If you choose to use dog shock collars when training your animals, you need to know which one to purchase and how to assess them.  There are basic rules for purchasing these devices, and if you stick to them, you will have a tool that helps you train your dog quickly and effectively.

Evaluating a Collar and the Dog
First and foremost it is important to state that a shock collar is a bad choice for a nervous or anxious dog.  There is no way a good outcome will result.  Secondly, using one with a young dog, below the age of 6 months, is pointless; you will end up with a nervous or anxious dog in the future.  Third, unless you have spent the time to provide basic training such as sit, stay, come, and no, you are not likely to succeed using a shock collar.

Next, evaluate the collar for size and range.  You need a collar that is appropriate to your dog’s weight so you don’t over or under administer the correction. You want a collar that has multiple settings and can deliver both a momentary shock and a continuous shock.  Each is used for a different purpose, but both are necessary.

Dealing with the Controversy
Realize that if you choose to use an e-collar, you are going to become part of the ongoing controversy over the devices.  People run the spectrum between thinking that using the collar is tantamount to abuse right through those who consider them mandatory for proper training.  This is one of those cases where discretion is the better part of valor unless you like confrontation.

No matter which collar you choose, or if you choose a collar at all, remember that this is a training aid and not a substitute for an attentive and loving owner.

Tell the truth, you wouldn’t want to lie on the floor anymore than your dog does.  Dog crate pads can make a cold kennel feel like a cozy den to your pet, and are well worth a few dollars.  Available in all the same materials you would find in a standard pet bed, these are designed specifically to fit snugly within a crate.

Measure First
When you first buy a crate you may have gotten a pad along with it.  It was designed specifically to fit within the crate you purchased.  Eventually, that pad wears out and you need to replace it.  Before you head online or go to a store, measure the inside dimensions of the crate you use.  Each crate is a bit different, and you want to make sure that the pad you purchase will fit well within the crate.

With your measurements, you have a better idea of which pads are suitable.  Remember that some wooden dog crates have limited head room and you don’t want to get something too high or you will restrict the room your pet has overhead – a problem for a large dog that fits snuggly in their crate.  Ideally, the pad will fill the crate with no gaps on the sides between the crate and pad.

Good Choices
No matter which pad you choose, the ability to wash it is critical, especially with puppies.  When you are crate training a young dog, accidents are inevitable.  Being able to throw the whole pad into the washing machine, or tossing in a waterproof cover, will make all the difference.  Even as your dog grows up, being able to wash a crate pad cover is helpful since they get stinky pretty fast.

You can find all sorts of materials and fabrics as pad covers.  My pup likes something soft and chenille like, but you can pick from denim, polar fleece, twill, microfiber, or any material under the sun.  Pick something that will wear well, especially if you have a large dog, since it will get a lot of use.

Special Considerations
If you have an older dog, getting an orthopedic crate pad is a great idea.  After all, the dog will consider the crate their den and likely spend a lot of time there.  Ensuring that their day bed is soft and comfortable will make them feel better.  Orthopedic crate pads are usually about 2” thick compared to the 4-5 inches you will find in a standard dog bed.

For a dog with allergies, you can find a pad that is made of hypoallergenic materials.  A nice organic twill cover and man made filling is just the ticket for a dog that already deals with systemic stress to the immune system.

The most common use of dog tracking collars occurs during hunting season for tracking dogs. Once example of a great tracking collar system is the Garmin Astro Combo. Once you let that dog off the leash and put them on the scent, they are off and running, and no human, no matter how fast, can keep up with a dog on the run.

The fact is that as soon as your dog is out of sight, it can be very difficult to keep track of them.  In a wooded area you can only estimate where your dog has gone from their barking, and with echoes bouncing off trees and other obstacles, it isn’t surprising that finding your dog is difficult.

Incorporating the new technology of GPS, dog-tracking collars take the guesswork out of finding your dog.  The technology is the same as is used in systems that are used in your car or in handheld units, the only difference is that your dog wears a collar with a transmitter attached, that lets you know where it is.  You use a handheld receiver to track the animal and then follow the signal as directed.  Most units can track more than one dog at a time if you switch between signals, meaning you need only carry one receiver at any given time.

Many of the systems can track a signal for a distance of about 12 miles in open country.  If you are hunting in the more typical wooded hilly terrain, you will still get about 7 miles of transmission distance.  That is normally more than enough.

With some of the higher end collars, you can even evaluate what your dog is doing.  Lack of movement indicates the likelihood that the dog has treed something or run it to ground.  Some collars even let you know if your dog is barking or not.  If these collars get any more sophisticated, your pet can go hunting alone and just call you when they are ready to be picked up.

Another, non-standard use of these collars is if you have an escape artist in your home.  Some dogs get out no matter what you do.  Fences, gates, leashes are all just a challenge that they want to overcome.  If your dog is like this, gps tracking collars can be invaluable in tracking and reclaiming your animal.  Few things are as heartbreaking as losing a pet, dog tracking collars can help you find your little Houdini.

