Making sure that your dog gets rest is crucial in helping it maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. For most of doting dog owners, having them sleep in our beds or furniture is nothing new. However, what we must realize is that dogs, just like us humans, appreciate having their own space as well. Setting up a special space for them in our homes can give them a sense of comfort and security–something important especially to dogs that are extremely attached to their owners At times when we can’t be with them at home, we’d like to know that they ‘d be comfortable in their own “little refuge.” Somehow having their own space eases the separation anxiety that most dogs experience. This is why it is essential for each dog to have his or her very own pet bed.

At TrainPetDog.com, we offer a wide selection of pet beds to suit every need. All TrainPetDog.com dog beds are specially handpicked for your beloved furry companion. They come in all sizes and styles. In addition to this, you can rest assured that all our dog beds are top grade. Overall, TrainPetDog.com dog beds masterfully combine durability, comfort, and elegance.

Out of all the TrainPetDog.com dog beds, the Donut bed is perhaps the most popular. The Sheepskin Lounger is not only durable, stylish, and elegant–you can also count on it to complement any type of house décor. On the other hand, the Deluxe Cuddle Cup is available for toy breeds. This specially designed dog bed made of elegant suede and sheepskin is every small dog’s favorite snuggling place!

For the posh at heart, TrainPetDog.com dog beds have designer styles such as the Poly Silk Quilted Bed is available. This dog bed features a coordinating twill side and bottom panel that forms a comfortable gusseted bed.

For those always on the go, TrainPetDog.com dog beds have the Pedic Crate Mat to offer. This dual-purpose dog bed serves as a crate mat and a packable dog bed. Think of it as an ever-trusty doggy sleeping bag. For those with larger breeds who are going for a more relaxed and subtle look, TrainPetDog.com dog beds has the Antimicrobial Knifeedge Pillow. Its suede and terry cover is as inviting as it gets for dogs. For added comfort, cedar chips that act as natural flea repellents have been added to the fill. Most importantly, the Microban antimicrobial protection capability that effectively prevents the growth of odor causing microbes. This dog bed also comes with a cover that is conveniently removable and washable.

With all these styles to choose from, you obviously can’t go wrong with TrainPetDog.com dog beds. Our team of dog experts realizes that consumers nowadays are smart, and so they do whatever they can to give you and your dog nothing less than what you deserve. TrainPetDog.com dog beds are accessible as ever with our competitive prices. To learn more about discounts and weekly promos, visit TrainPetDog.com dog beds.

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Having an animal in your life can be a remarkably rewarding experience. When you take a dog or a cat into your home you are giving them a chance at a bright and loving future. But of course, you will get a lot out of this relationship as well.

There is nothing like walking in your front door and being greeted by a happy, slobbering puppy. Few things are more comforting than sitting on the couch and having your cat quietly crawl up into your lap.

But caring for an animal is a lot of hard work as well. Not only do you have to make sure that they are eating right, exercising and getting a lot of love and affection, but you have to do everything in your power to heal them when they are sick.

Animals get sick just like people do, but the problem is they can’t tell you their symptoms. That is why it is important to take your dog or cat straight to the vet whenever anything seems out of the ordinary. Here are a few pet medications that you might encounter the next time your special friend is feeling under the weather.

Novox (carpofen) Caplets

There are several different occasions when your veterinarian might prescribe your dog Novox caplets. For one, they might help to reduce pain after your dog has had orthopedic or soft tissue surgery. More commonly, however, your vet will recommend Novox for dogs that suffer from osteoarthritis.

Arthritis in dogs is becoming almost as common as it is in humans. Part of this is due to over-breeding, but the main reason is that because of advances in veterinary technology, dogs are simply living to an older age these days. This medication will help to reduce inflammation in the joints and can also help to reduce pain.

In many instances, your vet will recommend a glucosamine product in addition to anti-inflammatory medicine. The Novox will help to reduce pain at the moment, but the glucosamine will help prevent it from getting worse.

