Your dog is made up of hundreds of cells, some of which bond together to form organs, which are the major players in sustaining life.

Although we put great store by the larger organs, life depends on health right down to a cellular level.

Cells are essentially what we are made up of, so we shouldn’t ignore the small guys.

We all know from neglecting our things though that it is possible to go on with a few wear and tear problems, but it may only be a matter of time before something major occurs.

The same can be said for our bodies and those of all animals around us, we can neglect or abuse our health a bit but we are laying ourselves open to infection and disease.

It’s best to avoid ever getting to that stage as your immune system will be weakened if disease is already present. In a weakened state, the body is less able to attack and destroy unfriendly bodies.

We can sustain some damage at cellular level without too much hardship, but if a major organ is affected, you have serious problems.

Transplants are possible, but incredibly costly, uncommon and risky. Much better isn’t it to stop the problem before it starts.

Nutramax Denosyl SAMe tabs for dogs are available as a nutritional supplement. What it does is to stimulate glutathione levels in the liver.

What on earth is glutathione I hear you say. Well it’s a powerful antioxidant which helps to repair, regenerate and protect liver cells.

Defense starts really from the individual cells, an organ made of entirely healthy cells will be resilient against attack by infection or disease.

Your body destroys thousands of irregular or infected cells every day, but your body has to be healthy in order to fight back.

It can be used as a preventative or in conjunction with other treatments to prevent or treat the following diseases and related illnesses: Hipidosis, Chronic Hepatitis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Drug-induced Hepatitis caused by Prednisone or Rimadyl, and Pancreatitis.

Nutramax Denosyl SAMe for dogs doesn’t cost the earth you will be glad to know, and will set your dog in good stead for health.

For a few cents per day, you may end up saving thousands on costly and upsetting medical treatment for your dog.

At least as humans we have a choice, our pets rely on us to make those health and diet choices for them, so as a responsible owner you really should consider protecting your dog’s inner health.

Take the easy first step today with Nutramax Denosyl SAMe tablets for pets.

ShareThis

The Hungarian Puli develops a “corded” coat as it ages. The coat tends to naturally gather itself together in ringlets which are very tightly curls and gnarled together into long cords. A mature coat takes a good 10 to 12 years to reach its full glory for the Show Ring, as a consequence there are Pulik (the plural of Puli) who are still in the prime of their show career at an age when most dogs are being shown in Veteran’s Class.

Among the other breeds which have a similar coat one finds the Komondor and years ago the Poodle. The tight cords protect the breed from weather and harsh elements. The preferred color is black, however there can be white, rust colored and various shades in between. The Puli was originally bred in Hungary as a herding dog and those with a black coat could be more easily seen by shepherds and thus be distinguished from the sheep.

Pulik are nimble on their feet and smaller than they appear, usually standing less than 20 inches at the shoulder. Like most herding breeds, they are built so they can move quite nimbly, nipping at the heels of the sheep to keep them grouped together. They are even known to run upon the backs of a tightly bunched flock of sheep.

This is not a common breed. Most folks who own Pulik do keep the short coat if they are not being shown, since a corded coat is difficult to care for and develops a strong smell if not kept clean. Which brings us to the question, “How are they bathed?” Usually the entire dog is immersed in a large tub filled with room temperature water and a bit of shampoo, the individual cords are squeezed by hand and the skin is gently massaged.

Care must be taken not to damage the cording or the individual cords will become tangled together and the show look requires that the long cords hang naturally and separately from each other. Once the shampoo has been squeezed through the coat, the dog is immersed in several tubs of tepid clear water as a rinse and also sprayed thoroughly and finally, toweled dry with the same squeezing process. A blow dryer can then be used, provided it is not so powerful that it “frizzes” the coat. The entire process usually takes a full day. Since the cords are long and reach to the ground, it is important to keep the dog from running in underbrush and that sort of thing.

