Dog Stuck in Wall Rescued!

Rebel, an 8 month old German Shepard discovered he couldn't get his head out of a hole in a wall on December 27th 2010. Rebel got his head stuck and struggled mightily to extricate himself from the wall opening.

Riverside California County Department of Animal Services managed to help Rebel successfully remove his head from the wall.

If it was possible for dogs to be embarrassed I'm sure Rebel would be red-faced over the hole-in-the-wall crisis:

Bringing Home a Rescued Weimaraner-What to do Next?

Bringing home a Rescued Weimaraner
by Christine G. Bounds

Dogs are given up for a variety of factors, weimaraner growling is among them. If you bring a rescued canine home, you may be dealing with aggression from the animal.  This and other issues are often found in rescued most dogs.  That is due to the fact that many of them have come from abusive or neglectful places. It is then up to you, the new owner, to make sure that the animal is as comfortable in its brand new environment as it possibly can.

When you choose to get a weimaraner, taking one from the shelter will likely be a good idea. But, there are gonna be particular considerations, mainly if you choose to get the older ones. Of course, abandoned pet shelters will have puppy dogs, but these are virtually guaranteed a home.  If you would like to help, get an older weimaraner but know that these will come with some baggage.

As said, there are lots of explanations why dogs are given up. One common explanation is that they could no longer look after the animal.  Some weren't ready for the responsibility of having a family pet in the first place. Others could be going through financial concerns and find that they could no longer care for their pets. Dogs may also be abandoned due to the fact that they have some problems that owners cannot cope with.  No matter their explanation, pet dogs from the shelter will most likely have some issues with abandonment.

Most of the pet dogs brought from the shelter will have a common mannerism. To start, they might be a bit disinclined to form relationships with humans. But, the moment trust is established, they will begin to form rather sound bonds with their new owners. Some bonds are even likely to induce clinginess.
Take things a lot slower when you first bring home a rescued dog. You shouldn't force the pet dog to like you, mainly when it is anxious or fearful.  Let it grow to be a lot more comfortable with you. Soon enough, you will have a loyal and loving family pet in your hands.

When managing weimaraner growling or similar behavior from other pet dog breeds, it its necessary that you understand why the dog is acting that way. Once you have the explanation, it will likely be easier to handle it.

Resources

If you wish to learn more about Weimaraner Growling,  please drop by this site weimaraner-growling where you can get more resources.

Great Tips for Keeping Your Dog at the Right Weight

Check out this great article on the dangers of dogs overeating or eating the wrong foods. Dogs get diseases just as easily as humans do. It's very important dogs are fed the right food and kept at the right weight for their size. Regular daily exercise is great for poochie also.

Great info for keeping your dog in shape at USA Today.

Walking Your Labrador Retreiver The Right Way

The Correct Method Of Walking Your Labrador
By Lea Mullins

Walking your Labrador can be one of the best bonding experiences that you can have with them. You will be amazed at how these dogs can be easily trained to walk obediently with you. Not being able to start early can make the training a little more challenging, and not teaching them at all can be quite dangerous. Here are some handy tips that you can use to make sure that you can properly walk with your Labrador:

• Let him wear a collar. When dogs wear collars for the first time, they normally squirm and whine, evidently wanting to remove it. If you are planning to walk with your Labrador on a leash, it is better for him to get used to it a few days before your planned walk. Anticipate that he is going to try to take it off, so do not try to help him or succumb to it so that he stops wrestling with the collar. Taking it off would mean that squirming and whining would be a great idea to make him have what he wants, and that is not what we are trying to teach him. Once he gets used to having a collar, you can remove it.

• Walk around at home. A Labrador is generally energetic, but before you begin walking outside, it would be best for you to start walking around the house first. It may seem strange to do this while in the house, but what we want to happen is for your Labrador to familiarize himself with the collar and with walking beside you. In this way, you will also be able to see initially what behaviors they are most likely to display once you get outside.

• Don’t move! If he tries to move ahead when walking, stop and do not walk. One of the most common mistakes that Labrador owners do is call them back or give them a treat as a bribe. The best way for him to understand is if you do not do anything and just resume until he is able to follow.

