heated dog beds

Arthritis in dogs is more common than one may think. It is one of the most common health problems seen by veterinarians. Unfortunately, dogs that suffer arthritis are unable to tell us about it.

Arthritis in dogs is quite common in older dogs, and it is more noticeable in the larger dogs than in the smaller ones. That does not mean smaller dogs do not suffer joint problems, it is just more pronounced in the larger breeds. The larger dogs have greater difficulty moving around than the smaller ones when affected by arthritis. It is important for dog owners to be observant of their dog’s behavior and recognize the symptoms when their pet is ailing.

Your dog may have arthritis if you notice:

• Your dog is favoring a limb
• Your dog has difficulty sitting down, getting up or standing
• Your dog sleep more than usual. Animals reduce their metabolic rate to reduce pain.
• Your dog appears to have stiff or sore joints and difficulty in walking.
• Your dog doesn’t want to jump, run or climb stairs anymore
• Your dog is gaining weight due to less exercise
• Your dog is less active or less interested in play

Unfortunately the early warning signs of arthritis in dogs are rarely noticed by dog owners and veterinarians because animals have the tendency to ignore the discomfort until the arthritis affects the joints significantly. Arthritis in dogs can be very difficult to diagnose since the dog may not limp or appear to be in pain. Arthritis causes swelling in the joints and movement becomes restricted.

Joints have a susceptibility to any number of diseases, including arthritis. Any damage to a joint may produce arthritis. It can occur in any joint but is seen most often in the hip, elbow, knee and stifle.

It is important for your dog to rest comfortably on a bed that will help to ease the discomfort. Heated Dog Beds are great for dogs with arthritis or older dogs suffering from other aches. There are few better methods of letting your dog sleep off the pain than with one of these beds. Heated dog beds are equipped with built-in thermostats which allow you to control the temperature and create a snug warm place for your dog to sleep. Many have built-in thermometers that automatically adjust the warmth according to your dog’s temperature and the ambient air temperature to provide heat when needed.

I have been using heated dog beds for years for each of my dogs as they have grown older and are terrific for dogs recovering from sickness or injury. Most dogs enjoy cuddling deep into their heated beds when the weather is terrible and the nights are cold. Heated dog beds are a great idea during the winter months.

Heated dog beds have been specially designed to deal with dog’s nails and claws and are very durable.

Contrary to the belief of many people, not all dogs like to be outside and certainly no dog likes to be cold. They suffer from the cold just as we do and suffer arthritis just as we do. Do your dog a favor and ease their joints with warm and comfortable sleeping conditions. I recommend using a heated dog bed.

By Ian Patterson

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Zoombak GPS dog

At last there is no need to worry when your dog wanders off. Thanks to latest digital and satellite technologies, there is a way to track your dog and prevent all those wasted hours looking around the neighborhood for him.

So how does it work? If you live in an area covered by the Global Positioning System (GPS), the satellite antennae fixed to the collar, or backpack, constantly finds signals emitted from at least four satellites. It is much like receiving signals on your cell phone network. GPS positioning can be accurate to within 15 meters.

If your dog goes missing, simply call the mobile phone number of the GPS Dog Collar from your own cell phone. The GPS receiver in the collar works out the position of your dog and sends the coordinates immediately as a SMS (Short Message Service). This is done through the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) network and the coordinates are then displayed on your mobile phone screen. Some GPS collars can be configured to work with the Internet and the dog’s location can be tracked from specialized websites.

GPS dog collars are waterproof, contain rechargeable batteries and are light weight as well (approximately 200 g). Now each time you put on your pet’s collar, you know that he will be found, especially useful if he has been injured and is lying somewhere undetected. Go ahead and try a GPS dog collar – imagine being free from the worry and hassle of losing your pet.

By John s Rhodes

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electronic dog fence

An Electronic Dog Fence is not necessarily a panacea for the problem of the wandering dog or a substitute for teaching your dog to come on command and other training, but if used correctly it can be the right tool for reinforcing and reminding a dog where the boundaries are.

What is an electronic dog containment fence and how does it work? It is a management device or system used to contain and control a dog who is easily lured from his own yard by passing dogs, people, cars, etc. These systems consist of an underground wire buried a few inches deep and running around the periphery of the property. The dog wears a collar that receives a signal from the wire if approached too closely and delivers a mild shock, vibration, sound, or disagreeable spray which ideally conditions the dog to avoid getting too near the boundary.

So what are the negatives of using an electronic collar/fence dog containment system?

First of all electronic dog fences can be quite costly.

When used as an alternative for hands-on dog training, positive results may be limited.
If the dog does not immediately understand the cause and effect relationship of receiving a negative stimulus as he approaches the boundary, the use of additional negative reinforcement such as a firm NO or a quick jerk on a long lead may be necessary until it is clear that he understands.

Aggressive, highly excitable, or slow-to-learn dogs may be so intent on chasing after a squirrel or another dog that they bolt right through the shock zone, and, once on the other side and possibly trying to return home are reluctant to cross back over the boundary. There is also the possibility of another dog entering and attacking your dog.

There is the remote chance that an electronic underground dog fence could be struck by lightening and shorted out so it’s important to test the system after a passing storm. There is also the possibility that haphazard digging could cut the wire and disrupt the system.

Some believe that an electric shock is inhumane form of negative reinforcement, but this has to be weighed against the possibility of real harm or possibly death if a dog is hit by a car or gets into some other form of trouble.

electric dog fence

Some of the positive reasons to use an electronic dog fence include the fact that there are city zoning laws and development association rules in some areas which prohibit the construction of typical fences. An underground electronic dog containment fence may be the only alternative that will allow your dog the freedom to romp in the yard, clearly very important to his health and mental well being. This is especially true if there are no local dog parks or other areas where he can be exercised.

Installation of an electronic dog fence can encompass a much larger area at considerably less cost then a regular above ground fence. In fact some systems are designed to contain up to 25 acres. A regular fence would have to be quite substantial and high enough to contain the larger breeds, and there is always the possibility of a dog digging underneath it to escape.

If used in conjunction with regular dog obedience training and common sense, and considering your dog’s personality, demeanor, and your local circumstances, an electronic dog fence may be the right choice for you.

By Ira Nelson

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Dog electric fence

Some people, in order to ensure the safety of their dogs when they’re away, install a Dog Electric Fence. This is a simple electric wire that is put underground near the dog house. If the dog would try to leave the yard, then he would get a static shock. This way he would unable to stray too far away. There are also two dog electric fences that are placed by people for the safety of the dogs. This is mainly done because dogs have a tendency to go outdoors to check something out.

This kind of dog fence kit is works in various ways. There are also collars that are available for dogs that would not allow the dog to go outside. The kit normally consists of a transmitter, contact points that would be both short and long, boundary flags, instructional manual, and two collars. As the dog approaches the boundary line, it would get a signal that would warn the dog from going closer to it.

The benefit of such a product is that dogs will be secure and safe. They would not wander outside, and you can be at peace. But these devices also have drawbacks. For example, not all units would work properly. Some dogs are not affected by the mild shock, and still want to wander outside. Another disadvantage is that your dog could feel a certain amount of pain when the shock is given.

It is preferable to give the dogs some training. Not all people like to use such dog electric fences though they are good to keep a check on the security of your dog. There are various products that are available in the market, and some may be quite expensive. You can select the one which would be best suitable for you as well as your dog. Do not use such products on sensitive dogs as they may make the dog uncomfortable. So each kind of dog electric fences has pros and cons.

By Katie Appleby

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