Dog and Cat Supplies

Any person who spends time outdoors knows of sunscreen can prevent painful burns and deadly skin cancer.

Those who are exposed to dangerous UV rays are also risking eye damage. High levels of UV radiation exposure to the eyes can also cause vision loss, cataracts, skin cancer of the eyelids, and macular degeneration.

Eye damage resulting from the sun can be thwarted by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, or sun glasses. When purchasing protective eye wear one should make sure the packaging is clearly labeled 99 to 100 % absorption of both UVB and UVA rays.

People aren’t the only ones to suffer eye damage from the sun. Dogs can also experience eye-related problems from exposure. Fortunately modern technology has made dog sunglasses possible. Protecting your pup’s peepers will benefit you as well as your dog. Expensive veterinarian bills resulting from macular disease can be avoided by investing in dog sunglasses.

Many dog breeds have short legs. The Welsh Corgi, for example, stands only 10 to 12 inches. The short legs don’t hold the Corgi back, however, because Corgis can run and jump just as good as any other breed. Corgis were originally bred to herd sheep, and their short legs protect them from suffering kicks from an angry flock.

Small dogs with short legs are also adept at hunting small, burrowing animals like rabbits and moles. Short legs allow many breeds of dogs to traverse narrow pathways without sacrificing their strength. In the Dark and Middle Ages dogs with short legs were kept because of their ability to penetrate thick bushes during hunting expeditions.

Dachshunds were used by German foresters to track a variety of varmints including foxes, badgers, and wild boar. Beagles are also known to have short legs. For these dogs, the short limbs are often caused by poor breeding.

Though short-legged dogs can usually run and jump well, they shouldn’t be expected to keep up with taller, larger dogs, or running humans. Short legs can also affect a dog’s swimming ability. The Basset hound, for example, has such a long, heavy body that it should never be expected to swim.

Many times a short-legged breed will have trouble reaching their food and water bowls. This obstacle can be easily resolved with an elevated food bowl. These types of dogs may also find getting up steep stairs achallenge, and owners may want to try using ramps for elderly dogs.

All dogs need their own space where they can play, exercise and sleep. There are tons of canine shelter that you can purchase for your dog these days. The most common of all is a dog house. But before purchasing one, better read this article to help you decide which doghouse is best applicable for your canine pet. For a fine selection of dog houses visit The Canine and Feline Store.The first thing you need to consider in buying a dog house is the size and breed of your dog. You should determine how much space your dog really needs. You can choose a shelter that is made of either plastic or wood materials. Plastic dog houses are popular because they can be washed easily and are very durable and portable. Some people choose the wood dog house type because it can be customized and painted in different vibrant colors.But whatever design you choose, always bear in mind that there should be enough room inside where your pet can sleep, roam around and exercise. The bigger the dog house, the better it is for your pet!

Dog houses, ideally, should be large enough so that your k9 can lie down there comfortably. The design should also give comfort for your k9 in both the extreme cold and hot weather. It must be durable and well built to give your dog the utmost protection and comfort in extreme weather conditions.

Moreover, you must ensure that your pet’s shelter has good insulation. It is a good idea to have a canine house with removable roof because it will give you better access to the house and you can clean it easily.

For outdoor dogs, a sturdy dog house is recommended to protect them from elements and improve their quality of life. If you want to give your dog with the necessary care and protection he deserves, then purchase a dog house now!

Separation anxiety is a common behavioral problem among dogs which can be solved and prevents with the proper training. In order for your k9 to overcome his anxiety glitch successfully, time and repetition are the key things you need to implement.

One method that you can do is making sure your dog is ready whenever you go outside. It is a common mistake of dog owners to pay too much attention to their pet before they leave. You need to prepare your canine friend before you step outside the house but not in an overacting way. Spending a few minutes to play with him will help a lot, instead of kissing your dog goodbye.
Avoiding to say goodbye and ignoring him for a while prior to leaving the house will decrease the level of separation anxiety of your dog. You need to repeat this method again and again until your dog gets used to it.
Dog toys can help a lot in diverting the attention of your dog and allowing for a transition from your presence to his alone time. In the long run, your dog will associate your departure with a playing with a toy instead of making him lonely.
Dog trainers say that exposing your dog to radio or television will avoid separation anxiety. Letting your dog watch the TV or listen to the radio is a good way to reduce feelings of loneliness and stress.

A good dog bed  such as pictured above from The Canine and Feline Store will provide your pet a comfortable and familiar place to stay during your absence.

A dog barks for various reasons. Barking could be a sign of seeking attention, anxiety, stress or aggression. But whatever the reasons are, a bark collar is a universal solution to solve that behavioral problem. It is a very good option if your dog’s barking has become excessive and annoying to other people.Contrary to popular beliefs, a bark control collar is not an unsafe electronic equipment but a very effective tool in training your dog if used properly. There are various advantages of using a bark collar. In fact, it is so effective that you can notice an enormous improvement in your k9’s barking within the first week of training.If your dog has become too violent to the point that he scares you and your neighbors, you should consider purchasing pet collars. Pictured above is one example - a PetSafe Comfort Fit Deluxe Bark Control Collar. This collar can correct the barking problem and can make the people around you feel safer when walking by your canine pet. Another advantage of having a bark collar placed around your dog’s neck is that your dog will not bark when an unfamiliar person visits your house. It will also not disturb your neighbors during night time.

