Dog-ing

If you have a young puppy or are thinking of getting one, it would be a great idea to enroll you and your puppy into a puppy class. You can find puppy classes in nearly every larger city and it costs very little to sign up.

Your puppy will benefit greatly. First of all, he will be exposed to other dogs at a very early age. This will teach him how to properly interact with other dogs and will get him used to seeing and being around other dogs. Your dog will also learn some very basic things that all dogs should learn, such as how to sit, stay and come when told.

The puppy class will also teach you how to properly interact with your dog. The instructors at these classes will teach you proper training techniques to ensure that your dog will grow up well-adjusted, well-behaved and well-balanced. So, do you and your new puppy a big favor that will last his lifetime-sign up for you local puppy class. You will both have fun and your dog will be a better friend to you for many years to come!

Dog lovers be warned - this story is sure to anger, upset and make you want to do something to help.

Dogs are great! If you are thinking of getting a dog, be sure not to rule out getting a small breed. Small dogs are so mobile, that you can take them practically everywhere with you. If you are on a long walk and your little dog tires out, you can simply pick him up and carry him along!

There are also special small dog carriers available that are designed for the smallest breeds. These carriers come in the form of backpacks, shoulder bags and sling-type harnesses that you just slide you little four-legged friend into and take him along with you.

If you live in a small apartment, a loft or even a small house, owning a small dog is a great idea. Small dogs do not need as much space as a big dog and many landlords will allow tenants to own small breed dogs.

Another great advantage of owning a small dog is that they do not require nearly as much activity as a large dog. Of course they need walks and play time, but taking a small dog out around the block a few times per day is usually sufficient. If you own a large breed on the other hand, that dog will need to cover a lot more ground each day to ensure that he gets a sufficient amount of exercise.

So if you are going to get a dog, please do consider the small breeds. They are easy to carry, take up less space and are less expensive to keep as they do not eat nearly as much food as the large breeds.

No matter even if you are really careful, your dog could become lost and having your dog wear an ID tag is essential and will increase the possibility that you will get your dog home safe and sound.

It is a great idea to get your young dog used to a collar when he is a puppy. Be sure that you can easily slip two of your fingers between the collar and your dog's neck, so the collar is not too tight. After about one week of wearing the collar, your dog should be very used to the collar and will not even notice that he is wearing it. The next step is to get a dog identification tag engraved with your dog's name, your name and phone number.

If your dog escapes from your house or yard and is not wearing an ID tag, the chances are slim that you will ever locate him. With the tag, whoever finds your companion needs to only call the phone number on the tag and then you and your pet will be re-united. Dogs are a part of our families, so please do remember to have your dog wear an ID tag.

Follow this one simple rule: Off property, on leash. Be sure to have your dog leashed when he is not at home. You and your dog will both be happier and you will have the peace-of-mind knowing that you are doing everything you can to ensure that you will have your dog in your life for as long as possible.

Dogs bark for a variety of reasons. Dogs bark to communicate with you, with other dogs or to express how they are feeling. When dogs play together they bark. This is just a way that they are telling each other something. It is a bit difficult for us humans to guess what exactly they are saying to one another, but when a dog barks at us, it is usually relatively easy to tell what it is they mean by it.

Dogs will bark at people when they are ready to be fed, to be let outdoors or for a variety of other reasons. When a dog barks, he usually looks in the direction of what he wants, and this can be a good clue as to what his barking means. If your dog wants to go outdoors, he will probably bark at you and then look at the door.

A dog that seems to bark for no reason at all, could have a psychological problem or even a heath issue, and it would be a good idea to talk to a veterinarian about it.

Dogs bark to communicate. So the next time your dog barks for what you think is no apparent reason, just watch him carefully and you will probably discover why he is barking.

Hey, we apologize for not updating our blog for so long.

Here we announce the results of the Dog Photo Contest (March 2009).

1st (Sharon Tan from Amberdawnsnowy) :





2nd (Joey Yip) :




3rd (Jean Siow from Sabrina-de-cutiepie) :



Winners are already notified by email. Please check your inbox.

More contest will be coming in future. Visit us : )

We have already receive tons of participants to our dog photo contest. Today is the deadline of submission, so please hurry up! By the way, we will announce the results within 2 weeks time. Please be patient. Thank you for participating.

Dog clothing is becoming more and more popular. This is partially due to the exposure some young Hollywood stars have gotten by taking their small dogs with them everywhere they go, and dressing their dogs in shirts and other clothing to gather attention.

People dress their dogs for all kinds of reasons. If you live in a climate where you experience long and harsh winters, you may choose to buy an outdoor coat for your dog to protect him from the elements. Dog coats are generally more accepted by the general population because they actually serve a purpose.

If you live in a climate that experiences heavy rainfalls, it may be a wise investment to purchase a raincoat for your four-legged friend. Many dogs hate going out in the rain and getting wet, so a raincoat is a practical choice.

Many people are disgusted by people who dress their dogs up as though the dog was a human. Some people even go so far that they put pajamas on their dogs at bedtime. Dog clothing shops are very popular in many major cities around the world and the dog clothing business is booming. The decision is up to each dog owner whether or not they choose to use dog clothing for their pet.

Own a dog?

Love taking photos of your dog?

