And, of course, dogs also appear in music.  See the list below for some great songs about dogs, or that have dog in the title.  Which of these are your favorites?

Atomic Dog (George Clinton)
Big Black Dog (Emmylou Harris)
Bird Dog (The Everly Brothers)
Black Dog (Led Zepplin)
Black Dog On My Shoulder (Manic Street Preachers)
Black Eyed Dog (Nick Drake)
Clyde (Waylon Jennings)
Dog Eat Dog (AC/DC)
Dog Years (Rush)
Dogs (Pink Floyd)
Dogs Are Everywhere (Pulp)
Given A Dog A Bone (AC/DC)
Hair Of The Dog (Nazareth)
Hey Bulldog (The Beatles)
Hound Dog (Elvis Presley)
How Much How Much Is That Doggie In The Window (Patti Page)
I Love My Dog (Cat Stevens)
I Wanna Be Your Dog (The Stooges)
I Want A Dog (Pet Shop Dogs)
I’m Gonna Buy Me A Dog (The Monkees)
King of The Dogs (Iggy Pop)
Love Me, Love My Dog (Peter Shelley)
Martha My Dear (The Beatles) : Song’s about Paul McCartney’s Sheepdog
Me and Little Andy (Dolly Parton)
Me And You And A Dog Named Boo (Lobo)
My Dog And Me (John Hiatt)
Old Blue (The Byrds)
Old King (Neil Young) : Song’s about a dog named King
Old Red (Blake Shelton)
Rain Dogs (Tom Waits)
Shake Dog Shake (The Cure)
Walkin The Dog (Aerosmith)
Walking The Dog (Rufus Thomas)
Who Let The Dogs Out (Baha Men)

This amazing dog was the assistance dog of disabled ex-Royal Navy Chief Petty Officer Allen Parton. Endal also served as an animal ambassador for a number of service dog related charities.

He understood, and could respond to, over one hundred voice and hand commands. Some of his amazing feats included taking items from supermarket shelves, operating buttons and light switches, and even loading and emptying the washing machine.

Endal was also trained to operate an ATM cash machine for his owner. He could place the bank card in the slot, then at the end of the transaction, place it back in the wallet.

Endal came to the public attention in Britain in 2001, after an incident that truly showed the skill and dedication of this incredible dog. Allen Parton was hit by a car and knocked from his wheelchair. While he lay unconscious on the ground, Endal pulled him into the recovery position, retrieved his mobile phone from underneath a car, fetched a blanket and covered him, then ran to a nearby hotel to get help.

Sadly, Endal passed away in 2009, when he had to be euthanized after suffering a stroke. He was 13 years old.

In February 2009, a book about the life of this amazing dog was published, and a movie based on the book is currently in production.

This documents a day in the life of Monkey, a mixed-breed dog that was rescued from a shelter. Monkey spends his day doing all the things that dog love, kind of a canine version of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off!

But pictures speak louder than words, so I’ll leave you to watch and enjoy. Before you do, though, I would just ask that if you are looking for a dog you consider rescuing one from a shelter.

There are millions of dogs in need of homes in America, and indeed around the world. Many adoptable, healthy dogs will spend a short life in a cage, before being euthanized, simply because the shelters have neither the space nor the funding to care for them.

They’ll never get to experience the joy Monkey shows in this video. So please, think about adopting a dog! If he’s anything like Monkey, you’ll be getting a great friend.

I’m sure this will bring a smile to your face, so enjoy!

Many dog owners pay scant attention to what they feed their dogs. Often, they base their decision solely on price, rather than taking the time to find out what the food actually contains. If they did they’d be shocked to find that these cheap dog food products often contain ingredients that are harmful to their dogs.

Why The Best Affordable Dog Food Is Never The Cheapest Brand

“Cheap” dog food may actually be a lot more expensive than you think, as I’ll show you later.For now, lets just concentrate on ways to select the best affordable dog food for your dog.

Dogs need an omnivorous diet, with both meat and vegetables at a ratio of about 50/50. What is not needed is the grain based fillers in most commercial dog chow. Want to know if your favorite dog food brand meets this requirement? Simple, just read the label.

Unfortunately, labels sometimes appear to be written in a foreign language, so here’s a short-cut to finding out what you need to know. Just look at the first five listed ingredients, and if they are meat based products, the food will probably meet your dog’s nutritional needs.

