Check Your Morals at the Door

In operant conditioning, positive and negative doesn’t mean good and bad – it simply means the addition of a stimulus or the removal of a stimulus.   Here is a quick overview of the 4 traditional components of operant conditioning:

Positive reinforcement – the addition of something the dog likes following an event.  For example, if Shorty touches my hand with her nose, I give her a dog treat.  She is more likely to repeat the touch because she is learning that “touch” is followed by something she finds enjoyable.

Positive punishment – the addition of something the dog dislikes following an event.  For example, a dog barks at the mail delivery person, and his owner squirts him with a water bottle.  The owner hopes that the dog dislikes being squirted by water so much that he will stop barking when the mail delivery person comes.

Negative reinforcement – the removal of something the dog dislikes following an event.  For example, Shorty may bark and lunge at an unfamiliar dog that runs up to her face while she is on leash in order to get that dog to go away.  If the dog goes away, then negative reinforcement has occurred, and Shorty is more likely to bark and lunge on leash again when an unfamiliar dog runs at her face.

Negative punishment – the removal of something the dog likes following an event.  For example, a puppy is playing with his new owner, and the puppy bites his owner too hard.  The owner stops playing, gets up, and walks away from the puppy.  The puppy will learn to inhibit his bite because he would rather keep playing with his new owner than lose his playmate.

When using punishment, we want the preceding behavior to decrease whereas in reinforcement, the preceding behavior increases.

 What is wrong with Mixing?

So why doesn’t positive reinforcement and positive punishment go hand in hand? Let’s look at some examples.

Say your dog is reactive to other dogs.  So, you figure, if my dog reacts when a dog passes her, I’ll provide a leash jerk, and if my dog doesn’t react, I’ll give her a cookie.  Your dog learns that when another dog approaches, she sometimes feels pain and she sometimes feel pleasure – how unpredictable!

Most of my clients know that I love Starbucks.  However, if Starbucks only made my drink correctly some of the time, my behavior chain of entering the store, ordering a drink, and paying for it would possibly fade or become extinct.  Like dogs, people also dislike unpredictable environments – what if only a few cars stopped every time there was a red light?  What if some cars stopped when there was a green light?  How would you begin to feel when you drive or walk up to an intersection with a light, not knowing what the other drivers are going to do?  A little anxious, a little nervous, fearful even?  This is how our dogs feel when we mix certain quadrants of operant conditioning.

Here, Ivan Pavlov also pops up – in the above example, I begin to have undesirable feelings towards Starbucks (heaven forbid!) and we all begin to hate stoplights.  Similarly, your dog begins to have undesirable feelings towards other dogs approaching her.  However, by consistently pairing the approach of other dogs with something your dog likes, those feelings can change.  However, you’ll have to stay tuned for more information on classical, also known as respondent, conditioning!

Courtesy of Bad Dogs Gone Good

Law enforcement patrol and detection dogs are routinely exposed to hazardous situations in the course of carrying out their duties and protecting the community. Some risks that police dogs face include the possibility of injury from searches in challenging terrain, the possibility of a suspect with a weapon, heat exhaustion, exposure to chemicals and other dangers. The Silicon Valley based “Cover Your K-9″ project of the Police and Working K-9 Foundation is using the latest high tech materials, design and training to provide essential safety equipment such as bullet-proof vests, heat sensors for patrol cars and custom K-9 trauma kits to protect hard-working police dogs while they are on the job.

A volunteer veterinary team of 4 doctors and 10 veterinary technicians will be led by Dr. Robert Lukas of the Sage Centers for Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Care. During the course, K-9 handlers will team up to learn CPR with furry dog mannequins called ‘resusci-dogs.’ To help the officers learn essential splinting and bandaging skills, the highly-trained and very patient search and rescue dogs from the Alameda County Sheriff’s SAR K-9 Unit will act as ‘demo dogs’ and offer their paws up for the handlers to practice on.

