7 Great Reasons Why Crate Training is a Good Idea

Some dog owners think that crating their pets is cruel and no different than caging an animal. The reality is, however, that responsible crate training can do wonders for your special four legged pal and make his world a positive and safer place. In fact, the following are 7 reasons why crate training is a smart choice for your dog.

1. Dogs are natural den animals and this instinct to live in a shelter for protection has always existed. Thus, a crate can provide your pooch with a feeling of both security and satisfaction.

2. Canines will often search your home to look for a place to call their own. In their attempt to find refuge they will often lie under tables, chairs, etc. Giving them their own personal haven allows them the opportunity to fully relax unbothered.

3. Crates allow dogs to feel completely secure because it is not only a den, but it is something they can rest up against and can see out of so they are not entirely cut off from the environment around them. It is very similar to a baby in a playpen.

4. A crate will keep him safe when you travel and will also keep him out of mischief and potentially dangerous situations when you leave him home alone or cannot watch him.

5. Your pet will be easier to housebreak when he is crated because he will not want to dirty his sleeping spot. Thus, you can teach him to control his bladder before taking him outside.

6. Fewer behavioral problems will develop, such as excessive barking and chewing, as he is more relaxed and inclined to sleep.

7. Dogs who have been properly crate-trained are happier and have better self confidence.

Finally, there are a few important tips to keep in mind in regard to this type of training:

~Never use the crate as a punishment.
~Unless it is bedtime, do not have him confined for more than 3 hours.
~Do not allow anyone to bother him or take things from him while he is in his space.
~Place his home in an area of the house where there is frequent socialization (I.E. kitchen, family room, etc.), so he can see people and still be included.
~Purchase a crate that will accommodate his full size when he is an adult. It should be large enough that he can stand up and easily turn around.
~Furnish his den with soft blankets, sheets and towels and a few special toys.

Article provided by Harry Gordon of Oh My Dog Supplies, check out our cool variety of dog leashes online.

Dental Care For Canines

There are lots of different ways to provide good dental care for your dog. Dogs, just like people, can have problems with cavities, early tooth loss, gum disease and even tartar build up on the teeth, typically due to poor diets or other health related conditions. While a vet can clean your dog's teeth on yearly visits the process, known as scaling, is very stressful for some dogs and typically requires the dog be anesthetized during the procedure. Maintaining good dental hygiene at home can eliminated or greatly minimize the need for this much more costly and extreme type of treatment.

Diet

A good diet of hard, crunchy types of foods can help naturally scrape plaque off of your dog's teeth as they eat. Dried premium types of kibble are often recommended, however you cannot soak or moisten the kibble if you want it to act in a scraping action. Another great option is to provide your dog with large, safe raw bones. Knuckle or joint bones are wonderful since your dog will chew and scrape his or her teeth sparkling clean with just one or two sessions as week. This can greatly improve doggy breath as well and provide stimulation to the gums.

Routine Cleaning

Many dog owners use specialized types of dog toothbrushes and toothpaste to clean the teeth as part of the weekly grooming routine. The pet shop will provide a variety of products but a finger sleeve is often the easiest to use. This slides over your index finger and has rubberized bristles to provide the scrubbing action. If you don't want to use this dog toothbrushes are available or use a soft baby toothbrush available at any drug store. Never use human toothpaste in your dog's mouth. The taste is horrible to the dog and may cause him or her to run for the far side of the room the next time they see you coming. Using doggy toothpaste start with a gentle up and down motion with the toothbrush or finger sleeve to gently scrape against the teeth. If there is significant amounts of plague you may want to have the vet scale the teeth first then start on a maintenance program.

Tooth Cleaning Toys

There are a variety of different styles, sizes and types of specialized toys to help your dog stay entertained but also clean his or her teeth. As with any type of toy or chew object always make sure it is safe for your dog and don't leave the dog unsupervised with the chew object. Hard rubber or nylon toys such as Nylabones and Kongs can also be a good option, just be sure to remove the toys if they are showing signs of wear and tear as they can potentially become choking hazards if pieces can be torn off and swallowed. Some edible tooth cleaning products on the market include biscuits and treats. Although they are often recommended for dogs there are some dogs that chew off chunks and swallow them, resulting in possible blockages and obstructions within the digestive system. If your dog is a vigorous chewer or is likely to swallow the treat whole this may not be a good options for his or her safety.

Do you have a large or small dog? If so, then you have probably experienced it jumping on your bed or the sofa. Dogs really enjoy lying on furniture. Many dogs, particularly small breeds, have great difficulty jumping up onto the furniture. Some dogs find it a challenge to jump up on the furniture because they have become old or have some other ailment. For these situations, a dog step will be a great help to assist your dog getting on to his favorite piece seat.

What are Dog Steps?

Dog Steps are made of a small sequence of steps with the top step leading onto the seating area -- the sofa, etc. The idea behind the steps is that they may aid your dog in climbing onto something he would normally struggle to get onto. They can be purchased in many forms, colors and materials to suit your home's design. The steps themselves are covered over with a soft material. The Dog Steps also come in materials such as wood and plastic. The plastic steps are light, whereas the wood and metal Dog Steps are quite a bit heavier.

Benefits of having Dog Steps

It is not good for small breeds of dog to jump long distances since it could cause them back pain that may develop in later life. These problems may cause arthritis among other things. Hence, a Dog Step will keep your small dog from harm has he goes about his normal lifestyle. There are lots of people who buy multiple steps for their home so that they do not have to constantly move the steps from one area to another. Again, remember that there are lots of colors to pick from So you won't have to worry about the steps looking odd in your home.

Another benefit is that while you're out of your house, if your dog has become used to the steps, you can rest assured that your dog will be using them when getting on and off the furniture. Thus, you can leave any thoughts that your pet might hurt himself out of your mind. It takes little training to get your dog used to the steps in most cases; they should understand quickly that it is there to help them. Whether you have a young or older dog, you would certainly want them to stay in as safe an environment as is possible. Using Dog Steps is a fantastic way to keep them from injuring themselves while jumping up onto the furniture while you are at home and while you are away.

As already said, the majority of dogs will need little training to adapt to using the steps effectively since they will quickly realize that the steps help them get on their favorite pieces of furniture. You can buy both permanent Dog Steps and ones that are portable depending on your needs. Also, if you are good at making your own things, then you could even design your own Dog Steps.

Content written by Michael Clark of ohmydogsupplies.com, where you can find a fantastic assortment of dog seat covers online.