K9 Mums was founded by Michele De Bruin & Charmaine Rolfe in October 1994. Our service provides an alternative to kenneling by arranging for dogs to be accommodated in private homes – (maximum 4 dogs per home) – personally and lovingly cared for by their K9 Mum.

We started this business out of pure frustration at never knowing what to do with our own dogs when we wanted to go away on holiday. How nice it would be to send them to another home/family as opposed to a kennel or leaving them at home alone to be visited once or twice a day by a friend or family member. Not to mention the imposition of asking friends or family to look after our pets. One never really wants to do that, but there are instances when one has no choice. As a result, K9Mums was born in October 1994.

This home-away-from-home facility for ‘dogs on holiday’ means that once each dog’s personal needs have been established, he/she will be placed with a K9Mum who is able to meet his/her requirements. This ensures complete peace of mind for the dog’s owner as well as a happy holiday for the dog. Each dog in our care enjoys the opportunity of becoming part of the K9Mum’s family, having the run of the house and garden and being totally loved and spoilt – from tummy tickles to milk and cookies before bedtime.

They will be loved, played with, patted, walked (if requested) and their daily routine in their own homes will be continued in their K9 Mum’s home. They will sleep where they are used to sleeping and will be fed at the times specified by their owners. Our K9 Mums do their utmost to ensure that each dog has a happy holiday filled with lots of TLC. After all, they are a special member of the family and they deserve to be treated as such.

Our K9 Mums’ are mostly Home Executives or Senior Citizens who are home 99% of the time thereby ensuring that each dog receives five star attention and care. Their homes have been personally inspected by us for cleanliness and security as far as the dogs in their care are concerned.

To ensure a stress-free holiday for each dog we require application forms to be completed giving us as much information as possible about each dog eg: good habits, bad habits, likes, dislikes, daily diet, medication requirements etc. Proof of vaccination, d-flea and d-worm as well as some form of identification, (be it microchip or collar and tag) are compulsory.

Needless to say, bookings are essential for this specialized service, (small to medium size pets only).

Invitation: To all animal rescue/welfare organizations. Send us your details and we will load it on our website at no cost to you.

For additional information and more comprehensive details please visit our website at: http://www.k9mums.com
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If you’re looking for a dog training school then this probably means one of two things – either you’re just too busy to train your dog yourself, or you’ve already tried it and are ready to tear out your hair, or worse yet, give up the dog to someone else! There’s absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to send your beloved pet to a dog training school regardless of your reasons; after all, training a dog is not like raising a child. It’s okay if you pay someone else to train your dog! But like a daycare for your child or a school for yourself, there are some things you want to remember when searching for a dog training school rather than simply opting for the closest or cheapest.

For one thing, ask yourself what you expect out of a dog training school. Many teach the basics of simple commands such as sit or stay, and teach dogs not to beg or bark incessantly, how to follow their masters when on a leash, and so on. These are pretty standard schools that you would send a puppy or young do to in order to just learn the basics of civilized behavior when with a family. Others however specialize in overly aggressive or problem behavior. This might include biting, growling, marking the territory, and so on. If this isn’t what you need by way of a dog training school then be sure that you’re not paying extra money for services that are unnecessary.

Others are looking for a dog training school in order to take their dog to the next level of performance. The types of activities your dog gets trained for may include silent commands or hand signals, following scents and retrievals from long distances, some agility training such as fence or obstacle jumping, food refusal, and so on. These types of exercises or lessons are typically for show dogs that need to be extra careful of their obedience and performance when judges are watching. For most owners, these classes offered by a dog training school are probably going to be unnecessary, although anyone that has the money to pay of course is welcome to do whatever they choose!

When selecting a dog training school be sure to meet the instructors beforehand to get a feel for how they may be with your dog. Forcing a dog into submission or to perform on command is not only abusive it’s dangerous to your dog’s emotional health overall. Dogs that have been mishandled in any way are typically skittish or nervous and don’t socialize well with other animals or humans. A dog training school should emphasize rewarding a dog’s good behavior rather than simply trying to punish the bad behavior. Any dog training school that uses choke collars or choke chains should be dismissed; in some places these aren’t even legal anymore. Even dogs with behavior problems still need to be treated properly, so be sure you are comfortable with your choice of schools.

Take Notice Of Your Dog’s Skin Problems

It is beneath their beautiful fur coats that a world of uncomfortable and even painful skin conditions are often lurking. Dogs skin problems can be an indication of a more serious and even life threatening condition.

