dogs

How to Use the Bark Collar

Tuesday, November 29th, 2011

How to Use the Bark Collar

Barking among dogs is a form of canine communication in the same way that we speak in languages. Dog owners consider barking a normal thing, but even they can be distressed if their dogs bark too much, too loud or at inappropriate times at the day or night. Here comes the Bark Collar to the rescue of harassed dog owners and their neighbors! In order to benefit of the bark collars, dog owners should know what they are and how they work. Bark collars are electronic devices attached to usual dog collars, used to keep these animals from barking excessively or inappropriately. People consider barking to be excessive or inappropriate in relation with the type of neighborhood, the time of day, and the reasons of this behavior.

The electronic bark collars are training tools that use aversive stimuli. The aversive stimuli consist in a warning beep followed by a mild electric shock, and they are delivered from the collar when the dog barks in excess. The dog will soon associate excessive barking with the unpleasant feelings induced by these stimuli, and will stop this behavior.

When the dog owner uses the bark collar on its pet, many benefits reveal for both the owner and his neighbors.

• It can be used to train a dog in proper behavior especially at night when the neighborhood is peaceful and quiet since the people are fast asleep. Your dog will no more be barking at the moon and wake you or your neighbors at odd hours.

• The electric shocks can be adjusted based on the training needs, discipline level and size of the dog. For greater dogs, like the Great Dane, which also like to bark and have a loud voice you will surely apply higher settings than for a small sized dog like a Yorkshire terrier, which only occasionally barks when it bores. You may have to experiment with the settings starting from the lowest one until your dog benefits from the aversive training technique.

• The dog will not be completely restrained from barking; most of the bark collars are set to allow the dog to bark if it has a real reason, like the presence of some intruders in the middle of the night or other type of dangerous situation. One popular method is when the collar automatically shuts off when the dog barks for at least 15 successive times in 30 seconds. You should then be able to respond in an appropriate manner such as looking for the source of the dog’s agitation.

• These bark collars are adjustable; you can very easily adapt them to perfectly fit to any size of your dog’s neck. The most usual material used as support for these dog training electronic devices is leather.

So many dogs have this annoying habit of yipping and yapping at anything and everything, no matter the time of day or night, and their owners will be glad to invest in such useful product, because the Bark Collar is the most appropriate tool they can use to train their dogs proper behavior.

Avoid harassement of your neighbors using the Bark Collar. Train your dog proper behavior with the Bark Collar. These are comfortable electronic devices.

What Is the Westie Dog Breed Like?

Sunday, November 27th, 2011

What is the Westie Dog Breed Like?

Westies are a dog breed that immediately bowl over the faint-hearted with their charming recklessness and gentlemanly swagger. Also known as west highland white terriers, this small terrier has a smart-alecky appearance, wide piercing eyes, bullet-shaped body, and smart intelligence that ships with large amounts of self-esteem. He is too independent to be a lap dog, but immensely appreciates being acknowledged. He can be easily trained though, and with patience and reinforced training can be an ideal obedience dog, as some clubs have verified.

Prepare everyday to get a good laugh or be impressed by your westie. His first hobby is going after the scents of real or imagined vermin (his target for hundreds of years already), and will make quick or long-winded sorties into bushes, garden beds and lawns. They can be territorial, which is bad news for the loitering neighborhood pets. He also likes to watch anything furry among the trees above. In sum, these otherwise angelic looking dogs literally cannot wait to lay their paws and teeth on many an interesting critter!

Baby puppies get a kick out of moving earth (read: digging lots and lots of soil), and chewing anything that catches their fancy. So hang on to your garden and put up some really strong barriers. But your westie will still need all the training he can get, so training needs to start the moment the puppy arrives. As dog owner, show the dog that you are leader of the pack, and this will help tone down dominance tendencies early on in your westie.

The westie is currently a perfect fit for all families. He is hardy, and is a sociable little dog that does not want to be left alone. This dog enjoys brisks walks on the lead, traveling by car, warming the couch, or just being closest to his favorite human. Nothing can seem to dull the curious edge of this dog, and is always investigating things, full of fun and mischief. If all goes well, this terrier can live up to twelve to eighteen years. Older people may take time to appreciate this loud dog full of antics, but children and teens are sure to be held captive by the breed. Nevertheless, if an older person wants to own a westie, the best thing to do is for that person to meet a breeder who can look for a “past the puppy” age companion that would be satisfied with walks and life in a one-on-one household.

Richard Cussons believes that westie dogs make great household pets. Learn more about westie training at westiesavvy.com.

