all about dogs

Cavoodle, spoodle, poodle – it might sound like a word game but in actual fact they are a new breed of dog, and it's all down to people wanting designer products, even when it comes to their dogs.

First came the poodle, known for their great little characters and intelligence, their personality is suited perfectly for families with young children. Originally from Germany they were used as hunting dogs as their warm woolly coats were ideal for keeping them warm and dry, they've also been used in circuses for centuries as they are easily trained. Their ability to learn fast means it takes no time to train and housebreak them, if you're looking for an easy-going family dog then this might be the type for you.

After the poodle along came the spoodles, a cross between a cocker spaniel and a poodle, followed by the cavoodle, a combination of cavalier king charles spaniel and a miniature poodle. A bright dog, their friendly temperament is attractive to all kinds of people and they're gentle and amiable enough to be around kids, with their affectionate nature appealing to everyone. The cavoodle is also popular with older people who are looking for a pet to keep them company but don't want anything too big or demanding when it comes to grooming and walking them.

When they are first born, the puppies ears are long and floppy, brows are large and they have a small, round face - overall a very cute look! Every dog has its own individual look though and variations are normal within the same breed, some will look more like a poodle, whilst others may be more obviously a cavalier. Colours vary from a mix of chestnut and white, all black, white or gold, or a mix of black, white and tan and their height ranges from 30 to 35cm.

Both the cavalier and miniature poodle are intelligent dogs with a happy nature so a cross between them has brought out the best of both. Loyal to their owners they are suitable for families with small children and very obedient.

Poodles coats are prone to shed so regular grooming is essential, if it has a poodle type coat then it will require more grooming than a cavalier's. Clipping is minimal, 3 or 4 times a year should suffice. Small dogs make excellent pets for anyone with a small house and, although they love attention, they are not as hard work as having a bigger dog can be who would need regular walks and lots of exercise. They also eat less and their compact size means they are easier to control. Don't be deceived by their size however, they all have their own personality and will not be shy in showing you theirs!

When you do decide to buy a puppy then choose where and who from very carefully. Both the cavalier and miniature poodle are prone to health problems, good breeders should screen parents in order to eliminate genetic problems being passed on so make sure you know what to look for and questions to ask before opting or the first cute one you see.

Both the cavoodle and spoodle are great for families, older people wanting some company, or anyone living in a small house or with no garden. Their nature is calm and loveable and they are at their happiest when around people. They don't like to be left alone for long periods so if you are too busy to give a dog too much attention then this dog isn't for you.

Regular exercise is always important whatever type of dog you have, although they don't have to be taken out on long walks every day they will appreciate a run in the park every few days or a walk regularly.

Remember, when deciding to get a dog that it is a big responsibility, they need feeding, walking, dog grooming and affection. Just like having a child really! Who will take care of it if you are away on holiday or business? With a life span of around 14 years it really is a life-long commitment. Check online for cavoodle puppies for sale Sydney.

Struvite crystals can cause a lot of discomfort to dogs. When left untreated, they can cause urinary infection. In addition, they can form into stones and cause more problems and discomfort to the affected dog.

If you suspect that your dog is suffering from the occurrence of struvite crystals, the best thing you can do is to bring your dog to the veterinarian. The vet can help you determine if your dog indeed has struvite crystals. He can also perform the proper medical procedure needed in order to rid the dog of the presence of these crystals.

The occurrence of struvite crystals is not only frustrating to dogs; it is also upsetting and frustrating to owners. That is why it is essential that as a responsible dog owner, you know ways of preventing struvite crystals in your dog.

There are several ways to prevent struvite crystals from interfering with your dog's health. We have listed some of these ways below.

1. Ensure that your dog is drinking enough clean water every day. Clean water prevents the formation of struvite crystals in the dog's bladder and also flushes out harmful bacteria that may accumulate in your dog's urinary system. Filtered water is best for your dog. Avoid giving it tap water as tap water may contain harmful chemicals that are not good for your dog's health.
2. Avoid giving your dog commercial food or at least lessen the amount of commercial food that you are feeding your dog. Commercial food may contain chemicals and may have properties that can cause the formation of struvite crystals. Instead of giving your dog commercial food, why not feed your dog homemade dog food? Homemade dog food can be made especially by you; therefore you can be sure that the food the dog is eating is indeed safe and free from any contamination of harmful chemicals or organisms.
3. Avoid giving your dog foods which contain excessive amounts of protein. Too much protein can alter the pH level of your dog's urine, leading to the formation of struvite crystals.
4. Ensure that your dog gets enough exercise regularly. You can do this by taking your dog out for a walk everyday. Exercise can help regulate his urination pattern and can lead to a healthier bladder. Moreover, exercise can help alleviate stress in dogs. It can also boost the dog's overall good health.
5. Encourage your dog to have a regular urination pattern.
6. Give your dog a dose of homeopathic remedy every day. Homeopathic remedy can boost the dog's overall health by strengthening its immune system. It is 100% safe so you do not have to worry that your dog might suffer from any unwanted side effects.

