Teacup Shih Tzu - Look Before You Buy

Teacup Shih Tzu dogs are also called "imperial Shih Tzu" and "tiny teacup". These are the little bitty dogs in small sizes. The terms "imperial" or "teacup" are used interchangeably by some breeders. Also some breeders use "imperial" for the smallest dogs in the 3 to 5 pound category and "teacup" for slightly larger dogs in the 5 to 6 pound size.

These dogs exist because there is a demand for them. You know why you are interested in these small dogs. The size is cute and all that attitude in a small package is part of the appeal. The story is that the smaller dog is truly a descendant of the dogs from the Chinese Royal Palace, thus the "imperial" description. So the idea is that these are truly the descendants of the royal lines.

Fact is, the official American Kennel Club and the American Shih Tzu Club standards call for a weight of 9 to 16 pounds. The breed is classified as a Toy breed and is already a small dog when bred to the breed standard. Also this standard weight matches closely the weight of the standard dog as described by the Peking Kennel Club in 1938. The breed standard describes a rugged, stocky little dog that is small, but not at all fragile.

So, the really tiny teacup dogs do not meet the breed standard and are really a fad dog created to please a market looking for a dog that is not really a Shih Tzu. Now that would be OK as long as the dog itself is not harmed by this move. But in fact breeding for extreme small size can be harmful to the dogs in several ways. Consider how you can develop an extremely small dog in a short period of time.

To get a really small dog quickly, there are only a couple of choices. The first is to select as parents the smallest dogs available and breed those dogs. Then continue selecting for small dogs over a period of time in subsequent matings. The problem with this approach is that if size is the main selection criteria, other traits will be ignored. This usually results in health problems because your unbalanced selection methods will almost always end up breeding unhealthy dogs simply because they are small. A dog can be small and healthy or an unhealthy runt with physical problems. Also tiny female dogs struggle with birthing and have very small litters usually.

Another approach is to breed a standard size Shih Tzu to a small dog of another breed. This may produce a smaller healthy dog but the dog will lack some of the characteristics of the parents. Also any offspring of the crossbred dogs will show great variation in characteristics. You will not get offspring like the parents.

The standard Shih Tzu is a robust, balanced small dog. They are healthy, active dogs with good form and strength. Be careful if you choose a tiny teacup dog. It may be better to choose a different breed if you want a truly tiny pet dog.

Al Bullington has experience with all kinds of pets including an independent little Shih Tzu named Annie. Would you like more tips on Shih Tzu dogs?

Please visit http://www.shihtzudogs.net and get more free resources.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Al_Bullington

Stop Your Dog Chasing Rabbits, Deer Or Birds - Information & Tips To Train Your Dog

Does your dog disappear in a cloud of dust after a rabbit? Does he leave you standing while he runs off into the distance after a deer? Do you lose him in the woods when its pheasant season?

You are not alone!!

Many owners find themselves in the incredibly frustrating position of screaming their recall commands after a dog that is disappearing from view in hot pursuit of some fast moving object, usually something small and furry! I get a lot of owners when they contact me say 'My dog's recall is very good until we see a rabbit, then he ignores me' The problem is ............. this is not a recall problem!

Taking it down to bare roots basics, I know I'm not telling you anything you don't know when I say, chasing is instinctive behaviour. The difficulty we seem to have with solving this very dangerous problem, is we approach it from the wrong direction. We assume we need to teach our dogs a reliable recall, which is an option and will sometimes provide you with the solution you need. What I have found to be a more powerful approach however, is to train for something that is more likely to match the level of value the dog has toward chasing.