Not that all grains are bad. It’s just that cheap dog foods use grains as filler to increase the food’s protein content. Grains like rice, barley, millet and oats can actually provide a dog with vitamins, minerals and fiber, but they should be fed whole.

You should also take note of artificial colorings, flavorings and preservatives. Many of these are chemical based and may be harmful to your dog. In fact, some chemical preservatives have been shown to be a contributing factor to various cancers. Preferably, you should choose a product that uses natural preservatives, like Vitamin C and E.

Checking labels can be tedious, but there’s a much easier way to ensure that the dog food you buy is giving your dog the optimum nutrition he needs. Just buy the best affordable dog food, which is usually a premium, vet approved dog food brand.

Now you’ll probably look at the price of these products and wince. They do seem very expensive but as with most things in life, quality costs more. You may recall that at the beginning of the article I suggested that buying cheap was not the way to go. Here’s why that is.

Best Affordable Dog Food | Why Buying Cheap Is More Expensive

Cheap brands are generally low in nutritional value. You’ll have to feed your dog considerably more to get the same level of nutrition. And with more food comes the threat of obesity, which is behind a whole plethora of canine ailments. Plus the ingredients in the cheap dog food brand are low quality, so your dog will likely develop allergies, skin conditions, and more serious conditions. All of this will require veterinary treatment, and I don’t have to tell you how costly that can be.

Feeding a premium brand means you can feed smaller quantities, so that “expensive” brand of kibble lasts longer and also passes quality nutrition to your dog. Your dog will also pass less waste, so there’s less for you to pick up!

The bottom line? Be careful what you feed your dog and always buy the best affordable dog food, not just the cheapest brand.

This post, Best Dog Food, has more information on the best affordable dog food for your dog.

Training your dog not to bark is easy when you know how. but let’s be honest here, there’s barking, and there’s BARKING!!!

All dogs bark, and if you own one, other than a Basenji, it is something you’ll have to live with.

Does that mean you have to listen to an endless stream of yapping, night and day. Of course not! But you do have to accept that a certain amount of barking is only natural. Problem barking, though, is something that should be addressed.

Training Your Dog Not To Bark: Why Dogs Bark

All problem canine behaviors have a root cause and in order to address them you have to find that cause, because different types of barking require different solutions.

Training your dog not to bark starts with finding the reason behind the barking. Here are some common ones;

1. Boredom – A dog that is not exercised, and gets little mental stimulation, is always likely to develop a barking problem.

2. Anxiety – Separation anxiety is a common cause for problem barking. The dog will bark every time you leave or return home, and likely drive your neighbors crazy while you’re away.

3. Warning – Dogs are naturally territorial and will normally bark at a stranger entering their space. This can actually be a desirable trait, but not when the dog barks at any threat, real or imagined.

4. Attention Seeking – This is a common problem with pampered lap dogs who expect their every need to be catered to, and bark if you’re a bit slow to get the message.

5. Surprise – A dog that is startled by a sudden movement will normally sound off a warning – usually after retreating to a safe vantage point!

6. Playfulness – Dogs are joyful animals, and when they are doing something they enjoy, they are not slow to let you know about it. A dog may also bark to encourage you to join in the game.

7. Communicating – Dogs vocalize in a number of ways, the most common of which is barking. Barks have many meanings, ranging from a greeting to a threat.

Training Your Dog Not To Bark? Start Here

Training your dog not to bark means having control of your dog. That may sound like an obvious statement, but the truth is that many dog owners exert little or no control over their dogs.

This is a pity, because all it really requires is some basic obedience training, and consistent pack leadership. In addition, all dogs need regular exercise. This should include daily walks as well as games and activities that provide mental stimulation.

If you dog’s barking is driving you up the wall you need to ask yourself whether he gets enough exercise. If your answer is “no”, then you are as much to blame, maybe even more so, than the dog.

Apart from training and exercise there are a number of things you should do, or rather not do, in order to bring you dog’s barking under control.

Never, for example punish the dog for barking, not even by shouting at him. Conversely, don’t reward your dog for barking, for example by giving in to his demands every time he barks, or giving him a treat to get him to stop.

You’ll find an easy method for training your dog not to bark in this article, “Stop Dog Barking“.

Cherished by Chinese royals for over a thousand years, the Shih Tzu is believed to have descended from a cross between the Lhasa Apso and the Pekingese. These endearing little dogs were the preferred house pets of the aristocracy for most of the Ming Dynasty.

