Defense Against Dogs By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Peter_Vermeeren]Peter Vermeeren
As a dog trainer and handler many times I get questions from people about how they should defend themselves against a dog attacking them. This is a very interesting question but it has no instant clear solution. But maybe this article can help you and set you on the right track. First of all before we are going to deal with the techniques and tactics let's take a look at dog handling and training.
There are different types of dogs and different types of handlers/owners. Some combinations between dog and owner work fine and some don't. Those who don't work out are the ones that give problems. The ones that work fine are those were the owner knows his animal, it's needs and temperament.
The ones that spoil the fun are those who either:
Got themselves a dog to show of.
Don't have a clue about the needs of a dog.
Think their dog is a human.
Need a dog to boost their ego.
Selected the wrong dog for the job.
Next we should take a look at the dogs. There are different races of dogs, each of them bread for a different purpose. A Maltezer will never attack you the same way as a Bloodhound would. Their purpose is different as is their body size. But within the different races I need to say that every dog has it's own character and temper. Some are easy going, others are nervous, some like to bark and some just bite without a warning.
When buying a dog make sure you know exactly what you want the dog to do for you. Do you want him to guard you (defence dog), do you want him to attack trespassers (attack dog) or do you need company (companion dog)?
When reading the papers and listening to the news we always hear about the same dog races to be the bad ones. They are called dangerous, attack dogs, vicious, etc... and the law is trying to ban those dogs or put restrictions on breeding them. To my opinion this is completely wrong. Most of the time the dog is paying for the stupidity and ego of his owner.
The dogs listed usually as dangerous are: Rottweiler - German Sheppard - Pit-bull - Doberman - Bulldogs - Alaskan Malamutes - Siberian Huskies - Great Danes - etc...
If you take a look at them it is easy to understand why these dogs are on the blacklist. They are all working dogs of considerable size and weight. But if you look at statistics you will find that people are attacked more frequently by the terriers than by a dog of the blacklist. The only difference is to be found in the damage the attack provokes. A 45kg dog with a bite pressure of 750 kg per square centimetre does a lot more damage than a little doggie reaching 10 cm of height and weighing 3 kg.
Well now, how do we defend against a dog that is going for us? first of all if it's a trained police dog 100% sure, than stand still and don't move at all. They are trained to bite when you flee or resist. Lie down on the floor face down or stand still with your hands up. They are trained to recognize these signals. These dogs are the easiest to deal with.
Next type of attacker is the one that is not trained at all. Depending on the type of dog (race) he will go for one target or another.
Wrap your arm in your jacket and offer your arm to the dog. 60% chance he will go for it. When he bites resist a little, that will make him tighten his grip, fall on top of the dog and immobilize him with you forearm (still stuck in his mouth), next stick your thumb in his eye and take it out. Don't try hitting his nose. He will only get more ferocious. Take out both of his eyes before you release him. A 45 kg Rottweiler is very difficult to subdue so don't hesitate, he will not give you a second chance. (I don't like this but i write this to protect the innocent victims of the consequences of stupid owners) If it's a large heavy dog (type Rottweiler) the chances are he will try to get at your legs. They are a little reluctant to get up to grab your arm. If he tries, kick at him and always face the dog. Don't turn around to run away. That will only excite him more and trigger even more his hunting instincts. Call for help, scream and get people to help you, try to pick up stones or sticks and throw them at the dog.
If you are made of the stuff hero's are made off you can try something completely different. In the case the dog come running to you and is alone and barking, run towards him and make lot's of noise while you swing your arms around. This will make you look bigger and you have a 73% chance you scare the dog of. (Only 23% if the dog doesn't bark).
Barking dogs don't bite goes the saying and to some level it is true. A dog barks to warn you or to hide his own fear.