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Why Is Westie Training Necessary?

Saturday, November 19th, 2011

Why is Westie Training Necessary?

Even if you own a good-tempered west highland white terrier, that is not enough reason to skip Westie training. Just like other breeds, the Westie needs to be trained at an early age to prevent them from developing bad habits and to get rid of those that have developed already. Perhaps a dog owner may believe that training is no longer necessary if his pet urinates/defecates at the right spot, rarely barks or is just staying in his corner for the rest of the day.

But Westie training is more than just that! You need to train your Westie using the appropriate training methods to ensure that he remains safe at the same time acts or does what is expected of him. Most Westie lovers know that this breed was originally breed to seek and dig out foxes and badgers. Vermin, squirrels, rabbits, cats and other animals were also added to their watch list. With the presence of these animals, it would be too easy for him to create a mess in your house; knocked out household items and unsightly holes in your well-kept yard often greet you if this little terrier will not rest until he has captured his prey.

This is one reason for Westie training to take place. The chase can be halted if your Westie is reliably trained to obey commands such as “no” or “stop it”. It will never happen in the first place if the pet was socialized at an early age. Apart from that, socialization can also prevent many behavior issues such as biting, barking, chewing, jumping up on people, fear and aggression. Another issue that can be prevented with Westie training is the development of small dog syndrome (a small dog acting like a big dog). He should be trained to obey rules and follow certain limits and boundaries to prevent him from thinking that he is the leader of the pack and that everyone is under his control.

One more benefit of training is this breed’s safety. Their being energetic and playfulness can possibly get them into trouble. They may fancy running after speeding vehicles or may become attracted to things that can be dangerous to them such as toxic plants and chemicals. Training him to obey basic commands such as stay, wait, no, drop it, stop or sit can surely save both of you from a great deal of trouble. And besides, these basic commands are also stepping stones master more tricks like play-dead, roll over and the likes for the entertainment of humans.

Some may say that Westie training is just like training other dog breeds. Yes, it’s true in some cases but Westie owners should remember to consider this breed’s personality when trying to determine what training methods work best for them.

Richard Cussons is fond of writing various dog articles. Learn more about westie training at westiesavvy.com.

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Bacteria in Dog’s Mouth

Sunday, October 23rd, 2011

Many say that a dog’s mouth is cleaner with respect to human mouth. If you really try to explore further on the subject, you would find that the mouth of a dog and that of a human is quite different from one another and unlikely to be compared with each other. In fact the functionality of a dog’s mouth is quite different from that of a human. Humans use their mouth mainly to eat where as a dog uses its mouth to carry out a variety of jobs. Apart from eating it uses its mouth to taste and identify unknown objects, to control heat, as toilet paper and such. So, the bacteria in dog mouth are different from that of humans.

The following are some important facts on bacteria in dog mouth.

Facts on Bacteria in Dog Mouth

  • Unlike the teeth of humans the dog teeth are not easy victims of cavities. Dogs have comparatively high pH level around 9 whereas in humans the ph level is 6.5 to 7.5. Due to high ph level cavities are non existent in dog mouth.
  • But due to high pH level in dogs, precipitation of calcium phosphate, formation of tartar and plaque takes place in their teeth.
  • According to many the saliva of dog’s mouth has antiseptic properties. Though scientific evidences have proved that dog saliva can inhibit certain bacterial growth like that of E.coli and certain strains of Streptococcus but there a variety of other bacteria in dog mouth that are found to be quite harmful for both the pet and its owner.
  • Dog’s teeth have a coat of biofilms in the teeth. The biofilm consist of lattice frame work of some species of bacteria and some kinds of fungi that consists of moderate anaerobic and core anaerobic. The bacteria is well protected from the hostile environment as they reside within a polysaccharide form of glue.
  • The bacterial biofilm is also known as the dental biofilm. A biofilm may contain hundreds of bacterial species some of which are found to be harmless while some can not be cultured. There are still many bacteria that are yet to be identified.

Dog dental care is very important for maintain good oral health. If the dog mouth is not cleaned regularly the pet can develop tartar which would soon lead to the formation of a serious full blown disease called periodontal disease. Ask your dog to chew some items that would actually help your pet to get rid of sticky food particles. You may take the help of a veterinary physician in case you are new to dog dental care.

Jack Morrison is a pet care expert. He has in depth knowledge on how to take care of pets efficiently. To get information on dog mouth you may search for a good pet care guide.

