About Curtis Carper

I’ve been involved in RVing for over 40 yrs -- including camping, building, repairing, and even selling RVs. I’ve owned, used, and repaired almost every class and style of RV ever made. I do all of my own repair work. My other interests include cooking at home, living with an aging dog, and dealing with diabetic issues. If you can combine a grease monkey with a computer geek, throw in a touch of information nut and organization freak, combined with a little bit of storyteller, you've got a good idea of who I am.

Dog Barking 101: Dog Breeds That Don’t Bark + Dogs That Bark A Lot!

barking-dog

Certain dog breeds tend to bark a lot -- usually with good reason though. Other breeds of dogs have a reputation of barking less. In some circumstances (such as living in a small apartment or condo where the walls are thin and neighbors surround you on all sides), it may be beneficial to seek out a dog that might be likely to bark less. So let's get right to it...   … [Read more...]

Senior Dog Food Tips: How To Meet The Nutritional Needs Of A Senior Dog

Senior dogs have different nutritional needs as they begin to slow down. photo by normanack on Flickr

As dogs age, their nutritional needs change. To keep your dog healthy through old age, you'll need to make some adjustments to your dog's diet. Those adjustments should take place early in your dog's aging process.   Did You Know?... Dogs are considered to be in their senior years about two thirds into their expected lifespan. This varies by breed and size of the dog. Generally, larger dogs have a shorter lifespan than smaller ones. For example, a Great Dane is expected to … [Read more...]

Money-Saving Tips To Replace Invisible Fence Batteries In Your Dog’s Collar

Invisible fence batteries keep your dog safe at home within the invisible fence system. photo by Rev. Xanatos Satanicos Bombasticos (ClintJCL) on Flickr

A fencing system that is invisible yet keeps your dog contained within a specified area is both a convenient and economical way to keep your dog safe while giving him room to roam. Simply by attaching a special collar around your dog's neck, the invisible fence works automatically and round the clock. It works like a charm as long as the battery within the receiver of the collar contains enough power to do its job! That's right, the ability for an invisible fence to function properly is … [Read more...]

How To Find Your Lost Dog When He Disappears Unexpectedly

Lost dog poster. photo by Aine D on Flickr

There is no more gut wrenching feeling than the moment you first discover your dog has vanished for no apparent reason. I've experienced this myself. My then 6-year-old Yorkie/Pomeranian mix disappeared within just a minute or two of my inattention. It was the evening, and we were in Tucson Arizona. (See update below.) Dogs leave for many reasons: Some dogs work actively at trying to escape. Some dogs just like to wander and explore new places. Some dogs simply get spooked and … [Read more...]

Glucosamine & Chondroitin For Dogs With Joint Pain – What You Need To Know

If your dog is older, has arthritis, or has recently had surgery which affected his bones, joints and/or cartilage, then you are probably already familiar with the health supplements called Glucosamine and Chondroitin.  Long accepted as an effective treatment for osteoarthritis in Europe, Glucosamine and Chondroitin are now used by physicians and veterinarians here in the United States to bring relief to humans and animals who suffer from chronic joint pain. For example, hip … [Read more...]

Found A Dog? Here’s What To Do When You Find A Stray Dog

It's hard to ignore a stray dog that's wandering around looking hungry and alone. We've all seen it... You're driving your car when you see a dog on the side of the road. With a sinking feeling, you realize he's alone. What should you do? This is a wrenching scenario for all who care about animals. Once you've seen the dog (or cat or even rabbit), many feel it's too late to drive away from him or her. After all, what if your own pet were standing there?  Source   Your first … [Read more...]

Dog Training Certification ~ How To Become A Dog Trainer

Dog training is a specialized field that encompasses such things as teaching the family pet to follow simple basic commands and building a strong human/canine bond. The duties associated with being a certified dog trainer can be as complex as training work dogs to recognize certain odors (like narcotic drugs) or training dogs to help the handicapped (such as seeing eye dogs), or as simple as training a dog to respect its owners and co-exist peacefully in the same home. Becoming a certified dog … [Read more...]

Teacup Dogs Are So Cute, But Are They The Right Dog For You?

Pocket-sized dogs or miniature dogs are commonly referred to as Teacup dogs these days.You've probably seen -- or at least heard of -- Teacup Chihuahuas, Teacup Poodles, Teacup Yorkies, Teacup Pomeranians to name just a few.Hollywood celebrities wear them on their sleeve or carry them in their handbag like the latest style in jewelry.Seeing these little darlings in movies, on TV, and in our own neighborhoods has created an insatiable market for small dogs these days. The smaller the better.But … [Read more...]

Dog Frog Poisoning Facts: It’s True, A Toad Really Can Kill A Dog!

dog-frog-poisoning-by-Scarto.jpg

In the eyes of your dog, frogs and toads fit the bill as instant entertainment, as seen in this video. However, dog frog poisoning is something we're starting to hear more about lately. And while it's not frogs per se which are the problem, the fact is... not all toads are safe for your dog to play with! Do you know the difference between frogs and toads? For the most part, toads found throughout the United States are harmless little creatures that coexist nicely with other wildlife and … [Read more...]

Dog Vitamins Can Improve Your Pet’s Life Now… And In His Senior Years

As dogs age, they experience many of the same ailments and conditions that we humans tolerate -- like arthritis, memory loss, and incontinence. We tend to get frail and feeble as we age. Unfortunately, so do our four-legged friends. Just as your doctor is likely to recommend vitamins and supplements to ensure that your health doesn't deteriorate in your later years, your dog's veterinarian is likely to offer the same recommendation: senior dog vitamins. For example, people often take … [Read more...]