If you travel with your pet, you need a dog carrier. But which kind should you get? Carriers come in all different sizes. Some are rigid, and some are soft and pliable. The type of dog carrier you buy should depend on the size of your pet and the kind of traveling you do.

Travel by Car

If you travel by car, either a hard plastic or wire crate will do. Some wire crates fold down for storage and portability, which comes in extremely handy if your situation requires that you move the crate in and out of your vehicle. What size should the dog crate be? Well, take a good look at your dog! The crate should be large enough so that the dog can stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably, but not so large that the dog slips around during travel.

Travel by Airplane

When choosing a dog carrier for airplane travel, you’ll have to take airline size restrictions into consideration.

Better safe than sorry! You don’t want to arrive at the airport only to find out that your carrier doesn’t heed the restrictions. It’s safe to check with the ticketing agent ahead of time regarding dog carrier size limits, but keep in mind that these rules usually refer to hard-sided dog carriers. Smaller dogs can be carried in soft-sided dog carriers like Sherpa Bags and the Pet Wheel-Away. Carriers such as these are approved for in-cabin use and can be stowed under the airplane seat.

Make sure the carrier has an absorbent liner. Some models are equipped with them. With others, an old towel or blanket should do the trick.

If you are still not sure which size and type of pet carrier to pick, check online retailers for manufacturer’s guidelines. They can help you select the right size and type for your dog.

Comfort Counts

Remember, you are going to be the one toting the carrier around, so make sure it fits you well! The carrier should be light enough for you to manage over the distance you plan on carrying it, and should be carried comfortably. It’s always a good idea to test a carrier before you buy it; make sure the shoulder straps are the right length and there is sufficient padding where it meets your shoulder.

Just for Fun

Once you have the important stuff in order, you can have lots of fun with styles, colors, materials, and patterns. Soft dog carriers come in a variety of materials including canvas, nylon, denim, and synthetic leather. You can find them in all kinds of styles, from practical to precious, and in just about every color possible. Designer carriers often mimic the styles popular in handbag fashions, so it’s not hard to find one that suits your style.

With the right dog carrier, traveling with your pet is a breeze!

For more advice on dogs and top-selling dog products visit

Related posts

• Zen & the Art of Dog Training (0)
• Your Best Friend Can Be Trained Too (0)
• Would YOUR Best Friend Make a Good Therapy Dog? (0)
• Winning The Battle of the Leash (0)
• Why Your Dog Marks His Territory (0)

Tags: heel

Here is a familiar scenario often experienced by Home Alone Dogs:

You just spent the entire weekend with your dog. You had fun with him at the beach or park. You went on leisurely long walks. You played fetch in the yard. You took him out to the local coffee shop. In a word…he was your spoiled doggie…you were best friends!

Now You See Me, Now You Don’t

No it’s not hide and seek - its Monday - as in back to work! Rover doesn’t realize it yet. He’s bouncing around and ready to have some more fun. Until he notices some familiar signs that you’re getting ready to leave your doggie home alone!! If he were a hound dog, he’d probably start singing the blues.

It’s such a guilt trip for most dog lovers who have to work outside the home. You feel like such a heel. Of course you’d much rather stay home, but not many of us have a choice - someone has to pay for the dog biscuits and vet bills.

So off you go, leaving Rover behind to while away the many hours until you return. Let’s ask Rover how he feels about it on a scale of 1 to 3 woofs, (or Yeses)

Does he get doggone lonely? …. Woof
Does he get doggone stressed and anxious? ….Woof, Woof
Does he get doggone bored …Woof, Woof, Woof
Does he get into mischief? …. no answer
Does he bark? ….. Ask the neighbors

Dogs love company. They are very social beings. Remember they had a lot of company in their original pack environment.

So what happens when Rover has no social outlet for long periods of time? He feels confused, isolated, and upset with you.

Studies reveal that dogs get depressed just as we do. Very often it’s called separation anxiety. Under certain conditions dogs may become more aggressive, or just the opposite - become more quiet and withdrawn.

