Choosing Between a Male and Female Dog
Some dog owners claim that males are typically more aggressive and destructive, particularly in small spaces. Female dogs are said to be easier to train and more affectionate.
Depending on the dog breed, these stereotypes may be true or not. Choosing a female dog means either taking the initiative to spay, or deal with the issue of the dog being in heat. Failure to take action for doggie birth control means that you’re constantly trying to find homes for cute litters of puppies.
Female dogs don’t have menopause, so unlike the human female, dogs can have puppies practically all their lives. You’ll spend weeks every year trying to guard your female from males who can catch the scent from blocks away. On the other hand, if you have a pure bred dog that you want to breed, then having a female dog can become a financial advantage.
Male dogs insist on marking their territory, whether it’s around your house or in the yard. They do this by urinating on their “spot” so they can find it again. You can try to train a dog not to mark his territory, but you’re asking him to go against his instincts.
If you have another male dog in the house, expect a battle for who rules the house, particularly if both want to be alpha dogs. Even a smaller male dog will challenge or irritate the larger male - just to prove who was in the house first.
Dogs of opposite genders tend to get along better than dogs of the same gender. While female dogs are not as vicious toward each other as male dogs, some females don’t want to share their space with another dog.
Female dogs are generally easier to house train than male dogs, although that can vary by breed and by the skill of the dog trainer. Male dogs are seen as more lively and active, but certain breeds are “high strung” in both males and females.
Ask the average person shopping for a dog and you’ll find many are looking for a female dog. They probably believe the notion that female dogs are less aggressive and easier to train.
However, they forget that female dogs can be highly temperamental. Breeders tend to favor male dogs as an easier pet to manage. Gender isn’t the only predictor (or even a good predictor) of how a dog will behave.
Breeds that are known to be calm and tolerant, tend to be that way whether male or female. Other breeds that are feisty, nippy and difficult to handle are that way for males and females.
Since there’s no scientific evidence that predicts the characteristics of males compare with females, then the decision about dog gender is essentially subjective. Chances are, your memories of a childhood pet or a friend’s pet that you wish you had is what’s influencing your choice now.
Maybe you recall the gentle female Collie who lovingly cared for litter after litter of puppies as the ideal dog. Or you think about the rough and tumble large male dog that could run hard, play tirelessly and keep up with the most inquisitive children. If that’s what leads you to decide whether a male or female is the best dog to have, then go with your feelings. For you, that will be the right choice.
April 19, 2008
Hard To Spell, Easy To Feed Canidae Dog Food
Canidae dog food and Feliadae cat food are gourmet lines of pet food that features human grade food ingredients. Canidae dog food is not to be confused with Canine Caviar dog food, affected by the massive pet food recall of early 2007. Since food allergies are on the rice in pet dogs, Canidae dog food is not made with corn, wheat, soy or artificial preservatives that make up the bulk of ingredients in most other brands of dog food. Instead, they feature meat – what a concept in dog food!
The Difference
The most obvious difference between Canidae dog food and a brand like Alpo is the price. This is premium food, and consequentially carries a much higher price tag. Your dog will probably gobble Alpo just as willingly as Canidae. So, what’s the big difference? Alpo is junk food, made of sugar, salt and anything swept off a slaughterhouse’s floor. It is also loaded with “fillers” that make a bulk of the food that include hard to digest but yummy items like corn, soy and wheat.
Your dog will not be able to digest Alpo or other cheap brands of dog food as well as a premium brand like Canidae dog food, because there’s just not a lot the dig’s body can use. Believe it or not, your dog will poop a lot less when eating a premium brand of highly digestible dog food rather than junk food like Alpo.
Different Dogs Need Different Food
Man shall not live by bread alone and neither can dogs. Dogs have differing nutritional needs throughout their lives. Growing puppies and highly active dogs like police dogs need high protein, high calorie foods. Senior dogs, who are slowing down, don’t need the diet they had when they were younger. If you continue to give them this diet, they will get very fat and develop health complications from their excess fat.
Canidae dog food realizes this and helps you select the best nutrition for your dog, no matter what stage of life he or she is in. They have lines for puppies, adults, workers and seniors (PAWS). They even have a line for overweight dogs (don’t say “diet” around your dog – they seem to know what it means).
