There are heart problems, depression, dental issues and other problems associated with the health of our lovely companions so follow simple health regime to keep the problems away. Dogs health care is also essential as their health will directly affect your as well as your kid's health. Therefore, learn the right methods of pet care and enjoy healthy mutual relation with the most trusted companion for years.
Pet dental care: People often ignore pet dental care which is very important for the overall growth and health of dogs. Like humans, these pets are also vulnerable to teeth problems like tartar and plaque build up and periodontal diseases and hence, pet dental care is of great importance. The oral hygiene must be given priority from the very first day and remember there is never too early to start a health regime. Pet dental care begins with what your dog eats; always prefer dry foods than moist as moist food lacks in certain vitamins and can also promote the growth of bacteria.
You can provide bones to your dogs to chew as it can naturally help your dog grow stronger teeth and keep the problems at bay. Besides, you can also use special dog brush and tooth-paste to clean the teeth of your pooch. If any of the dental problem persists even after intense care, then consult a veterinarian and follow what you are advised.
In fact, some dog breeds are more prone to dental problem than others and hence, you must know in which category your dog can be placed so that you can enjoy a healthy relationship with your pet for several years to come.
What else is included in dog health care: There are various stages of dog health care which is not only limited till pet dental care. You have to take care of your dog's digestive system and overall fitness. Pets need daily physical exercise in one or other form to keep their digestive system functional and their heart working. Take the pet out for a walk and encourage it to perform activities that can keep them active. Apart from this, pet grooming is essential to keep the pets healthy and active. Take proper care of their eyes, ears, hair coat and other parts of body to avoid major health complications.
There are various annual medicines and vaccination schemes available to keep the pets healthy, happy and active.

Author is an experienced content writer a big lover of pets. He loves to write articles on pets. He has written and published many articles on Pet Dental Care. In this article she has drawn her attention on Dogs health care - give your pet a healthy pain-free life.