Next and most dangerous categories of dogs are the ones who are only partially trained. They don't respond to commands and don't recognize obvious signals. They go for the kill so to speak. They have enough self confidence to not be scared away but they are not trained enough to stop when the victim stops resisting. These are the ones that make most victims. They are the hardest to defend against. The only option you have is the same you use against an untrained dog. But be aware that those dogs will be more difficult to subdue or to lure into biting in you arm. Some of them are trained to bite in the shoulder or the genitals so be very careful.
If there are more than one dog attacking you than pray. This is the same as being attacked by a pack of wolves. The hunt in group and wile you defend yourself against one the others will circle and take you in the back. Put your back against a wall or car and get a stick try to hold them off until help arrives.
As you can see it is very difficult to defend against a dog if you don't know what you are up to and in order to be able to distinguish different types of dogs and attacks you need to be an professional handler or at least an experienced owner/handler.
The best to take care of all these dogs without killing or maiming them is to use pepper spray. The regular spray sold in your local town will do just fine. These sprays are cheap, they come in different sizes and colours and they are easy to carry and put away. They work against every type of dog attack.
About The Author
Peter Vermeeren is the owner of: [http://www.hitechsecurityproducts.com]Pepper Sprays as Self Defense
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As a dog trainer, I get asked a variety of questions. One of the most frequent question or questions revolves around dogs in heat or more specifically, a puppy in heat. Let's take a look at some of the more common questions and answers dealing with this.
How and when does a dog come into heat? The normal cycle is about 21 days. Of course, every dog is different but the normal one first goes into heat at about 6 months old. It is not rare to start their first heat cycle earlier than that and some dogs start to go into heat for the first time later than that.
What exactly is heat? A good way of explaining heat is to refer to the human's menstruation period. It is the period of time in which the female dog can become pregnant.
How can you tell if a puppy or dog is in heat? The most obvious sign that a dog is in heat is evidenced by her bleeding from the vaginal area. Another sign includes more intense urination and swelling in the area.
How frequently does a Dog go into Heat? Usually a dog (or puppy) will go into heat two times a year. This cycle is about every 6 months but does vary with dogs. There are some dogs that go into heat more and some do less than two times a year.
If a dog is in heat, will she Get Pregnant Most of the Time? This is a very commonly asked question which is impossible to answer because it is all relative. Whether the dog gets pregnant is determined by a number of factors. While it is true that she can only get pregnant while in heat it is not true that she will certainly get pregnant. There are about 10 days in which she is at her highest progesterone.
Learn More About Dogs in Heat
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The Benefits of Small Breed Dog Clothes By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kim_Kenney]Kim Kenney
Many people laugh at the idea of clothing their small breed dogs, such as petite chihuahua, tiny Yorkie and little Maltese with custom dog clothing, after all, since your dog has a coat of fur, why would she need a dog coat? However, what most people don't realize is that small breed dogs can be affected by cold weather, heat and rain just as easily as their humans.
Small Breed Pet Clothing has benefits which many people don't realize, if you are not sure what they are then read this:
--Many tiny/toy dogs don't have adequate natural protection against nature's elements because unlike their wild counterparts, they are not used to the extremes of nature, they have been brought up with humans who shield them, it is a generally good thing but it also prevents pets from developing their natural abilities to deal with the sometimes cruel elements of the weather. Humans can and usually do substitute their shortcomings from nature with clothes, but pets don't have those luxuries, so we humans owe a responsibility to provide our beloved small breed dogs with whatever they need to make their xs lives more comfortable!
--Pet coats and sweaters, which are available in many different fabrics, including waterproof, windproof and warm comfy linings, could be the perfect solution for a pets day out, especially those small pups that are perpetually shivering... these small pets don't have the stature to keep the heat in their bodies.
--Second advantage being that for smaller dogs with various types of allergies, clothing can make skin less susceptible to external factors such as dust, dirt etc., which in some cases cause pets to lick/chew their skin, thereby aggravating an allergy or any injury, it can also prevent to a degree human allergies by preventing dead cells from skin falling on the floor and possibly triggering allergies.
