Is It Safe to let Your Dogs Lick Your Face?

Sloppy, wet dog kisses – it would seem – could hand in paw with the dog ownership experience. But can dogs pass on germs when they lick your face? One of the more commonly asked questions we get here at DogTips.co is whether dogs can pass on germs to humans, particularly by licking…
Dogs use their long tongues for mopping up lunch crumbs, removing mud from their feet, and cleaning their privates. And yet, when they give our faces sloppy licks, there’s something endearing about it. Apart from occasional attempts to retrieve bits of glazed doughnut from our chins, dogs lick us because they like us. It isn’t a kiss, but it’s close.
Almost as soon as they’re born, dogs experience the soft warmth of their mothers’ tongue, which bathes them with maternal affection. The licking never really stops after that. Mothers take advantage of their puppies’ relative immobility during nursing to lick them clean. They also lick their bottoms to jump-start their impulses to relieve themselves.
Puppies do their share of licking too. They lick older dogs’ chins and faces to greet them and show respect. And when they’re hungry – and puppies are perpetually in search of something to eat – licking their mother will sometimes stimulate her to regurgitate a meal, which the puppies regard as an appetizing lunch.
As dogs get older, they lick each other less often, but they never quit entirely. At the very least, in the absence of hands and hairbrushes, they do each other’s hair with their tongues
A Show Of Respect
Dogs don’t lick people because they’re hoping for a hot meal. They lick because we’re their parents, or at least the head folks in the house. Even when dogs are old, gray, and grizzled, they see themselves in some ways as being our children, and a lick shows how much they respect us.



You can tell a little bit about your dog’s personality by how much licking she does. Dogs who are very bold or independent are restrained with their licking because they don’t feel as though there is anyone they have to win over. Outgoing, sociable dogs, on the other hand, lick everyone all the time.



We play a role in all this licking too. It doesn’t take dogs very long to learn that laying a wet one on the cheek is a great way to get cooed over and rubbed the right way. So in a way, the instinct to lick is both ancient and immediate; dogs do it naturally, and we en- courage them to do it more.



People are never sure how to react to licks. The first emotion is generally “Aw, that’s cute,” closely followed by “Yuck.” Imagine where that tongue has been! But it’s not as unhygienic as it seems. At worst, dog licks are like wiping your face with a slightly dirty washcloth. Not exactly cleansing, but hardly worth worrying about. In fact, there’s some evidence that it may be good for you.



So whilst a dog lick on the face might not be to everyone’s taste, judging by the millions and millions of dog owners who’ve received a dog lick to the chops, it’s not going to kill you (or your children!).

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Join INBOXDOLLARS and earn cash fast

                                                                Join inboxdollars ,You can request payment home or paypal after yu reach $30.00. You can also earn money quickly by answering surveys they have, if you qualify they pay you 1.00 for each survey you answer, and you also can do free offers its not just about reading e-mails you make your earnings much quicker then other paid to read e-mails because you have so many options to choose from, and its not boring. Wait till you get several e-mails and then answer them all at once this way you do not have to answer just three a day, you can answer about 18 at the end of a week sometimes more and finish, till the next week or until you reach your goal. Go and at least see for yourself all inboxdollars have to offer before you decide if its for you , I know I did and it is for me. I joined..THey have lots of fun stuff as well games, and trivia. Go now and see for yourself. Go to http://www.inboxdollars.com/?r=lilyruth

Join now and when ou do you will also be helping us fight against aimal cruelty, so please sign up now just click on the link and check it out and start earning cash today. Thanks










                                                                                                          

Pet Mess Cleanup Guide

Keep your home looking and smelling fresh with this crop of useful tips.

