Total Dog Magazine

Author: Jasmine Kleine

  • Tillman The Skateboarding Bulldog

    More than 20 million people have marvelled at the skateboarding skills of Tillman the Bulldog. Here he is in full flow.

  • Seasonal Canine Illness A Warning To All Dog Owners

    Seasonal Canine Illness A Warning To All Dog Owners

    Following the news that Seasonal Canine Illness has claimed the lives of more dogs, the Animal Health Trust is cautioning dog owners to be on their guard against this deadly dog disease. You can find out more at:  http://www.aht.org.uk/sci

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRSBWRG4Sgc

  • George The Great Dane (A Seriously Tall Dog!)

    George The Great Dane (A Seriously Tall Dog!)

    In recognition of the awarding of the title tallest dog in the world 2012, we thought we’d meet up with George, the previous holder of this canine achievement record.

  • Amazing Dog Detects Child’s Seizures

    Another insight in to the incredible relationship between human and canine.

    Read about how diabetic alert dogs are actually trained:

    How Diabetic Alert Dogs Are Trained

  • Jerry Needs No Help Playing With His Ball

    Jerry is an enterprising dog isn’t he?

    The sort of self motivated canine that can be an inspiration for dogs all over the world, who mistakenly believe they need a tw0-legged ball thrower.

  • CPR For Dogs Could Save Your Dog’s Life

    Knowing the essential first aid response for a variety of emergency situations that dogs can encounter can and does save many canine lives each year.

    As the video above explains, knowing how to perform cpr, how to save a choking dog, understanding how to respond in any variety of emergency situations can be the difference between keeping your dog alive and tragedy.

    K9 Magazine has a special report that you can download giving even more emergency life saving tips for dog owners and you should read it today!

  • How To Measure Dog Intelligence

    Watch a battle of the brains between three dog breeds.

    Have you ever wanted to know how clever your own dog is?

    Check out this article.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSmj5k1SYVw

  • Dog Body Language Introduction

    This is an interesting introduction to the world of dog body language.

    Have your say on the video below.

  • How to Properly Socialise Your Puppy

    How to Properly Socialise Your Puppy

    Do you want to find out how sociable and outgoing your puppy is? Then try this little experiment:

    Put a few toys down in the room. Quickly walk away from your puppy and then observe his reaction:

    *A favourable response would be the puppy running happily after you, regardless of what else might be occurring. This shows that the puppy highly desires the company of people, a trait that is advantageous. This puppy should be easy to train and should learn to focus well on you instead of distractions.*An unfavourable response would have the puppy ignoring you and investigating something else, perhaps a toy on the floor or a sound coming from another room.

    This puppy may not value interaction with humans over his own desire to investigate his surroundings.

    He may not be as easy to train as the puppy that values human interaction above all else.

    A puppy that ignores you in this way may have an unfocused or independent mindset that could be a prelude to dominant behavior.
    Socialising Your New Puppy

    Below are some helpful tips on how to socialise your new dog with existing pets in the household, with your friends, and with other people’s animals.

    Puppy Socialising with Existing Pets:

    Make an initial contact with other dogs outside the home. If you can, take your existing pet (or pets) for a walk and have a friend meet you somewhere with your new dog. Take a long walk so the dogs can get used to each other. Switch dogs on your walk.

    Take all the dogs back to the house. Switch dogs and have a tour of your home, with all dogs still leashed. Let your existing house dogs loose, but keep the new dog tied to you. If the new dog tries to mark the house anywhere, correct him with a sharp jerk and a stern “No!” If any of the existing dogs try to mark, correct them in the same manner. Explain to all, in no uncertain terms, that marking will not be tolerated. In addition, when you feed the dogs be sure to feed the established pets first and stay near the new dog while he eats.

    Most established pets, if already well socialised, will enjoy a newcomer as long as the newcomer is friendly and is introduced in the manner described above. If you find you have brought in a troublemaker, you must remain the Alpha dog. If you are not willing to assume that responsibility, take the dog back.

    Socialising with Your Friends: While puppies always generate warm feelings, adult dogs do not. It is especially important that they make a good impression on your friends and neighbours from the start, especially if you already have other pets. Set rules for your new dog immediately.

    No jumping on friends; keep your dog leashed the entire time friends are at home gatherings for the first few weeks to make sure your dog does not try to jump on them. No barking when the doorbell rings; no running out the door when you open it for guests; make him sit at your side and ask the guests to ignore him until everyone is in and he has a chance to evaluate the new people. Let him approach them for petting if he is calm; if not, wait until you have established the control you need so as not to make a spectacle of yourself and the dog.