--And last but not the least, let's face it, clothes on your XS dog just look cool! A huge ego booster for the small/toy dog! Her clothing is fashionable and of course functional... your giving her a fun and comfortable feeling of security, which all our pets need and deserve!
Kim Kenney of http://KimPupClothing.com designs and manufactures a line of small breed dog clothing and is based in Temiskaming Shores/New Liskeard, ON. Canada.
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The Truth About Corn in Pet Food By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Michael_Seitz]Michael Seitz
There are many sites that have attempted to answer some of these questions, but few if any have been successful. For example, most of us have heard time and time again that corn is bad for dogs and cats. The usual justification for this information is that dogs have a difficult time digesting this ingredient. Also, many argue that corn is one of the leading causes of allergies in dogs and cats. Is this true?
Actual Answer: Yes and No
Yes, it is true that many of the pets that come into our stores that have skin problems benefit substantially from eliminating corn from their diet. Whole corn, corn by-product, or corn meal have virtually no benefit to cats and dogs and should not be in your pet's food.
No, corn is not totally useless. Corn gluten meal has been found to help prevent cataracts in cats. It must be processed, however, in such a way that it is digestible for cats. To my knowledge, only Royal Canin has the ability to process in this manner and therefore contains corn gluten meal in some of its cat products.
Is corn gluten meal necessary? Not according to the majority of super-premium pet foods and I would agree. I think there are more problems than benefits from its inclusion.
More Information About Chicken Fat in Pet Food
There is some controversy over the use of chicken fat in pet food and whether it is an allergen or not to some dogs and cats. The fact of the matter is that fat in its purest form is not an allergen. Dogs and cats cannot be allergic to pure chicken fat even if they have a chicken allergy. The allergy comes from a reaction to the receptors on chicken protein. Unfortunately, not all pet foods "clarify", or purify their chicken fat enough to eliminate all protein residues.
Some of the manufacturers that do "clarify" their chicken fat and essentially eliminate the allergens include: [http://www.naturespetfranchise.com]Wellness, Canidae & FirstMate. If your dog or cat has an [http://www.naturespetblog.com/2009/02/chicken-fat-in-pet-food.html]allergy to chicken and your food has chicken fat, be sure to call the manufacturer and ask if the chicken fat is "clarified" or not. This will help you decide what food is best for your allergy sensitive feline or canine friend.
Michael T. Seitz, BA, MBA - Owner of Nature's Pet Franchise System
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Dog Training Clicker - Why Use a Clicker? By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Sherry_L_Harris]Sherry L Harris
There are lots of ways to train man's best friend - people have been training dogs for hundreds, perhaps thousands of years, and today it is somewhat looked down upon to have a poorly trained dog. If you're looking for an effective way to train your dog, you may have seen advertisements for or have friends that have used a dog training clicker. There are several benefits and disadvantages attached to using a dog clicker, and in this article we'll take a look at some of the basic information regarding them so that you can decide whether or not this method of training will be effective.
A dog training clicker is, essentially, a small mechanical tool that produces a clicking sound when pressed. It was invented because it is believed that dog handlers who are training dogs cannot properly modulate their voice fast enough so that the dog will respond to the proper behavior. For example, if a trainer is teaching a dog to catch a ball, the trainer could have the dog catch it but then by the time he or she praises the dog it could have begun chewing it. Using a dog training clicker allows the trainer to praise the dog at the exact time the dog does the right thing.
Clickers are used in tandem with treats, since verbal praise should not really be used together with one. Using a dog training clicker allows you to give the dog very precise praise, and will allow you to teach dogs more complex tricks than without one. However, the clicker does carry several disadvantages that verbal training does not have. For example, since praise must be reinforced with treats, a long period of training (thus a high amount of treats) could be poor for the dog's health. Some dogs may also be scared by clickers, and thus build a negative association with them when they are used. A dog might also only listen to someone when they've got a clicker on hand, or worse, only when they've got treats.
