5 Tips for a Happier, Healthier Dog

Has Fido lost some of his spark? Or is your new puppy having accidents everywhere and chewing your furniture to bits? Whatever your reasons for looking for dog advice, here are just a few tips for making your fuzzy friend calmer, happier and better-behaved.

1. Use Positive Reinforcement

Instead of punishing your dog for bad behavior, try rewarding him for good behavior. For example, instead of yelling at him every time he barks, give him a treat when he doesn’t bark. This will create a Pavlovian reaction where he associates good behavior with good results.

2. Be Firm

If he isn’t allowed on the couch, don’t ever let him on the couch. Don’t make exceptions because “it’s his birthday” or “I had a long afternoon at the office and don’t care right now.” He won’t understand your logic, and if you send him mixed signals about what is and isn’t acceptable to do, you’ll only confuse and aggravate him.

3. Get Him Moving

Physical activity is one of the cornerstones of raising a happy dog. They aren’t meant to laze around all day without exercise or mental stimulation, and if you let them get in the habit of it, they’ll deteriorate both physically and psychologically. Grab his leash and take him for a walk.

4. Buy the Right Food

Don’t scrape the bottom of the barrel when it comes to what your dog gets fed. Look for something healthy, organic and nutritious that will really support his bones and organs. You can also buy supplements like dog glucosamine if you want to boost particular areas like the heart or liver. Just make sure you talk to your vet before putting your dog on any particular regimen!

5. Socialize Him

Socialization is important if you don’t want your dog to bark, growl or jump on everyone in front of him. When people are exciting novelties, your dog won’t be able to contain his thrill; when they’re just another part of the scenery, however, he’ll be calm and content to let them walk by without an ostentatious display. Think about scheduling regular visits to the dog park.

These are just a few things to consider if you want to improve your dog’s general health and well-being. There are many more, of course, but these should be enough to get you started. Woof woof!

4 Supplements That Should Be In Your Medicine Cabinet

Supplements are a great way to keep your body strong and well-functioning even if your diet isn’t the best. But which pills actually live up to their promises? Which vitamins and minerals are the ones you truly shouldn’t live without? Here are just four supplements to consider the next time you’re in a grocery store.

1. Astaxanthin

An astaxanthin supplement will help everything from inflammation to eye strain. Known as the “king of the carotenoids,” it offers numerous health benefits to those who take it on a regular basis.

2. Calcium

Calcium is critical for good bone health. If you aren’t getting enough from milk and dairy products, it’s time to start taking a supplement to ensure your strength and longevity as you age.

3. Vitamin B12

Are you tired all the time? Do your gums bleed for no reason, or do you bruise more easily than anyone else you know? You might be suffering from a vitamin B12 deficiency. Start popping a supplement a day to strengthen both your body and mood.

4. Zinc

Zinc can be found naturally in certain foods, but if you’re struggling to reach your daily recommended intake, a supplement works just as well. Stock up on zinc to keep your immune system in good working order.

These are just a few supplements that everyone should know. Even if you don’t need them now, you may need them in the future, so commit their names to memory in case of future health problems.

Try Liquid Calcium Supplements Instead of Swallowing Big Tablets

You know you probably need more calcium because you don’t consume dairy products regularly. You’ve tried taking a calcium supplement, but the tablets were huge and sometimes made you feel like you were choking. Fortunately, a liquid supplement — Calsura — is available that tastes good and provides 50 percent of the recommended daily value for both calcium and vitamin D.

The inclusion of vitamin D is important because that substance helps the body absorb calcium more effectively. Calsura supplements also contain vitamin C and magnesium, and 10 percent of the Daily Value recommended for iron intake. You can learn more about this supplement at a website such as MyCalsura.com.

All you need to do is drop two of the quick-dissolving tablets in a 16-oz. glass or bottle of water to create your liquid supplement. If you prefer, you can split up your intake by adding one tablet to an 8-oz. container of water twice per day. Choose from flavors like lemon lime, orange kiwi and pineapple coconut, or decide on a variety package.

Samples are available if you’d like to give the product a try before buying a full package. You might want to add tablets to other beverages, such as your favorite fruit juice, and see whether that’s a tasty option. By taking the supplement daily, you’ll boost your calcium intake to a better level and improve the health of your bones, teeth, heart and other areas of your body that rely on this mineral.

Some of the Worst Birth Control Mistakes

People usually avoid talking about birth control or anything related to sex. This has resulted in couples opting for incorrect birth control methods for avoiding unwanted pregnancy. Instead of contemplating about which birth control methods are ideal for men and women, it is better to consult a doctor and take proper advice.

Here, some of the most common pregnancy prevention methods have been highlighted and how to avoid them.

Using Rifampin

Rifampin antibiotic is known to weaken hormonal contraception. Hormonal contraception can include different birth control pills, the patch (Ortho Evra) or the vaginal ring (NuvaRing). There are also some anticonvulsants, oral medications for yeast infections, and herbal supplements that weaken the effect of birth control pills. It is necessary to get in touch with a certified doctor to understand which birth control pills need to be used and if any other medication would affect its effectiveness.

Using the wrong lubricant

Most people are unaware that some of the commonly used oils or oil-based lubricants such as baby oil, Vaseline and mineral oil based body lotions can diminish the effectiveness of latex condoms. Avoid using these lubricants and instead opt for water or silicone-based lubricants, which can be found in most supermarkets and drug stores.

Removing sponge early

Contraceptive sponges work effectively only when left in place for at least six hours after intercourse. Similarly, diaphragms need to be kept in place for six to eight hours after intercourse.

Not using a condom

Condoms are believed to be one the best and the safest birth control options available. They are very effective in protecting against sexually transmitted diseases and are widely used. But many couples choose not to use a condom and instead opt for the withdrawal method. However, its important to understand that even pre-cum may contain enough sperm to impregnate a woman. Therefore, it is extremely important to correctly use a condom before any genital contact.

Irregularity in consuming pills

There are times when people forget to take the best combination of birth control pills that they have been prescribed. In such a case, it is always preferable to have a backup birth control plan. Being irregular in taking birth control pills can largely increase the risk of an unwanted pregnancy.

Choosing the wrong pill

Some of the top best birth control pills available in the market are known for providing effective contraception. A combination pill provides more effective protection against pregnancy than other birth control methods. These pills are ideal for those women who are not allowed to take estrogen. However, instead of blindly choosing any birth control pill, it is preferable to consult a certified doctor. A doctor can tell exactly which pill would be best suited as per your requirement.

Depending on spermicidal

Even though spermicide provides protection against pregnancy, it gives quite less protection when used on its own. So, it would be ideal to use it with other forms of contraception, such as a condom.

Conclusion

It is necessary to be careful while choosing any form of birth control method. The best way would be to test some options and decide on the suitable one. However, the above mentioned mistakes can potentially lead to an unwanted prevenancy, and therefore they must be strictly avoided.

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Author Bio:
Smith Amelia:
Being a shopping addict, avid reader, ardent writer, along with my love towards traveling and exploring the Globe (their culture and specialties). Fashion Critic and Designing student love to study about health and medicines online also know more about top pharma companies and write about it!