Dog Purses

When you've got a lot of money, it seems that even wacky things don't seem so crazy. In fact, if enough of your friends join in, you might even get your pictures taken and start a trend. Dog purses seem to be just such a trend. Although carrying around one's favorite little friend has been popular for hundreds of years among the upper classes, paparazzi taking photos of the likes of Paris Hilton seems to have given the idea of carrying a dog around in your purse a new burst of popularity.

A dog purse is simply a device designed for hauling around your tiny dog in a very fashionable way. Instead of hauling around a plastic carrier, some people are choosing to place their pooch in a purse designed especially for holding pups. There are even bags fashioned by famous designers carrying price tags ranging into the hundreds of dollars available for purchase.

There is a concern that seeing people at the top of popular culture accessorizing with dogs in purses might encourage others to take to carrying around their canine with more concern for being fashionable than keeping their dog safe. If you are thinking about going the route of the fashionable, please always put the interest of your pet first. If your dog has any health issues at all, you should take them into consideration. Although small breeds like Yorkshire Terriers and Chihuahuas will fit comfortably into these purses, if they have issues like arthritis or weak bladders, you might want to reconsider placing them in such a device until you have consulted your veterinarian.

It seems that purses for carrying dogs are here to stay, for a while at least. If you own a large dog, you might be out of luck. If you have a toy breed and want to go with the current flow of culture, there are plenty of these purses out there waiting to help you accessorize for a price. Just make sure that it is fun for both you and your dog.

You might also enjoy these other articles about dog purses and finding cheap purses for sale online.

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Thyroid Problems in Dogs

Our dog Lucky was slowly becoming different than our other dogs. She was over weight even though she ate less than the other dogs and really didn't seem to care that much about food. She was also very depressed acting. We could just see it in her eyes. She seemed very sad. Lucky did not like to play like the other dogs did. She pretty much just sat on the porch and watched the other dogs while they played.

We took her to the vet, and he decided to do a blood test on her to see if her thyroid was producing enough thyroid hormone. The thyroid hormone is what regulates metabolism. Her test showed she was only borderline low. But the vet gave us some thyroid pills anyway and told us to give her half a dose each day for a month.
The results are detailed below.

Here are some symptoms which might indicate your dog has a thyroid problem:

Very lazy acting and not wanting to play -Lucky had this symptom

Weight gain with no added interest in food - Lucky definitely had this symptom

Dry skin - Lucky's coat was dry and very coarse feeling compared to our other dogs

Hair loss (especially in the tail area) - Lucky had a large bald spot on the top of her tail

Bacteria infections - She did not have this symptom

Problems with the cold - Well, all of our dogs seem to dislike the cold

A slow pulse rate - We never checked her for that

Strange behavior or compulsions - Lucky was (and still is) our dog with the strangest behavior

Aggression - Yes, Lucky is the one dog of our four we don't trust around very tiny children without close supervision

Depression - Yes, Lucky was for sure depressed.

Most dogs who are affected are in the mid to large sized breed category. Lucky is a mid sized dog. It is also hereditary. But in this case Katie is her mom, and Katie is the happiest, most perfect dog there could be. We also know who Lucky's dad was. He too was a very happy dog. So with lucky it must have skipped a generation.

It can happen to both male and female dogs. But it happens to spayed females more than unspayed females. And Lucky was spayed. And the problem did not start happening until after that. However, a low thyroid problem doesn't start happening usually until a dog is over 4 years old. Lucky was spayed about one year old and we started noticing a change in her about a year later.

After we had given Lucky the pills for a month, we started seeing a behavior change. She actually WANTED to play once in a while! As we kept giving them to her she started losing some weight too. The vet said we might try stopping them for a while and see how it goes. Apparently, sometimes the pills do some kind of a jump start on things and they keep going correctly. He was right...for a while anyway. She did continue to improve and lose weight without the pills. However, after about 6 months, we see the old, depressed Lucky coming back. So we have started to give the pills again to her.

