Everybody loves a baby animal and Westie puppies are adorable, but new dog purchasers often do not realize the commitment they are making when they bring a puppy home. For those want the companionship of Westies dogs, but do not have the knowledge or patience to endure the training process, rescuing an older Westie dog may be the right alternative.

When considering an older West highland terrier dog, the first thing that many people think is that they would be getting a dog with problems, either genetic problems common to Westies, or behavioral problems from improper training. The truth is, many Westie dogs go to shelters for reasons that have nothing to do with the dogs’ inherent qualities. Every year, dog owners die, move to retirement homes, change jobs, get divorced, have new babies, or, unfortunately, simply tire of the responsibility of caring for a dog.

The advantages of older dogs are many. They have already finished teething, and no longer feel the urge to chew holes in your shoes, rugs, and furniture. Westie dogs that are older have grown used to sleeping through the night while their people sleep, as opposed to westie puppies, who wake up and whine. Older pets will have already been housetrained and also should know the meaning of the word ‘no,’ making their continued training that much easier.

When you encounter a Westie puppy, you only have the breed standards to give you an idea of what kind of dog it will grow into. Although Westhighland dogs have a typical personality type, there are variations from dog to dog. The full-grown Westie is a know quantity. The Westie dog you meet is what you will get, and you can quickly determine if it will fit into your home.

It may seem like rescuing an older Westie provides you with an ‘instant dog,’ but that is not the case. At first they might become confused, upon arriving at a new home, and need to be reminded of their basic training. However, even allowing a few weeks of extra special care is easier and less stressful than the rigors of training a puppy.

(Disclaimer: Any information contained in this site relating to various medical, health and fitness conditions of Westies or other animals and their treatments is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own veterinarian. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing the health of any animal. You should always consult and check with your own vet or veterinarian.)

I do hope that you have found the article of use to you.

Good health and happiness

Jeff Cuckson
webmaster@madaboutwesties.com

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Want To Know How To Have The Healthiest
Happiest and Most Well Behaved Westie Puppies
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Obesity is one of the greatest health concerns facing dogs. You can and should do something about it. Overweight dogs may live shorter and less healthy lives and your enjoyment of their unconditional love and companionship may be shortened because of it.

Extra pounds place an excess burden on bones and joints and can make arthritis problems worse. Overweight dogs are less able to exercise and play comfortably and their breathing may be labored. Their bodies may be less able to resist infections, and they may be at greater risk for problems during surgery and anesthesia.

Potential health problems include:

• Joint or Locomotion Difficulties. Extra pounds add stress to joints, bones, ligaments and muscles. Conditions such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, spinal disc disease and ruptures of joint ligaments may be caused or aggravated by obesity.

• Heart and Respiratory Disease. Excess fat tissue in the chest cavity and around the muscles of the heart can decrease the efficiency of the heart and lungs. Your dog?s heart and lungs have to work harder to provide adequate oxygen and circulation.

• Diabetes. Just as in humans, diabetes is much more common in obese dogs.

• Liver Disease. Obese dogs are prone to liver disease.

• Heat Intolerance. The insulating properties of excessive fat make it harder for obese dogs to tolerate heat and they feel uncomfortable.

• Skin Problems. Obese dogs may have trouble grooming because the rolls of skin built up by fat deposits can often harbor dirt, bacteria and other harmful organisms.

• Gastrointestinal Disorders. Inflammation of the pancreas is frequently found in obese dogs. It is painful and can be life threatening.

How Dogs Become Overweight?

Dogs most always become overweight from lack of good exercise and from eating more food than they require. Food calories, which aren?t burned during their daily activities, are stored as fat.

Overeating can result from greediness, boredom, or overfeeding. Feeding leftovers or giving frequent snacks or treats often contributes to excess weight problems.

Over-fed puppies tend to become overweight dogs. They also have a greater risk of developing orthopedic problems. Properly feed puppies will be less likely to suffer from weight problems later in life.

Occasionally, metabolic disorders can cause a dog to become overweight. But overfeeding and under exercising are much more common causes of excess weight. If your veterinarian suspects that a metabolic disorder is causing your dog to gain weight, he or she will test for that disorder and treat it accordingly.

How Can I Tell if My Dog is Overweight?

