Jackets and Sweaters for Dogs - Do They Need Them?

Whether or not a dog needs a sweater or a jacket depends entirely on the dog's breed and age. Breed wise, there are many who are used to extremely cold climates and don't need any extra protection. Most pet dogs are made to wear sweaters and jackets because they are - pet dogs. Like with anything else they need food, water and shelter, they are protected against harsh climates by their pet parents.

Sometimes these decisions are more emotional than practical. For example, a Saint Bernard dog doesn't really need any protection from a cold climate. However, pet parents still like to buy dog jackets online for their pet because they love him or her.

Puppies

Puppies do need protection from cold climates, regardless of their breed. Their immune system is much weaker than older dogs and too much of anything can harm them. They can develop cold or cough (dry or wet) if they are not given any extra cover. Puppies who are within one to three months of age need this protection more than puppies who are within three months to nine months of age.

Senior dogs

As dogs become older, their resistance to extreme weather conditions tends to decrease. It is just like us humans. When we become old, we need to cover ourselves up more than we needed when we were young. Old dogs who are suffering from respiratory conditions do need sweaters and jackets in cold climates. Dogs who are suffering from diseases like diabetes or arthritis also need to be covered up for the same reason.

How to understand whether your dog needs a jacket or a sweater?

If your dog is a puppy or a senior dog, as mentioned above, he or she will need to be protected during winter months. If your dog doesn't fall in any of the above categories, then his/her breed and age need to be taken into consideration for taking an informed decision.

If your dog is a young Siberian Husky, then he/she doesn't need any protection. They are used to sub-zero temperatures and regardless of where you reside, your dog doesn't need to wear any extra clothing. If your dog is a young Labrador, on the other hand, then buying a sweater or a jacket is a good idea. They are single-coated dogs and hence need to be protected. Fleece jackets are the best options for dogs during winter months. Buy dog sweaters online and protect your dog today!

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Five Important Obedience Commands All Dogs Should Know

Every well-mannered dog should know at least five basic but important dog obedience commands which are:

Down, sit, come, heel, and stay. You need to teach your pet these commands 3 to 5 sessions a day with each session lasting 10 to 15 minutes. Short but frequent sessions are preferable to long and tedious ones if you want to maintain your dog's interest.

The following is a brief outline of the basic dog training commands. You may opt for verbal praise or use treats once it has performed the desired behavior.

The Sit Command

The sit command is a stationary position whereby it has all its four paws on the ground. To train the sit command, hold a bite-sized dog treat and then move it from your dog's nose in the direction of its head. Praise your pet or click if you are using the clicker once the rear of your dog touches the ground and immediately give the treat.

The Down Command

The down command is yet another stationary position whereby it is lying down on the ground. To train the down command, ask your dog to sit and then taking a treat close to your dog's nose. Just like drawing an imaginary letter "L", move downward the treat from the nose to between your dog's front paws. Draw the treat outwards then click or praise as soon as the dog's elbows touch the ground and the dog is lying down. Once it is down, deliver the treat immediately.

The Stay Command

The stay command is a stationary position where it will stay frozen until released. To train the stay command, ask your dog to sit or lay down. Count two seconds then click or praise to reward the dog for staying in position and deliver a treat immediately while the dog is still in position. Afterward, release your dog from the position by using the release command.

The Come Command

To train the come command, step a few feet away from your dog. Then, call out the name of your dog followed by the signal 'come' as you are walking backwards quickly. Click or praise once the dog starts to come your way. Give the treat immediately the dog catches up with you.

The Heel Command

The heel command is where your pet walks next to you with it's shoulder in line with your left knee. To train the heel command your pet must be on leash. Start by making a step using your left leg first then walking while encouraging the dog to follow. Once it is right next to you, with the dog's shoulder lining up with your left knee, praise or click the dog then deliver a treat.

In conclusion, those are the five most basic and most important dog obedience commands. It is good that you keep repeating the procedures because it is only in repetition that the dog will come to understand these commands. Once the dog has learned all the commands it will not only benefit you but your dog as well.

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What to Do When Your Child Wants a Dog

A lot of people and children in particular are influenced by what they see or hear about dogs in the media and then decide that they want to have a dog of their own. In particular watching a film with a dog as a key character can be very compelling!

Unfortunately watching a film you don't really get a sense of what the needs of the dog are and how much time, cost and energy it takes to properly look after one. A great deal of commitment is needed to understand and fulfil the responsibilities of dog ownership.

On the upside, of course a dog can be a wonderful companion for a child and owning a dog can teach them important lessons like responsibility, self-control, caring, compassion and loyalty.