As near as we can tell from researching the subject on the Internet and talking with our Vet, there are few side effects associated with thyroid pills. So we will probably continue now giving them to her on a regular basis.

Please write to us if you have any questions about this or if you would like to share your story.

Steve Weber owns http://www.CactusCanyon.com which offers advice and natural products to owners of dogs with thyroid problems.

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Looking For a Solution to Dog Barking? Dogs Bark Naturally So What Can You Do

If you want just one solution to dog barking, there isn't one, there are many. Many different solutions to this most common dog behavior problem. The bottom line is that you must communicate to your dog that you are in charge, not them and that barking is not allowed.

There are many ways to get your dog to stop barking, citronella collars, shock collars, ultrasonic devices, and training. Of all these solutions, citronella collars and re-training are the most humane.

Citronella collars can be bought anywhere. It is basically a collar your dog wears around its neck and it shoots out a burst of citronella whenever your dog barks. Dogs don't like this smell so they stop barking. The problem here is you have to constantly refill the citronella reservoir, so it does not always work. Also, using this method, the dog learns much slower than doing retraining.

The best solution to a barking dog is retraining your dog. It is natural for your dog to bark when people enter his territory or when he views someone as a threat to the family. Many dogs even bark just to get attention.

The problem is that they live in our houses and they are not allowed to bark. You have to clearly communicate to your dog that barking is not permitted in the house. If know that your dog barks during certain situations, like someone coming to the door, make sure you have a leash on your dog or are at least close to him, so you can instantly correct his behavior.

If you are having problems getting this dog behavior problem under control, there are lots of resources out there to help you. Click here for one of the best resources for Stopping Dog Behavior Problems

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Dogs and Toxins

Apart from other dogs, what is the one thing that all dogs love virtually all the time? You guessed it: food! Dogs are very much like people in that they eat out of necessity, boredom, interest, nutritional compulsions, and sometimes; by mistake. Even the most well-trained dog could be subject to accidental poisoning. Many poisons also taste fantastic, and are easily accessible around your home. The question is, are you prepared to assist your dog, should this ever occur? The following are some common sources of potentially fatal poisonings, including symptoms, and treatments.

Antifreeze:

Antifreeze is deadly to dogs, even in small amounts. Antifreeze contains compounds that destroy the liver and red blood cells once ingested. It is, in fact, a rather frequent killer of pets. The reason for this is that antifreeze tastes sweet; like a syrupy candy. Antifreeze must be wiped up immediately following a spill, and at all times it should be isolated from dogs, other pets, and children. If your dog does ingest antifreeze, you should look for the following signs:

• Ataxia: unable to walk, stumbling, falling down
• Vomiting
• Excessive water consumption
• Excessive urination

Treatment:

Induce vomiting. Seek immediate emergency veterinary care.

Chocolate/Caffeine:

If consumed, these products will impact your dog's cardiovascular system. Chocolate and caffeine increase the heart rate in dogs, leading to heart problems, and breathing difficulties. If your dog ingests large amounts of caffeine, it can prove fatal. Here's what to watch for:

• Excessive panting
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Tremors/Seizures
• Hyperactivity

Treatment:

Induce vomiting. Seek immediate veterinary care, to include gastric lavage, and activated charcoal treatments.

Raw Salmon:

Any raw meat, but particularly salmon, can contain a fluke-like parasite that is highly specialized. Once ingested, the fluke spawns and lives in the intestines, where it produces very toxic substances that infect the entire body, causing the dog to become very ill rather quickly. Symptoms are typically as follows:

• Lethargy
• Severe weight loss
• Vomiting
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Bloody or discolored diarrhea

Treatment:
Antibiotics are the only way to prevent your dog's death. Dogs that survive this type of infection will then be immune to recurrences.

