Tips on Choosing Female Dog Names

When it comes to choosing female dog names the problem is not where to find names, but how to pick from the thousands of choices. Great female dog names are everywhere. 


Don’t believe me? Okay then, here are some ideas to get you started...


First though let's find out the kind of name you're looking for. Tell me about your dog. What’s she like? What's her colour, size, and personality? Is she a Pitbull or a Shih Tzu?

A Boston Terrier and a Pug.

These things will, of course, impact on the name you eventually decide on. You want to choose a name that suits the dog don’t you?


Right, lets be a bit counter intuitive and come up with some tough girl dog names. When people think girl dogs, they generally think of cute, fluffy, lap dogs, with names to match, but what if you have a female Rottie or Doberman? 


Here are some tough dog names for girls; Boudica, a legendary warrior queen, Pantera, after the heavy metal band, or Alabama, after the butt-kicking anti-hero from the movie, True Romance.

Doberman puppy.

Let’s offset that with some of the cute and cuddly names we mentioned earlier. There are tons of these, so here’s a quick sample –  Bam Bam, Coco, Disney, Eggnog, Gidget, Hootie, I-Pod, Junebug, Maybelle, Munchkin,  Newbie, Peaches,  Q-Tip, Squidoo, Swoosie, Tuppence, Uschi, Womble, Zsa Zsa. There is no shortage of cute female dog names.


But what if you're looking for a name that sets your dog apart from the crowd, something a bit more off-the-wall? Abraxsas, Io, or Quarterflash do it for you? No? Then how about Isis, Nonotchka or  Souixsie?


There really is a name out there for every dog. All you have to do is think of something that you (or your dog) is interested in and the ideas literally drop into your lap. 

Is your dog a fashion hound?…Gucci, Dolce, Prada. Like music?…Joplin, Joan Jett, Latoya. Movie buff?…Hepburn, Garbo, Harlow. TV?...How about Oprah, Murphy (Brown) or Ally (McBeal)?


By now you’re probably beginning to see how easy it is to come up with a name for your female dog. What's that? You still need more? Okay then... What about first ladies?…Jackie O, Abigail (Adams), or Ladybird (Johnson). What about Royalty?…Beatrix, Cleopatra, or Maxima. 
Or you could name your dog after one of the great women of history, like Amelia (Earhart), Florence (Nightingale), or Helen (Keller).
  
See how easy that was? Now that you know the drill pick a subject you’re interested in, then write down as many names as you can think of (use Wikipedia if you must). Now narrow that down to your favorites and pick the one that really suits your dog to a tee.

Author: Pauline Nielsen


Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/tips-on-choosing-female-dog-names-2301766.html


About the Author: Or you could save yourself the trouble and head on over to Puppy Names HQ, where we have thousands of great female dog names just waiting on your approval.


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The Proper Dog House Will Keep your Puppy Safe & Happy

Whether you have an outside dog or an inside dog that spends lots of time outdoors, you may be looking for a good dog house to match your dog’s needs.  A dog house can offer shelter from storms & cold and can also offer shelter from hot sun during the summer months and is vital for almost any dog owner that will allow their dog to spend lots of time out of doors.

Most dogs love to be outdoors.  They love to have the freedom to run, and they want to be able to enjoy only the things that your yard can offer, like the sights & smells of nature.  The problem for a lot of dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors is finding shelter when it’s needed.  A dog house is able to prevent your dog from having to sit in the hot sun & chance getting heat stroke during the summer months and you will be able to rest easy knowing that your dog is loving his time outdoors.

Most dogs don’t love big storms.  They don't like lightning & if they’re stuck outdoors during a storm it can be traumatic for them.  The problem is that if you leave your dog out & you’re not home when a storm rolls in, your dog might be left without essential shelter to comfortably ride out a storm.  This is why you ought to be sure to give your pooch a dog house to come back to when the weather becomes bad, even if your pet generally is inside.


So, you know about the need for a dog house, but what type of dog house will you get to keep your dog comfy & pleased no matter what the weather conditions?  There are a lot of different types of dog houses that you may want to select from, but here are a few basics to help you get started with your purchase:

- Any dog house you purchase should have a roof of some sort on it.  Lots of dog houses include shingled roofs just like homes.  This will help you to keep the inside of your dog house dry & the roof will offer shade from the heat of sun.  Also, a proper roof will help keep your dog warm during the cold months.


- Your dog house should also be large enough to accommodate your dog comfortably, but not so big that he has too much room.  You want him to be able to comfortably stretch out in the summer time to stay cool and curl up in the colder months of winter to stay warm.