• Walk in the opposite direction. Aside from not moving, you can also try to quickly move the other way if they are not being obedient. This will attract the Labrador’s attention, and understand that whenever he tries to do something else, he is pulled in a different route.

• Bring treats. Labrador puppies may feel uncomfortable when they first start walking, so we want to be able to have some treats to reward them. You know that dogs always love a good treat, so let him know that you have a lot and he will most likely obey your commands. Ideally, dogs should be just by your side. Let him get used to this position by setting the treat just beside your foot.

Try to break it up into shorter sessions so he won’t get bored easily, and make sure that you are able to reward him for his obedience. Teaching dogs the correct way of walking entails a lot of patience from you, but once they are able to pick up, you will surely look forward to your morning walks with your Labrador!

How to Help Your Pet Lose Weight

Slim down secrets for pets



(ARA) - Humans aren't the only ones fighting the battle of the bulge. The number of overweight dogs and cats in America continues to rise. Nearly half (45 percent) of dogs and 58 percent of cats are overweight or obese (at least 20 percent above ideal weight), according to a recent survey of veterinarians by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention.



"Many owners don't realize that excess weight puts their pets at greater risk for developing serious health problems, including arthritis and diabetes," says Dr. Grace Long, a veterinarian with Nestle Purina. "While those health conditions can be nutritionally managed, obesity can be reversed."



Fortunately, help exists for concerned pet owners. Dr. Meredith Rettinger, a veterinarian with Laurel Pet Hospital in West Hollywood, Calif., recently supervised a series of eight overweight pets and their owners as they participated in Project: Pet Slim Down - a 90-day weight loss journey documented online. Project: Pet Slim Down is a nationwide program from Purina Veterinary Diets that unites pet owners and veterinarians in helping pets lose weight.



Dr. Rettinger offers five simple "Slim Down Secrets" to help you - working with your veterinarian -  help your pet live a leaner, healthier life.



Secret 1: Have your veterinarian rule out medical reasons for excess weight.

Some conditions can lead to weight gain. Your veterinarian can screen for these and help to manage them before starting a weight loss program.



Secret 2: Don't say "I love you" with food.

Instead, spend quality time with your pet. Take your dog for a walk or play with your cat using a fluffy tail wand.



Secret 3: Increase your pet's activity level.

Be sure to consult with your veterinarian first, so you keep the exercise safe and appropriate for your pet's age and health status.



Secret 4: Make portion control a priority.

Your veterinarian can tell you the exact amount of food to feed your pet each day to achieve a healthy weight, so you don't need to guess. Track intake carefully, and make sure everyone in the household knows not to exceed the daily volume of allowed food.



Secret 5: Treats count, too.

If you are feeding your pet treats, these calories need to be subtracted from the total calories allotted for the day, and they shouldn't exceed 10 percent of that allotment. Consider low-calorie treats, or break treats into smaller pieces for more rewards with the same amount of calories.



For more information on Project: Pet Slim Down, go to projectpetslimdown.com.

Tips to Stop Puppies from Wetting Their Crate

 *** Editors: Some people don't believe in crating pups or older dogs. Some do believe it's the most effective way to train dogs. This info is for those who use the crate method.

The Secret To Stop Puppies From Peeing In Their Crate
By Lynda Du Cros

Do you want to know the secret to stop your puppy from peeing in his crate? Actually, there's no secret at all. There are basic common sense guidelines you need to follow that will ensure your puppy never pees in his crate again. If you follow these tips, you'll have a happy puppy who never pees in his crate!

Overlooking The Obvious

When it comes to crate training, you may very well be overlooking some very basic things that are preventing you from getting your puppy to stop peeing in crate. Let's take a look at some of the most common reasons your dog is using his crate as his potty:

1) Inconsistent feeding schedule

2) The owner is unaware of the signs the puppy displays when he needs to go potty

3) Separation anxiety

4) Prolonged crate stay

Aside from a consistent feeding schedule, there are definite times when your puppy will have to go potty:

1) After Sleeping

2) Play fighting

3) After a full meal

4) Right before bed time

5) In the middle of the night

Effective Methods To Prevent Peeing in Crate

In order to prevent peeing in crate, buy a crate that's just the right size for your puppy. If the crate is too big, your puppy will use his crate to eat, sleep and poop in it - which totally defeats the purpose of crate training.