.There’s no question that our furry family members bring us oodles of joy, but every pet owner knows they can also leave a few unwelcome surprises around the house. Then there’s fur to contend with, cages that get smelly and nasty critters like fleas who hijack a ride indoors. But living with pets doesn’t have to mean living with messes.
Accidents Happen
Even the most well-trained pet will have an occasional accident. The good news is, “most stains can be prevented if you act fast,” says Larry Cooper, technical director of the Professional Carpet & Upholstery Cleaners Association. “Getting to it sooner rather than later is key.”
If It’s Still Wet…
1. Blot it up. “Get up as much as possible so it doesn’t begin to spread into the carpet backing and padding,” says Cooper. Scrape up any solids with a blunt-edged object like a spoon. Then place a thick layer of paper towels (white only, so the print doesn’t bleed) or an old towel on top of the area. Press or stand on the towels to help absorb the liquid.
2. Resist the urge to scrub. “Carpet fibers are twisted together, and vigorous rubbing causes them to come apart,” says Cooper. Instead, continue blotting until the area seems dry, then weigh down the towels with a phone book overnight to wick up any remaining fluid. If a spot remains once the area dries, try the steps below.
If It’s Dry…
1. Dampen the area lightly. Wet the spot with plain water using a sprayer bottle, towel or handheld spotting machine (similar to a wet vac machine). “Avoid flooding the area, which can cause the stain to penetrate the carpet,” says Jim Pemberton, a spokesman for the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification. “You want to mist the spot, not drown it.”
2. Extract the water. Using the machine or paper towels, soak up the water; repeat the process of misting and extracting until the spot is gone. “In most cases, plain water will do the job,” says Pemberton.
3. Take it to the next level. If there’s an odor or the spot doesn’t come up, try a pet enzyme cleaner, found at pet, grocery and home improvement stores. “Don’t grab just any cleanser in your house,” says Pemberton. “Products such as disinfectants, hard-surface cleaners, detergents and powdered deodorizers can bleach the carpet or leave a residue that attracts even more soil over time.” Also avoid using ammonia or homemade cleaners, which may get rid of the odor—but could actually attract your pet for a repeat performance.
4. Know when to call a pro. Since vomit may contain stomach acids, food dyes and bile, it’s particularly difficult to remove. Give it a go, but if you can’t get it out, call a professional for help. Go to certifiedcleaners.org for a pro near you.
Please be sure to give a donation here to help feed and shelter dogs who need your help. Share what you have and help them have a happy Christmas. Be sure to also sign into my Googles Friends Connect widget and show you care and want to fight against animal cruelty. Subscribe to my readers feeds and check me out on Twitter @lilruth Follow Me...Be aure to Adgitize my Ads..

'twas the Night Before Christmas (dog version)

'twas the Night Before Christmas (dog version)


It was about time for Christmas, and all through the house

A creature was stirring, but it wasn't a mouse

I knew right away it was my wife's little pup,

She thought we were sleeping, and so she was up



The dog was a gift it was coercion, really,

A woman can pout, 'til a man gets downright silly.

And now the wife was snoozing she was really sacked out

She wouldn't have awoke from less than a shout.



Yes, her in her nightgown, I in my BVDs,

We had finally settled down to catch some Zs

When off in the kitchen there arose such a clatter,

I rolled from the bed to see what was the matter.



Away down the hall, my head in a muddle,

I reached the kitchen...and stepped in a puddle.

The glow from a nightlight illuminated the room,

So how come I stumbled over the broom?





I fell in a sprawl, my legs were not stable.

On the way down, my nose hit the table.

My head was a spinnin' and when I came to rest

Four miniature dog feet stood on my chest.





With a lick and a bark, she bounded away,

Into the living room, she ran to play.

More rapid than mouses, that rat terrier ran,

Me on the follow, rolled newspaper in hand.





"Stop, Skeeter! Stop, Dog! Stop, Pup!

Halt, Pooch! Halt, Girl! Oh, come'ere, you mutt!

"Get off the new couch! Now let go of that curtain!

Ohhh...If I ever catch you, you're gonna' be hurtin'"





As winds of a Texas tornado do fly,

She spun round the room, down low and up high.

Then up on the countertop, that puppy went

She stopped for a second. I thought she was spent.





I make a quick lunge, she ducked me and then

Yawned when I dove through the flour bin.

As I drew out my head and was turning around,

She made for the presents, in a single bound.





I was covered with flour, from my head to my toes,

My robe in tatters, and blood on my nose.

A bag full of toys, she grabbed with glee

I nabbed her, I thought, but instead got the tree.





The ornaments, they broke, as they began to fall

The lights, how they fizzled, and that is not all.

When I reached for the plug, to turn the bulbs out,

What flowed through my body, but electricity, so stout!





As smoke encircled my head like a wreath,

That dog held my big toe, tight in her teeth.

"Skeeter," I moaned, "I give up. Oh, Skeet, I give in."

So she bit my swollen nose, and nipped at my chin.





She spoke not a word, but went back to work,

Down came the stockings it took just a jerk.

Then up from the hall, came the sound of feet,

Momma, it seemed was awake from her sleep.





"Now you'll get it pup," I announced with glee.

Then Skeeter walked over and put her little head on my knee.

She looked up at my wife - so innocent - and at me, so, so sad.

And it didn't take long, to know I'd been had.





Then came the wife's voice, so strong and so clear,

"Bill, you leave that puppy alone! You hear!"

And I exclaimed to myself, as they walked out with a strut,

"Don't leave any gifts, Santa just PICK UP THE MUTT!"



'The night before Christmas' was written by Bill McClellan


Please give a donation before you leave here its to feed and shelter dogs who deserve better lives. Also be sure to sign into my Googles Friends connect widget.

