Total Dog Magazine

Category: Dog Advice

From dog training to canine health, see our latest dog advice articles here

  • Orthopedic Dog Beds Can Help Arthritis Pain

    Orthopedic Dog Beds Can Help Arthritis Pain

    Have you ever had the unfortunate experience of going to sleep in a crappy bed, then get up the next day hurting all over your body?  If you haven’t, your lucky.  If you have, you already know that it is no fun.  If your animal was able to speak, what would they have to say about their bed? I’m guessing it would depend on whether he has an old pillow placed in a box like our dog had when we were kids, or if he has a comfortable, supporting bed like DogPedic beds for dogs.

    Often times it is thought that because they are dogs, or because they’re tiny and don’t weigh much, there is no need for a orthopedic dog bed.  People with large dogs may give it more thought, but even then will find something around the house that is suitable.

    Here’s the thing, Hip dysplasia, which is an abnormal formation of the hip socket, is most common in dogs.  It is one of the most researched problems in dogs because it is the leading cause of arthritis in dogs, causing a lot of pain and discomfort.  Specific breeds and large dogs are more apt to get it.

    Knowing this, selecting a bed for your dog needs to be given some thought and consideration.  If your dog is young, a Dog Pedic bed will lend support to their joints right from the get go.  For dogs that are aged and may already be experiencing some joint pain, having a bed that conforms to their body relieves pressure from the joints allowing for a good night’s sleep.  Beds for dogs falling into this category are oftentimes referred to as orthopedic dog beds.

    Memory foam beds for dogs have become well-known today for us just as much as for pets, as they mold themselves to your body to provide complete support, relieving any pressure points.  This is the same when the foam is used in creating beds for dogs.  The Dog Pedic model will support dogs weighing up to as much as 150 pounds.

    One other thing you may want to think about besides the quality of the bed you are providing for your dog, is your dog’s personal preference for sleeping.  If your dog likes to curl up and be snuggled, you might need to put their mattress in a box or cage or something similar like that, that they can curl up on.  If your dog likes to be covered up, find them a fluffy cover to go on their bed.  Or if he likes to stretch out, be sure you buy one large enough to allow for that.

    If you think about how many hours your dog sleeps during the day, you must remember that providing a comfortable bed for your dog is an investment in their health, and one that really is low-priced. So, don’t do like we did, but do your dog a favor, throw the old pillow out and purchase a DogPedic Beds For Dogs – the Mercedes of dog beds.

  • Everything You Want to Know About Housebreaking Your Dog

    Everything You Want to Know About Housebreaking Your Dog

    Housebreaking your new dog may seem like a daunting prospect, buy it’s usually pretty easy. No matter what age your dog is, the same principles apply: praise, supervision, confinement, and patience. Take your dog to his proper toilet area as often as possible, and praise him; supervise him at all times when he is in the house; and when you can’t supervise, confine him in some way. But above all, be patient.

    Right from the beginning, whether your dog is old enough to control himself or not, the real training needs to begin. Here’s how to do it:

    Rule out any medical problem first. Have him checked out by a veterinarian to make sure he’s fit. A “wormy” puppy with diarrhea can’t be expected to control himself.

    Feed low-residue food. Give him two or three meals daily of a well-balanced, low-residue food (your vet can recommend a brand), rather than leaving the food out all day. Be consistent in his mealtimes to make the times of elimination more predictable. Try to make the last meal no later than 5 PM to help your dog make it through the night. Picking up his water at 8 PM may also be helpful as long as he doesn’t have a medical problem (such as kidney disease) that would make water restriction dangerous.

    Select one area as his toilet. Take your dog to an area of the yard you’ve pre-selected as his toilet zone. Show him where it is (don’t expect him to find it on his own) at the times he is expected to need to eliminate: immediately upon awakening, soon after eating, and at exciting times (after meeting new people, after a car ride, before and after play). When you’re puppy gives you that “uncomfortable” look, take him to the toilet area immediately. A puppy usually needs to be taken tom his area approximately every 2 to 4 hours. An older Boston terrier dog may only need to be taken every 4 to 6 hours.