Lets look at it from your dog's point of view. He LOVES to chase things! He doesn't just enjoy it, it chemically affects his entire physical and psychological well being and he feels great when he's doing it! He doesn't think about doing it, it just happens, in a split second, he's off and he's having the best time. Now the only analogy I can come up with to compare this to, so that we may understand the very power we are dealing with here, is to ask you to imagine trying to stop an orgasm once it's started?.......... Now I don't know about you, but I'm thinking if he's having this internal chemical reaction that is pumping adrenalin round his system and sending him into doggie orgasm, I could have steak, tuna, even a female dog on heat in my pocket and I don't think he's going to listen when I give my recall cue ......... it's just not valuable enough to make him want to stop what he is doing. Chase rabbit = Total Adrenalin Rush OR Return to Mum .. .. .. .. .. mmmmmm No Contest!

This is what makes this behaviour one of the most dangerous there is! If we can't do something about the chasing behaviour, we place our wonderful dogs at serious risk to themselves. They run blind, they will run straight across a road if that's where the 'prey' leads them, they will keep going until they get lost, they can damage limbs, split paws and cause serious injury to themselves and other people.

So I think we agree, for our dogs, chasing is great, they love it, they can't help but do it, it is almost the best fun a dog can have! But we have to stop it ......... so what can we do about it!

As with recall training, in order to stop your dog from chasing things, it is important to 'tell him' you would like him to do something other than chase them. I know that sounds obvious, but you have to train your dog to respond to you reliably in a certain set of circumstances in order for it to actually be a strong behavioural response when you need it to be. It's no good waiting for your dog to chase something, then trying to train him not to (reactive training), you have to be proactive and educate him before these events happen, teach him that instead of chasing the rabbit / deer / pheasant you would like him to do something else, and here's the biggie, that something else has to be as close to being equally valuable to him as you can make it, otherwise he's going to choose the chase!

5 STEPS TO GET YOU STARTED

1. Prevent your dog from being able to chase as much as possible. If there are areas on your walks where you regularly come across small furries, get your dog back before you reach this area and put him back on a lead or training line for a short while. If you do see anything, you can then use the opportunity to practise your training under controlled circumstances.
2. Decide which technique / techniques you want to use to train your dog not to chase things and practise them every day when you are out on your walks. (This behaviour is so powerful you have to continually keep the opposing behaviour you would like to happen, very fresh in your dogs mind, if you only practise once a week, chasing will win every time in your dog's decision making process)
3. It is important that you train your dog 'to do' something other than chasing, rather than training him to 'stop' chasing. It is more powerful and successful (for dogs and humans!) when we teach them to do something in place of whatever it is we want them to stop doing,. The brain responds quicker and stronger to a 'doing' message (positive) than a 'stop doing' message (negative)
4. Set up situations and create distractions that you can use to practise your training.
5. As with all training, it will be more successful if you start with low value distractions to embed the behaviour, then build up to the 'mega' ones.

Find out how you can live in complete understanding with your dog, communicate with him effectively and have him choose to behave the way you would like.

Catch up with my articles here and at http://www.tru-nature.co.uk for more educational material on how to live an extraordinary life with your beloved dogs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michelle_Masters

Why Feed Your Dog A Raw Diet?

Because of the many dangers of feeding commercial pet foods, many are turning to other alternatives. One of these alternatives is Raw Feeding.

Why should you feed your dog a raw diet? To begin with feeding your dog raw meat is healthier. What is called Raw Feeding or The BARF Diet by the savvy crowd is much healthier for your dog.

Here are a few great reasons for feeding dogs and puppies a raw diet dog food:

1. By feeding processed dog food, most dogs experience periodontal disease within 4 years. When feeding your dog raw dog food, periodontal disease is practically not existent.

Periodontal disease is where bacteria is allowed to enter through the mouth due to unclean teeth and cause numerous health problems.

2. Dogs perform best on a raw diet. High performance dogs, such as greyhounds and sled dogs, have been fed raw diets and shown an increase in their performance levels. No wonder pet owners are turning to a raw diet in order to see an increased benefit of better health in their companions. Feeding artificial processed diets have resulted in many dangerous health issues, not even including the pet food crisis. That is another issue altogether.