Keep your Dog Safe for the Holidays

My dear loyal readers nd friends: Sorry I have been away for fo long but its this old computer of mine it crashes when it wants to and I cannot afford to get a tech to fix it so I have to do it myself and it took me this long to get it working again But I hope you all still stoppped by to visit with me here and read some of my older posts and checked out the ads. Please be patient and bear with me when this happens I will do my best to get this old computer up and working again until the end lets not hope it gets to that.. Anyway Im so happy to be back with you all and lets hope I can remain . For these dogs depend on me to blog for them and all you dog lovers and dog people depend on me to continue to give you doggie tips and share my dog stories with you and doggie poems and dog pictures and dog news and funny stories also, so now let me share these tips about keeping your dog safe for the holidays. and I do wish all of you Happy Holidays.......
The holidays are all about family, friends, fun and food - but sometimes it's easy to forget about holiday safety for your dog. We all want our dogs to be part of the celebration, but there are some important guidelines to follow. Keep your dog safe this holiday season - no one wants their holiday celebration to end up at the veterinary emergency clinic!

No table scraps! Just because we humans like to indulge in the feast does not mean it is good for our dogs. Rich, fatty foods can seriously upset your dog's stomach and even be toxic. It is especially important to keep your dog away from the following dangerous foods:

•Onions, which can cause anemia                                                                                                          

•Chocolate

•Bones (especially cooked bones and ANY poultry bones)

•Alcoholic beverages

•Any foods high in fat, sodium and/or sugar

There are some human foods that are okay for dogs, so if you want to give Max or Maggie a special treat you have some options. Try a small piece of cooked turkey or chicken without skin or bones (and hold the gravy). Raw carrots and apples in moderate amounts are actually healthy for dogs. Just remember - everything in moderation.

Watch the holiday decorations! Most dogs are curious by nature, so they will want to check out any additions to the decor. Sniffing can lead to chewing, or even ingestion of foreign objects. Keep electrical cords tucked away and other decorations or holiday plants out of reach. Watch out for dangling objects that can be pulled down and cause injury. Candles should never be left unattended. Also, if you have a Christmas tree, don't let your dog drink the tree water - it can make her sick.
Don't let your dog get lost in the shuffle. Holiday parties and gatherings can mean lots of commotion. This might be fun for you, but not for your dog. Lots of people in your home can result in injury or stress for your dog. A large crowd is not the place for most dogs, so consider keeping her in a crate or quiet room - especially if she is the nervous type. If she is comfortable around a smaller group, just make sure you set down the ground rules with your company: don't feed the dog and keep the doors closed! Many pets get loose and run off during the holiday season. Though your dog should always wear a collar with current identification, this is especially important during the holiday season. Sadly, many dogs run off and become lost during the holiday season. don't let yours be one of them.

You and your dog can still enjoy the holiday season. Be sure to watch for any signs of illness and keep the vet's number handy. Stay safe and have fun. Happy Holidays. Be sure to please sign into my Google friends connect widget  and show your our friend and you care about dogs. Please Christmas is just around the corner and we can use your help to shelter and feed strays that we care for. Help make their Christmas a Happy one by donating a few dollars here so give and it will make you feel good inside that you know you helped one of these poor dogs who need your love and your donations. This is the time to share and give and love so Please donate here if each of you who visit here would donate a few dollars it would make a big difference for these dogs at Christmas time. Do not leave here without giving a few dollars Please. If your dog got lost and was cold and hungry would you not want someone to take care of it and feed and shelter it? I ask all you dog owners and dog people to please open your hearts this time of the year nd give what you can.....and tell Five Friends..........Thank you.

Choosing the Right Dog Toy for your Dog

 

If you can give your dog a dog toy before you leave the house then they will be less likely to be destructive and chew your furniture. Dogs do get bored very quickly and just as you will need to keep your brain motivated so do they Bored dogs can be very bad and they will become more likely to destroy their surroundings. Buying them dog toys is the best way to keep them entertained.  No matter what age they will appreciate having something to play with both when you are there and when they are on their own. Dog toys are a great way to encourage your dog to play and can help with training and discipline issues..         Although dog toys are great you need to understand that your dog needs attention from you as well. You should try to buy your dog several different dog toys so that they can play with different ones. There are many different dog toys for you to choose from and which ones you select will depend on the type of dog you have.



If you have a very small dog then buying it a very large ball or toy will be pointless and the dog will become bored with it very easily. You can buy some very good motivational toys which are designed to give your dog a treat when they work out how to dispense the treats. These are excellent for dogs that bore easily and hard wearing toys are recommended or you will be replacing them often. If your dog likes to destroy their toys then you will end up spending a fortune if you buy cheaper less destructible ones. Although cheaper options may seem better the more expensive ones are made from better materials with dogs in mind.



Squeaky toys may seem like a good idea when you are stood in the pet store but imagine when you get home and your dog bites it over and over. This style of toys are great but only if you can tolerate the noise. Balls, Frisbees and tug toys are excellent for you to be able to get involved with your dog and play with them. You should ensure that you buy toys that are designed for dogs as they are non toxic and safe for them to play with.