The crate should barely allow your puppy to stand and stretch in it. Puppies never poop where they eat or sleep. If your puppy sees that he doesn't have enough space in his crate, he will alert you by barking that he has to go potty. He'll think long and hard before peeing in his crate.

Feed Him On A Consistent Schedule

A regular feeding schedule gives you power over when your dog goes to the bathroom. Puppies, unlike adult dogs, have weak bladders, which gives them less control over when they go potty.

After around 5 minutes from their last meal, puppies tend to have to go potty.

Stop Giving Him Extra Treats

There's no such thing as something for nothing. It will be challenging enough to keep your puppy from peeing in his crate. But if you give him treats frequently, it will make your task impossible. Treats should only be given to your dog as a reward for good behavior.

Don't Leave Your Puppy In His Crate Longer Than 2 Hours

A crate is not a means for the owner to have freedom. While the purpose of the crate is to keep the puppy from hurting himself, it's not a place to keep your puppy indefinitely. Let your puppy out of his crate every 2 hours or so. Leaving your puppy in his crate longer than that will cause him to pee in his crate.

Do you need a comprehensive puppy training schedule to get you started? Visit my Squidoo lens called Stop Puppy Peeing In Crate.

If you want to learn how to house train your dog, I highly recommend The Ultimate House Training Guide.

3 Myths About Pit Bull Dogs

3 Pit Bull Myths Unmasked
By Fredrick Miller

In today's society there is one breed of dogs that is vilified more than any other, the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT). The media portrays these dogs as the most horrible, vicious, and ill-tempered dogs ever to exist. Unfortunately most people tend to believe what they see on the television and what they read in the newspaper. Because of the media these dogs have been shunned by most of society. Today the top 3 Pit Bull myths will be unmasked before your very eyes.

Myth 1: Pit Bulls attack the most people out of any dog breed.

Did you know that there are actually over 60 different dog breeds that people mistake for being an APBT? The media loves to call any short haired dog with a large head a Pit Bull. The media are thrilled any time they can classify a dog as a Pit Bull because it makes for fantastic headlines. Any time the words "Pit Bull Attack" appear in the news there is always a nationwide anti-Pit frenzy. This poor breed is misunderstood and is considered this generation's demon dogs. Just like in previous generations there were Dobermans, German Shepherds, and Rottweilers. According to the American Temperament Test Society's June 2010 temperament testing results, the APBT ranked better than common household dog breeds such as the Cocker Spaniel, Pomeranian, Beagle, Collie, and many others.

Myth 2: Pit Bulls attack without being provoked.

All dogs, including the APBT show warning signs before they attack. These Include body language such as tensing up, stares, ear positions, tail positions, and head positions. Most dogs also give vocal warnings such as barking and growling. The general public may feel that these particular dogs attack suddenly, but most people can't distinguish the warning signs from normal behavior. Any dog that has not had the proper training or has not been socialized well enough is naturally going to be more aggressive than a dog that has. Studies also show that dogs who spend their lives chained up are very territorial when compared to dogs that get to live both indoors and outdoors. So when someone enters the dog's territory it will be more aggressive. This goes for all dog breeds.

Myth 3: Pit Bulls can lock their jaws.

There is absolutely no research that backs this up. When looked at from a medical standpoint the APBT has the same type of muscle and jaw structure as every other breed. There is no mechanism that can cause an APBT's jaw to lock. Studies by National Geographic's Dr. Brady Barr have also proven that German Shepherds and Rottweilers have a far stronger bite force than the APBT.

As you can plainly see, the media has painted a very colorful and false picture about American Pit Bull Terriers. These dogs are actually very wonderful pets. Just ask anyone who owns one of these special animals. Hopefully after seeing these 3 Pit Bull myths unmasked you will change your perspective about the breed.

Fredrick Miller is an American Pit Bull Terrier activist. He was very skeptical of the breed for a long time until he and his wife took one in off of craigslist because someone was giving the poor dog away for free. This dog has turned out to be the most well behaved and loyal pet he has ever owned. This one little furry friend has swayed his heart.

