bulldogs

Ways to Reduce Health Care Costs of Your English Bulldog

Saturday, September 24th, 2011

Amidst the global recession, dog owners find the need to cut down on dog health care and maintenance expenses. The cost of vet care for last year (2008) is estimated at $10.9 billion, increased to almost a billion from last year. US is facing depressed economy with thousands of job disappearing, and low stock market, most of us are delaying dog care because we can’t afford vet and dog treatment. Read these tips to save money on pet expenses you once thought are necessary.

1. FEED YOUR DOG LESS. In a study conducted by Purina which made use of 48 Labrador Retrievers in a 14-year study, “lean-fed” dogs (receiving 25% less food compared to their mates) eventually developed the same health problems as their group mates as they aged, but required treatments for sickness developed 2.1 years later. As a result, treatment began at a mean age of 12 versus age 9.9. A secret to longevity is to feed your bulldog healthy, lean (not too skinny) food eliminating fattening, corn-laden foods. Thus, it is not about feeding a particular brand or letting your dog overeat to keep it healthy. Remember, fat dogs poses health risks needing expensive treatments.

2. FEED QUALITY FOOD. It may sound strange to spend more on high quality dog food but it is your best shot at long term dog health and lower vet bills. Once you start feeding your bulldog wisely, you will notice allergies; intestinal problems, joint pains and other ailments disappear. You may want to switch feeding your dog from grocery store brands to kibble to canned foods. Gradually shift feeding your pet frozen raw or fresh cooked or raw food.

3. STOP REWARDING YOUR DOG WITH DANGEROUS TREAT. You may not be aware of the risks involved when your dog is given treats of hard to chew food. Treats such as cooked bones, rawhide chews, pig’s feet among other can lodge in tracheas and intestines. Surgery for obstructions and perforations doesn’t come cheap. Surgery can remove these obstructions but may be too late to save your dog’s life.

4. REGULAR BRUSHING OF YOUR DOG’S TEETH. Dental problems often equates to expensive vet bills. One way to avoid dental caries on your dog’s teeth is by feeding them low-carb foods and by brushing its teeth at least three times a week. Use good toothpaste intended for dogs and not humans. You can apply and brush your dogs’ teeth with a super-soft toothbrush or gauze wrapped around your finger as a substitute of a toothbrush.

5. GET YOUR DOG A BLOOD TEST. Dogs age faster than human which makes them more susceptible to diseases. Senior dogs should have a blood test every six months. A thorough blood test is the easiest and only way to detect a disease while it’s still curable and cheaper to treat. Have your dog check for heartworms regardless if taking drugs or not.

6. STOP THE UNNECESSARY VACCINATION. There is no point of vaccinating your dog against diseases your dog is unlikely to catch and against sickness to which your dog already has developed immunity. Apart from wasting huge waste of time and money, excessive vaccination will result to adverse health consequences that will wreck your dog’s health and cost you a fortune on vet bills.

7. STOP GIVING UNNECESSARY OR DANGEROUS DRUGS TO YOUR DOG . Double check the medicines you give your dogs especially steroids and arthritis medication. Typically allergic reactions from medications will develop after multiple doses of the medication. Signs of allergies include scratching or itching, facial swelling or hives as shown by your pet. When your dog had overdose then it is necessary to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible, which is another medical bill for you.

8. KEEP TRASH, RECYCLING BINS AND TOXIC CHEMICALS AWAY FROM PETS. Dogs love taking a peek in garbage cans in search of food. Bad thing about it is dogs tend to stay this way a lot longer. This habit can lead to food poisoning. Rancid food found in garbage is rich in bacteria that will make your dog sick with diarrhea and vomiting. Better to keep an eye on your dog or place it in a leash when no one is around. By keeping your dog away from garbage cans, you will save any vet trips for cases of food poisoning.