One would question why this dog with this kind of coat can be running with sheep, but the fact is that this coat when it is in a natural state completely protects the dog from thorns and brambles. The thick wooly cords are also natural weather barriers to rain and snow, so that the body of the Puli is well protected from the elements of harsh weather. Furthermore a would-be predator can not sink its teeth into the flesh of this nimble dog and can only get a mouthful of hair. Thus the Pulik are naturally quite self sufficient out in the flock, needing little in the way of human care.

Their job requires a certain independence and they are not necessarily in need of a lot of human companionship. Pulik should not exhibit shyness or nervousness , usually are wary of strangers and should not be aggressive. They are energetic and require a job of some sort or plenty of exercise or the owner of a Puli will find that it is getting into all sorts of things, out of boredom.

Get more info and advice on the puli or a full list of dog breeds at this Dog Behaviour website.

ShareThis

There are different types of training and they can differ depending on what you want your dog to do. The most basic of training for all dogs is basic commands such as sit, heel, stay, come and fetch. Another basic training for all dogs is house training. All of these training methods are essential to having a good relationship with your dog.

There are training methods for easing a dog’s aggressive behavior, teaching a dog not to bark or whine, basic behaviors, biting, chewing, digging and many others. All of these, however, should be taught only after basic commands are taught and they are successfully house trained. This stops the dog becoming confused and keeps your patience and sanity intact!

Obedience in dogs is not automatic; while some dog breeds are albeit better than others, they still have to be taught to obey their owners. If they are not taught obedience, the dog may become unruly, aggressive and you may find yourself unable to cope.

Let’s look at housebreaking your new puppy or your rescue dog. When you first get your new dog is when you should start to work on getting the dog broken into the routine. Puppies will want to relieve themselves much more than an older dog, so you have to be able to take note of the times your puppy will want to go.

The usual times a puppy needs to go is straight after food or water, so take care to note what your dog does when. The important thing to remember is to not get angry with your puppy if they do make mistakes or have any accidents. Accidents will happen and they may be plentiful, so stay patient and don’t scold the animal if they get it wrong.

It isn’t until a dog is 12 weeks plus that they will be able to have any sort of control over their bladder functions. This is why it is imperative to start training straight away and get them into a good routine. The dog will soon realize that when you take him outside it is time to go, it may take a while and don’t take your eye off the dog when outside. This way you can be sure it has actually done what it needs to do before you take him back inside!

Other forms of dog training such as agility commands and activities will take time, but they can be a lot of fun and exercise for both of you. You may wasn’t to get a professional dog trainer to help you, especially if you are considering entering the dog into agility competitions.

There are other forms of dog training that are more serious; there are dogs that are trained to lead blind people, help disabled people, the elderly, to help find surviving victims of disasters, fire dogs, police dogs and many more. These are always trained professionally and usually by specialty organizations that deal specifically with training for those occurrences.

Check out our Dog Training Blog and grab a copy of our Free Dog Training CD. Dog training can be difficult if you don’t have the right skills for the job.

ShareThis

Nobody really knows the origin of the poodle though we do know it was in Germany, not France. The Germans called them, and still do, pudles, which means to “splash in water”. Poodles were bred to be hunting dogs and remain proficient hunters, though most Americans prefer other breeds for this sport. The poodle was first standardized as a breed in France, hence the French poodle. Later came the regular poodle and even much later the miniature and toy breeds. The AKC began registering poodles in 1886.

Until this day, in France, Poodles are used for everything from truffle hunting to entertaining the royal court, not to mention duck hunting.

The UK received the poodle in 1874. For 36 years they were all shown together and in 1910, changes were made to the way they were shown; put in different classes according to size and appearance.

The foundations that were developed in England became the cornerstones of the breed in the United States. Precisely when the Poodle was imported to the United States is not known. The American Kennel Club registered its first Poodle in 1886. The Poodle Club of America was originally founded in 1896. Shortly after its establishment it was disbanded, and then reorganized in 1931.

