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.

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With respect to anatomy, dog's ear are different from human ears. Unlike human ear, dog's ears have extra turn and length that makes the visibility and medication rather difficult, making your dog susceptible to infections which is one of the most common problems.

Among the several factors that causes dogs ear problems are; ear design that is some dogs have short ear, some have long pendulous ear, while others have thick hair in their ear. Second is the humid climate that encourages the growth of parasites, bacterial and yeasts. Next factor is the long exposure to other infected pets and lastly the dogs that can swim are prone to ear infections.

To keep your dog free form ear infections you need put your minimum effort that will surely avoid major ear problems.

Follow the instructions as recommended by your vets. If you get the slightest hint of bad odor then do ear cleaning with warm water, mineral oil, hydrogen peroxide, or a combination of equal parts of vinegar and rubbing alcohol but make sure that your dog does not have open sores that will have a burning sensation. You are also recommended to apply pet ear care product that cleans and dry up excess moisture in the ear canal after bathing or swimming. Pet ear care product containing Tea Tree Oil will keep the ear canal of your dog dry and problem free. There are also pet ear cares products available for routine ear cleaning that will dissolve wax, remove foreign debris and dry the ear canal. Even home dog care treatments are also available that can kill ear mites and ear ticks. Even though your dog's eardrum is better protected than a human beings, but the process of cleaning should be done with precise care especially when you are inserting cotton-tipped swabs into the ear canal. There is the possibility of the dirt and other foreign matter to get pushed deeper and even losing the cotton tip in the ear canal if not handled properly. Use a long cotton-tipped swab since a dog's ear canal is much deeper than ours. Using the same cotton ball or unclean tip of ear cleaning solution in another dog's ears or even in a dog's other ear will surely spread disease. Therefore always remember to use a new cotton ball or wipe clean any applicator tips. Another method of cleaning involves filling the ear canal with a pet ear cleaning solution followed by gentle massage of the outer ear. After a few minutes the dog is allowed to shake his head to help clear the ear canal. Removal of excess hair by trimming the hair.

This is an excellent source for Pet Supplies to help you with your dog grooming needs.

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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.

More Great Dane Adoption Articles
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Lets face it, do we really know what goes into the food that we feed to our dogs.Personally, I had no idea until I started doing a little research on it.After reading certain articles written by doctors, I was shocked to find out that most dog foods were all made with a variety of unhealthy chemicals. At this point it is not a secret, but again needs to be pointed out to those who are great animal lovers,with dogs being in particular.

Having read this, I decided to go about doing a small amount of research on how I could go about making my own homemade dog food, just to experiment and change my dogs diet .This is when I came across a website which was created by a doctor himself who was marketing his own dog food recipe book for dog owners.The guide contains some 250+ home made dog food recipes which exclude the usage of harmful products which are infamous for mineral deficiencies. The guide not only contains healthy dog food recipes but also other aspects of keeping your dog healthy such as:

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1. Healthy dog food recipes for both younger and older dogs

2. Natural recipe to keep fleas away

3. Gourmet Biscuit recipes

4. Dozens of recipes for delicious, economical, healthful dog food

5. Various other treats

Im sure most of you who care greatly for your dogs have probably spent hours talking to dog experts,as well as reading many books on dogs in order to get the sort of information available in this guide. So before you go and spend more money on expensive vets and other dog experts, do yourself a favour and try this ebook, because by the time you have finished reading this guide, you will probably know more than the pro's do.

After searching long and hard, you've finally found the perfect dog. So what's next?... Finding the perfect names for dogs of course!

Considering that over the course of your puppies lifetime his name will be used over 30,000 times, and that 1 in 5 new dog owners want to change their dogs name in the first year, choosing the right puppy name should be given as much care and thought as you showed when finding your pooch in the first place.

Below I've listed 10 dog naming tips taken from my website to be mindful of when looking for the right name, they are...

1. Avoid names that sound like common commands such as Go, Stay, Sit, etc. This might cause confusion for your puppy when trying to train it.

2. Be mindful that your dog might outgrow it's name. The name Buttercup might be appropriate for a cute puppy, but not when it becomes a full grown Great Dane!

