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How’s your dog looking these days? Running through puddles,
rolling in mud, and fighting off fleas can leave any dog looking
drab. But it doesn’t have to be that way. And you don’t have to
spend a lot of money to have a fabulous looking dog. Follow
these tips and your dog will be the “cats meow”!

The most essential part of the process is perfecting the coat.
You want your dog to have a shiny, healthy coat that leaves
people in awe. Before you go and buy brushes, expensive shampoo
and cute bows; consider that it’s what’s on the inside that
counts the most.

What are you feeding your dog? Are you giving them their proper
vitamins and minerals? A dog’s diet is what makes the difference
between a scruffy looking coat, and a coat that looks like
royalty. Read the labels on the food. To make that even easier
here is a tip: if you can find the food in your grocery store-
then avoid it. You don’t have to buy the most expensive dog food
around, but foods with actual nutrients and not cheap fillers
(corn, meal, etc.) are not found in the grocery store.

Nothing is a bigger turn off than bad breath! This counts for
dogs too. Dogs should have a normal dental routine. Small dogs
will need their teeth brushed a few times a week as they are
more prone to tooth problems. Additionally, make sure your dog
has plenty of chews that clean the teeth. There are also
products available that you can put in their water to help
reduce plaque and freshen breath.

Some dogs will fight having their nails clipped like there is no
tomorrow! But it still has to be done. Training your dog early
to accept having their nails clipped can work wonders. If it’s
too late for that, and your dog gets fiesty, try to make it a
relaxing experience. Give your dog a treat for sitting next to
you. Clip a nail, and give another treat. Clip another nail,
give another treat. You get the pattern. If that doesn’t work
you can always have another person distract your dog (either
with treats or a toy) while you get to clipping.

After following these steps, your dog should be pretty sexy. But
how’s his figure? People worry so much about their weight but
when it comes to their dogs, they don’t seem to mind if they are
unhealthily overweight. Ideally, your dog should have a visible
waistline behind the ribs. Stand above your dog, if you see a
waistline then you’re all set. If not, you might want to
consider cutting back on some of that high quality food. And
definitely cut out the treats!

When it comes down to it, looks are not important. Health is
what counts. Feeding your dog a healthy diet, having a regualar
dental routine, nail clipping and maintaining a proper weight
will all add to the health, (and the life), of your precious
pet.

In Greyhound racing the dogs are bred, weaned and trained with great care in order to create winning dogs. Unfortunately they are also subject to the “win, place, show, or go” rule. This is where Greyhound rescue and adoption agencies come into the picture.

All Greyhound dogs run for the joy of it but the fate of a dog bred for Greyhound racing is based upon coming in first. Two major problems are at the root of the Greyhound dog crisis;over breeding and the inability to take life long responsibility for the dog. In 1980 The American Greyhound Council was formed and promoted adoption. By 1994 for the first time more Greyhounds were adopted through Greyhound adoption and Greyhound rescue agencies than were euthanized.

Finding a Greyhound adoption or Greyhound rescue organization is not difficult. There are numerous sites that can be found throughout the web from various states that are devoted to educating the public about the plight of greyhound racing dogs and offer retired racers for adoptions or tell you where you can find them. These sites also offer good advise, pictures and stories that helps give the prospective owner insight into the joys and processes involved in acquiring a retired Greyhound.

Gabriele’s website http://www.1st-greyhound-dog-care.com was created for the appreciation of this unique breed. Having been an owner for fifteen years has given her first hand knowledge and a special love for the sensitive and beautiful Greyhound dog.

The West Highland Terrier is a friendly dog, and is considered easier to handle and train than other terriers, such as the Scottish Terrier. Still, it possesses the bold, dynamic terrier temperament, and has to be trained in a manner appropriate for the breed.

Your West Highland Terrier training begins from the moment you bring your terrier home. Westies are stubborn and clever, and considered a bit naughty. They will become demanding and ill tempered if they do not get their way, so you must teach them from the start that you are in charge. From the beginning, treat your terrier in a firm, consistent way.

Terrier puppies, like all very young dogs, should be trained in short sessions of five minutes or less. Make the training session play for both you and your terrier. Generously reward your dog with praise. They are also known to react well to food training.

Your Westie will become confused if you lash out at its misbehavior, particularly if you continue to be angry after the behavior has stopped. Your little terrier wants to please you, and by consistently rewarding the behavior you wish to promote, you will encourage it to become part of the dog’s personality.

Like the Scottish Terrier, and other terrier breeds, Westies are barkers. Barking is a dog’s natural way to communicate a variety of feelings from happiness, to anxiety, to boredom. The terrier breeds, though, are quicker to bark than other dogs.

The most natural reaction by dog owners is to yell at your terrier to stop barking. This is exactly the WRONG thing to do. Your dog hears the loud voice as a sort of human bark, and it only reinforces the behavior.

The key is to remain calm, verbally and physically, and diffuse the terrier’s excited emotional state. Say ‘no bark’ in a calm but firm tone. Never forget to reward the dog when the barking stops.

West Highland Terriers are clever, active dogs, and they will sometimes bark out of boredom. Be sure to provide your dog with walks and appropriate play to stimulate their minds and bodies. You can divert their attention with a chew toy that can be stuffed with a food treat.

Other concerns common to West Highland Terrier training, as well as Scotties and other terrier breeds, are digging, chasing, and aggressive behavior. These little dogs were never bred to be pets, but rather to hunt down and kill vermin.

Never encourage your terrier’s natural behavior by engaging in aggressive play. It is difficult for your Westie to distinguish that gnawing and nipping are all right during play, but not at other times.

(Disclaimer: Any information contained in this site relating to various medical, health and fitness conditions of Westies or other animals and their treatments is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own veterinarian. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing the health of any animal. You should always consult and check with your own vet or veterinarian.)

I do hope that you have found the article of use to you.

Good health and happiness

Jeff Cuckson
webmaster@madaboutwesties.com
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Want To Know How To Have The Healthiest, Happiest and Most Well Behaved Westie You Have Ever Dreamed Of! Then Visit NOW!
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About the Author

Jeff Cuckson

Author of….

“Mad About Westies!” .. How You Can Have The Healthiest, Happiest and Most Well Behaved Westie You Have Ever Dreamed Of!

“101 Kind and Positive Thoughts For Westie Owners On Rough Days!” - How to put a ray of sunshine into a Westie Owner’s dull grey day

“100 Top Westie Sites!”

“115 Travel Tips For Having a Successful Trip With Your Westie!”