Cosequin Soft Chews

Human beings will often use a glucosamine and chondroitin supplement to help maintain full functionality in their joints. Veterinarians have now developed similar supplements designed specifically for dogs.

Cosequin is administered to provide cartilage support to pets who suffer from arthritis. Even if your dog doesn’t have arthritis, you can talk to your vet and see if a glucosamine and chondroitin supplement like Cosequin can help to prevent it from developing in the future.

Cosequin is convenient because you can administer the chewable tablet with food. The best way to get your pet to swallow it is to wrap it up in a piece of cheese and pretend you are giving them a special treat. Just make sure they swallow the medicine and don’t just eat the good stuff and spit out the pill.

Amitriptyline Tablets

It can be frightening when your cat starts exhibiting erratic behavior. Grooming is normal, but sometimes cats do it so excessively that they can hurt themselves. Other times you might catch them spraying urine around the house. And sometimes you can just tell that they are going through separation anxiety every time you walk out the door.

Cats go through mental problems just like human beings do. Amitriptyline is a drug that can treat many of these behavioral problems in your cat. Not only can it help to curb behavior issues, but your vet may also prescribe it to reduce chronic pain from a nerve injury or to treat inflammation from a urinary tract infection. As with any medication regiment, be sure to talk to your veterinarian first to see if these tablets are right for your cat.

Gabapentin Capsules and Tablets

The first time you see your pet go through a seizure can be a frightening experience. Living with an epileptic pet can also make you nervous all the time. What if you are at the dog park and your pup suffers a seizure? Will it freak out the other dogs and lead them to attack your pet?

Gabapentin is a medication that is designed to help control seizures in cats or dogs. Sometimes your vet may also prescribe this drug to reduce chronic pain from a recent surgery or due to arthritis. For seizure control, your vet will normally recommend that you administer the drug three times every day. However, if you are only using it for a pain reducer, then you might only have to give it to your dog or cat once or twice a day.

The responsibilities that come with having a pet are well worth the rewards. When you do everything in your power to keep your dog or cat happy and healthy, they will be sure to repay you with unconditional love for years to come.

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What are they? Wikipedia describes them in this way: “A puppy mill, sometimes known as a puppy farm, is a commercial dog breeding facility that is operated with an emphasis upon profits above animal welfare and is often in substandard conditions regarding the well-being of dogs in their care.”

Although accurate, it is an incredibly diplomatic way to describe the horrific conditions in which these dogs live. Correction, they don’t live, they barely exist.

There are varying ideas of what exactly constitutes a “puppy mill”. However, everyone will agree that the following is an accurate description and although extreme, an all too common a practice of puppy mills. Where to begin; there is so very much wrong with these places.

Puppy mills are run by people who breed dogs for profit. Now, there’s nothing wrong with making money or even making a profit. The problem with these people is that they are beyond irresponsible and are actually cruel and negligent to these animals. Their greed is so intense that they will have anywhere from several dozen to hundreds of dogs and the health and welfare of the dogs is not just compromised, it’s completely disregarded. From the first time a dog is able to get pregnant (as early as 6 months of age) she is bred to have puppies. Depending on the breed each female dog could have 2-4 litters every year. It’s not healthy for them to do so, but these irresponsible millers will make every effort to capitalize on every breeding opportunity. They are interbred and bred with dogs that have health issues that will be passed on to the puppies. These female dogs will spend their entire lives pregnant. When they can no longer breed they are put to death; usually with a hammer to the head because euthanasia through a Veterinarian costs money.

Having so many dogs barking and yapping constantly is not in the millers’ best interest. It could alert outsiders to the puppy mill site and is quite likely annoying to the millers who keep these poor animals in a tortured state. Many puppy mills “debark” some of the dogs. This requires that some of the vocal cords are clipped resulting in the bark becoming more of a whisper. That, in itself, is a controversial topic as scar tissue can develop in the dog’s throat making it difficult for the dog to breathe. Personally I don’t agree with this procedure at all. However, if this must be done, it is possible for a Veterinarian to do this through surgery using anaesthetics. A puppy mill, however, will not spend the money for this procedure. They perform it themselves by shoving a large, metal pipe down the dog’s throat. Assuming they haven’t killed the dog by missing, they will have ruptured the vocal cords. This is done with NO anaesthetics and I don’t believe for a moment that it is pain free. There is no protection; and no medical attention afterward.

