This site is dedicated to bringing you information on pets in general and dogs specifically. I have 1 puppy, 1 cat, 4 fish and 1 golden tree frog! My puppy is Gigi, that's where the site gets its name.
Hope you enjoy yourself while here and that you get some useful information on keeping your pets happy and healthy.
My mom asked me this past weekend, do you speak Portuguese with your dog? It hits me, because no I usually don’t use a foreign language with my Gigi! We sing Portuguese and Spanish songs and dance, but no, my commands and interaction is in English….
After reading a few articles on this subject, I decided yesterday to use Portuguese all day long with my dog, contrary to some articles I read, she seemed disoriented and not knowing what to do, she did not follow my commands which changed when I switched to English.
Well, how can you explain French people say dogs bark Woa, Woa, Brazilian people say they bark auau, Spanish people: Jau Jau and American people : woof woof, those languages all perceive the bark in different languages, and different tones, I honestly believe it makes a difference in the dog’s ear when they hear a command in one language or another! I laughed so hard when I moved here and my husband gave me a dog for Christmas and he said the dog barked woof, woof…totally wrong in my Portuguese speaking ears!
I had a friend who owned Rotweilers, he told me he only gave them commands in German because he did not want other people giving the dogs commands and because German was a more forceful language, better for obedience! Wunderbar!
I looked for a dictionary where dog commands were given in different languages and I could not find one. I did find similarities, like Sit, is Sienta-te,Senta (sent-se),Setz dich, all meaning the same thing!
My experiment with Gigi proved she did not obey in Portuguese, have you tried that with your dog? Would love to hear what you think!
Looking for alternatives to bring my dog outside while we are having fun, I have been looking for some information on how to make her comfortable and risks of exposing her to high temperatures! Cooling my puppy off is a must!
I found a great article By Jenna Stregowsky, About.com Guide great help, but below you will also see my favorites!
Many dogs (and people) love to play outdoors despite the heat. Some homes do not have air-conditioning, so alternative cooling methods must be used. If your dog does not wish to stay indoors with the air-conditioner, or if you do not have air-conditioning, there are still plenty of ways to keep your dog cool as temperatures rise.
Remember that dogs cannot cool themselves, but the main way a dog cools off is by panting. Unfortunately, panting is not enough, when it is extremely hot and humid.
Heat is no joke, and it’s up to you to make sure your dog stays cool and comfortable. Here are some ways to help your dog cool off in the heat of summer.
Fresh, Cool Water
It is essential that you keep fresh, cool water available to your dog at all times. In hot weather, this is even more crucial. Make sure you keep the water dish in a shady location and change the water frequently. To constantly keep fresh water available outdoors, consider installing a watering system that hooks up to a faucet. These systems are designed to provide water as needed and are usually triggered by motion or a specific action.
Your dog might enjoy a little sunbathing, but she ultimately needs a cool, shady spot to relax. Prolonged sun exposure not only leads to heat exhaustion, it can also cause sunburn. Yes, dogs can get sunburned too. While sunscreen is available for dogs, it is not ideal. The best thing is to offer shelter. Shade from trees is nice, but not perfect. An actual structure is better. Consider getting an insulated dog house, but make sure it is large and well-ventilated. Alternatively, you might put up an open-air tent or canopy. The addition of a fan will help further cool things down. If possible, put the shelter in a shady area to keep it extra-cool. Of course, the most ideal shelter is in your home. If possible, install a doggie door to allow indoor access.
If your dog loves water, then a large tub or kiddie pool (molded plastic, not inflatable) might be a great addition to your yard. You can find tubs or pools at most home stores. Many dogs enjoy playing and lounging in the cool water. Just make sure you supervise your dog at all times. Also, keep the pool in a shady spot and change the water frequently. Do not leave the pool full when not in use, as it may attract mosquitos.Instead of a pool, you might also try running a sprinkler to see if your dog likes it. however, most dogs prefer a pool to a sprinkler.
As mentioned before, your dog needs a cool, shady place to relax. While a dog bed is nice and soft, it might also be too warm. this is why many people notice their dogs prefer to lie on tile or concrete floors when it’s hot out. However, a cooling dog bed can offer the comfort and softness of a typical dog bed with the coolness your dog craves. Cooling dog beds often use a gel-like material or simply water to keep the bed feeling cool. These beds are especially great for senior dogs as an alternative for hard floors.
There are several other products out there designed to cool off your dog. Some work better than others, and often it just depends on the dog. If you decide to try out one of these products, just remember that nothing can substitute fresh water and shade. No dog should go for long without plenty of both.
Swimming and Water Activities
Stay near your dog while playing or swimming in a lake, river or the ocean. Contrary to common belief, not all dogs are skilled swimmers. Also remember that even the most experienced swimmer can become a victim of an undertow, jellyfish or other hazard. Also, prevent your dog from drinking the water. Salt water can cause dehydration, vomiting and diarrhea. Water in lakes, ponds and rivers may contain parasites and bacteria that can infect your dog. Always provide plenty of fresh, clean water for drinking.
If you bring your dog on a boat or canoe, a life jacket is just as important for your dog as it is for you. Falling or jumping overboard is always possible. Any dog that spends time near water should have her very own pet life vest.
Remember that dogs cool themselves primarily by panting, so cooler air is the best way to prevent and relieve overheating. No matter what you do to keep your dog cool, the best thing you can do is to keep a close eye on her. When in doubt, get her to a cooler area. Be sure to contact your vet immediately if you notice signs of heat stroke.
