Nail clipping

Nail clipping can be scary the first time you do it. Cutting the kwik makes it a bad experience for you and your dog. Be careful, and take your time.

First, you will need syptic powder and nail clippers. There are lots of different kinds, but I will demonstrate nail clipping with a popular type. Dog nail clippers are different from human clippers, as shown in the picture.

Syptic Power(Left) Nail clippers(Right)

Second you will need to find a nail that needs to be clipped. Part it from all the other toes and hair, so that there is nothing in the way. Make sure to grab on to it tightly, so it does not wiggle when being clipped. It could cause pain for the dog if you don't.

Before picking up the clippers, identify where the kwik is (if you can see it) and choose how much of the nail you want to take off. Then, quickly lift up the clippers and snap a piece off. Repeat with each nail until finished. 

If you a accidental get the kwik, do not panic. Take a cotton ball, and put a dab off syptic powder on it. Then, put it on the nail.

Good luck nail clipping!

Back to Blogging

I have not been on my blog for a long time because my old Facebook account was deleted for being underage (12) luckily I turned 13 March 1st. Since my account was deleted, my Everything Dogs Facebook page was gone as well. I'm not planning on bringing it back anytime soon, but eventually I will.

So, I do not have any certain schedule. But I got this awesome blog app for my iPod and I plan on writing some blog posts on there. (Like this one!)

Also, I've been getting into grooming now. I love it so much, it is a blast!! I've also been starting a very little business grooming other people's dogs for free. I can update my blog with pictures every time I groom :)

But anyways,
I'm happy to be writing on Everything Dogs again!!

Clicker Training

There are different methods and ways to train your dog. In this post, I am going to explain clicker training.

Clicker training is not difficult. You first start out by letting your dog know that that certain click is positive. You want them to thinks it is a reward for doing something good. That way, you will not have to use treats every time they do a trick.

How do you do that though? Well, all you have to do is press the clicker then give them a treat. Over and over until they associate that noise with a treat. Make sure to limit how many treats you give them though, DO NOT Overfeed!

It can take days for some dogs, and sometimes weeks for others. Just keep doing it until they understand.

Once a dog is clicker trained, all you have to do is get them to do a trick, then reward them with the clicker sound. Of course, it's always nice to also praise them with scratch behind the ears!

The Patience Test

My dog is a Portuguese Water Dog, named Gilligan, he is VERY high energy! High energy dogs are easy to train if you have patience for them. If you do not have very much patience, I would not recommend you a dog with tons of energy. Want to know why?

Yelling or scolding your dog does not help him unless he is trained and knows the word "no!". Gilligan seems to know the command, "no!" but if Gilligan is scolded he will usually backfire and make you crazy. I call this, the patience test.

 For example, Gilligan may be digging into trash or chewing on something that are not his toys. I can simply say no, and hope that he will stop. Some dogs may stop, but Gilligan would run away and want to play chase. Now he's testing my patience, isn't he?

Now stop and think really hard... What would prevent your dog from getting into things he shouldn't be getting into? Obviously, don't let him near those things in the first place. If you get a dog you must expect the worst at first and not let him get into trouble. It is your dog and your responsibility, your dog will make you crazy if you don't prevent these things.

So be careful with your dogs, you are the owner and you are able to prevent things from happening. Dogs are dogs and every once in awhile they will get into trouble. You must be patient, don't let your dog give you the patience test!

About

So sorry, I have not posted in a long time! I have been busy with Christmas and Winter Break! I think I might post tomorrow (maybe.. it depends!) but if I don't, I'm going to be posting next week anyways!

I hope everyone had a great and Merry Christmas, and I hope that your pets did too.

Facebook
Thanks- Miranda

The best dog

This post is similar to my "Shelter or Breeder?" post which was made to help breeders decide where to get a dog. In this post I would like to go over what kind of dog is best for each person.

When getting a dog never set high expectations. You need to be prepared for the worst when getting a dog, and you have to be able to deal with it. Dogs also take lots of patience. If you aren't patient with them, they will backfire and drive you insane. Before getting a dog, always research it. Research the breed, look at other peoples opinions and find what is the best for you.