A quick check to determine whether your dog is overweight is to feel his ribs with the flat palm of your hand. If you have difficulty feeling his ribs, then your dog probably needs to lose weight.

Helping Your Dog Lose Weight.

Weight loss for most dogs involves increased exercise and eating food with fewer calories. It?s generally easier to feed normal amounts of a low-calorie dog food than to feed much smaller amounts of his/her regular dog food. In addition, your dog will not feel as hungry when fed a normal amount of food

Dieting for Dogs.

Your vet will help set a weight goal for your dog and will recommend how much food he should eat each day. A special diet may also be prescribed. The food choice should be designed to satisfy your dog?s appetite and provide him all the vitamins and minerals he needs while at the same time helping him to lose weight.

Your dog may need a gradual transition from the old to the new diet. So, you would feed him increasing amounts of the new diet while decreasing the amounts of the previous diet each day over several days until the transition is complete.

To help keep your dog from begging, feed him before your family eats, and keep him out of the room during your meal. It is also a good idea to feed overweight dogs at the same time as other pets to help prevent food stealing from their slimmer companions. Always provide plenty of clean, fresh drinking water.

Regular exercise, such as walks or runs, is good for most dogs because it increases the number of calories they burn. If your dog is old or in poor health, check with your vet before increasing exercise.

The time period your dog will require to lose weight depends upon how much weight he is required to lose. Your dog may need 8 to 14 weeks or longer to reach his target weight.

What Type of Dog Food is Good for Weight Control?

A dieting dog has special nutritional needs. His diet should be balanced with a proper ratio of protein, fat and carbohydrates. The diet should also provide a normal volume of food to satisfy his hunger and the food should also provide quality nutrients.

Weight loss plans don?t need to include high levels of fiber. Fiber is not necessary for weight loss in pets, and in large amounts, it may have side effects such as increased feces and lack of interest in the food because of its poor taste.

We recommend Canine Zone ? a revolutionary weight loss dog food based on Dr. Barry Sears? Zone Diet. Millions of people all over the world have improved their health and have lost weight on Dr. Barry Sears? Zone Diet. Now you can get your dog in ?The Zone?. Canine Zone is based on the Zone?s 30-30-40 ratio of protein, fat and carbohydrates. This revolutionary new dog food will help your dog achieve a balance so his or her body can operate at its maximum efficiency while shedding unwanted pounds.

Always consult with your vet before you start a weight loss program for your dog.

About The Author

Bev Storer is a writer and researcher in the field of nutrition and nutritional supplements. To learn more about Canine Zone, go to http://www.dog-food-zone.com or e-mail her directly at info@dog-food-zone.com.

Theres a horse show across the state in a few weeks, and youre planning on being there with your horses. However, its been awhile since you last pulled a horse trailer, and youre a little concerned about your trailering skills. After all, you want to arrive at your destination safely, with the horses as calm and relaxed as possible.

Guiding a loaded horse trailer down a country road or highway requires practical experience and know-how. Theres very little room for error. What do you do to ensure a safe, uneventful journey?

How to Ensure Safe Trailering

If youre out of practice, or if youve never towed a trailer before, obtaining adequate personal experience prior to the actual event is of the utmost importance. Just as if you were learning to drive for the first time, you should begin by practicing basic driving skills before getting out in traffic with the trailer.

The more experienced you become, the more prepared you will be for anything that may potentially happen. With more confidence and a higher level of awareness and preparedness, you should be better able to handle any unexpected situation that comes along.

Find a level field or a parking lot in which to practice. Mark your course with several highway cones, then, set out to work on the following driving skills:

Ready for the Highway

After youve practiced all the basic driving skills while pulling your horse trailer and you feel confident in your ability to handle the rig safely, youre ready to test your skills out on the road.

Try towing your trailer for short distances, at first. Make sure that you feel comfortable with turning corners in traffic, with backing your trailer, with parking on a grade, and with being able to stop your trailer quickly (should the need arise). Once you are confident in your towing abilities, youre ready to travel any distance with your horses.

Just remember to always be alert when out on the roads. Drive defensively and be prepared for any possible situation.