Raisins & Grapes:

Dogs who ingest large amounts of raisins or grapes may place their life in severe danger. Both of these foods contain toxins that attack the liver. Survival rates of this type of poisoning is only 50%, so it is vital to get your dog immediate attention should you suspect it has eaten large quantities of grapes or raisins. Symptoms will include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Excessive water consumption
• Excessive urination
• Kidney failure

Treatment:

Induce vomiting. Stomach lavage. Activated charcoal. Intravenous fluid therapy

Mushrooms:

Mushrooms can be deadly to dogs. In America, there are numerous types that will cause a very quick, painful death. For this reason, it is imperative to watch your dog closely outside, especially in the fall and other moist times of year where mushrooms are prolific. There are many different types of deadly mushrooms that attack different parts of the body, so the symptoms will vary greatly. You can expect the following:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Confusion
• Collapse/Unconsciousness
• Hallucinations
• Irregular behavior
• Coma

Treatment:

Induce vomiting immediately. Activated charcoal. Treatment for liver disease.

Lead Poisoning:

Lead poisoning is much more prevalent in dogs than many would think. Dogs who ingest paint chips or painted wood, fishing sinkers, weights, or any other material containing lead are in grave danger. If you recognize the following symptoms, your dog need emergency veterinary treatment:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Excessive urination
• Decreased appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Blindness
• Tremors
• Erratic behavior
• Seizures

Treatment:

Blood testing. Extensive intravenous therapy.

Insecticides & Pesticides:

While there are simply too many of these to make an exhaustive list, insecticides and pesticides can prove fatal to your dog within minutes of ingestion. For this reason, it is absolutely imperative that you store and use these items where your dog will not be exposed to them. If for some reason your dog ingests or inhales any type of the mentioned items, you should seek immediate veterinary care. Symptoms will vary greatly according to the type of item ingested:

• Excessive salivation
• Vomiting/ with or without blood
• Diarrhea/ with or without blood
• Confusion
• Ataxia
• Seizures
• Unconsciousness

Treatment:

Varies widely according to what was ingested. Contact a poison control center and seek immediate veterinary assistance.

Venom:

A dog can sustain a venomous snake bite much more easily than a human. Dogs have very tough skin, and venom does not affect them as significantly as it does one of us. However, a snakebite can be fatal. If you observe an actual bite occur, or suspect that your dog has been bitten, first ensure that the snake (or other venomous creature is no longer in the area.) Remove your dog to a safe location and attempt to keep them still. You might notice the following symptoms:

• Puncture wounds
• Severe Pain/Swelling
• Necrosis of tissue at bite site
• Labored breathing

Treatment:

Antibiotics sometimes help. Benadryl may be recommended by your vet if you are in the field. Anti-Venom. Do not suction wound site. Do not use tourniquets or make incisions at the bite site.

Your natural responsibility to your dog should mitigate most of these types of poisonings. However, we all know that dogs are indiscriminate eaters, and that they sometimes eat and expose themselves to toxic or even deadly items. Be observant, and be prepared, and you will greatly reduce the chance that your dog will become a casualty of toxins. For more information, and to report a suspected poisoning, contact the APCC at: 888-426-4435.

Geoffrey A. English is the Founder of GundogsOnline.com, the internet's premiere online magazine dedicated to hunting dogs. Their site has a wide variety of dog supplies such as Dog Training Collars, SportDOG, and Dogtra products.

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Chocolate Pitbulls

Does it seem like there are more brands and breeds of pitbulls that you can coherently wrap your mind around when trying to decide on a dog? Is there a specific reason you are looking for a chocolate pitbulls and what have you heard that was so intriguing that you just have to find where you can adopt some chocolate pitbulls? If you stumbled across here because you are confused, well that is great because there are so many names for the same thing and sometimes it seems as though they were only created to cause confusion while creating a mass ‘demand’ for this new named creature.

What are Chocolate Pitbulls?

Chocolate pitbulls is simply the name of the dog designated by it’s colors and it is brown, a deep chocolate color and that is the only difference between that and other kinds of dogs. If it is a dark brown pitbull that you are looking for, any one of the chocolate pitbulls will work just fine.