3. Choose a name with one or two syllables. Dogs not only learn it quicker, but it makes them easier to train as well.

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4. Watch out for trendy names that might cause embarrassment once the trend is passed. Do you want people to realize from your dog's name that you were once a big fan of Disco?

5. If you've adopted an older dog, it's best to keep her current name so that it doesn't become confused. If for some reason you must change it, consider a name that sounds similar or rhymes.

6. Beware of the common trend to name dogs after people. Though doing so is not a bad thing in itself, if you name your pup after a friend or family member, they might take offense. Although you might think naming your dog Sally after your favorite Aunt is an honor, Aunt Sally might not. Also, be kind to your dog and name her after someone you like.

7. Does the dog name rhyme with something negative? Or maybe with the name of a family member or friend? Once discovered, you might be one of those 1 in 5 people who want to change their dogs name!

8. Stay away from potentially embarrassing names. The name "Pee Wee" might be funny at first, but as the joke gets old, how will you feel in a year or so when you have to call "Pee Wee" home at night?

9. Pick a name that matches your dogs own unique appearance or personality. The name Electra might be a good name for an energetic pooch, but not for one that like's to sleep all day.

10. Ask your dog what he thinks! Since it's going to be his name, you might want to narrow your search down to your own 5 favorite names, then try them out on your dog. You'd be surprised how well he responds to some, yet yawns at others.

Keeping in mind the above tips when searching for dog names will not only ensure a long, happy friendship with your dog, but also help to avoid a mid-life name change.

You see? Choosing the right names for dogs is not only easy, but your dog will love you for it!

How to choose a vet

Your vet is a pretty significant figure in your dog’s life – and thus, in yours. Hopefully, you’ll only ever need him or her for routine checkups and preventative procedures; but just in case, it’s worth taking the time to develop a good relationship with a suitable vet, before you need their services.

WHERE AT LOOK

Sure, you could just pick a vet at random from the Yellow Pages or from an Internet search; but having the right vet is crucial to your dog’s health and happiness (and, presumably, this plays at least some part in your own happiness and peace of mind as an owner, right?)

Think about it this way: if you were trying to choose a doctor for yourself, would you be happy to just select one at random from an impersonal list?

Probably not. You’d want somebody who comes highly recommended – somebody you feel like you can trust.

Your vet isn’t just your dog’s doctor; he or she is also the dentist, manicurist, psychologist, and – hopefully! – a friend. When you roll all these things up into one, you can see why it’s necessary to spend some time confirming that you’ve made the right choice.

The best place to start looking for a vet is by word of mouth. If you have any friends or relatives who take good care of their dogs, then that’s a great place to start: ask them who they’d recommend, and why. This last one is particularly important, because everyone has different priorities: for example, perhaps they like their own vet because he/she is a specialist in their own particular breed; or they don’t charge very much; or the clinic is only five minutes’ drive … their priorities are not necessarily yours, so it’s a good idea to make sure that your values coincide with the person giving the recommendations.

Another great place to find a vet is through local training clubs (Schutzhund, agility, herding classes, police K-9 academies, etc.) These organizations are almost guaranteed to place a great deal of importance on high-quality veterinary care, because the health and well-being of their dogs is such a priority.

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Once you’ve got a list of vets that you’re interested in pursuing further, all you have to do is call up the clinic and explain that you’re looking to find a regular vet for your dog(s): can you come in for a quick chat, introduce your dog, and have a look at the premises?

HAVE A LOOK BEFORE YOU NEED TO

Before you decide to align yourself and your dog with a particular clinic, test the waters first. Ideally, you want a chance to talk to the vet, and discuss his or her philosophies and approach to pet care.

This is really important. If your dog ever really needs vet-care (if there’s an emergency, or if she needs an urgent short-term appointment), you want to be sure that you’ve made the best possible choice as far as her health and comfort levels are concerned. Neither of you should be subjected to any unnecessary extra stress at a time like that – and you can avoid a lot of grief by spending a bit of time in preparation.

THINGS TO ASK THE VET

While you’re at the clinic, you’ll want to be assessing your potential vet’s overall attitude and approach to health care and animals; and you’ll also probably want answers to some specific questions.

Here’s a list of useful questions to help you on your way:

- How many vets are there on staff? If you need to make an urgent appointment, you don’t want to be waiting around while precious minutes tick past. Ideally, there’ll be at least two qualified veterinarians on hand (not just technicians or assistants.)

