“Give chocolate to loved ones, and you could end up poisoning them. That is, if the loved ones are your pets.
Even small amounts of theobromine, an ingredient in chocolate, can cause vomiting and restlessness in pets. Larger doses can be fatal. While most pet owners expect a dog to develop an upset stomach after eating a large amount of chocolate, few realize its toxic potential.
The lethal dose of theobromine depends on the size of the dog and the type of chocolate. Ounce for ounce, baking chocolate has six to nine times as much of the substance as milk chocolate does.
Estimates of the smallest amounts that can be fatal are:
4 to 10 ounces of milk chocolate or 1/2 to 1 ounce of baking chocolate for small dogs, such as Chihuahuas and toy poodles.
1 to 1 1/2 pounds of milk chocolate or 2 to 3 ounces of baking chocolate for medium-sized dogs, like cocker spaniels and dachshunds.
2 to 4 1/2 pounds of milk chocolate or 4 to 8 ounces of baking chocolate for large dogs, including collies and Labrador retrievers.
Cats have much different eating habits and seldom are poisoned by chocolate.

While a very small amount of chocolate may not harm some dogs, it’s safest to avoid giving it to them at all. If an accident occurs, a veterinarian should be consulted. Treatment may require inducing vomiting, stabilizing the animal’s heartbeat and respiration, controlling seizures and slowing the absorption of theobromine. If the animal already is comatose, its stomach may need to be pumped.”

Source: healthypet.com

There are lots of other options for giving our dogs delicious treats. They should not have human chocolate, but there are lots of treats available that are human-grade and delicious to our canine friends. Try one of the treats featured at treatpeople.com

Lisa M Andrews is a treatpeople.com dog treats expert. She loves spending time with her 3 dogs and assisting dog lovers with fiding the right treats for their pets’ needs.

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Why on earth do dogs dig anyway? There are many reasons a dog will dig and not all of them are just done to annoy you. We’ve all seen one of the reasons dogs dig portrayed in cartoons … it’s the most obvious reason dogs dig … to bury bones or retrieve them … yummy! Depending on the country dogs sometime dig to get themselves a cool spot. Dogs sometimes just dig out of boredom or to get your attention.

So now you know the reasons or at least some of them as to why your dog digs. Let us now discuss methods of how to stop a dog from digging.

One method is to give your dog his or own space to dig … mark it off somehow e.g. fencing … and then bury your dog’s favourite treats in the assigned patch. Then each time your dog digs in the wrong place firmly reprimand your dog and take him or her to the designated digging zone and encourage the dog to dig his or her treats. Remember persistence pays off.

Another method to stop your dog from digging in a particular area is to make the area wet or dig a small hole and fill it with water. Dogs don’t like mud to much.

If your dog digs from boredom then giving your dog more to do will definitely stop your dog from digging. Take more walks with your dig … outside of there normal domain, for example go to an open park, forest etc. Play more with your dog at home. Dogs love to be entertained too.

These are just some of the methods that people have used to stop their dogs from digging. Remember you will need to be persistent and patient with your dog … it takes time to stop your dog from digging.

Looking for more on dog behaviour then get Your FREE Subscription dog-training.tnaniche.com/ Dog Behaviour Training Tips. Tony Harrison is the webmaster of dog-training.tnaniche.com/ dog-training.tnaniche.com/

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The cause of death has been linked to renal or kidney failure but the actual cause is still a mystery.
Millions of dogs regularly eat the “cuts and gravy” food that is produced by Menu Foods who
recalled the product after widespread reports of kidney failure in pets.

Throughout North America dog owners have become increasingly alarmed after buying the now recalled dog food sold under store brands at Kroger, Wal-Mart, Safeway and other large retail stores.
Major private label brands include Nutro, Eukanuba, and Iams.

The FDA has entered the mix and has dispatched investigators to dog food manufacturing plants in the
the states of Kansas and New Jersey which are operated by Menu Foods, the manufacturer of the recalled dog food brands.

Speculation exists that a common denominator in the recalled food is wheat gluten and this product is being investigated to determine if there is a causal link to the renal problem in pets and dogs nationwide that have eaten any of the recalled dog food brands.

Wheat gluten in of itself would not cause kidney failure or death in dogs according to the
FDA but might have become contaminated by heavy metals or mold toxins.

Every dog owner should check to see if the dog food that they feed their dog is subject to recall.

If the brand of dog food is on the list of recalled dog food you should immediately

1) Stop feeding the brand immediately

2 ) Contact your veterinarian for further medical attention to protect the life of your dog.

