We all love our dogs, am I right? They are our best friends and love us back unconditionally. Always pleased to see us, always there for us. The bond between owner and animal is strong. Look after your dog and they will repay you many times over with that unconditional love. Though have you stopped to consider what happens when you have to leave your dog - even for short periods - and how they handle it?
Some cope with being without their owners and being alone better than others. For those which do not cope so well the condition is known as dog separation anxiety. Somewhat self explanatory as the animal becomes anxious without the owner's presence and displays that in different ways some of which can be destructive such as chewing furniture or fouling in the house.
But just how do you spot the signs of separation anxiety in your dog and what can you do about it? The dog's personality is a good indicator. Their daily routine is usually tied in with your own day. Feeding time, walkies, bed time etc. You of course will get to know quickly how your dog usually behaves and how they cope when you nip to the shops and don't take them, when you perhaps go for a meal with friends and are out for a couple of hours and similar.
If they usually are OK with this and it's no big deal to the dog - perhaps he sleeps - then that's fine. If on the other hand that behaviour starts to change and he might start showing signs of distress as you leave, bark excessively, has taken pieces out of your nice suite or even perhaps even left an unpleasant present for you on the carpet when you come home then these (individually or collectively) could be signs of separation anxiety and need your attention.
If you have had your dog since puppyhood and trained them well then it is likely that you will have taken account of potential separation anxiety issues as part of the dog's training from being a puppy and therefore taken steps to (as far as you can) train out separation anxiety issues.
On the other hand, if you have acquired an older dog - for example from a rescue centre - or perhaps moved home and the dog has to get used to a totally new environment this could cause separation anxiety to manifest as the stress of the new home and settling in to it affects the dog in such a way that they cannot bear to be out of sight of their owner.
Be alert for this possibility and take action if any of the signs of separation anxiety mentioned above begin to appear now you know what to look out for.
Treating dog separation anxiety can involved trial, error and patience as what works for one dog might not work for another. The basic principle is one of making the dog feel "safe" when alone for short periods knowing that you will be back.
Some methods to use include not making a fuss of your dog when you do have to go out and no fuss after returning until they have calmed down. Also to leave some of their favourite toys with them for entertainment and help stave off boredom which could lead to chewing. An occupied dog is less likely to look for something fun to do out of sheer boredom.

I hope you found this helpful and now have an overview of how to spot the signs of separation anxiety in your dog. For more information and tips on the condition and other techniques you can use please click here. You may also like three free dog health related ebooks (one of them is all about dog separation anxiety). Please click here for your free ebooks.

Do have business trips lined up in the next few weeks? Are you considering putting your pet in a kennel? Or are you planning for your neighbor's help to look after him/her? In either of the cases you won't have the peace of mind and might suffer from stress regarding your canine friend's guardianship. Why don't you opt for the services of dog sitters?
Hiring skilled specialists are extremely essential
It is quite natural to stress and remain tensed for leaving your canine companion under the care of someone else. They cannot be left alone because they suffer from psychological and behavioral disorders. It is your responsibility to hire a professional, skilled and experienced pet mender to give company to your four-legged friend and maintain the regular routine.
What are the benefits of seeking their aid and assistance?
Why do you stress your mind for their upkeep in your absence when there are so many amazing options available? Instead of depending on your friends, family, relatives, neighbors, etc., it is a smarter and better option to opt for the professional services. Let us find out what are the different benefits.

• An unfamiliar and new environment in boarding canter can distress your pooch. Don't you think it is better to allow your pet remains at home under the supervision of an expert?
• Even these canine animals like to maintain their daily routine- food timing, walking sessions, bed time etc. This is only possible when they are allowed to stay back at home even in your absence.
• In the pet houses there are chances that your pooch gets infected from other animals. Why take chances with their health? Hire a pet specialist and he or she will do the rest of the work that will keep you worry free.
• Guaranteed exceptional tending.
• Since the person hired stays back at your place, he or she also renders security, protection and thereby eliminates the chance of burglaries.

Evaluate the background of the dog sitters before hiring them
It is very important to investigate and evaluate the background of the expert completely before investing money and hiring them in order to avoid any kind of hassles in future. You should always remain on the safe side. It is also better to keep your neighbors informed about the person taking care of your pet so that they can keep their eyes on him or her.

If you are looking for a Dog Sitters facility, check out John's Pampered Pooch. There are many great Dog Sitters facilities to choose from, offering outstanding prices and quality amenities. They have a great location in Yarrambat Park golf course located in Melbourne Northen suburbs.