Generally dogs are very loving pets and provide the family with a joint sense of purpose: for example, everyone can have a share in fulfilling the needs of your dog, taking turns to feed it, train it and you can go out for a walk together to exercise the dog as well as taking pleasure in finding different places to visit or new things you can do together with the dog.

For adults having a dog can also help counter the stress of a high-powered job enhance our self-esteem, and alleviate life stresses - so long as the dog is well-trained and balanced.

If you are faced with a child who wants a puppy of their own, apart from reminding them that puppies quickly grow into adults that may not be quite so cute, they need to know that puppies don't arrive understanding how to behave in our home environment; they need training and socialisation which means almost constant attention in the early months. Even once they have had initial training, it is unfair (and potentially unsafe) for dogs to be left on their own for very long otherwise accidents and 'unacceptable' behaviour can be the result.

It is never fair to bring a dog into a home where they would be regularly left on their own for long periods each day while everyone is out at school or work.

Add to this the fact that some people who get a dog find that once the initial excitement has worn off, the dog's routine can become a tedious duty and the other responsibilities and costs are too much to tolerate! Many dogs end up being abandoned and need re-homing, which is not at all fair on the animals.

Sadly too, it can be the case that children all too often promise to help look after a dog and then get distracted with the next fashion fad, leaving their parents to do much or all of the work! So parents need to be sure it is what they want to commit to too.

As a first step, perhaps you might suggest that they experiment with a technology pet like a Nintendog (or a Furby or Tamagotchi) first, so that they can learn more about what is really involved in looking after a living pet?

These technology pets simulate what it is like to look after a pet; children can feed, talk to, pet, groom, train, walk and play games with their virtual dog and so gain an understanding of the demands of owning a real pet.

Then if it seems that your child still really wants to have a pet, it may be better to look at all options so that you consider pets that suit your home and lifestyle...

We are passionate about preventing vicious dog attacks!

We want people to have safer, more relaxed, happier and more balanced relationships with dogs - wherever they come in contact.

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All You Need To Know About The Manchester Terrier

The Manchester Terrier is a smooth-haired terrier breed that is very intelligent, cunning and is high-spirited. This terrier breed is loved by many because of its inquisitive nature and is very eager to learn. It displays the true nature of terrier breeds; terriers are lively, independent, faithful, alert and sporty. Manchester terriers make terrific watchdogs and are very loyal to their owners.

There are two different varieties of this breed. These are the Standard and Toy breeds. However, in their native land, England, these two varieties are considered to be two completely different breeds; the Manchester terrier and the English Toy Terrier.

However, when it comes to actually selecting a pure breed dog, there are several factors that will play a crucial role in the decision making process. For instance, their ears will be determinant in identifying your breed. Toys have erect ears and never crop. Standard ones however enjoy a bit more freedom as their ears can naturally be erect, "button" or cropped.

Nonetheless, despite the differences in ears and size, the standard terrier and toy terrier are pretty basically one and the same dog. They both have the same striking character. As earlier mentioned, they are an extremely loyal dog and are devoted to its owner. This dog breed craves to be noticed while at the same time it is not overly demanding. As such, you shouldn't expect to see any signs of begging or pawing for attention from this dog.

Completely devoted to companionship, the Manchester terrier does not do well when left alone for extended periods of time. They tend to get nervous and bored in such situations and will usually end up adopting destructive behaviors and loud, excessive barking. To avoid this, exercising your dog often will usually work.

Manchester terriers can live for well over 14 years. If not well exercised and overfed, this dog breed will tend to become obese. As such, it is important that you exercise your dog often. They are a sporty, agile and obedient breed and love being taken out for walks. However, it important to have them on a leash because when their hunting instinct kicks in, they tend to forget their training and will give chase.

It is important to note that this breed can be stubborn and a bit difficult to housebreak. As such, crate training the recommended option when it comes to potty training. When looking for a good, healthy and manageable pure breed Manchester terrier, it is important that you buy one from a reputable breeder with a great history of raising Manchester terriers and tests his or her breeding dogs to ensure that they have no hereditary diseases that could be passed on to their young.

