Everything shows up on white! Excessive tears, caused by too many tears or insufficient tear drainage can stain a dog's face. The reddish brown stain typically appears on the Poodle, Maltese, Bichon, Lhasa Apso and Shih Tzu breeds. Other breeds like Cocker Spaniels and Cavalier King Charles experience staining, however it isn't always as obvious.

There are many reasons why a dog has tear stains. It is trial and error to figure out which is causing the problem in your dog. Every dog has a different chemical makeup and lives in a different environment; therefore the eye stain culprit can vary from dog to dog.

There are many reasons why a dog has tear stains. It is trial and error to figure out which is causing the problem in your dog. Every dog has a different chemical makeup and lives in a different environment; therefore the eye stain culprit can vary from dog to dog.

A food allergy can be the culprit of tear stains. Some dogs have sensitivity to food coloring and preservatives. Switching your dog to a diet of all natural dog food and treats can make a difference with the staining.

Fleas tend to congregate around the eyes where it is warm and moist. They irritate a dog's eyes and leave their red feces under the dogs' eyes. Fleas also carry mites, which cause ear infections that also create excessive eye tearing and staining.

The dreaded flea could be the culprit of stains under your dog's eyes. Fleas need moisture to survive and enjoy the warm, moist spot under the eyes. The red stains under the eyes are flea feces.

Pet owners have been known to treat eye stains at home. Adding a teaspoon of white cider vinegar to your dog's water bowl or giving your dog TUMS are some common homemade remedies. Another popular solution is equal parts milk of magnesia, corn starch and hydrogen peroxide made into a paste and applied to the stained area. Before a portrait, dog owners and handlers have been known to whiten up a coat by rubbing corn starch into the coat.

The eye area is extremely sensitive. Use caution when applying any chemical near your pets' eyes. Don't rub anything into the eye and be careful that nothing splashes into the eye. Discussing the tear staining solutions with your Veterinarian and Groomer will ensure an effective and safe outcome.

There are several reasons why a dog would have tear stains. It is trial and error to figure out which is causing the problem in your dog. Joanne Gallagher is an authority in caring for your dog and suggests browsing to Jake's Dog House for various solutions for tear stain removal.

If you think that eating sensibly is vital just for human starts ; think again. Your pets too need to eat well. So it's highly recommended to be carful when out for shopping of food for your dog. Let's look at some of the important things to be kept in mind while choosing the right dog food.

Checking the ingredient list is the 1st step in choosing the right dog food. Before you get any dog food, make sure that you go through the list of ingredients fastidiously. Check if the product includes any ingredients that could be harmful for your dog's health. Also, if the product includes meat spinoff, chicken derivative, birds derivative beef and bone meal in the first five ingredients, then you need to desist from the product.

Except for the ingredients, you should also make an attempt to take note of other nutritional aspects of the food you choose. For example, you check the quantity of calories in a selected food item. If the food item is very high on calories then you may try to skip using the product all together. Also, check if the product contains all the nutrients in acceptable quantities.

When selecting a dog food, you also need to make sure that the dog food of your preference meets the nuritional requirements of your pet. This is because different dog breeds have different nutritive wants. While smaller dogs need more of carbs, the bigger ones need minerals and vitamins in a bigger quantity. Check the nutritional requirements of your pet and select a dog food that suits the same.

Another important thing in this context is preservatives. Almost always dog foods are found to be loaded in chemicals which would possibly not be good for your pet's health. While selecting dog food; keep a watch on the chemicals as be loaded in a particular food product. Some of the preservatives that can prove detrimental to the fitness of your pet are BHA, ethoxyquin and BHT. These additives as present in the dog food product. Some of the potentiality of triggering in a condition of cancer in the canines. You should generally go in for dog foods which have chemicals in the shape of Vitamin C and Vitamin A.