9. WASH YOUR DOG’S FEET (OR PAWS). Ensure the cleanliness of your dog’s feet after a walk on chemically-packed pavements such as city streets and salted roads. Be extra careful of park areas which may have been recently treated with herbicides or other potentially dangerous chemicals. Refrain using toxic chemicals in your home or yard. Once these chemicals stick on your dog’s feet, it won’t be long until it reaches to your dog’s mouth. You may be risking your English bulldog to developing cancer later on.

10. SEARCH ONLINE. You can save money on flea and tick control, ear care products, vitamins, joint care supplements, and other non-prescription maintenance items sold on online pet supply stores and pharmacies. Check the specials offered and compare prices for low prices with free shipping included on most orders.

Toni Michelle Su
English Bulldog Puppy Blog

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Get Quick Result With Dog Bark Collars

Friday, July 29th, 2011

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. Your entire family is bothered by this constant barking, and also are your neighbours. They complained to you and they may also report it to the authorities. Do something quick, or you may have to give up to your noisy companion. Telling your dog “No!” has not worked and neither has anything else you have tried. You should use one of the available Dog Bark Collars to make him listen.

Contrary to the opinion of many, collars of this type do not hurt dogs. The electric shocks they deliver are no stronger than the two little AA bateries can charge. These electric shocks are mild, but unpleasant enough to let your dog know that it is not acceptable to bark whenever. At night and at some other moments barking is inappropriate, but not all the time. Let your dog wear one of these collars only during the times that he should not be barking. Soon he will learn that when the collar is on, he is not to bark.

The electronic device on the dog bark collar detects sounds over a certain decibel and delivers a mild shock to the dog when he barks loud enough to trigger it. This discourages the dog from barking after being shocked just two or three times. The common belief is that these electric shocks are inhumane, but they are as mild as the static shocks we experienced sometimes at home. The alternative to using such “inhumane” device for training is to put your pet in a shelter where he may end up being euthanized.

After you train him when it is okay to bark and when it is not, both of you will be happier. 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. All the people in the family will appreciate a quiet evening and some peaceful sleep. So will your neighbours.

You should need to choose the right size for the collar to use. There are Dog Bark Collars for every size of the dogs. Even if he is a smaller one. It is sometimes the smaller breeds that bark the most and the loudest. 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. The collar will be comfortable if fit properly.

If you have any doubts about the safety of dog bark collars, try one on yourself. Try it on your hand and you will see it is not harmfull at all. It does not even compare to an angry neighbour throwing rocks and shoes at your dog. The second night after you start using the collar, all your neighbours will be able to sleep undisturbed.

You should use one of the available Dog Bark Collars. They are not weapons to deliver strong electric shocks. Choose from the Dog Bark Collarsthe one to fit the breed and size of your dog.

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English Bulldogs – What You Should Know Before Buying One

Wednesday, July 27th, 2011

dog training

Breed Name: English Bulldog

Description and colours: These adorable Dogs are well known for their thickset features, overhanging underbite and loose folds of skin particularly around the forehead and mouth. Their hanging jowls are one of the Bulldogs most cute and also recognizable features. An average Adult weighs 50 plus pounds. Bulldogs are bred in a variety of colours, including the classically recognized Brown and White mottles as well as Red, Fawn or Brindle.

Average Lifespan/Health Problems

A healthy Bulldog can expect to live for up to 12 years, but sadly many are beset by common health problems. Often related to breathing or Cardiac complications.

These stocky little Dogs also suffer from high incidences of Hip dysphasia. In fact, they are the worst suffering of all Dog breeds for this specific ailment. They are also a Breed, which requires a reasonably cool temperature to avoid them becoming overly hot and agitated. Bulldogs are best suited to the cooler climates of Europe and careful attention must be given to them even then during hot Summer months.

Temperament and Personality

Bulldogs are enthusiastic, playful but known to be stubborn. That is why it is so important to train them well from a young age. They love exercise and will require this daily. A true family Pet in every sense of the word, Bulldogs crave company. They adore being around people and as such make for wonderful additions to any family. They are a docile, non-aggressive Breed. They rank 77th out of 79 other Breeds for overall Intelligence.