Preventing the manifestation of struvite crystals in your dog can be easy if you take proper care of your pet. The steps given above are easy to administer and can be helpful in promoting your dog's good health. Rather than watching your dog suffer from the constant recurrence of struvite crystals and constantly bringing him to the vet for medication, take the necessary steps in preventing the occurrence of crystals.

Exercise is a major part of our dogs' lives.

Cesar Millan, the “Dog Whisperer”, tells us that to maintain a healthy relationship with our beloved pooches, that relationship should consist of 50% physical exercise, 25% discipline, and 25% affection. That's a lot of exercise! In order for us to be able to enjoy exercising our dogs as much as they need, it's important for them to behave well both on the lead. Unfortunately, there are many dogs out there who are afraid of the leash itself – resulting in neurotic, fearful, submissive behavior whenever the lead comes out. In this newsletter, we'll take a look at the most effective way to deal with fear of the leash.

Fear of the Leash

The majority of the time, the sight of the leash is enough to bring on a fit of joy – the dog knows that leash = walk, and reacts accordingly.
For some dogs, though, the leash connotes fear and submissiveness more than anything else. Perhaps the leash was used in a negative way with a previous owner – as a tool for dragging the dog around. Perhaps it was used to confine the dog for long hours at a time. In some extreme cases, dogs have even been whipped with the leash as punishment. Or perhaps your dog is just very highly strung, and is prone to developing phobias seemingly arbitrarily. Although fear of the leash can have a severely negative impact on your walks with your dog, the good news is that it's easy to cure.

You just need some patience and some basic equipment.

 What you'll need

 A leash, made of webbing or leather. Approximately 5 feet (1.25 meters) is a good length, as it enables control without risk of the dog getting tangled in the leash when out walking. Chain-link leashes aren't recommended, as they're hard on the hands – and also can flick the dog in the face, which isn't something you'd want to inflict on any dog, let alone one that's suffering from fear of the leash! - A good-quality collar, again made of leather or nylon webbing. If you're using one with a snap-lock, make sure it's safety-approved and won't come undone under pressure. Slip-chain collars (also known as ‘choke-chains' or ‘check-chains') should never be used on an unattended dog, as they're a training tool, not a real collar. - A little bit of time, and a little bit of patience.

What to Do

* Your aim here is to accustom your dog to the lead a little bit at a time, keeping him well within his comfort zone at each step of the way. Because he's already got a fear of the leash, some discomfort in its presence is to be expected, but watch out for signs of extreme fear:

* hyperventilating,

* drooling,

* submissive urination,

* rolling eyes (often showing the whites).

So step one: remember to take baby steps at all times!

* If he's really afraid of the leash, you'll need to accustom him to it very slowly indeed.

* Practice leaving it out in full view, preferably in ‘fun' places: next to his food bowl, in preferred play areas, near his bed.

* Once he's stopped reacting to the sight of it, introduce the leash to him in a more active manner. You can do this by wrapping it around your hand as you pet and groom him.

* Hold the leash in your hand as you prepare his food; sit by him and stroke him, with the leash wrapped around your hand, as he eats. Keep this up until he's stopped showing any signs of discomfort – it may take some time, but remember that you're aiming to accustom him comfortably to the leash. Any rushing is counterproductive.

* When he's not showing any signs of nervousness with this level of progress, you can start attaching the leash to his collar.

* Put him in a sit-stay, using a firm, calm voice, and clip the leash on. Don't make a big deal out of it: your dog will take his emotional and psychological cues from your behavior. If you act as though it's not a big deal, he'll follow your lead.

* Once the leash is on, give him some time to get used to the sensation of something hanging off his neck. He may get a little panicky at this stage, and start pawing at his neck and trying to rub the leash off along the ground. If he's showing signs of nervousness, distract him with a game: a short game of tug-o'-war (providing he knows to drop the toy when you've had enough) is a good idea; if he can run without getting tangled in the leash, play a short game of fetch; or, if the two of you are outside in a safely enclosed area, you can go for a short walk.

* Don't attempt to touch the leash at this stage, just let him walk around freely. - Take the leash off after five minutes or so, and praise him lavishly for being such a good boy.

* Give him a couple of small, tasty treats, and lots of petting. - Repeat these last three steps several more times before progressing to the next level: you want to give him plenty of opportunities to get used to the sensation of the leash itself before you start using it to control his walking.