Always select safer dog foods. For this it is necessary that you mostly go in for foods that are APHIS approved. It has been revealed that the foodstuff which have APHIS validation are high on safety level as compared to the required that have no such validation. This is foods that are APHIS approved foods have human grade ingredients in them. Such foods thus give you an assurance that they aren't dangerous for your pet. A trip to a vet can also prove awfully useful as he/she may suggest the food brand that may work for you pet in the right demeanour.

Be truly carful when you are picking the dog food. In reality, be as careful as you would be when you are choosing food for your baby. Remember that your dog also experiences pain but unlike you, it cannot tell you when it is in pain. So it is best to avoid any probability of pain in the first place by ensuring the best diet.

To know more about Dog Training and Dog Products visit: http://www.dogs-help.com

Finding the best large dog bed for your canine friend can be nerve wracking. Sure, it sounds easy enough, but walk into the pet store and you'll quickly see that it isnt simple at all. Dog beds come in all shapes and sizes, and choosing the best bed for your dog can be a tricky endeavor.

All dog beds come in some several basic styles and types. Pillow-type beds are the most common, and most often are either circular or rectangular shaped. Such beds usually come with a removable cover that can be washed, with the inside "fluff" of the bed consisting of standard stuffing, foam, or cedar. While any padding provide excellent comfort, cedar is especially useful for use outdoors, as it serves as a natural flea repellent, and provides a pleasant, natural scent. Dogs that like to sleep stretched out tend to like these beds, as they allow them to spread out fully while sleeping and resting.

Doughnut dog beds are a very common type of bed for small dogs, but some large dog beds also come in this style. These beds can come in two pieces, such as a low-sided wicker basket with a flat bed inside, or an-all fabric design where the outer portion is padded and built up and the inner circle, or "hole" of the doughnut is padded less, giving the dog a nest to cuddle into. Some dogs prefer these types of beds to all others, especially dogs who tend to like to nest into their beds to feel secure. Many a large dog has tried unsuccessfully to fit into doughnut beds for their much smaller animal siblings, with comical results as the big dog spills out over the sides of the small bed. If your dog is a "nester" he or she will appreciate getting a doughnut bed in the right size!

Elevated dog beds are a newer type, with many variations of construction and design, from miniature couches to suspended hammock-type beds. The idea of these types of beds are to keep dogs above the cold ground and drafty floor level, also allowing older dogs to get up from laying down more easily. Your dog may take some convincing at first that its a safe place to sleep, but after an introduction, most dogs decide that the strange look is worth the added comfort!

Orthopedic dog beds are another variation of large dog bed that can be especially useful for large breed dogs. All dogs, but especially bigger dogs tend to develop arthritis as they age, and often experience stiffness or even difficulty getting off the floor. Orthopedic dog beds can help to alleviate that stiffness and make it easier for an older dog to get up and around after resting. Orthopedic dog beds come in many common styles of beds that are already available, but utilize more modern types of padding for increased comfort, such as orthopedic mattress foam, gel-foam and even built-in heating elements to increase comfort and circulation within the joints.

Choosing the right type of dog bed for a large dog can be confusing at first, but if you carefully match the needs of your dog with his or her preferences and your needs, finding the selecting the right bed for your home can be done easily.

Before purchasing your next dog bed, be sure to visit dog-beds.com for informative large dog bed purchasing tips.

Your voice is the most important of dog traing aids when training your dog. Use of your dog's name is probably the next most important of the dog training aids at your disposal. Thirdly, a pleasant, persuasive tone of voice is a must.

Speak to your dog all the time while you're engaged in dog training. Training your dog to retrieve may take some time, and dog training aids can come in useful for this purpose. A very light dumbbell is a good dog training aid to use when training your dog to retrieve. Again, use your voice to effect - immediately your dog takes the dumbbell, praise him repeatedly in a happy voice, and also pet him.

Never become angry with your dog when dog training. Becoming angry will not help, and is likely to make your dog anxious. To make matters worse, your dog won't understand why you're angry with him.

Always remember that your dog is trying to please you. This is the case even when he is not following your commands. Your dog may not understand what you want of him. He is not being deliberately disobedient.

