some experts have said that certain types of bedding or surfaces can affect the future lives of pups. Slippery surfaces can cause problems so avoid newspaper, wood floors or smooth surfaces. Use towels for better grip.

Signs that a dog may have hip dysplasia are not always easy to spot. Some dogs do not complain much about the pain or discomfort but you will notice him sitting much more than standing. HE may also have difficulty standing up from a sitting position and may run abnormally with the back legs not operating independently of each other. Unfortunately by the time these signs are showing there may be extensive changes in the joint, which is why early x-rays are vital.

The best way to detect hip dysplasia early is to have regular x-rays, particularly if you know your dog is going to be prone to the condition.

Roundworms can infest puppies when they are quite young. Tapeworms have a tendency to come about when fleas are around. Thankfully it is possible to see roundworms and tapeworms with the human eye in the stools. Your vet will likely ask for a stool sample if you have presented with the suspicion that your dog has worms. Your vet can advise on an appropriate form of dog worms treatment.

How to tell if your dog has worms?

You may notice worms in your dog’s stools. If this is the case then take a stool sample to your vet for microscopic analysis. Your dog will also likely display some or all of the following symptoms of worms:

• Diarrhea
• Blood in stool
• Loss of weight
• Dull coat
• Vomiting
• Low energy
• Coughing
• “Pot belly” appearance
• Loss of appetite

Please note that worms do not always cause symptoms right away so it is important to always be on the lookout for any signs of worms in your dog.

Tapeworms are contracted through the ingestion of fleas or through eating wildlife which have tapeworm or fleas. Tapeworms must be treated with prescription medication.

Roundworms generally infest puppies rather than adult dogs. This can happen during pregnancy by being passed from mother to puppies.

Hookworms suck blood from the intestine by sticking to the walls. Dogs can get hookworm from contaminated soil and it can also be contracted in the uterus. The stools must be examined under a microscope to diagnose hookworms.

It should be noted that hookworm and roundworm can be transmitted to humans (zoonotic).

Heartworm can be avoided through the use of regular heartworm preventative treatment. See your vet for details and recommendations.

If you notice your dog displaying any of the above symptoms or simple feel he is not acting like himself, it is best to see a vet before the possible worm problem becomes serious.