Taking your Basset Hound for his/her vet checkup is often quite the adventure. Aside from the fact that your dog may very well dread going to the vet, he/she will be overwhelmed by all of the different smells and by all the other animals that may be in the waiting room. herefore, to make sure your Basset Hound stays safe and in your control, here are 5 tips for you to keep in mind –

1. Make sure your dog is leashed - You should never bring your dog to the vet without being leashed. You need to have more than verbal control over your dog at the vet, especially since there is a high chance that there are a number of other animals waiting to see the vet. Plus, there may not only be dogs waiting, many vets who offer their services to canines also look after cats, reptiles, and other house pets.

You need to make sure that your Basset Hound is placed on a short leash. A short lead will ensure that your dog isn’t allowed to roam freely and will not become tangled in other dog leashes. If your dog is halter trained, it’s also a good idea to have him/her in the halter when visiting the vet.

Remember, even if your dog is obedient, you can’t take a risk on rusting that the other animals that may be waiting at the Vet’s are. Leashing your pet and keeping him/her close to you is as much for the protection of other dogs as it is for yours.

2. Muzzle train your dog – Although you may not feel your dog requires a muzzle, you need to make sure that this isn’t a requirement of your vet hospital. Some vets find a muzzle is the safest way to ensure that their staff and other patients are protected from being bitten. It also ensures that dogs don’t destroy items by chewing or biting.

Although the Basset Hound is not an aggressive dog by nature, you would be surprised what can happen in a Vet hospital environment. Your dog will be anxious, the smells can drive him/her wild, and having to wait in a room with a bunch of other animals can change your naturally docile hound, and make his/her behavior unpredictable.

If a muzzle is a requirement to visit the Vet, be sure to introduce your dog to the muzzle well before your visit so he/she can become familiar with the device in a positive environment. A muzzle can be a scary contraption for a dog if they are not slowly and properly introduced to it. Be patient and take your time accustoming your dog to a muzzle.

3. Bring a treat – Unless your Vet has specifically told you not to feed your pet while waiting because of a test or for some other reason, bring a treat along. Treats make your pet happy, and will help them feel more comfortable with their surroundings. It also helps to keep your dog’s attention on you and not other animals of interests.

4. Make sure your dog is well socialized – Make sure your dog has been well socialized with other people and dogs before you visit the vet. This is how your Basset Hound will learn what is considered acceptable and unacceptable behaviors around others, and will apply what he/she has learned during a vet visit.

5. Visit the vet regularly – Make sure your dog is taken for regular vet visits. Young dogs require yearly checkups and elderly dogs (8 and up) should visit twice a year to ensure they are still in good health. Regular vet visits not only ensures the overall health and wellbeing of your Basset Hound, it also makes the vet visit less stressful because it becomes a familiar routine.

Richard Cussons is a champion for all breeds of dog and Basset Hounds are a favorite. You can find out more about bassethoundsavvy.com/ Basset Hounds at the bassethoundsavvy.com/basset-hound-sitemap.html Basset Hound Savvy website.

Related posts

• Train Your Dog Even When You Do Not Have Time (0)
• The Right Training Equipments For Dogs Can Make Training Enjoyable (0)
• The Gentle Leader Leash: A Dog Training Alternative (0)
• Some Tips For Traveling With Your Pet (0)
• Essential Dog Accessories Shopping Tips (0)

Tags: dog leashes

If you are a dog owner who has a playful and a healthy dog at home you must seriously consider buying a dog leash. A dog leash is needed when you take your dog out for a walk. A dog leash is also necessary at home if your dog is aggressive towards guest or strangers. Even if the dog is trained, a dog leash is necessary and is an indispensable tool for your dog. So it is conclusive that you buy a proper dog leash for your dog.

Dog leashes are available at all pet stores. They normally come in black or brown colors and are made of comfortable material so that your dog does not feel irritated around the neck when you make him wear the leash. If your dog is trained it is not necessary to leash it all the time when you take it outside. You can make him wear the leash while crossing roads or when you are in public places. Once you take him to a park you can unleash the dog so that it can play by itself. Your dog will remain disciplined when you make leashing a regular habit.

Further it is better to restrain your dog when it is new and see its behavior over a number of days. This is because if your dog runs away anytime or harms people then you might get into trouble. It becomes prudent then to invest in a good quality leash. It is better to attach dog identification tags to the leash and to buy a leash that can be hooked easily using a simple hook device. Many people refrain from using the leash simply because it becomes very uncomfortable for the dog. A dog is taken for a walk to enjoy the surroundings then why tie it with a leash?