Tips To Help Home Alone Dogs

So what can we do to keep up Rover’s spirits while we are away? Give him his own job for one thing, as in something to occupy his time alone, including mental stimulation. Here are some suggestions for you to consider:

Interactive Toys: Treat-filled ones are irresistible and keep Rover busy for quite a while
Ones that bounce unpredictably use up energy and some even have dental ridges as an added bonus Talking ones engage the mind.
Install a doggie door to a small and secure outside area giving Rover the opportunity for breath of fresh air.
Call him on the phone and talk to him over the answer machine, or purchase a touch-activated recordable message toy
Exercise your dog thoroughly before going to work to help him feel more relaxed while you’re gone. Then give him another workout when you get home
Engage the services of a doggie walker for a mid-day walk
Take him to doggy daycare occasionally
Consider dog pheromones
Make sure he has a den (crate) to curl up to give him a feeling of security

One more unique tip for home alone dogs

A favorite tip of mine that can really help an anxious dog stay calm, is to play music. You’ve probably experienced the calming effect music can have on your own emotions. And it works for dogs too.

Studies done in several animal centers in England have confirmed that soothing music, especially classical, has a positive effect in calming our canine friends in situations when they are feeling anxious or stressful. This can be from the stress and isolation home alone dogs feel, or other triggers such as strange or loud noises in the neighborhood, thunderstorms, other dogs barking, mailmen ringing the doorbell etc.

Many veterinarians, animal experts and doggie daycare centers are now endorsing this information and using music to help doggies be more relaxed and lose the blues. You can too - go to this article on my website to find the link to a couple of popular CDs just for dogs. They have been given two paws up by the doggies so I’ve heard! Give music a try with your home alone dogs.

CAUTION: It is always a good safety measure to test toys under your supervision before leaving your dog alone with them.

dog-spoiling-made-easy.com Dog Spoiling Made Easy
dog-spoiling-made-easy.com/Spoiled-dogs-blog.html Spoiled Dogs Blog
greatwebsiteinfo.com Great Website Info

Related posts

• Zen & the Art of Dog Training (0)
• Your Best Friend Can Be Trained Too (0)
• Would YOUR Best Friend Make a Good Therapy Dog? (0)
• Winning The Battle of the Leash (0)
• Why Your Dog Marks His Territory (0)

Tags: heel

One of the most common problems that all dog owners have at some stage, is when their dog pulls on the leash. If you own a dog who does this, then you know how tricky it can be to train your dog otherwise.

Many dog owners just become used to the tug-of-war pulling back and forth when they walk, and eventually just accept that this is how it’s always going to be.

But with a little patience and understanding, you can easily transform your dog’s behaviour and stop him pulling on the leash when you take him for a walk.

The first thing that you must understand is why your dog wants to pull on the leash. He may just be too excited when going for a walk, or it may be your dog’s way of showing that he’s more dominant than you.

So you should never try to match your strength against your dog by continually pulling the leash back. Doing this won’t change your dog’s behavior in shape or form.

So to help you learn what you must do instead, I’ve devised a simple step by step process for you to follow. Here it is:

Step 1 – Walk with your dog on your left hand side, while you’re holding the leash in both your hands. Walk until your dog starts to pull. When he pulls, quickly slide your hand down the leash and pull back firmly.

Step 2 – When your dog is now in the correct heel position, you need to command him to sit. Then when you start to walk, give your dog the heel command, so he understands that this is walking to heel.

Step 3 – Repeat this process every single time your dog pulls on the leash. It will take persistence, but it will work if you stick to it. You may like to give your dog a food treat when he does what he’s supposed to, so he associated good behavior with a reward.

And that’s all there is to it. If you are patient, and you apply these three steps when you dog pulls, you should be able to transform his behavior in no time at all.