- The outside of the dog house you pick should be weather proof.  You will not have to provide heat and air conditioning if you do not want to, but good solid walls on a dog house will ensure that the inside stays cool in the summer & warmer in the cold months.

Purchasing a proper dog house should not be a challenge, but if you don’t know what to look for, you might find that your dog is unhappy & uncomfortable, but if you select the ideal dog house, your dog will be cozy & happy no matter what the season or the weather.

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Author: BParlio45

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/the-proper-dog-house-will-keep-your-puppy-safe--happy-2309065.html

How much time can dogs stay alone?

If you are going to leave your dog alone for a long period of time then don't be surprised with the behaviour issues he might develop. Being alone, your dog deals with two big problems.

The first one is the physic and emotional discomfort, because he sees he is free and he doesn't know what he is allowed to do and what he isn't. Sometimes stress is added because he is afraid of doing something that can get him punished. The second problem comes out of the need of a dog to be permanently around people or other dogs.

I always trained my new puppies to stay alone in the house with a step by step plan. The first time I left my pup on his own was for only 15 minutes to see how he would react. The kitchen was a good place to start, not to big and easy to clean up. Next time I tried it for about 30-45 minutes. Most of the times it went well, just a short time of howling and a very happy dog when I came back. After a few weeks my dog could stay alone for a longer period without any problem. Of course I asked my neighbor's if my dog didn't bark a lot while I was away.

If a little dog is to be left alone the entire day, then make sure he has enough water and that a big part of the room he is left into will be covered in papers. A small dog needs to satisfy his physiological needs every three hours. Do not under any circumstances leave the dog locked in the doggy house without given him access to water. You should let him stay in a small room, for example the kitchen. On my working days my small dog used an indoor potty, he learned there was a special place to do his business.

My little Chihuahua did not howl or bark but he started to tear up my magazines or chew on cardboard boxes when I went away for more then half an hour. I used a great tip on how to solve this habit. Everytime I wanted to go out I showed my dog a special jar with doggie treats in it. While telling him he would get a treat when I was coming back, I placed the jar on a cupboard where he could see it. Again it was a step by step process; leave the house for 10 minutes, come back praise your dog and give a treat. Try 20 minutes, 40 minutes... and so on. After a little while my Chihuahua did not need those extra treats anymore.

When you go to work all day it might be a good idea to come home in your lunch brake or hiring someone to walk with your dog. This way he gets a chance to meet other people and dogs and help you prevent a home disaster.

Experts recommend us to spend a few hours a day with or dog and to introduce him to as many friends and neighbors as we can until he turns 7-12 weeks old, because at this age the puppy holds the capacity to understand some situations. My dogs came from breeders with home-raised pups, used to have children around and they were meeting other people from an early age.

If you have an adult dog, that needs to be fed only once a day, it is simpler. The dog will eat at night or in the evening when you get home. You will walk him in the morning, play a bit and then when you get back from work spend some time with your dog again. Try not to be out of the house more that 8 hours because he has a schedule, your dog knows exactly when he is given food and when he will be walked. If you don't impose him a rhythm, the dog will be stressed and the house a mess. Years ago when I was working as a nurse, I was lucky to have a friend living next door with a dog, when we both had to work our dogs spend the day together. When working at night my dog never had to stay alone.

Never leave the dog alone when you are planning to go on a trip or on a vacation. If possible take him with you or if not, hire someone or ask some friends to take care of him.

It is important to make it up to your dog. If you have to leave him alone a lot during work days, try and spend more time with him on weekends and holidays. Behavior issues can be easily corrected if you just play more with the dog.

Author: Isabella Vreeken

Owner of Dogs Gifts and Care.
http://www.dogsgiftsandcare.com

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/how-much-time-can-dogs-stay-alone-64225.html

Sudden Aggression in Older Dogs

There are many forms of dog aggression. The distinguished police dog trainer Ed Frawley of Leerburg Kennels names 16 forms in his training guides, accounting for everything from the dog's gender, to their possessiveness, territoriality, dominance, or fear. The residential dog owner doesn't necessarily need to be so academic, but they should always be able to recognise aggression and deal with it appropriately. Aggression is always one step away from a dog bite, which is itself one step away from a vet bill and a lawsuit. 


The common signs of aggression are growling, snarling, barking, curled lips, lunging and an overall menacing posture, where the dog is tensed and ready to snap. (Note: there is also something known as a "submissive smile" exhibited by some dogs, whereby the animal actually shows its teeth as it approaches. I've seen this behaviour confuse many owners, but it can be dismissed as such by the dog's lowering its head as it "smiles," and often wag its tail too). There are other indications, such as jumping or mounting, or even standing in your way that are much less of a problem and often go ignored when not accompanied by the other more severe signs. 

