If you are a die-hard doggie fanatic, you've probably watched pup based TV shows such as National Geographic's Dog Whisperer on any given Friday night. While we average Joe pet lovers may not have the training or credentials to land us our own primetime series, we come equipped with all the inklings of a dog whisper in the making.

Want to know what your own dog is saying? Read on to decode each behavior, woof and ruff all without ever turning on the boob tube.

The Shoe Nibbler
Ok. This one is for all your femme fatales with poodles who haven't quite figured out that Jimmy Choos are not chew toys. If you've got a young pup, chewing . . . unfortunately, is just a simple step in growing up. You know, much like your own young destructive phase. Yea. You know the one. Remember those years your room was so messy you could have hidden a few cars or dead bodies on the floor and no one would have noticed?
However, if you have an old dog and the nibbling is new it could be a cry for attention. Has there been a change in your life? A new baby in the mix? A new beau who takes Fluffy's side of the sofa? Then chances are this little shoe nibbler is saying one of two things "Show me some attention!" or "Get off my sofa or else, bucko!"

The Leash Leader

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Does your Great Dane drag you down the street? Feel like you're the one on the leash? When your dog takes off without you while out for a walk he's not just acting up, he's trying to tell you something. This kind of behavior says, "Our relationship is off balance." and "I'm the leader of the pack."

Wild dogs by nature run in packs with one leader. Your unruly Chow Chow has that same DNA programmed into his being. You are the leader of the pack and when your dog takes you for a leash ride, it's time to listen up and take your place as the head "pup."

The Stranger Bark
Does your furry friend growl like mad at the mailman or eagerly chase the wheels of every car that passes your place? If these animal antics are familiar to your family, than your pup is telling outsiders to be warned. "This is my family! Stay away!"

While many dogs will bark at any stranger that comes too close for comfort, some otherwise friendly dogs are an uncanny judge of character. In fact there are many true life stories that tell the tale of dogs who instinctively barked at their owners assailant days before the actual attack - some in passing on the street, others while hearing a knock at the door. When a dog is truly uneasy and weary of someone around you, he will place himself between you and that person. When you aren't sure if you're dog is showing out or going into protective mode the best thing to do is assume that it's the latter and get away as quickly as possible. It might just save your life.

The Multi-Personality Pooch
Is your puppy well behaved around strangers but behind closed doors tries to gnaw your hands or ankles? Just like us, puppies have a certain comfort level. For instance, while you might not wear sweat pants in front of your boss, you certainly don't mind vegging out the sofa with your sister.
If you have a multi-personality pooch often times his behavior is saying "I can be myself around you." And while the teeth marks on your leg might not be flattering, what they are trying to say is.

When it comes to understanding your pooch, the important thing to remember is that just like a hand-stitched quilt, no two pups are alike. The longer you know your pooch the easier it becomes to figure out what each of his moods, "voices" and actions mean. However, if you notice unusual behavior in your dog, don't be afraid to ask questions. Talk to your veterinarian. They will help you decode their unusual behaviors and get them back to feeling tail wagging wonderful in no time at all.

Dogs are our favorite pets and they can even become our best friends. But at certain points of time the dog might suffer from different kinds of problems. One of the common problems in various species of dogs is joint problem.

In most of the cases it found that the joint problem arises due to canine arthritis. If you have been thinking that arthritis can occur only in human beings then you are wrong. If you do not take proper care of dog joint health then your pet might be in great pain.

The problem usually comes up when your canine friend becomes old. You must always remember that dog health as important as your health because they are living creatures and they can suffer from pain like you. Other than arthritis canine hip dysplasia can also create problems for your favorite pet.

The joint problems in dog can either be degenerative or developmental. If the problem is developmental then the pet might have problems in his elbows or hips while if the problem is degenerative then it can affect a number of areas.

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But in most of the cases it is found that canine arthritis is caused due to ligament problems. The ligament problem can cause instability in the canines and can even lead to osteoarthritis. If you want to save your canine friend from suffering excessive pain then you need to keep an eye on the signs of this problem.

You need to take proper interest in learning about the dog joint health so that you can make your dogs suffer less. When you find the dog is having problems with his common activities then you should understand that something is wrong with him.

He might have great problems in moving easily or he might also have swelling in the joints. He might even feel the pain while moving up and down the stairs or while playing and running with you.

These are the early symptoms of arthritis that you need to take notice of. The dog health problems might make them suffer at any age but it is more common among the older ones. The only problem with them is that they do not have the capability to tell you the problems.

It is your duty to understand them. You might also find these problems more in dogs that are too big and overweight. Other than this, some breeds specifically might have joint problems. So you should perform a good research regarding the different species before you bring them home.

