Owners and their Dogs Site

It is important for anyone planning to groom Shih Tzu to know the correct way to groom. With Shih Tzu show dogs there is absolutely no room for mistakes. Grooming a Shih Tzu show dog could represent the difference between winning and losing. Correct Shih Tzu grooming, however, is also important for pet Shih Tzu. Some Shih Tzu owners want their Shih Tzu do look the way a dog of the Shih Tzu breed should look.

A Shih Tzu owner, whether pet or show dog, should know how to care for the Shih Tzu properly at home. Any Shih Tzu grooming done at home should be done by using the correct procedures. There is correct and incorrect way to bathe your Shih Tzu. Shih Tzu has different types of coats that need different types of care.

To groom your Shih Tzu successfully at home you need to have a basic knowledge of how to groom, how to correctly scissor or clip your Shih Tzu. This will help you take care of your Shih Tzu at home or, at least, to keep the Shih Tzu looking presentable between professional grooming.

Beginner Shih Tzu Groomer Qualifications:

1. A sincere love for the Shih Tzu.
2. The ability to handle scissors with a steady hand.

If there is no problem in handling the scissors, handling the remaining equipment can be learned easily.

Everyone who owns a Shih Tzu should have some grooming knowledge and be able to have pride owning a well-groomed Shih Tzu. Grooming your Shih Tzu can fun and satisfying as well as safe and sure.

There are several categories of Shih Tzu owner groomers:

1. The single-Shih Tzu owner who doesn’t have time to do the main grooming but wants to keep the Shih Tzu looking well groomed.

2. There is the person who enjoys Shih Tzu grooming once in awhile to prove he can do it.

Correct grooming knowledge is valuable to both categories of Shih Tzu owners. If you are a Shih Tzu owner who wants to do all your grooming at home, you must know the grooming requirements of the Shih Tzu as well as the professional does to get the desired results.

Most Shih Tzu show dog owners groom their own Shih Tzu even if they hire professional handlers. A Shih Tzu owner must know accurately every step of grooming for his particular breed.

Accuracy and speed are paramount here, and are the key to victory in the contest. Unleashed and disallowed prodding or bribery by their owners, the dogs must navigate the course themselves. No incentives, and no input from the owners save of the verbal variety, as well as hand signals. Obstacles on these courses include tunnels and ladders. Usually, about a thousand square feet in size, the obstacles are numbered in the order in which the dogs are to overcome.

Complicated Courses

Dog agility courses are complex by design. For the most part, coaching is needed by the owners in order for the dogs to get through the course. Owners often analyze the course beforehand to try to develop a winning game plan for their dog tailored to the course. Owners are permitted a map, important as the dog is ideally to run the course without making any mistakes.

The Score

Scoring is based on how many mistakes the dog makes while running the course. Usually, you will find the owners following their dog through the course, coaching their animal along the way.

Failing to make it through a tunnel, or knocking over an obstacle are penalized. The game is called dog agility, after all. Completing the course in longer than the alloted time is also penalized; this is known as a time fault. The time limit on any particular course is dependent on its complexity, the competition level and other concerns.

Dog walks, teeter totters and jumps are all par for the course. There are a lot of challenges along the way for the contestants, to say the least. The owners must train too, there is also a lot for them to learn. Dog agility competitions can be thrilling to watch, a solid form of entertainment.

A dogs’ nutritional needs differs from humans. What we believe as healthy for us often is not sufficient or appropriate for dogs. To ensure your dog receives the best nutrition you need to understand a dog’s specific needs and how to address these needs. Taking care of man’s best friend does take a little preparation and know-how.

There are essential nutrients needed to grow, go and glow. If your dog does not receive correct nutrients it will possibly result in poor health, stunted growth in puppies, lethargy and a shortened life span.

Dogs need five basic nutrients for survival: carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins and minerals. These serve different functions in sustaining the health and well being of the dog and out guide will help you ensure your dog receives these nutrients.

1. Proteins

Proteins are the health building block; they are chemicals made of amino acids. Your dog can produce some of these chemicals in their own bodies but the rest need to be supplied through food intake. The best sources of these amino acids are meat and its by products. Dogs can extract proteins from these a lot easier than it can with plant sources. Repeat: meat.

Choose foods that have an adequate amount of protein to help your puppies and dogs grow.

2. Fats

Fat is something everyone tries to avoid it because it can cause many health problems, but dogs, however, just like man, also have a need for the nutrients contained in fat.

The right amount of fat is necessary to promote good skin health and to carry fat-soluble vitamins. Fats are also essential to kidney function and reproductive health - and they make food more tastier too. Too much fat will result of course in obesity and lethargy.

3. Carbohydrates

Fifty percent of your dog’s diet must consist of carbohydrates, necessary for energy. Corn and soybeans are two of the more popular sources of this nutrient. If this source is clean and of good nutritional quality then ensure you dog’s diet contains at least 50% of these. Other carbohydrates include cooked rice and the dry cereals prepared specifically for dogs.