However newer leashes are manufactured using advanced technology and they are not at all uncomfortable for the dog. Apart from that the chest leash is now available in the market which gives the owner greater control over the dog. Using retraceable leashes has now become common amongst dog owners as they can control the length of the leash. But it is advisable to be always cautious while taking your dog on a walk as it can become excited all of a sudden and begin to run. In that case you should pull the leash tighter.

Dominique (Neiq) is the owner and writer of well over 100 different websites. Including dogtoytips.info/article_2006_04_30_1301.html DogToyTips.info which is great source for information about DogToyTips.info dog toys! Go over and check it out.

Related posts

• Your German Shepherd Puppy: How to Choose the Right One (0)
• Your Dog’s Health - Vitamin Supplements (0)
• Your Dog’s Health - The Basics Every Pet Owner Should Know (0)
• Your Dog’s Coat: Keeping it Shiny and Healthy (0)
• Your Dog is a Social Animal - and Needs You! (0)

Tags: dog leashes, healthy dog

For most people, owning a dog is actually like having children. It is not enough that you love your pet; you have to think about its dietary needs, physical well being, grooming, etc. Most people also carefully deliberate on the kind of collar they want to buy for their beloved pets. Collars and leashes were made so that owners could train their dogs to behave; their use is not limited to going around the block to chase some stray cat or the postman.

Buckle Collars

Your basic collar is a wrap around neck band with a connector for a dog leash. The buckle collars are usually made of either nylon or leather. These buckle collars close with a buckle, thus their name. A buckle collar is nice, simple yet elegant. These are easy to clean and they are very functional. For these reasons, they are the most commonly preferred type of dog collar.

Flea Collars

Fleas make short work of your dog’s health. Even if your dog eats 4 times a day or more, fleas multiply at a very rapid rate so that your dog becomes a live feed source for more fleas than your dog can handle.

Flea collars are laced with flea-repellent chemicals. The main purpose of such a collar is not leash, tag or collar charm anchorage but to control flea spread and infestation. Typically, the layers of the collar is soaked in or treated with the anti-flea solution to protect both the dog and the owner. Flea collars, however, are considered by most owners as more of a supplementary item rather than a necessity.

Elizabethan Collar

The Elizabethan collar was developed to prevent dogs (and cats too) from scratching their wounds which could be located in the neck and or head area. This type of collar reduces the risk of additional infection.

Slip Chain

Next we come to the Slip chain (Choke chain) which is a type of collar mainly used for training. This collar is usually made of nylon or a link chain. Its main distinguishing feature is the sloop rings attached at both ends of the collar. The leash (usually made with chain or nylon) is slipped through these rings. With proper pressure and leash manipulation, the slip chain collar will tighten. Letting go of the tension on the chain will loosen the loop around the dog’s neck.

This type of collar is best for owners who notice that their dogs are beginning to be hard headed and sometimes a simple whistle or a command is no good.

Muzzles

Now we come to the Muzzles, which are restraining devices that can be placed over a dog’s face to prevent it from biting. Muzzles are usually used when a dog has developed rabies or when the pup is teething. They are usually made of nylon, leather or plastic. They have an open area which allows the dog to breathe freely and comfortably. Take note however that some muzzles can be ineffective when its size or length is not a perfect fit to your dog. Velcro type muzzles are most effective because of their ease of use.

Leashes and collars are not just good for training discipline and keeping your dogs safe from harm. They can also be a great asset to blind people. Dogs that are trained to lead blind men have the trolley leash which help guide the blind person wherever he/she wants to go.

Do you want to know more about 1800bestbuy.com/dog.php dog care or anything about the crazy world of dogs? Visit us or share your opinions at theworldsbesthomepage.com the worlds best homepage or free-content-resource.com free content resource

Related posts

• Things You Need to Know When Considering a Doggy Day Care (0)
• The Top Five Tips for Finding a Dog Friendly Hotel (0)
• The Right Training Equipments For Dogs Can Make Training Enjoyable (0)
• The Gentle Leader Leash: A Dog Training Alternative (0)
• Prissy Pups and Designer Dog Collars (0)

Tags: dog collars, dog leashes, groom

How many times have you driven down the street to see a car go by you that has a dog hanging out the window? Or sitting in the driver’s lap? Not only is this a probable accident waiting to happen, but the dog’s head and eyes are in danger of being injured by debris. It is always a good idea to restrain your dog when he is traveling in the car with you - either with a harness or in a crate. If you use a harness, you might consider covering the seat with a seat cover or an old blanket that you can take out and wash.

Pets DO get carsick – just like kids. If you are planning a long trip with your pet and he isn’t used to traveling in the car much, you might want to take him out for a bunch of rides – gradually lengthening the trip each time. Also putting the animal toward the front of the vehicle will sometimes help with a dog that does get carsick (less motion than at the back).