Once your dog understands what you're asking him to do, he will probably be happy to repeat the action over and over again. Remember, your dog's prime motivation is to please you, so once he finds an action that pleases you, he'll be happy to do it again and again.

If your dog is having trouble understanding that you want him to take the dumbbell, gently offer him the dumbbell and if necessary, open his mouth wide enough to accommodate the dumbbell and place the dumbbell in his mouth. You may even need to close his mouth around the dumbbell.

Dog training sessions should be fund. They are a good opportunity to spend quality time - just you and your dog. Dog training certainly takes time and effort. Depending on your dog, you may need to be very patient with your dog training efforts.

Keep placing the dumbbell into your dog's mouth until your dog actually understands what to do.

Then all that's left is for you to place the dumbbell some distance away, and ask your dog to fetch. Start by placing the dumbbell on the ground just in front of your dog, then move the dumbbell a couple of feet away, then place greater and greater distance between your dog and the dumbbell. Your dog will be retrieving in no time.

What are the more important features of dog training? Discover what they are, and find out how dog training aids can help when training your dog to retrieve, to fetch, and much more.

Many would say that finding the right GPS dog tracking collar to help you find your pet dog should he stray away from your home is going to be a real challenge. The simple truth is that no two dog owners are going to have the same needs and so no one particular GPS pet tracking system will fit the bill for every dog owner. However, with some tips and advice it is possible to zero in on the best option.

However, there are only a few different kinds of GPS pet tracking systems available on the market today, though it is hoped that with new advancements in modern technology that this problem too will be rectified in the foreseeable future and dog owners will then have many more options to choose from.

The options open to dog owners in regard to buying a GPS pet tracking device may be limited but that is not to say that whatever is available is not very useful. In fact, some of the options available are very smart and power saving which means that you at least will not need to worry too much about high operating expenses.

The better such devices even come with extra antennae that can receive signals emanating from a base station that is in most cases the dog owner's home. The signals sent out can be modified and in fact, as soon as the device fails to receive the signals then the GPS dog tracking will immediately set about the task of locating your errant pet dog that has broken out from the Virtual Fence.

A third important consideration is understanding the location of the antenna. This is especially important because a GPS pet tracking collar can have issues with its signals; more so when the antenna is located in the chest region of the dog. Ideally, the antenna must be located at a higher level because only then will it be able to send stronger signals. So, review various options before making your final decision.

The base station doubles up as a battery charger and when it receives information that the batteries in the GPS pet tracking device have started to run low will immediately turn off all components barring the antenna in order to conserve power.

The bottom line with using GPS dog tracking collars is that they provide you with peace of mind and will help ensure that you don't waste time fretting about what is going to happen to your pet should he wander out of his home. These devices also come with a wealth of features that in turn will minimize your and your dog's world to a more manageable size.

The better GPS pet tracking systems are now even able to provide round-the-clock customer support that in turn will ensure that your chances of finding your lost pet will increase dramatically.

A dog is a man's best friend and he does (unquestioningly) brings much joy to every home; spending some money on buying a GPS dog tracking collar is but a small price to pay for all the love and company a dog provides.

Stop before you put a Micro Chip in your pet! Learn why a Dog GPS Tracking is much better than a microchip. To learn more visit http://www.lovemypetsgps.com

Cold winter day are swiftly approaching. So pull out those coats, sweaters and heaters! Even though dogs have their own coats, they can always the additional warmth presented by a dog coat or jacket.

Dog owners enjoy dressing up small dogs. Smaller breed dogs have hair rather than fur and are sensitive to chilly weather. They need the warmth of dog clothes if they are outside for any length of time. Dog breeds such as: Yorkshire Terriers, Silky Terriers, Chinese Crested Dogs, Dachshunds and Maltese truly benefit from wearing a dog sweater or coat. Little dogs don't like the feel of the cold or rain and are happiest warm and dry.