Tracking devices can be placed on a collar as previously mentioned or on a harness.  If your dog is the kind that doesn’t like to have the antenna of the transmitter tapping him on the back of the head, a harness may be the perfect solution.  Other options include low profile antennas that look more like a plug than a wire; these antennas are also better if you are hunting in brush since they don’t snag in the bushes and branches.

There are many styles and even more companies that make good tracking collars.  Pick one that fulfills your needs and those of your hunting dogs, that way you can head out with confidence reassured that your dogs are coming home with you.

It may not seem like a big deal, but the type of bowl you get your dog is important. Dog bowls are available in more styles and materials than you can imagine.  Whether you want to get something in metal, ceramic or plastic, you are sure to find something that suits your tastes.

For a dog that gulps their food rapidly you can get a bowl that is divided in to several sections.  The goal is to slow your dog down as they have to maneuver around the sections.  You can get raised dog bowls that accommodate taller animals, allowing them to eat at the proper height for their posture.  Dogs that eat too fast, or have to lean too far over can develop bloat.

Travel bowls are made from nylon.  Nylon bowls are easily stored and collapsible, and their inner lining is waterproof.  You can take these bowls along while hiking and traveling.  They can be thrown in the washing machine when you return home.

Ceramic bowls are pretty and can be designed to match any décor, and they can go in the dishwasher.  They are prone to chipping and breaking though.  A stainless steel bowl washes well and can be accessorized with a slip proof bottom, but is really pretty boring.  Plastic bowls are inexpensive and washable, but usually come in a limited selection of colors.  No matter what bowl you purchase keeping it clean will prevent it from becoming a source of potentially harmful bacteria.

Bowls are an expression of individuality as unique as you or your dog.  Have fun picking something that makes you both happy.

It seems that it is no longer acceptable to toss a blanket in the corner of the laundry room for your pet to sleep upon.  No, today’s pooches are too spoiled for such Spartan quarters, they want their own dog beds, and not everything will do anymore.  Just like your bed, your dog’s bed is a not just a place to sleep.  It is a source of comfort, stability and delight; almost like a little piece of home.  Once you settle upon a bed you are likely to have that style for a long time, so take a while before you pick out something just for its looks.

Whether you are searching for a new pup or an older pet, there is something specific on the market to meet their needs.  Donut beds or cushions with elevated sides are perfect for young pups that still miss the comfort of being snuggled by a mother and pile of siblings.  Available in an endless array of colors, these fabric covered beds are easily washed.  For an older dog that prefers some privacy consider a cave bed; complete with an overhead section that allows your dog to curl up inside the bed itself.

Older dogs, especially those with arthritis or other joint aches, might profit from a Swedish memory foam mattress in their beds, also known as orthopedic dog bed.  The same materials used in beds for people, these foam mattresses can adapt to your dog’s shape and weight.  For a dog that tends to be warm all the time, consider an elevated resin bed that will get them up off the ground.  By increasing air circulation on every side these beds can keep just about every animal cool and still support them well on a mesh strung between the bed members.

If you are hoping to provide your best friend with something as classy as they are, you might want to look at the furniture look a-likes.  Designed to look just like a petite version of the items in your home, you can purchase a chaise lounge, sofa or executive office chair.  Available in fabric or leather these beds can be made to match your home furniture perfectly.

Beds are available with heating elements or cooling pads that can be added at need.  Available in a large range of sizes these beds are the ultimate in comfort year round.  You can get a standard rectangular or circular bed as well, matching your fabric to your décor.  No matter what fabric you pick, make sure it is removable so that you can toss it in the wash when you need to.  If you are green conscious, look for an eco friendly bed.  Made of organic materials and stuffed with a variety of low allergen products these bed are particularly suitable to more delicate animals.

Another type of dog bed is designed specifically to fit inside a dog crate.  If your animal spends at least some of their day within a crate, dog crate pads make sure that the bed you put in your pet’s crate is as similar to their regular bed as possible.  The choices are seemingly endless, but if you spend a bit of time at a good pet store and get an idea of what you want, you can then compare the prices you find online and get the best bed for your pet at a good price.

In a society obsessed with designer dogs the pound puppy, mutt or mixed breed dog is often passed over for a pooch with pedigree. People are drawn to certain physical attributes and personality traits that are predictable among certain breeds. Because these traits are predictable people tend to gravitate toward pure bred dogs when picking their canine companions. People are also swayed by the popularity of certain dogs at any given moment. When 101 Damnations was released in 1996 adoption rates in the breed skyrocketed as was the case with Chihuahuas in response to socialite Paris Hilton and her doggie accessory, Tinkerbelle. This is unfortunate considering mixed breed dogs make fantastic pets and are often over looked simply because they do not have certain physical attributes. While there are many more, here are four really good reasons to consider a mutt for your newest addition.

