Dog Lover Gifts - Ideas and Tips to Make Shopping Easy
Dog lover gifts - are you searching for a gift for a friend that is difficult to buy for? Is this person a dog owner? Canine owners are very easy to please, just choose something for their pet.
The options are many, you can choose from personalized dog gifts, dog gift baskets, or you may be searching for unusual dog gifts. You will find selections in all of these areas, the possibilities are endless.
Old favorites such as breed specific presents that every canine lover will appreciate while not original they are very popular. Choose from t-shirts, sweat shirts, jerseys, coffee mugs, pictures, key chains to name just a few.
Doggy Baskets
Make up a dog gift basket with things you have made such as baked treats, knitted items. Your dog loving friend will really appreciate this thoughtful gesture and will likely get that bark of approval from their four legged friend. Or make a theme based basket - grooming - training items - tasty treats - toys. A gift basket with all sorts of random canine items is a great present.
Personalized Gifts for Dogs
You may be thinking of more unique dog gifts. Unique personalized dog gifts are always welcome and are certain to put a smile on any dog lovers face. A personalized dog bed or pillow, keepsake box, the pet’s photo and name on a doggy throw, Id tag or a framed portrait of their canine friend are all practical and perfect dog presents.
A dog lovers gift for the household is always welcome and appreciated. Choose from the numerous items available - notepads, door mats, aprons, fridge magnets, towels, and much more.
If your friend has an uptown chic doggy that likes to be pampered and enjoys the finer things in life, any designer apparel, jewelry, designer tote bag, designer dog bed, a day at the spa will all likely get a big thumbs up from the owner and a wag of the tail from the pet dog.
Dog owners who really like to look after their best buddy’s health will appreciate a gift like organic treats, an organic dog bed and dog vitamin and mineral supplements.
Grooming supplies are always appreciated and there is such an array of choices. Some come nicely packaged with shampoos and conditioners or for the traveler there are some nice doggy travel packs. A spritz to keep that doggy smelling great between baths. How about a doggy spa or bathing system for pampering pets.
Dog Toys - plush toys, interactive dog toys and chew toys. Be sure that they are safe for chewing and nothing that a dog could possibly choke on.
Other Options…books, cds, agility gifts, dog collars, leads, training aids, tickets for a dog show,
Still not sure, how about a gift certificate?
It is nice to have some ideas before you go shopping. I hope that this has been helpful. It is quick and easy if you decide to do your shopping online. You do not have to trudge through the mall and fight the crowds to find that ideal dog lovers gift.
Hope this has given you some ideas. Good luck and enjoy shopping for that dog lovers gift!
Your Dogs Diet-should It Include Table Scraps?
We have all done it. Our cute, little furry friend is practically grinning at us from below the kitchen table. Their ears are perked and their tail is waggling. We know what our dog wants. Just a small choice morsel from dinner would be fabulous, right? What could it hurt? It is just a bite or 2 after all.
Hold Fido’s ears he will not want to hear this. A dogs diet really should not contain table scraps. People food is just that…for people. A dogs nutritionary needs are not the like as a humans. Sure, we eat some of the same things, but feeding your pet food from the table is one of the greatest mistakes for your pet. A dogs diet does not require all the added goodies we add into our food.
Individuals have often have weight problems like obesity. Well a dog can have this problem also. If your dogs diet involves mostly table scraps, then the chances are that your dog will not keep a healthy weight. Even a a couple of pounds over weight can make a great difference in the quality of health and length of your pets life.
When you have a dog who is not a picky eater, it can be tempting to let your pet be the garbage disposal in your home, but really, this is not a good idea. Certain people foods can harm your dog and should never be a part of your dogs diet. Grapes, for example, have been known to cause serious problems for dogs, even death. Chicken bones and popcorn can also be a problem for your dog. Permitting significant amounts of chocolate can be dangerous in a dogs diet.
A poor diet even shows up out in the yard. When your dogs diet is not at its best, your pets outputs will be bigger in size, smell, and mess. The benefits of choosing a healthy diet for your dog will be noticeable in your pets health, as well as, during those walks around the block.
There are a few occasions when a supplement or treat from the kitchen may be alright, but never in excess. Speak to your veterinarian about healthy snacks for your dogs diet. If you simply must continue feeding Fido at the table, many veterinaries recommend you give your pet ice cubes or pieces of carrot to munch on between regular feeding times. Supplying your pet these healthy choices to pizza and cupcakes gives you the freedom to choose a healthy and nutritious snack for your dogs diet.
The next time your pet begins eyeing your food, what you need to do is redirect their attention. Do not use your table scraps. Alternatively give your dog a refreshing ice cube to munch on. A baby carrot will keep your dog happy and make you feel good about the right options you have made for the nutritional value of your dogs diet. If you follow these steps, you will know that you are doing your best to give pet a high quality diet.