Amy Howells is the owner of the Dog Owner Blog, where she gives more free
advice and

Related posts

• Zen & the Art of Dog Training (0)
• Your Best Friend Can Be Trained Too (0)
• Would YOUR Best Friend Make a Good Therapy Dog? (0)
• Winning The Battle of the Leash (0)
• Why Your Dog Marks His Territory (0)

Tags: heel

Hamsters are one of the most popular pets in the world, and are definitely the most popular pet from the rodent family. Hamsters make great pets for people of all ages because of their cleanliness and cuteness, and hamsters are also relatively inexpensive and easy to take care of. A hamster usually makes an ideal pet for children and helps teach responsibility. The average lifespan of a hamster is approximately 1-3 years, and for this reason some people claim that caring for a hamster is a good way for a child to eventually learn to cope with loss.

There are many different kinds of hamsters, but the one most commonly kept as a pet is the cute Syrian hamster breed. Syrian hamsters are the largest kind of hamster, and they can be found in a lot of pretty different colors, in long-haired or short-haired variety. The long-haired Syrian hamster is sometimes called a Teddy Bear hamster. A full-grown Syrian hamster usually grows to about four to six inches long. An important thing to know about Syrian hamsters is that you should never keep more than one per cage, because if two Syrian hamsters are forced to share the same space, they will probably fight and can seriously hurt each other. The next most popular hamsters are Dwarf hamsters, which only grow to three to four inches in length, hence the name Dwarf hamsters. These cute little guys can be kept together with other Dwarf hamsters and they will usually get along just fine.

Before you decide to buy a hamster as a pet, you should buy all the supplies you need, such as a hamster cage, water bottle, food, bedding and toys. You can find and buy any of the stuff you need to prepare for a new pet hamster by searching online; I think that is how you’ll find the best deals on pet supplies. Get your hamsters house set up and ready beforehand, so the hamster can relax and immediately begin to make his or herself at home in the new surroundings. There are all kinds of different styles of hamster cages to choose from, you just need to make sure whichever hamster cage you choose has a wheel for the hamster to exercise on. Also, try not to get a wire exercise wheel, because they can injure a hamster if the hamsters leg falls through the wires, so it’s best to find a solid plastic hamster wheel if possible. Try not to place the hamster cage in direct sunlight, and don’t let your hamster get too cold or hot.

After you have everything set up, you are ready to buy a pet hamster from a pet shop or from a hamster breeder. The hamster itself will probably be rather inexpensive, and you already have the hamster cage and other supplies set up and waiting for your hamster, so you shouldn’t have to spend much money at the pet store. Try to make sure that wherever you decide to buy your hamster that the hamsters appear to be clean and well taken care of. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the hamsters. Ask how old the hamsters are and try to get a young one. You probably don’t want to bring home a pregnant hamster either, because then you might end up with more than you bargained for!

Last but certainly not least, although hamsters are good at taking care of grooming themselves, you need to make sure to clean your hamster’s home regularly. This is very important to your hamster’s health. It only takes about 10-15 minutes to do. If you follow these simple hamster care guidelines and do your research online by reading as much information as you can, your hamster will love you for it and you will be a better pet owner to your hamster.

P. Anderson is an animal lover and pet care enthusiast. For more valuable hamster-care.com hamster care information visit hamster-care.com hamster-care.com

Related posts

• Why Does My Blue Heeler Lick Me All The Time? (0)
• What Horse Supplies Do I Need To Enjoy Riding? (0)
• Trim Your Cat’s Nails With Ease (0)
• Training Your Dog For The Show Ring (0)
• The Sisters (0)

Tags: groom, heel

Having a dog as your companion can be a true joy. However, you don’t want your beloved buddy chewing your new shoes or going to the bathroom in the house. Therefore, you need to create a dog training plan to help your new puppy or dog understand the rules of the house.

What things should you focus on in dog training when you want your dog to understand the expected behaviors and even some fun tricks? Should you take dog training classes or complete dog training all on your own? The answer to these questions is that it depends. Take a look at the following dog training options to determine what type of dog training you want to provide for your canine best friend.