Hypoallergenic dogs do not have fur, instead they have hair and they regularly need to be groomed and have their hair trimmed. Since they have hair instead of fur, people are not usually allergic to them. Unless you are allergic to anther part of them which is uncommon. A hypoallergenic dog is a great match for someone who is allergic to dogs. Example of hypoallergenic dogs: Poodles, Airedale Terrie, Portuguese Water Dog.

Big, nanny dogs are caring and kind. They want attention and young children to romp and play with. I recommend these dogs for families with young kids. Although most of them are good around children, make sure you start out with puppies and raise them by yourself. Some rescue dogs may have bad pasts and be scarred and deathly afraid of children. It's best to raise a puppy by yourself if you have young kids.

Thanks for reading this, do your reasearch!

Shelter or a Breeder?

Before getting a dog, you have to decide where you will get the dog. The most common places to get a dog is from shelters or breeders. Hopefully, this blog post can help you figure out where the right place to get a dog is for you.

Shelters:
Usually people adopt dogs from shelters because all they want is a healthy companion. They are not looking for a high class, show dog with pedigrees. Often times they will be looking for a certain breed, and end up getting a dog that's the entire opposite because they like this dog more. The only problem with shelters is that some dogs are abused, or have bad pasts. So you have to be careful what dog you choose and make sure its the right one for your lifestyle and family.

Breeders:
Most people who buy dogs from breeders are looking for a certain type of dog, sometimes it will be for shows, and sometimes it will be just because they want an exact breed. Sometimes getting a puppy is better, since you can be the one to raise it, instead of some abusive people.

Never set expectations for your dog before you get it. People can say that the breed is super sweet and friendly, but you may end up with an aggressive dog.


Thanks, Miranda

Christmas!

2 days until the 1st of December! And about a little more then 3 weeks until Christmas!

Lots of people adopt puppies or donate money to shelters during the month of December. There are Holiday dog rescues that will give you good deals for the perfect Christmas pup! There are lots of different dog activities that happen in the month of December, all you have to do is search online and find some that are near you.

Are you looking to buy dog gifts? Pet stores sell all kinds of dog toys and treats, sometimes they will have stockings already filled with treats! Be careful what toys and treats you buy, and happy holidays!!

Thanks for reading this short little blog post!

Thanksgiving Feast

Happy Thanksgiving! Today you probably have cooked an assortment of delicious food, or maybe you just cooked one or two dishes... Maybe you didn't cook any!

Thanksgiving day is always a lot of fun, but it's important to watch out for your dog. Overfeeding your dog on Thanksgiving day is common, it's even common for people to feed their dogs stuff they should not be eating. Some people say "Oh I will feed him this just this once!" but if you don't know for sure if your dog should be eating it or if you know that it is bad for him, it's best to stay away from it.


So have a happy and fantastic Thanksgiving!

~Miranda

The Amazing Leroy!

 Just the other day Leroy's people left me a comment on the Everything Dogs Facebook Page with a video of him performing inspiring tricks to teach your dog! The adorable look in his eyes had me in love and I thought that I need to share him.

 About Leroy:

Leroy is a tri-colored Border Collie (Ranked #1 on the list of smart dog breeds). He is adorable and just magnificent at tricks.

Featured on CBS's reality show Greatest American Dog, David Letterman's Stupid Pet tricks (twice) Animal Planet's Pet Star and Planet's funniest Animals. Also featured in various commercials such as for Bank of America, Claritin, West Virginia Lottery, etc and various print as as well to include the cover of 'In the Company of Dogs."

Check out Leroy's Trick Video and tell us what you think! You can also check him out on The Amazing Leroy Facebook Page, where they post pictures and videos of him :)

~Thanks, Miranda

(there will be another blog post this week!)

Adoption Dogs

Have any dogs up for adoption and need to advertise them? Everything Dogs is going to make an individual page just for foster dogs and dogs up for adoption. Please message the Everything Dogs Facebook page if you need some doggy adoption advertisement!

Facebook!

Swimming Dogs

Lots of dogs love water, but then there is a good majority that very much dislike it. For example most small dogs and lots of big dogs hate water. Some times it just depends on the individual dog! But no matter what, you should be careful of the water your dog is swimming in. Not only that, you should know if he even wants to go swimming.