A dog training clicker can make your job much easier, especially if you're training a dog that has somewhat erratic behavior and you want to get a precise reinforcement going. However, before using one you should make sure you know the proper technique, and are aware of the potential difficulties with many dogs that are inherent in dog clicker training.
Sherry Harris the author of a wide range of dog topics including, but not limited to: dog training, dog grooming, pet travel, pet insurance, pet food, house training, dog breeds and dog supplies. For hundreds more free dog expert articles visit http://www.DogStyleNetwork.com Hope you enjoyed the article topic [http://www.dogstylenetwork.com/dogtraining.htm]Dog Training Clicker. Your family dog deserves the best, so check us out now!
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How to Care For Young Puppies By: Alton Hargrave Raising a puppie into a dog can be a very rewarding experience. It is like seeing a family member grow up, but in fast motion. Of course, I am talking about dogs not people. My wife, Barbara, and I raise Yorkies and Maltese and tend to think of them sometimes as family members. Except, these guys never need to borrow the car keys or stay out too late.
This morning, we had a litter of six Yorkies born. Both of us were on hand to help the mother. Most of the time, a mother dog doesn't really need any help, but sometimes there are problems. I cut the umbilical cords and tie them with dental floss. The mother dog would ordinarily chew the umbilical cords into by herself. With some breeds, such as Yorkies, sometimes the mother has too much trouble turning around to reach the cord, so I am there to help.
After the puppies are born, we put them in a warm room in our house. They get a dry, clean, warm bed consisting of a wooden frame about 24 inches square made of 1 by 12 boards. There is no bottom. This square just sets upon a cloth pallet on the floor. For the first week, we insert a small heating pad beneath the pallet. If you buy the disposable bed pads made for human use, they are great for the mama and her babies to lay on.
We keep a close eye on the little family evey day. Make sure the puppies are warm and dry. You can tell when the puppies are warm...they will tend to spread out on their bedding. Cold puppies tend to bunch up tight to conserve body heat. Make sure the mother dog is clean and that all the puppies are nursing. The mother's udder should be checked every day for milk production and infection. She will not go far from her puppies during the first few days, so bring her food and water very near to her.
For a mother dog to do well, she needs a quiet, secure place to be with her puppies. Stress can have a negative effect on the mother dog and her puppies. Keep other dogs away from her. Strange people can cause undue stress. Don't bring in all your freinds and their children for the first several weeks.
A lactating mother dog uses a lot of calcium and should be given calcium pills each day. If she suddenly goes into shock, she may be too low on calcium and will need immediate attention from your vet.
For about a month, the mother will take care of most things. After a few weeks, the puppies will open their eyes and start trying to stand up and walk. Playing comes soon after. In about 4 to 5 weeks, the puppies will be ready to start eating solid food. A mixture of canned and dry food with a little water to soften it is a good first food. Then, slowly reduce the moisture content until the puppies and eating canned or dry food only.
Author Bio Alton Hargrave offers advice and resources for those interested in a business online. His website, bigthicketonline.com contains honest information regarding website software and low-cost solutions for your business.
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Dog Health - Why It's Crucial That Your Dog's Diet Changes Throughout the Years By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Douglas_Hanna]Douglas Hanna
When you finish reading this article, you will have learned valuable information about feeding your dog to help it live longer. Be sure to read this article clear through to the end or you will miss some very helpful information.
A well balanced diet can add years to your pet's life
Feeding a dog the same diet for years on end can lead to malnutrition and liver or kidney problems. Dog food that is purchased on the market today is not always the best food for your pooch. These foods sometimes do not contain the right type of nutrient levels for dogs, and sometimes over-the-counter pet foods have been found to contain hazardous materials. Even a healthy dog food should not be the only diet that your best friend eats all of its life; processing the same type of food for a lifetime can lead to health problems and an overall poor health condition.