4. Vitamins and Minerals

A dog needs an exact amount of vitamins and minerals to be healthy, and although your dog may receive these nutrients from its general food intake, vitamin supplements for your dog should be considered. Today the formulated commercial dog feeds also make it easier for owners to ensure their dogs receive good nutrition.

Buying Dog Food Tips

Dogs need proper nutrition in order to be healthy, happy and for their coat to be soft and glossy. The cost of any dog food and its brand is only important if dogs could read or pay for the meal. The easiest and best way to find out which food is best for your dog is to observe how their response is to the food they take in.

The following are tips you should remember when feeding dog kibbles, nibbles or any kind of treats.

• Chocolate is lethal to dogs. The major components are methylxanthine alkaloids and theobromine in regular chocolate and are digested and excreted by humans in under 3 hours but the same compounds when ingested by dogs stays inside them for 18 hours and this has been proven to be fatal. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning include vomiting, excessive urination, hyperactivity, diarrhea and these can be followed by seizure, coma and ultimately death.

• Read the label of hte product. Dogs must have a diet rich in meat protein,so when you purchase canned foods look for chicken, turkey, any red meat, pork or other animal by products as these keep the dog’s coat smooth and healthy. Dogs prefer meat-based diets because they are easily digestible and is a great source of energy.

• Don’t give a dog just any bone. Contrary to popular belief, feeding bones to dogs is not necessarily a good idea. Small soft bones gnawed and eaten by dogs can splinter inside their throat and cause them to choke. Chicken necks do not splinter, neither does the brisket bone of any animal, so these are good to give the dog as they also provide gum and teeth care when the dog gnaws on them. Dogs have short digestive tracts and also they have no saliva amylase, the enzyme that humans have that is used to pre-digest starch.

• Dog food supplements are unnecessary only if you are sure that your dog receives a regular intake of complete and balanced food nutrients. Good sources of carbohydrates include rice, corn, oatmeal, wheat. A highly specialized nutrition diet is only necessary if your dog does not have enough physical activity or is currently undergoing a stressful routine change.

• Raw fish and eggs are forbidden in a dog’s diet. Consistent consumption of raw eggs makes a dog’s skin flaky as eggs lessen the biotin available in their body and the usual results are dermatitis and hair loss. Raw fish creates a thiamine-deficiency in a dog, and its effects are loss of appetite, abnormal posture, weakness and sometimes death.

Feed your dog a healthy diet as outlined above and he will have always a beautiful coat and give you many years of companionship.

The intelligence of the dog is among the highest of all the animals, maybe higher than we give him credit for. Although his brain is proportionately only half as large as ours, he is certainly the most intelligent of domestic animals.

As with humans, individual intelligence varies greatly according to inherited genes. While no one breed can be said to be more intelligent that another, some breeds that have been selectively bred for work ability are often brighter and more receptive than those bred primarily for purely physical attributes.

Whether a dog is a mixed breed for purebred, studies have shown that neither is much more intelligent than the other. However, dogs that have been exposed to a more varied lifestyle, both indoors and out, and with both human and animal interaction, does show more intelligent behavior.

Simply put, giving your dog an opportunity to investigate and manipulate all sorts of objects, to explore all sorts of places, to share all sorts of experiences with you will stimulate his or her intelligence. Aside from getting a lot more out of life, your dog will be eager to learn more and he will learn with increasing ease and rapidity. Nothing is sadder and more wasteful than an intelligent dog that is confined in a kennel and deprived of mental stimulation.

Despite opinions to the contrary, dogs are endowed with an elementary reasoning power. Anyone who has ever owned a dog has often seen him size up a situation and then taken some logical action. Guide dogs for the blind, as well as working and hunting dogs of many breeds constantly have to use their judgment and make decisions.

Memory is an important component of intelligence. The dog’s memory for scents is extraordinary. His visual memory is only fair, but his memory for sounds is very good, since he can remember and identify familiar voices even after an absence of many years. While he builds up a large store of identifiable sounds without the slightest effort, remembering different words requires more concentration.

The dog’s capacity for learning is more a matter of memory than of true understanding. He will remember the sequence of cause and effect in his actions, but he is unable to draw broad conclusions from his experience. The greater the variety of experiences and contact with others they have, the quicker they learn, and the more they retain.

Dogs are bound by nature to remain intellectually inferior to man, but we owe them a chance to develop their native intelligence by training, teaching, and working with them as much and as often as we can.

Purebred dogs of all breeds can be found in shelters, and volunteers can be found in every state to seek them out. Scottish Terriers, West Highland White Terriers, and even breeds considered rare, all pass through shelters every year. Those who perform Scottish Terrier rescue are committed to matching homeless terriers with loving new owners.

Dog owners give up their pets for a variety of reasons, and many of them have nothing to do with the animal’s temperament or behavior. Perfectly loving, well-behaved Scottish Terriers are rescued every year because their owners have died, moved into retirement homes, or are suffering from ill health. Other dogs find their way into shelters because of allergies, divorce, or new babies.

Scottish Terrier rescue organizations do find strays, dogs with behavioral problems, and dogs who have not been housebroken. A dog that has lost its owner, for whatever reason, will probably grieve, so it is crucial that adopted terriers be matched with the very best new owner. Rescuers will want to determine that the home the terrier is destined for is loving, secure, and committed to keeping the dog permanently.

