Thursday, August 23rd, 2007
by www.K9Kloud9.com Ann-Marie Fleming
As Dogs become a Key Part of People’s Families, Spending on Dog Fashion Products is on the Rise
Over the past few years the pet industry has been evolving as people begin more and more to accept their four legged friends as members of their family. As a result of the care and attention pet owners give their animals, the pet market has grown considerably over the past several years. According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, pet owners will have spent an estimated $38.4 billion on their pets this year. Today’s pet industry continues to show strength and future promise, with fashion products becoming a key driver to future growth.
Pampering your pooch can range from purchases of fashionable dog apparel, collars, leashes, vogue carriers, jewellery, accessories and even spa products such as lotions, perfumes, robes etc. With prices ranging from $20 to $2000 and up, dogs can now out dress many of their owners.
There are a variety of factors contributing to the growth in spending on doggie fashion. Empty nesters are finding themselves with extra disposable income and are channeling a portion of that towards fashionable pet products; they are also filling their homes with the sounds of animals now that their children have grown up and moved on. In addition, with families having fewer children, or waiting a bit later in life to have kids, they are more likely to bring pets into the family and tend to treat these additions like their own children.
Helping the cause, personalities such as Paris Hilton, Martha Stewart, Nicole Ricchi, Paula Abdul and many others as well as movies such as Legally Blonde 1 & 2, As Good as it Gets, Bringing Down the House and Secondhand Lions to name but a few, have certainly moved dogs into the spotlight.
An added benefit to this booming industry is that with more dogs being accepted as family and deservingly pampered, the variety of products and available services has increased significantly. Doggie bakeries, dog spas, a long list of dog fashion designers and dog boutiques continue to create a luxury lifestyle for today’s dog. Even the number of dog magazines has escalated with fashion coverage offered by publications such as Modern Dog, with cover’s featuring entertainment’s top stars and their beloved dogs.
According to Ann-Marie Fleming, Founder of K9Kloud9.com, an online dog fashion retailer and canine community, “People’s attitudes towards their dogs has definitely shifted to where the pet’s role has become as important as any family member, and with this attention comes a desire to bring fashion, style and an overall pampering of their furry companions. As a result, we are seeing escalating sales for our designer fashion items ranging from jewelry and carriers, to coats and dresses. It’s fun for both humans and dogs alike and we see this trend continuing for many years to come.”
Moving forward expect to see more dog friendly cafes, parks, condos, lofts, bakeries and even restaurants. Dog social activities are also on the rise as many dog lovers work to organize dog groups, weddings, playdates and of course dog birthday parties.
About K9 Kloud9: Love Your Dog at www.K9Kloud9.com! K9 Kloud9 is a dog fashion retailer with a stylish selection of dog coats, shirts, jewelry, harnesses, collars, leashes, carriers and various accessories from around the world. Shop in English and en Español for teacup, toy, mid and large breed sizes and styles. You will also find valuable information through our dog stories, articles, forum, blog and extensive global directories listing dog breeders, rescues, pet-friendly destinations and dog insurance providers. Or browse our online dog classifieds for puppies, products, services, events, adoptions, jobs and more.
©Copyright K9 Kloud9 Creations 2007
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Wednesday, August 8th, 2007
by Terence Young
Virtually any dog can learn to behave in an obedient and well mannered fashion. There are several keys to simplifying the process of training your dog to obey you. Keeping these keys in mind when working with your dog will improve your results. Read on for ways to make dog obedience easier.
One important factor in training a dog is to be consistent. It doesn’t take a lot of time, but the training sessions need to be done every day if possible. If you spend five minutes twice every day taking your dog through commands such as sit, stay, heel, and come, it will yield better results than an hour of training twice a week. Dogs have short attention spans, and need attention frequently as well.
Another key factor is to know your dog well enough to know how to reward or penalize it. Rewards are absolutely essential to training. Verbal praise can be one of the most effective. Pet that dog and tell it how wonderful it is when it does what it is supposed to. A food treat, such as a tasty kibble of dog food, is a classic reward, too. Make sure your dog hasn’t just eaten a full meal or it will lose its effectiveness.
Punishment doesn’t work as well, but there is a time when penalizing will work. This means providing a negative outcome when the dog is not doing what it should. Ignoring a dog when it is misbehaving can be a form or penalizing it, as can giving the leash a jerk. Beating or kicking a dog, or locking it up in a boring building for hours, are forms of punishment instead of penalty, and should be avoided.
You want the relationship between you and your dog to be based on trust and good feelings, not on fear and negative feelings. The best way to do this is to use positive reinforcement when it behaves, and by knowing what it likes. It is worth it to take the time needed to know what your dog really likes and then use it as a reinforcer for good behavior and obedience.
One thing to remember when obedience training a puppy is that they need some time to mature. Starting early is great. We’ve all heard that old dogs don’t learn new tricks very well. But the truth is you will be wasting your time if the puppy is too small. Be really patient in the early weeks. Use the early weeks for getting acquainted and for house-breaking. Leash training can come later.