Once you find the signs and symptoms of problem in dog joint health, you need to consult a good veterinarian. He will help you get the right kind of treatment for your canine friend. He might either prescribe some supplements or ask you to take him for a therapy.

Other than this, the doctor might also suggest some home remedies to take care of the dog. It is always important to provide enough vitamins and minerals in dog food to make them strong.

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A few decades ago, dogs could fend for themselves when it came to their health, helped along by the occasional trips to the veterinarian. These days, however, it’s unthinkable for an owner to not get involved in every aspect of his dog’s well-being. That’s why dog health insurance plans are increasingly becoming available. Pet dogs are treated just like members of the family, so it’s understandable that any dog owner wants to protect them and be sure that their needs will be taken cared of. Dog health insurance not only helps make sure that your pet can get the best available care, but it also keeps your finances intact and provides you with a ready means to fund your dog’s medical expenses.

Veterinarian fees and medical costs are on the rise, and having a reliable dog health insurance plan is one way for you to be able to cope. Not only will you be able to have money set aside for your dog’s medical emergencies, but this also means your dog can promptly receive medical attention when needed.

Getting a dog health insurance plan is much like getting your own health plans. It also comes with premiums, exemptions, and various coverage plans. Some plans are based on the dog’s breed and size, and others may cover pre-existing conditions as well as annual checkups, so you have to check each plan’s details thoroughly. Most dog health insurance policies usually start when the dog is already six to eight weeks old.

If you don’t know where to look for dog health insurance, you can ask your vet. He or she might turn out to be a provider for a dog health insurance plan and may be able to help you make your decision. You can even turn to the Internet. Simply do a search for “dog health insurance plan” and you’ll immediately see numerous results from insurance providers focusing specifically on pets. Once you’ve narrowed down your selection, you can contact the companies one by one and request a free quote. Be sure to ask the important questions, such as what each plan covers, if they require physical exams, any exclusions, and their maximum payout.

Finding the right dog health insurance plan is definitely something that you shouldn’t take lightly. You’re going to want the best possible plan for your pet, so make sure that every possible illness or incident is covered. After all, your dog deserves nothing but the best care from you.

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They say dogs are man’s best friend. What is better than having a best friend who is big and strong enough to protect you against every sort of danger that lurks all around you? If you want a dog that you can count on for its size and toughness, your best option is to go for any breed in the mastiff family.

There are some pointers that you should remember before owning this heavy dog however. It is one thing to know what is the heaviest breed of dog, but it’s another thing to know how to take care of it. Mastiffs, or all big dogs for that matter, eat a lot. They need to be fed big servings and need to be exercised as well to keep them healthy. And to better serve their purpose, you also need to train them extensively.

If you think you are still up to the task, take a look at the following big dog breeds and take your pick.

The Bernese Mountain Dog

This dog is traditionally the farmer’s best friend, as it helped them pull their loaded carts across the fields. The breed is characterized by thick double coat that helps it to stand and survive in cold climates. But underneath the thick fur are strong and sturdy muscle sets that require exercise and training. Grooming requires that you brush its coat regularly.

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The Bernese Mountain Dog grows up to 27 inches in height and 110 pounds in weight. It lives up to a maximum of eight years. As to personality, expect this giant to be gentle and calm, and generally good-natured, especially to children.

The Bullmastiff

The Bullmastiff is packed with muscles but is at the same time lithe and sprightly. Traditionally, bullmastiffs were tasked to guard properties from trespassers and thieves. To this day, they are a famous breed for families who want guard dogs, although they are not advisable as pets for those who have sleeping problems because they are loud snorers. You also have to forgive them for slobbering all over the place. After all, their endearing personality makes up for these imperfections.

Bullmastiffs can grow up to 130 pounds and 27 inches in height. They can up to 10 years, and would not require a lot of brushing or grooming throughout their lifetime.

The Great Dane

Everyone who loves Scooby Doo will have fun having a Great Dane for a pet. It is a behemoth of a dog, to say the least. But behind this greatness is a cuddly personality. Great Danes love leaning against their owners, but you can address this behavior through proper training. Great Danes are also late bloomers. They become adults after they turn one.

Great Danes can grow up to a whopping 200 pounds, and a towering 36 inches tall. They can live up to 10 years, and can be expected to be gentle all throughout. Although they are primarily indoor-type dogs, you will need to take them out regularly to exercise. The coat will also need occasional brushing.