The custom “Cover Your K-9″ Trauma Kits have been designed by the veterinary specialists at Sage Centers for Specialty and Emergency Care and even include a special K-9 oxygen mask. The custom trauma bags, with wheels and a pop-up handle, contain many items not available in commercial kits. They are provided at no charge for each K-9 officer to carry in their patrol car so that they can provide rapid first aid care to their police dog partner in case of an emergency.

With budget cuts affecting so many local K-9 units, Pet Food Express wanted to help the Police and Working K-9 Foundation with their mission and has hosted the Annual “Cover Your K-9″ fundraiser. Thousands of pet owners and animal lovers have rallied together at Pet Food Express locations to raise funds to help keep hardworking police dogs safe — raising more than $250,000 for California police dogs over the past three years. The “Cover Your K-9″ Program has helped protect more than 100 police dogs in California with special bullet-proof vests, 16 police teams with new heat sensors for their patrol cars, assisted retired dogs with emergency veterinary care and now more than 60 K-9 handlers will be receiving advanced training and custom canine first aid kits to keep their police dogs safe.

The “Cover Your K-9″ Fund is a project of the Police and Working K-9 Foundation, an all-volunteer non-profit corporation working to keep law enforcement K-9 teams ‘covered’ with safety equipment and emergency medical care. Through the “Cover Your K-9″ Fund, PAW K-9 has collaborated with private companies in the design of new safety technology and training courses to protect police dogs. All proceeds donated to this fund are tax-deductible and are used for the purchase of safety equipment for law enforcement K-9s and for an emergency medical care fund for retired K-9s. http://www.coveryourk9.org

Pet Food Express is locally owned and operated by Michael & Mark. In 1976, Michael started a dog training business in San Francisco, and later added a Police K-9 division which was run by then retired San Francisco Police Lieutenant Art O’Keefe. Pet Food Express does not sell animals and is dedicated to promoting pet adoptions through local shelters and rescue groups. So far, Pet Food Express has aided in the adoption of 54,000 Bay Area pets. www.petfoodexpress.com/giving-back/annual-k-9-fundraiser/

Sage Centers for Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Care is a privately held referral veterinary specialty practice dedicated to orthopedic and soft tissue surgery, oncology, internal medicine, neurology, physical rehab, and emergency care. It has four facilities located in the San Francisco Bay Area in Concord, Campbell, Dublin, and San Mateo. Sage is one of the largest veterinary specialty practices in the country with approximately 40 doctors and a staff of almost 200 employees. http://www.sagecenters.com

When tryіng tо train уour dog, alwaуs reinforce positive behaviors еvеn whеn you’re nоt actively іn а training session. It’s easy tо remember tо reward уour dog during а training session, but it’s јust aѕ important tо reward уour dog fоr thоѕe trained behaviors thе rest оf the time, too. Thiѕ builds а good connection fоr thе dog bеtwеen thе behavior аnd thе reward.

The fіrst step іn successful dog training іѕ successful dog owner training. Thеre аre proven techniques аnd methods tо dog training. It iѕ important thаt thе owner learns аnd sticks tо onе method. Switching methods сan confuse аn animal. It iѕ important thаt thе owner understands hоw tо train, аs lack оf authority cаn аlѕо confuse thе animal іn training.

Train yоur dog іn а distraction free setting, аnd thеn gradually add distractions. Dogs neеd а quiet place tо focus untіl theу hаve a partісular action (sit, lay, stay, etc.) dоwn well. Oncе thеу hаvе а nеw action down, hаving a child run past, оr rolling а ball paѕt thе dog, wіll helр yоu tо thеn teach thе “leave it” оr “stay” command.

When training уоur dog, bе patient. Evеrу dog hаѕ іts оwn unique аnd wіll learn аt hіs оwn pace. Sоme dogs сan аnd wіll learn verу quickly; оther dogs choose tо tаkе thеіr time. Patience іѕ оne оf thе mоst important virtues yоu сan employ whеn effectively training уоur dog.