3. By feeding a raw diet, your dog will not experience the obesity found when feeding a commercial diet. Dogs become more fit and energetic on raw fed diets. Many owners and breeders feeding raw have found improved coat conditions, reduced coat loss, and leaner, healthier overall condition in their dogs.

4.Allergies disappear.

5. Arthritis is reduced significantly or even totally disappears.

6. Gone is the dog odor.

7. Longer life span than commercially fed dogs.

8. Pregnant females show less problems.

9. Puppies show better weight and health.

10. Raw feeding is less expensive.

11. Vet visits are less frequent.

12. There is little to no preparation.

13. Ease of shopping. All meats can be found at your local grocery store or a meat packing plant.

Once adjusted to a raw diet your dog will love it!

So, what is stopping you from trying the healthiest dog food diet you can feed your dog? Even if you only substitute part of your dog food with raw meaty bones, or even small bites of raw food, your dog will be healthier because of it.

Do your own research into this alternative path to a healthier, happier dog by reading up more on Raw Feeding.

Karen has been training dogs for over 35 years. She's also helped others learn to train their own dogs. Karen manages several dog web sites to benefit dog owners. Visit for more great info at 4theLuvofDogs.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Chrisman

Bad Dog Food: The Rise of Cancer in Dogs

By: Darren Craddock

They say that dogs are a man's best friend.

It's true, isn't it? There is nothing better than waking up to slobbery kisses first thing in the morning, or getting jumped in the excitement of you coming home to your dog. Dogs absolutely love their owners and the owner's love their dogs and whenever a dog has a serious medical issue is almost the same as having a family member or relative having a serious medical issue. Some medical issues in dogs are extremely similar to the ones people have, and one that is on the rise is cancer.

Bad Dog food not bad dog

Cancer is more prevalent in dogs these days than ever. Believe it or not, the current rate of cancer in dogs is much higher than it is in humans. It's commonly known that part of the problem is when the majority of dog owners switched to kibble as opposed to natural food.

There are several factors that can go into why dogs are getting cancer. The least controllable one is genetics. If the parents of the dog or any dog in the family line have had cancer that means the dog is more susceptible to getting it, just like in humans. The environment can affect this as well, if dogs are around a lot of smoke or pollution.

You are what you eat - even if you are a dog

Then of course, their nutrition and diet is a huge part of keeping a dog healthy in general. This is the one we have the most control over. It's important, just like us, to have healthy eating habits. Yes, it's easier to just scoop a cup of kibble or dry dog food into their bowl and let them eat, but it's not always the best thing.

Consulting with a nutritionist that specifically deals with animals is the best way to see what kind of nutritional options that is out there. There are even herbal and vitamin supplements that can help give your pet the nutrition they need. It's understandable that feeding a dog steak every night is out of the question, no matter how much the dog would love it.

Of course not all dry food is the same for your dog but if you don't do your research you could really be harming your dog. Just like keeping your body healthy, keeping your dog healthy is a great way to keep them happy, and in turn having them around longer will make you happy as well. Exercise everyday, along with proper feeding habits is a great way to battle a potential thread of the ever-increasing cancer in dogs.

Article Source: http://www.article.e-booksdownload.com

Tom Peters is a dog lover and owner of Birkdale Medicinals. He created a healthier dog food and herbal supplement line after losing his beloved Banjo to cancer. Keep your dog healthy with a pet mix created for ultimatewww.dogcancerinfo.com/Dog-Cancer-Diet-Pet-Mix-s/55.htm"> dog health with www.dogcancerinfo.com/Pet-Health-Products-s/1.htm"> Organic pet food

Secrets of Socializing Your Dog!

By: Annette Phillips

Socializing is always a big issue with dog owners. There are a variety of views on socialization, but after breeding and raising dogs for over 15 years I can say that the earlier they are socialized the more confident and reliable they will be in any situation. Just by making sure dogs are exposed to a variety of situations in a positive way can increase success with socialization.