Both you and your dog with benefit from giving them dog toys, they are a perfect way for you to bond with your dog and they will be less bored. They will love playing on their own with the toys and when you return home then you can play as well. You have to care for your dog well when you own one and this involves all elements from their health to their exercise program. By helping those to play and be less bored then you are displaying great pet ownership and you can be proud that you are looking after your dog well.

Please give a small donation before you leave to help fight against animal cruelty . Help us to save the dogs who have been abanoned and need food and shelter and most of all Love. Thank you

Ways to Spot animal cruelty

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Animal  cruelty is common everywhere, even in places where it’s prohibited. Although there may be laws on animal cruelty, its not highly implemented. Thus every year, there are several animals, including pets like cats and dogs, and wild animals, that are maltreated.



Animal cruelty can come in various forms. You could have observed someone physically hurting an animal. Animal cruelty can also be in the form of malnutrition when animal owners don’t feed their pets properly. Generally, what causes injury and suffering to an animal can be considered animal cruelty.
One way of fighting animal abuse is to report it as soon as it is spotted. Here are some things you can do to prevent animal cruelty.
Be Aware
Keep your eyes and ears open. Your local humane society or animal shelter wouldn’t know several instances of animal abuse without those concerned citizens who report cruelty in their neighborhood through phone calls. So, do your part and be on the look out for animals in your own neighborhood. This could be a possible indicator of neglect or abuse.
Learn to Distinguish Animal Cruelty
Signs and Symptoms – There are signs and symptoms observed in most abused animals. Watch out for wounds on the body, patches of missing hair, extremely thin and starving animals, limping and tick or flea infestations. An owner who is physically abusing an animal is abusive. Dogs left chained in the yard and without access to food and water is a neglectful act. Animals hit by a car and not taken to a veterinarian is also a neglectful act. These are all forms of animal cruelty.
Report Animal Cruelty
Know who to call when reporting animal cruelty. There are some states that have Humane Law Enforcement officers who can investigate and arrest perpetrators of animal cruelty. In some towns, you may have to call the police department or local animal control. Know who to call. Also, when reporting an incident, make sure that you provide as much information possible. The details will mean a lot to the investigating officer. Try writing down the type of cruelty you witnessed, who was involved, the date of the incident, and where it happened.
Do Some Proactive Steps to Fight Animal Cruelty
Animal cruelty is a crime. Write or call your local law enforcement departments and tell them that investigating animal cruelty should be a main concern. Fight for the passage of strong anti-cruelty laws on federal, state or local levels. Have signature petitions. Write letters to legislators. Stronger laws mean tougher penalties, and punishment for animal cruelty should be harsher! Support your local animal rescue organization or local shelter. Volunteer at animal shelters and rescue groups in your area.
Lastly, set a good example for others. You can prevent animal cruelty and it starts within you. If you are a pet owner, make sure that you always show your pets the love and care that they ought to have. Always provide food, fresh water, shelter and medical treatment if your pet is sick. Have your animals spayed or neutered. Be a responsible pet owner. And to top it off, a lot of hugs and kisses won’t hurt!
Save the animals and stop animal cruelty. Learn more how you can prevent animal cruelty in your neighborhood. Please give a small Donation here at DogCents before you leave anything you can give will help towards buying food and giving shelter to these poor dogs who have been aboandoned. Open you hearts and dig into your pockets and give show that you care.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rashel_Dan



                                                                                                                                                                  

Haloween Dog Pictures

Funny Haloween dog pictures This one is dressed in a Hoola skirt.

Halloween Ghost Dogs.....Fight against animal cruelty and help us save a dog by giving a small donation here to buy food and give shelter to the dogs we take in off the street. Share what you have, if you love animals then do give... Source: humor.beecy.net

Ill. woman charged in dog poop-infused meltdown

DOG NEWS

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (AP) — Dog owners, beware: If you live in suburban Chicago and don't pick up after your pet, you might get tossed an unpleasant reminder. Police in Naperville said a woman who stepped in dog feces outside her apartment appears to have retaliated by heaving it at the door of her neighbor who owns a dog.

Susan Miller was charged with disorderly conduct after her bizarre protest Wednesday.

The Naperville Sun reported that police say Miller also uprooted a sign telling residents to pick up dog waste and placed it on the neighbor's patio. Miller was arrested after the neighbor called police.

An unapologetic Miller said that if she can pick up the poop from her 80-pound dog, her neighbor can pick up after a 20-pound dog.
Naperville is about 30 miles west of Chicago.

Dog Home Remedies you can find in your home

Many of these natural home remedies for dogs are quite easy to obtain. For example, do you have garlic in your kitchen? Most people do and use it to cook up tasty dishes but never consider that it is an effective flea repellant.