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Why should you bother to name your dog? Well, everybody does, and its cute to be able to choose a suitable name you can use to call your puppy. It just seems right. But dog trainers will tell you there is much more to naming your dog than that. Above all, you use your dog’s name to start every communication you have with your dog. It’s how he knows to pay attention to what you have to say. Amid everything else that may be going on around you and your dog, its how you make contact. And yes, it just seems right because its how people naturally talk to each other as well. Listen to how your children almost always start their conversations with you by getting your attention first. They will say Mom or Dad first. That way they make contact with you, and just you, out of all the other people in the room, and you will stop and pay attention to what they have to say – well, most of the time, anyway!

Naming your puppy is more than just fun, then, it’s vital to your future communication with your puppy. Right from the start, you should get your puppy used to his name, and make a firm habit of starting every conversation with him by using his name. You want him to learn to listen up and pay attention whenever he hears his name. You are going to be giving your commands with his name first, like: Buddy – Fetch, Blue – Sit, Fido – Come, or Lassie – Stay. That way if you are having a family conversation about going for a walk, your dog will not be alerted that you are talking to him and have reason to get excited. That is until you call his name and send him off to fetch his walking lead. Mind you, your dog is smart, and if you have a similar conversation before every time you give him that command and take him for a walk he will soon figure out the association! Now we have a purpose for a name, what sort of name should we choose? First off, eliminate all the commands you might use: stay, sit, stand, walk, come, fetch, and so on. And avoid any duplication or similarity with other names being used in your family circle. Avoid Red if you already have a Fred, for example. Other common words that often enter your family’s every day conversation are also best avoided. The name has to be distinctive, and just for getting the attention of that one puppy. Confusion will follow if your puppy hears his name when its not being used to call him to attention.

Next, you should choose a short name that can’t be abbreviated. Calling him Macgregor one minute and Mac the next is another path to confusion. Its best to limit the name to three syllables at most, preferably only one or two. If your puppy has a formal pedigree he may have a very long name given to him by his breeder. Leave that on his papers and for the show ring, and start afresh for his day-to-day name. Remember you will have to call him from afar at times. A short sharp name that will carry will make that a lot easier for you. And a name you will not be embarrassed to have your neighbors hear you yelling out may be wise as well. Perhaps you should think carefully before choosing a name like Dumbo, or anything a little on the rude or politically incorrect side! That is why short and sharp names like Pal, King, Queen, Ace, Prince, Red, Spot, Mutt, Spike, Jess and Joe have been popular over the years. Some families like their dog to inherit a name from an earlier family dog. You may instead want to choose a name that reflects your puppy’s own unique character. Often a puppy’s behavior or appearance will suggest a name: Dash, Digger, Patch, Snow, Rolly or Bossy are examples. The breed and the country it came from may suggest a name: perhaps the classic Fifi for a poodle, or Danny for an Irish setter. Also keep in mind that cute little ball-of-fluff puppy will grow up. A huge and proud Great Dane hardly fits a cute puppy name like Fluffy anymore! Your choice of name should last your dog’s lifetime. Especially if you have a young family, popular movie, music, book or cartoon characters and stars will come to the fore in your name discussions. And news headlines, villains, heroes and fashions come and go. These sources of ideas keep refreshing your choices of names beyond the traditional well-used range. By all means be different!

What if you are adopting a stray dog? Try as many commonly used dog names as you can think of and see if one of them makes your dog immediately pay attention to you. You may just get lucky and find he was well trained to respond to his old name. It?s worth the effort. It could save you a lot of training work. But you will almost certainly have to retrain your dog to the commands you want to use anyway. Teaching him to respond to a new name is just one of the steps. Take your time over your choice of name for your dog. You will use it a lot over your dog’s lifetime. If it seems to fit your dog comfortably, and is distinctive and practical to use, your dog and his name will soon become inseparably identified with each other.

Shelby Wright grew up working with sheep herding dogs, and later bred and showed gun dogs. For more information on easy and effective ways you can train your dog at home see Shelby’s reviews of internet dog training programs. Shelby also contributes private label rights articles to PLRWrittenArticles and writes an information products review blog.