It would be safe to say that most dog owners would just love to see their pets' faces light up and tails wag at the sight of some doggie treats. But of course, these treats should not be given to pets whenever the owners please. There are things about them of which they need to be informed. Here are some good to know facts about them.
1. The use of treats should not be used as a form of bribery but as a form of reward. The difference between bribery and reward is that bribery takes place when you ask your dog something that he already knows how to do, yet he does not do it after asking him to do it two or three times, and he only does it after you give him a treat. Reward, on the other hand, is what you give him after he does something that you asked him to do.
2. Human foods such as fruits and oatmeal can be used as doggie treats. However, you have to make sure that they are safe for your pet. Apples, for instance, can be an appetizing treat for him, but you have to make sure that you remove their seeds as they contain cyanide, which may be poisonous when ingested. Grapes and avocados may also be toxic for him. Also, with regard to giving him oatmeal, make sure that it is cooked and without sugar or flavoring.
3. The treats should not be more than 15% of your dog's daily food intake. They are an addition to his diet, and giving him too much of it may cause him to be overweight or obese.
4. If you consider buying commercially sold doggie treats, make sure that you check its list of ingredients. It is legally required for manufacturers to provide this list. As much as possible, choose the ones that are made of organic ingredients as they are less likely to be adulterated with contaminants. Also, make sure they are gluten-free as gluten, a kind of protein derived from wheat and other related grains, may cause gluten allergies or celiac disease.

Reward your dog with only the best and healthiest doggie treats, which you can get from Lena's Pet Products.

Your dog is always there for you. No matter what, a dog will do what it takes to make sure you are alright. He always looks out for you, always wants your attention, and is always happy with you. Shouldn't you see what you can do for him? Here are some tips to help you be a great owner for your dog.
When preparing to groom your pet, start the session off on the right foot by helping your dog relax. Spend a few minutes simply petting him, starting with the head and then rubbing the back, paws, belly and even tail. Once you feel your dog is happy and content, begin grooming him.
Keep your dog at a healthy weight. Plenty of dogs are overweight, and just like humans, this can lead to health issues. People tend to overfeed their dogs, and many also feed them table scraps. A dog doesn't need as many calories as most people think; talk to your vet about how much you should feed him each day, and what food is most suitable. A vet will advise you based on his size, age and lifestyle.
Know the basics of pet first-aid if you have a dog in your family. Being able to react quickly in an emergency, such as your pooch being bitten by a snake, can mean the difference between life and death. Read a good book on the subject or ask your vet to brief you on the basics.
Accept the aging process in your dog and know how to meet his changing needs. Your older dog may require dietary changes, more rest and not be as playful as he once was. This doesn't mean he should be left to grow old in a corner. Adapt to his needs and make his golden years enjoyable!
Be strong when the time comes to say goodby to your beloved dog. Many owners keep the animal suffering to keep them in their lives and that's not fair to the dog. Consult with your vet, then talk it over with family. If it's time to part ways with your dog, do what's best for him.
Training
Not everyone is good at training dogs, so quit trying if you see things are not going as well as planned. Instead of beating yourself up about it, get in touch with a trainer in your area. Since they have more experience with dogs, it may be much easier for them to train yours.
If you are thinking about adopting a dog, try taking a couple of weeks off work so you can spend some time with your puppy and teach it a few good habits. Training your puppy and helping it get used to its new environment will be much easier if you are home.
Dog training requires you to be consistent. Once you decide you want to establish a rule for your dog, do not make any exceptions. Make sure everyone at home helps you enforce the rule and encourage your guests not to let your dog jump on them or to not acknowledge your dog when it barks.
Consider puppy training classes for your young pet. Puppies are eager to learn, and a class is a wonderful atmosphere to let them do so in. Classes are also often cheaper than individual lessons. This will teach your pup essential behavioral skills and allow the two of you bonding time too.
Training Your Dog
Dog training should take place on your property. Avoid training your dog where many people are present. Your dog could become distracted and will be tougher to teach.
When training your dog, consistency is everything. You must be consistent at all times. If your dog is not allowed to jump on people as they walk in, don't allow your dog to do it even if a person says they don't mind being jumped on. You should also make sure that everyone that's around your dog understands your rules and are consistent with them.
House-training your dog will be much easier if you adopt a routine. You should go for walks regularly throughout the day and come home during your lunch break if necessary. If your dog has to be home alone for long hours, do not leave a bowl full of water unless it is very hot.
If you are training your dog, make sure the treat you are giving him really is desirable. Pets have preferences too, and if your dog does not like the treat you are providing, there is not going to be much motivation to do the right thing. Try out a few different brands, and remember that soft, chewy treats are generally the most well-received.
Your dog does his best to make sure you are happy. There can be no question that he places you above anyone else. That's why this article was written, to make sure that you return the favor. Use the tips laid out here to help you to be the kind of owner your dog deserves.