    Teach a cue word. When you get to the area and your pup begins to search for the right spot, say to him “Hurry up,” “Do your business,” or any other creative phrase. That phrase will soon act as a cue to spend him up.

    Always praise and play afterward-not before. Pay your pup lots of compliments immediately after he eliminates in the right area. Then play with him in another spot outside. If your pet doesn’t do his business in his area after about 5 minutes, bring him back into the house and either tie or confine him for another 5 minutes. Then take him out to the toilet area again. The second time around is usually successful.

    Supervise your dog in the house at all times. Always keep your dog with you. If you’re too busy to watch him, put him in his pen or confined area. Keep him in his pen (with papers when he needs them and without papers when he gets older) or confined area when you are not home.

    Never use punishment after the fact. Even if you’re doing everything in your power to prevent accidents, they do happen. If you catch your puppy in the act, clap your hands to startle him, and say “No!” Take him outside to finish immediately. If he does, praise him for doing a good job. If you find an accident, do not raise your voice, spank your pup, or rub his nose in it. You won’t make him afraid of having accidents, but you will make him afraid of you.

    Learn from hi mistakes. Keep good records of accidents. Use these records to predict when your pup needs to eliminate so that you can alter your schedule to prevent the next one.

    Neutralize the odor. When cleaning up accidents, use products that neutralize urine odor. Avoid products with ammonia, as these may genuinely attract young pets like Boston Terrier puppies to urinate in the same location.

    Be patient and positive. This last tip is the most important. It’s possible to housebreak just about any dog like a Boston Terrier, though it may have to be done at his pace.

  • Coping with Dogs and Separation Anxiety

    Dogs are pack animals. You and your family, and any other pets in the family, are his pack. When everyone leaves for work and school, some dogs get highly upset and may become destructive or aggravate the neighbors with constant barking and whining. What causes this behavior and is there anything that you can do about it?

    My Experience

    Long ago, I had a dog named Pepper. She was part Australian Sheppard, and was a very sweet dog, although she was also really…ahem….active. I had her for 11 years, and for the first 9, she was a great dog. Even as a pup, she never chewed on furniture, shoes, or clothes. Each day, everyone left for work and school, and Pepper caused no problems. After 9 years, she suddenly became very destructive. It started when she got left in the basement one day, and it stormed. Being deathly afraid of storms, she wanted access to her usual hiding place – under a bed. So, she dug her way through the basement/kitchen hollow-core door. I came home to find the poor thing hiding under the bed, along with a big hole in the door.

    But this was merely the beginning. In the next 24 months, Pepper dug through doors, walls, and even the front door. She crashed through windows screens and shredded upholstered furniture. We bought her a sizable crate, and on her first day inside it, she broke the thick plastic floor lining, and her even-thicker plastic water dish, into shards. She also broke both of her upper eye teeth off along the gum line attempting to chew her way out. We took her to the vet to have her teeth fixed, and I asked for a prescription for doggy Valium. The vet told me that, without a doggy psychiatrist’s treatment, doggy Valium only works in about 5{d4f4ff813a06e2c77cbb9c6effe011ebffe2f8986e44983e90e08c54deb62f63} of cases. And in many cases even with a psychiatrist, they just help in about 15{d4f4ff813a06e2c77cbb9c6effe011ebffe2f8986e44983e90e08c54deb62f63} of cases. I have since heard better numbers than that, but at the time, it left us feeling pretty hopeless.

    In the last few months that Pepper lived with us, we moved into a big, brand-new home. In the beginning, she seemed as happy as we were with our new digs. But before long, she started her destructiveness again. She chewed on woodwork, shredded the carpet in several places, and destroyed some window screens. We finally came to the heart-breaking decision that we were going to have to find her a different home, before she totally ruined ours. At 11 years of age, we weren’t sure that anyone would want her. But we did find her a great home, with a lot of room to run, and someone who is home for her the whole day.