The next time you go away, whether it’s for business or pleasure, you might want to consider hiring a pet sitter to come into your home to care for your pets. Employing the services of a professional pet sitter will allow your pet to stay comfortable in his own home, gives you peace of mind knowing he’s safe and in capable hands, and frees you from having to rely on friends or relatives. Before you hand over your keys and wave goodbye to Rover and Fluffy though, take time to educate yourself about pet sitters and the services they provide. Interview a few pet sitters, get to know them a bit, and ask questions. Find out about their experience, how frequently they’ll visit your pets, how long visits last, what they’ll do while with your pets, how they’ll handle emergencies, and fees. In addition to general information about their services, you’ll want to cover a few very important points, as listed below.

Insurance and/or bonding: This won’t prevent accidents from happening but it will protect you and the pet sitter to a certain extent should a mishap occur. Most sole proprietors are insured, and most services that employ pet sitters are bonded and insured. It’s a good idea to ask for proof of insurance.

Pet emergency provisions: If your pet becomes ill when you’re away, it’ll be important for your pet sitter to know what measures to take if you cannot be reached. He or she should have your vet’s contact information, and the type of treatment and/or amounts you authorize if you cannot be contacted.

Pet sitter emergency procedures: Ask what measures will be taken if your pet sitter becomes ill and is unable to care for your pets, if he or she is unable to get to your home due to inclement weather, or in the event of a natural disaster.

Key security: Ask how the key will be identified and stored. Keys should not be attached to anything with your name or address on it, and when not in use, ideally they should be kept secure in a locked safe or other secure enclosure. Most pet sitting businesses will also offer to keep your key for future pet sitting assignments.

Contracts and other forms: Be sure that your pet sitter provides you with a written contract detailing such things as dates, times, services agreed upon, emergency procedures, key security, rates, etc.

References: Ask for names and contact information for a few clients. Take time to talk to these people and ask about their experiences and whether or not they’d hire that particular pet sitter again. Many pet sitters are also happy to give references from other pet care professionals such as veterinarians, groomers, or trainers.

Pet issues: Inform your prospective pet sitter of any health problems, behavioral issues, or other important factors regarding your pets. Giving your pet sitter as much information as you can about your pet will enable her to give the best care possible.

Home issues: As with pet issues, be sure to inform your pet sitter of any oddities about your home that may arise in your absence (toilet that overflows, doors that don’t lock properly, security alarms, etc.).

Because pet sitting is a personal service, you and your pet need to be comfortable with the person you invite into your home. Look for a sense of professionalism with a personal touch, be sure to take into account your gut feeling, and observe your pet’s reaction to the pet sitter you interview. With a little bit of preparation and investigation, your pet will be able to stay safely in his own home while you’re away, and will be there to eagerly greet you with love and affection when you return.

To locate a pet sitter, dog walker, or dog daycare in your area, or to learn more about the services they provide, go to http://www.petsitusa.com.

2005 PetsitUSA.com All rights reserved.

Therese Kopiwoda is a professional pet sitter and the owner of PetsitUSA.com. Founded in 2003, PetsitUSA.com allows pet owners to locate professional pet sitters, dog walkers, and dog daycares, and learn about the services they provide. For more information, go to http://www.petsitusa.com.

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As a dog owner or potential dog owner, you will appreciate the importance of being able to provide your dog with a safe area to exercise and spend time in. A lot of people achieve this with the use of a fence. You can get chain or wooden dog fences, invisible dog fences and electronic dog fences.

A fence will offer you peace of mind when your dog is outside. If you are thinking of getting a fence, you will need to know that you have got the right one if you are to have that peace of mind.

In the main, dog fences come in three types. There are wooden dog fences, chain link dog fences and the invisible or electric dog fence.

Wooden Fence

Wooden fences are usually hard wearing and look nice if looked after properly. They often fit in well with your surrounding area and are usually inoffensive. The down side to this type of fence is that they can be very costly both to buy and to maintain. Regular treatments are needed to prevent rot although more expensive ones will have a fungicidal treatment in to give a longer life.

It doesn’t usually take long for a dog to work out that they can dig under a wooden fence. Relying on the fence alone will not be enough and for a persistent dog. An additional see through mesh can be used to prevent a dog from getting underneath.

Chain Link Fence

A chain link fence won’t rot and will be harder wearing. They can also be pegged to the ground to discourage dogs from digging underneath. One of the main disadvantages though, is that they are more unsightly and often housing associations may object to the use of a chain fence. A chain fence can be put to good use, if it can be disguised by a hedge or similar. That way the containment is achieved without the eye sore.