Tips for Choosing a Guard Dog

Family Watch Dog
By Sam Nieves

If I say family watch dog, what do you think of? Chances are what immediately pops into your head is something like a Rottweiler or a Doberman. A large dog that looks as if he could turn an intruder into small manageable pieces. Your basic junkyard dog, essentially, although possibly with less froth.

Which is wrong, or at least incomplete. Guard dogs and watch dogs are actually two different things, although there is some overlap, and if you want to make sure your family is safe and happy, it's good to know the difference. There are lots of great dogs for either role, but they are different roles.

If you're thinking of large, powerful dogs, probably colored black and tan, what you're thinking of are guard dogs (Rottweilers, Dobermans, German Shepherds etc). A guard dog is one that is bred to be able to intimidate and incapacitate intruders and other unwanted guests. By necessity, they need to be powerful, smart and well trained.

A watchdog, on the other hand, is there to make sure that you're aware of whatever it thinks is out of the ordinary. They are not there to attack intruders, but to serve as a kind of living alarm system. If you want a good watchdog, your dog needs to be smart and alert. They don't need to be big or scary, because that isn't their job.

If you have a dog, they're probably already serving as a kind of watchdog. Dogs are by their nature territorial and pack oriented, which means that if they see someone they don't know, they are going to start barking.

In fact, most dogs need to have their watchdog tendencies trained out of them. Their natural tendency to bark at anything out of place tends to extend to squirrels, cats, mailmen and sometimes nothing at all, so people train them to be quiet.

The key to getting a good family watch dog is in how you train them. What you want is a dog that has been trained to be discerning at what it barks at. If your dog barks at everything up to and including leaves on the ground, you're going to start ignoring him. On the other hand, if he doesn't bark at anything, well, he's not any kind of watch dog, even if he's a great dog otherwise.

Some breeds make better watchdogs than others, although almost any breed can do the job with the right training. Hounds don't make great family watch dogs because they tend to be scent oriented, and will bark at things you'll never see. This doesn't mean that they aren't suitable for the job, a dog is a dog and they will bark regardless if they see an intruder, but after speaking with so many owners that have hound mixes or hound dogs in general they entertain me with their experiences. One example is a beagle mix barking for no reason into the moon, so it looked like. Hound dogs can react to scents hundreds of yards away. This Beagle would bark every time he would catch scent of small game up in the mountains positioned less then a quarter mile from the back yard.

So what breeds do make for a good family watch dog? Well, Chihuahua's, for one. They're smart, they're alert and they have a distinct bark that they're not at all afraid to use. Most terriers make good watch dogs, and Jack Russell's and miniature Schnauzers are known for being great family watch dogs. Other popular smart watch dogs are Papillons, Poodles and Miniature Pinschers. these mentioned breed of dogs are rated among the smartest in small dogs.

In general, you want to look for a dog that is happy to bark, easily trainable, and bonds well with your family. If you get a dog that can do that, you've got a dog that can protect your family from harm.

Read and learn more about dogs. Join Dog Geekz Online Community, its free! http://www.doggeekz.com

Dog Diarrhea-What You Should Know

Dog Diarrhea - A Comprehensive Guide
By Juan Ledo

If you've got a dog, then chances are, he or she has had diarrhea at some point. Not only is dog diarrhea an inconvenient mess, it is an indicator that something could be seriously wrong with your pet's health.

Remember: diarrhea that worsens, becomes more frequent, lasts longer than 24 hours, or is accompanied by a fever or lethargic behavior is an indicator that your dog needs to be seen by a veterinarian right away. Do not wait to call the vet - it is much better to call and find out that your dog will be fine, than to wait and discover that you let the symptoms go untreated for too long.

Here are some common types of dog diarrhea, and some of the things that might be causing your puppy or dog to be suffering from diarrhea symptoms.

Yellowish or Greenish Color - This type of dog diarrhea is often very foul smelling, and can have a liquid consistency. It is often an indicator that something your dog has eaten has traveled rapidly through his system, and that the body is trying to eliminate it quickly. If your dog has a habit of eating garbage or has found something disgusting to chew on, like a dead animal, this could be what is causing diarrhea.

