petsplususa

pet lovers blog

The American Kennel Club estimates that there are more dogs in the United States than there are people in Britain, going by their popularity a dog is a man’s best friend.

However, the personality of a dog can mean its behaviour can turn from being a friend to something much more sinister, which is currently highlighted by an on-going study titled ‘Dog Attack Deaths and Maimings, U.S. & Canada’. The study uses reports of incidents by the press to gather its data on various types of dog bites and their particular breed.

We all know that there are certain breeds of dogs which have a ‘bad reputation’, with one of these breeds being the Pit Bull. Despite good training by an owner, a Pit Bull is one breed that cannot escape its negative attention within the press. The study has reported a rising rate of overall incidents in relation to dog bites from 1982 to 2012, with Pit Bulls being right at the top with 2235 incidents of bodily harm with 911 of these being children.

The number of bodily harm incidents from the Pit Bull breed is significantly high compared to the statistics of Rottweilers which were 495 incidents of bodily harm that have been recorded. This creates a difference of 1740 incidents between the top two breeds; this is significantly high and suggests that the likeliness of biting can be linked to a specific breed. If it were just a trait of all dogs there, may not be such a significant difference.

There is no one reason as to why dogs bite, but it can be suggested that particular breeds are more likely to bite than others. Some dogs may bite after being provoked such as having their tail pulled or because they are protecting a possession. Unfortunately, there have been recorded cases where there has been no known cause as to why the dog has attacked; one such case is where approximately 27 Pit Bull puppies mauled a gentleman who was terminally ill; the County sheriff’s spokesman described that the puppies used him as a ‘food source’.

A herding dog as a family pet such as a German Shepherd is often chosen for a family with children because of its protective instincts. The breed has several types of bites with one being the grab-and-drag, for the dog this would be by instinctively moving a puppy or sheep away from danger. However when a German Shepherd becomes protective over a child, the dog may use the grab-and-drag bite to move them away from danger. This involve a frontal leap at the wrist or the throat, with the dog being as gentle as possible as they mean no harm but instead to protect. However, as expected a child may misread the dogs intentions therefore, panic and pull away, causing a more severe biting incident.

The above scenario has meant that German Shepherds have been involved in biting incidents at twice the rate of their numbers alone.

Dogs do normally try to warn us when they are getting irritated or angry; this could be by getting up and moving away or by simply turning their head from you. It is wise to acknowledge their warnings and give them space instead of irritating provoking them further.

The perfect gift for a dog They say that having a dog is like having a child, which is true to a certain point as a dog needs love, warmth and attention to thrive, just like any child. Many dog lovers do love their dog as if they were a child, buying gifts and presents at Christmas or birthdays.

There is a massive selection of gifts that an owner could buy for their beloved pet. The variety of gifts available to buy can range from simple toys such as ropes for a good tug of war or there are toys designed to reward the dog at a particular task. Like many educational toys that would be bought for a child, specific toys you can get for a dog can help the dog to learn something new or to curb a particular habit.

The right toy to choose would depend upon the purpose you wish it to fulfil. If you have a dog that cannot resist chewing your socks you would look for a toy which will satisfy their need to chew, be robust to last a while, whilst also allowing you to teach the dog what it’s allowed to chew (the toy) and what it can’t (your socks).

A toy which does seem to live up to ferocious dog chewers is the Hurley, a dog toy that is manufactured in the USA and from a pliable one-of-a-kind Zogoflex®. The Hurley is a robust and durable chewable toy for dogs that have the urge to chew, when combined with appropriate training you may be able to curb their chewing habits.

A gift for a dog is not just limited to toys. The dog market has exploded into the designer scene prompted by celebrities sporting designer goodies showcasing their designer pooch handbags as well as diva dog perfume. There are the extravagant of us out there who like to follow the latest trend, where you will need a walk in wardrobe to house one pooches designer accessories!

These days there are lot of deals offered online. If you are running short of funds, check out the deals offered by different merchants on different deal sites. Some of my favourite are retailmenot.com and couponmonk.us. If you have the funds and you’re devoted to your dog, you can shop a range of designer gear or if you don’t want to break the bank you can opt for the high street items. You can get jeweled leads & collars so your dog can show off its stuff while out for a walk or the smaller breeds a doggy handbag so you can carry around your perfectly pampered pooch.

The possibilities of what accessories and items you can find are endless, even if you can’t find what you are looking for you can more than likely have it custom made.

A dog’s perfect gift doesn’t necessarily have to be a physical item either, there are other options available to an owner. Your pampered princess can experience the treat of a blueberry facial or you could opt for a mud bath treatment, which will leave your pooch with the feeling of rejuvenated skin.

Whatever gift you choose to buy for your dog whether that is a normal toy or you opt for the accessories. The sharing of a gift can be a great bonding moment, watching their excitement as you present them with something new.

When deciding on which pet to bring home, to love, spend time with and form an everlasting bond. There can be the big old debate between getting a cat or dog. The dilemma is not a case of which animal to pick as they both have their perks and flaws. The dilemma lies with you, who you are and what do you expect from your furry, fluffy friend.

If you are after a play mate, you may consider sharing your time with a dog instead of a cat. Dogs by nature are pack members, meaning they are more sociable and love to be close to their leaders. A cat will be very aware of where you are, but they are not so keen to join in on the fun unless it is time for them to be stroked.

You can guarantee that if a gym buddy has let you down, you can rely on your beloved dog to be the faithful replacement. Your dog will happily oblige to a run in the park or a workout session, running rings around you and keeping you going. The feline kind may look on by and wonder why you are going to all that effort; they would very much prefer to curl up in the warm for a cuddle in your lap.

The decision on which pet you choose can be governed by where you live as some apartments will have restrictions on keeping dogs, meaning a feline companion may be a better choice of pet. You would not want to get an adoring little puppy with its big ‘love me’ eyes, to have to return him to a shelter for breaking your apartment’s rules.

Outdoor space can also play a part in your decision as dogs will need a suitable field or large area nearby that can be used to play fetch and stretch their legs. A local area where they can meet other dogs is a good idea to help them become well socialised.

Both cats and dogs require care and attention, dogs more so than cats as dogs will want to be involved in every aspect of your life, whereas cats are not bothered and will come to you as and when.

Play time will be required by both a cat and a dog, with a dog’s play time being more exhausting than a cat. They will need to go for walks in all weathers, and if you are late home you will need to arrange for someone to walk them for you. Cats are gentler creatures, getting enjoyment from pouncing on a feather or tangling themselves up in string, all from the comfort of your own home.

The decision between choosing a cat or dog should not be taken lightly. Research needs to be undertaken into the breed of both pets as one breed may require more time and attention than another breed. It would be wise to research possible breeds which will fit more comfortably into your lifestyle.