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Because pop culture is so prevalent in our every day lives, we often look to celebrities for hints and ideas on how to live our lives. Perhaps it's the idea of living glamorously, or maybe for sheer lack of creativity , we often emulate our favorite actors, actresses, t.v. stars, musicians and even politicians. Choosing and naming our pets is no different! We've all seen them, out and about at the dog park or shopping out on the town , celebrities love their pets! Whether you're a pop culture buff or not, if you're considering getting a dog, you may be inspired by whom and what some well-known personalities call their 'best friends.'

Actor Jake Gyllenhaal is 'best friends' with a German Shepherd named 'Atticus' and a Puggle named 'Boo Radley.'

'Bambi' is the Pit Bull that keeps tennis star Venus Williams safe at night.

Actress Sienna Miller keeps it simple with her mutts named 'Bess' and 'Porgi.'

Actress Minnie Driver loves her Black Labrador named 'Bubba.'

South African actress Charlize Theron owns two mutts named 'Delilah' and 'Denver.'

Actress (and daughter of Goldie Hawn) Kate Hudson pampers a Pomeranian named 'Clara Bo.'

Reese Witherspoon's two French Bulldogs each have a first name and a last. Meet 'Coco Chanel' and 'Frank Sinatra.'

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Courtney Cox Arquette and her husband David Arquette have two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels named 'Harley' and 'Hopper.'

Actress Eva Longoria loves her little Maltese, also known as 'Jinxy.'

Hilary Duff has lots of (little) fun with her Chihuahua, 'Lola.'

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner named their Golden Retriever after the ultimate domestic diva: 'Martha Stewart.'

Talk show hostess and all-around star extraordinaire Oprah Winfrey has three Golden Retriever. She calls them 'Luke,' 'Layla,' and 'Gracie.'

Actor Adrien Brody has two Chihuahuas named 'Ceelo' and 'Lolly.'

Actress and wild child Lindsay Lohan has a Maltese named 'Chloe.'

Who can forget Ozzy Osbourne's wife Sharon Osbourne's tiny Pomeranian, 'Minnie?'

Jessica Alba named her two Pugs after the tragic couple , 'Sid' and 'Nancy.'

Joan Rivers, of most recent 'Celebrity Apprentice' fame owns a Pekingese she calls 'Max,' a Boston Terrier named 'Lulu' and a Yorkie named 'Veronica.'

Jimmy Buffet calls his Golden Retriever (what else?) 'Cheeseburger.'

Basketball star Ken Griffey Jr. has a Rottweiler named 'Akeiba.'

Mel Gibson's Australian Shepherd is named (simply) 'Patch.'

Who says small dogs aren't manly? Pro football player Bret Favre has a tiny Yorkshire Terrier named 'Jazzmin.'

Sir Paul McCartney's Sheepdog is named 'Martha.'

Author Stephen King keeps company with a Pembroke Welsh Corgi named 'Marlowe.'

Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Computer and infamous for his stunts on 'Dancing with the Stars' has a Shar Pei named 'Coco Puff.'

Will and Jada Pinkett Smith have tow Rottweilers, named 'Indo' and 'Zhaki.'

Actor and comedian Jim Carrey's best friend is a Great Dane named 'George.'

Matt Lauer, host of the Today Show on NBC has a Golden Retriever named 'Walden.'

Her Bull Mastiff, 'Koko', protects Singer Christina Aguilera.

Scarlett Johansen's miniature best friend is a Chihuahua named 'Maggie.'

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow is often seen out walking her Black Lab, 'Holden.'

Mary Kate Olsen of Mary Kate and Ashley fame owns a Chocolate Lab named 'Luca.'

So if you are looking for that special pooch to call your own, consider the personalities of the celebrities listed above. Do you identify with any of them? If so, you may get along with the type of breed that your 'hero' or 'heroine' has. If you've recently adopted a dog and are stumped for a name, you may find a great idea from a great star.

Any living organism is sooner or later exposed to all sorts of dysfunctional conditions, and dogs are no exception. It is true that there are plenty of dog health problems that we prevent by regular vaccination, but what can we do about the rest of the affections that may take us and our animals unawares. Let’s take for instance vomiting and diarrhea, these are the most common and frequent dog health problems. Their causes are usually very simple since no complications result from such minor dog health problems that are mainly triggered by improper nutrition.

If under routine treatment vomiting and diarrhea don’t disappear within twenty-four to forty-eight hours, it could mean there are serious dog health problems at stake and an immediate thorough examination is a must. Should this be the case, such a dog health problem is no longer the subject of home treatment, but a real medical emergency. The first thing to be done when experiencing similar dog health problems is to eliminate food and water. If you’re dog is thirsty give it some milk or an ice cube to lick several times.