What about mineral oil, olive oil or almond oil? These are also common household items that can be used for a variety of different purposes. Did you know that they are also effective for treating ear infections or ear mites in dogs?



Do you treat your own skin with Vitamin E? It's a common way to soothe irritated and dry skin. If your dog suffers from irritated skin as a result of allergies, try applying a bit to their skin to see rapid improvement.



What about oats? They are excellent for adding to your dog's bath water if he has problems with allergies and as a result spends a lot of time itching and scratching. Just a handful of oats added to your dog's bath water can help to soothe his irritated skin.



Epsom salts are excellent additives if your dog has problems with his feet. Just add a bit to some water and then soak your dog's feet. Remember to take care that he does not drink the water.



Natural home remedies for dogs are safe, easy and inexpensive solutions to many health problems that may plague your dog. Be sure to give a donation to help feed and shelter abandoned dogs who need your donations show you care. Click on the Donate buttons.. Thank you Be sure to sign in The Googles Friends Connect and show your our friend. Follow me on Twitter @lilruth  Vote for me at http://bloginterviewer.com/animals/dogcents-ruth

Many Home Remedies are better then what you buy at the store

Many loving dog owners today have turned to natural home remedies for dogs as an alternative to using questionable and possibly dangerous commercial products.

Many of these natural home remedies for dogs are quite easy to obtain. For example, do you have garlic in your kitchen? Most people do and use it to cook up tasty dishes but never consider that it is an effective flea repellant.

What about mineral oil, olive oil or almond oil? These are also common household items that can be used for a variety of different purposes. Did you know that they are also effective for treating ear infections or ear mites in dogs?
Do you treat your own skin with Vitamin E? It's a common way to soothe irritated and dry skin. If your dog suffers from irritated skin as a result of allergies, try applying a bit to their skin to see rapid improvement

Be sure to take good care of your dogs in return they will bring you much joy and happiness and also be kind to strays on the street. Stop and give a little of your time by giving them somthing to eat. Carry a bag of dog food in yor car and when you see a hungry dog stop and give him a bite to eat and belive me you will feel better about yourself and tht dog will greatly appreciate your kindness. IF you can please give a donation here to help feed and shelter so many stray dogs we care for we can use your help is it to much to ask you to hellp make these abandoned dogs lives better. IF you love dogs and own a dog and hate animal cruelty then open your hearts and don't leave without giving a donation to help save a dogs life. We really need your help we ae running low on dog food and hope you will help us out and come to our rescue..Thank you Lilyruth

Purina publishes FaceBook Game for Pet Lovers

  Pet lovers who enjoy the thrill of building and managing fun places on online games will have an opportunity to test their skill on the new "Purina® Pet Resort" game.

Nestle Purina PetCare Company, one of the world's leading pet food manufacturers, is now publishing its new "Purina® Pet Resort" simulation game on Facebook. Players can become the manager of their own virtual pet-themed resort, allowing them to build and operate a fun place to pamper, care for and entertain virtual pets.



The game is Purina's latest effort toward providing online and mobile entertainment and information for pet owners.



"Pet lovers spend a lot of time online and using mobile devices for fun and to enhance the relationship with their pets," said Guy Fish, assistant brand manager, Purina® brand. "Purina® Pet Resort caters to pet lovers who enjoy online games and would like to create a virtual haven for their four-legged friends."



"Resort" owners can purchase a variety of pet-themed stations where virtual pets can be groomed or fed with Purina® brand pet foods and treats such as Purina® Dog Chow® brand Dog Food, Fancy Feast® and Beggin' Strips®. The game focuses on the stations and the resort owners' ability to move up levels by taking care of more pets.



Merscom, a global publisher of Facebook and casual computer games, developed and published "Purina® Pet Resort." Merscom is owned by Playdom, Inc., which is involved in marketing the new game.



Purina recently introduced an enhanced version of its "petcentric" mobile application that is now available for iPhone®, iPad®, iPod Touch® and BlackBerry® users. "petcentric" provides pet owners an engaging mobile experience through location-based utility, entertaining content featuring videos and photos, and relevant pet information.



The new "petcentric" features offer a gallery of top pet news stories and videos every day, and new ways to search for professional pet sitters and pet-friendly places using GPS technology. In addition, pet lovers can rate and comment on pet-friendly locations and add their own favorite places.



Purina also offers a glimpse into the world from a pet's point of view at www.petcentric.com
Before you leave be sure to sgin into our Friends Connect Widget and show you care. Become one of our Friends here on DogCents. Also please leave a donation to help feed and shelter these abandoned dogs we take care of, your help is desperately needed. If you love dogs and hate animal cruelty then click on the Donate Buttons on here and help save a dogs life When you do give a donation we will publish your name and name of your Blog on here and we will make sure all the world wide web knows you donated to help feed and shelter these strays. Thank you   Lilyruth

Poem for New Pet Owners

Don't smell crotches, don't eat plants, Don't steal food or underpants. Don't eat my socks; don't grab my hair,,, DON'T RIP THE STUFFING FROM THAT CHAIR!!