    When he can accept guests, make sure he does so with all four feet on the ground. It is easy for a dog to try to explore with his paw as well as his nose. If you are firm and consistent from the first guest on, you not only will eliminate obnoxious behaviour but will instill acceptable behaviour. The end result: Your friends will welcome his addition to your family.
    Socialising with Other People’s Animals:

    The same logic applies here as with your other animals, so use the same type of rules. Take long walks on which you know you will meet friends doing the same with their animals. Contain and restrain your dog from barking at other animals as they approach. If necessary make him sit at your side.

    Always allow thorough sniffing from both animals, as this is their way of saying hi. If at all possible, invite friends and their animals back to your home and allow the dogs to play by themselves. This solves many problems the everyday pet owner may not think about and he will find the dog much more relaxed and easier to handle.

  • 4 Essential Dog First Aid Tips Every Owner Should Know

    Knowing what is best for your dog as far as first aid goes is an important part of dog health care! There might be times when you do not have access to an emergency health care center or time to take your dog in a car. This is not a substitute for treatment, however in a pinch, it is helpful to know how to stabilize your dog.

    First Aid For Dogs

    Number 1) You should NEVER give your dog human medicine. Your medicine is supposed to be for you, not your pet. This can cause very serious side effects and cause your dog’s health in a very negative way. You might end up giving your dog an overdose, and, in fact, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, are a leading cause of death in dogs.

    Do not give your pet any human medication. Always consult with your doctor prior to giving your dog any medication.

    Number 2) Know the top items that can poison your dog and keep them away from your dog. Medicine is number 1, and we have already covered that. Beyond that, there are other items that are common household items you should be aware of. Pesticides such as rat poisons might attract your dog. Insecticides or pesticides outside your home, on the lawn, might be eaten by your dog.

    They can cause internal bleeding and breathing difficulties. There are many common food items included in this list as well: chocolate, onions and garlic, alcohol, grapes, avocados, and raisins are all problematic. Know that typical responses to poison are dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, muscle tremors, and a swollen abdomen. The final category to consider is household and garden plants.

    Often, you might not think that they would be a problem, however, the truth is that they are very frequently toxic. So keep the plants away from your dog as well.

    [Further reading: Essential first aid for dogs]

    Number 3) Know what you need to do to bandage your dog if he or she gets a small wound. If your dog needs to be bandaged for a small wound, you will need cotton and gauze, adhesive bandages, and household sticky tape. Clean and disinfect the wound, place a pad on it, and then layer the wound with a gauze bandage. Follow this with a layer of tape and check for proper pressure.

    Make sure that you check your dog’s bandages regularly and change them on schedule. The bandages need to be clean and you should protect them when your dog goes outside by covering them with plastic bags.

    Number 4) Know the common dog injuries and how to treat them. Common dog injuries include, but are not limited to: paw injuries, dog tail injuries, and dog spinal injuries. If your dog might have a spinal injury, it is very important that you act with caution.

    Do not move the dog until you are certain of the extent of the injuries. Dog tail injuries occur frequently, as dogs can get their tails caught in lots of different places. Pus indicates that the wound is infected, and needs to be treated professionally. Lastly, paw injuries are very common and if infected, must also be treated by a vet.

  • How to Clean Your Dog’s Ears

    How to Clean Your Dog’s Ears

    Our simple guide to how to clean your dog’s ears the right way…

    Different dogs require different cleaning schedules, from every couple of weeks to daily. Your dog’s activity and the weather also influence the frequency of cleaning. If your dog is an big swimmer, I suggest daily cleaning before bed. In most cases, twice a month is sufficient.

    To clean the outer flap, ask your veterinarian to recommend a commercial ear solution that will prevent infection. Soak a cotton swab with the solution and wipe the outer ear flap.Never, never, never use a Q-tip or poke your finger into your dog’s ear. You can do irreparable damage to your dog’s inner ear!

    If your dog’s ear gets infected, follow the same procedure that you would use for medicating the eye. If your dog has drop ears, gently lift the flap and place the medicine where your veterinarian has instructed.

  • Dog Aggression Toward Other Dogs

    Dog Aggression Toward Other Dogs

    In the video above you get the chance to sit in on a dog training consultation as well as observe some hands on, specific techniques used in rehabilitating a dog with aggression toward other dogs.