Very often the recovery from a dog health problem is in the hands of the owner. The same as the cases presented above is constipation, another frequent dog health problem. It can appear as a result of deficient nutrition and inconsistent bowel movement. Don’t leave it untreated, as it may lead to self-intoxication or even worse dog health problems. Eliminate water and meat from the dog’s diet and feed it on meat broth for instance or baby food; a mixture of milk and cereal may also be of help. Return to a normal diet can only be resumed within a few days after normal stool is recovered.

In order to avoid dog health problems and diseases that could even be transmitted to man, you have to take the pet for regular checks at the veterinarian. If the animal is kept in a proper physical shape, well-fed and full of vigor, the owner has nothing to worry about dog health problems. Regular vaccination also keeps trouble away and allows you to cherish the presence of your pet without the fear that the dog health problem may pass on to you or very sensible members of the family such as children. Hygiene and perfect cleanness of the place where the dog lives or eats are the best method to keep trouble away.

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The old saying "a man's best friend is a dog" is accepted by all dog owners without a second's hesitation. The unconditional love, care and faithfulness a dog has to its master makes the relationship between a man and a dog that much more special and important. Therefore most dog owners treat their dogs with utmost care and love. One way in which dog owners treat their dogs is by keeping them very clean and tidy, for which they use dog grooming supplies. Dog grooming supplies comprise of curry brushes, shedding blades, Scissors, shampoos, clippers, stripping combs, and blow-dryers and grooming tables.

There are many steps a dog owner can follow to keep his dog clean. Firstly he should cut the dogs nails, clean its ears, de-knot its fur and remove its dead fur. For this process dog grooming supplies such as a grooming table, nail clippers and slicker brushes are used. If a dogs nails are allowed to grow, they tend to spiral up and cause immense pain to the dog while it is walking. Hence, nail clippers are used to cut or trim a dog's nails on a monthly basis. If a dogs nails are not cut on a monthly basis, it makes it almost impossible for the owner to cut its nails properly. To clean the dog's ears, cotton swabs dipped in alcohol are used.

Out of the entire dog grooming supplies, shampoos play an important role in maintaining dog's hygiene. These shampoos are specifically made for treating the dogs. These shampoos help to boost a dog's fur texture, remove urine and food stains and also kills fleas and other insects which harms the dog. The latest type of dog shampoo in the market is the self-rinsing shampoo. This shampoo requires no water to rinse off the shampoo and there is lesser water consumption this way. There are also dry shampoos in the form of powder which can be used on the dogs in between baths.

After giving a bath to the dog, one can use a grooming dryer which is one of the most expensive items of the dog grooming supplies to dry the dog. One also needs to brush the coat of the dog simultaneous while the grooming drying is used, this will reduce the chances of any fur knots forming. Usually the home grooming session ends by putting a few drops of cologne onto the dog's body, to remove any smells from the shampoos used.

There are companies making millions of dollars every year by selling dog grooming supplies. As the number of people interested in grooming their dogs is on the rise, these companies take every possible chance to impose the idea of the importance of grooming one's dog. One such method which had been taken was to advertise dog grooming supplies on the internet; this ploy has been successful as many dog owners now order their dog grooming supplies through the internet.

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When a dog suffers from any ailment, it is not easy to detect it early. Since there is no way for your dog to tell you that it is suffering, most dog owners learn of dog health problems only when the dog's condition is aggravated. The most important thing in tackling dog health problems is to detect the problem early and to take your canine friend to its veterinarian at your earliest.

Early detection of dog health problems will not only make it easier for the dog to recover but also does good to your pocket. When any problems with your dogare detected earlier, the treatment will be only a few tablets of antibiotics. When you take the dog to the veterinarian after waiting until its condition is serious, the dog has to be admitted, given intravenous fluids and injections which will make heavy expenditure for you.

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The way to avoid the complication of dog health problems is to keep watch on your dog's behavior. Slightest change in its ways should be detected by the owner in order to go for early treatment. In case you are unable to detect the symptoms early, your dog's chances of recovery become slimmer by the day. When dog health problems are aggravated, they develop complications very quickly.

One of the first symptoms of a dog not being well is that it will refuse to eat. Also it will not be happy to play. Finally its nose will go dry. If you see any of these symptoms or all of them, take your dog to the veterinarian. This is very important to avoid dog health problems.

Some dog health problems are involved with coats of dogs. They will not show any symptoms when a dog has a problem with its coat. When you bathe your dog, look for any blisters or unevenness with the skin. If you find any, take your dog to the veterinarian. He will give you medication to apply on your dog's skin and oral drugs in addition to injections. Give these with meticulous care and your dog will recover soon. If you neglect, your dog is going to suffer.

 

 

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