This color of dog will rear itself in many different breeds of pitbulls such as the Alligator and Lion Head pitbulls and it only confirms that the coloring constitutes that of chocolate pitbulls. There are literally a thousand breeds and ‘strains’ of the breed and in each of those sub categories you will find the label chocolate in many of them. Again, it is used to predominantly describe the color of the dog and the coat of the dog.

Chocolate Pitbulls Vs. Pitbulls

Obviously there is no versus when speaking of other breeds and the chocolate pitbulls for the reasons mentioned above so if you are seeking for that beautiful dark brown pitbull for you, look no further than any breed at all and in the coloring they will label the dogs as ‘chocolate pitbulls’ and you can be confident in knowing that you are getting the same quality, breed or whatever you are seeking for in that infamous chocolate flavoring.

Now when you get one of the sought after chocolate pitbulls, remember to always be a responsible pet owner when searching for your perfect pet and treat it with kindness and respect! Pitbulls are getting such a terrible wrap for being horrible, mean, untamable beasts and they are not. Man is the beast much before the dog is and most often, those pitbulls that are attacked are treated cruelly and inhumanely and this causes many unwanted traits within the dog.

If you want to learn more about pitbull fighting please visit our site which is free to the public. You'll find the best tips on everything to do with pitbulls

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Pitbull Training

The most troublesome and boring aspect of owning a pet pit bull according to most owners is training. Though boring, early obedience training for pit bulls is very essential, otherwise they may become disobedient and even aggressive. A poorly bred pit bull is often a danger to the people around it. Also, it is necessary to teach housebreaking to a pit bull when it is still a puppy.

The first thing that a pit bull needs to be trained in is housebreaking. Pit bull puppies have weak bladders, which they may need to eliminate almost every hour. Have specific meal times for the puppy and then take it out. Over time, puppies will begin to recognize this place by its smell. It's no fun to be woken in the middle of a night by a puppy whining to go potty, but it takes endurance in the first few months. As pit bulls grow older, their bladder control improves, but it will be a while before they can hold their bladders overnight. Another method is paper training, where newspaper can be spread at spots within the house. However, paper training is not good as it gives the pit bull the idea that it is okay to poop inside the house.

Pitbulls are athletic dogs and so they need stamina and strength training. The most common way to teach almost all dogs is by drive and tracking. A ball and string can be used for this. Show the ball to the pit bull until its curiosity is aroused and then roll the ball on the floor, away from the pit bull. The pit bull will begin chasing after it. Using this tactic, several tricks can be taught to the pit bull.

Pit bulls are intelligent dogs. They respond to commands. Pit bulls can be trained to understand commands such as 'go', 'fetch', 'heel' and they also recall to their names. Repeating the commands over and over helps the dog to learn faster. Such obedience training must not be taken lightly as it may sometimes be a lifesaver to the dog.

Training a dog requires patience and affection on the part of the trainer. Pit bulls are sensitive and they should never be hit or yelled at when training. This may have an adverse effect and they may not respond to training at all. They may also fight back and nip or bite people. A slight reprimand, with a strong 'No' is enough to make a pit bull stop any undesirable activity. It is important to be consistent in pit bull training. If you train a pit bull for a couple of days and then decide to take a break, then the whole thing is going to be a worthless affair.

However, there are many ways in which pit bull training can be made exciting to both dog and owner. The training also provides some exercise to the owner and goes a long way in making the dog a trustworthy and able companion.

Pitbulls provides detailed information about pitbulls, pitbull breeders, pitbull kennels, pitbull puppies and more. Pitbulls is the sister site of Dog Fleas.

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Pit Bull Training For Responsible Ownership

Owning a pitbull requires a big responsibility. For one, pitbull training is very important. It's necessary for pitbull owners to do this because there have been many reports on Pitbulls attacking people or children with no reason at all. Dog owners should not stay ignorant especially when they have pitbulls under their care. In reality, the pitbull is one of the most behaved dogs on the list of breeds according to disposition or attack frequencies. Training a pitbull properly will spare the dog from attacking people. If the owner is irresponsible, the pitbull will more likely cause harm to others.