Socialization should start ideally before the pup is even weaned. A responsible breeder will make sure pups are handled regularly and exposed to a variety of activities. It may not be possible to take them out and about town if there are quite a few pups, but it is still possible to handle them and let them hear household noises such as vacuum cleaners, blenders, etc. If you are talking with a breeder about purchasing a puppy you should question them about how they socialize their puppies before they sell them.

Once you bring your dog home, whether it is full grown or whether it is a puppy you should allow it to experience everything you will normally (or even occasionally) be exposed to when the dog is with you. For those who live in the city exposing them to the noise of traffic and many varieties of people early on is the key to having a dog that is free of fear. Introduce these things gradually and make every new experience a fun one for your dog.

Encourage your dog to climb stairs, ride elevators (if you will ever have to do that with your dog), and even take your dog for rides in the car to fun places. Your dog should ride in the car to do fun things especially if you use the car for trips to the vet. Most dogs will not enjoy a visit to the vet and will start to be difficult about riding in the car if that is the only place they ever go in the car.

If your dog shows fear it is your responsibility to demonstrate that there is no need for fear. Ensure that every new situation is a positive experience. The more experiences your dog has, especially at a young age the more likely he is to face new situations with interest instead of fear. Your dog will be comfortable in any situation once you have taken the steps to properly socialize him.

Article Source: http://www.article.e-booksdownload.com

Annette Phillips Annette has 15 years experience in dog training & breeding. She is the owner of ACE Barkery which offers top of the line dog treats at reasonable prices. She offers a free newsletter including tips for dog training & keeping your dog healthy and happy. www.acebarkery.com

Dog Commands - How To Use The 'Good Boy Command'

Before I begin, the 'good boy' name is only an example for ease of writing in this article and 'good girl' or any other words of praise may be used in place of 'good boy' throughout this article.

The god boy command is not so much a command as a general consistent learning or rewarding exercise, the aim of this exercise is to get your dog to associate 'good boy' with times when he has done something well and is rewarded, this will make your dog happy and glad that they have done good for you.

A lot of dog breeds actually enjoy performing tasks for their owner and it's what they are used to and aim to achieve, these dogs are generally dog with a working background and breed past, such as sheepdogs and collies, this makes the good boy command a lot more rewarding for them and a good reason to perform well.

This exercise can be taught as soon as you get your puppy for the best effects and progress or dog and can be a natural reaction to good behavior by many already, also making the command easier to remember and be consistent with.

The good boy command is easy and is taught along with rewards you give your dog, if your dog behaves well you should praise them to get them to do the same command again, this is common sense in dog training and the 'good boy' command only ads to this so you are able to give your dog a different, emotional type of praise on the rare occasions when you haven't got treats on your person or to hand (although not recommended but it does happen).

So when your dog behaves well and has deserved a treat or other form of reward, recite 'good boy' to them in an excited and impressed voice and give your dog cuddles and love. This over time will be seen as another form of reward that means just as much to your dog as treats do.

The good boy command gives more emotion to your rewards and gives your dog a new form of praise to aim for thus enhancing the relationship and emotion between you and your dog, making this a very important command or reward not only for getting the dog to act correctly but also to create a much stronger bond between owner and dog.

Article Source: http://www.article.e-booksdownload.com

The Best Dog Food For Your friend

By: Thomas Henricks

Walking the isles, you will find a wide choice of dog food available in supermarkets and pet supplies today. This can make it difficult to decide which is the best dog food for your best friend. This may be one of the most commonly asked questions by pet owners when they take their dogs to their veterinarian. The answer really is not definitive.

There really is not one "best" that is suitable for all gogs across the board. The answer can be narrowed down by looking at each dog. Dogs are very much like people. Some dogs are extremely active to the point that they are often labelled hyper. Some dogs are built big and tough and some small and delicate. Each will need a diet tailored specifally to that dog's physical needs. However, understanding what determines those needs will help you to determine what the best dog food is for your pet.