History

Although most commonly associated with English nobility and the much loved English Prime Minister Winston Churchill, before the Bulldog was refined as a well mannered domesticated Pet its use was far less amiable. In the early 1800′s Bulldogs were primarily bred as fighting Dogs, utilized in the barbaric ‘Sport’ of Bull baiting. The Bulldog would be dispatched to attack the Bull and hang onto its neck or Snout with its strong, capable jaws. Nowadays, that is about as far away from the lovable and cute Dogs that we are so familiar with, their loving personalities and incredible cuteness making them a popular specialist Breed suitable for any household willing to effectively train them.

Wait – There’s More!
Learn the secrets of Bulldog Puppy Training and free information on dealing with all types of Bad Dog Behaviour including barking, scratching, biting, jumping, whining and more.

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The Beeping Training Collar

Monday, July 25th, 2011

Have you tried everything to get your dog to listen to you? You have tried different training methods, like treating reinforcement for good behavior, specialized training classes, and a firm commanding voice to make it listen, but you are not a specialized dog trainer. If you have tried various methods of training your dog to behave and he is still acting you aren’t saying a word to him, don’t despair. We need to get well with our dogs, even if we don’t speak each others’ language. Nowadays, both trainers and pet owners have the chance of using an electronic training device that had proven its effectivenes in the training of all breeds of dogs, all over the world, even of those well known as stubborn ones. We just need to ask for a Training Collar to specialized shops.

A training collar is a special electronic collar that goes around your dog’s neck like any other collar. The collar includes a device you can trigger from the remote control that is typically designed to have two functions. The first of these functions is often a warning button. In order to stop your dog’s bad behaviour or wrong activity, if the dog ignores your command, all you have to do is to press the warning button on the remote control, and through radio waves, the collar is triggered to emit a warning beep. The second is the shock button, working similarily with the warning button, but triggering the collar to deliver a startling shock to the dog which ignores both your command and the warning beep. Called as the negative reinforcement, this training method uses different aversive stimuli.

Most people believe the collar is an inhumane object to use when training a dog but it is no different from using a spray bottle or a swift smack on the nose. How humane the collar is completely depends on the user. There might be dog owners who set the shock intensity to the highest level and just press the button over and over again, this would be inhumane treatment. However, most pet owners that have used a training collar have found that they have only ever had to shock their pet two or three times before the warning beeps were enough to correct his or her behavior. You can even use the warning beep twice or thrice, and your dog will quickly learn the message. And there is the positive reinforcement method, teaching you to reward your dog whenever he obeys your command.

After a short training period your dog will listen your commands, avoiding this way many troubling situations. He will listen to your commands and not run off chasing after whatever catches his eye. The Training Collar is definitely a better alternative than giving up to your stubborn dog.

The collars are in fact humane trainig methods. The dog is just startled by the shock. You can always try the shock on yourself. Thousands of dog owners used collars with satisfactorily results. Why shouldn’t you?.

This type of training device is known as the Training Collar. Thousands of dog owners used collars with satisfactorily results. It is better to use a Training Collar to train a stubborn dog than to give it to a shelter.

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Bulldogs and Terrier – Avoid Making These Common 5 Mistakes While Training Your Pitbull

Saturday, July 23rd, 2011

pitbull

Pitbulls were originally bred from bulldogs and terriers and trained to fight. With time, these bulldogs have become favorite house pets and valued for its loyalty, obedience and friendliness with children. However, training a bulldog is something that pet owners cannot ignore. If left untrained pitbulls can become disobedient and aggressive and a difficult pet to handle.

Therefore, it is up to the pet owners to ensure that their bulldog gets the necessary training and attention they deserve. There are some cardinal mistakes that pet owners should try to avoid:

Scolding your Bulldog when it comes to you

Dogs learn how to behave from the feedback they get from their owners. Therefore, calling your bulldog to scold it for something done a few hours or minutes earlier will do more harm than good. This feedback discourages the dog from responding to your call the next time. It is better to call your dog to praise it for good behavior show affection towards it

If you want to reprimand your bulldog for bad behavior, wait until it does something that you do not want repeated and then scold it so that it understands that the behavior is unacceptable.