- What kind of testing and analysis capabilities does the clinic have. If they have to send away to a lab for this kind of stuff, it means that the results are going to be delayed. If your dog is very sick, time is an important factor: it’s best if the clinic has at least blood-analysis testing on hand.

- What after-hours services are available? A lot of clinics close the doors in the evenings and on weekends, which means that if there’s an emergency, you’ll have to go somewhere else – and subject your dog (and yourself) to an unfamiliar vet. (If you don’t mind this, then that’s fine; but be aware that in a high-stress situation when emotions are running high, it’s reassuring for your dog and yourself to deal with someone familiar.)

- What’s their price range? How are payments made? Is there a facility for payment plans in case of unexpected vet bills? The payment-plan option is particularly important. Even with pet insurance, vet bills can sometimes be astronomical – and not everyone has the resources to deal with large vet bills straight away. Ask the clinic how they cater for situations like that.

- How up-to-date is the staff with advances in the industry? Do the vet, the technicians, and the assistants attend seminars and workshops regularly? The field of medical care is always moving forward – responsible vets make the effort to keep up with the times, and see that their staff do, too.

MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE

When you choose a vet, you’re balancing convenience and quality. There’s no right or wrong vet for you and your dog – which is partly why making the choice can be so confusing. There are lots of vets to choose from, and they’re all different!

Even though it’s tempting to go for the one right around the corner with the rock-bottom prices, it really is worthwhile taking the time to shop around. Your dog is utterly dependent on you for her healthcare – and if you take her seriously as a companion and member of the family, you’ll want to do the best thing by her.

A good vet knows how to take care of you as well as your dog. The relationship that you have with your vet will hopefully be one that’s based around a healthy mutual respect and positive synergy - there should be very little scope for misunderstanding. When the two of you see eye to eye, it makes caring for your dog that much easier.

FURTHER READING

For a complete survival guide on stress-free dog care, including detailed information on when your dog needs to see the vet, how to respond to pet emergencies, dog First Aid, and all common health problems, check out The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health. It’s a complete handbook on dog health care, and teaches you how to take a proactive and prepared approach to knowledgeable dog ownership.

Holistic philosophies in healthcare, the environment and spirituality is a concept you may be hearing more and more of and if you've ever wondered what it means exactly, it's not as complicated as you may think. Holistic philosophy is a philosophy that is concerned with the wholeness of a system, it is a belief that components of a Whole are interconnected and that anything affecting a part of the whole will affect the rest of the Whole. It is basically a belief that everything in a system works together and nothing is separate.

Holistic approaches to preventative pet care are becoming very popular among pet owners and even the scientific community has begun to embrace the concept. Many conventional veterinary practices are becoming more open to utilizing holistic approaches to help cure their patients. Some veterinary practices are even offering alternative treatments and working with chiropractors, nutritionists, acupuncturists, herbalists, massage therapists and ayurdvedic practitioners to satisfy their clientele's demand for healthy and safe medical alternatives for their pets. Because prevention is always better than the cure (and considerably cheaper), more and more pet owners have been looking into alternative ways of maintaining their pet's health and quality of life.

One of the most important aspects of holistic pet care is nutrition. Providing your pet with a healthy and nutritious diet is one of the best ways of preventing disease and health problems. Avoiding hard to digest items in poorly designed pet food is crucial if you want to build your pet's health and boost his immune system.

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The intestinal tracts of pets aren't designed to handle toxic buildups resulting from chemical and bacterial substances. Feeding your pet a nutritionally poor diet or one that is full of preservatives and chemicals will result in chronic illnesses and health problems further down the line. Harmful substances collect and buildup in your pet's kidneys and liver and fester there until they affect every other organ in the dog's system.

Another important part of holistic medicine is emotional stress. Dogs are vulnerable to stress just like us and lowering their levels of emotional stress helps them both physically as well as mentally.

Many professional dog trainers have started using holistic approaches in their training methods and when assessing a dog, they will examine the animal's diet. There have been many instances when formerly aggressive dogs were made calmer and more manageable simply by improving their diet. Toxins in food can result in dramatic behavioral problems and offering dogs a balanced and nutritious diet can make a big difference in a dog's temperament.