Dog Training That Works
I love my dog Rosie. I adopted her from an animal shelter. She had been abused by her previous owners, though, so we definitely got off to a shaky start. She was really terrified of everything and everybody, and she also had some behavior issues. So first and foremost I had to get her socialized, not an easy thing to do.
She wasn’t socialized at all, so I had to address that right away. I wanted her to be friendly to my family and friends, but not get too chummy with total strangers.
And I had a real challenge ahead of me with the unwanted behaviors. I was really daunted about how to address so many problems.
My first big issue was the jumping up. I would be bending down to pet her, she would jump up, scratch me, and I would bleed. Not good.
Second, barking at every single noise was a big problem. Everyone knows that dogs bark, but excessive barking is not a good thing. Not only did it annoy me, but my neighbors would start complaining sooner or later.
Then there was her anxiety. That’s a huge topic all by itself. Every time I would leave the house, she would whine and howl. I’m sure my neighbors loved that. And it didn’t matter if I was leaving to go to work or leaving for only a few minutes to go get the mail.
Walking on the leash was not a very enjoyable experience for either me or my dog. My little dog weighs about 20 pounds, but she was strong enough to pull me along behind her. I wasn’t walking her — she was walking me.
Although not the only issues, the ones listed above were the most urgent ones to get started on. But I was a little overwhelmed on where exactly to start. It had been so long since I trained my last dog (who died of old age), that my skills were a little rusty, to say the least.
Well, almost everyone I know has dogs, so I just started calling them for recommendations. Some suggested hiring a dog-trainer, and others advised me to do it myself by ordering an online dog-training course. After careful consideration I ordered the “Do It Yourself” program by Sharda Baker.
I am seeing some progress already. Rosie is already much more socialized, and she also is not as upset when I leave home. She still barks, though, and more work is needed.
Another article will be submitted when I see more progress with Rosie’s training. Until then, I hope you have enjoyed my article.
Training For Aggressive Dogs Case Study
Mike and his family enjoy having Otto, their yellow Labrador, around their home. But they sometimes encounter problems when the kids would play in the backyard with the dog. Otto would repeatedly knock them down and when Mike would join in to play with them the dog would try to mount on him. At times if Mike scolds at his children to reprimand them, Otto would get distressed and start growling. Mike tried spanking Otto or tapping him on his nose, but nothing seemed to be curbing Otto’s aggression.
Bruce had finally given up on Matt’s behavior. He was talking his frustration over Matt’s aggressive behavior with a neighbor, who recommended a dog trainer. His neighbor advised him that the trainer would visit them in their house to work with Bruce and his family to aid them curb some of these behaviors.
Gab automatically phoned the trainer and they both agreed on having him come over when everyone is at home to make observations on Teru’s behavior. Upon witnessing how they move, act around their home, and relate to each other, the trainer quickly knew what is happening and further explained to the family that Teru have a pack mentality. Pack mentality is the type of attitude wherein one dog has dominance over everyone. Teru’s behavior was a way of him presenting he was in charge. That’s why the trainer suggested that the family stop allowing Teru to claim that he was the Alpha Dog. Knowing about this, Gab would need to establish himself as the leader of Teru’s pack.
Bruce followed the trainer’s advice and started taking control over everything. The trainer explained to Bruce that Matt should wait first for permission to use any toy or even to eat. Matt needs to acknowledge that Bruce and his family were in control. Bruce put up Matt’s toys and refrain form letting him to jump up on the couch or bed unless he sat first.
When Otto wants to play or go out the backyard, Mike will begin training him to sit in front of the toy box or doorway. For when he sat on command, Mike would let him play with a toy or open the door for him. If Otto would not follow, Mike would not give Otto what he wanted. Mike also instructed his kids how to do the same thing. At first Otto would not respond, but realized that he was not getting what he wanted, so he would follow to commands.
The trainer also discouraged Bruce from playing tug-of-war with Matt. Even though this was one of Bruce’s favorite games to play with Matt, he observed that Matt’s behavior worsened after a game of tug-of-war. The trainer cited that these kinds of games are instinctual ways for dogs to assert dominance in the pack. He suggested games of fetch and using other active toys to excite Matt.
A couple of months have passed and the dog’s aggression dissipated. Every now and then, Otto would try to reassert himself as the alpha dog, but the family now knows not to give in to Otto’s demands. Otto had improved and no longer knocks down the kids when they would play, and he definitely stopped mounting on Mike. Mike was now able to even teach him other tricks that he never thought Otto was capable of.
The key to Gab’s success with Teru was that the family had to establish dominance over Teru. After Teru realized his spot in the hierarchy, he was better-behaved and the aggression subsided.