Dogs 4 Life offers news, information and resources on dog adoption, dog rescue, dog food nutrition and dog care at dogs-4life.com dogs-4life.com
This article may be reproduced unedited and provided the hyperlink to the author’s site is displayed with the article.

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Greek Pitbull Facts

There are many different kinds and types of pitbulls however Greek pitbulls are not actually its own breed or pedigree. Greek pitbulls are dogs that are shipped or born and bred in Greece and sold there to the local people. They are extremely popular in Europe as well as in the western civilizations and are in very high demand there also. Unfortunately that is about all the Greek pitbull facts that can be obtained because they are for the most part, the same breeds as are found in North America with the exception that Greek breeders raise and sell them. There is also not the debate that is taking place in the west going on over there and that gives more credence to the Greek pitbull and it gains more popularity.

The Great Greek Pitbull Debate

Although it is not near the debate that it is in North America, Greek pitbulls don’t cause much of a fuss at all among people there and oddly enough they have a much lower rate of dog attacks than in the western world. To speculate as to why Greek pitbulls would not attack as often as in North America would simply be a guess but perhaps it has to do with the fact that they aren’t reported as often. Although Greek pitbulls and all pitbulls in general cause a big stir among the population, the fact remains that they are better tempered than a poodle and as a matter of fact, the pitbull is ranked at the very highest of the charts for behavior and temperament.

If you want to learn more about pitbullsuccess.com/pitbull/about” target=”_blank red nose pitbulls please visit our site which is free to the public. You’ll find the best tips on everything to do with pitbullsuccess.com/pitbull” target=”_blank pitbulls fighting

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There are actually many types of dog beds and they all have different characteristics that may or may or not suit your pet. Obviously, there are small, medium and large dog beds, but there are also heated and cooling pet beds, as well as, orthopedic dog beds for aging or disabled pets. For the more sophisticated pet owner, designer and luxury pet beds are also an option. Regardless of your purchasing choice, price usually plays a significant role in your decision making process.

The type of dog bed you buy will directly influence the price. For small or medium dog beds with no extra bells and whistles, you can expect to spend anywhere from 20-50 dollars. However, if you wish to have a heated, cooled or orthopedic bed, the price can go up to twice that amount. For the even more extravagant choices such as luxury or designer dog beds, you can literally spend thousands of dollars if you so choose. These beds often come standard with wooden frames, pillows and blankets. When money is no object, the designer dog beds reign supreme. As is often the case, price and quality go hand in hand and although you can buy good beds fairly cheap, you need to pay attention to the quality of materials that go in to your pets’ furniture.

The last thing you want to do is purchase a pet bed only to have it tear up in a few weeks. When purchasing a bed be sure to check on things like double stitching and quality fabric. Other necessities are removable covers for easy washing and stain resistant material. Many beds will come with cheap or imitation fleece, so be sure to check the quality of the material and always look for double-sided fleece, as it is more durable and more comfortable. While quality is important, if you have a dog with special needs or you live in a particular area, you may want to narrow your search with those criteria first.

As is often the case, our dogs have complex lives. Some are injured or handicapped while others may be old or extremely dirty. Regardless of your situation, there are several things to consider. If you live in an area with extreme temperatures, you may want to consider a heated or cooling pet bed. There are several types of cooled beds, some are raised from the floor, some are filled with water and some are activated by other materials. The heated pet beds are usually similar to an electric blanket. Dogs that are old or injured may need an orthopedic pet bed to rest their tired joints on. These beds come with double-sided foam and extremely comfortable fleece or other material. As a pet owner, you realize each pet has its own personal needs and if you keep this in mind you will find a quality, well-suited bed for your pet.

Purchasing a pet bed can be a daunting task if you are misinformed or not sure of your specific options. If you keep your focus on the type, quality, price and special needs, you should be able to narrow down your search pretty quickly. As the pet owner, you know your dogs’ needs the best. Hopefully this article will help expedite your decision making process.

This pet-super-store.com/html/Category-1-0.html dog beds guide is provided by Pet-Super-Store. If you would like more quality information regarding dog beds and dog supplies, please visit our site. We specialize in a wide variety of supplies and provide great information such as pet-super-store.com/html/Category-8-0.html bark collar reviews and pet-super-store.com/html/Category-9-0.html invisible fence guides.

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Veterinary researchers have recently discovered the key factors linking the effects of second hand cigarette smoke to cats developing feline lymphoma.

