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Their short legs and long backs make dachshunds easy to recognize. Sadly, dachshund owners who don’t take certain precautions with regard to this cute breed will find themselves with an ailing pup. In order to keep your dachshunds back healthy, follow these guidelines.

Step 1: It’s very important that you and everyone in your family know how to hold a dachshund properly. If there are children in the home, you will need to model and supervise the proper holding technique. One hand should be placed under the animal’s hest and the other hand should be placed around his rear end. He should always be held close to your chest and you should always place him back down on the ground gently, making sure his back legs touch the ground first. You should never allow a dachshund to jump out of your arms as this is very dangerous for his back.

Step 2: Do not let your dachshund jump onto or off of furniture. If you are going to allow your dachshund on the furniture, you will need to teach him that he is only able to get on the furniture with your assistance. Because it can be difficult to teach an excited dog not to jump off the couch when his master returns, it might be best for you to have a no-furniture policy when it comes to your dachshund.

Step 3: Do not let your dachshund run up and down the stairs. This activity puts too much

strain on the discs in their backs. Again, you will have to train your dachshund to wait for your assitance in going up and downstairs, or you will have to make the second story of your home off limits to your put. This is easily achievable with a baby gate securely fastened at the bottom of the stairs.

Step 4: You’ve probably seen many a dachchund sitting up on their hindquarters, in a begging position that dog owners think looks cute. This is not a healthy position for your dog to be in. If he has picked up this habit somewhere along the way, you will need to train him out of it.

Step 5: Get your dachshund plenty of exercise on a light, short leash. Not only do those little legs need a lot of exercise, it will also aid in keeping his weight down!

Step 6: Feed your dachshund a diet that is low in fat and doesn’t contain many treats. A dachshunds sagging belly is a precursor to his back problems.

If a dachshund dog owner adheres to these guidelines, they should be able to enjoy years of happiness with their “hot dog.”

Article written by Jessica Taylor and provided by pet-super-store.com a website featuring dog training collars, personalized pet beds, and orthopedic dog beds.

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Rabbits have become increasingly more popular as pets due to their active and playful nature. Rabbits, however, are not low maintenance pets. Be sure to get your family and your home prepared when planning to adopt a rabbit.

Step 1: Prepare your home for the rabbit’s arrival. Electrical cords pose the biggest threat to a rabbit and should be moved or covered with wrap, etc. Explore your options and choose which suits your needs best. Also, move plants to a high location or if possible, hang them in your home. Protect the undersides of beds and furniture by placing cardboard or 2×4s underneath. (Rabbits like to “hide” in these locations and have been known to use the materials to make nests.)

Step 2: Purchase the materials that you’ll need for the rabbit’s arrival. To keep the rabbit safe from predators and weather, plan on purchasing a large cage (approximately 30” x 36”) to be kept indoors. Purchase covering for the floor of the cage (grass mat, straw or hay for instance), as well as chew toys, a food pan and a litter pan. (Yes, rabbits can be litter trained!) Purchase a good reference material on the care of rabbits.

Step 3: Call your local shelters or a rescue organization to see about adopting your rabbit. There are so many adult rabbits available for adoption that it’s really not necessary to visit a pet store.

Step 4: Check the health of the rabbit. Make observations about the rabbit’s body. It should be free of swelling and should not be overweight or underweight. Its coat should be well groomed and free of bare patches. Check its ears and nose to ensure there is no discharge from either. The rabbit should breathe and move about with ease. Observe how it reacts to people and if possible, observe the rabbit interacting with other rabbits.

Step 5: Visit a veterinarian immediately after adopting the rabbit. He should be able to confirm the health of the rabbit and suggest the diet plan that suits your new pet. This would also be a good time to have your rabbit spayed or neutered.

Step 6: Plan on spending a lot of time with your rabbit. Rabbits crave interaction and enjoy being outside of their cage and outside of the home. Never leave your rabbit unsupervised as their curious nature can get them into trouble!

It’s not uncommon for rabbit owners to adopt a second rabbit once they’ve settled into the routine of caring for their first one. You might enjoy your newest addition so much that you too will find yourself heading back to the animal shelter!

This article was written by Jessica Taylor and provided by pet-super-store a site featuring the pet industries biggest name brands: PetSafe, Dogtra and Innotek.

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If your dog is lucky enough to go on nice long walks with you, you probably don’t notice his nails getting too long. Over time, the nails wear down and gradually flake off. However, some breeds of dogs have nails that grow fast and no amount of walking will trim them enough. If this is true for your pup, it’s time to take matters into your own hands.

Step 1: Purchase a quality trimming tool appropriate for your pet. Ask your veterinarian, groomer or experienced salesperson which style of trimmer will work for your pet. You can purchase one that has sliding blades or one that resembles a claw or pliers and might be better suited for larger breed dogs.

Step 2:Purchase styptic powder, which will help stop bleeding if you accidentally cut your dog’s quick. A dog’s nails contain nerve endings and blood vessels and will bleed if cut too close.

Step 3: Calm your dog by petting him and making him comfortable. If possible, enlist the help of a friend to stroke him while you clip his nails.

Step 4: Place the blade on the spot where you’d like to begin clipping, staying on the whitish part of the nail. The blade should come from underneath the dog’s nail, not over the top. Press hard and clip quickly.

Step 5: If your dog has darker nails, it will be more difficult to tell where the nail ends and quick begins. If this is the case, start making small clips until you see the small dark circle indicating you’ve clipped enough. If there’s no blood, give yourself a pat on the back! If there is blood, lightly blot it and apply the styptic powder. You will also want to keep your dog off his feet for a bit.

Step 6: File the tip of the nail so that it is smooth.

Step 7: If your dog appears relatively un-traumatized, continue clipping his other nails. If he is anxious or nervous, make it a goal just to do a few nails a day over the next few days.

Step 8: If your dog shows any signs of aggression, if you’re unable to calm him, or if you find that you’re doing a horrible job with his pedicure, leave it to the professionals. Call your vet or groomer and make an appointment to have them clip his nails.

This article was written by Jessica Taylor and provided by pet-super-store a site featuring dog beds, aluminum dog crates and dog doors.

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