While speaking to a potential client over the phone, she mentioned to me that her third dog had "fallen on their laps" as they had rescued this young pup from a really bad situation. For me there is no need in repeating the details of animal abuse... I know it happens, but repeating them with gory details makes me sick to my stomach and sends me into a Buddhist refrain: It is (life, circumstances) what it is. Truth be said that this mantra is about the only thing that can give me some consolation when I hear the sad state of affairs, especially when it involves the innocent - such as animals. So please excuse me if I stop you on your tracks should you begin to tell me about stories of abuse... la, la, la, I don't want to hear them as I put my hands to my ears, la, la, la, I sing to avoid hearing. I have some theories about why we feel the need to repeat these stories but I will not get into them in this post, instead I want to talk about what hearing about other people's dogs can sometimes do to me - this is regardless if they have been abused or not. As my client is describing the dog, which is a young rowdy pup - oh I love rowdy because I see so much potential! I begin to feel, well... jealous? In truth I begin to covet her pup. I want this pup for me! And this has happened on more than one occasion.
So it brings me to the next line of thought: How many dogs is one too many to share your life with? Notice I did not use the verb "own". How does one know (trainers: this question is specifically directed to you... ) when adding one more dog is really not such a great idea because you already have "x" number of dogs? Or you do not have the time to train and properly care for them? Or the money to take care of all the medical needs that sure enough will arise at some point in the life of the pup? It is, of course, a personal question that merits an individual response; this I get. I am not trying to sound moralistic. Then again, we do need to be aware of what dogs need in order to make their lives not just a bunch of days one followed by another, but truly great. I have some trainer friends (I love you all) that have been collecting dogs. They told me that what happened was that they got dog number "x" as an agility dog and their dog either was not as good as they thought - no one's fault, this happens, or their dog got old, injured etc. So instead of getting rid of their dog, which is completely fantastic, the dog continues to be a part of their family. And, they decide to get another dog in hopes that they can continue with agility, nose work, herding or whatever their passion in dog sports might be. I have other friends who have adopted a dog that they met when volunteering at a shelter.
One particular dog had some "issues" that a trainer friend of mine wanted to address. Big kudos from me to my friend because living and working with dogs that have severe "issues" is no picnic. Now, let's pause for a moment. Can anyone agree on what the right number of pets night be? I think not. Every household is different, pet parents are all different, with different goals, lifestyles and bank accounts. In addition, one might argue, dogs are social beings so having an always-there pal is kind of doggie-heaven for most of them, so bring them on! On a personal note, I am as big a sucker just as anyone of my friends that I'm writing about. I honestly feel warmth in the belly when I see photos of super cute puppies from the local shelter... which one do I want, which one do I want, can't decided... as if selecting a pastry or chocolate at the bakery. My compulsion is not only because pups are super cute (there is a reason for this too you know) but also because as a trainer I see potential - a challenge. I want to see this dog transformed into a very happy and well-behaved companion. Someone I want to spend a lot of time with.
It is kind of crazy isn't it? Now, having [only] two dogs - super cool both of them: Deuce and Rioja, I am coveting a very small dog. Think Chihuahua - a very different kind of dog for me. What is keeping me from adding this small creature to our family are simple practical things that only a Virgo of the worst kind (yes, I am a Virgo... kind of a drag) would consider. Where would he stay when the other two larger dogs are playing outside in the fenced-in-yard that has big enough holes that my (imaginary) Chihuahua could easily fit through? What about this little guy getting injured by a client's dog that has ill manners? Or if I am walking with Rioja (mid-size) and Deuce (a bit more than mid-size) will my small Chihuahua keep up? And how about if we come across coyotes? Besides my tedious ruminations, adding a third/ additional dog to a household unleashes a change in the dynamic already established by the resident dogs. With dogs there is without a doubt also a preference for friends and playmates and a real period of adjusting. Having to share toys, attention, resting places all take a toll on dogs. I guess the point of this "conversation" is not so much, at least at this point in the conversation, if should I get a third dog but experiencing my desire for yet another dog. Thinking about the logistics of everyday living has given me a mirror to my soul. Don't you believe that if we pay attention to our relationship with our animals, they have the capability to mirror back to us? For me at least, (would LOVE to hear what you folks out there experience... ) dogs are a perfect vehicle for reflection. My relationship with dogs (and specifically my dogs) ties me down in obligation but it also liberates me because I experience lots of joy. Our relationships also give me an opportunity to address my fears and aspirations, which in my book, is the hallmark of true friendship.

Almudena Ortiz Cue
http://www.chacodogtraining.com

So, you are thinking about getting a puppy, or maybe you have already brought home a cute little bundle of four-legged joy. For a puppy to become and remain a behaviorally well-balanced and thriving adult dog, there are many important aspects to consider, not the least one being that your new charge will have needs. Yes, your dog will have needs, and if those needs are not met, you will find yourself wondering, why is my dog being so bad? But the truth is, your dog isn't bad, he is just mentally and physically bored.
Now, dogs are not people, and they are not little children in fur coats (harm can come from treating them only as such), but they are sentient beings who have needs in much the same way that we humans have needs. Let us consider for a moment what it must be like for a dog whose needs for exercise, structure, and mental stimulation are not met by comparing their life to our own.
Imagine getting up in the morning, going to the restroom, eating breakfast, and then spending your entire day at home. You will be spending this time alone, with no books to read, no internet to surf, no facebook to check, no phone to call friends, no RPM class at the gym, and no Oprah or Ellen in the afternoon. If you are lucky, and I do mean lucky, you might get to walk around the block... but day after day, this is the life you will be living.
What if you have the physical stamina of a Lance Armstrong or a Mia Hamm? How long before you start to go stir crazy? A few months, a few days, or maybe even just a few hours?!
Now imagine that after many lonely hours of inactivity and boredom, you hear a sound at the door. Yea!! A family member has finally arrived home and you are starving for a reprieve from the monotony of your day. You run to the door with exuberance, jumping up into the arms of your loved one and knocking them over. They then yell at you for being so rude. You beg your loved one to take you somewhere, maybe to the park or for a swim at the lake, but they are so exhausted after a long day at work that they just don't have the time or the energy. It's time for them to prepare dinner, help the kids with their homework, sit in front of the t.v. for a few hours, and then go to bed. Tomorrow will be another day, just as dull as today.
I could easily go on, but I am sure by now we all get the point. Dogs are not stuffed animals used for decoration around the house, and yet sometimes we treat them as such. And then we wonder why they behave in ways that do not meet with our expectations. So what is a well-intentioned human to do for their four-legged friend? The answer is mental and physical stimulation! Mental stimulation includes teaching your dog skills in the form of obedience commands or tricks. Mental stimulation also means taking your dog places where they will see new things, smell new things, and touch new things. Yes, variety is one of the spices of life, for us as well as for our dogs! And the better behaved your dog is through training, the more places they are able to go. It's a synergistic process.
Then there is the all- important physical stimulation, also known as exercise. Healthy dogs need rigorous activity daily, and a walk around the neighborhood doesn't count as such. Once your dog is well versed in obedience skills, you can begin a dog sport such as Agility, Flyball, Dock-Diving, or Doggie Disc. For the best of both worlds, combine physical AND mental stimulation. For example, when you play with your dog, also incorporate their commands. A dog that is asked to perform both mentally and physically is a dog that will be far more worn out than a dog that is exercised without any mental stimulation. There is an axiom that holds true; a tired dog is a happy dog, and belongs to a happy owner.