1. Mutts are more even-tempered. While it is possible for mixed breed dogs to be very energetic or very laidback they tend toward more moderate temperaments. Their behavior is typically more moderate because they were not bred to have specific characteristics. The behaviors required to achieve the tasks that certain dogs were bred for are not necessarily middle-of-the-road behaviors. Extreme personality traits in mixed breed dogs are often products of the dog’s environment and upbringing and are not inborn characteristics as seen in pure bred dogs. Mixed breed dogs also tend to be a little more flexible to change than pure bred dogs. Some suggest they are not as programmed as their pure bred counterparts and therefore adjust more quickly to change.

2. Mutts have good genetic diversity. Because their genes are usually unrelated the chances of both parents of a mixed breed dog carrying the same defective genes are low. Often the worst diseases or health problems in dogs are passed along through the pairing of the same defective genes. Mixed breed dogs are often healthier because when left up to nature dogs tend to be moderately sized with more natural builds. This happens when cross breeding occurs over time because this is how dogs are designed to be. When people begin breeding they tend to go to extremes from a 3 pound Chihuahua to a 150 pound Great Dane. Other breed specific traits like the short snouts of Pugs, the barrel chest of a Bulldog or the large folds of skin of a Sharpei are actually abnormities that can cause additional health problems over the life of the dog.

3. Millions of mutts are euthanized each year. Mixed breed dogs are often abandoned or neglected for their pure bred counterparts because they are not perceived as valuable by some. They are often passed over for adoption and end up in the gas chamber simply because they do not appear as fashionable or trendy as the expensive, pure bred, trend dog of the moment.

4. Mixed breed dogs are less expensive. The average price of a pure bred dog is around $800 if you agree to spay or neuter him and around $1,500 if you do not. While many people are more than willing to pay a significant sum of money for their ideal dog, it is completely unnecessary. Mixed breed dogs can be adopted for free from a neighbor or for around $150 from a rescue organization. The adoption fee from a rescue group is nominal and goes towards Veterinary care expenses. Dogs adopted from reputable groups come with all of their shots and are spayed or neutered and ready to go.

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American shelters euthanize millions of pets every year in shelters across the country. Some of these dogs are put to sleep because they were surrendered by their owners while others meet their dooms because they got lost from and were never reunited with their people. Keep these statistics in mind when you encounter a friendly looking stray. If you choose to be a Good Samaritan, unlike many others who look the other way, there are several steps you can take to reunite him with his people and likely, save his life:

1. Determine if the pet is a stray or someone’s lost pet. If the dog you find seems to be healthy with a shiny coat and healthy build then chances are, he is a lost pet. There are two other factors that sometimes indicate he is a lost family pet, but they can be misleading. Typically if a dog has a well fitting collar, he is a house pet. Some dogs can lose their collars when they are on the run so if a dog is without a collar it does not necessarily mean that he is a stray. Check for a ring around his neck as collars tend to show where they were if worn often.

You might also determine that he is a house pet if he comes to you easily; however, this can be misleading as well. Many house pets can be extremely nervous or shy of new people and will sometimes even run if approached. These dogs may indeed be well cared for in homes, but simply have nervous temperaments. If the dog is an obvious stray and you are lucky enough to catch him you can try to rehabilitate him yourself, find a local rescue group to take him into their fold or call animal control if no other options are viable. If he is obviously a house pet then you will need to find identification in efforts to contact the owner.

2. Check for identification. Identification can be numbers sewn into a collar, tags attached to the collar, tattoos, and micro-chips embedded in the skin. Obviously it is easiest to contact the owner if the pet is wearing current tags; however, even the best owners can forget to update their contact information or the dog can wiggle out of his collar. If collar ID fails try looking at the dog’s belly, under his legs, in his ears or other places without fur to find any identification tattoos. These tattoos are often used for identification, especially in purebred dogs. If you find one of these tattoos call the local chapter of the American Kennel Club to see if they have a pet with that number in their registry. If they do you can contact the owner this way. You can also bring the dog to a shelter or Veterinarian and ask that they use their scanner to check for a micro-chip embedded in the dog’s shoulders. If so, they should have contact information for the owner.

3. Try to find the owner. This can be tricky and requires some ground work. Try asking local children if they have seen the dog. Kids typically play outside and notice all of the dogs on the block and might be able to point you in the right direction. Also check the local papers for “lost” pets. You might also want to post a “found” advertisement of your own. Most newspapers publish these types of articles for free. Try putting up “found” photo flyers in your neighborhood, at the county shelter, at Veterinary offices, grocery stores, parks and telephone poles.

4. Reunite the animal with his family. This might sound like a no brainer; however, it can be the trickiest one of all. People involved in unscrupulous activities will often answer advertisements posing as loving and distraught owners of lost pets. Be careful to avoid this trap by taking a few steps to protect the dog. When someone calls to answer the advertisement or the flyer claiming to be the owner tell them you are on the other line and politely ask them for their name and number and tell them you will call them right back. You might not get this information otherwise and now you know who you are dealing with. When you call them back ask for a description of the dog. If they can not give you a detail not on your flyer or in your add then they are not the owner. If you are satisfied with this then ask them to bring the dog’s Veterinary records or a picture of the dog to your meeting. Set up a meeting in a public place and collect the required information. The owner will be thankful that you took the extra steps to protect their pet!

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