It іѕ important tо kеep уour dog training sessions short, іt iѕ bеtter tо havе thrеe ten minute sessions thаn onе thіrtу minute session. Yоur dog іѕ nоt а human аnd thеу wіll tend tо lose interest quickly, bу making sessions shorter yоu wіll mаkе mоrе progress іn уоur training efforts.

When communicating wіth уour dog yоur tone оf voice іs important. Whіle training уour dog іt iѕ important thаt уоur voice projects confidence. Yоur dog nеeds tо knоw thаt уou arе thе leader іn hiѕ life. Alwaуs speak сleаrlу аnd enunciate whilе teaching thе command. Lеt уour dog knоw іt іf theу werе successful bу uѕing а cheerful tone to praise them. On thе othеr hand, уou wіll hаve tо usе а sharp tone іf уоur dog iѕ misbehaving.

Use уour dogs nаmе whеnevеr роѕsіblе but trу tо makе surе іt іs оnly uѕеd іn а positive аnd rewarding tone. Fоr еxаmplе “good boy Zeuss” inѕtead оf “bad dog Zeuss”. Thiѕ wіll ensure thаt уour pet realize thаt іt hаs dоne wеll аnd wіll continue tо wаnt tо рleaѕe іtѕ owner.

Your love оf dogs аnd yоur desire tо kеер уоur house presentable shоuld nоt conflict. Hаving а rowdy оr destructive dog сan mаke іt difficult tо maintain а presentable home, but training уоur dog саn easily fix thiѕ problem. Remember thе tips іn thіs article аnd уou сan live peacefully wіth уour pet dog!

SEATTLE

Last month, King County deputies seized 100 dogs from homes in Burien and Issaquah after an anonymous tipster sent video documenting the animals’ living conditions to Pasado’s Safe Haven, an animal rescue group.

The footage, which was obtained by KOMO News on Wednesday, showed rusted cages matted with pet hair, dogs crammed in feces-infested cages, and empty food and water bowls.

Pasado turned the video over to the King County Sheriff’s Office, which launched an investigation. Local rescue groups and veterinarians stepped in to care for the Chihuahuas, Pomeranians and Japanese Chin dogs taken from the homes.

Then on Wednesday came the shocking revelation: “One of the owners of the dogs that were in such deplorable condition is actually a judge for the American Kennel Club,” said Amber Chenoweth of Pasado’s Safe Haven.

The woman said her attorney advised her against commenting on the ongoing investigation.

Lisa Peterson, with the American Kennel Club says the organization is aware that one of its judges is currently under investigation in King County for animal cruelty. As a result of that investigation, the AKC temporarily suspended the judge’s privileges “until it is determined whether or not she has violated the AKC judicial or administrative determination of inappropriate treatment policy.”

Pasado’s is asking prosecutors to file 14 counts of animal cruelty against the woman for the 14 dogs that had to be euthanized due to illness.

“We’re certainly going to be asking that they are never able to own dogs again,” Chenoweth said.

Many of the seized dogs were placed under the care of Cares of Burien.

“The animals are our number one priority, that’s all we’re focused on, making sure they’re treated fairly and get the medical treatment. And they’re in good foster homes right now,” said Debra George of Cares of Burien.

George said the shelter had to use the majority of its $10,000 monthly budget for the dogs’ medical expenses, which cost approximately $7,000. Donations to Cares of Burien can be made at any Sterling Bank branch.

The sheriff’s office said investigators are still several weeks away from forwarding the case to the prosecutor for possible charges.

Comment on this story at KomoNews.com.

For any one out there who has a pet, you already know how it is possible that they can take on the personality and temperament of their owners. Whether it be royal or roguish! Now, with my father and our dog Daniel it was a metamorphosing!