The P.C.A. used the Standard and Rules of the Burley Poodle Club of England as its base for establishing the Standard in the U.S. The same Standard now applies to all three sizes of Poodle, the only difference is in the height measurements for each size. The Standard and Miniature Poodle are shown in the Non Sporting Group of the A.K.C., and the Toy Poodle is shown in the Toy Group. The F.C.I. (Federation Cynologique Internationale) recognizes four sizes: the Standard, Miniature, Dwarf and Toy.

Get more info and advice on the Poodle or a full list of dog breeds at this Dog Behaviour website.

ShareThis

The feline leukemia virus (FeLV) has no known cure, and it has not been clinically proven that any antiviral or other agent will extend the life of an infected cat. This disease affects the immune system of cats, and is often fatal.

This disease has a varied list of symptoms and signs, many of which may be common to other illnesses and conditions. FeLV is a retrovirus, which means that it is able to insert copies of its own genetic material into the cells it has infected.

Healthy cats, like healthy people, are attacked by organisms all the time. Most of the time, both felines and humans can fight them off. When your cat’s immune system is compromised, however, opportunistic infections and parasitic organisms are more likely to thrive and cause damage.

FeLV infected cats have a difficult time fighting off infections and parasites. With a weakened immune system, your cat is more susceptible to secondary infections and diseases. The symptoms an infected cat experiences, to a large degree, are caused by these other diseases and conditions.

Initially, symptoms of FeLV may include blood disorders, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, and general malaise. It’s possible for some cats, however, to experience no symptoms at the early stage.

FeLV infected cats often will develop anemia. About 30 percent of infected cats will develop tumors. Leukemia and other forms of cancer are possible outcomes. Some cats may exhibit excessive urination and thirst, which is also common to other illnesses such as feline diabetes.

As the disease progresses, sick cats may present with more and varied symptoms. Blood in the stool, constipation, jaundice, and recurring infections may be present. Feline leukemia virus symptoms may also include and diarrhea, severe weight loss, and depression.

There are two stages to this disease. Upon initial infection, some cats will fight off the illness and it will not progress to the second stage. Other cats will not be so fortunate and the disease will progress.

If your cat has FeLV that has reached the second stage, the only thing you can do is to treat the secondary diseases and infections, and attempt to strengthen the immune system of your cat. Unfortunately, the disease is usually fatal.

In fact, it’s estimated that only about 2 to 3 percent of all cats are infected with FeLV. Infection rates are higher in high risk groups. The disease is transmitted through direct contact with an infected cat. Keeping your cat indoors and away from infected cats is a good precaution. Fortunately, if your cat is not in a high risk group, chances are limited that she will contract the disease.

ShareThis

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is an often deadly virus that compromises the immune system of cats. There is no known cure for this disease, and to date, no treatments have been clinically proven to increase the longevity of otherwise healthy infected cats.

This disease comes with a diverse symptom list. FeLV is a retrovirus, which means that it is able to insert copies of its own genetic material into the cells it has infected. This illness shares many symptoms in common with other diseases and conditions.

Fungi, viruses, and bacteria attack felines and humans alike on a regular basis. Most of the time, a healthy cat or person will fight them off. With a compromised immune system, however, bacteria, parasites, viral and other organisms are more likely to do your cat harm.

FeLV infected cats have a difficult time fighting off infections and parasites. With a weakened immune system, your cat is more susceptible to secondary infections and diseases. The symptoms an infected cat experiences, to a large degree, are caused by these other diseases and conditions.

Initial symptoms may include fever, blood disease, swollen lymph nodes, and general malaise. Some cats will experience no symptoms during the beginning stages of the disease.

Some FeLV infected cats may exhibit excessive urination and thirst, which is also common to a number of other conditions. They often will develop anemia, and some will develop tumors, leukemia, and other forms of cancer.

As the disease progresses, sick cats may present with more and varied symptoms. Blood in the stool, constipation, jaundice, and recurring infections may be present. Feline leukemia virus symptoms may also include and diarrhea, severe weight loss, and depression.

There are two stages to this disease. Upon initial infection, some cats will fight off the illness and it will not progress to the second stage. Other cats will not be so fortunate and the disease will progress.

