Easy to make, using everyday objects to create some great homemade dog toys
British weather being as delightful as it is - there's often days where you look out of the window at the torrential rain and shudder at the thought of going outside. You drop (what was) Rover's favourite toy in front of him and he looks up at you as if to say, "not this old thing again"?
Rather than constantly purchasing new toys - try some homemade dog toys that will keep their minds occupied. Obviously these toys will depend on how destructive your dog is - if he's a prolific chewer make sure you have a stag antler or kong to chew on for dreary wet days!
There is many reasons why dog toys are important, first and foremost, they are fun! But also, they will encourage your dog not to chew and destroy furniture/shoes/socks/childs favourite teddy bear etc. (As the pictures below demonstrate)
Here are our top ten homemade dog toys for dogs of all ages.
1. Stitching required. If you have an old pair of jeans you were going to toss - here's a great opportunity to make a sturdy dog toy. Cut four identical squares from the cloth (denim is best) and lay them out. You want to stitch them together as a cube, leaving one side "open" to stuff with something crackly (cellophane), something noisy (mashed up old water bottle) or use your imagination! Once you stitched 5 sides of the cube together, turn it inside out so the stitching is on the inside, stuff with the product of your choice and then stitch closed. It is recommended you stitch over your initial stitches 4 or 5 times for extra strength. Commence play!
2. Paper towel/toilet paper tubes with peanut butter smeared inside. In fact anything with peanut butter smeared inside it! Try inserting the tubes into a sock for added complexity.
3. Cottage cheese containers or empty yogurt cups with about an inch of chicken broth frozen at the bottom. This isn't ideal for strong chewers - this would be ideal for puppies or toy/lap dogs
4. Empty cardboard boxes with dog treats inside. Cut holes just big enough for the treats to fall out when they turn the box around or over. Tape it shut with duct tape.
5. Put an empty plastic water bottle inside an old sock - preferably a long ski type sock. When chewed, this makes a crunching sound that most dogs seem to find quite satisfying. You can add more value by inserting kibble type treats inside and the dog has to work to get them out.
6. A giant knot. Take a long piece of fabric and tie a knot in it. Tie another knot around that first knot. Repeat till you rub out of fabric. Ensure the knots are extremely tight (you could also hide a few bits of kibble inside but it's unlikely they would ever get it out) Once you are done, cut off the excess fabric from either end and you have a throwing and chewing ball! In summer you could soak the knot in boullion or chicken stock and freeze which would be a lovely cooling treat.
7. Compact some bubble wrap (without allowing it to pop) and encase it in duct tape. This is a great toy for dogs who are strong chewers and would get through a toilet roll or yoghurt pot within seconds.
8. Old sock stuffed with kibble and knotted. This one does get a little messy - you will have to throw the sock out as the kibble juice will stain the sock forever but this one was extremely popular!
9. Take an old dish towel and cut it in half width wise, then tie it in a knot. This makes a really simple cloth toy with knots to amuse them. An alternative is to take the dish towel (or regular towel) and cut it into strips - braiding instead of tying in knots. You can use dish towel, regular towels or even denim (another use for those old jeans!)
10. Get an old tennis ball and cut it from east to west, about halfway round so when you squeeze it, the ball opens. Place treats that will fall out of the gap when squeezed by your dog. This way he has to learn to squeeze the ball in a certain way to release the treats. A great mental stimulation toy.

we hope you enjoyed this article, if you would like to share your creations, have dog toy idea's of your own or just want to share photo's of your dog come join us on our free forum http://forum.dogzforlife.com
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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.