The Shih Tzu is a small, compact dog with a trademark long, flowing, double coat, which can be any color. The name Shih Tzu means “lion” and although they are sweet and playful, they are spirited little characters, and not afraid to stand up for themselves.

If you are thinking about getting a Shih Tzu you’ll be getting and adorable and lovable companion who is lively, alert, friendly and trusting towards everyone.

Because of their small size, Shih Tzu are ideally suited to apartment living and need little exercise. Be aware though that their luxuriant coats are high maintenance, requiring daily brushing and maintenance.

If you enjoyed this page on the Shih Tzu, check out some of the other dog breed links below.

Elegant, dignified, and with an appearance of aloofness, the Afghan is a true aristocrat of the canine world.

As the name suggests, the Afghan Hound comes from Afghanistan, where two distinct types existed. The breed was originally introduced to the west during the 19th century, but by the end of the First World War had virtually disappeared. The dogs we know today stem from a group that was brought over to Scotland in 1920.

These gorgeous dogs are covered in thick, silky hair, of a very fine texture. They can come in all colors, and make an impressive sight in the show ring.

For all their show qualities though, it is easy to forget that the Afghan is above all, a hunting dog. They are tall and sleek, with the classic lines of a sight hound.

If you’re thinking of getting an Afghan Hound, you should be aware that they require regular grooming and exercise They are however, excellent companions with highly individualized personalities.

If you enjoyed this page on the Afghan Hound, check out some of the other dog breed links below.

Known as the “King of Terriers,” the Airedale Terrier is the regular “go-to” guy of the canine world, a tribute to their versatility. Among other things Airedales have been used for guarding, police work, rodent control, hunting and messenger work.

The breed is thought to have originated in the Aire valley in northern England, descendant of the now extinct black-and-tan terrier. The original Airedales bore little resemblance to the breed we know today, and went by a number of names, including the Working, Waterside and Bingley Terriers.

The Airedale is the largest of the terrier breeds. It has a hardy, dense and wiry outer coat and comes in both tan and black and tan and grizzle.

If you are thinking of getting an Airedale you should be aware that they need regular exercise and grooming. Obedience training is also strongly recommended, but should be a breeze as Airedales are quick learners. Be warned though, they become bored quite easily, so keep training interesting.

Like most terrier breeds Airedales are bold dogs, and not afraid to stand up for themselves. They do however have a generally sweet disposition, and make excellent pets.

If you enjoyed this page on the Airedale Terrier, check out some of the other dog breed links below.

The Black and Tan Coonhound has a very descriptive name describing both its appearance and purpose – a coat with black with tan markings, bred for tracking and treeing raccoons.

The breed is believed to originally descend from the Talbot Hound, and the Bloodhound. While in America, Foxhounds that possessed the treeing instinct, and the black and tan color pattern, formed the breeding stock for the Black and Tan.

They are persistent and determined trackers and were much favored by scouts and frontiersmen as far back as the late 1700s.

If you’re thinking of getting a Black and Tan Coonhound, you’ll be getting an outgoing and friendly dog who loves being around his family. Despite its purpose as a tracking dog Black and Tans are generally laid back, but still require moderate daily exercise.

Training is essential, as their hunting instinct is strong, and can cause them to chase and tree small animals.

Grooming is easy with their short coat needing only minimal maintenance.

If you enjoyed this page on the Black and Tan Coonhound, check out some of the other dog breed links below.

The Bichon Frise is a small, sturdy dog with a cheerful, and happy disposition. These little charmers have a curled white outer coat, and a plumed tail, giving them the resemblance of a cotton ball.

The breed has a colorful past, dating back to the 13th century. They were carried around the globe on Spanish sailing ships, traded by Spanish sailors, became a firm favorite of the French royal courts, and the artists of the Spanish school (who included them in several works). They became renowned as circus performing dogs, and take their place today as one of the most popular companion dog breeds.

If you’re thinking of getting a Bichon Frise, you’ll be getting a happy, friendly dog who loves play and other activities and requires regular exercise. You should also be aware that Bichons don’t shed, so the hair grows continually and requires extensive grooming. The flip side of course is that Bichons make excellent pets for allergy sufferers.

If you enjoyed this page on the Bichon Frise, check out some of the other dog breed links below.