    We never could determine what caused Pepper’s sudden separation anxiety. Looking back, I think it may have started about the time we purchased a new box springs and mattress. Up till then, Pepper had always slept on the bed – not at the foot of the bed, but right up there on the pillows. It had gotten to the stage that when I rolled over onto my stomach or side at night, I’d get a mouthful of her shed hair. So when we got the new mattresses, I stopped letting Pepper sleep on it. Maybe being alone all day was ok, so long as she got her cuddle time during the night, and all of the destructiveness was her means of letting me know she didn’t appreciate being exiled from sleeping on the bed.

    I believe Pepper’s case was somewhat unusual, but there are actually steps that can help with more “normal” cases of separation anxiety. Start reading this article about CBD for dogs and then move on to the next few things that can help too:

    Food and Exercise

    Give your dog sufficient exercise. An exercised dog is a happy dog, and is also a tired dog. Plus a full belly is a happy belly. A dog that has been on a nice run and gotten his belly full is more likely to take a nap and sleep much of the day away. Ah, the life of a dog 🙂 And of course, you should also be sure that there’s fresh water and food readily available for your canine friend.

    Sights, Smells, and Sounds

    Leave the television or even a radio on. It can be reassuring to your dog if he can hear human voices. Leave a window open. Dogs like the fresh air plus the outside smells, plus they are able to see and hear people and other animals that are outside. You might have to leave it open only a crack, though, depending on your dog’s behavior. Pepper would go right through a screen that was open wide enough.

    Something to Do

    Leave your dog some favorite toys. It will give him something to do. Toys that both you and your dog have played with, and therefore have your smell on, can reassure. Ropes, nylon bones (not real ones, they could splinter and cause all kinds of problems or worse), squeaky toys, and balls are all good. The dog I have now goes out in the front yard on a 20-foot lead. I’ve seen him play with the lead, as though it were a live person or animal, when there was nothing else to do.

    Answering Machines and Web Cams

    Set your answering machine to screen calls, so the caller’s voice can be heard, and call your dog once or twice during the day and let him hear your voice. If at all possible, set up a web cam at home and at work so that you can look in on your pup and see what he is up to. If he’s misbehaving, call the answering machine and reprimand him. If he appears to be getting anxious, call and speak to him in a soothing voice.

    Put Your Dog in a Crate

    Although it didn’t work with Pepper, it may work for you. It might sound mean to confine your dog to this type of small space each day, but it can actually be reassuring to him. A dog often comes to think of his crate as his own familiar “bedroom”. One Fourth of July, when my current dog, Bo, was just a pup, he ventured outside and heard a huge firecracker boom. He ran back inside, cowering. He came out again, and it happened again. His third time out, several loud fireworks went off at once, and Bo ran back inside, down the steps, into his crate, and curled up and hid in there. It was his safe place to go. Crating works best if your dog is used to it, or is raised from a pup using a crate.

    Stay Calm

    When you leave, and when you initially get home, stay calm. Your dog will detect your vibes, and if you become nervous because he is likely to be nervous or upset, your dog will detect it. Make coming and going no big deal.

    Interval Training

    Leave the house for just a couple of seconds, then come back in. Go out again, and wait a few minutes and then come back in. Vary the amounts of time that you are gone. Get your dog used to being separated for small amounts of time, and gradually increase the time. Go in or out different doors. Take your keys with you one time, but not another. Go when your dog is looking, and when he isn’t. And stay calm. Eventually, your dog is not going to know if you will leave for a long or short time. But he will begin to realize that you always return.

    I’m hoping these tips will help you and your best friend to live in harmony. Love My Dog Blog would love to hear any stories you have about your dog and separation anxiety, or any stories about your dog. You can also visit Love My Dog Blog for information and facts, tips, and human dog interest stories.

  • Help Your Dogs Teeth With A Good Diet

    Your dog is your very best friend.  Every single time you walk through the door your dog is thus happy to work out you that he wags his tail and practically smiles at you.  How will you show your pet how a lot of they mean to you?  Well, one method is to take care of that smile for your pet.  Did you know that your dog’s diet will influence their oral health?