The best type of diet for your dog that will add to the longevity of its life should include reliable pet foods and home cooked foods. Veterinarian recommended pet foods combined with home cooked foods such as rice, meat dishes, and vegetables will give your dog all of the necessary nutrients needed to maintain a healthy diet. Never feed it pork products, but instead give meats such as chicken, lamb, turkey, and fish. Try to keep in mind that while dogs need plenty of protein, they also benefit from nutritious and fresh fruits and vegetables.
A Dog's Diet Should Change Throughout Its Life
In order for your dog to stay healthy, it is important that you feed it a diet suited to its age. There are specific diets created for puppies, just as there are senior diets for elderly dogs. Protein rich diets which help puppies to grow can harm an elderly dog's kidneys, and diets rich in carbohydrates but low in proteins can lead to health problems in puppies. Use a puppy diet until he or she is 6 months old, and then gradually switch to a diet suited for young dogs. As your pooch grows older you will need to make small adjustments to the diet periodically; these little diet changes will help it stay healthy, and will add years to your its life.
Change how much you feed your dog
You will also need to change the amount of food that you feed your dog over the course of the its life. High-energy puppies and young adults require larger amounts of food then older dogs, which are taking it a bit easy in their later years. If you notice that your aging dog is gaining weight even though you are feeding the same amount of food have a blood test performed to ensure that its thyroid function is normal; then try placing it on a light diet food and slowly reduce the amount of food the dog eats.
The Dangers Of Obesity
Loving pet owners sometimes spoil their pooches with food. Chubby dogs may look cute, but the health problems that they can suffer from are serious and sometimes lethal. Dogs that are even slightly obese are at higher risks of developing heart disease, diabetes, and kidney problems. Overweight dogs may also suffer from arthritis and muscle injuries. In severe cases, a dog may become so overweight that the muscles around the knees actually tear and it is unable to walk without drastic surgical intervention; sometimes even surgery is not enough to help it recover and euthanization becomes necessary.
It is easier to keep a dog slim and healthy then to try to change an obese ones eating and lifestyle habits. Overweight dogs, and their frustrated owners, often struggle through diets; if yours is overweight, have patience and stick to a diet and exercise plan for your dog. A nutritious diet plan, balanced meals that are given in the right amount, and plenty of play and exercise time will ensure that your dog remains at the right weight.
There is nothing wrong with a spoiled dog, but spoil it with love, affection, and plenty of toys instead of food.
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bar.Letting Your Dog Choose His Own Food By: Ethan K. Roberts Spend time at any pet store and the choice of dog foods to feed your dog is in abundance. How do you know which to choose and which is good for your dog? The answer to that is simply, you do not, let your dog choose. Although there are some basics that are recommended.
If you have purchased your dog from a breeder, ask the breeder what they recommend to feed your new pet. A good breeder should be able to tell you what has worked best for their dogs. This is a good place to start. However, if you have adopted your new dog, then it will be up to you to figure out what is good for your dog and what is not. The dog will certainly help you in determining the right food for him.
Always read the labels on a dog food package. What you want to look at is the first ingredient. You do not want to see meat meal, this can be anything within the food including road kill. Chicken Meal or Lamb Meal is a good start. You also always want to see the word meal; whole meat without the Meal is mostly water. Most nutritionists prefer chicken based dog foods as they are easier to digest.
You may see corn or a type of corn product in the dog food. Corn is a protein source the dog food makers use to keep the price reasonable. Some dogs like corn and others do not. If you see your dog start itching, licking his feet, scooting his butt, or getting frequent ear infections, this could indicate a lack of tolerance for corn. Beware of wheat in a food. Wheat tends to be more of an irritant in dogs than corn is.
You need to inspect the label for the sentence "AAFCO feeding trials confirm that (dog food brand) is complete and balanced for adult dogs or all life stages". This sentence alone will tell you that the dog food was fed to any number of dogs and was determined to meet the nutritional needs for all life stages of a dog.
When it comes to feeding your dog there are certain guidelines that should be followed depending on the age of your dog. For instance, puppies should be fed more regularly than adult dogs. Puppies should be fed as often as four times per day and with a quality dog food geared towards puppies specifically. Adult dogs should be fed twice a day.