One of the most often misunderstood forms of aggression is that which arises in older dogs all of a sudden, especially when those dogs have been docile, even submissive, for most of their lives. This can be upsetting, as it seems like your dog is turning all Jekyll and Hyde on you. 

First of all, don't worry or think that you need to be afraid of your friend. You should be able to narrow down the cause when you think about the situation you were in when the aggression manifested itself. If the dog reacted badly to a younger dog or even a puppy, chances are your dog is acting out of new sense of a challenge to their pack status. Even if you never had problems of this kind before, a young and over-energetic dog can pose a challenge to an older dog that can no longer keep up, even if the only thing on the young dog's agenda is play.


Older dogs in particular may enjoy puppies, but because of their increased age and decreased endurance, they will only tolerate them for a time. After a self-determined "grace period," they will let the puppy know they've had enough in a firm and forceful way. In most cases, this message is sent with a snap that is "all bark and no bite."

In addition, one of the most common "hidden" causes of aggression in older dogs is the onset of arthritis, which makes them not only less able to engage with other dogs, but also potentially vulnerable and defensive as a result. Stiffness in the morning, a reluctance to jump up into cars or their favorite chair, and general lethargy are all early signs of joint pain. Arthritis in dogs is unfortunately very common, a result of genetic factors, diet, or even over-exercise. If arthritis is causing a dog pain, then they can lash out not only at other dogs, but also at you. 

See your vet if arthritis is a possibility, as there are plenty of steps you can take to address the problem, from dietary supplements to massage and acupuncture, and a revamped exercise regimen. Anti-inflammatory drugs are effective but best left as a last option (they cost a good bit and they can be rough on the dog's stomach).

Other medical reasons can cause aggression in older dogs, such as thyroid gland problems and possible brain tumours. These are rare cases, but they do happen. Dogs live and learn by routine and tend to act "in character." Therefore, in general any sudden and sustained behavioural change to your dog should be investigated. 

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Author: Martin Olliver


Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_87889_54.html


About the Author: Martin Olliver has over 12 years experience in dog training and is a proud member of the Kingdom of Pets team. He is the author of the newly released Ultimate Guide to House Training (http://www.kingdomofpets.com/doghousetraining/index.php).

10 Things You Should Know Before Buying A Chihuahua

Here are 10 things you should know about Chihuahuas before you buy one.


Chihuahuas have entered the realm of popular culture. Celebrities carry them around in their purses and movies are made about them. But before you buy a dog, here are some things to know about Chihuahuas.

1. The first thing you should know about Chihuahuas is that they need lots of attention. You should be prepared to play games, interact, and talk to your dog. Chihuahuas are a highly sociable dog and they bond strongly with their owners. They are not dogs that enjoy being alone at home all day.


2. If you have young children, the Chihuahua will compete with them for attention. The dogs don't have a lot of tolerance for noise, though they make a racket themselves. You should also know about Chihuahuas that they can be biters. While they do not inflict serious damage most of the time, it is not a breed that makes sense if you have young children.


3. Chihuahuas don't like changing homes. They are happy living their lives in one place. So, if you are a highly mobile family, you should consider a different breed. If you do move homes, you should be prepared for an upset dog at first.


4. Another thing you should know about Chihuahuas is that they don't like there to be other pets in the home. Sure, you can have a goldfish, but if there are other animals competing for your attention, your Chihuahua will not be happy. Chihuahuas often stand up to dogs twice their size and there can be a lot of fights if you have other pets in the home.


5. Contrary to the images that celebrities project with their pocket pets, Chihuahuas don't like to be carried around. They enjoy running, walking and playing, not being a fashion accessory.


6. Chihuahuas are not good travelers. If you are going across country in either a car or airplane, be prepared for problems from your pooch as they do not like being confined in a carrier.

7. About Chihuahuas, they like their personal space. The dog is very territorial and can dominate its space. You should expect the breed to be quite aggressive if a family member intrudes on what the dog has defined as his or her space.


8. Chihuahuas are jumpers. You will be surprised at just how much trouble a Chihuahua can get into in your kitchen! They can jump more than two feet from a standing position. Keep this in mind when you are stocking shelves.


9. They get cold easily. One thing every owner should know about Chihuahuas is that their short hair and bony frame means that they don't retain heat well. If you live in a cold climate, buy sweaters and coats to keep them warm. Also give them a warm bed with blankets if needed. If they're cold, they can throw a tantrum.


10. Your Chihuahua is high strung. To keep him or her in line, it is important to keep their most common personality traits in mind when making training decisions. 


Before buying a Chihuahua, know as much about the dog's background as possible.