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How to Groom a Long Haired Jack Russell Terrier

How to Groom a Long Haired Jack Russell Terrier

The Jack Russell Terrier breed has a double coat of thick hair that requires to be taken care of regularly. Also referred to as the Parson Russell Terrier, the dogs may have rough, smooth or broken coats. The rough-coated or long haired Jack Russell terrier has longer tresses than the smooth-coated terrier, and have surplus trace hair on its head, legs, body and face. The hair is crude to shield the breed from the elements, and silky, curly or soft hair is taken to be a fault. However, the long haired Jack Russell Terrier requires some grooming to appear their best all the time. Here are various ways you can use to groom your dog:

Brushing

Brushing is one of the most vital feature of grooming a long haired Jack Russell Terrier. Its main aim is to aid the dog grow a hard and water repellent coat. You can start by combing your dog's whole body with a wide-toothed comb. You can also engage in daily brushing using a slicker brush when your dog blows its coat. This kind of brush includes a rubber cushion rooted with metal pins that help to remove the undercoat hairs soon as they become loose.

Stripping

Besides brushing, you can also strip your long haired Jack Russell Terrier twice a year to groom him. This is best done when the terrier is blowing the coat. Use a stripping comb to strip all the hairs off and examine every section to make sure that all dull hairs have been plucked. You can also use a stripping knife, but if you are uncomfortable doing this, consult an expert groomer for instruction and advice.

Bathing

According to the Jack Russell Terrier Club, shampoo is detrimental to the long haired Jack Russell Terrier as it mitigates the hair. Instead, the dogs benefit from dry shampoos. You will mix equal fractions of cornstarch with child powder and then work the mixture into your dog's coat. After that, brush the coat carefully. However, if the dog is very dirty and needs a full shower, use top-quality dog shampoo manufactured especially for long haired dogs.

Trimming

Jack Russell Terrier breeds requires little trimming. You can trim the slack hair on your dog's face using blunt scissors. However, avoid trimming more than required. Leave the whiskers and eyebrow hairs around his mouth and remove enough to poise the face uniformly on both sides. It is also a good idea to trim around the genitals to enhance hygiene, and the excess hair in between his toes. Thinning scissors can be used for the job.

Conclusion

The grooming process for a long haired Jack Russell Terrier is more delicate and time-consuming than grooming a short-haired Terrier. One point to keep in mind is that you should never cut a Terrier's hair. This is because cutting his hair alters the coat texture, turning it softer, whereas a Jack Terrier's coat should be wiry and firm. Another important point is that grooming should always be performed on a table. This is to save you from having to bend to meet your dog. You will also be comfortable while doing the job.

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Important Dog Grooming Tips

Proper grooming should be a priority for keeping your bundle of joy healthy and safe without any hassles. There are a multitude of dog training equipment and other grooming solutions that are available online for pet owners and you need to keep yourself abreast of the same on a regular basis.

Here are some basic tips that you definitely need to know:

Hair brushing sessions are a must on a regular basis

There are multiple dog combs & brushes available that you can use to keep your pet's coat in a healthy condition. Your four legged friend will definitely enjoy brushing sessions with products like the Furminator tool, Slicker brushes, double sided combs, double sided brushes, De-shedders and of course, comprehensive grooming kits that make your life easier on a regular basis. Bear in mind that long haired pooches should be brushed each day while weekly brushing sessions are mandatory for dogs with short or medium hair.

Have monthly bathing sessions for your dog

Let your dog have a ball in the bathtub with special Dog Shampoo and other Tick solutions that keep him/her clean and healthy at all times. You can even opt for once a week bathing sessions if your dog enjoys it. There are various shampoos and conditioners that you can choose from online.

Use Dog deodorants and other accessories

You can opt for wonderful dog deodorants and other grooming accessories. These keep him/her safe from foul odours and also contribute towards creating a better ambience at home. Take your pick from various fragrances and sprays available online.

Always keep your dog's ears clean

Use soft and sensitive buds or other dog training equipments to keep your dog's ears free from dirt, grime and other filth. This is a necessity in order to combat the growth of yeast and bacteria in your dog's ears which can subsequently lead to a multitude of health problems in the long run.

Get periodic haircuts for your fur ball!

Is your dog immensely furry and long haired? Dogs like poodles, Lhasa's and Shih Tzu's should definitely get bi-weekly or monthly haircuts. This is best done by qualified and trained groomers and maintenance specialists though you can definitely undertake some basic cutting techniques on your own.

Other grooming essentials

Pet owners should definitely consider dog diapers especially if your ball of mischief has a naughty habit of urinating or pooping all across the house or if he/she is prone to related medical disorders. Alongside, a handy set of dog wipes works well with regard to keeping your pet clean on trips and outings. Quality wipes also help immensely with regard to drying your dog in an appropriate manner.

Follow these grooming tips religiously and give your dog a healthier and cleaner life!

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