* The more positive associations he forms with the leash (which he will do through the games, walks, and treats while wearing it), the better for his progress.

Next, it's time for a short obedience-training session while he's wearing the leash. Five minutes is plenty: practice a sit-stay and the recall command (“come”) while he's wearing the leash. This will reinforce your authority and leadership, and remind him that he's still expected to obey you while wearing the leash. - When he's readily obeying your commands with the leash on, you can take him for a short walk while he's wearing it. If he's jumpy, do not reinforce his nervousness by rewarding him with attention. Simply ignore him and carry on walking. Remember, he takes his cues from you, so keep calm and wait for it to pass.

If, at any point, you feel that he's simply too nervous to proceed (for example, if he's still panicking after three or four minutes of walking on the leash), go back to the level at which he was last 100% comfortable.

Wait a few days at this stage before attempting to proceed. Things to Remember

* Remember to be patient! Don't attempt to rush your dog's progress: using force is counterproductive to your end goal.

* You're teaching him to relax and be calm around the leash –

* if you get stressed or frustrated with his lack of progress, he'll be able to tell, and his anxiety levels will increase, not decrease.

* Remember not to indulge his nervousness or coddle him if he plays up or gets nervous. If you react to his crying and trembling with petting and cooing, you are telling him that it's OK to feel like that.

* If he's nervous, either ignore it and carry on, or distract him with a game or short walk.

* If he's still panic-stricken after three or four minutes, revert to the previous step and give it more time.

This should go without saying, but never correct or punish him for skittishness or nervous behavior – again, it's counterproductive in the extreme.

Perhaps it is difficult to believe that there's as many options as there are, not to mention individual manufacturers, in the industry of dog carriers. There are actually hundreds to choose from. You may wonder: Do that many people really care about having quality dog carriers?

The short answer: yes. When it comes to designer dog carriers and other types of like a dog purse and a dog sling. But don't judge these books by their covers (at least entirley) by what how look like on the exterior, though! This is especially important if you and your dog travel often -- a dog can be stuck in a dog carrier for hours or days at a time, depending on how long the trip is. So make sure your dog carriers are comfortable. If not, any dog will be really miserable during the trip and not in a good mood when you arrive at your destination.

As was cited above, there are a whole range of options when it comes to dog purse styles, colors and designs. Whatever your personal style may be, there is likely a whole line of dog carriers that is perfect for you. One of the nice things about the industry is that designer dog carriers are often created to resemble the design of brand name hand bags, whether it's the canvas bag style or the quilted look. However, a dog sling may be your best bet if you travel more casually, as your dog can stay closer to you as you navigate your way through crowds and/or public transport.

But what's the difference between picking up a cheap carrier and a more expensive dog carrier? While there are similarities and differences, not all dog owners will choose designer dog carriers with the higher price tag. However, before you decide what will make the best choice for you and your dog, consider the major question: What is the reason you need a dog carrier?

If all you need is a one-time dog carrier, such as if you are moving from one house to another, then designer dog carriers are probably not the route you want to take. For trips that aren't too long like that, you can find cardboard dog carriers that do the trick. But if you plan to take your dog to the vet regularly or travel elsewhere with your dog often, a high quality dog carrier is a better option. Designer dog carriers have been growing in popularity, and there are a few reasons for that:

1. The high quality materials designer dog carriers use are made to last you a long time, so you wont' have to buy a replacement every few months.
2. The interiors are made to be as comfy as possible for your dog.
3. Since many are designed to look like popular hand bags, designer dog carriers are easy to carry and come in many styles and colors.

Does your dog pee in the house? Here are some tips to help deal with the situation, understand what's going on, and solve the problem so you and your canine companion can remain friends.

First you need to understand the underlying cause of the problem.

A dog does not just start peeing in his own house for the fun of it. Ask yourself if your dog is peeing in the house or merely marking his territory?

A big clue is normally found in the location. If the dog is peeing against upright objects then it is probably an attempt to mark his territory. Male dogs normally cock their legs when they pee so they necessarily pee against upright objects. A good clue is the amount of urine involved. If you're drowning in the stuff it's a pretty sure bet that your dog is regarding the house as his new toilet and you need to discourage him. Should you have only small puddles to deal with, then the cause is more likely to be related to marking territory.

Copious amounts normally means the dog is urinating because he feels the need to do so and either couldn't, or didn't want to, go out. If your dog pees during the night it might be a good plan to let him drink more earlier, rather than later at night, and take him outside for a pee before going to bed.

 Understanding why dogs mark their territory.