Not sticking to routine

Dogs learn by doing the same things over and over again at a particular time each day. Therefore, disrupting this routine means erasing all the good training earlier. This is especially essential if you want your bulldog to be potty-trained. Make sure you set times for potty training and take your dog out in the morning and after meals on a regular basis.

Over-training your bulldog

Pitbulls are just like children in the sense that they have shorter attention spans. Over-training these bulldogs will only make them lose interest in the training and make it a chore. Rather than prolonging the training sessions, pet owners should train their bulldog for shorter but more frequent periods so that they find it fun rather than a boring task.

Encouraging your bulldog to behave badly

If you do not want your pitbull to ask for food when you are eating or jump on you, then you should never encourage that behavior. Bulldogs tend to remember this encouragement and might repeat it repeatedly. Your bulldog should be able to understand that a no means no so that it does not repeat that behavior.

Not enforcing the rules

Training your bulldog can be boring for both the owner as well as their pets. Pet owners have to be patient throughout this process and make sure that they enforce the rules properly. It is also advisable to use positive enforcement to apply these rules and not resort to harsher modes of punishment. Training exercises should be carried out on a regular basis and a source of enjoyment for the bulldog and pet owner. This is the perfect time when the owners can spend quality time with their pups and at the same time train them perfectly.

Trained pitbulls or bulldogs become a wonderful companion. Pet owners have to keep in mind that this may take time and persistence and pet owners have to give their love ad utmost care to their bulldog if they want to develop a bond with it.

If you are looking for more information and articles about pitbulls you can find these at our Pitbull Blog. Want to learn more about pitbulls? Check out the complete guide at www.pitbull-dogs.com.

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Keep Your Dog Safe Using Pet Containment Devices

Thursday, July 21st, 2011

pet containment

Any psychologist in the world can tell you that the best possible therapy is to own a pet that is healthy and happy. Different scientific studies and researches have been made in different countries all over the world, covering different aspects of the human life style, and all of them show that people with pets tend to live longer because their lives are happier and more relaxed then others. None of those scientific studies took into account the so many bratty or untrained pets, though almost all owners have a story or two to tell about the antics of their beloved pets. There are people who have funny stories about their pets doing something they should not do and there are also people who talk about how their pets are alive only by chance. All these show that training your pet is important, and the pet containment devices are of real help here.

While many owners find it very easy to train their pets in certain ways, there are others who try a host of methods but fail to teach their pets to not bark, not cross a certain territory or even to stay with them and not run away during a walk. The dogs lacking such basic training are prone to getting lost, injured or worse. You can see many dogs running towards other animals without listening their owners’ commands or paying attention to traffic. With proper training by the use of pet containment devices like the electronic collar, such types of situations can easily be avoided..

Some hesitate to use the electronic collar as they consider it not humane. However, people who have actually used it know the real truth, which is the fact that the intensity of shock that an electronic collar administers is nothing more than a static charge that you feel from your comb or the body of your car in peak summer. Most of the skeptics don’t even know that these devices need to deliver the electric shocks just two or three times, this fast the dogs are learning to obey. There are primarily three things that that you can use the electronic collar for.

1. To remain within a secure area. If let to run free downtown, your pet will get lost or injured. Using the electronic fencing collar, you can keep your pet safe and sound within a certain area.

2. Teaching the pet to listen to your commands:. Due to his reckless behavior, a pet who does not listen to you can either get lost or hurt. Fortunately, you can prevent this from happening by using remote trainers which would teach your pet to follow your orders.

3. Train your pet to keep silence at night, except threatening situations. A dog that barks too much can be a problem for you and your neighbours who can complain in law. The same is the case with the dogs that enjoy barking while you or your neighbours rest. The bark control electronic collar can keep your pet from making too much noise.  

The pet containment devices are of real help. Train your pet to listen to your commands. Deliver proper training by the use of pet containment devices.

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