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West Highland White Terrier

Friday, September 30th, 2011

Description: Commonly known as the Westie, this adorable little dog has a lovely straight white coat, small erect ears and a black button nose, with dark eyes to match. Despite their sweet appearance, this is a country dog, a terrier, breed to hunt fox and badger.

Characteristics: The West Highland White Terrier is a cheerful extrovert, always ready for fun and games. A wonderful blend of an affectionate cuddly lap dog and hardy robust companion that can keep up to all but the most active of owners. They can go from happily being snuggled in your lap to doing a long rugged hike in the blink of an eye.
They do well in the city or country, house or apartment as long as given adequate exercise and fits well into a family environment as they are usually very playful and loving with children. Some can live quite well with other dogs and cats, others can’t, most are scrappy with strange dogs and none should be trusted around small pets like rodents and rabbits. Early and ongoing socialization with other dogs can help curb aggression problems.
The Westie is a fine choice for those getting their first dog, they can be a bit stubborn and independent but is intelligent and trains easily. This dog is loyal and dedicated to a family and makes a good barking watchdog.

Origins: The West Highland White Terrier originated from Argyle Scotland. They got official recognition in 1905 when the first West Highland breed club was formed. Related to the Cairn and the Skye Terriers.

Special needs: West Highland White Terriers are prone to dry skin and allergies. Bathing more than once every month or so is not recommended. Regular brushing is also very important as not only does it keep them neat and tidy but it helps to spread natural oils throughout the coat. They also need weekly ear cleanings so they don’t get ear infections. Should be professionally groomed every 6-8 weeks.

Highlights:
- The West Highland is a no shedding breed so may be a good choice for allergy suffers.
- Usual life span is 12-17 years.
- The Westie is an excellent hunter of vermin.
- An enthusiastic digger and care should be taken when leaving unattended in the yard, they can quickly dig under fences and be gone before you know it.

For more pet tips visit http://www.ourbestfriend.com

Our Best Friend is a collection of helpful articles and reviews to help you choose the right pet for you.
We match people and pets.

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Itchy Dog – Natural Treatment Concepts for the West Highland White Terrier

Thursday, September 29th, 2011

Many owners of West Highland White Terriers with atopic dermatitis or other allergic skin disease are desperate to find help. These dogs can be very expensive to treat constantly with traditional veterinary therapy. Side effects to long term use of corticosteroids are common. A lot of dog owners are turning to other ways to help their itchy dog. There is a minefield of unqualified advice on snake oil solutions and products that do not work.

Atopic Dermatitis is a genetically predisposed inflammatory and pruritic allergic skin disease with characteristic clinical features. It is associated most commonly with IgE antibodies to environmental allergens. Old school thought was that the environmental allergens were inhaled. Recent breakthroughs in understanding the cause of allergic skin disease in West Highland White Terriers include the transdermal entry of environmental allergens. It is now recognised that allergens are ingested, inhaled and that the allergens also cross the skin barrier which is sphingosine deficient in the ceramide layer.

This important concept has opened windows for natural treatment to be of huge benefit. Many of the shampoos that are prescribed for this itchy skin condition are in fact detrimental. Natural shampoo is important because it prevents damage to the ceramide of the outer skin barrier. There are some natural treatments that will help repair the faulty skin barrier as well.

Natural treatment also involves avoiding skin flare factors. It is possible to minimise exposure to dust mites and pollen. It is possible to remove pollen from the skin using natural treatment. This helps alleviate the itch scratch cycle. Natural treatment that minimises water loss from the skin is the present approach for holistic therapy It is important to use the correct therapies or pyoderma of the skin will result.

For a FREE “Home Diagnosis Manual to the itchy dog” and information on natural treatment that really stops your dog itching and scratching go to http://www.scratchingdoghelp.com

For more information on treating the itchy scratching dog the natural way and to find out how to stop the itch go to http://www.scratchingdoghelp.com/treating_itchy_dogs.html

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Teach Your Dogs Good Manners Using Dog Bark Collars

Tuesday, September 27th, 2011

Teach Your Dogs Good Manners Using Dog Bark Collars

Your dog is no longer a puppy and he no longer has that cute little yip that was so cute. Now he is full-grown and barks at every little sound or movement, especially at night. If you and others in your family are bothered by the constant barking, imagine how your neighbors feel. Angry neighbors can do many things, even to report this situation to local authorities. In many countries you may be forced to bark train your dog or else legal authorities can take your dog away. Telling your dog “No!” has not worked and neither has anything else you have tried. For all those people who find themselves in such a situation, nowadays the Dog Bark Collars are on the market.