Daniel was a puppy that we got from my brother’s friend. He was pretty much a Heinz 57. When we went to pick him out of the litter, he was sitting there amongst the other puppies like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. All of the other pups were crawling every which way on him! My father winced when I said, “I want that one!” He encouraged me to take my time and look them all over again. No, I wanted that one! Reluctantly, he loaded up that leaning tower of fur and we took him home.

Now, my father was know throughout the animal world as a soft touch. He talked strict discipline but oozed pure mush! Daniel learned well at my father’s knee. Whenever he would be looking in the refrigerator, Daniel would be right in between his legs sniffing out the bottom drawers. He was glued to my father’s side whenever he would rustle up something at the stove, especially when it was something Daniel liked! He would drool all over the floor! He acted as taste tester, knowing that my father would always slip him a sample or two while concocting his piece de resistance.

Daniel found out very early that my father was a huge tease, who would antagonize him to death given half the chance! Do you know someone like that? The man couldn’t stand to see the dog being quiet, not bothering anyone. No, he would have to twitch a whisker, wiggle his ear, flick a paw… But Daniel learned to watch and wait for his retribution! He would pilfer my father’s socks at night, stick his cold nose in his ear while sleeping, abscond with his favorite hat…and so they would stealthily shadow one another like a couple of cloak and dagger spies!

Still, they had a strong bond of love between them. One would die without the other! I remember a time when I was eating breakfast while the dog was still in the house. He loved sleeping in until the last person went to work. As I was lifting another spoonful of cereal to my mouth, he flicked his snout under my arm and everything went flying on the walls! I turned to give him a dirty look and he gave me a determined fiery glare. I had never seen him look like that before! He let out with a low growl and kept backing up. Intuitive one that I am, I surmised that I should follow him. He led me straight to where my father was still asleep in bed. He was quite feverish with a bad cold. Daniel took me right to his side and put his head on the mattress with his nose pointing right to him. You know that cutesy way dogs have of doing that?

I said to my father, “Dad, you have to comfort the dog. He’s worried about you!” My father stirred, glanced at the dog, weakly gave a few pats on his head and rolled over. Then Daniel jumped on the bed, curled up beside him and anxiously watched as he slept. He stayed cemented to my father until he was well again.

Yes, Daniel had my father figured out right from the start. He knew that in order to survive he would have to become just a foxy and mischievous as his master. Yet, as much as they would provoke, needle, irritate, vex and antagonize one another, that’s as much as they dearly loved and cherished on another. Dogs aren’t stupid, they know who loves them. In fact, they know is so well that they sometimes become indistinguishable from them!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gail_Marie_Kocznur

While there are some people who will not use a kennel for their dog, for others a kennel is an absolutely essential item that they need. People who have bought dog kennels previously will tend to know what they want when it comes to this type of outside structure. Choosing a kennel for your dog is not a choice that should be rushed as you need to buy an item that will be durable and that your dog will want to use. With this in mind here are some pointers on choosing suitable dog kennels that you might want to keep in mind:

You need to look into the advantages and disadvantages of different kennel materials. Right now you can buy dog kennels that are made from wood, metal or plastic and all of these will offer different benefits. Wooden kennels look good, they are warm and providing they have a waterproof roof they will be suitable for year round use. Plastic kennels are also weather proof and they are a good choice if you have a dog that loves to chew its kennel. Metal kennels are another choice and providing that the metal has been coated it will not rust quickly and provide your dog with many years of use.

Your dog must have the protection that it needs when it is outside. You must protect your dog from the wind, rain and sun so only choose dog kennels that can give them this kind of shelter. Thankfully most traditional dog kennels will have a small opening and allow the dog to move towards the end of the kennel to keep warm and sheltered.

Your dog must feel safe and comfortable when it is in its kennel. This is particularly important if your dog will be using its kennel for long periods of time. You should always think about the level of comfort that your dog will be experiencing as this can have an effect on how happy it is. Your dog must be able to sit, lay down and turn freely inside its kennel so looking at all sizes of kennels is important. You should also give your dog something warm to sleep on such as a dog bed or cushions as this will make it even more comfortable.