Canidae dog food comes in canned food and dry kibble. The flavors are chicken, lamb, turkey and fish. Beef and pork are considered too high fat and too contaminated by growth hormones to be of much benefit to dogs. Some dogs don’t seem to mind beef or pork, but if your dog develops a food or skin allergy, then high fat food will greatly aggravate their condition.
April 17, 2008
Why You Should Choose Black Gold Dog Food
It can be difficult deciding on a dog food for your dog, especially today as there are literally hundreds of different brands and varieties of foods to choose from. When it really comes down to it however, there are only a few that really stand out from the bunch, one being Black Gold dog food.
They offer a number of premium blends, and they have found that their Black Gold dog food can outperform all the other dog food brands on the market today when considering results vs cost per pound.
Black Gold Dog Food Products
A few of their scientifically blended formulas that you can choose from are Ultimate Adult, Ultimate Performance, Super Blend, Field Trial Blend, Professional Blend, Kennel Blend, Ultimate Pup, Large Breed Pup Blend, Performance Blend, Trainers Blend, Lamb and Rice Blend, and Dog Forte.
The Ultimate Adult Black Gold dog food is especially popular and the best all around choice for grown dogs. It contains absolutely no corn, wheat, soy, by-products, fillers, artificial coloring, or chemical preservatives. The single source meat protein in this product is chicken meal, and other ingredients including rice, barely, fresh whole eggs, and naturally preserved chicken fat.
The Ultimate Pup is one of the best Black Gold dog food products for puppies, and includes omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids which help your dog maintain a healthy immune system. It also offers optimal carbohydrate sources for increased energy, and exceptional fiber source to help support your puppy’s digestive system.
Puppies have special nutritional needs, especially during their first few years, and this is why you need to make sure that the food you are feeding them is giving them the nutrients and vitamins to help them strive. The crunchy pieces provide great taste and excellent chewing exercise for your puppy, helping them to grow strong healthy teeth.
Black Gold dog food is definitely a great choice if you care about your dog’s nutrition, but there are other things you need to be concerned here with as well. You need to make sure your dog is getting lots of regular exercise for one, but also be sure to love and care for them as you would any other member of your family, as this is important to their emotional wellbeing.
We all love our pets, and to ensure that they live as long and healthy a life as possible, it is critical that you choose the right food.
April 15, 2008
Bad Dogs Are a Reflection of Their Owners
How often do you hear an owner shout, “Bad dog” when what really needs to be said is “Bad handler?” It’s irritating to be walking down the sidewalk in your own neighborhood only to have a dog jump up on your clean clothes.
Or your new neighbor has a huge dog that likes to leave piles of “calling cards” in your front yard. Are these bad dogs? These dogs are not anymore bad than the neighbor’s out of control kids. Why blame the dog (or the kids) when the adult who’s supposed to be in charge isn’t acting responsible?
Dogs need to be given limits for behavior inside the home, outside the home and while walking in public places. Inexperienced dog owners would be smart to find a dog trainer who can teach them how to properly handle the dog without breaking its spirit.
You could ask at the vet’s office or local pet stores for names of dog trainers who hold private or group sessions with the dog and owner, or you could instantly access an online course and nip dog behavioral problem in the bud right away.
Part of this training is to teach the owner how to handle the dog. At times, dog trainers will admit it’s easier to train the dog than the owner! Dogs that must be leash trained for walking in public or at the park need practice, which begins around the yard or in a smaller location.
Barking is a behavior that distresses owners and neighbors. Shouting or punishing the dog for engaging in normal dog communication (barking) is counterproductive - as well as confusing to the dog.
Often, dogs bark because they lack attention or need food and water. A barking dog can also be a strong deterrent to burglars, so completely suppressing the dog’s bark might not be in your best interest. Be careful not to laugh and playfully encourage a puppy to bark and then get angry at him months later when he barks louder as an adult dog.
Dog trainers can also teach you how to reinforce the behaviors that you want with both praise and treats. You need to know how to reward the dog so that he gets the correct message and repeats the desired behavior or ceases the less desirable behavior.
Most importantly, don’t expect a dog to learn a behavior that’s contradictory to his breed. If you want a certain behavior, then get a dog that can give you want you expect. Good dogs are developed by patience, persistence and kindness.
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