Thursday, June 22, 2006

Working Dog June 22, 2006

Working Dog June 22, 2006

Would working like a dog be easier with your four-legged friend at your side?

A recent survey indicates that the majority of dog owners would put in longer hours if their pet could accompany them to work, and one out of three said they'd take a pay cut for the perk. While most pooch acceptance is found in small businesses, a few large companies welcome employee dogs.

June 23 is Take Your Dog to Work Day. Check with your employer to see if your company is willing to participate.

Saturday, June 10, 2006

CHIHUAHUA NAILS (CLAWS)

NAILS (CLAWS)

Dog claws should be trimmed around every 2-3 months depending on growth, although indoor pets may need more frequent attention. Dogs that have access to concrete or hard surfaces will need less as they will naturally wear down on these surfaces or by walking them on foot paths. Dog claws naturally wear down through normal activity, but when kept indoors, often need them trimmed more often as they are not as active and generally walk on softer surfaces. When dog claws are too long you may hear them click as they walk across a hard surfaced floor. This is a sign to pay attention. Long claws are more prone to infection. Overgrown claws can cause painful paw injuries. A claw can be ripped out or could snag something or even crack in some cases, resulting in a painful wound.


Sunday, June 4, 2006

The canine workout

The canine workout.


Some dogs naturally need more activity and mental stimulation than others. Often this is breed-related. Your veterinarian can advise you about what's right for your puppy. If your puppy is high-energy, he'll generally need two 30-minute sessions a day. You may need to assign the sessions to different family members. Medium-energy dogs need two 20-minute sessions daily, and less active dogs can get by on two 15-minute sessions every day.

And to make sure your puppy grows accustomed to brushing, be sure to reward him with a treat or with praise when you're done.


Lawn alert.
Make sure your puppy's play area is safe:

paw Follow label directions when using weed killers and pest control, and keep your puppy out of freshly treated areas.
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paw Don't let your puppy chew on flowers or shrubbery. Some plants may be toxic.
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paw Lawn mowers, weed trimmers, saws and other tools must be moved out of your dog's reach. And keep dogs away from hot barbecue grills too.
On the fence.
Keeping your dog safe in your yard requires good fencing. Here are a few of the most popular options:

paw Privacy fencing provides excellent containment and helps keep a noisy dog from barking since there are no openings to see outside.
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paw Chain-link fencing is durable, inexpensive and effective for most dogs. Some can climb these fences and collars can get tangled on fence edges.
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paw Underground electric fencing, or "invisible" fencing, is a good solution for some dogs. It can't be jumped over or dug under. But it doesn't keep other animals out, and some hunting breeds will ignore the fence while chasing prey.
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paw A covered kennel will keep your puppy from digging, climbing or jumping out. Just remember, your dog will still need plenty of outside exercise and quality time with you.
ID required.
If your puppy is playing outside more often, it's essential to provide proper pet ID. At minimum, this means plastic collar tags with your phone number. You might also check with your veterinarian about microchip or tattoo IDs-affordable options that stay with your dog.