First things first, don't shove your dog in water if he is afraid of it. That won't help, it could just provide a scary experience for your dog which would make him even more afraid. If you want your dog to come in the water, lure him in with his favorite toy or treats. That will provide a positive experience and let him know that the water won't hurt him. If your dog just won't go in, oh well, that is fine. Some dogs (like my Portuguese Water Dog) won't swim in pool water, but they will swim in lake, river, and ocean water. Probably because you can walk right in to a ocean, but a pool has steps. Also the type of water is different and that may also make a difference for the dog.

Also, be careful of what kind of water your dog is swimming in. There are all types of animals and plants that could be dangerous for your dog. Before going to a certain place to swim, make sure it is safe for your dog.

Water safety with your dog is important, he doesn't no better to step into a leech infested river after you just threw his favorite squeaky toy in it. Make sure it's safe! Be careful!

-Thanks, Miranda

Dog Toys

Lots of people don't tend to have problems choosing out proper dog toys. When you go to the pet store, toys line the isles. Usually, you can trust the pet store and pick out whatever toys look cute to you! But be careful, dogs will chew on anything!

Thinks to keep in mind about dog toys:

• Never buy toys with beads on them. Your dog can choke on them!
• Find toys that will keep your dog entertained, like puzzle dog toys!
• Buy toys that you're dog can't swallow! It's easy to buy for Chihuahua's but not so much for Great Danes. Make sure the toy is bigger then their mouth.
• Only give your dog toys meant for a dog.
• If it has a squeaker in it, make sure that right when your dog gets the squeaker, to not let him chew on it. Once again, it it possible for them to choke on it.
•  Wash toy whenever it needs it so bacteria won't build up.
• Make sure the toy you buy is very durable and will last your dog a long time.
•  You can switch dog toys out every week-month so your dog won't get bored.
•  It is important to through old dog toys away, once they are shredded to bits. Your dog can get lodged in his throat or intestine, and sometimes even cause intestinal blockage.

Dogs are very smart and often won't swallow what they play with, but you never know. My dog likes to eat anything and everything no matter the size or what it's made out of, and he's not even a puppy... (11 years old.)

Thanks for reading!

Crate Training

Sometimes sticking a puppy in a crate can seem really harsh... But it depends on the way you train your puppy to like it.

The crate should be a positive thing, that you can put your puppy in when you are away or he can be in it while you drive. Make sure your dog actually wants to go in the crate. Put some treats, toys, and bones in it. Have him willingly walk into it. Some dogs may just not like it, that's OK.

Your dog should think of it as his bedroom. Not his bathroom! Make sure he can only sit, and lie down in it.

Crates are only for sometimes. I would never have even a grown dog in a crate for 3 hours nonstop. Your puppy should only be in it for 2-5 hours a day, taking him out every hour to use the restroom. Once he is able to be home alone, you don't really need a crate unless he loves it like crazy and can't let it go!

Crate training is usually not hard and doesn't take very much work, just make sure your dog is happy and comfortable!

New blog posts every Thursdays

Blog Post

Blog post today! It will be a little bit later, blogposts are every Thursday now. And I may write on other days, randomly.

Blog posts

There is not going to be any dog posts this week! New pets!

Have a good day, and rest of the week!

Dog Socializing

I have mentioned dog socialization a ton in further posts. I believe it is very convenient and healthy to have a dog that can deal with anyone, or anything! When you socialize a dog it is always so much better to start out when they are the youngest. Sometimes people get dogs when the dogs are too old, that is fine. You can socialize from a old age (more like rehabilitate) but other times your dog can already be socialized! In my "Scaredy-Cat Dogs" blog post, you can read on how to socialize a old dog that was never socialized.

The best way to socialize your dog is to take it out of your house. Let it get use to the area, people, animals everything. Puppies are always very willing and open so they should not be afraid of much. But if there is something they are afraid of, let them see if every day until they are use to it.

Taking your puppies to dog parks is another great way to socialize it! They can meet all kinds of different dogs, and different people. Do not keep them on a leash or hold them because they may give them a bad impression. Let them run free (well, make sure the dog park is gated!) with the other dogs. They should have a good time and leave a good impression.