Invisible dog fence or electronic dog fence

This system works by having an invisible wire which you extend around the perimeter of the area that you want to keep your dog contained in. The wire is difficult to see as a casual observer. The dog is fitted with a radio collar which is designed to warn the dog when it approaches the wire.

This system has distinct disadvantages. Firstly, what happens if the batteries fail in the collar? Your dog will be free to roam anywhere it likes. Secondly, although good at keeping your dog in, these invisible dog fences do nothing to keep any other animals from entering your land. This brings me onto the third and most important point. If your dog is chased over the wire by a more dominant dog that has entered your land or your dog is chasing a ball or stick and inadvertently strays over the wire, the dog will not be able to return as they will get warned away as they approach your property. This is far from ideal and may leave your dog isolated, away from the family.

Apart from tying your dog up which many dog owners don’t want, a persistent dog will try and find any way possible to escape containment if that is what they want. The best method is to ensure your dog doesn’t have the urge to run away. Some dogs naturally want to stay with the family whilst other dogs need more training. Use a dog fence as a cautionary measure, do not depend on it. Solve the root of the problem first.

Article By Andrew Strachan. Find lots more information about dog fences and different types of dogs at http://www.types-of-dogs.com Lots of help and advice too.

City walks are the principle form of exercise for urban pets. Try to find a nearby park or enclosed area where you can let your dog stretch his legs for a few minutes, off the lead. If this is impossible, buy an extra-long leash and seek a safe spot where he can roam within its limits. This is unfortunately easier said than done, since more and more cities are banning dogs from wider areas. Dog owners can strengthen their position by respecting a few rules when walking their pets on the street.

- Since most dogs feel the urge to relieve themselves shortly after they are taken out of doors, plan your walk to start with suitable stations.

- Train your dog to relieve himself in the gutter, and walk him on the curb side of the sidewalk so that you can pull him into the gutter if necessary.

- Always carry a few plastic bags with you. If your dog should make a mistake on the sidewalk, slip your hand into the bag as if it were a glove, scoop up the mistake, then pull the bag inside out in order to enclose it.

- Never cross the street against a traffic light. Even if the light is green, it is better to wait for the beginning of the next green phase in order to have plenty of time for crossing.

- Try to avoid rush hours and crowded places. When you are unavoidably caught in a crowd, keep your dog close at heel on a short leash, or if he is small enough, carry him in your arms.

- Never let your pet greet a passing dog if the encounter would cause a pedestrian traffic jam, nor let him make advances to strangers. Some people, believe it or not, do not like dogs.

Suburban walks aren’t much different from those in the city. The vehicle traffic may be less, but it is even more dangerous because it moves faster. Always keep your dog on a leash and under control. If he is well-trained, you can run the risk of unleashing him in selected safe spots, but always be prepared to snap on the leash if necessary, and always leash to cross the street.

Your dogs greatest freedom and enjoyment will be had with walks in the woods, the mountains, or along the beach. The woods are full of fascinating sights and scents for a dog. Let him roam on his own, but call him back when he gets out of sight. In the mountains, your dog will be more sure-footed if he is unleashed. Small terriers are in their element in rocky places and find footholds that would never support your weight. At the same time, many dogs have an instinct for finding passages through apparently impenetrable country, and are excellent guides.

The beach is a great place for giving your dog a good long run. Unfortunately, many beaches are out of bounds for dogs during the swimming season, sometimes all year round. Shingle beaches and pebbly ones are hard on a dog’s pad. Even more dangerous is the risk cuts from broken bottles and picnic litter. Small dogs are light enough to scamper over such debris unharmed, but it represents a real chance to heavy breeds. Steer your dog clear of debris when you can, and check his paws when you get home.

Randy Jones and his partner Brent Jones have been in the pet industry for a long time. Recently they formed Joncopets.com. On the site, customers can read articles about anything pets as well as shop for the latest trends in pet supplies, dog accessories , dog clothes, dog collars, dog beds and more for their best friend. Feel free to check out Joncopets.com for more information and products.

This week my dog Kiera had to go to the vet. Ill spare you the gory details, but I can assure you, there was no doubt in my mind that something was not right with my normally perfect girl.