You need to choose a kennel that you can clean with ease. Some dogs are very messy, particularly if they are very young or old and in these cases you need to be able to clean up after them easily. Choosing dog kennels that are made from metal or plastic is wise in these cases as both materials are quick to clean and can be dried off in no time.

The kennel that you choose must be affordable. Clearly you will be looking for quality dog kennels but you must also be interested in the price that you are paying. Thankfully there are plenty of sellers who are able to provide you with excellent kennels for dogs at a price that will suit your pocket.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Malcolm_Nguyen

In a world where there has been a pet food recall, some dog owners feel they want to make their own dog food. This is a great idea because you know exactly what is going in your dog’s tummy. But do you know what foods are actually dangerous for Fido? Let me list the most dangerous and also tell you WHY they shouldn’t be eaten so you can save yourself from unnecessary Vet bills or something we don’t even want to think about…the death of your beloved pet.

1. Chocolate: This means ALL chocolate even though the high cocoa content chocolate and Baker’s chocolate are the most toxic. To reach toxicity you only need 2 baking squares for a 10lb dog, 4 baking squares for a 20 lb dog, etc. It contains theobromine which is a diuretic and cardiac stimulant.

Side Effects: vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate, seizures, increased drinking and urinating and even death.

2. Alcohol: If you think it’s funny to watch your dog get intoxicated, think again. You can cause Fido to go into cardiac arrest and die. Not so funny anymore, now is it. They can’t handle alcohol and it only takes a small amount to get them intoxicated.

Side Effects: depression, excessive urination, excitement, slowed breathing rate and cardiac arrest which can lead to death.

3. Fatty Foods: Yes, you know them well because you probably eat them yourself and know how bad they are for YOU. Gravies, bacon, high fat snacks, etc. can all be fatal in some dogs.

Side Effects: severe gastrointestinal distress and something called Pancreatitis which can be fatal.

4. Raisins and Grapes: This is one of those foods where the toxin is not known yet but is extremely dangerous and there is NO treatment for it.

Side Effect: acute kidney failure. It only takes as little as 6 grapes and raisins.

5. Potato Peelings and Tomato Leaves & Stems: These both contain a toxic alkaloid called solanine.

Side Effects: severe gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weakness, dilated pupils, damage to the central nervous system and slower heart rate.

6. Avocado: This fruit contains a toxin principle called PERSIN. It’s also in the leaves, the seeds and the bark. All avocados have the potential to be toxic for dog’s however, the variety from Guatemala is the most toxic.

Side Effects: diarrhea, vomiting and gastrointestinal distress.

7. Macadamia Nuts: The toxin in these nuts is unknown, it only takes a small number of nuts and even the butter in them to make it toxic for your dog.

Side Effects: affects their nervous system, digestive track and their muscles.

8. Coffee: Contains dangerous components called xanthenes.

Side Effects: urinary damage, heart muscle stimulation and damage to their nervous system.

9. Peaches, Cherries, Plums, Apples and Apricots: The fruit itself is fine. It’s the leaves, stems and seeds that contain a cyanide compound. Large amounts of them are toxic.

Side Effects: hyperventilation, dilated pupils, breathing difficulties and shock.

10. Xylitol: This is an artificial sweetener that is found in SUGAR FREE products like gum, candy, etc.

Side Effects: sudden drop in blood sugar and seizures.

11. Onions: Thiosulphate is the toxin in onions. This goes for onion powder as well. One good thing about this is that they will eventually recover from this toxin when it leaves their body.

Side Effect: Extreme anemia. (as little as one small onion can cause this)

12. Yeast dough: Believe it or not if your dog swallows yeast dough it will rise in his stomach and it will end up being very painful for them.