Medium sized dogs such as Welsh Corgis or Pugs have short hair, but have a more muscular build than small dogs. But I'm sure all would agree that a Welsh Corgi would look excellent in a stylish coat or jacket? Sometimes it is just about looking good! Even though Boxers are another breed that don't fare well in extreme temperatures despite their muscular build. Wouldn't a Boxer look swell wearing a Corduroy Dog Jacket?

Short haired breeds, like a Basenji, Italian Greyhound, Greyhound, Weimaraner and Vizsla have a thin build and need to exercise outdoors. They do not fare well with the extreme cold. During cold temperatures a barn jacket is easy to Velcro onto an active dog. A Barn Coat helps to keep outdoor dogs comfortable in cold weather. The Polyester side helps repel wind and water to keep dogs dry and safe from the elements, while the soft fleece side traps body heat to provide a den of snuggly comfort.

Some dog breeds don't require the warmth of a coat. For instance, the Alaskan Malamute has a thick and wooly base-coat that allows them to be exposed to the extreme cold weather without wearing protection. The Samoyed has a dual coat that contains a soft, thick undercoat with a harsh outer layer. In addition, cold temperature breeds have a tuft of hair around their neck for extra warmth.

Aging dogs need a bit of extra comfort and warmth in their old age. A fleece lined dog coat will keep an older dog more comfortable. Especially on days when a dog feels arthritic, a dog sweater or coat will offer aid to keep their bodies at ease. Dogs not in tip top health can benefit from a therapeutic dog coat. Using heat, cold and magnetic therapy, veterinarians recommend therapeutic dog coats for rehabilitation and pain relief.

The correct fit is necessary for best possible comfort. Follow these steps using a tape measure to determine what size coat your dog will need.

Step 1: Measure your dog's girth. The girth is the dog's chest behind the front legs.

Step 2: Determine your dog's neckline. This is very important for hooded dog apparel.

Step 3: Measure the length of your dog from the base of their neck to the base of their tail.

Even though dogs come equipped with their own coats, they always could use an extra bit of warmth for cold and rainy days.

Even though dogs come equipped with their own natural coat, they can always use an extra layer of warmth for adverse weather. Joanne Gallagher suggests visiting Jake's Dog House for a large assortment of Dog Sweaters & Coats that will offer your dog with warmth and style during the cold winter months.

Beautiful summer weather is a perfect excuse to enjoy the great outdoors. Some of us are "water people" and just like some dogs are "water dogs". Sometimes a dog breed that doesn't typically make a splash will enjoy the water if they are encouraged or just want to join in the fun!

Many dog breeds enjoy swimming with their owners, fetching toys or simply splashing in the water. As a matter of fact, certain breeds of dogs have been bred to love water. To name a few: Labrador Retrievers, Newfoundland, Golden Retrievers, Irish Water Spaniels, Portuguese Water Dogs, and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers.

Pets need daily exercise. Your pet will not only be healthier, but calmer when indoors. Including your dog in your day at a nearby lake can be a fun adventure for all. Taking a swim with your dog and playing ball in the water is a lot of fun.

Float toys can also bring hours of exercise and pleasure to your dog. Many floating dog toys have ropes attached for handles that make it easy to launch into the water.

To prevent water fatigue, dog life preservers are available in many sizes and styles to keep your pet safe in the water. This will also help dog owners relax, knowing their dog is water safe. Your dog might not know when they are tired and need to take a break out of the water. Relaxing on shore for a bit will recharge both of you.

If you don't want to travel outside of your own backyard, your dog can take a dip in your pool. This is really a personal preference since some pool filters can't handle dog hair. Even if your dog doesn't shed, pool owners have differing opinions about pets in the pool. Sometimes dogs can rip the liner or damage the pool equipment.

A solution is a separate pool made especially for dogs. A durable dog pool is portable, easy to fill and empty, and made of extra tough PVC for lasting use. Perfect for your dog to have a refreshing dip in the backyard, or put the pool on a deck or patio. A doggy swimming pool that folds down completely makes it easy to pack for summer vacations and easy to store during the winter months.

