Just About Jacks

Who wouldn’t want to have a dog in their life? They make really great companions. But most dog owners don’t give very much though on what to feed their dogs, usually turning to commercial dog food to feed their pets. There are of course advantages to commercial dog food, one being convenience, however, if you have a dog living with you, why not look into a raw food diet for dogs?

So what are the advantages of a raw food diet? There is more food value weight by weight than in a can of commercial dog food. A can of dog food contains fillers like grains and it also contains a fair amount of water. Each time you purchase a can of dog food these are what you are paying for.

There are those who say that dogs cannot properly digest grains. No doubt some breeds digest grains better than others, however there is no doubt they are used because they are inexpensive rather than for their nutritional value.

Commercial dog food is cooked and therefore some of the nutritional content of the food is lost. Although commercial dog food comes with supplements, the nutritional quality is considered inferior to the natural vitamins and minerals contained in raw food.

More and more owners are feeding their dogs raw food or at least a mixture of both raw and canned. As people are becoming more conscious of what they themselves eat, naturally they are also concerned that their pet is also getting the best nutrition possible. Dog owners are also concerned about the quality of meat that goes into commercial dog foods. Usually these are  poor quality meats that are unfit for human consumption. When you buy your dog’s meat yourself, you have much more control over his diet.

However there are a few concerns people have about starting a raw food diet. To begin with what should you feed your dog and just how much? Are there any foods that should be limited or avoided? Should bones be something to give a dog on a raw diet? Lastly, how could you fit that raw diet into a busy schedule?

We would like to answer that last question first. Buying raw food for the dog is no less difficult or time consuming that it is to buy commercial dog food. Putting some meat and vegetables inside your shopping cart, instead of dog food takes the same amount of time and energy.

It will take a little bit of adjusting to get used to how much and what to feed your dog, but once you start to do it, you will have the hang of it in no time. After a while, it is going to become second nature. Your dog will be the one to tell you what he or she likes to eat and just how much.

The above are good reasons to start or switch to a raw food diet for dogs. If your dog could speak, I’m sure he would end up thanking you for it. His coat will be shinier and he will be healthier overall.. If you’re still unconvinced, just start gradually adding raw food to your dog’s diet. I’m sure, as you start to see the the advantages you’ll become a convert too.

Many people wonder if there are secrets for potty training puppies. The truth is that there are really no secrets, just the correct application of knowledge. Often, there are times, potty training may not even be needed. There are plenty of people who have purchased dogs from breeders and have never had to train their pup to eliminate outside. The pup was trained already by its mother to go out of doors. However, for people who get a puppy that needs training, there are some useful tips that can make things a little easier.

The first thing you will want to do is to make sure the animal is in good health. If the puppy has an infection like a urinary tract infection or other disorder or infection relating to its systems, then it may result in a delay in training. When it has been decided your puppy is in good health, then you can start the potty training process. One thing that's important is to foster the right habits in your puppy so that you don't have to take time breaking bad habits.

Decide where you want your pup to go. A very specific spot is a great idea. Some people use their backyard, but this can cause the puppy to get distracted and delay its elimination. So, by picking a corner of a yard, you can make sure that the puppy understands that when you take it there, he/she is to do his business promptly. In other words, you do not want your puppy to be confused.

Another rule of potty training puppies is to be consistent. This means you'll have to monitor your pup and take him or her out at the right times. If it's something you do not do, you're puppy may have an accident. So, keep an eye on your puppy and allow him/her to go out as he/she needed. Any time your puppy drinks or eats or plays very hard, the puppy will more than likely need to be given the opportunity to go. You should see your puppy letting you know when he needs to go out within about two weeks. Some pups will bark, and some will go stand by the door to the outside. Some other pups will come up to you and put their little heads on your knee and look at you longingly. However your pup chooses to let you know, make sure you praise him for his efforts to eliminate outside.

Getting a puppy isn’t just fun and games, there is a certain amount of responsibility in maintaining them with perhaps none more frustrating than potty training puppies. It's not like you can tell them to use the bathroom whenever they feel it's time to go, even if you were successful, the best of luck to get them to flush the toilet after they finish.

You don't need to worrr though because there are specific steps you can take to make sure that your puppies do their business when and where you want them to and it you don't need to use hypnosis. You might even be surprised as to how easy potty training a puppy is. Really how easy? Well easy enough to summarize in three steps:

Three Steps in Potty Training a Puppy

1. Set up the mpuppes meals to promote the call of nature - There's a specific amount of time that a puppies digestive system needs to go through its cycle and get from meal to waste. This varies from puppy to puppy so monitor the amount of time it takes your puppy to relieve itself after a full meal. You might need several monitoring sessions to determine the average amount of time required but once that's established you can proceed to step two.