    Humans want to brush and floss their teeth regularly to keep their teeth, tongue, and gums in sensible condition.  Research has recently shown a link between smart oral health in humans and a lower risk of heart disease.  If good oral health will have such a profound affect on individuals, then it solely is sensible to consider the impact it can have on man’s best friend.

    It is necessary to brush your dog’s teeth frequently to stay plaque and tartar from changing into an issue.  Even wiping his gums with a clean, damp cloth can be beneficial.  

    Your dog’s diet also plays a task in your pet’s oral health.  Do you sometimes feed your dog canned or dry dog food?  What sort of treats and toys does one provide for your pet?  All of these things will have an effect on the likelihood of trouble along with your pet’s teeth.

    When your dog’s diet is nutritionally sound, containing essential vitamins, nutrients, and enzymes, your pet’s oral health will be at its very best.  Feeding dry dog food instead of a moist canned variety is best for your dog.  The tiny kibbles’ arduous surface rubs against the teeth to get rid of and scale back plaque.  The easy act of moistening the dry dog food with water or gravy eliminates this property from dry dog food.

    The treats you give your pet are part of your dog’s diet simply like snacks are part of a person’s diet.  As humans, we tend to wish to overlook our snacking habits, so it will be straightforward to overlook the treats you offer your dog.  This is not a smart idea.  Fastidiously contemplate any and every one items your dog will consume.  

    Does one provide your dog bones, rawhides, jerky treats, or dog biscuits?  Perhaps your pet prefers greenies or corn starch chews.  You will not have thought-about it, however tossing Spot a rawhide chew is like giving him a candy bar.  The rawhide, for instance, contains calories and is typically provided between meals.  

    Many of the treats and snacks you offer in your dog’s diet can be just empty wasted calories.  Some treats, alternatively, offer wonderful opportunity to improve oral health.  Greenies, rawhides, bones, and arduous dog biscuits all help to stay tartar at bay.  The softer snacks, like jerky treats, don’t provide abundant relief from plaque.  The healthy treat, every so often, will conjointly prevent your dog from having bad breath.

    Your dog’s diet must be healthy to ensure wonderful oral health.  Dry dog food is best whenever possible.  Don’t forget to pick out treats for your pet that will enhance your dog’s diet.  Consciously monitoring your dog’s diet will absolutely influence your  supporter’s oral health.

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  • Basic, Easy Dog Training Tips

    Basic, Easy Dog Training Tips

    Dog Training (Adiestramiento Canino) is the process of instruction a dog (Canis lupus familiaris) to perform plastered actions in response to certain commands which the dog is trained to understand. It is a general term which does not, by itself, describe what or how the dog is taught.  

    There are many methods of dog training and many objectives, from basic obedience training to specialized areas including law enforcement, military, search and rescue, look for, working with livestock, assistance to people with disabilities, entertainment, dog sports and protecting people or property.  

    As pack animals, wild dogs have natural instincts that favor cooperation with their fellow dogs. Many domestic dogs, either through instinct or breeding, can correctly interpret and respond to signals given by a valet handler.      

     

    Basic training

    Most dogs, no matter their eventual advanced training or intended purpose, live with people who want them to behave in ways that make them pleasant to be around, keep them safe, and provides for the safety of other people and pets. Dogs do not figure out basic obedience on their own; they must be trained.  

    The hardest part of training is communicating with the dog in a humane way that the dog understands. However, the underlying rule of all communication is simple: reward desired behavior while ignoring or correcting undesired behavior.  

    Basic pet obedience training ordinarily consists of six behaviors:  

    • Sit
    • Down
    • Stay
    • Recall (“come”, “here” or “in”)
    • stopping point (or loose-leash walking)
    • Heel

    “Corrections” should never include harmful physical force or violence. Using force while training is controversial and should not be interpreted lightly, because even if it ends the behavior, when applied inappropriately with some dogs it may lead to a loss of drive (enthusiasm for the given task), stress, and in some cases even aggression. A handler may decide to use force, however the standard used by most trainers is the minimum amount necessary to inhibit the unwanted behavior.      