While I was at the Vet I struck up a conversation with the team there about some of the things they wish people would remember when they bring their pets in for care. As we talked I realized that theres some great information here especially since we shared a few giggles and a few gasps about some pretty rude behavior. Voila! A column on vetiquette.

So, here are some things, courtesy of my hard-working front-desk friends at Del Ray Animal Hospital, to keep in mind to make sure you dont find yourself on the wrong side of the vetiquette police.

1.Youre not the only one with a sick animal who is nervous at the office. Try to take into consideration the fact that every person in the waiting room has a sick animal or at least one thats not necessarily pleased to be there.

2.Remember people go to the vet for different reasons. Some may be getting over a devastating diagnosis while sitting quietly in the waiting room. Some may have just put their companion to rest after battling an illness. Even if you have the cutest puppy in the world, they may not really be in the mood to be reminded of happier times with their own pet.

3.Not everyone is a dog person or a cat person. Dont assume that folks in the waiting room want to play with your pets or appreciate being slobbered, kissed, or purred on by your pride and joy.

4.Vet Clients are entitled to the same privacy as people-doctor clients. When you head to the doctor and youre getting ready to pay, you dont expect to have other patients leaning over the counter, looking at your receipt or listening to your diagnosis, do you? When you leave the examining room, realize that it will take a bit to process your receipt and if the front desk staff is busy with another client, respect their privacy and let them finish before you elbow your way up to the desk. Remember, financial stuff that isnt yours isnt your business.

5.Dont offer treats to pets that dont belong to you. This is a plain petiquette rule. No matter where you are, please dont feed someone elses dog or cat. Even if it is your pets favorite homemade liver treat. Remember, one of the reasons that pet may be at the vets office can be tummy trouble!

6.Keep your cat in the carrier. I thought this was a no-brainer, but Ive been assured that there are lots of people who insist that Pookie just hates the carrier and is perfectly behaved in all situations. Generally this assurance is coming as the owner is proudly watching Pookie walk across the front desk.

7.You are as important as the next person. Meaning, you and your pets needs are of equal importance as those of every other client at the clinic. Speaking rudely, disregarding rules (like cats in the carriers), and pushing other clients paperwork out of your way do not make you a more important pet-owner. In fact, it may make some people utter, theres an attitude only a pet would love!

The staff at every clinic goes out of their way to treat each and every pet with care, attention and tenderness. Sharing that attitude with your fellow vet clients can go a long way to keeping you out of vetiquette jail!

(c) 2006 Peggie Arvidson-Dailey

Peggie Arvidson-Dailey is the owner of Peggie’s Pet Services (one of the Regions BEST pet-care companies, as rated by The Washingtonian Magazine.) She’s also an engaging and lively speaker on topics related to the love affair between dogs and their humans. She’s an advocate for happy and healthy homes for all species and is eager to assist in creating them. If you want a monthly dose of tips and golden nuggets of information on living with and caring for your pet throughout his life, be sure to subscribe to The Care of Pets at http://www.peggiespets.com. Peggie is also a pet-care business advocate and the founder of the Pet Care Business Success University, which can be found at http://www.petcareuniversity.com.

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What you feed your dog directly influences the dog?s coat. Dry, complete foods have many advantages:

?They are easily stored

?They are quick and simple to feed

?They are clean

?They provide a nutritionally complete diet

?All the hard work of providing a nutritionally complete diet is done for you

Among the several types of dry food on the market today, a dry food with excess protein has been known to make some dogs aggressive or hyperactive. Take the advice of your breeder and vet if you have concerns.

If your dog has worms, the coat will suffer. It is very important to keep your dog wormed according to your vet?s recommendations.

A fit and healthy dog will be recognized by the gleam of his coat. Exercise, walking, free-running and visits to new areas stimulate good health. Each breed of dog varies in their exercise requirement. Regular exercise is essential for keeping a dog in good health and a good coat. Check your dog?s feet regularly. In cold weather, check the pads for packed snow, ice or other debris which can cause problems.

The type of bedding and housing your dog has will have a bearing on the dog?s coat. A dog constantly lying on concrete will wear the hair off. A dog lying in the grass all the time may get bitten by insects and develop skin irritations. Scratching at the bites can destroy a beautiful coat in a short period of time.

Bedding should be washed regularly with Clorox bleach and a good laundry detergent. Floors should be kept clean. Strong disinfectant can be dangerous if it comes in contact with the coat or the dog licks the disinfectant off the coat.