If you wish to perform your own Scottish Terrier rescue, a good place to start is the breed’s national and local clubs. The Scottish Terrier Club of America has its own National Rescue Coordinators, and keeps lists of participating organizations, state by state. There are also general purebred dog rescue organizations that handle all breeds, but have representatives that specialize in individual ones, like Scottish Terriers or Westies.

These are usually found in major metropolitan areas around the country. Your local Humane Society can often refer you to purebred dog rescue groups, as can their national organization, The Humane Society of the United States. Try looking in your local paper for dog rescue groups, or on the internet.

When you find your Scottish Terrier rescue organization, expect to go through an application process before you can get a dog. There may be adoption fees for your terrier, and most organizations will expect you to immediately spay or neuter the dog if it has not already been. Some breed representatives have waiting lists, but if you are patient, there should be a Scottish Terrier for you to rescue.

(Disclaimer: Any information contained in this site relating to various medical, health and fitness conditions of Westies or other animals and their treatments is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own veterinarian. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing the health of any animal. You should always consult and check with your own vet or veterinarian.)

I do hope that you have found the article of use to you.

Good health and happiness

If you know someone who has a dog, then you will find buying them a gift for their favourite companion will go down well. If you are a dog owner then hey – their part of the family so don’t let them feel left out.

Here are some great gift ideas most are not expensive but they will certainly be appreciated.

Gifts For Dogs

There are many ways to make your dog feel part of the festive season.

It’s always a great time of year to buy them a coat, new basket or as a special treat make sure they have some dog cookies.

There are plenty of nutritious dog treats and many suppliers who provide a huge variety that your dog will enjoy.

It’s a tasty treat and a perfect gift for dogs and most are nutritious to!

Gifts for dog owners

As we all know most dog owners love their dogs, so why not give them a present for birthday or Christmas that will be related to their special friend?

They will appreciate the gesture and there are many to choose from including:

Christmas and birthday cards

With a message from a four legged friend to touch their owners hearts with joy.

Calendars

Another inexpensive gift but one that will be appreciated.

There are many that are beautiful illustrated and are a constant reminder to their owner throughout the year of a wonderful companion and friend.

Books

These can be either about the breed and include beautiful pictures, tips on training health etc or they can be stories with dogs as the main characters.

The latter are particularly loved by children.

What better gift for a child that a story to remind them of their special friend?

There are many great stories about dogs and their adventures and many of them are true and show unswerving devotion, love, bravery and loyalty.

Who wasn’t touched by stories of Lassie or 101 Dalmatians as child?

In fact, many people still love these stories as adults - as stories of animals can sometimes touch us more than stories with people.

A gift that will be appreciated

So, if you want to treat your pet, or you know someone who has a treasured companion, the above are just a few of the gifts you can give them that will make any dog or owner feel appreciated.

Create a social networking website for a certain type of dog owners - it could be for a specific breed, size, anything. It would be free for people to use and sign up, and you make money with the advertising you place on the website pages.

Who would have thought that social networking websites such as MySpace would have been so successful? Social networking websites are basically a way of meeting other people that have similar interests. Why not start up a social networking website for a segment of society that are dog owners? They will all have the love of dogs in common. You can give them the opportunity to show pictures of their dogs and sharing stories and friendships with others that have a great love for their dogs too. People who use your website could also find doggy play groups, breeding opportunities, dog fashion, doggy day care, etc., all on one easy website!

If a website for dog owners is too broad a segment of society, you could offer a site, or sites, for dog owners of specific breed types. Whatever you decide to do, there are many different avenues that you can choose. Just make your website free for whoever wants to join and sign up, you make your money with those that choose to advertise on your website pages.

Setting up your website will cost you a little of an investment of money and time at first, but it will be well worth it in the future. You will need to advertise your site, and once people start joining word of mouth will help build your membership numbers. The more members you have, the more chance of companies wanting to advertise on your site. This is where you will make your money; by referring your members to businesses that will sell them products. It’s the same formula that MySpace and Facebook uses, the main difference being that you are targeting a specific market.

These are the types of sites that can bring you a slow steady income, the longer you maintain them, the more money they typically will make for you. You just need to make sure that you keep your members returning to your website regularly and posting often. Offer occasional fun contests for your members to join in on; maybe the funniest picture or video posted for the month, the saddest dog, cutest puppy, and the list is endless. Let the members of the site vote and decide who should win too!

Post your own articles also about the different breeds of dogs, care, grooming tips and problems that members are experiencing. The members will enjoy the interaction with others that also love their dogs.

Include your site name and address in as many places as you can find that are frequented by dog owners; pet stores, dog parks, veterinarian offices, local pet shelters, and societies. Post articles online about dogs and include your URL within and after the articles. This will help people find your site too.

If you have the money to invest in more advertising, you can also advertise your website in pet magazines and advertise in as many newspapers as you can afford. The more investment you make in advertising, the faster and larger your website will grow. Just make sure that it is a fun place for dog lovers to visit and they will take care of the rest.