If your cat has FeLV, the only thing you can do is to treat the secondary infections and diseases, and try to boost the immune system of your cat. This disease is usually fatal for those cats who reach the second stage of this disease.

According to professional sources, FeLV infections exist in about 2 to 3 percent of all cats. Infection rates are higher in high risk groups. If your cat is not in a high risk group, chances are limited that she will contract the disease. Since the disease is transmitted through contact with infected cats, keeping your cat indoors and away from infected cats is a good preventive measure.

ShareThis

Think of your dog as a machine, with his organs as the major parts which work together to provide life.

Think of all the smaller elements, such as blood cells, natural chemicals, and antibodies to name but a few, as the cogs which turn, and protect on a minuscule level.

Cells are essentially what we are made up of, so we shouldn’t ignore the small guys.

We all know from neglecting our things though that it is possible to go on with a few wear and tear problems, but it may only be a matter of time before something major occurs.

Try that analogy with humans and animals, through our own choices or sometimes circumstances we can let our health slide, but we do run the risk of contracting something serious by doing so.

It’s best to avoid ever getting to that stage as your immune system will be weakened if disease is already present. In a weakened state, the body is less able to attack and destroy unfriendly bodies.

We can sustain some damage at cellular level without too much hardship, but if a major organ is affected, you have serious problems.

Transplants are possible, but incredibly costly, uncommon and risky. Much better isn’t it to stop the problem before it starts.

Specifically for dogs, Nutramax Denosyl SAMe tabs are a great way to supplement his diet. When you give Denosyl, your dog will produce more glutathione levels in his liver.

What on earth is glutathione I hear you say. Well it’s a powerful antioxidant which helps to repair, regenerate and protect liver cells.

Defense starts really from the individual cells, an organ made of entirely healthy cells will be resilient against attack by infection or disease.

Your body destroys thousands of irregular or infected cells every day, but your body has to be healthy in order to fight back.

Nutramax Denosyl SAMe is best used as a way to avoid problems, but it can also help when a dog is already ill; after all there are many unpleasant diseases out there which can affect your dog including Hipidosis, Chronic Hepatitis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Drug-induced Hepatitis caused by Prednisone or Rimadyl, and Pancreatitis.

Nutramax Denosyl tablets for dogs are well within your budget, and will greatly benefit your dog’s health, both now and in the future.

Spend a little bit now in order to avoid potentially costly vets bills later.

Dogs rely on their owner to make the correct choices for them, so be an owner who takes a proactive approach, and rest easy knowing that you did all you could to safeguard your animal’s health.

Take the easy first step today with Nutramax Denosyl SAMe tablets for pets.

ShareThis

We have all seen a dog owner with their dog and they are constanly trying, and failing, to control the dog. The owner is embarassed and the dog is a nuisance to everybody else around.

Having decided that you want to have a well trained dog you can choose to either get somebody to train your dog for you or you can do your own dog training. Working with your dog yourself will create a terrific relationship between you and your dog.

An alternative to training your dog yourself would be to take your dog along to some local dog training classes and these can be a helpful addition to your own training but you will be committed to regularly turning up for the class and this may be difficult to fit in with your lifestyle.

The first rule of dog training is that you should always praise your dog when he does well. If he has responded well to your instructions then you should congratulate him and tell him what a good boy he has been.

When you demonstrate to your dog how pleased with him, you are by telling him what a good boy he is and patting him and having fun with him it makes him happy. He will remember how happy he felt when he did things right and will try extra hard next time to do everything just right.

Having a pocket full of dog treats can help with your dog training. When your dog has done what you commanded particularly well give him a dog treat as an extra bonus for doing so well. He will remember and learn that by trying really hard to do as required he might earn an extra treat.

Avoid hitting or yelling at your dog as this is counter productive because all it does is confuse and upset him. Praise when he does well and just remain calm and quiet when things don’t go so well. Be gentle yet firm. Speak gently when you issue a command but do it in firm way. You must show him you are the boss but always show him your affection.