Don't eat those peas, don't touch that bush, Don't chew my shoes, what IS this mush!?! Eat your cookies, drink your drink, Outta the toilet! Outta the sink!



AWAY FROM THE LITER BOX, IT'S FOR THE CAT! (and must you kiss me after that!?!) Raising a puppy is not for the lazy, Those rugrats are funny, but also quite crazy.



Don't despair through the toil and the strife. "Cause after three years you'll get back your life! So lets go for walkies, so you can do your "thing" And maybe I'll get back my diamond ring!



-Author unknown

Be sure to join my Googles Friends Connect and show you care...Also give a small donation to help give abandoned dogs better lives.. Thank you

How to Stimulate a well-trained Dog

Your adult dog needs the right amount of balance in his training. These needs include a regular dose of physical exercise, mental exercise, and the need to socialize. Providing your dog with these needs will keep him happy, healthy, and may even add extra years to his life.




Mental Needs Of Your Adult Dog



The more you teach your dog, regardless of his age, breed, and personality, the better he will become at all levels of his life. Training your dog to perform certain tasks gives him purpose, which in turn greatly improves the quality of his life. Once your dog learns certain skills, he is no longer just your pet. He becomes more of a friend, a companion, a helper, someone to enjoy more wonderful times with.



Providing your dog with knowledge gives him freedom to do more things. Having the skills to listen, to respond properly to your commands, and the ability to be trained gives him the advantage to explore more and learn more. Instead of staying inside the home all day by himself, you can take him to different places and share more activities with you.



Teach your pal something new each week. This will keep him confident and keep his mind stimulated and alert. Being able to think clearly in his adult life will benefit him when he reaches old age.



If your dog's intelligence is above average or if is an energetic working breed, you will have to train him more, even in his adult years. Highly intelligent dogs need to have a job to do to keep them entertained, prevent them from becoming bored, and also prevent them from developing destructive behaviors.



Extra training and mental activity is required if you have a working breed. Working breeds need to be worked more to keep them busy and problem-free. A few examples of working breeds are Border Collies, Great Danes, Australian Cattle Dogs, German Shepherds, Australian Shepherds, Rottweilers, and Old English Sheepdogs. These dogs need to think more and do more to stay happy.

Giving your adult dog his regular mental exercise will keep his mind clear, keep him occupied, and prevent boredom. Boredom leads to dissatisfaction, which in turn leads to negative behavior. Regardless of the amount of training and skills he acquired during puppyhood and his adolescent stage, he is likely to develop destructive behaviors again unless you give him a job to do.

The old adage "use it or lose it" not only applies to humans, but to our canine friends as well. Your dog needs to brush up on his skills and talents on a regular basis, otherwise he will forget them. It is that simple!

Please don't leave without signing into our Google's friends Connect Widget and show your our friend and hate animal cruelty. Also do try and give a small donation to help keep these dogs who have been abandoned well fed and cared for.  If everyone who visits us would give at least a five dollar donation or ten this would add up and we can buy dog food and medicines...Your donations will help to save a dogs life. Thanks.. Also be sure to click on my ads this also helps us alot. Follow ME on Twitter  @lilruth Your comments are welcomed.....

Dogs Trust Slams RSPCA Dog Licence Proposal

In what appears to be a battle of the ‘my idea is better than your idea’, The Dogs Trust have hit out at the RSPCA’s call for the reintroduction of a national dog licence for English dog owners. The charity has issued a statement claiming, without a hint of irony, that the take up for the licence in Northern Ireland is poor and so the ‘better’ approach would be compulsory microchipping. The charity doesn’t explain (as it hasn’t to date) how or why it believes that their compulsory microchipping idea would be taken up by the dog owners who they claim would not take up other compulsory measures but they do go on to mention that you can pay the Dogs Trust £10 to get a microchip for your dog.
Source: DogMagazine.net – the K9 Magazine blog
Please be sure to give a small donation to help feed and give shelter to dogs who have been abandoned and need our help. Also be sure to sign into my Googles Friends wqidget on here and show your our friend. Follow me on Twitter @lilruth

Hair and Fur Donations For Gulf Coast Oil Spill

Matter of Trust is the name of Californian environmental agency that organizes hair boom for the Gulf Coast Spill. Matter of Trust accepts donations of hair from all over the world and has opened more than dozen warehouses in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida where the hair is shipped. Finding hair as an extremely efficient material for taking in all kinds of oils, the environmental agency organizes fur providing to Bookstone School which then transports it to New Orleans, Mobile and Pensacola. While human hair seems to be most absorbent material, pet fur is thought to aid in spill as well. According veterinarian Hank Hall, the spring hair cut can be also helpful for your pet. He says it will make easier to see any fleas or ticks on your dog or cat and make them prevent on hot spots.