The Dog Days of Summer are here. Give your dog cooling relief from the heat. Have a wonderful summer and share your love of the water with your pet.

Like humans, dogs also require relief from the hot summer days and a refreshing swim with your dog is the ideal solution. Joanne recommends visiting a store where Dog Supplies are sold and purchase a dog pool made especially for your canine friend which will provide relief from the heat as well as exercise your pet.

Many times, writing one article will trigger the beginning of another. That is exactly what happened with the most recent article about Martingale collars and half check collars. The article discussed the debate over the various types of choke collars. It mentioned the proper fit and position of these types of collars but did not address it. Indeed, this is a crucial aspect of using a Martingale or Half Check collar.

To provide a quick summary of the previous article, half check collars and Martingale are quite similar to choke collars but are considered by many to be much more humane. These collars were conceptualized for sight hounds to prevent them from backing out of a regular collar on account that their necks are too large.

Half check collars, or half choke collars, are usually made of leather or nylon webbing and chain, while Martingale collars are made totally of nylon webbing. Both of these specialty collars have a two-loop design that works by tightening on the dogs neck when it is trying to remove its head from the collar, but will loosen again when the dog stops struggling against it. The unique, limited closure of the half check collar and the Martingale collar prevents it from becoming too tight. However, the fit and positioning of each of these collars is extremely important.

Martingale collars are generally made up entirely of nylon webbing with two loops. A smaller control loop contains a 'D' shaped ring for connecting a dog leash. A larger loop allows the collar to tighten or loosen to fit the dog's neck. Buckles are frequently added so the collar can be snapped around the dog's neck with ease.

Fit and positioning of the Martingale collar is as follows, place it over the dog's neck and position the collar up in back of the dog's ears. While holding this position, make the appropriate adjustments. When tension is applied to the dee ring, the smaller control loop should close. The two pieces of hardware attached to the control loop should not touch. If they do make contact, adjust the collar so that it contracts to a minimum of 2 inches.

The Half Check Collar is comparable to the Martingale except part of this collar is made with chain. Similar to the Martingale, it has two loops which work the same way. The control loop on this type of collar is made of chain. The dee ring is attached to this circle of chain and is used as the attaching point for the leash. The chain is connected to the webbing or leather part of the collar with metal rings

As with the Martingale collar, the half check collar is positioned and fit in the same manner. When the dog pulls or tries to slip this collar over its head, the chain slides through the rings, tightening the webbing around the dog's neck. The chain itself never tightens around the neck. The dog only feels the webbing or the leather. The distinctive clinking noise also serves as a training tool as the dog pulls against the Half check collar.

When experimenting with these two types of collars, it becomes obvious how comparable the two collars really are. Essentially, these collars function in the same fashion to control dogs that would more often than not be able to slide an ordinary collar over its head. In addition, it is evident that these two collars are a more humanitarian way to manage dogs while on a leash. The owner of the dog ought to be well-informed about these types of collars and how to use them properly as to not inflict injury to the dog.

A dog owner should to be well-informed about the types of collars available and how to use them appropriately as to not inflict injury to the dog. Jim Witt suggests visiting Country Brook Design to view the vast inventory of custom made Martingale Collars that are available in many sizes and colors.

by Joanne Gallagher

Dog Owners should know the value of a dog leash. A dog leash is a great way to protect your pet from the dangers the outside world can hold.

An unrestrained dog can get be a problem, regardless of the training your dog has received. Many pet owners treat their pets like their own children, and just like a child should have boundaries lest they wander off and get hurt, so should dogs.

There are so many distractions outside that could cause a dog to wonder off. The sound of diesel engines, especially delivery trucks and motorcycles cause a reaction. They not only continually bark, but many time chases after the vehicle. This is dangerous to the driver and also having your pet in the street is another danger.