Published in the American Journal of Epidemiology on August 1st 2006, the study included 180 cats who were treated at Tufts Veterinary School’s Foster Hospital from the years 1993 and 2000. The results of this university study indicated clearly that cats exposed to second hand smoke were at a significantly higher risk of developing lymphoma cancer.

It was shown that cats living in peoples homes where humans smoked at least a packet of cigarettes a day had more than three times the risk of developing lymphoma than cats in nonsmoking houses. It was also shown that an increased risk of developing lymphoma existed when higher numbers of smokers lived in the home. Cats living with one household smoker had almost twice the risk, whilst cats living with two or more smokers in a household had nearly four times the risk of developing lymphoma cancer.

Ingestion of cigarettes is dangerous too and can even be deadly. Signs of ingestion and nicotine poisoning generally occur within 15-45 minutes of ingestion and include salivation, excitation, panting, vomiting and diarrhea. Signs of more serious intoxication include increased heart rate, cardiac arrest, muscle weakness, twitching, depression, collapse and coma.

Recommendations are, therefore, to go outside the house to smoke especially if you have cats indoors. Keep cigarettes, cigars, nicotine patches and nicotine gum out of reach from your pet. Please ensure ashtrays are clean at all times as the cigarette butts contain about 25% of the total nicotine content of a cigarette.

Dr David Brooks is part of the online veterinary team at whydoesmypet.com” target=”_blank WhyDoesMyPet.com. Veterinarians, Vet Technicians, Nurses, Trainers, Behaviorists, Breeders and Pet Enthusiasts are here to answer your pet questions and concerns…
Our dedicated community of caring experts are waiting to offer you advice, second opinions and support.

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After he completed his studies in Glasgow and New York, Mr. Easton visited Peking in 1937. From that experience began his enthusiasm for the rare little Lion Dogs from the Manchu Palace.

Mr. Easton was one of the first Europeans to visit the hidden land of Tibet. He made the journey by mule and pony across a 15,000 foot mountain pass.

Mr. and Mrs. Easton’s first Shih Tzu was purchased in 1961 from the Pennsylvania fancier, Ingrid Colwell. They then imported dogs from England, Germany, and Holland and produced their own famous outstanding Chumulari line.

Reverend D. Allan Easton’s theory regarding the development of two different types of Shih Tzu in Old Peking was confirmed by a little-known essay written by the Princess Der Ling. Mr. Easton continually searched for first-hand information regarding the issue of different sizes in the Shih Tzu.

In this essay, Princess Der Ling describes the royal kennels. The essay was published in the United States in 1933. Princess Der Ling wrote about some fascinating information she received from the Empress Dowager about her beloved Shih Tzu:

“Out of a litter of four,” Her Majesty told me, “there are seldom more than two which are worth keeping. The others, even though they have the same father and mother, have something the matter with them – too short legs, too long bodies, or the wrong markings. They are inferior.”

“Particular care must be taken with feeding,” explained Her Majesty. “A Harba Go (Manchu words for this species of dog) must not be given too much water while he is growing, or he will become too large, which makes him ugly………”

“Puppies were not killed,” wrote the Princess Der Ling. “The eunuchs usually took discarded puppies out into the city and sold them, receiving good prices because the animals were from the imperial kennels.”

The practice of discarding puppies, which the Empress Dowager had rejected as inferior in quality, out into the city, was no secret. It was an accepted practice and was done on a considerable scale.

The Empress Dowager was intensely fond of animals and even though she regarded these as poor specimens of the breed she was glad to see her puppies go to homes where they were valued. It is speculated that the Empress Dowager probably wished these would be treated as pets, and not used for breeding, but this was a matter over which she had no means of exercising effective control. It is very questionable how much she knew went on outside the palace walls, as the life of the court was completely cut off from that of the ordinary citizens of Peking.

It is also not known just how small the Imperial Palace Shih Tzu was. According to most of Mr. Easton’s writing and research they were at least 9 pounds, solid and compact. For all any of us know today, there definitely could have been even smaller specimens kept in the Palace, and quite possibly could account for the under 9 pound Shih Tzu we still see occurring today.

Mr. Easton also writes often that the practice of breeding Shih Tzu with Pekingese was very common in the Imperial Palace. As author of this article, I believe this is another factor that could account for our even smaller versions of Shih Tzu today, of which some refer to as “teacups.”

Many of the under 9 pound Shih Tzu I live with today are healthy and they do not have liver shunt disease as the reason for their smaller size as so many of the advocates of the larger size Shih Tzu tell the consumer.