Dog owners wanting to donate dog fur to the Gulf can drop off the fur until Thursday at noon to Bookstone School at Bradley Park drive. Northside Animal Hospital headquartrered in Columbus is ready to give your pet its spring hair cut. You can call Northside Animal Hospital at (706) 324-0333 for information on adoption. In addition, we should note also, that dog hair donations should be clean and free of trash and debris to make the volunteers avoid from additional work. Source: Dog News
Be sure to give a donation before you leave this site. Help feed and shelter abanndoned strays who need and deserve better lives. Just click on the donate buttons on here. Thank you Lilyruth.................................Be sure to also click on the ads here and Follow Me on Twitter @lilruth  Also be sure to sign into my Googles friends connect widget and show you care..

Why Own A Dog?

Why own a dog? There's danger you know,

You can't own just one, the craving will grow.

There's no doubt they're addictive, wherein lies the danger,

While living with lots, you'll grow poorer and stranger.



One dog is so funny, and two are no trouble,

The third one is easy, the fourth one's a honey.

the fifth's delightful, the sixth one's a breeze,

You find you can live with a house full with ease.



So how 'bout another? Would you really dare?

They're really quite easy, but Lord, the hair.

With dogs on the sofa, and dogs on the bed,

And crates in the kitchen, it's no bother, you've said.

They're really no trouble, their manners are great.

What's just one more dog, and one more crate?



The sofa is hairy, the windows are crusty,

The floor is all footprints, the furniture is dusty,

The housekeeping suffers, but what do you care?

Who minds a few nose prints, and a little more hair?



So let's keep a puppy, you can always find room,

And a little more time for the dust cloth and broom.

There's hardly a limit to the dogs you can add,

The thought of a cutback sure makes you sad.



Each one is so special, so useful, so funny,

The Vet, the food bills grow larger, you owe money,

Your folks never visit, few friends come to stay,

Except other dog folks, who live the same way.



Your lawn has now died, and your shrubs are dead too,

But your weekends are busy, you're off with the crew.

There's dog food and vitamins, and training and shots,

And entries and motels which cost lots.



Is it worth it you wonder? Are you caught in a trap?

Then your favorite dog comes and climbs in your lap.

His look says your special, and you know that you will,

Keep all of the critters, in spite of the bills.

Author Unknown


Please be sure to leave a donation to help give food and shelter to dogs who have been abandoned. Open your hearts and give whatever you can if your a dog lover and you hate animal cruelty then do give a donation to help save these strays who deserve better lives. Just click on the Donaste buttons here and help.. Also be sure to sign in to my Googles Friend Connect widget and show your our friend and you care about dogs.Be sure to Subscribe to my readers feeds and do go and vote for me at  http://bloginterviewer.com/animals/dogcents-ruth

Help Your Dog Beat the Summer Heat

Technically it’s not even summer yet but it definitely feels like it is. The heat and humidity is already making me cranky and uncomfortable but my adorable French bulldog, Smuckers, has it way worse—he starts panting the minute I take him outside lately. (Flat-faced dogs have a harder time breathing and they overheat very easily.) But he can frolic happily and safely now that I’ve been using this genius Dura Doggie fetch toy/water bowl hybrid. Imagine if a pie tin and a Frisbee made out of really tough rubber mated—that’s what it’s like. (Okay, that sounded really weird. What can I say, it’s Friday.) By a friend who loves dogs......I, Lilyruth also love the company’s do-good efforts: Be sure to let your dog enjoy his time outside turn on the hose and let him play in the water some dogs love to play with water....It will also cool him down... Also please leave a small donation here to save dogs lives whatever you can give is appreciated. thank you. Be sure to sign up in the Googles Friends connect widget here and show your our friend.. Want to help click on the Adgitize Ads on here.

Check out these adorable ugly-pet-sweater photos!

 

By Kim, shelter outreach

Last week we asked you to send us your ugly pet sweater pics. The results were even cuter than we could have expected! Here are some samples.

Lori Renner writes: "Thank goodness Kasey doesn't fit in this anymore!" (We think Kasey looks adorable!)

Angela M. Shatzer of Carolina Poodle Rescue in Spartanburg, SC, writes: "Here is one of our Chinese Crested dogs at our shelter. She's so sweet. One of our kennel workers call her 'Hot Momma.' She loves to hug her leg all day long."

Megan Goetz writes: "Mrs. Murphy is ready for the holidays! Cheers!"

Amanda Tredway writes: "This is Landon, a Yorkie mix. He is currently up for adoption through PPAWSS, Promoting Pet Adoptions and Welfare in Sulphur Springs (Texas). Thanks, I hope you enjoy!"