Other distractions that may tempt your dog to leave the yard are wildlife. Birds, squirrels, rabbits and deer can make an otherwise trained dog to abandon their manners and chase the animal especially dogs that are bred for hunting. It only takes a brief moment and your dog is gone and they might be too far away to hear you call or whistle. If they return uninjured, they often times have rolled in something quite foul. Additionally, on garbage days, they might stop and dig in a garbage can or two which will make neighbors a little agitated.

Letting your dog wander the neighborhood can irritate your neighbors, especially if your dog decides to poop on their lawn or dig on their property. Young children can also be afraid if they are on bikes or running and yelling and a dog decides to bark or chase them. The dog might be playing, but young children might not realize this and can get hurt in their attempt to run away from the dog

Even if your dog is well trained, when strangers approach to read a dog tag the dog may get defensive and attempt to nip or bite to protect itself. This is a dreadful situation for both the injured, and the owner. Although accidents happen, the dog's owner is still responsible.

The ideal solution is to fence your yard. If you do not have a yard, try visiting a Dog Park. Dog Parks are a perfect location for dogs to run and play with other dogs. Dog Parks are popping up all over these days. To find a Dog Park in your area, contact your local veterinarian.

Taking care of your dog is a huge responsibility, but it is your responsibility. Dogs must be monitored at all times. Putting your dog on a leash is an easy solution to keep your dog and those around him safe.

Dog Leashes are manufactured in many sizes and styles. 4 foot leashes are great for those who live in the city; hands free dog leashes are great for exercising with your dog, couplers can be purchased for walking multiple dogs; retractable leashes offer a little more freedom; and the standard 6 foot leash is usually accessible in one inch and 5/8 widths to hold most dogs.

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by Jim Samposzi

A canine collar can be comprised of plastic, leather or a cloth and should be positioned circling a dog's neck to prevent the canine from running away. A dog collar is used by many for many different uses. Some individuals use a dog collar to chain the dog and take him/her out for a walk; individuals adore pups and so they desire to keep them from getting out of the yard. It can be overwhelming to lose your dog for this reason.

Individuals who own larger animals (Great Danes, Bulldogs, or German shepherds, for instance) would want to get a leather collar due to the fact that leather is can withstand a lot of abuse. Also, many enjoy the aesthetics of leather over other materials. As long as the dog does not pull the chain, which is tied to the collar, the leather collar should not become frayed. Although owners who love smaller pups like a Pomeranian would be better off with a cloth or nylon-webbed pup collar. These are usually cheaper and available in smaller sizes for smaller breed pups such as the Pomeranian. Due to the fact most small pups don't have the power to shred through a collar, for smaller canines, these nylon or cloth collars are one of the better choices. These collars come in a myriad of colors, designs, and sizes. Not only are there a myriad of colors but there are additionally florescent collars that glow in pitch black so that the owner can see his/her pup without fail.

Collars do not only come in specific styles and sizes specific to certain breeds; they are also made to help with other reasons. A few collars have studs or other decorations that can add a sparkly look; especially if the dog is a female. These studs, however, are not just for decoration purposes. Studs are in a few cases used to protect the dog in case another pup tries to bite the canine wearing the collar on the neck.

Beside the colors and decorations, canine collars can also come with pesticides on them. Typically, these medicated collars are dipped in a solution that kills fleas. Additionally, medicated collars are used to help a dog's pain from affected areas of skin. The medication that are given out through the color is in doses that are small and hangs on for one or two months.

Dog collars may be used for coaching purposes. These collars are normally used specifically for training and slipped off any other time. These collars should always be worn lose; there have been mortal cases due to an over-tightened collar around the dog's neck. It is important that this collar be used only when educating the animal. If you have questions about how to use the collar, you should talk with a dog trainer on the internet or at a specific training program.

Pup collars play a vital role in keeping man's best friend. Not only is it safe for your dog to be on a leash, it is also not dangerous for friends. Many times, collars are crafted to support a tag on the pup that has on it their owner's place of residence and phone number if the dog gets disoriented. This very advantage has made it possible for many canines to be found and returned home with their owners after getting disoriented.

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