    Dog on dog aggression is a serious problem.

    Responsible, sensible owners understand and recognise this and they try to seek the help of experts in order to do something about it.

    It’s widely accepted by most modern dog trainers that the most effective way to solve dog aggression toward other dogs is by way of positive reinforcement techniques.

    Again, in the video this is stressed and emphasised.

    What The Experts Say About Dog on Dog Aggression

    Genetics, early socialization or the lack of exposure during the critical period of social development, and traumatic experiences, shape how your dog interacts with other dogs. Play between dogs should be a 2-way street. They should take turns chasing each other–neither dog being a bully or a target.

    Dog/dog aggression can be a dangerous problem for you, your dog, other dogs, and anyone who tries to break up a dog fight.

    Behavior modification techniques that include: desensitization, behavior adjustment therapy (BAT), functional rewards, Feisty Fido and clicker training will help you and your pup have a safe and happy summer together.

    Source: Victoria Stilwell’s Positively website:
    http://positively.com/2011/07/02/dogdog-aggression/

    Effective home management: teaching the dog to allow the humans in the household to make the right decisions for him. If it is not happening in the home, it certainly is not going to happen in the real world, especially if the dog considers it a “dangerous” environment. Foundation behaviors are taught via clicker training, so that after the dog learns to think in the environment, he might perform the desired behaviors. Foundation behaviors include: sit, down, heel, stay, targeting, holding an object, kennel up on audible cue, come and sit front, leave it, come when called, and get behind.

    Create a “thinking” dog: I am convinced that when Ben saw another dog, he reacted involuntarily. Once in this cycle, he could not stop, even when my husband picked him up off of a dog and brought him into another room. Ben still kept reacting as if nothing had changed. In order for a dog to look at his owner for direction, he needs to be able to make that deliberate decision to do so. He needs to be able to think in that environment.

    Source: Karen Pryor (clicker training expert)
    http://www.clickertraining.com/node/64

    Aggression itself is usually defined by canine behaviorists as “the intent to do harm”. Many dogs show “displays of aggression” such as barking, growling, or snapping in the air, which are considered distance-increasing actions, those that intend to get the person or dog to move away from the dog. Some dog-aggressive dogs display aggression that is mainly defensive, and they harm another dog only if they perceive that they have no option. Yet, other dogs may develop dog-aggressive behaviour due to medical reasons, such as hormonal imbalances.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_aggression

  • Diabetes & Your Dog

    Diabetes & Your Dog

    If you have a dog that suddenly develops a higher than normal thirst level or urination, it’s important to keep a close eye for signs of diabetes.

    Many people are unaware that diabetes in dogs is a serious and potentially fatal disease, but it can be prevented if the symptoms are recognised early.

    Excessive drinking and urination are two of the first signs to be aware of.


    Even the colour of the dog’s urine can offer a tell tale sign as a symptom of diabetes mellitus and canine diabetes insipidus.

    Sudden urination in the house should be referred to a vet for closer inspection.

    Diabetes can be more common in older dogs and often this new habit of suddenly urinating in the house can lead owners to mistakenly believe the dog is simply showing signs of old age.

    In actual fact, the onset of urination in the house can be a result of the dog drinking more, which in turn can be a symptom of canine diabetes itself.

    Dogs suffering with diabetes can be prone to becoming dehydrated, particularly in hot weather.

    Spotting The Symptoms of Diabetes in Dogs:

    – Sudden weight gain
    – Sudden excessive thirst
    – Increase in panting and wanting to go outside to urinate

    These three common diabetes pointers can be harmless, symptoms of nothing more than ageing. But if it is an early pre-curson to diabetes, spotting it early and getting it treated can very well save your dog’s life.

  • American Bulldog Puppy Training With Clicker

    This is just the sixth session training Pink with a clicker.

    The trainer is Amy Peterson of Norcal’s American Bulldogs.
    www.norcalsbulldogs.com

    Dog clicker training does it work?

    You bet it does!

    Clicker training has been around for a long time now and is highly thought of by some of the world’s most respected dog trainers.

    As seen with the training video of this American Bulldog puppy, clicker training can be used from a very early age and can form the basis for an entire lifetime of training exercises.

  • How to Stop Dog Barking

    Dog barking is one of the more common and anti-social* traits many owners would like to fix.

    This video gives a good, basic overview of the techniques you can use to address the problem.

    *Anti-social in human terms. Dogs barking is, in reality, one of the most overt social behaviours dogs display.