The First Component

The first primary difference in dog food relates to the raw materials that are used to provide the nutritional value. You will notice that commercial dog foods are either grain-based or meat-based. Most experts will agree that the best dog food to maintain healthy dogs (who don't have heart or kidney problems) is a meat-based food.

Meat-based dog foods are considered the option due to the fact that their digestive system more easily extracts the nutrient value from the food source. It is common knowledge that protein is a necessary component in the diet of all dogs. Meat based dog foods typically are very high in protein. While meat based dog foods are produced from lamb, turkey, fish, beef and venison, many professionals in the field feel that chicken-based dog foods are the best choice.

Basic Guide

As notednpreviously, no single dog food can be rated the best for all dogs. There are a few things to specifically look for when selecting your dog's food. These components found in the appropriate ratio will ensure that your pet is getting the required source of nutrition from their food. As with people food, dog food will display nutrition labels that provide information about the nutrient value that can be expected from that product. These labels will provide the information you need to dtermine which is the best dog food for your pet.

When reading the nutritional value analysis, pay attention to the amount of protein contained in the dog food. For most dogs this value should be at least 30 per cent. In addition be sure to look at the fat percentage as well. The food should contain at least 18 per cent fat. This number may vary according to several factors. Older dogs or overweight dogs may require food that provides lower fat levels. These issues can be manged simply by selecting a product with lower fat in the source. Other components you should look for would include Vitamin E, the presence of Vitamin C, and the presence of Omega 3 fatty acids.

Food for Health and Happiness

The best dog food for your dog ultimately rests on the evaluation of your particular dog's needs. The key thing to consider is that you ensure that your dog is getting the appropriate amount of nutrients. You may want to consult with your veterinarian for more professional advice about a healthy choice for your dog. That will help you determine what is the best dog food to meet your needs.

Article Source: http://www.article.e-booksdownload.com

Tom Henricks is a retired utility worker and charter fisherman from The Canadian of Shore of Lake Erie. For more information about Petfood please visit Petfood Tips and Info

Dog Diarrhea Symptoms and Causes

Dog diarrhea is one of the more common of conditions in the dog world and in the human world alike; the reason for this is because there are so many causes of diarrhea. It can be a dreadful condition for your dog to have and causes a lot of unwanted aggravation for the canine involved as well as increasing the risk of having unwanted accidents on carpets and furniture around the house.

There can be many causes for diarrhea but the most common is due to intolerances to a particular food, this is normally because of a change in diet or the dog having a particular food that they have not had before. Diarrhea can also be caused by other conditions like objects stuck in the digestive system or several other conditions derived or caused by problems in the digestive system of the dog.

The symptoms of this can be many things but diarrhea is normally coupled with your dog vomiting or retching this is because the digestive system of the dog begins at the mouth and ends at the anus as you might think, if the problem causing the diarrhea is in the stomach or upper intestines then the effects may be vomiting as well as or without diarrhea. This coincidently also acts as a way of finding the condition to help the vet. And if the problem is in the lower intestines then the symptoms will most probably be diarrhea only, but there may be other causes and this is not a confirmation to the vet that the problem is in the lower part of the digestive system.

From this situation there are many different ways that may work to improve and cure the health problems and diarrhea that your dog may be feeling. The first that is usually performed by the veterinarian in question is changing the dog's diet so that no food is given to the dog for at least twenty four hours so the body has enough time to clear all the offending substances within so the dog's body can return to normal. After this the dog should then be put on a very bland diet of and put gradually onto a more flavoured diet to avoid the same problem again.

All the information in this article is only a guideline as you may have guessed and if your dog is having serious diarrhea the vet should be contacted for a proper check-up and diagnosis of he condition in hand.

Article Source: http://www.article.e-booksdownload.com

For more information on Dog Diarrhea or Dog Health take a look at this Dog Training website.