Side Effects: Severe gastrointestinal distress, vomiting, diarrhea and bloating.

Please use common sense when it comes to feeding your dog and if he accidentally eats any of the above foods, get to your Vet immediately. Getting there in time can save your dog’s life.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Benson

Traditionally when people went on holiday they would leave their four legged friend in a kennels, however in recent years there has been a new phenomenon which is home dog boarding. This alternative to kennels is a much preferred option nowadays giving the owner total piece of mind that when they leave their dog, it is treated much the same way it is at home, with the entire one on one care and attention it is used to.

Pros of home dog boarding

- A home from home environment, your dog will live in the home of an experienced professional pet minder who will provide love and care for your dogs and treat them as if they were one of their own. Your dogs stay will be fun, exciting and, most importantly, your dog will be in a safe and happy environment.

- Your dog will receive at least 2 walks a day by a professional dog walker as part of a pack or individually. Dogs will be kept on the lead unless consent is given.

- The pet sitters home dog boarding will have a secure garden and your dog will be with a professional dog minder at all times, so you can rest assured that they will be in very safe hands.

- Your dog’s routine in terms of feeding, walks, medication, and bedtime will be followed like it is at home.

- Most pet sitters offer a preliminary meeting so you can go and see the home dog boarding facilities and meet the resident dogs if there are any.

Cons of home dog boarding

- Exposure to disease: Most, but not all, home dog boarding require your dogs to be vaccinated before you drop them off. Always make sure your dog has been vaccinated and has up to date flea treatment.

- Cost: Home dog boarding can be expensive. It may be cheaper to have a friend or relative stop by your home and check on your dog, but home dog boarding would definitely be a better experience for your dog.

Pros of Kennels

- Security: Most kennels have double gates to keep dogs in their enclosures. This means that if a dog slips by a person when their kennel is opened, they are still enclosed by an outer fence. One of the easiest ways to lose a dog is to have your dog stay at somebody else’s house. Somebody could leave the door open, and your dog will be gone. Boarding your dog at a kennel should give you more peace of mind.

- Supervision: If you board your dog at a kennel, you know that somebody will be there during business hours. Some kennels have 24 hour staff. It is reassuring to know you can call and check on your dog anytime the kennel is open. If you leave your dog home alone, it will not be supervised, and may be destructive.

Cons of Kennels:

- Many dogs find kennels extremely stressful: they are put in a cage and don’t receive the one on one love and attention that they are used to at home.

- Exposure to disease: Most, but not all, kennels require your dogs to be vaccinated before you drop them off. Always make sure your dog has been vaccinated for kennel cough (Bordatella). Kennel cough is highly contagious and can be spread through a shared water bowl.

- Cost: Kennels are expensive. It may be cheaper to have a friend or relative stop by your home and check on your dog.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brodie_Ellis

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5192242

About Proteins

Protein is one of the most crucial building blocks of your dog’s life. All dogs need protein for growth, tissue repair, and the regulating of biological functions.

Without protein, muscle tissue and internal organs would soon breakdown and die. Like humans, dogs are capable of producing particular amino acids (the building blocks of protein) on their own. Additional amino acids must be gotten from the dog’s diet.

That’s one reason why it’s not a good idea to feed dogs exclusively carbohydrate-based treats and kibble. Too many carbohydrates and too little or zero protein can do more harm than good in the long term. That’s why, after the late 1800′s, pet food manufacturers started using the byproducts of meat processing plants to get cheap sources of animal protein to add to kibble, semi-moist, and canned pet foods.

A diet abundant in protein is highly suggested for young pups that have already been weaned from their mother, and for young, developing dogs. Hunting dogs and other working dogs should also have a healthy serving of protein at each mealtime to keep their muscles and organs working well.

Even so, giving a dog too much protein can produce its own problems. Increase protein consumption damages the dogs’ kidneys, which can lead to fatal kidney failure. I’ll bet you didn’t know that too much protein has also been related to sudden changes in a dog’s disposition.