     

    Puppies and learning

    The antenatal period is a recently recognized developmental period of puppies. It is thought that “long-term effects on behavioural development may also be produced in some mammals by events occurring in utero”. (Serpell, 1995, p. 80) Previous studies tended to overlook the existence of this period, since the puppy’s behavior could not be observed. With the development of the ultrasound elevator car, a puppy can now be observed within the mother as early as the fourth week of gestation.  

    It was found that puppy fetuses would react to pertain and/or pressure from the outside of the mother’s abdomen. In addition, it is theorized that since puppies have such a well-developed sense of touch at feature, the sense of touch would also be well-developed before birth. Studies have found that “when a pregnant animal is petted her litter is more docile”, (Denenberg and Whimbey 1964, in Fox 1978) According to Fox, this facilitates relaxation, emotional attachment, and socialization. Other studies have indicated that puppies that receive outside contact (petting of the mother) while in utero have a higher tolerance for touching than puppies that receive no contact at all. One could theorize that well-off petting of the mother’s abdomen could help to facilitate positive, beneficial puppy socialization with people.  

    During the first two weeks of a puppy’s life, also known as the neonate period, puppies can learn simple associations. (Serpell, 1995) However, early experience events are unlikely to carry over into later periods. Studies indicate that puppies in the neonate period do not seem to learn by experience. (Scott and Fuller, 1965) It is theorized that this is due to the fact that the puppy’s brain, sense, and motor organs are still undeveloped. Based on its limited capacity to sense and learn it would be difficult to affect the puppy psychologically, either in a positive or negative sense. (Scott and Fuller, 1965)  

    The next period of development is known as the socialization period. This period begins around 3 weeks old and ends around 12 weeks old. (Beaver, 1999) The main aspect of this period is social play. Social examine, playful fighting and playful sexual behavior is very of import to developing social relationships during its life. (Scott and Fuller, 1965) New behavior patterns are directly influenced by the puppy’s interaction with its mother and other puppies in the litter.   During this period puppies develop social relationships, with other puppies as well as with people. However, there is a point at which the puppies can develop a fear of strangers. At 3–5 weeks of age, puppies will actively onset strangers. short thereafter stranger avoidance begins and slowly escalates until it peaks around 12–14 weeks of age. (Beaver, 1999) While this natural fear of strangers could serve as a way to keep a curious puppy away from predators, it can also hinder normal relationships with people.  

    During this period, startle reactions to sudden movement and sounds develop. This serves to help the puppy learn to differentiate between dangerous and safe or insignificant events.(Scott and Fuller, 1965) During the socialization period, the development of attachment to certain locations occurs. This is displayed by an extreme disturbance in the puppy whenever a change in location occurs. This is known as localization. (Serpell, 1995) Localization often peaks in puppies between 6–7 weeks old (Scott and Fuller, 1965), and then tapers off after that time until a change in location is no longer distressing to the puppy (cachorro).  

    Dogs that are handled and petted by humans on a regular basis during the first eight weeks of life are generally much more amenable to being trained and living in human households. Ideally, puppies should be placed in their lasting homes between about 8 and 10 weeks of age. In some places it is against the law to take puppies away from their mothers before the age of 8 weeks. Puppies are innately more fearful of new things during the period from 10 to 12 weeks, which makes it harder for them to adapt to a new home.   Puppies can begin learning tricks and commands as early as 8 weeks of age; the only limitations are stamina, concentration, and physical coordination.   

  • Why Is My Dog Having So Many Accidents?

    Why Is My Dog Having So Many Accidents?