The first reaction of your dog will always be the most intense. But after a few sessions, his reaction will be minimized and he will consequently refrain from doing some unwanted things such as excessive barking.

The ingredients in your dog or cat food, be it packed, raw or organic, may shock you. What is even more surprising is that even the premium pet food brands don’t contain the right nutrients that will sustain your beloved pet’s health.

And what are some of these important components? For both cats and dogs, a nutritious pet diet must have vegetables and fruits. These organic foods contain contain antioxidants, as well as fiber, vitamins, and phytonutrients. Your pet’s food should also have direct-fed microbials which are commonly found in yogurt. Omega-3 fatty acids must be added in your list for they can keep pet’s coat shiny.

Don’t feed your dog with foods like corn, soy, or wheat, especially in large amount. Such foods are not sufficient sources of protein and your pet will get a hard time digesting them, resulting to colitis and urinary tract infections. As much as possible, purchase a nutritious pet food that has grain and uses ingredients like brown rice, oats, barley, or other easy-to-digest components.

Whenever you buy a pet food in the supermarket, make sure that it contains the “complete and balanced” label. These dog foods have met the standards established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).You can visit www.fda.gov to know more tips on selecting nutritious pet food. You also can select appropriate dog bowls, dishes and feeders for your pet. Pictured above is a 2-bowl Crown Pet Feeder.

Bookstores and the internet are full of different approaches to dog training. Yet the following 3 basic techniques can enhance effectiveness significantly.

1.  Start young.  While the expression “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” is not entirely false, puppies learn at a much faster clip. The earlier you start training, the more success you will have. 

2.  Remain gentle. Failure to act gently jeopardizes the training program by undermining the quality of the dog/owner relationship. A dog who trusts his owner and wants to please him is far more likely to be easily trained. When the owner is an “ally”, training can become a cooperative exercise.

3.  Emphasize prevention.  The basic goal of prevention is to intervene before a problem is created, instead of simply responding to the problem. A strong emphasis on preventing mappropriate behavior reduces the need to make corrections, thus speeding up the training process.  

There are a variety of pet collars that can enhance training. pictured above is a no-bark collar.

In Part 1, we discussed basic methods of training the fetch command. We now continue with this subject. The Canine and Feline Store has a fine selection of pet collars for fetch activities. Pictured is the 400 yard, 2-dog field trainer.

An additional fetch method is the forced retrieve. You do this by tossing the toy a short distance and actually walking the dog to the object and waiting for him to pick ut up. Reward him generously when he finds and picks the toy up. An alternate method would be to have a partner walk the dog to the toy and escort him back to you. You would reward him at this point.

In fetch training, avoid tossing the object a long distance; toss only a short distance toss. Another suggestion is to use multiple toys. If you use the same or too few toys, the novelty for the dog soon can diminish. Make the toy be a special treat for the dog. A further suggestion is to hold the pet  for a moment before allowing him to chase after the object. This will increase his desire to fetch, so that when released, he is eager to spring to the toy. In addition, objects such as sticks can be hard on the animal’s mouth and can even be confusing if in an area with trees.

With these tips mastered, you can go to the park with your Frisbee, tennis ball or throwing dummy and enjoy your exercise and bonding with you dog.

Taught easily to puppies, but not beyond the grasp of older dogs, fetch is used as an entertainment with the primary goal of bonding the trainer and dog.

One of the basic methods of training is the fetch command, using two toys in a bait and switch routine. The toys must be identical and something the dog enjoys playing with. Frisbees, tennis balls and a throwing dummy are very suitable. For dogs that are not very motivated, a food spread on the toys or a treat as reward can be used. For a fine collection of leashes and harnesses, visit dog leashes at our website The Canine and Feline Store.com.

With your dog on a leash or harness, hide one toy on your person and throw the other a short distance after showing it to your pet. Release the dog from the leash and say “Fetch” (or whatever word you prefer). Presumably, the dog will chase after the toy and, most likely, pick it up. When the dog starts to return with the toy, produce the hidden toy. The dog probably will drop the first toy in favor of the second. When this happens, wait for the dog to return to you and be reattached to the leash. Then toss the the new toy, say “Fetch” as you release him from the leash to give chase. As this happens, run and retrieve the first toy. Keep repeating this process using the fetch command.

Dog training is important both for the safety of the dog and for its master. Training, however, can be a tedious chore that can be tempting to avoid. But this is not an option: When one considers the many benefits, it is mandatory. Untrained, your dog cannot be recalled effectively. A wandering dog  is subject to many dangers that could result in injury or even death. A well-trained dog can be controlled and protected.

A dog’s quality of life is improved a great deal by training. By becoming a friend and companion, instead of being treated as a nuisance or ignored, he learns how to get positive human attention and reactions he craves.

Likewise, the owner himself develops a close relationship with the dog, which brings with it numerous rewards. The owner can avoid the frustrating experience of having to care for a pet that doesn’t know how to care back, or who is unfriendly and prone to errant behavior. Rather than the dog’s being exposed to inconvenience and dangers, the well-trained dog becomes a constant source of pleasure and pride. By committing to proper dog training, the owner makes his investment of time and effort pay out in a variety of ways. A pleasant and fulfilling life becomes possible for the dog.

Visit The Canine and Feline Store for a selection of no-bark Citronella pet collars (see above) and other products that will make your training easier and more successful.