If you are taking your pet on vacation with you, remember to bring along his rabies and health certificates. It is also a good idea to have the name of someone who would be willing to come and get the animal in case of an accident. If you are staying at hotels, you would do well to research which ones accept pets (many do) and which ones do not.

If you are traveling by plane, some airlines will let your pet ride in the cabin with you for a $50 one-way fee, but it must be small enough to fit in a crate that will then fit under the seat in front of you, and your pet will count as one piece of your carry-one luggage.

And last but not least, under no circumstances EVER leave your pet in the hot sun in the car (even with the windows down). It is akin to putting them into a 120° oven!! Have fun with your pet and enjoy your summer.

Written by Linda Bonney, owner of many dogs for the past 30 years. My kids and I have loved pets (especially dogs) forever. Just make sure you have good dog leashes and a snappy pet-t-shirt to wear while traveling with your favorite pet.
Linda Bonney bestanimallovers.com bestanimallovers.com

Related posts

• Train Your Dog Even When You Do Not Have Time (0)
• The Right Training Equipments For Dogs Can Make Training Enjoyable (0)
• The Gentle Leader Leash: A Dog Training Alternative (0)
• Five Tips for Better Vet Visits with Basset Hounds (0)
• Essential Dog Accessories Shopping Tips (0)

Tags: dog leashes

We accessorize many things. Cellphones, computers, homes, cars and PDAs are just some of the things that can be accessorized. Some people use accessories to emphasize the beauty of a thing; others use accessories to make things easier to use; still others use accessories to protect an item against harmful elements.

Accessories are not only limited to objects; in fact, there are accessories for living things, dogs for instance. There are a variety of dog accessories available — ranging from accessories to enhance the appearance of a dog, accessories for pampering dogs and accessories that can both help dog and its owner.

If you’re a dog lover, shopping for dog accessories is an important aspect of taking care of your pet. In fact, many dog lovers experience a great deal of satisfaction shopping for their beloved pets in the same way they do when shopping for their loved ones.

With a plethora of dog accessories in the market today, finding and choosing the best dog accessories for your pet can be a bit of a challenge. So here are some shopping tips to keep in mind when you’re looking into buying dog accessories for your pooch.

Tip #1: When shopping for a dog collar…

Dog collars range from plain to fancy. However, more than the look of the dog collar, it’s important that you choose one that properly fits your dog. The perfect dog collar for your dog is one wherein the space between your dog’s neck and the collar is about two fingers wide. Never buy a dog collar based on how it looks. How a dog collar fits your dog should be your top priority.

Tip #2: When shopping for a dog leash…

Many types of dog leashes are available in the market. However, when shopping for a leash for your dog, choose the one that is appropriate to the size of your dog. If you have a big dog, get a dog leash that is wide and strong enough to hold him. In the same manner, don’t get a big leash if you have a small dog. When choosing a dog leash, it’s always best to go with one that costs a bit higher. Cheap dog leashes usually are of cheap quality.

Tip #3: When shopping for food and water bowls…

Choose food and water bowls that won’t easily tip over. If you are considering buying a watering system that gives dogs a supply of drinking water for a longer period of time, choose a size that is appropriate for your dog. Water should always be fresh and clean so make sure that your dog can consume fairly quickly the water in the watering system you are about to purchase.

Tip #4: When shopping for dog toys…

Dogs are playful animals. When shopping for dog toys, consider those that your dog can gnash, chew or bite. Instead of chewing on slippers and shoes, these particular dog toys will encourage your dog to be more behaved. When choosing dog toys for your dog, consider those that are just the right size for him. Avoid dog toys that are too small; your dog may accidentally swallow small dog toys and choke. On the other hand, don’t get a dog toy that is too large for your pet that he is unable to lift it.

Tip #5: When shopping for doghouses…

Your dog needs to have his own place outside of your home. A doghouse will protect your pet from the elements. Thus, when shopping for a doghouse, choose the one that is appropriate for your dog’s size. The doghouse should be big enough to protect your dog from the harsh rays of the sun, rain and snow as well as be comfortable enough for your dog to live in if you ever leave your dog alone for long periods of time.

I have owned dogs for most of my life and can’t imagine living without them. I’ve put together a site with free information about dogs for dog owners. Please visit: adogownersdogsite.com/Guidelines_for_Choosing_the_Right_Dog_Toys.php Choosing a type of dog toy.

Related posts

• The Right Training Equipments For Dogs Can Make Training Enjoyable (0)
• The Gentle Leader Leash: A Dog Training Alternative (0)
• Dog Leashes and Collars (0)
• Your Guide to Renting with a Pet (0)
• Your Guide to Housebreaking a Puppy (0)

Tags: dog collars, dog leashes