Pet Gates for Your Dog: The Case for Necessity
If you are reading this article, chances are that you have a pet (and very likely a dog) that you're thinking you need to contain to a space, or perhaps you're thinking about getting a dog and want to prepare beforehand. You most probably will need a pet gate for your dog, and here's why...
Protecting Your Children
Most definitely the most likely reason for people investing in pet gates (many people need more than one to accommodate their households) is due to the fact that you either have, or are planning on soon having a child / children. This is absolutely a valid concern, and you were right to consider it.
Many of you may have untrained dogs, and with an untrained dog there is always the latent possibility of unpredictable behaviour (this still is the case, even with a trained dog, however small the probability) such as jumping or attacking, and with a small child about, this is no good!
When a dog is in your company, as the adult owner - I think you can control it and protect your small children from it within range, but if you ever walk out the room for example: this is not a good risk. In fact, we would even recommend keeping your dog in a confined space totally separate from your child, and this is where a pet gate is simply a must.
Containing Your Dog to a Specific Area
Aside from the safety of your children, sometimes you may just want to relax with a little time away from your dog, however charmingly gorgeous and affectionate she is!
Many dogs can be relaxed and well behaved, and fairly chilled out even without training; it depends entirely on breed, genetics and upbringing of that dog - but we know that many of you out there have trouble controlling your dog, and the consistently excitable nature can sometimes be a little draining and overwhelming. Installing a simple pet gate can help ease this problem and give you, and your dog, a tad of separation in needs of more personal space and comfort.
You may wish to keep your dog in your kitchen; downstairs or upstairs, and a lot of people aren't too fond of leaving their beautiful dog outside in the cold, or the rain. A pet gate is a fantastic alternative that means you don't have to shove him out in the winter's air, but can still have a little room to breathe. If your dog is a jumper, we'd recommend an extra-high gate, in case they jump over.
Pet gates also allow your dog to roam more freely in its own space. Dogs, although often very affectionate - also love their territory, and giving them their own undivided area to strut around in now and then may very well benefit your dog's sense of self.
The Types of Pet Gates
Pet gates are often wood or metal. Wood is often a choice often based more in aesthetic concern, so if that is important for you - you may want to consider that. Metal gates are longer-lasting and in a sense more durable, and may also be a safer alternative to wood gates where your child could potentially inherit a splinter after long wear and tear of the gate.
Pressure-mounted
Pressure-mounted pet gates are very popular due to the ease of installing them and moving them.
Essentially, a pressure-mounted gate sits between two points (two walls) and does not require any special tools or hardware to fit. They stay in place by way of a spring pressure mechanism that will result in a sturdy, but easily removable fitting. You may want to consider this option if you plan on moving the gate around or taking it travelling with you.
Hardware-mounted
Hardware-mounted gates are a more solidified option; a hardware-mounted pet gate is affixed to your wall permanently and will require tools to fit; an advantage of hardware-mounted is the solidity of the fitting, meaning your dog or child won't be able to knock it out of place.
One potential downside to this option of course would be the inconvenience of ever having to move or uninstall the pet gate, which will inevitably damage your walls.
Extra-Wide
If you are looking to cover a space larger than a hallway or stairway, you may want to be covering an entire living room section for example; you will need an extra-wide gate.
Dimensions and Protection: Pet Gates for Your Dog
Whatever the kind of pet gate you need to necessitate your specific homely needs, we are sure we have a solution for you. We are animal lovers and experts in pet gate,
Give you, your dog, and your children some space dimension, and protection.
There's the cheeky woofer pouncing your leg already! What are you waiting for?

You can visit http://www.southerndogsupplies.com to obtain any kind of pet gate that will meet your needs.There are expandable swing gates, easy closure pressure mounted gates, easy swing and lock wall mounted matte bronze gates, easy close gates, extra tall deluxe easy close gates, wide wire mesh gates, wide stairway swing gates, and walk-thru gates just to name a few.

Understanding the social behavior of dogs is not easy, but it is very important to understand it if you have a dog in your home. You have to look at their ancestors first if you want to understand the social behavior of your dog. Dogs are descendent of tamed wolves, some even came from breeding a type of wild dog. Looking to all this fact you can tell that dogs are a pack animal and fairly social that like the company of other animals or even the humans. That's why dogs associate with the family they live with very easily.
It is in their gene that make them a perfect social animal that enjoy the company of their owner and his family. Since they are descendents of pack animal where each pack have its pack leader that control and maintain everything in the pack, dogs need to learn to see and value their owner as a pack leader in order to behave properly. Every theory of the pack animal applies to them so you will need to learn that to connect with your dog properly and make the a well behaved dog. As in the pack a canine alpha refuses to take instructions and orders from an omega, they also refuse to take instructions if they don't see their master as a superior power. This is reason why a dog trainer is able to train the difficult dogs and turn them into obedient and well behaved dog easily.
Another important behavior you need to understand is their territorial behavior, they are very determined to maintain their territory, and it is why most of the dogfights happen. They try to claim a territory on a natural ground and a dominant dog will not like if some unknown dog is trying to claim a new territory in from of them. Dogs implants their scent on the ground as a marking to claim the territory and they do that by urinating, spraying anal gland, or scratching the ground to implant their body scent in the ground.
Because of all these traits, dogs can be a great companion when they are trained properly. They see their owners as an alpha that will protect him in any situation, the dog feels safe with the owner. As a part of the pack when an owner instructs the dog to do something he obey the order, but if he doesn't see the owner as an alpha he sees himself as an alpha and most of the time they try to establish new territories and become disobedient and violent.
Dogs are canine, they are generally a social being and ready to accept and forming a close bond with each other. That's why they socialize with humans so easily, they see all the family member of the owner as pack members and they respect them and be friends with them, it's in their nature. As in the pack alpha protects the pack and when alpha is in danger the pack members protect the alpha this is the same reason dogs protect their owner and their family.
There is no wonder why the dogs behave the way they do, and there is no double that human can't get a good companion that a dog.

Gerrard Floyd is a pet expert who has been writing on the benefits, challenges, and methodology of pet ownership for over five years. His areas of expertise include canine, feline, and reptile care as well as animal psychology. If you are interested in more information on Understanding The Social Behavior of Dogs, please visit http://www.worldpetstore.com, a supplier of high quality pet food, grooming supplies, and toys.