Some of the most common dog skin problems are dry skin, usually indicated by the appearance of “dandruff” or excessive shedding, various fungus infections, mite irritations, mange, and rashes that may be the result of seasonal, environmental or food allergies. Other dog skin problems include tumors, seborrhea skin diseases, melanomas and infected sores.

The fact is that many of these conditions are completely treatable and often preventable. Identifying the cause and preventing unnecessary dog skin problems is a responsibility that comes with the role of owning a dog. However, as a loving pet guardian, adequate care and treatment of an animal is a legal requirement.

Food And Seasonal Dog Allergies

Some of the most preventable dog skin problems are caused by dog allergies. Dog allergies may be the result of seasonal conditions, environmental factors or symptoms of food allergies. Many dog owners are surprised to learn that food allergies are not always related to a new food or diet. A dog may develop intolerance to foods that they have been eating for years.

It is not an unusual occurrence for a dog to develop a food allergy when their immunity system may be compromised. Adding a digestive enzyme to a dog’s daily diet of a premium all natural food is many times all that is needed to heal the skin. Dog food allergies are often an intolerance to unnatural additives and preservatives.

Seasonal dog allergies can include parasite allergies. Fleas for example are uncomfortable enough for a dog, but some dogs are particularly sensitive to flea bites. Although, fleas may be present at any time of year, it’s the hot dry conditions of summer when they are the worst. Other possible seasonal allergy irritants are spring pollens and dust mites. Rural dogs are at risk of developing further seasonal allergies where crop dusting occurs, or when other such chemicals are used around the farm or surrounding properties.

If your dog is uncomfortable and excessively chewing and biting his legs or rear end, scratching himself sore, or shows any signs or symptoms at all of a bothersome skin condition, please seek the advice of a veterinarian right away.

Prevention is better than cure; the best premium all natural diet is the first weapon against dog skin problems and dog allergies. Dog owners should routinely check their dog’s skin and feel for any lumps, bumps or other skin conditions.

For more information visit Dog Skin Problems. and The Benefits Of Using A Dog Skin Conditioner.

Janie is an avid dog lover with over twenty five years of experience in working with dogs. She shares many articles on canine nutrition and skin care.

Article Source: Free Articles at ArticleSphere.com

A top Port Elizabeth ( South Africa ) Standard Poodle Breeder is

• Le Meulleur Kennels and Grooming Parlour.

In 2002, a standard poodle named Topscore Contradiction won Best in Show at Crufts Dog Show, in the United Kingdom of Great Britain. This particular poodle has made history at Crufts by being the first international pooch to win “Best in Show”.

The poodle was one of the American Kennel Club’s top 10 breeds for the year 2006.

History and Origin

Paintings representing the poodle date as far back as the 13th century. The exact country of origin is not known, but many people feel the breed may have come from Germany.

The name “poodle” comes from the German “pudeln” which roughly translates to “splash about in the water”; the original purpose of the breed was a water retriever.

Soon after development in Germany, the poodle quickly became very popular in France and was known as the caniche, or duck dog. The breed is considered their national dog.

The poodle comes in three different varieties; standard, miniature and toy; however, the only difference is the size. The standard poodle is classified in the non-sporting group by the American Kennel Club.

The standard poodle is the oldest of the three sizes and was originally used to retrieve ducks in cold water.

Appearance

Although they come in different sizes, the shape and appearance of the breed is the same. The poodle has a long head and muzzle with long, flat and wide hanging ears. The chest is deep and the tail is set high. Typically, the tail is docked when young.

The hair coat of the poodle is curly and dense with a fine woolly texture and requires daily grooming. There are four common hair clips for the poodle. The most common cut is the “puppy” cut, which is given to all ages of poodles. Another cut is the “sporting” cut, for the active poodle. For the show ring, the “English Saddle” or “Continental” version is typically performed.

Size

The standard poodle stands over 15 inches at the shoulder and weighs around 45 pounds.

Personality

The poodle is a pleasant dog that loves constant company. This dog hates to be alone and prefers the company of people instead of other dogs. The breed also hates to be ignored and does not like being thought of or treated as “just a dog.”

Home & Family Relations

Despite being excellent water dogs, poodles also do well as family protectors and companions. They make excellent pets for children as well as the elderly and can adapt to a variety of environments.

Training

The poodle is an excellent swimmer and also does well on land. The breed is very intelligent and thought by many to be the most intelligent of all breeds. They learn quickly and readily, although some dogs tend to enjoy pleasing people by doing tricks instead of learning commands. Poodles have been trained successfully in obedience, hunting and even as guard dogs.

Special Concerns

The hair coat of the poodle requires daily care and grooming. The intelligent nature of the dog leads some to mischief if left alone for an extended period of time.