Short regular training sessions will be much more productive than occasional long and tiring lessons. Try to have a short training lesson each day and just focus on one command or action. Keeping your dog alert and happy will help him to learn much faster.

ShareThis

- Poodles have hair like humans, thus it never stops growing. Clipping should be done every six to eight weeks. Clipping can be done by a professional groomer or you can learn how to groom your dog yourself at home.

- If you decided to groom your Poodle at home, find a professional who is willing to teach you on how to groom your dog. Then procure the necessary grooming supplies such as brush, comb, clippers, scissors, dog shampoo and blow dryer. Take time to introduce these items to your dog to prevent them from being frightened as well as make grooming a lot easier.

- Regular brushing is necessary to keep the coat free of tangles and mats. Standard Poodles in show clips require about ten hours of brushing per week. Take note also that the dog must be free of tangles in preparation for a haircut.

- Poodle hairstyle, aptly called clip comes in various types - Puppy clip, English Saddle, continental and Sporting Clips. However, only Continental and English Saddle clips are qualified to appear in most show rings. A puppy below one year old may be shown in the Puppy clip and a Poodle whose show career is over is clipped down whatever the owner wants. Pet clips are usually simple and put into a lower-maintenance cut but can also be elaborate.

- As much as possible, the face, feet and base of the tail should be kept short to maintain cleanliness. Feces can get matted in the fur and food can get trapped on the face when fur in these areas are left to grow long.

Try to consider these facts and you can expect a 12 to 15 happy years with your dog.

Get more info and advice on the Poodle or a full list of dog breeds at this Dog Behaviour website.

ShareThis

The best way to train dogs remained a perpetual concern for the dog training enthusiasts. Before training your dog, there are some things you might want to know in order for you to be an efficient trainer. This will also help your pet dog on how to adjust with all the new tricks you will give.

Whether you have a puppy or an older dog for an instance, you can still teach them new tricks. Dogs are intelligent creatures thus they can always be taught new things. It is helpful to start training a puppy, between the age of six to eight months. In this stage, the dog is a lot eager to learn things. Somehow, a dog is more receptive between these ages.

It is best that you understand how to use reinforcements so that your dog can really absorb the new tricks you teach. A positive reinforcement is favorable in training dogs. Like what most people want, dogs appreciate it much when they are praised and fed with dog treats. When dog is able to perform commands in a correct and precise manner a treat must be given. This can be in a form of food.

Dogs are brilliant companions and are very trainable. Their gregarious nature sets them aside from other pet animals. They can interact and attach emotionally with their owners. While training your dog, you will soon appreciate the connection that you have both made.

Be firm but friendly in dealing with your dogs. Like when you are dealing with toddlers you have to be firm in giving those orders but in a very positive tone. This approach in teaching dogs fosters learning and being friendly towards your dog avoids intimidation. When you start to give command try a calm voice coupled with a little tone of being friendly.

Make use of your voice to give commands. Learn when to use high pitch voice and low pitch voice. This will also enable the dog to get familiar on the usual voice usage that you might implore.

Punishment is a type of reinforcement. It is classified as a negative reinforcement which is unfavorable when training dogs. It is imperative that you should not punish the dog in any manner. Otherwise, the dog will develop that fear and will be distracted along the course of the training. Be consistent in all your commands. Consistent training techniques can hasten learning of the dogs due to the fact that they are familiar with the sounds, words used in the command given. In addition, it is important that the command must be given by the same person. This will also help the dog to associate the commands to who is giving the commands.

The dog must not be confused in any manner.
On top of these, you might want to solicit an advice from a dog trainer, better if it is a certified dog trainer. Yes, there are many dog training resources out there, including dog training videos and dog training e-books, but nothing compares with the advice you will get from a certified dog trainer professional.

Increase the happy years of your dog by checking out my free dog training cd. In it, I reveal all the secrets I’ve used to develop a happy, well behaved dog. Visit Dr. Alfonso’s dog training blog right now!

ShareThis