Are Fats Bad?

Nowadays, fats are the most loathed of the macro nutrients because there’s a general belief that any form of fat can cause obesity and other health troubles in dogs. There is a little of truth to this: excessive fat consumption in dogs can cause obesity, particularly if the dog doesn’t get enough exercise to expend the extra calories on a daily basis.

This does not mean that you should cut out all fats from your pet’s diet. Fat is needed for normal kidney functions and muscle tissue repair. Your dog also needs fat to maintain a healthy coat and skin.

With too little fat, your dog can suffer, too.

If you’re feeding your dog very lean dog food, an easy way to add healthy fat to your dog’s diet is by adding food items with omega fatty acids. Fish is the most abundant source of omega fatty acids. But, if this isn’t a workable option for you, you can buy a dog supplement that has omega fatty acids.

Supplementation will provide the extra needed amounts of omega fatty acids and will help your dog maintain a healthy coat.

Carbohydrates, Your Dog’s Fuel

Since dogs are usually active, they need a good source of carbohydrates that can be easily burned for energy. There is a general consensus amongst veterinarians that dogs need 40 to 50 percent carbohydrates in their daily diet. The problem is that dog food companies use a variety of cheap sources of starchy carbohydrates.

If your dog is having a difficulty digesting a new brand of dog food, check the ingredients label. Food allergies can sometimes come about when the dog’s chief source of carbohydrates is soybeans. Allergies surface as excessive flatulence, a growling stomach and soft stools.

If your dog is allergic to soybean-based dog food (or any other source of carbohydrates or starch), try changing over to another brand of dog food that has been made up with regular flour, like wheat flour. Or even better yet, prepare your dog’s food yourself.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_F._Alexander

While dog clothes are perfect at any time during the year, during the Christmas season, cute dog apparel just can’t be beat. Whatever you are looking for, you are sure to find as you and your dog celebrate the season with a woof and a “ho ho ho”.

Ties and Collars

Christmas dog apparel can be simple or elaborate, depending upon your mood and the occasion. Satin bow ties and collars that are designed in Christmas colors set the mood for holiday festivities.

Tuxedos

For a more formal occasion, choosing a tuxedo or an evening gown that is festive while being elegant and dignified may be just what you are looking for. Several varieties and styles are available, from tuxedos in fashionable and timeless black or tuxedos in festive silver or gold, to velvet gowns that are both elegant and beautiful.

Tuxedo style scarves and tuxedo style tanks are also a big hit for more formal dog apparel choices for the holiday season.

Christmas Scarves

Choose a fun and festive Christmas scarf as a perfect piece of dog apparel to celebrate the season. Options that are available include traditional type of scarves (just like human parents wear) and kerchief type scarves that tie into place. Scarves are available in festive colors of the season and with fun messages to wish everyone around happiness and warm thoughts.

Jammies and Socks

Your pooch will be celebrating Christmas in style with adorable jammies that are perfect for curling up to wait for Santa or snuggly warm socks that keep tiny feet warm. Jammies are just right for keeping your canine companion warm during those cold winter nights and cute socks certainly warm up to the occasion.

Sweaters

Your dog can show his Christmas spirit with knit sweaters that not only keep him warm and cozy but also feature some of favorite sights of the season like snowflakes, snowmen, reindeer and the like.

Dresses

Your sweet little girl will be too precious for words in a cute Christmas dress that is a perfect choice in dog clothes. Choose a halter style or a more traditional style in colors that put the merry in “Merry Christmas!”

Hair Bows

Hair bows are too cute for words during the regular season but add Christmas to it and hair bows are simply adorable and irresistible. Your favorite pooch will be dolled up in style with scrumptious hair bows that depict seasonal favorites such as peppermint stripes, gingerbread men, traditional red, green and white colors or more glittery and festive colors like silver and gold.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_A_Mason