HowToDoThings.com Recent Toys, Tools & Supplies Articles

How To Crate Train Your Dog

britgurlmax — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 14:20:08 -0600

Teaching your dog to go into a crate is an invaluable tool for housebreaking, and a safe way for him to travel. It also provides him with a space all to himself when he needs alone time. Dogs are den animals by nature, and a crate offers a den-like place for him to be safe and secure. There are many different types of crates available, but the most common types are wire cages with a tray bottom and the plastic airline crate. Both styles serve the purpose of confining a dog and providing a den for him to lie in. The dogs usually have no preference as to what style or color the crate is, as long as it is comfortable.

Choosing a crate

How To Choose an Earth-Friendly Pet Toy

Pam Wheelock — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 19:55:02 -0600

Loving our pets and caring about the earth go hand in hand. Luckily, pet-friendly toys are often earth-friendly. A toy containing environmentally friendly materials, made by a company dedicated to "greening" its production, is not a guarantee a pet toy will be healthy, but it is a step in the right direction. Here are 7 tips on choosing an earth-friendly and pet-safe toy.

How To Manage Canine Separation Anxiety

edward.s — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 15:09:51 -0600

Separation anxiety is a complex issue that faces many owners. It is rarely realistic to be with your dog 24/7. If you can - GREAT! If not, there are times when separation anxiety can be very detrimental to your dog. Has your dog scratched the back door until his paws were bleeding? Does your dog lunge at the plate glass window in an attempt to join you outside? At times, it may not be as physically dangerous, but it still may be very disruptive to you and your dog.

How To Choose a Healthy Dog Food

caseyleighh — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:42:00 -0600

Choosing what food to feed your dog is an important decision. The food you choose will be his or her primary source of nutrition. In order to make the best choice for your dog and your budget, you must learn to decipher the information on the label of the dog food bag. All of this information is regulated by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, or AAFCO. Here are the things you need to look for on the label:

How To Buy Dog Exercise Pens

Casey47 — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 14:08:34 -0500

Dogs need exercise! That has never been a secret, but it can sometimes be a problem. Not everyone has the time to walk their dog once or twice a day, and certainly not everyone has a fenced-in yard. A great solution to these problems is to have an exercise pen for dogs. An exercise pen is great for a lot of reasons. It provides dogs with an adequate amount of space to exercise, have fun, and to do their 'business.' An exercise pen also keeps your animal safe from other animals and traffic, and many of them can be moved from area to area in your yard, preventing the destruction of your lawn.

There are two different ways you could go about acquiring an exercise pen for your dog, one just a little bit easier than the other.

Do it yourself – build the exercise yard of your dog’s dreams.

How To Buy Dog Houses

Linette547 — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 11:46:00 -0600

The best house for your pet is your home, but sometimes it is not possible for your pet to share your living space. For these situations, here are some tips for selecting the best dog house possible for your pet. Consider the following when you are shopping for a new dog house:

One of the most important questions you need to ask is how large is my pet? You will want to purchase a dog house large enough for your pet to turn around in, and with enough stretching room for your pet to lie down comfortably in any position. However, you do not want to get a dog house that is too large. Your pet will be able to warm a smaller space with his body heat, but a large space will not provide as much warmth and coziness for your pet.
You will also want to consider the temperature extremes for your area. Some high-end pet homes can be heated in the winter and cooled in the summer.

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How To Choose a Dog Bone

Staff468 — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 17:34:00 -0600

Picking a good dog bone is no light matter. Let's say your dog wants a bone and you happen to have a cooked bone from the ham roast you've been eating - a bone that was going to go to waste. You saw him chewing longingly on the leg of your sofa earlier in the day and naturally decide to give him the bone he so desperately craves... only find yourself in the animal emergency room later that night because your dog has suffered an intestinal blockage.

How To Buy Designer Dog Beds

Linette547 — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 11:38:00 -0600

There are several questions you need to ask yourself before purchasing a designer dog bed.