2. Take the business inside or outside - Figure out whether you want your puppy to do its business inside your house or outdoors. One thing to keep in mind is what is important and convenient for you because you can go either way. No matter whether you're potty training puppies outdoors or indoors you would still must clean up after them.

3. Paper or plastic - If you decide to train your puppy to do its business in the house, then you need a lot of newspaper and scent-spray which you can get at most pet stores.

a. Whenever your puppy needs to relieve itself lay down a generous stack of newspapers and spray a small amount of scent spray on it.

b. Keep the puppy in the newspaper covered area and wait until it does its business. As soon as it does, let it smell the odour sprayed on the newspaper.

c. Repeat Step-B until your puppy gets familiar to the newspaper or the scent it will search for either of the two the next time it needs to do its business.

You can train the puppy to do its business outdoors by simply taking it out for a walk. Your puppy will eventually find a location after a while and assume the position. Do not forget to clean up after your puppy. Sooner or later when the puppy gets used to this system it will show signs of wanting to go outside when it feels the urge to commune with nature.

And there you have it three sure fire easy steps for potty training puppies. It doesn't cost much; it doesn't take rocket science, not even awkwardly expensive gadgets - just a good amount of patience.

Pet owners know that their dogs and cats have special mobility needs. That’s why dog stairs and cat furniture were invented!

While it might not be something you’d consider a necessity, dog stairs really are an invaluable item to have around the house. Toy-sized dogs and other smaller-breeds are all the rage at the moment, but how many of us are tired of having to bend over and pick up our furry friend so that he can sit with us? What about larger or older dogs who sustain severe impact onto the joints by jumping up and down from places such as beds, sofas, chairs, and vehicles? A set of pet steps can greatly reduce the amount of stress your dog’s bones put up with, and they can also be used for cats as well! Don’t overlook the element of convenience that will be added to your everyday life.

In choosing dog stairs, it’s important to look for a design that’s appropriate for your pet. In general, stairs should be around 12 inches wide for breeds weighing less than 20 pounds; 14 inches wide for medium breeds less than 35 pounds; and 16 inches wide for larger breeds that weigh over 35 pounds. Stairs should be between 10 and 14 inches in height to reach most furniture and vehicles, but should be 17 to 29 inches in height to get your dog up to bed level.

Cats have a totally different mobility need: They love to climb. Because of their nature as predators, cats feel happier and safer in high places where they have more control over their surroundings.

You may notice that your cat tends to prefer the counter or other high up places that can be dangerous for them (and unhealthy for us, especially if it is near a food preparation area). The best way to remove your cat from your counters/furniture, yet to keep him happy, is to purchase a piece of cat furniture that will meet his needs. If your little guy prefers high-up places, consider getting him a cat tower with a perch on the top. These come in different heights and can include a swatting ball, scratch post, and cat nip stations to encourage playfulness. They are made of safe, durable materials that will give your cat the traction he needs for climbing and general play.

With so many households containing a dog or cat, the amount of retailers carrying dog stairs and cat furniture are growing rapidly. There are many websites online that you can browse, which is probably your best bet if you’re looking for something cheap or a little more customized.

Getting a new puppy can be a great addition to the family. They are cute and cuddly and everybody loves them. Before bringing that new little furry bundle home, it is important to remember that they are only babies and will require a lot of puppy care.

In many ways puppies are just like babies. They are dependent on you for their existence. They need your help to feed them and teach them the things they need to know since they are the newest member of the family. They love attention so you should be prepared to give them lots of it. You will be rewarded, usually with a clean face.

Feeding your puppy is very important part of puppy care since he is developing bones and muscle as he grows. Feed your puppy food that is formulated for puppies and not adults. Remember that you can’t depend on your puppy to quit eating when he is full. Some will but others will eat until they get sick. Growing puppies should probably eat twice a day but do not let them “graze” all day.

A very important part of puppy training to you is the house breaking. This requires patience, and usually lots of it. Many puppies will need to go just after they eat so this is a good time to take them out. At other times they will give you some kind of sign, sometimes they sniff around, sometimes they turn around and around before they find their spot. Watching for their sign can tell you when you need to hit the door running with them in tow. They will eventually get the message but not until they have had a few accidents. The key is to not give up and don’t get mad at the puppy.

Puppy Care and Puppy Safety

Puppies and children are usually great together but it is never wise to leave small children and puppies together unsupervised. Puppies could get hurt and children could get bit. It is also very important that your new puppy gets all of his shots. Shots are a necessary part of dog training and will help keep you both healthy. Along with shots comes the check for worms, which is something most puppies get but fortunately it is easily treated.

As your new puppy grows you will need to discuss with your vet the best option for flea protection and also heart worm protection. Heart worms are deadly and treatment is expensive and dangerous for the dog.

Puppies grow up to be dogs and many times the care they received as a puppy will determine the temperament they have when they are adults.