In general, feed puppies and adult dogs separately so you can be sure the amount they are eating each time and to prevent fighting. Set a feeding schedule for your dog, but not one to where they become anxious if you happen to be late. It is a good idea to teach your dog to sit before placing the dog food in the bowl; this will prevent them from jumping to get the food.
Nutritionists suggest only allowing your dog 15 to 20 minutes to eat then removing and disposing of the remainder.
Author Bio
Ethan K. Roberts writes about several different subjects not limited to wellness dog foods.
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Dogs do not just require lots of care when they are puppies. Vet bills can run into the thousands over the life time of your dog.
Health Insurance For Dogs - Questions Every Dog Owner Should Ask By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Eric_Meurlott]Eric Meurlott
Health insurance for dogs has been around for many years. But until recently, the options for providers has been slim. A number of companies have entered the market in recent years to help fill this void. These new companies provide a number of coverage options to fit your family's budget and needs.
Before choosing an insurance provider for your dog, you need to do your research. Here are a few questions to consider when choosing the right provider for your loved one.
Is your dog pure-breed or mixed-breed? Mixed breed dogs are actually easier and cheaper to insure because they are not at risk for many of the congenital and hereditary diseases that many pure breeds are. And if your dog is a mixed breed and you don't have the breed-specific illnesses to worry about, you may want to opt or an 'Accident only' plan which is the most inexpensive route to take for covering your pet.
Are there any inherent diseases within my dog's breed or bloodline? If you have a purebred dog, know what diseases are inherent in your breed, and make sure those illnesses are covered under the plan you are seeking. One of the problems with the old-school providers of insurance for dogs is that they never covered congenital diseases. If your dog came down with one of these illnesses that are breed specific, trey denied your claim and left you with this vet bill and all subsequent bills for this illness. This leads into the next question you have to ask.
Do they cover preexisting conditions? Preexisting conditions is a tricky and touchy topic between dog owners and insurance providers. Make sure you understand what the provider defines as a 'preexisting condition' before you sign up for their program. Most insurance providers (even the good ones) will try to find a way to link two completely unrelated diseases together because their symptoms appear similar. The more reputable companies will provide, up front, a list of preexisting conditions that will or will not be covered.
Is lab work covered? One of the most frustrating expenses for dog owners is lab work. A routine visit to the vet can easily blossom into $400 or more just because of tests and lab work. Even on simple procedures, lab work can be up to 40% of the cost of the procedure.
Is dental work covered? Many veterinary offices are pushing teeth cleaning for your dog. It is a very simple procedure which takes a minimal amount of time for the vet and the vet can make a pretty decent profit. But this is a procedure that is very important to the health of your dog. Small breed dogs in particular need to have regular teeth cleaning to stay healthy. Terriers and toy dogs are susceptible to tooth loss and gum disease if regular cleanings are not maintained. So if you have a breed that may be prone to these conditions, check to see if it is covered by the plan you are looking into.
How old is the dog you want to insure? Many insurance providers will not cover dogs aver the age of 6-8 years with a typical plan. Some companies do offer a Senior Plan to provide insurance for dogs over 8 years of age. And almost all will not provide insurance for dogs under the age of 12 months due to the initial cost of puppy-hood.
Do they cover preventives? Preventive medicines are another topic to check before deciding on coverage. It is usually not covered except under the most advanced plans. But covering your pet with flea control and other parasitic dangers can save thousands of dollars in surgical care and treatment later and may also add healthy and happy hears to your dog's life.
These are just some of the important questions to ask when considering an insurance plan for your dog. The cost may seem high at first. But when you consider the cost of today's veterinary medicine and how important your dog is to your family, I think you too will realize that health insurance for dogs is well worth the investment.
QuickCare Pet Insurance has many Programs to fit your particular needs and budget.
Make the best decision for your pet. Visit [http://www.squarepegreviews.com]QuickCare Pet Insurance today.
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