Yellowish With Mucous and Blood Streaks - Any time you see blood in your dog's stools, you should be alarmed. This type of diarrhea can indicate a bacterial infection like Coccidia or Giardia. If it worsens quickly and is accompanied by vomiting, it could be Parvo. Get your dog to the vet right away to give him the best chance at survival.

Bloody, Foul Smelling Diarrhea - Very bloody dog diarrhea is usually an indicator of Parvovirus. By the time most dogs get to this stage they have less than twenty-four hours to live, unless emergency treatment is given immediately. Dogs with Parvo are lethargic, and are unable to keep anything down without vomiting. Bundle your dog up, and get him or her to the vet right away.

Black Tarry Diarrhea - Diarrhea that looks black or tarry probably contains digested blood from the dogs' own digestive tract. This could be an indicator of a serious illness, and your vet will probably need to run a blood panel to determine what is wrong with your pet.

Foamy Diarrhea - Very light, foamy dog diarrhea can be an indicator of a bacterial infection, especially if it is yellowish or greenish in color. If your dog has no appetite, is vomiting or appears to be lethargic, and has watery or foamy stools, he or she could have an internal obstruction. Veterinarians remove things like chunks of rawhide chew, shreds of fabric, pieces of plastic from garbage or a toy that the dog has destroyed, and even objects like coins from dogs' intestines every day. Many dogs, especially puppies, will ingest just about anything - so don't be surprised if your vet wants to take x-rays to see whether there is an obstruction in cases like this.

Pale, Grey Colored Diarrhea - If your dog has very pale colored diarrhea on a regular basis, this could indicate that he or she has an internal illness. Pale dog diarrhea is often seen in dogs who are suffering from liver disease. The vet will probably conduct a blood panel to see what is causing the diarrhea, and will then prescribe a course of treatment.

Remember, parasites and bacteria can often be transmitted to humans and other pets via contact with contaminated surfaces. Talk to your vet about how to sanitize your pet's area, and be sure to get rid of anything that has come into contact with diarrhea.

Learn more about Dog Diarrhea Causes and Remedies at http://www.dogdiarrhea.info

The 99 Most Popular Doggie Names

99 Of The Most Popular Dog Names
By Steve Benedict

Picking out the right name for your dog is important. You need to put some thought into a name that means something to you. The name you give your puppy is the one he carries the rest of his life. You'll kick yourself if you hang a name on your dog that you don't care for later.

I like dog names with two syllables, as it's easier to get your dogs attention. Your voice inflection on a two syllable word can convey many emotions, from praise to command. Dog names really change over the years and run the gamut from images of bravery to silly names that connect you to places in your heart.

Over the years Spot, Fido and Checkers have been replaced with catchy names like Rocky, Bubba, Bailey, Molly and Sasha. I've compiled what seem to be the top 99 dog names over the last few years. I've found that veterinarians and insurance companies are the best place to find this kind of information.

Where does your dog's name rank?