House breaking is best done using the crate method. Have a dog carrier or small pen that will be the dog’s own special area. If you contain the pup in this crate whenever you are gone, and overnight, the dog will not soil it, but will wait till you return to use the potty. Of course if you will be gone for a very long amount of time, or if you failed to take him out to potty before penning him up, he might have to go so bad that he will soil his crate. Generally speaking, though, a dog has a natural instinct not to soil his kennel.
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For more dog obedience and training tips and ideas visit: http://www.obediencedoggytraining.com
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Wednesday, August 8th, 2007
by Andrew Bicknell
Getting your dog to understand what you want him do when given certain commands is the purpose behind dog obedience training. It is a communication process between owner and dog that creates a bond that is vital to the safety of the dog, his owner, and those around him.
Dogs are naturally social creatures that in the wild live in packs. When brought into a home a dog becomes a part of the family pack, and just like in the wild there is a natural order to things with a leader of the pack, or alpha dog, on down. One of the primary purposes of dog obedience training is to show your dog who is in charge. Without proper training or discipline just about any dog will naturally try to take over and be in charge.
This is where obedience training comes in. It lets your dog know who’s in charge and at the same time creates a bond between him and his humans. It is one of the most important things any dog owner can do to establish a strong relationship between owner and dog.
Training your dog subtly but efficiently establishes to your dog that you are the leader of the pack and they are not, but it should not involve any negative or punishment-based components. Training your dog to be obedient can be an extraordinary learning experience as well as being a fun and rewarding activity for you and your dog.
Obedience training is great for your dog because it is a good mental exercise that enables your dog to live happier and with more freedom. It is a way of fostering communication between owner and dog. Although obedience training doesn’t solve all behavior problems it is the foundation for solving just about any problem including house training, chewing up your belongings, excessive barking, digging holes in your yard, fighting other dogs and aggressive behavior. The goal behind dog obedience training is the idea that a dog will respond with a certain reaction every time a certain command is given.
Almost every dog owner will have to use some sort of behavior modification techniques at one time or another when training their prized pet. It helps avoid temperament and behavior problems. Many dogs develop behavior problems because their owners fail to set rules and enforce them. Proper training allows you to communicate with your dog, helps to foster the bond between you, and keeps him safe from both injuries and behavior problems.
Dog obedience training is about setting boundaries that must be enforced on a daily basis and is the most important thing a dog should learn as it is the foundation to solving many of any dog’s behavior problems. Obedience training is the perfect method for both you and your dog to establish a connection, to relate to one another and to make living together more enjoyable.
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For more dog training tips and tricks visit the website Worfdog.com by clicking here .
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Tuesday, August 7th, 2007
by Tom Antion
I’m pretty much considered a hard core businessman. I work 16 hours a day on my very successful Internet business and I think profit all the time. I take care of my obligations and once in a while I donate a little to a good cause although I rarely give much of myself. I’m telling you this to prepare you for an enormous contrast that was put in my face when I met Robin and Jack Gray. I have never in my life met such selfless people as this lovely couple who live in rural Virginia. As I see it they have pretty much given up any type of normal lives for themselves to make many helpless little souls have a better existence while here on earth. Below is a brief version of their story:
Since 1994, 75 abused and abandoned dogs in Virginia have regained their health and found loving homes thanks to Robin and Jack Gray. Their first rescue was a little dog found chained to a fence at a local vet’s office during a storm one night. He was so sick he couldn’t stand. The rescues have continued and today they are caretakers of approximately 20 dogs a year plus 8-10 unadoptable residents. They specialize in Bichon Frises because they know and love the breed, having worked with them for 25 years. It’s a monumental job caring for that number of dogs in their home. As Robin says, “I work full time, I rescue full time, and then I sleep.” They rarely go anywhere together for more than a few hours, arranging their schedule so that one of them is always home to oversee the dogs. To accomplish all the work involved, each focuses on one area. Jack does 90% of the daily physical care while Robin handles the rescues, interviewing potential adopters, adopter’s problems, paperwork and PR. It has been a challenge to financially care for the dogs’ needs (ongoing expenses for food, supplies, and vet care – with vet care requiring the most). In the beginning, all of Robin’s part-time salary was used for the dogs’ expenses. Now the rescue has 501(c)3 status which means they qualify as a tax-deductable organization which encourages more people to donate.
Their web site, http://www.Virginiabichonrescue.org helps get information out to connect dogs and adopters, and encourages donations of supplies and money. Persons in states other than Virginia interested in adopting or donating can access pertinent information at www.bichonrescue.org Across the country, devoted, caring people like Robin and Jack are making a difference in the lives of hundreds of emotionally vulnerable and physically injured little dogs. The deserve our admiration and support.
http://www.iamnotapoodle.com
About the author:
Tom Antion is a internationally recognized public speaker and Internet marketer with over 2100 paid presentations to his credit.
Posted in Adoption & Rescue, Dog Breeds, Non-Sporting Group | No Comments »
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