Possible dog training options include: a beginning obedience class that you can take through your local human society, dog supply stores such as PETCO, community recreation departments, and local colleges. These dog training classes can vary in price, time commitment, and personal attention. They are usually affordable and meet once a week at a community park. It is a great way to not only have your dog experience basic dog training, but socialize with other dogs as well.

If you have the financial resources and time you can hire a personal dog trainer. This type of trainer may be necessary if your pooch is having a hard time in basic classes and your dog training efforts aren’t making a difference. Before you invest in a private dog trainer it is important to make an accurate assessment of your dog training methods. Often times a dog that is not following directions is the result of the poor dog training by the dog’s owner.

A private dog trainer might be necessary if you are going to show your dog at dog shows. You can hire a dog trainer/handler or you can become one yourself. If you do, you must know the proper dog training techniques. You don’t want to have Fido jump up on the judges during the competition so he must be trained thoroughly and correctly.

You can also search through dog training books, guides, and various resources. There are products that will help you complete dog training such as special collars and muzzles. You can effectively go through a dog training regime with your canine if you follow these eight dog training tips.

Tip #1: Many people start their dog on the path to dog training success by enrolling them in a basic obedience class. This is a great idea because you will learn how to teach your do basic commands such as “sit”, “stay”, and “heel”.

You can teach these dog training commands by using verbal commands and physical actions. For example, right after you say the word “sit” you gently push your dog’s bottom down onto the ground and put them in the sit position. Immediately say “good” and smile. Give them a tasty treat as well. Basically, you want to do as much as you can to reinforce the action of sitting when you say “sit”.

Tip #2: Dogs act like absorbent sponges when it comes to learning proper behavior and tricks. If you do your job properly then dog training should be a hit. Your dog is ready and eager to learn proper behavior. They want to please you. Therefore, if they aren’t following your instruction it might not be their fault. You might be giving confusing dog training instructions.

Tip #3: Dogs thrive on positive reinforcement and encouragement. Positive reinforcement such as acting excited and petting your dog when they do the right behavior help with your dog training efforts. It is a dogâ™s nature to want to be close to you and make you happy. Showing encouragement and praise will help your dog much farther, much faster in their dog training. Make sure to encourage a dog through each dog training accomplishment, no matter how big or small.

Tip #4: Food is a powerful motivator when it comes to dog training. You will be hard pressed to find a dog that passes up food or a tasty treat. Dogs are always hungry and welcome any situation where food is involved.

Tip #5: Dog training should be a gradual process with regards to skill level and learning more complex commands. Give your dog time to understand new commands. They most likely won’t learn it the first day you teach them. You will have to review the commands and proper behaviors often.

Tip #6: Have dog training sessions at various times throughout the day. Your dog needs periodic training to reinforce the proper behaviors. You dog’s attention span can wane, so make sure to keep the training sessions to five to ten minutes long.

Tip #7: When you first start dog training work in environment that is free from distractions so your dog can focus on their behavior. Once your dog understands the basic commands you can try to use the commands in a busier environment.

One thing you may find is that your dog is distracted and seems to have forgotten the commands. Don’t fret. This can happen because dogs tend to be situational learners and your dog just needs to work on the commands in the busier environment.

Tip #8: Too many treats equals an overweight dog. Dog training is a process that involves tasty treats, but too many of these treats can be a bad idea for your dog’s waistline. Use small treats and wean your dog off treats as they understand the different commands. They will then rely on your praise as the positive reinforcement for each behavior.

These eight dog training tips will set you on the road to happy, healthy, obedient pooch.

Visit the dog-breeds-infosite.com” target=”_blank dog products website to research dog breeds & get free tips on dog training, dog health, dog grooming & how to find dog sitters & dog walkers.

Related posts

• Picking A Puppy - Choosing A Dog (0)
• Working Dog Breeds: The Top Ten Dogs Of This Group (0)
• Toy Dog Breeds: The Top Ten Dogs Of This Group (0)
• Toy and Small Dog Clothes (0)
• The Royal Pug (0)

Tags: dog breed, dog breeds, dog grooming, dog training, dog training book, fido, groom, heel