They are only fed barely enough food to keep them alive. The quality of the food is substandard; the cheapest the millers can get away with. Often the food consists of what was swept up from the floor of dog food manufacturers. There is so little nutritional value in this food that the dogs’ teeth rot at very early ages. The dog dishes are never cleaned and maggots are often present in the food. The water bowls never have clean water and often contain urine and feces from the crates stacked above. There is no protection; and no medical attention afterward.

The dogs are kept in small cages, often too small for the dogs to move around. Often there are several dogs in on cage. If a fight takes place, there’s nowhere to hide or get away from the attacker. There’s no protection; and no medical attention afterwards. So open wounds are left open to get infected, and body parts that are bitten off or broken are left unattended.

Typically these are wire cages which are never cleaned, so the dogs have no choice but to sit in their own excrement causing their open wounds to be infected and often causing diseases. It’s common for their paws to get stuck in the holes of the cages and their legs get badly cut or broken by the wire while they are on their own to free themselves. There is no protection; and no medical attention afterward.

The dogs are never removed from the cages, never free to roam about, never walk on the ground or the grass. They’re never loved, or hugged, or petted, or brushed. Their coats are so badly matted they often need to be shaved right down to the skin. Severe matting causes very serious health issues; bacterial and fungal infections. Untreated mats become bigger and tighter. This pulls on the dogs’ skin and is very painful. No air can get under the mat and any moisture can’t dry. Shedding hair gets caught in the matting and ultimately rots. The dogs’ skin becomes irritated and ulcerated. Fleas, ticks, and other parasites nest and breed in the dogs coat causing further skin infections. Severe matting is grounds for charges of animal cruelty. In a puppy mill there is no protection; and no medical attention.

The dogs and their cages may or may not be sheltered in a garage or broken down barn, but they are not protected from extreme temperatures. Many dogs suffer from exposure as there is no heat to keep them warm so they have to endure freezing temperatures in the winter time. The heat is so intense in the summer that many of the already weakened dogs suffer from heat stroke, and some of the delicate puppies literally fry to their death on the hot wire cages. In a puppy mill there is no protection; and no medical attention.

Because of the horrific conditions these dogs are forced to live in, the dogs end up with countless diseases which are passed on to their new litters. Some of the common conditions are hip dysplasia, kidney disease, respiratory disorders, eye problems (including retinal atrophy, glaucoma, and many others), deafness, heart disease, and many other serious health problems. It’s common for puppy mill puppies to arrive in your home with fleas, ticks, intestinal parasites, distemper, upper respiratory infections, mange, pneumonia, heartworm, and these just name a few. In a puppy mill there is no protection; and no medical attention.

When you buy a puppy, you may not be aware that it’s from a puppy mill. You bring this adorable puppy home and you love him/her, and you play with him, and he/she very quickly owns your heart. A few months later your puppy get sick and you take him to the vet. Over the next few months you’ve spent thousands of dollars in an attempt to restore the health of your beloved new pet. Within too few months your beautiful new puppy has died because of a disease or genetic defect caused by the over breeding, inbreeding, and the unsanitary conditions at the puppy mill; and a part of your heart goes with him. Now you, too, have become a victim of the horrible, cruel conditions of the puppy mill.