Bret Michaels Launches “Pets Rock” Line of Dog Toys & Accessories submitted by Brandy Arnold on 06/01/2012 in Business, Celebrity Pets, Dog Industry News, Entertainment, FRONT PAGE, Front Page News, Lifestyle, Product Reviews.
Browsing through new dog lines for my Yorkey, I have found this great review on a new clothes line that rocks and I wanted to share with you!
Rock singer, reality TV star , and dog lover, Bret Michaels will launch his very own line of rockin’ dog toys exclusively at PetSmart this summer. The “Pets Rock” collection will include toys, beds, clothing, bowls, collars, and leashes – all with a little rock ‘n roll flair. And, the collection wouldn’t be complete without Micheals’ trademark bandanas, fitted for dogs.
Bret Michaels told Pet Product News, “As a dedicated pet owner myself, this is a natural partnership for me, and I can’t wait to unveil the collection. I know my own pets rock, and I wanted to design a line of pet products every bit as fun and cool as they are.”
The Pets Rock line joins Martha Stewart Pets and GNC Pets as another exclusive PetSmart product line available in their nearly 2,000 stores and online.
Chicago Now recently reported on the singer’s pet products release, adding details of Michaels’ love for dogs and how his Siberian Husky, Nicholas saved his life during his battle with Type-1 Diabetes.
The year was about 1990, Michaels recalls. “It was overnight. I was having a very bad low blood sugar drop, around the high 20s or low 30s. I don’t know if Nicholas picked up on a scent or saw me getting increasingly restless in bed. I was about to go into insulin shock, and I might have died if he didn’t jump on the bed and alert my manager, who gave me orange juice and a Glucagon shot (to increase blood glucose) – and I was fine in moments.”
Bret’s first pet, a German Shepherd named ‘Tark’ may have jumpstarted his love of dogs. Today, he has 2 more German Shepherds, Diesel and Phoenix.
Can’t wait to shop! I am browsing through their line right now at Petsmart!
My son asked me if Gigi, our dog, would give me a mother’s day gift and I said why not??? But what was really going through my mind was the size of the love I have for our pet. She is not a pet, she is like a baby, a precious addition to our family to be cared for and loved! If you ask me if I am embarrassed to call my dog a baby, absolutely not! God did not allow me to have any more children and there’s always a reason for everything in this world! So I could love our family and relatives, the children I teach, our 7 pets, my garden and our home!
I would NEVER say having a dog is the same as having a child or children. I would also never say being a parent is easy. I respect parents so much. But, personally, I feel there are definitely *similarities* between having a child and having a dog. Loving, responsible pet owners absolutely go through “child-like” experiences with their animals.
Like when I wake up to take her out or when I come home from work to do that, even late in the night almost every half hour to let her out to go to the bathroom. This is still going on…. No, it’s not the exact same as a child, but I also lost a LOT of sleep.
When they are sick, you clean it up! Then, first thing in the morning, still go to work for a full day. When your child is sick you can take a sick day, but it’s frowned upon if I want to take a sick day to stay with my dog at the veterinarian’s office while she undergoes tests.
I take Gigi for regular veterinary visits and pay extra for the best dog food. She visits the vet more often than I visit the doctor. Yes, I often put the needs of my dog before my own, just like a parent does for a child.
No, she doesn’t need braces or a college education, but I still provide for her. I have to make sure she is fed and has water, that she is bathed, that her nails get trimmed, that she goes outside, that she gets exercise, that she has toys to play with and that she has a safe and secure place to live.
No, it’s not easy having children. On the same note, it’s also not always easy having pets. Children are welcome many more places than pets. You can take children into stores, to the movies, just about anywhere you want to go. Pet owners can’t do that with their pets. Yes, it is socially acceptable to leave pets alone without a sitter, and you would never leave a child home alone… BUT, when I leave Gigi home while I’m at work I quite often feel guilty. I absolutely hate it. I’m willing to bet most parents also feel guilty about leaving children while they go to work.
Also, I’m currently looking for a different house to rent at the beach. Do you know how hard it is to find a decent house to rent that allows pets?
Just as parents love children and children love parents, I love my dog and my dog loves me. That unconditional love is the best love in the world. As children make parents laugh, my dog makes me laugh. Just as parents look forward to coming home to children, I look forward to coming home to my dog.
I think each person should choose what is right for him/her. Treating my dog like a child is what I choose to do. For many of us our pets are not just “animals,” and they deserve respect and love. Yes, I love my dog like a child, and I’m proud to admit it.
Gigi will be present at our mother’s day brunch, for pics and all the celebration at our home! I promise to post pictures of the gift she gave me, but I can assure you that she is the gift in herself!
I have started this site, hoping to share my pet findings with other pet owners, specially latino pet owners!
I lost my precious dog last December due to negligence of a kennel owner and two weeks I later I realized I could not live without a best buddy, so Gigi came into my life. Completely different from my last dog, she is a very spirited animal! Non stop, high energy pet! I guess I finally have a pet which matches my personality! LOL
Anyway, my journey with my new pet and my findings through dealing with 4 fish, a frog, a cat and my Gigi will be posted here! I hope you enjoy it!
My mom asked me this past weekend, do you speak Portuguese with your dog? It hits me, because no I usually don’t use a foreign language with my Gigi! We sing Portuguese and Spanish songs and dance, but no, my commands and interaction is in English….
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