A regular grooming routine can help you detect problems like runny eyes, bad breath, skin disorders and allergies. Early treatment of these problems is essential. If you see one flea, there probably are many more. Please use a good flea and tick preventative especially if your dog spends a lot of time outdoors. It may be necessary to apply flea and tick prevention year round according to the climate in which you live.

In conclusion the healthiest dog coats are a result of a high quality nutritionally complete diet and regular grooming routines. Genetics can lay the groundwork for a good coat, but diet, exercise and grooming will maintain and/or improve the dog?s coat.

Author: Connie Limon. I raise Shih Tzu puppies from top champion bloodlines. Purchase unique dog clothes and topknot dog bows at: http://www.littleguysdogclothesshop.com

If your dog is allowed inside, sooner or later you are going to have to deal with a flea problem in your home. Fleas seem to be everywhere. And they seem to find dogs an irresistibly attractive host. The trouble is that flea populations can get firmly established in the environment where a dog lives. If left, they can multiply very quickly, especially in warm summer months, into an infestation. Then you may find the problem moves beyond your pet, and you and your family start scratching and complaining. Fleas can be more than a minor irritation to people. After all, they were a crucial step in the spread of dreadful bubonic plagues that wiped out millions of people in past centuries. Today they can still cause health problems, now most commonly dermatological conditions, especially in sensitive people. Even more seriously, they can pass on tapeworms, which is a bigger risk if there are young children in your home.

Your worst experience of a flea infestation can come when you return to your closed up house after a holiday away. Your presence creates warmth, vibrations and pressure on the floor as you walk around, carbon dioxide in the air as you breathe out, and other indications to flea pupae that there is a potential meal present, and they hatch out. Suddenly fleas seem to be everywhere. The important point you need to understand as a dog owner is that fleas get established in the environment where your pet lives, not just on the dog. While fleas lay their eggs on the dog shortly after feeding, each flea laying perhaps 20 or more a day, these eggs soon fall off into the dogs living environment. That may be its bedding, where it often lies by your favorite chair, where it plays or rests outside, in the carpet where it often comes and goes, and so forth. The eggs hatch into larvae, which feed on organic material, especially the little dark flea faeces that fall from your pet in the same places, and pet hair. Flea larvae are averse to light, and are usually found under the edges of rugs, in bedding or carpet, in cracks or under things like cushions. Outdoors, they especially like to frequent dirt, sand or gravel. The larvae turn into pupae, in a tiny silken cocoon. This cocoon is initially sticky. It often collects debris, which makes it hard to spot, and may attach to fibres in carpet or bedding which makes it difficult to remove. The pupae will eventually hatch into an adult flea. However it can wait in suspension for up to about eight months at this point in its lifecycle, through winter or until it is stimulated to hatch by the presence of a host. This is why an empty house or dog kennel can suddenly develop a flea infestation on your return. They have been accumulating and lying in wait as pupae. Newly hatched adult fleas normally die within about 2 weeks if they cannot feed, but after that they can survive in the environment for as long as a year without another meal. These hungry adults may also lie in wait for your return. At any one time, only 5 to 10% of the flea population may be in adult form, with the other 90 to 95% in the pipeline, so to speak, as eggs, larvae or pupae. Attacking the adult fleas on your dog is only addressing 5 to 10% of the problem.

In your house, your vacuum cleaner is your first line of defence against fleas. It will collect most adult fleas, eggs and larvae from your floor, but it is not so effective against pupae that may have stuck to fibres. Regular thorough vacuum cleaning of the areas where your pet frequents, including under things like rugs and cushions, will stimulate the pupae to hatch and eventually collect these fleas as well. You should also regularly change or wash your pets bedding. Combine those steps with one of the many flea treatments now available for your pet, and you can expect to quickly gain the advantage and take control of a flea infestation problem. But to eliminate the flea population fully you will have to also consider using an insecticide treatment, inside your house and in your yard, or in the environment wherever your pet lives. There are many safe and effective products to choose from, and experienced commercial applicators are active in most cities. Finally, after all that effort, you should keep your dog from straying and put it on a suitable flea treatment regime, especially over the summer months, to reduce the risk of another flea infestation in your home.

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