Here at Dog-ing, we are starting a dog photo contest, to showcase your dog to our readers.


Dog Photo Contest



To enter the contest and win some money, you need to:

1. Write a short blog post about our contest. The post can be of any length. Include two links. One to Dog-ing homepage using this anchor text: 'Just Dog It', and one to this contest post.
   
   
2. Send us a photo of your dog. Email photo to jacob2lame@gmail.com
   
   
3. Subscribe to Dog-ing with a RSS reader or email.
   
   
4. When you have done the three steps above, please leave a comment here on this post, with a link back to your blog post.
   

That's it. We will choose the top 3 cutest dog photos. The winners will be contacted by email and their prizes sent through local banks or via Paypal.

*1st* - $50
*2nd* - $30
*3rd* - $20

(Prizes are in Ringgit Malaysia, or converted to US$ upon request)


The Fine Print:
- All entries must be submitted by email
- You must hold the copyright of the photos you submit
- You give reprint rights of your pictures to Dog-ing
- You allow us to publish your pictures on our blog
- Due date on 31 March 2009


Feel free to ask any question, here's the email address again - jacob2lame@gmail.com

Groom your dog, make it look sweet, and take the best photo.

Good luck : )

It is important that taking walks with your dog be a pleasant situation for both you and your dog. We have all seen dog walkers out with their dog on a leash, and the dog is constantly pulling and running back and forth from side to side, angering the dog owner.

A dog should not pull on the leash. It is best to start training your dog how to walk on a leash when he is a puppy. It is not too early to begin leash training at 10 to 12 weeks of age. You should gradually introduce the collar and leash to the puppy.

Take the dog out to your yard and put the collar on the puppy, being sure that it is not too tight. You should be able to slip two fingers comfortably between the collar and the dog's neck. Next, attach a lightweight leash to the collar and just let the dog drag the leash around behind him. This gets him accustomed to the feeling of being attached to something.

Do this simple exercise for several days, and once the dog is used to the collar and the leash being attached, you can start taking him out of the yard for short walks around the neighborhood.

If you own a dog, it is very important to keep your dog well groomed and clean at all times. Dogs like to be clean and do not enjoy having their fur being matted and dirty. Here are a few tips on how to groom your dog.

Bathe your dog only when he or she needs it. A dog's skin can dry out if bathed too often, so only give your dog a bath if he or she has become very dirty or muddy. You can buy mild shampoos made specifically for dogs at most pet shops.

It is important to brush your dog's fur at least once a week. Pay special attention to the belly area and in the 'armpits', as this is often where knots will develop. Brush gently and talk to your dog in a calming voice while grooming. During the brushing session, check the dog's skin for any signs of rash or parasites.

It is also very important to keep your dog's claws trimmed. Usually every five to six weeks should suffice. If you neglect to trim the claws, they could curl under and grow into the pads of the paw, causing great discomfort and pain.

You must take care of your dog. Dogs, like people, prefer to be clean.

Dogs need exercise every single day to ensure that they are well-balanced and happy. Take your dog out for several walks each day. If the weather permits, and you have a safe place to play, let your dog off the leash and throw a ball and have the dog bring back the ball. A rousing game of fetch such as this, every day for about 20 minutes, should tire out your dog and give him the required amount of running that all dogs need.

If a dog gets too little exercise, he will often become frustrated and exhibit undesirable behaviors such as chewing on your things or pacing around your house or apartment. Part of being a responsible dog owner means giving your dog the proper amount of exercise every single day.

A well-exercised dog will be a happy dog. Dogs love to be outdoors exploring, so taking several long walks every day will surely be appreciated by your four-legged friend.

If you are thinking of getting a dog as a pet, how do you know what breed is best for you? Dogs come in all sizes and breeds, and the simple task of choosing a dog can be overwhelming.

You should look first at your living situation. If you live in a small apartment in a city, it would probably not be the best choice for you to get a Great Dane. Large breed dogs require space and they need much more exercise as well. Large dogs are also more expensive to keep because they eat a great deal more food than a smaller breed.

If you are an older individual, it may also be wiser to choose a small breed dog like a Yorkshire Terrier or Toy Puddle, for example. These smaller breeds do not require such vigorous activity, so four or five walks of about 15 minutes each, should suffice in keeping the dog fit and happy.

If there are children in the household, choosing a dog breed that is known to get along well with children is very important. Some dogs are known to be a bit predictable, so choosing an American Pit Bull for instance, may not be the best idea.

Owning a dog has great benefits and can bring a lot to a person's life. Dog ownership brings many advantages as dogs provide companionship, they make a great addition to a family and if there are children in the household, they can teach children the importance of being responsible for a living being. Dogs need a feeding schedule and regular grooming throughout their lives. If the dog is well cared for and given a lot of positive attention, the owner will be rewarded with many dog kisses and lots of adoration!

If you own a dog, you will be responsible for meeting the dog's needs. Dogs require care and attention. Dogs are 'pack animals' which means they wish to be in a group and they need to know where they rank in that group. As a dog owner, you must let the dog know that you are the 'leader' at all times, because the dog will be looking to you for guidance and reassurance in his or her's daily activities.

The benefits of owning a dog are many. If the pet dog is given proper care, feeding and affection, the owner will have a best friend for many years to come.