The nervous system plays a major role in the wellbeing of the Whole and acupuncture, acupressure as and massage have been used for centuries to cure many chronic and debilitating conditions. These alternative therapies have been gaining a lot of traction among pet owners despite the fact that there is no scientific explanation available about why these therapies seem to work so successfully.

Small rodents to zoo animals have made seemingly miraculous recoveries after being treated holistically and veterinarians have become more curious and interested in exploring these therapies in their practices. An increasing number of formerly skeptic veterinarians are becoming open to the idea of holistic care especially since holistic approaches don't involve any negative side effects.

Chiropractic therapy, acupressure, acupuncture and massage have become very popular forms of treatment among sport dog owners as these treatments have been shown to protect athletic dogs from injuries. These alternative approaches also serve to fine tune a dog's nervous system allowing him to perform more efficiently.

Aromatherapy has also been used in treating animals with some success. As animals very sensitive olfactory senses, this makes a lot of sense.

An appropriate exercise program is an integral part of holistic pet care and your dog's health.

Last but definitely not least is the fact that when our dogs are unwell we stress and worry, so keeping your dog healthy and happy will help you be healthy and happy as well!

Natural Dog Care: A Complete Guide to Holistic Health Care for Dogs

All pet dogs should be treated as members of our family and adequate attention must be paid to the canine's health. Sometimes dogs become sick but may not look so. It is very important to recognize and understand dog illnesses symptoms.

Since prevention is a better cure, we must learn something about dog illnesses and symptoms so we can better understand their conditions. This will help us recognize some common dog illnesses. If appropriate and adequate vaccinations are administered to the puppies, most of the common dog illnesses can be easily prevented.

Some elementary observations are useful to recognize certain common dog illnesses. Dogs take a lot of sleep but their sleep is marked by alertness. If a dog is sluggish then there may be various causes contributing to it, right from anemia to old age. If the dog is limping then you should check for prospective painful areas using a firm and yet gentile hand. Check out for any signs indicating lameness from time to time.

The appetite of the dog is bound to be affected by ill health. Look for any signs of loss of appetite. An important sign of dog health problems is excessive thirst. A pronounced weight loss is also an indicator of ill health. Check the eyes for any ulcers, discharges, veins or sores.

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The mouth of a healthy dog is pink. There should not be any discoloring or cavities in the teeth. Look for signs of discharge from ears. It is advisable to clean the ears from time to time. The dog's head should be regularly checked for sore patches, hair loss, or deep wounds.

Investigate the limbs and trunk for the same signs. If the dog is vomiting, there may be various underlying problems. If the body temperature of your dog is not between the range 38 to 39 Celsius it is an indication of some kind of illness. Check the female dogs for any kind of foul smelling vaginal discharge, which needs attention of a vet.

The symptoms of pain and discomfort experienced by a dog can give us many clues about the possible underlying illness. If the dog is suffering any abdominal pain, it may be due to canine hepatitis, enteritis or it can be a simple case of constipation. The abdominal swelling dogs indicate canine bloat and roundworms in puppies. Aggression of the dog may be caused by rabies. Roundworms, tapeworms, and whipworms my cause anemia in dogs. Any behavioral changes in dog can be an indicator of hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms, canine arthritis, heart disease, canine, or parvovirus.

Kidney diseases sometimes cause blood in urine. Eye infections and entropion cause bloodshot eyes in dogs. A ruptured diaphragm, obstructed airway, lungworm, bronchitis, pneumonia, food poisoning, heatstroke, allergies can cause respiratory problems in dogs.

There are various reasons of sudden change in weight of dogs like heart disease to heartworms. Hernia might be caused due to long term constipation in dogs. Allergies, parvovirus, hepatitis, lungworm, TB, pneumonia or distemper may be one of the reasons of coughing in dogs. Cannine parvovirus can also cause dehydration in dogs. Any pancreatic disorder, food poisoning can give rise to diarrhea in dogs. The dog may suffer from hair loss due to mange, red mange demodectic, scabies, cheyletiella mange, or cushings syndrome.

If dog indicates any signs of failing genital bleeding, persistent constipation, projectile vomiting, fainting, hair loss, seizure, stumbling, trauma, trembling, mouth bleeding, rectal bleeding, lethargy, shaking, urinating problems contact a dog care specialist.

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