It could be medical fact that liver shunt disease is seen more often in the smaller sizes than the larger sizes, but it is not a condition specific to the small size Shih Tzu. Any breed of dog and/or any size of dog can have liver shunt disease. It is not true that the reason we have less than 9 pound Shih Tzu today is because they are just the runts of the litter, or they are sickly specimens of the breed, or they most definitely have and/or carry the liver shunt disease. There are many of these little ones that live just as long and healthy lives as the larger versions. The size of any living creature does not dictate the health of that creature. I personally like the little ones just as much as the 9 to 12 pound Shih Tzu. I do not like a very large Shih Tzu of 16 pounds or more. I still live with a few as my dear pets and companions, but as I continue with my breeding program, I search for the lower end of the AKC standard, which is anywhere from 9 to 12 pounds.

From all that I have read about Shih Tzu history, it was Shih Tzu weighing at least 9 pounds and not anymore than this that were the favored and treasured Shih Tzu of the Imperial Palace. I imagine there were a few weighing even less than 9 pounds just as we see them today who remained in the Imperial Palace. I can certainly see how people do want to call the smaller version “Imperial Shih Tzu.” However, as noted elsewhere in this article, The American Shih Tzu Club and the American Kennel Club are dead set against this term or any other term to describe a Shih Tzu.

As a result of the practice of Empress Dowager rejecting the larger Shih Tzu specimens and sending them out into the city for sale, it is easy to see how two different types of Shih Tzu developed in the Chinese capital by the time the breed became known to the outside world. On one hand, hidden in the palace and beloved at court were the exquisitely dainty and well-proportioned little jewels, bred with the strictest selectivity and carefully screened to conform to the imperial ideal. On the other hand, and much more accessible to the general public and bred by them with less discrimination were the coarser specimens, treasured by those who had long ago learned to be satisfied with something less than the best.

Mr. Easton felt that in all fairness to the general public, which do have rights in the matter, the two types of Shih Tzu should be clearly designated in a manner which is historically accurate and in no way misleading. He felt the larger size Shih Tzu should have been known as the “English Shih Tzu,” since it was in England where most of the larger sizes were bred. However, many English breeders during his time period preferred the smaller type. It just seemed obvious that since the smaller type Shih Tzu had been such a guarded secret of the Imperial Palace and the larger size Shih Tzu is what all others outside the Palace got hold of to breed, Mr. Easton felt like the larger size should just be known as “Shih Tzu,” and the smaller type should carry the prefix “Imperial” to mark their special association with the Peking Palace.

The Reverend D. Allan Easton obviously did not get his way about the official names to distinguish the small Shih Tzu from the large Shih Tzu. The American Kennel Club today recognizes only one name for the Shih Tzu, and that is Shih Tzu. They along with the American Shih Tzu Club do not want anyone referring to the smaller version Shih Tzu as “Imperial.”

Source: “This is the Shih Tzu,” written by Reverend D. Allan Easton and Joan McDonald Brearley

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

Author: Connie Limon, Breeder of pet and show prospect Shih Tzu in a variety of colors. Visit website at stainglassshihtzus.com stainglassshihtzus.com and sign up for our FREE newsletters. Our website provides a wealth of information. Puppies are sold with health guarantee and are bred from champion bloodlines. Also visit our Shih Tzu article collection at shihtzuarticles.com shihtzuarticles.com

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The first step in providing a good life for your pet and making sure your dog remains safe is to get him trained properly. Believe it or not, many people do not see to this important task and then wonder why their dog jumps up on visitors or won’t listen to their commands. Many a dog has been considered a “bad” pet when all he really needed was the owner to take the time out to train him properly.

If you train your dog properly, not only will he have some cool tricks to show off, but it will also add to his safety. Should your dog be heading off into a dangerous situation, your obedience training will come in handy and you can call him back to your side and safety. A well trained dog Will be well behaved around strangers and the family – an obedient companion. Plus the training process can help define you as the master and act as a bonding experience for you and your pet. You can train a dog on your own, or you can join an obedience training class and get instruction from professionals.

You want to make sure your pet is as healthy as can be and part of dog ownership is to provide your dog with excellent veterinary care. A yearly physical exam should be performed and any vaccinations updated. Also make sure you put him on the right heartworm and flea and tick medications. If you notice a difference in your dogs behavior schedule a vet appointment right away. Even a small change in habits, mood, eating or elimination pattern should be checked by your vet – it could be nothing, but it’s better to be safe than sorry! Have your dog neutered or spayed - they WILL be much happier.