It is sad to know that there are many irresponsible owners who take pride in flaunting their fierce dog. Unluckily some of these irresponsible owners end up as the victim of their own pet. Pitbulls can actually be safe with children if you keep an eye on how your dog interacts with kids around. However, this does not mean that you have to be complacent by leaving children alone with a pitbull. You still have to keep your presence among them. Knowing how to discipline a pitbull at a very young age is very important. It is necessary that pitbull puppies socialize with other dogs even at a young age.

This is in contrast to the myth that pitbull puppies must be isolated from people or other animals. Pitbulls are actually sociable dogs contrary to the negative impressions of people on their breed. Only that many dog owners who attempt to train pitbulls fail due to lack of consistency, discipline, and timing. The latter is said to be the most important of the three. Furthermore, if you lack knowledge in the implementation of positive reinforcement on dogs, it may also lead to your failure to train a pitbull. Pitbull puppies that were not exposed to the public well have greater tendencies of attacking people or animals when they grow older.

Thus, it would be better to bring your pitbulls in places such as parks. It surely is very helpful that dog owners read guide to pitbulls prior to owning one. This way they will know their responsibilities towards their dog. Irresponsible ownership of pit bulls can cause danger to other people or even death to its victims. Pitbull puppy training can be fun and rewarding. It is in the nature of pitbulls that when they are comfortable to their environment and the people around them, they become more loving. If a pitbull gets the right training, it can contribute to their healthy development.

Aside from its health benefits, they become a more behaved and trustworthy dogs. Training your pitbull to be a protector instead of being a fiend can work so much to your benefit. Trained pitbulls can actually protect you from dangers that may happen to you like robbery or kidnapping. It is only a sad fact that pitbulls are viewed negatively in the public eye. Pitbull training is a long process. Just stick to the basic rules by reinforcing the dog's desirable behavior and ignoring the undesirable behaviors. Surely you will have a happy and harmonious life together with your pitbull.

The author of this article Alex De La Cruz is a Dog Trainer who has been successful with several dog training courses for many years. Alex decided to share his knowledge and tips through his website http://www.doggyweb.info. You can sign up for his free newsletter and enjoy a healthy and submissive dog.

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Destructive Dog Chewing - 3 Tips to Stop Destructive Dog Chewing

It's great when your dog chews its own toy. But when dog chewing starts to focus on your possessions and household items it can be the beginning of a lifelong problem.

There Are Three Primary Reasons for Dog Chewing:

Most dogs have a natural desire to chew. Dog chewing passes their time and it's fun.

If a dog is bored, lonely or nervous chewing gives them an outlet. It's like comfort food for people and is quite soothing to an anxious dog.

When dogs are under exercised, dog chewing gives them a way to burn up nervous energy and also gives them something to do.

There are some easy things you can do to prevent destructive dog chewing.

How to Stop Destructive Dog Chewing Before It Begins

If you can stop your dog from getting her first jaw full of a table leg, a running shoe or a pillow you're way ahead of the game because after her first chew she'll go after those things in the future.

So confine her to a dog-proofed area such as a crate until you are sure she understands your rules.

Keep things out of reach.

Since dogs like to explore the world with their mouths it's up to you to keep things out of reach.

Common targets in your home include shoes, clothing, books, eyewear and garbage along with small cameras, remote controls and cell phones.

Make them inaccessible to her climbing, jumping, and standing on her back legs.

Give her lots of tasty alternatives to your things.

Remember that most dogs love and need to chew. If she's a puppy (less than a year old) or an adolescent (under three years old), her needs are even more pronounced.

So it's time to go shopping! Get a big variety of toys and give her two or three at a time to play with. Keep things novel and interesting for her by changing her toys every several days.

These three ideas are a good start. And for the one thing you always need to do to stop dog chewing see 7 Ways to Stop Dog Chewing. For more great tips about training your dog, take a look at http://www.DogObedienceTips.org now.

(c) Copyright - Steve Schulman. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

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