1. Buddy

2. Max

3. Molly

4. Maggie

5. Jake

6. Lucy

7. Daisy

8. Rocky

9. Bailey

10. Sadie

11. Chloe

12. Ginger

13. Charlie

14. Sophie

15. Buster

16. Zoe

17. Cody

18. Brandy

19.Bella

20. Jack

21. Princess

22. Bear

23. Angel

24. Toby

25. Lady

26. Sasha

27. Roxy

28. Katie

29. Abby

30. Sam

31.Duke

32. Missy

33. Harley

34. Marley

35. Coco

36. Shadow

37. Annie

38. Lucky

39. Rusty

40. Samantha

41. Casey

42. Murphy

43. Gracie

44. Sammy

45. Bruno

46. Boomer

47. Maximus

48. Luke

49. Mickey

50. Romeo

51. Henry

52. Cosmo

53. Leo

54. Rex

55. Spike

56. Diesel

57. Chester

58. Otis

59. Tyson

60. Coco

61. Jasper

62. Pepper

63. Spencer

64. Scooter

65. Simba

66. Jocko

67. Simon

68. Peanut

69. Brutus

70. Prince

71. Chance

72. George

73. Sampson

74. Bubba

75. Marley

76. Scout

77. Maxwell

78. Rufus

79. Elvis

80. Barney

81. Taz

82. Smokey

83. Chico

84. Bo

85. Kobe

86. Bosco

87. Ben

88. Blue

89. Brady

90. Oreo

91. Chase

92. Guinness

93. Snoopy

94. Roscoe

95. Dexter

96.Snoops

97.Rascal

98. Harry

99. Moose

Do your homework and think about a name the whole family will be happy with the rest of your dog's life. Although picking a pet name is not quite as important as picking out your childs name, your canine pal is still a member of the family and his name is going to be used around your house, every day, for years and years. Pick one that has the right feel and involve the rest of the family in the decision. That way, peace and harmony are achieved by all (especially Mom).

My name is Steve Benedict and I love working with dogs. If you're interested in finding answers to many canine questions, visit my web site, Dog Respect. It's evolving as great place to find answers to everything from dog food recalls, to stores for hard to find dog products, to behavioral challenges. If you're serious about your dog's health and happiness, bookmark this site, http://www.dogrespect.com. I think you'll enjoy it!

Ways You Can Prepare Your Pet for Winter

AC Dog Heaters and Other Ways to Prepare Your Pet For Winter
By Tonya Kerniva

As much as he enjoys playing the snow, winter is a dangerous time for dogs, especially those that stay outside. An A/C dog house unit isn't just for keeping pets cooler in the summer; they also keep them cozier in winter. But it doesn't stop there; there are plenty of things you and your dog can do to prepare for the coming cold.

A/C Dog Heaters

These lightweight, portable units are box-shaped and take up little room. Made from durable, weather-resistant materials, you can keep it outside without worrying about it shorting out. How it works is that it pumped air directly in your dog's house through a hose connected to the unit. And it's very energy efficient. Most models come with the tools and instructions on how to cut a hole in your dog house for the hose, which means that these units work with essentially any dog house. Then, set the temperature using the controlled thermostat and your worries are over. The A/C dog heater doesn't just keep the temperature at a comfortable level; it also acts as a dehumidifier and regularly circulates air, which can become stale and stuffy in winter.

Bedding

Another way to improve upon the A/C unit and the dog house itself is to look for adequately warm bedding. Though fleece and other natural fibers are ultra plush and great for inside your home, they won't work as well outdoors. Stick to weather-resistant, waterproof bedding specifically manufactured for outdoor use. They're made with a poly filling and have easy to wash nylon covers. If you don't have adequate fabric bedding, straw is a good natural insulator and bedding material that's cheap and easy to come by, especially if you own a farm. Just be sure to regularly change the straw out for cleanliness and so there aren't insect infestations.

Heated Mat

In addition to bedding, you can even buy your pet a heated mat to lie on. These convenient units are perfect for crates and when you're on the go. Simply plug it into your car's cigarette lighter and you're powered up.

Jackets

You might only think to dress up your dog on Halloween and other holidays, but pet clothing in the winter has a very functional purpose. It's especially beneficial to short-haired breeds and small dogs.Many companies specialize in dog outerwear, including sweaters and jackets, so you can find one that suits you and your pup. If your dog isn't used to wearing clothes, it might be difficult getting them to wear it the first time around. Try it out for regular, short intervals and use treats as a distraction.

Boots

Pet booties are great for a variety of reasons. The bottom of your dog's paws isn't as thick as you think.They can suffer from frostbite and other irritants after long walks or from just running around in the yard. Dog booties keep paws warm and dry, provide more traction on icy surfaces, and keep salt off of their paws, which can irritate and crack the pads.

Prepare your dog

In addition to A/C dog units, heating pads, and clothing, you can also help your dog out getting his body acclimated. Leave your pet outside for short intervals that gradually get longer so they can naturally ease into the weather. You can also feed them a diet rich in proteins and fish oils to build up and thicken their coats. As a side note, most outdoor pets require more food overall in winter to maintain the same energy levels. As far as grooming, keep your pet's coat longer than you would in the summer so it can provide better natural insulation.

Tonya Kerniva is an experienced research and free lance writing professional. She writes actively about AC Dog and Dog Coolers.