See even more adorable pups in ugly sweaters after the jump

Cheyenne writes: "We call her Tubba Lubba because she's such a love hound, but Isabel definitely looks like a chub of sausage in this sweater. I hate to (not really) dress her up, but she's rubbed all the hair off her belly and her armpits ... Really, the sweater is for her own good! My husband hates it because it's pink, but I love it. She looks so cute! But I realized we had to get something more comfortable fitting when her diet didn't work -- it looked like the sweater was starting to cut off her circulation. She gets depressed when I start putting clothes on her -- she immediately gets in her bed and tries to sleep. So now I only "torture" her if it's really, really cold out (and then she doesn't seem to mind so much)."

Megan Fisher writes: "This is my baby Bella! She is a lab/pit bull mix I adopted from the Bowling Green Warren County Humane Society (in Kentucky). We call this her 'Cosby Sweater.' She loves it!"

Be sure before you leave to sign in and join my Googles Friends Connect Widget and become a friend at Dogcents.  Also please goand vote for me at  http://bloginterviewer.com/animals/dogcents-ruth  each vote each day is towards feeding and shelter to dogs who need your help to have better lives. Open your hearts and leave a small donation just click on the Donate Button here. 

Behavioral Problems of Unneutered Male Dogs

Amy Marder, V.M.D.

A few years ago, Bob and Ginny consulted me because their beagle, Max, was "doing embarrassing things." It seems that whenever their female beagle, Betsy, left traces of an oily substance where she'd been sleeping, Max would investigate it carefully, then jump on a pillow and mount it! To be sure, he had first tried mounting Betsy, but she'd snapped at him. He'd also given his owners' legs a few tries, but they'd rebuffed him, too. Bob and Ginny were puzzled; Max had been neutered when he was less than a year old. He shouldn't be doing these things, should he?



I paid a visit to Bob and Ginny's home so I could directly observe the dogs' behaviors. Max was three years old at the time. With his broad head and large chest, he looked much more masculine to me than most neutered dogs. In taking a detailed history of the dogs, I learned that Max had been obtained from a friend when he was a little over a year old. He had been neutered by the friend's veterinarian. At that time, Max had no problem behaviors. Sometime during the next year, he began to lift his leg in certain places in the house and run away every chance he got. When he was about two years old, he began to fight with male dogs. It was shortly after this that the mounting behavior started. Jumping on his pillow after sniffing where Betsy had been sleeping had developed over the past few months.



The Pillow Case

What was stimulating Max to do this? To find out, I rubbed every part of Betsy's body with a paper towel and presented the towel to Max. It was only when I expressed Betsy's anal sacs that I produced the problem behavior. Bob and Ginny confirmed that the fluid I expressed from Betsy looked like the oily substance they had been finding on their furniture and in Betsy's bed. So I had my diagnosis: an unusual attraction to anal sac secretion by a very masculine-looking, macho-acting, neutered dog!



It's not that unusual for neutered dogs to exhibit male behaviors, such as roaming, mounting, urine marking (leg lifting on objects) in the house and fighting with male dogs. Max, however, exhibited all of them, and frequently! Plus, he didn't look neutered. To verify that he had been, I drew blood to have testosterone levels run. To everyone's surprise, Max's testosterone levels were those of an intact male!



At this point, I contacted the veterinary hospital that had performed Max's neuter. The doctor who had done the surgery had left the practice, but the hospital's records revealed that one of Max's testicles had never descended. While this is not unusual, it's very important if this happens that the testicles be removed. If one or both are allowed to remain inside the abdomen, not only will they continue to produce testosterone and cause the male behaviors that Max was displaying, but they also are prone to developing cancer. But in Max's case, the records showed that rather than removing the testicle, the veterinarian had performed a vasectomy!



Peace At Last

My recommendation was to have Max really neutered. Studies show that no matter how old a dog is when he's neutered, the results are the same: testosterone-related behaviors of roaming, urine marking, mounting and same-sex dog aggression decrease or disappear. I also recommended that Betsy's anal sacs be expressed at least once a month so that her secretions would not leak out during sleep.



Max improved after being neutered. The roaming stopped altogether. However, not all of his male behaviors disappeared completely. Occasionally he still lifted his leg in the house and fought with other dogs. Keeping him confined to the kitchen when he was alone and supervising him at other times controlled the urine marking. Walking him on leash controlled the fighting. Bob and Ginny were overjoyed! And last but not least, their pillows lay unmolested on the sofa.



Dr. Amy Marder is vice president of behavioral medicine and head of ASPCA Companion Animal Services.


Please give a donation to help feed and shelter strays off the street whom we care for. Alaso be sure to click on my Adgitize ads and do not forget to join my Google Friends Connect. Become a friend here. Follow me on Twitter @lilruth and plese be sure to go and vote for me at  http://bloginterviewer.com/animals/dogcents-ruth