Contrary to the opinion of many, collars of this type do not hurt dogs. They don’t know these collars are powered by two small, penlight type batteries that cannot deliver too strong shocks. The shocks can be just strong enough to draw your dog’s attention when you command him or her to stop barking. As part of his job, a dog should warn you about stranger presences, so barking is appropriate at times and you should allow your dog to bark then. You can either put the collar around the neck of your dog only during times that he should not be barking, or just turn it on at those times. Soon he will learn that when the collar is on, he is not to bark.

These dog bark collars are equipped with electronic devices and they can detect and measure the intensity and duration of your dog’s bark, and can be set to deliver warning buzzes or shocks if specific levels are over passed. This discourages the dog from barking after being shocked just two or three times. If you remember the static electric shock you felt when rubbing some synthetic textile and then touching any metal object, they were similar to the electric shocks these collars can deliver. If you consider that using an electronic dog bark collar to train your dog not to bark when it is not allowed is inhumane then what would you say when you will be forced to get rid of your pet?

You will be both, dog and owner, more contented after your pet will learn to stop barking when it is not permitted. Just be sure the collar is put on when barking is not to be allowed and taken off when your dog is allowed to bark. You may this way enjoy your relax times. So will your neighbors.

Choose the collar to fit to your dog. You can find Dog Bark Collars for any breed and size of your dog. Bigger breeds seem to bark less than the smaller ones. Once you have the right size, fit it on your dog so the electronic device fit snug against the dog but is not too tight. Fit properly, the collar will be comfortable.

If you are concerned about the safety of the dog bark collars, just try one. You will see that they are not harmful at all. They are clearly safer than an angry neighbor. Get one today and the whole neighborhood will thank you tomorrow.

Dog Bark Collars are used to teachn dogs proper barking times. All the neighborhoob may this way enjoy relax times. There are Dog Bark Collars to fit to any dog.

The Dog Bark Collar Brings Peace in Your Neighborhood

Monday, September 26th, 2011

The Dog Bark Collar Brings Peace in your Neighborhood

The chances are you’ll invariably hear that you should never use a Dog Bark Collar on your dog because they’re cruel and inhumane. When you hear someone talking like that, it would be enough to ask that person if he or she has ever seen a dog bark collar or if they’ve tried one to feel the shock they can give. Instead of talking out of experience, they’re merely passing on the same misinformation they’ve been told in the past.

It is very simple to check how inhumane are these collars even if you don’t have one at hand to test it, as you just need to know they are powered by two small penlight batteries, and think at how much harm can they really do. Dogs don’t understand electricity the way we do, because if they did, they will not be scared by the mild shock and the use of the dog bark collar won’t give any results with them. The collars have been designed to stop the unwanted behavior of the dog, by surprising it, their goal being in no way to cause pain or to hurt the dog. Not even when you set the collar to deliver the maximum intensity shock you won’t feel any pain while testing it. Instead, the dog simply experiences an unpleasant feeling. The opponents of these collars will finally recognize that these devices can’t hurt a dog physically, but they will still say that they can affect the dog in some emotional or mental way. This too couldn’t be any further from the truth because the dog has absolutely no way of knowing that y ou’re ultimately responsible for the correction he or she receives.

Moreover, dogs are intelligent animals and, though they don’t understand what exactly happens, they will learn in a very short time to avoid correction just by ending their bark. Dog bark collars have different prices and the majority of them have the ability to warn the dog to end barking through a buzzing sound, delivered prior to the electrical shock, so your dog will have the possibility to associate these two different stimuli. Your dog can bark once or twice and nothing happens, as the collar will buzz if the dog continues and, if it doesn’t stop, the mild shock is delivered. Should the dog choose to ignore the correction, the following correction will be slightly more intense, and the following, a little bit more intense. A dog must bark for long to receive the highest level of correction. To the contrary, within just a few days most dogs will stop barking the minute they hear the buzzing sound.

The use of the Dog Bark Collar is allowed in Europe, as they are built in accordance with the provisions of the strictest anti cruelty laws in the world. No other dog training method is so effective. Professional dog trainers find hard to stop a dog barking without using these dog bark collars. Nobody appreciates a dog that never stops barking, and in fact, many dogs end up being poisoned by angry neighbors because of it. In other cases owners are forced to get rid of the dog, which in turn is upsetting for both the owner and the dog.

An electronic dog bark collar allows you to deal with this problem in a safe and humane way.