How To Buy Bark Control Collars for Your Dog

Linette547 — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 19:24:00 -0600

Dogs use barking, whining, and howling to communicate. Some dogs like to "talk" more than others; they may have learned to get attention by making noise. If your dog's barking becomes excessive, it can disrupt sleep, become annoying, and cause problems with neighbors. For some dogs, the barking can become so excessive it endangers the dog's chances of staying in the home. If you love your pet, but don't love all the noise he is making, you may want to consider the different bark control collar options available. Before purchasing a bark control collar for your dog, please consider the following:

How To Buy Dog Care Products

Mary311 — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 13:20:00 -0600

Owning a dog is a tremendous responsibility. In addition to the expense of food and medical attention, there are a number of other types of products required by dogs for them to live healthy and happy lives. This article will provide a list of the types of dog care products available and will also provide information for shopping for and purchasing these dog care products. The following is a sample of the types of products you can expect to purchase for your dog:

How To Puppy Proof Your House

Staff468 — Mon, 16 Oct 2006 15:26:00 -0500

When a baby develops the ability to crawl and explore a house, we naturally baby-proof the house to keep the curious youngster out of harm's way. The same should be done for a puppy in a new home, but a puppy can do far more damage to your belongings than a baby ever could. Puppy-proofing your house ensures that both your puppy and your belongings stay safe during this early stage when it's only natural for the inquisitive puppy to explore and play.

How To Buy Dog Beds

Casey47 — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 12:06:00 -0500

Dog lovers all over the world would agree that the comfort of their pets is one of the most important things when owning a dog. To ensure this comfort, it is important for owners to buy the best dog beds they possibly can. To some, this might seem like a relatively easy task but the fact is, there are many different sizes, shapes and colors of dog beds to choose from.

The first item that needs to be decided on is whether or not your dog bed will be indoor or outdoor. There are dog beds that are not strictly for outside use, but work best for it.

Outdoor

How To Buy Dog Training Collars

Darcy480 — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 06:36:00 -0500

With three major types of dog training collars to choose from, an owner should consider carefully all his options before buying a dog training collar. Each dog training collar has advantages and disadvantages. While most dogs will respond favorably to any of the dog training collars, overly aggressive or fearful dogs can react negatively to some collars. In these cases, a professional dog trainer should be consulted before making your purchase. There are three major types of dog training collars: choke, head, and prong.

Choke Collars The choke collar is also known as a slip collar or a choke chain. It is the most popular and widely used dog training collar. In order for it to be effective, however, it must be fitted correctly.

The ideally fitted choke collar should be able to slip comfortably over the head, but fit snuggly around the neck.

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How To Buy Dog Toys

Grace170 — Sun, 23 Jul 2006 04:46:00 -0500

You have a new puppy that needs something to chew on other than your slippers. Or maybe you have an older dog that needs a new thrill in his life. Either way, a dog toy might be the solution to your problem. There are many types of dog toys to choose from-chew toys, balls, bones, and more. Here are some suggestions on what kind of toy might be the perfect match for your pooch.

Breed. What type of dog you have will help to determine the type of toy to look for. If you have a Teacup Yorkshire Terrier, chances are you will not be going down the aisle looking for a rugged ball larger than the dog itself. Similarly, an adult Doberman will get little enjoyment from a small plush dog. Each breed of dog has a particular size range, and for this reason, certain toys correspond with each type of breed. Ask the pet store what toys are appropriate for your specific breed of dog.

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How To Buy Dog Training Equipment

Amy 329 — Sat, 08 Jul 2006 18:35:00 -0500

Training your dog can see like an overwhelming task, but purchasing the right equipment is the best way to start off on the right foot. There are several things to add to your list when you head to the pet supply store to look for training equipment:

How To Build a Dog House

Mary311 — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 13:12:00 -0500

Building a dog house can provide your dog with shelter when outdoors. The dog house can provide shade in the summer, protection from rain or snow during inclement weather and simply a place for your dog to relax any time of year. Before attempting to build a dog house, you should consider a number of factors including the following:

Size of the dog.
Purpose of the dog house.
Spatial constraints.
Location of the dog house.
Climate of the location.
Budget of the project.

All of these factors are important because they will help you to determine the size of the dog house you will build, the materials you will use in construction and other considerations such as the placement of the dog house once it is constructed. After you make all of these decisions, it's time to begin your project.

How To Build a Dog Run

Grace170 — Tue, 16 May 2006 04:17:00 -0500

Before you purchase a new dog there are several things you must consider beyond what you are going to name him and what color sweater will look most darling on him. One of the most important elements to owning a dog is providing it with sufficient exercise and allowing it outdoor space and time.

Most dogs require a minimum of two outside trips a day to do their business and to sniff around. If you want to give your dog more outdoor time, but are concerned about you pet digging up the garden or escaping the yard, you can build a dog run. Here is some information on dog runs and advice on how you can build one.