How did that happen? How did you get a puppy mill puppy? You bought him from a reputable pet store. Or maybe you answered an ad in the paper, or bought him on kijiji or e-Bay. Or perhaps you were well aware, but you wanted to “rescue” this one puppy and believed you were doing the right thing. Unfortunately, by rescuing that one puppy you’ve supported and encouraged the entire puppy mill industry and confirmed to them that there is a market for them to continue torturing these animals. There is only one way to stop the greed of the puppy mill breeder. No customers. No customers equals no profits, and that’s the only reason puppy mills exist. Most pet stores sell puppy mill dogs. Some know exactly where these puppies come from and lie about it, and others buy from a third party or broker and are lied to about it. Often the lineage papers are falsified to give the illusion of a pure bred dog. It is an educated guess that there are approximately 10,000 puppy mills in the United States alone. Because puppy mills try to stay in hiding, no one knows for certain. But it is estimated that 60 million puppies are born in puppy mills each year. This is much more than “just a problem”. This is a catastrophe of pandemic proportions.

It would be fabulous to have enforceable government legislation to prevent puppy mills. That would help, but it will not eliminate them. There’s only one thing that will truly put an end to them completely… an educated public. Only YOU have the power to truly stop them. Millions of dogs are put to sleep each year because of overcrowding. There is really no need to support puppy mills. There is an endless supply of good healthy dogs to adopt; many of them purebreds. Contact your local animal shelter or humane society. If you have your heart set on a puppy or a particular breed of pet, go to a legitimate, licensed breeder. You may have to wait a bit for the proper timing of the next litter, but it will absolutely be worth it. Legitimate breeders breed for the love of these animals; they are committed to improving the breed. Their dogs are well cared for, and the parents are screened for genetic diseases. To find a good breeder you can start by asking your local Veterinarian for a referral.

Here’s a tip to ensuring you’re dealing with a legitimate agency or breeder. A true, reliable breeder will never sell to a pet store. You will likely be asked to fill out an application and go through an interview process before you are given a dog. If someone just gives you a dog because you want one and have money; that should be a huge “red flag”. Good breeders and shelters are interested in matching our canine friends with appropriate, responsible families that will treat the dog properly and give the dog a good home.

You should always be welcome to visit the home where your potential new dog was born and raised to date. If, for any reason, you are refused this request, you are likely dealing with a puppy mill. Don’t get scammed by a puppy mill. Some ads over the internet or in the newspaper may offer “free to a good home” dog. Then they charge $300-$500 for shipping and possibly bogus medical attention (check-ups or shots for example). Don’t fall for it! For more information about puppy mills visit the ASPCA (the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) http://www.aspca.org or the CFHS (Canadian Federation of Humane Societies) http://www.cfhs.ca.

So choose your pets wisely and remember to hug them today.

Brigitte Synesael

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Is puppy training absolutely necessary?

As anyone who owns a dog will know, if you train a dog early enough it will save you time and money in the long run, not to mention it adding a few years to your life by avoiding unnecessary stress. A dog can be almost as time consuming as having a child. Puppy training is a must for anyone, unless you want to be chasing your dog down the road or changing your carpets on a yearly basis, you won’t think twice about it. You and your dog will benefit from puppy training and the household in general will be a lot better off.

Can’t I just do the puppy training myself?

Many people make the mistake of thinking they can do the puppy training themselves. It is not impossible of course, however most people would benefit from taking the dog to the professionals for the puppy training. It isn’t just the dog that needs training; it is also the dog owner. The professionals know exactly what they are doing and have seen every scenario there is. Like humans, each dog is an individual, and the dog trainers can mould each training session to each dogs needs.

Where is the best place to go for puppy training?

Of course there are lots of excellent places to go for puppy training. It would be advisable that wherever you go, the puppy training firm belongs to the Association of pet Dog Trainers. There is one company that stands out amongst the others as a first class place to go to get your dog trained. The name of the firm I am referring to is www.ck9training.co.uk. They are very professional and will be sure to make any naughty little dog into a well behaved creature.

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Dog aggression can begin as young as about six weeks of age, a crucial age when a puppy should be socialized to many other dogs and supplied the necessary training that keeps them from biting on other people. This phase of socialization will last till the puppy turns fourteen weeks of age and can increase further beyond that.