A Dog Bark Collar is an humane training tool. Use this collar to keep the peace of the neighborhood. The use of the Dog Bark Collar is allowed in Europe.

West Highland White Terrier Puppy and Dog Information

Sunday, September 25th, 2011

The West Highland White Terrier is a hardy, happy little terrier that love the companionship of people. They are very good looking and make good watch dogs. They can get along with other pets, especially if socialized when young. They have been known to chase cats as a sport. They are generally very good with children. As a reminder, never leave a child unsupervised with a puppy or dog.

Approximate Adult Size

The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the male is 10 to 12 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 15 to 22 pounds. The female ranges from 9 to 11 inches to the withers and 13 to 16 pounds.

Special Health Considerations

Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the West Highland White Terrier is no exception. Be on the look out for skin allergies, progressive neurological disorders and tear duct problems. This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.

She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets.

Grooming

The West Highland White Terrier has a double coat. The inner coat is soft and fluffy. The outer coat is white, straight and hard hair. This is a breed that needs to be professionally groomed regularly. She should also be brushed regularly. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and healthy coat, avoid mats, help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with her.

Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.

Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet.

Life Span

The West Highland White Terrier can live around 15 or more years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.

History

The West Highland White Terrier comes from Scotland where they were raised to hunt vermin. They were first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1908.

Some Registries

  • West Highland White Terrier Club of America
  • UKC United Kennel Club
  • NKC National Kennel Club
  • CKC Continental Kennel Club
  • APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc.
  • AKC American Kennel Club
  • FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale
  • NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club
  • KCGB Kennel Club of Great Britain
  • ANKC Australian National Kennel Club
  • ACR American Canine Registry

Litter Size

2 to 5 West Highland White Terrier puppies

Category

Terrier

Terms To Describe

Alert, friendly, reliable, happy, balanced, hardy, self-esteem, strength, affectionate

SPECIAL GOOD POINTS

  • Makes a good watch dog.
  • Sheds almost no hair.

SPECIAL BAD POINTS

  • Makes a poor guard dog.
  • They may dig.
  • They may bark plenty.

Other Names Known By

Toseneath Terrier, Poltalloch Terrier

Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.

About the Author

Mitch Endick is a short article writer, editor and website developer for the popular pet site http://www.petpages.com, a pet information site with free pet ads, dog classifieds, and puppy for sale info. Petpages.com also offers information on cats, fish, reptiles, birds, ferrets, rabbits, mice and even pet bugs.

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The West Highland Terrier

Friday, September 23rd, 2011

The West Highland Terrier

The West Highland White Terrier, or Westie, came into being during the middle of the nineteenth century. According to one legend, a Cairn Terrier breeder in Scotland inadvertently got white puppies in his litter. Those white puppies were then specifically bred to obtain the West Highland White Terrier breed. The Westie would, therefore, simply be a white Cairn Terrier.

A variation on this legend claims that the Westie was bred from the white puppies of both Cairn and Scottish Terriers. This was done so that the dog, which was used to hunt, would not be mistaken as a fox.

The AKC (American Kennel Club) originally registered the Westie in 1908 under the breed name Roseneath Terrier. In 1909 the name was changed to West Highland White Terrier.

The Westie has short legs and averages between 10- and 11-inches high. A healthy weight for these dogs is between 15 and 22 pounds. They have small, balanced, tough frames and relatively short tails. As their name implies, the West Highland White Terrier is always white. They have a double-coated in order to keep them insulated and protect them in bad weather. The top coat is generally about two inches long, hard and straight and the undercoat is thick and soft.

The West Highland White Terrier is easy to groom. Despite their long coat, they are light shedders. Regular brushing with a soft bristled brush and occasional trimming of the hair around their eyes is all that is required.

Most Westies are not lazy lap dogs. They tend to be highly energetic, curious, intelligent, alert, friendly, and courageous. Westies crave attention and activity. Left alone for long periods, they can become restless and may get into mischief. This breed loves to dig and may be destructive to gardens and flowerbeds. Westies also have a tendency to enjoy the sound of their own voice. While they don’t typically bark just for the sake of it, they will bark to announce visitors or outdoor activity. This makes them excellent watchdogs.

West Highland White Terriers have a natural hunting instinct. Their initial reaction when spotting a squirrel or bird will likely be to chase it. Even a well-trained Westie may be unpredictable. For this reason, Westie’s should always remain within fenced yards or on a leash.

The Westie is normally a healthy breed, though they can be prone to chronic skin problems. Their life expectancy is 14 years or more.

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