Providing a safe environment for your dog is up to you as the pet owner. Make sure there are places your dog can get stuck in or fall from and there is no sharp objects like nails or pins laying around. Everyone in the family should know not to leave the door open so that your dog can run out in the street. Refrain from feeding your dog “people” food as some of it can be harmful to them. Chocolate, for example, can even be deadly!

Grooming your dog can be a good time to bond with your pet and can also help him stay healthy. Brushing his coat, trimming his nails, cleaning his ears and around the eyes are all part of good dog health. Proper dental care is the most important grooming task you can do for your dog. Bacteria that builds up on the teeth can break away and cause health issues in other organs of the body. Brushing every other day is recommended to keep your dog’s mouth clean and will have the added bonus of giving him fresh breath!

Hopefully you’ll never need to enact it, but you should have a plan for the dog in case of emergency. What if there is a fire or some other disaster? Make sure someone is responsible to get your pet out of the house in case of emergency. It’s not a bad idea to have a designated person that can mind your dog on short notice if you get called out of town on an emergency.

Bringing a dog into your family, you are committing to provide that dog with all the things he needs for a happy and healthy life. Some dogs Can live into their teens if taken care of properly. That’s a long commitment on your part, but the rewards are so great that the commitment pales by comparison.

Lee Dobbins write for train-the-dog.com Train The Dog where you can learn more about dog training for every breed. Check out their list of train-the-dog.com/Breedsc-m.html dog breeds and see which ones are easier to train.

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Catalytic fragrance lamps are decorative home accents that are effective at getting rid of various odors, including pet odor. The term fragrance lamp is actually a bit misleading. The catalytic technology behind the lamps was developed as a means of purifying the air in hospitals and mortuaries. The fragrance component is a relatively recent addition. Today’s catalytic lamps can be used with or without fragrance but still provide the same air-purifying result.

How They Work

Catalytic lamps work differently than a regular oil lamp. They use a special wick with a ceramic stone burner attached to the top and do not require a constant burning flame to operate. After heating the burner for a few minutes the flame is extinguished and the burner continues to feed off of the alcohol based fuel through the wick. The heat generated from the ceramic stone causes the perfume to be released into the air. The catalytic combustion of the alcohol creates ozone which interacts with impurities to reduce bacteria and odors. Research has shown that burning a lamp for about 45 minutes can reduce micro-organisms by 69% or more. Bacterial reducing benefits continue for several hours thereafter.

Stylish and Convenient

Catalytic fragrance lamps come in a wide variety of styles, from traditional to contemporary, suitable for any type of home décor. Styles include hand blown glass, ceramic, crystal, and metal fragrance lamps. Perfumed lamp fuel is available in various aroma blends – floral, spicy, woody, forest-like, and herbal – but the lamp can also be used with an odor-free neutralizer that simply gets rid of odors and bacteria. And, the whole process is quiet and unobtrusive, no humming noises or strong smelling cleaners. Simply start the lamp and no one will ever know that the attractive crystal object on your table is the solution to your pet odor problems.

Jemetha Clark

thefifthsense.com thefifthsense.com

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A modern den can be a fiberglass or wire crate ideal for keeping in any room of the house. It needs to be big enough for the dog to be able to lie down in a comfortable position. If you have dogs that belong to the larger breeds and you don’t want to purchase lots of crates, then you may opt to buy an adult size crate and make partitions to fit its current size.

It is important for crates to be able to blend well with existing house furniture. Also, they need to be easy to put together with quality construction and engineering. It should not look like a dog crate but part of the house furniture.

A wire dog crate is best to use at home while a soft side dog crate is ideal when you want to take your dog with you when you travel or you’re on a vacation or simply strolling around, although you can also use it at home too. Portable dog crates and soft dog crates are perfect for today’s hurried lifestyle.

If you are looking for a lightweight and practical alternative to a wire dog crate, then you may opt for portable dog crates. These are light and airy crates that provide good visibility and ventilation for the dog.

Soft dog crates are not only attractive but also durable. Also known as tent dog crates, soft and portable dog crates are easy to set up and transport from one place to another. They are excellent for dog shows with a dense weave mesh that allows the dog to see outside while providing good ventilation and comfort. Midwest portable dog travel crates provide quality, durability, and ease of travel. They are also easy to set up.

So if you are looking for a cost effective, portable alternative to wire crates, look no further since there are dog crates available on the market that suit your needs, lifestyle, and budget.

e-DogCrates.com Dog Crates provides detailed information on Dog Crates, Dog Crate Training, Soft Dog Crates, Large Dog Crates and more. Dog Crates is affiliated with e-DogDoors.com Patio Dog Doors.

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