Karen Smalley is co-owner of http://www.doggiedugood.com and has been helping dogs and their people throughout the Atlanta area for over 20 years. She has titled her Border Collie, Casey, to the highest level of Obedience Competition, and she is currently training her two year old Border Collie, Bodhi, in the sport of Flyball.

Adopting preloved dogs can add a wonderful dimension to your life. We adopted our first preloved dog a few years ago. And I have to tell you, it has been such a joy to have been able to give her a loving home. It is hard to believe that someone could have mistreated her so badly.
We have always had big dogs - and Bella is a Great Dane cross. Whenever I say that, people's eyes widen and the expression drains from their face. I always find myself following it up with "but she's not as big as a Great Dane".
The truth is, we don't know what she is crossed with. And this is one of the downfalls of adopting preloved dogs. You might never know exactly what breed they are, how old they are, their medical background, and more. It is a learning experience as you go along your journey together.
Bella was about one year old when she came to us. All the Vet could really say about her age was that she was more than 8 months because she had lost her baby teeth.
I won't go into the early year of her life, other than to say that she nearly died - twice.
I will say, preloved dogs often come with emotional baggage. And Bella is no exception. She takes a while to work up the courage to meet new people who come to our house. She is afraid of cardboard and plastic bags. And we had to learn to say the word "no" very calmly, instead of shouting it (the way we had to with our previous dog, an alpha-male German Shepherd).
It has been a learning experience for all of us - but in a good way. It has been very rewarding to give a loving and safe home for Bella and to watch her grow and blossom into the wonderful pet she always longed to be!
And she gives the love back ten-fold. It is such a joy to see her bursting with excitement when I come home from work every day.
Earlier I touched on Bella's traumatic start to life before she came to us. In truth, it is unlikely you will ever know the background of your preloved dog. We stumbled across her history by accident about a year after we got her. I had always felt we were doing something good for this beautiful, majestic animal. And knowing a little about her history made me treasure her even more.
If you are thinking of getting a dog, why not look into preloved dogs. We would definitely go down this road again one day. There are dog rescue groups, some of which specialise in particular breeds of dogs. Or there is the RSPCA (or SPCA), or your local dog shelters.
I urge you to check these out. Most dogs end up in facilities like these through no fault of their own, and all they want to do is be happy and make you happy. Why not give one a second chance at life and happiness!

Adopting preloved dogs is a way for you to give something back, to do something good, and to make a wonderful new friendship. It can be an immensely rewarding experience.
For more information, visit Preloved Dogs, the website inspired by Bella - my beautiful, majestic, preloved dog.