House and Garden

Does Exercise Make My Dogs Nose Bleed

Fitness For Your Dog

Every year we hear the same thing – keep your pets slim by giving them plenty of exercise. But instead of giving them the stock standard exercise how about we tailor a program for thier individual needs. Follow the guidlines to maintain fitness for your dog.

bulldog

Small Dogs with Flat Noses

Examples: Bulldogs, Boston Terriers and Pugs

Set up an obstacle course for 20-30 minutes of fun. All you need is a hallway, cardboard boxes, tunnels, balls and a little imagination. Leash walks will also work well.

BEWARE: Little legs are no match for a big body, so don’t get them too excited – knee injuries can result as well as heatstroke.


Large Dogs with Normal Noses

Examples: Cattle Dogs, Rhodesian ridgebacks, German Short Haired Pointers

Run them. Provided it is not too hot and they are over 15 months of age you can safely go for a 30 minute jog.

BEWARE:Going too hard too soon. These guys need to build up their fitness, so take it easy. Wait until they are fully grown or you could do damage to developing bones.


Water Dogs

Examples: Poodles, Labradors and Golden Retrievers.

Swimming. They should love water and be competent swimmers. It is also gentle on joints and should cut the chance of knee and hip problems later on.

BEWARE: Plenty of these dogs either cannot stay afloat or do not like the water. A life jacket may be handy for initial dips. Once they’re happy, they will love it.


Medium-Large Dogs with Flat Noses

Examples: Mastiffs, Staffordshire Terriers and Boxers

Brisk walks for 20-30 minutes are the go. Also, avoid the heat in the middle of the day.

BEWARE: Heatstroke. Remember, as dogs do not sweat, panting is how they cool down and their short noses mean they do not get much air in to cool down.


Large and Giant Dogs

Examples: Great Danes, Newfoundlands and Greyhounds

Try slow walks on the leash for 20-30 minutes to protect their joints from inflammation.

BEWARE: Overdoing it. They may have the enthusiasm but not the stamina. Avoid free running and ball chasing – they are too stressful on the knees, hips and elbows that barely cope with the load as it is.


Small Dogs with Normal Noses

Examples: Yorkshire Terrier, Fox Terriers, Jack Russells and Maltese.

These guys are made to play hide and seek. Go hide yourself or even a treat to keep these guys fit and healthy.

BEWARE: Those small legs have to move really quickly just to stay up with you so remember they will tire quickly.


Small Dogs with Short Legs and Long Backs

Example: Basset Hound and Dachshund

Leash walks for 30 minutes with the odd game of fetch at a low intensity on a flat surface.

BEWARE: Spinal problems. Their long back can only twist so much before it gives way leading to slipped discs etc. Keeping them slim reduces the risk of complications down the road.
By Admin on January 1, 2012 | House and Garden | A comment?
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Weber 586002 Gas Grill

Weber 586002 Q 320 Portable Outdoor Propane Gas Grill

Weber 586002 Q 320 Portable Outdoor Propane Gas Grill

The Weber 586002 Q 320 Portable Outdoor Propane Gas Grill is designed as a long term investment for your home. It’s been carefully crafted for quality, and its cooking area allows for 18 burgers, 36 hot dogs, or two whole chickens at a time.

For those who want a high quality grill that will last a long time, with consistent cooking temperatures and an easy set up, that’s suitable for family cooking, how does it live up to its claims?

Weber 586002 Q 320 Portable Outdoor Propane Gas Grill

This grill has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from customers, with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars (across just under 200 reviews) on Amazon.com.

Many of the customer reviews have commented on just how easy the grill is to light, with its electronic ignition, and that it heats up well to become a great cooking platform. Another point of praise is that the Q 320 leaves perfect grill lines on the meat, enhancing the flavor and the overall grilling experience.

The cast iron grill surface is also a major benefit. It has been split into two to make for a large cooking area that’s also easier to take apart and clean when you need to. And the gaps between the grates are small enough to prevent most foods slipping through.

The grill is extremely easy to set up, even for one person setting it up alone. The general consensus from customers who have bought and used the grill is that it’s a very well thought out design that’s suitable for family use. Weber have also responded to many of the feature requests of their older models by adding in a warming shelf and electronic ignition.

Features Of The Weber 586002 Q 320 Portable Outdoor Propane Gas Grill

* Comes with two stainless steel burners,
* Electronic ignition,
* Measures 22 x 36.5 x 55.5 inches with the lid open and tables folded down,
* Input of 21,700 BTU-per-hour,
* Infinite-control burner valves,
* Cast-aluminum body,
* 462 square inches of cooking space, and a 69 square inch warming rack,
* 5 year warranty,
* Uses a standard 20-pound propane tank,
* 2 folding worktables with hooks for BBQ tools,
* Comes with recipe booklet and stationary cart.

Drawbacks Of The Weber 586002 Q 320 Portable Outdoor Propane Gas Grill

Unlike previous Weber models, the Weber Q 320 doesn’t make use of any flavor bars to help replicate that smoky flavor that a charcoal grill leaves behind. While this may be a drawback to some customers, many have commented that it doesn’t make any difference to flavor, and the benefits of using a gas grill far outweigh any drawbacks.

Some customers have commented negatively on the use of plastic for areas of the grill such as the side tables, legs and handle.

Depending on the type of grills you’re used to, the price may put you off. However, for a well designed grill a few hundred dollars isn’t much to pay, especially when you consider the rate at which you’d have to replace cheaper, lower quality gas grills. And the Weber 586002 Q 320 Portable Outdoor Propane Gas Grill is one of the most highly rated within its price band.

Get a discount at Amazon today



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home renovations renovating your home


Here are some things you can do to put together an energy-smart renovation project:

If you’re replacing your furnace, consider a high-efficiency model. It’s likely that the additional cost will be covered by the energy you save over its life span. You might also consider air sealing or adding attic insulation before you change your furnace. By amortizing the cost of renovations against the money you’ll save with lower heating bills and the reduced cost of a smaller furnace, you may find even more savings.

While you’re renovating the attic, you should also add or replace the insulation and upgrade or reseal the air-vapour barrier to control drafts and moisture.

If you’re finishing your basement or upgrading your rec room, there’s no better time to insulate and seal the outer walls. Before you do, make sure that the exterior surfaces of the walls are properly watersealed from the outside, or you risk creating mould problems. It’s always best to speak to a professional first if you’re considering this type of work.

Every time we use energy from fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas, we produce the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change and harm our environment. As part of Canada’s effort to help the environment, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has developed the EnerGuide for Houses Program (EGH). Managed by NRCan’s Office of Energy Efficiency, EGH can provide a wealth of unbiased, expert advice on every aspect of home energy efficiency. An EGH energy advisor will help you make better decisions about your home.


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By Admin on November 13, 2011 | House and Garden | A comment?
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