This indicates a number of things. First, do not take a pup outside of its litter prior to 8 weeks of age. Never use severe discipline with the new puppy in between 8 and 10 weeks and be sure the puppy is very softly dealt with in that time frame. Hitting, yelling and other hard punitive measures at a young age can easily breed aggressive behavior within dogs as time passes.

Your pet will need to have been properly socialized together with people and also other dogs as soon as your dog got to fourteen weeks to stop any future aggression problems.

Actual aggression can be brought about from several factors. Inheritance along with genes are certainly reasons – some breeds can certainly be far more aggressive than the others – however it’s in no way a hard fast rule. Additionally, dogs which have never been neutered or spayed tend to be at risk from aggressive behaviors.

By far, however, the key factor in creating aggressive tendencies in dogs is environment. A dog that has terrible living conditions, harsh owners, zero socializing, or that’s terrified or assaulted by a different dog is far more likely to be aggressive as it ages.

Aggression can build from the need to create a pack pecking order. Biting, posturing, along with other aggressive tendencies in many cases are the effect of a dog testing to get dominance. You will need to create dominance at a young age and maintain that role throughout the dog’s adolescence to ensure it won’t get a chance to take control over the family unit.

Curtailing and Managing Aggressive Behavior in Pet dogs

When your pet dog exhibits aggressive behavior after 14 months old, when it has hit sexual maturity, particularly after it has been nuetered altered, make sure you address the case right away. First, ensure you established yourself as the pack leader. Don’t reward the dog for aggressive behavior, even if it is fearful (particularly in this case).

Train your pet to respond to your instructions, control feeding and walking time, and make certain the dog has got a strong alpha dog inside your home. When you defer towards dog or allow it to take liberties at home, it is going to present stronger aggression toward others.

In case your pet dog is defensive-aggressive, it’s possibly that they strike out at a person in fear. These dogs might possibly not have been adequately socialized. Keep them faraway from young children (which they may see as direct threats) and attend a dog training program or behaviorist who can gradually adapt your pet to a social atmosphere.

Aggressive behavior in your dog has become a concern that a great many puppy owners have, but it could in fact be managed, even as the dog gets older. If your aggression ever advances to violence, consider employing a skilled professional to intercede before somebody gets harmed and your pet dog will be held accountable.

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American bulldogs are loyal and lovable and are very suitable as a family pet. These dogs are very intelligent but they can also be stubborn and light headed. This may lead to a few problems in training. Knowing about their quirks will allow you to train them well to make their obedient. Those who have no experience with the breed earlier may get a little frustrated with training these dogs. Often this may lead to yelling or anger which will definitely not help you. If you are having too many problems training then it is best to get help from a professional trainer who has experience working with the breed.

Obedience Schools

Obedience schools for American bulldogs are not only for amateur owners. In fact, a large number of dog owners who have stubborn pets tend to take help from professional trainers to retrain even adult dogs for breaking habits. A professional trainer may work with your pet alone or introduce it to other breeds to help them socialize better. They can train your pet to teach it about your position as the master if you are dealing with a stubborn puppy. You may not even be aware that you are being submissive instead of dominating to the pet. These dogs will respond well to environment where there are other dogs learning.

Socializing Your Dog

Another important aspect of training American bulldogs is socializing them. These dogs will need to socialize right from an early age so that they are not aggressive or reserved around strangers. If you are taking help from a professional trainer then the trainer would help socialize the pet. These dogs have a natural strong hunting instinct and for that reason they may be aggressive towards other pets if they are not socialized well. It may not be able to be friendly towards other dogs if it has not been trained well.

Training the breed will require some dedication and patience but you will definitely find it all worth it. A well trained pet will be protective and loyal to your family. These dogs are very intelligent though they may be stubborn. They are very much capable of obeying and learning if you work with them consistently. The breed loves to please the owners so they will definitely do everything they can to please you and follow your commands once it has been trained. Fortunately, there are a lot of resources available today on training this breed and you may even ask for suggestions and guidance from the breeder where you purchase the puppy from. If nothing else works out you can always rely on professional trainers for American bulldogs.

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