A dog has a sense of smell that is significantly more developed than that of a human. (This is one of the reasons they are used as sniffer dogs by Police Forces around the world to find explosives or drugs.) While his urine might smell offensive to humans, to other dogs it is as good as a letter. It tells them who he is, and whether he or she is available to mate. It also establishes dominance over other dogs ("I was here first, so this is my turf"ý), and helps to dispel his feelings of insecurity and builds confidence.

If your dog is struggling with confidence problems, any sudden change in his home environment can trigger this behaviour. For instance; the arrival of a new baby may mean that your dog is now not getting as much attention as previously. Changes such as this engender anxiety and may cause marking behaviour.

 Do all dogs do this?

Absolutely. Small dogs are more inclined to pee inside the house than larger dogs; males are more likely to mark than females. Two or more dogs in the same house may regard each other as competition and are then more prone to marking.

While marking is a natural thing for your dog to do, he needs to understand that he is not allowed to do this inside the house.

 What can you do?

If this is a recent development with a dog that has never exhibited this type of behaviour the best thing you can do is take him to the vet. It is possible that there may be an underlying medical condition, such as a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) that causes his incontinence.

Neutering at an early age can prevent the habit forming, or can stop marking behaviour. Of course neutering is not always an option should you want him to breed, but it's best to discuss this with your vet before taking any irreversible action.

You could also try the Supervision Method and try to catch him in the act. Dogs learn (much as humans do) by operational conditioning. Watch your dog closely for when he starts exhibiting signs that he might be thinking of marking. Such signs can include sniffing, or circling in spots where he has marked before. When he starts to lift his leg make some noise to distract him and get his attention. Give him a clear "NO"ý command and divert his attention. If he really needs to pee, take him outside to play ball or something, and he will do it outside the house. If he wanted to mark the distraction will have changed his mind. Remember to be consistent every time you see him exhibiting marking symptoms, or attempting to mark.

Please do not shout at him, rant or rave, or hit him at any time - you will only make the problem worse.

In order to speed up the learning process be sure to lavish praise upon him when he pees where you want him to. Dogs learn fastest from positive responses to their behaviour.

Clean the spots where he marked, or peed thoroughly, but don't use ammonia. Dog urine contains ammonia and instead of deterring him it will only make him think some other strange dog is leaving messages. Instead, use a solution of water and vinegar to wash the areas thoroughly.

If you don't make too much of a fuss over the whole thing you can easily change your dog's behaviour and get him to pee where you want him to, i.e. outside the house!

If you found this article helpful and would like to know more about modifying your dog's behaviour why don't you have a look at my Squidoo lens and feel free to leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Many people keep a clean home, and one of the easiest way to maintain that clean home is with a trained dog. But some people do not know how to go about training their dogs. It is best to get as much information as possible regarding puppy training. Start with this article, and you'll figure it all out.

When feeding your dog, always expect the dog to be in a calm state and ready to eat. Hyper activity at feeding time will not allow the pet to properly address feeding rituals. Establish a ritual of a calm animal who sits and waits patiently for you to give food. After this behavior is taught, your dog will probably begin sitting patiently as you prepare their food.

Dog owners should learn to listen to their pets. When a dog indicates that he is uncomfortable in a situation, such as with another dog, it's never good to push him further than he wants to go. Take a step back and re-evaluate the situation, or come back to it at a later time.

Until your dog is well trained, training should be constant. If you are unsure that your dog will follow any command that you give, training is not done. Every interaction with your dog should be approached from a dominant, training standpoint. You should consistently teach your dog that you are in control, much like a true pack leader does.

By training your dog, you are helping him to become a rule follower. Many times, owners feel that since their animals have gone through puppy training, they can just forget about it. But dogs can become complacent just like their human counterparts. Your dog must follow the rule system strictly.

Stay very consistent and persistent when starting your crate training regimen. When he comes out of the crate, you must immediately allow him to relieve himself in an appropriate place. The dog will eventually learn that there are proper times to go outside and use the restroom.

Make certain you're consistent when you are crate training your young puppy. When he comes out of the crate, you must immediately allow him to relieve himself in an appropriate place. Over time, the puppy will learn to wait until he is in this location.

Spend time each day training your dog, even if for only a few minutes a day. Dogs respond well when they get to practice what they are learning and what they have learned. Practicing at least 15 minutes a day on commands your dog already knows keeps the dog in practice.

It's a good idea to keep in mind the number of treats you are giving your dog throughout the day. Giving him too many will add unneeded calories to his diet and cause him to become overweight. A lot of pet owners don't think about how much weight their dogs can put on with treats.

If you do not have the knowlege to train your dog yourself it is wise to take him to obedience school. The instructor will show you how to teach your dog to obey your commands, and as a result, he will be more enjoyable to you and your family, and he will be happier.