Thanks! Make sure to read the "Scaredy-Cat Dogs" post it has lots of other information as well.
New blog post next week on Wednesday and Thursday

Dog Safety

You want your dog to be safe, and you want other people to be safe too. Right? Here are some tips on how to keep your dog safe and happy.

• Do not let your dog get on anything high up-- unless he is trained and knows how to get down.
•  Check for signs of hurting other dogs when you're dog is playing with other dogs. Dominance and play-fighting aren't bad, but sometimes dogs can end up being very deadly

•  Make sure your dog has all his shots up to date, try and keep him healthy and happy. Regularly take him to the vet 

•  Be careful in the car, drive safely. If needed, use a doggy seat belt. Don't roll the window down all the way unless you are positive that there is no way your dog will jump out.
•  Don't let your dog eat any unknown plants.
• Make sure the toys, food, and treats your dogs are playing/eating are safe for your dog.
• Do not take your dog on a walk if the pavement is too hot for your bare feet. Dog paw pads are sensitive and can blister. Have your dog wear doggy shoes that can protect it from the pavement

•  Never leave your dog unattended in the car or anywhere that would make him too hot or too cold.
• Be careful of where your dog is, do not let him step on anything that would hurt his paws and do not let him eat anything but things that are meant for him. 

Watch out for your dog and help him be safe!


I may post another blog post tomorrow

Dog Clothes

You've seen the little Poodles, Yorkies, Bichons, Chihuahuas, ect. wearing the small little outfits, right? Or maybe you've seen them at the store. Putting clothes on your dog can be adorable, but does it hurt your dog?

Some people think it's not very reasonable to  put clothes on your dog. They may scratch at it and bite it until you decide it's time to take it off. But, if your dog doesn't do that and is acting perfectly fine, why would it matter? It doesn't!

Even though dog clothes is adorable, some people don't put clothes on their dogs for that purpose. Sometimes they may do it for protection, like hairless dogs may wear coats. Or sled dogs may wear shoes to protect their paw pads from the ice.

Lots of dogs tend not to like dog clothes. They're basically already wearing clothes. With there coats and all! So if you like dog clothes, and your dog doesn't, you can also just put a bandanna on them or have them wear a cute collar, maybe even a bow if your dog will go that far!

But don't worry, unless your dog is freaking out, it is probably OK to put clothes on your dog every once in a while.

New blog posts next week! Every Wednesday and Thursday.

Scaredy-Cat, Dogs!

In lots of 'rescue-dog' situations, dogs tend to be big scaredy-cats. Even if you got your dog from a breeder and raised it from a pup, it's personality may still be a bit bitter towards other dogs. Or maybe your dog just runs across the room, wailing, as he hears a crash of thunder! Dogs remember things, remember that. So if you leave a bad impression on your dog, it may stick for a very long time!

Socialize your dog as a pup. Let him meet everything. Water, darkness, thunder, all types of humans, all types of animals, vacuums, ect. Socializing your dog doesn't gurantee it will be perfect and love everything, but it does help a ton! Try not to leave any bad impressions, like I said before, your dog will remember it!

When socializing rescue dogs, you need to be extremely careful and it is probably best to have professional help. Here is an example on how to train a dog to be socialized with something it can't stand.

Example:
Your dog may hate kids, don't stick it's face right up to one. That's going to make your dog scared! Instead, take your dog places where kids might be. Make sure it is far away and can't get loose. (Muzzles are recommended in case your dog gets loose. But, some dogs get stressed because of muzzles.). Let your dog get use to the kids running and playing. Let him be able to sniff the kids scents faintly in the air. Let him do his favorite things. Maybe a nice belly rub, or some treats, or just a nice walk! Eventually your dog may go from tense to relaxed. He should be able to get use to kids! Do this all the time until your dog is completely relaxed around kids. Once he is relaxed, introduce the dog to a kid. (Not just any random one that you don't know! Make sure it is OK with the kids guardians and the kid. Make sure the kid is not scared at all around the dog). Put a muzzle on your dog and let the dog sniff the kid. If he just barks and growls, or shows bad body language, he is not ready to meet the kid and you need to continue taking your dog places around kids. If the dog is tense at first, it is OK it is better then growling or barking! Let your dog get to meet the kid. Once he is good around this kid, let him meet other kids. Over time your dog should be comfortable around kids!