I really like to write about training help for your dogs, since I love dogs. In order to find out more, take a look at our website rodsdogtraining.com, where we provide lots of details pertaining to teach dog tricks. You will find a ton of material that'll be very helpful. - Original source

The question many non-dog owners ask during colder months is this 'Why does a dog need a coat?' However, many dogs are simply not built to cope with colder temperatures, snow and ice, and any responsible dog owner will take steps to ensure they do not suffer when outdoors. The main reason some dogs need extra protection while others don't is that the layer of fur they possess is of differing lengths and thicknesses. For example, a Siberian Husky is much better suited to cold conditions than a Greyhound with an extremely short coat.
Deciding whether a dog needs a coat or not is down to owner discretion, although vets may also be able to advise if one is required. One of the most obvious signs is that your dog shivers when you go outside; in this case you should definitely invest in a coat to keep them warm and protected. Even if your dog does not shiver when outdoors, there are certain cases where they require some extra help to keep warm. A good example here is older dogs - they often require extra help to keep warm as their tired and worn down bodies struggle to maintain warmth on their own.
At this point it is also worth pointing out that some dogs shouldn't be made to wear a coat as it could actually do more harm than good. For instance, larger breeds with thick coats do not require a coat and if made to wear one would likely be uncomfortable.
Now we have covered why a dog may need to wear a coat when the temperature drops, let's move on to how to choose the right one. First of all you will need to measure your dog; to learn how to do this there are many size guides available to help you. Getting this right is beneficial for both you and your dog - you want them to be comfortable and if it's too big they may be able to pull it off.
The second factor to decide upon is what material the coat should be made of. Do you want a purely cotton sweater for medium warmth, or do you want a partly-acrylic option so that it's waterproof? As well as being able to protect your dog, it's also worth thinking about how often you're willing to wash it and how often it might need replacing. Most owners will go for a suitable waterproof option as it can be worn in all conditions.

I am a keen author covering a variety of topics. Please feel free to read my other articles.

If you are like most pet parents, your treat your dog with utmost care. You are concerned about their overall well-being. When the inevitable situation of sickness happens to your favorite animal, it is your responsibility to make sure he is nursed back to health. Take the time to do what it takes for your pet dog to become lively and beautiful creature that it has always been.
How do you care for your pet animal when he is ill? With your pet doctor's advice, make sure you know what your pet is going through and what to do to alleviate his condition. Your dog will love you even more for it.
1. Keep your canine friend comfortable.
You need to make sure he is not disturbed when experiencing an illness. He needs a quiet room without a lot of people coming by to be able to get all the rest he can have. If necessary, you can set up a "recovery bed" for him with a pillow or soft bedding. You can also give him a blanket and his favorite toy by his side.
2. Give him easy access to food and water.
Your dog needs all the nourishment to recover quickly. Make sure you are able to give him something so he doesn't sleep hungry. More often than not, a sick animal refuses to eat, so you can cook up something creative that will "tempt" him to take a few bites. Treats are often effective, and so are homemade recipes. Most dog owners and experts recommend skinless chicken and rice that are easy on your dog's stomach. Keep your pet hydrated too, with clean drinking water.
3. Always monitor.
Throughout the period of sickness, your beloved animal will not be able to care for himself. Check his vital signs at least thrice each day and take note of the results. Make sure you give him proper medicine, as recommended by your vet. Remember that giving your dog the wrong dosage can be potentially fatal, so always pay attention to your vet's instructions.
4. Keep a log of the animal's condition and progress.
Make it a habit to always take important notes when it comes to taking care of your sick pet. All the information will be useful to gauge whether your dog's condition will need professional attention. You can also report this to your veterinarian who will shed light on the real situation and inform you of the actual solution that will help.
5. "No, he cannot play with you. Yes, it is a bad time."
Here's an important tip many pet owners forget: Your dog doesn't feel well, which means he isn't exactly up for some fun time. Instead he wants and needs to rest in order to recover. Let the kids understand that your dog does not want to play or run around. A sick dog is often irritable, but if you let him rest and gain back his strength, this shouldn't be a cause for concern.
6. Take note of this situation; take preventive measures so it doesn't happen again.
Prevention also matters. Protect your dog from parasites that weaken him or cause other problems to crop up, Give him trusted Aussie vet products that are formulated to protect him against parasites that affect him inside and out.

Your dog will get sick at a certain point of his life. With your vet's supervision, you can effectively deal with minor food allergies, slight stomach pain, mild fever and other non-threatening health situations. If your pet dog is still having health problems, be sure you don't waste a minute and take him to the vet right away.