Better Food, Less Mess

To get your canine the healthiest he can be, consider feeding him a high quality natural dog food that is typically found at a specialty pet store or online.

Because these foods have less preservatives and fillers, your pet will excrete less waste. That makes clean-up quicker and easier. Your canine will enjoy a healthier, more nutritious diet and you have less mess to deal with!

Crate Location

When crate training it's a good idea to remember that, although every dog needs his own space, canines are pack animals. Because of this they have an instinctual desire to be near the other members of their family.

It's a good idea to place the dog crate in a bedroom where your puppy can be near a family member when sleeping at night. It will make crate training less stressful to your puppy if he knows he is not alone at night. You'll also be able to know if your puppy needs to go out at night.

Good Bacteria: Yogurt and Kefir

One common homeopathic dog nutritional supplement is yogurt. It contains "good" bacteria, which can aid in digestion and help keep your dog's digestive system clean and functioning optimally.

Yogurt is also a key in transitioning your dog from kibble or other processed food to a raw diet because of the good bacteria and protein content.

You may want to take your yogurt treatment to the next level and you can do this with a dog supplement called Kefir. Kefir is a cultured milk product like yogurt, but it takes the benefits one step further. Kefir contains friendly bacteria and also colonizes the digestive tract, which helps improve solid wastes, reduces intestinal disorders, reduces gas, and promotes proactive health maintenance. Additionally, it will help with your dog's coat, skin, and reduce anxiety.

*Add a spoonful of acidophilus or naturally cultured yogurt that includes acidophilus to your dog's food to help him digest his meals better or settle an upset stomach.

Effective Flea and Tick Control

One of the most effective flea and tick control options on the market are Frontline and Advantage - topical "spot" medications that are used on your dog once per month. This type of treatment kills adult fleas and younger fleas or pupae during development.

It lasts between three and four weeks and is less toxic and more effective than most treatments available.

The pros for products like these are their effectiveness and ease of use.

Cons are that you can't bathe your dog for 2 days after treatment, they are not always effective for large dogs, and you should beware if you have small children. Make sure you apply the treatment far away from little hands and fingers!

Additionally, these treatments are not "repellants" so parasites will bite or attach before they die.

Controlling Fleas and Ticks in Your Home

There are many things you can do around the house to help with flea control. If you have found fleas in your home, begin with a good cleaning.

Start with vacuuming where your dog sleeps and spends the most time. If there are fleas about, this is most likely where they and their eggs will be. You may want to lay a clean old towel down where your dog like to sleep and wash it as much as once per day.

You will also want to treat entrances and exits that your pets use frequently and any areas in the garden of which your dog is fond or that maintain a moist wet environment - an ideal flea hatching climate. (Make sure your throw the vacuum bag away outside of the house!)

Finally, you may need to treat your entire home and you can do this with a flea fogger or an exterminator. The best way to deal with a flea and tick problem is to prevent any infestation in the first place!!

Good Old Home Cooking

A healthy alternative to feeding your dog commercial dog food is to cook it yourself. This way, you'll know exactly what your dog is eating he won't be consuming meat by-products and preservatives that are in many commercial dog foods.

You can try some of the following to see what you canine likes:

• Ground turkey, Chicken wings and thighs
• Brown Rice
• Vegetables such as carrots, corn, peas, and squash
• Most nuts (excluding macadamia nuts, which is toxic to your dog)
• Oatmeal

Avoid onions, garlic, sugary foods and salt. If you keep your food list simple and are consistent, you'll find that home cooked meals are an inexpensive way to keep your dog healthy and resistant to disease.

Leashes and Collars

The type of leash and collar that you need depend on your budget and lifestyle. For most people, a regular nylon collar and leash is more affordable and will do fine. If you do quite a bit of walking in the evening, consider purchasing a leash and collar that is reflective. For the active dog walker or those of you who want to bike with your dog, consider a retractable leash for flexibility. Some canines are better suited to harnesses. Dogs that have easily collapsible tracheas like Pugs and Boston Terriers are better suited to harnesses. A leather collar and leash tends to be more durable as well as expensive. If you want something that will last and don't plan on any muddy outings, leather may be an option for you.

History of Dog Food

Up until the 19th century, hunting dogs and sheep dogs often ate a bread meal composed of wheat, barley, or rye. They were offered meat on rare occasions as this was considered an optional part of a dog's diet.

During the 19th century, meat symbolized status among people in industrialized societies and dogs began to eat meat as a result.

The very first dog food was a dog biscuit produced in England in 1860. James Spratt, an American electrician visiting London, thought he could do better and formed his own dog food company. Thereafter, several U.S. companies entered the dog food market. After World War I, commercial dog food markets added horse meat to their products. The 1950's saw the introduction of dry pet food. Today, we have a wide variety of commercialized dog food available to the pet consumer.

It's in the Accessories

Is your dog panting in the heat of summer or trying to keep warm on cold winter nights? You can add comfort to your dog's sleeping arrangements by adding accessories to their sleep area. Heated beds are available to keep your pooch warm and toasty. Just plug them in and let your dog enjoy the warmth. To keep your canine nice and cool, try a cooler mat. Some are designed to be soaked in water and air-dried and will keep their chilling power for days.

You Are What You Eat

A dog needs a diet with a wide variety of nutrients to keep her healthy. These include carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and vitamins, and minerals.

A good way to select the appropriate dog food for your canine is to read the food label. Look for dog foods that have a high amount of meats and use only whole grains and vegetables. Generally, meat, fish, or poultry and grains and soybean meal should be at the top of the food ingredient list on the packaging. Avoid dog foods that carry a high level of meat by-products, unidentified fatty sources, and artificial flavors and preservatives.

Giving your dog the best diet you can manage and afford is worth it. She'll reap the benefits of a shinier coat and better resistance to diseases and other health problems.

The Sporting Group

In the field, this dog breed works in concert with their human counterpart to increase the effectiveness of the hunt. These dogs are at home in the bush or in the water.

* Spaniels will move back and forth, flushing game to be taken down with the hunter's rifle.
* Retrievers will do just that - retrieve game (usually fowl) that has been downed by the hunter.
* Pointers and Setters will set off in front of the hunter. Then when they come upon their prey, they will freeze, showing the way towards the prey.

In a domestic environment, these dogs require lots of physical exercise and are usually happiest playing a game of fetch.