    If you are having trouble with housetraining your dog, the quickest way to get around the problem and make a diagnosis is to know your pet’s history. Knowing how your dog has been performing at home yields important information to the veterinarian and helps narrow the diagnosis. Here’s how you can help:

    1) For urinary accidents, note if your dog is passing water more oftentimes; producing normal, smaller or larger amounts of urine; dribbling while walking; leaking while relaxed or sleeping; or wetting when excited or frightened.

    2) For fecal accidents, take a sample to the veterinarian. If your dog defecates in changer’ id=’spin_0′ onclick=’ShowSpinOptions(0)’>front of you, doe she appear to be straining or pooping while he’s walking upright? Look at the stools: Are they loose, runny, firm, hard, blood or mucousy? Are stool volumes less or more often than normal? Is your dog defecating more often?

    3) Report any changes you’ve noticed in your dog, such as increased drinking or vomiting; reduced or increased appetite; weight, skin or coat changes; lethargy; panting; anxiety; fear; lameness or difficulty getting up; or reluctance to play or exercise.

    4) Think about any changes or new events in your dog’s life that preceded or coincided with his housetraining accidents. A new member in the household? A change in diet, supplements or medications? A horrific event? Be sure to report anything new to your dog’s veterinarian.

    err: Do Not Withhold Water

    What goes in must come out, so some dog owners might find it alluring to simply reduce the amount of water their dog drinks or withhold water completely at night or while they’re absent.

    This could be a very dangerous thing to do. There are medical issues such as kidney problems or urinary tract infections where the dog actually needs to drink more water. Withholding water from a dog with low-grade kidney problems might lead to dangerous kidney failure.

    Depriving a healthy or ill dog of water could also lead to new or worse pre-existing problems. That said, there are some young dogs that just love to drink water, so they wet far more often. In those cases, restricting water to some extent is the only way that the dog can be a happy, functional member of the family. Unfortunately, many dogs do not outgrow this.

    If you suspect that your dog is lapping up water because it makes him happy to do so, discuss your suspicions with your veterinarian and get a veterinary exam to rule out any conditions that could cause increased thirst.

    We’ve got a ton more information, just click here

  • Use Proper Structure When Training Your Dog

    Whether a dog owner has just brought home a new dog, or they are ready to begin improving the relationship with an older dog, owners have a lot to consider when figuring out just how they will accomplish training their new or old best friend. From tried and true methods, to wacky gimmicks, to systems that just don’t work, there are so many ways to train dogs that owners (and their dogs) often end up so confused that limited to no results are accomplished. The reasons for the failure in any training system can quickly be analyzed to reveal that the failure most probably occurred due to lacking one of the three critical components (for both dog and owner).

    When evaluating a dog training method, one of the most important factors is motivation. Motivation most often comes from what psychologists and trainers call positive reinforcement. Simply put, it is what everyone looks forward to about dog training, often taking the form of treats, toys, or praise. Not every dog has the same motives for working, so selecting the correct motivator, or lure is critical for training. Now the limitation to simply using a lure is that it isn’t always alluring…This is where the structure comes in.

    Structure comes in the form of showing the dog what to do even if your doing Dog Training in San Diego. A lure can, in many situations, offer enough motivation and structure of what to do but eventually, a dog will probably need some guidance. An example of the need for structure is when a dog bolts for the front door while being trained with a lure to perform a command. Although the dog may have a firm understanding of what a command should mean, the overwhelming influence of the doorbell may override the lure’s ability to motivate the dog to perform. In this case, something must be used to stop the dog from bolting to the door. A leash, physical touch, standing in front of the dog, or simply asking again for a behavior (giving a command) may represent enough structure to keep the dog performing a desired task. Without the structural component, the dog may run to the door, thereby only learning to repeat the mad dash next time. The occasional ‘mad dash’ is what is ruining our consistency…

    Consistency is probably the most important factor that can have a positive influence on a dog’s behavior even when your in San Diego Dog Training your new pet. The consistency of ‘doing’ what is right can only be learned from ‘doing’ what is right (practice makes perfect). Expecting the dog to figure out on his/her own what to do in a confusing situation will slowly eat away at the performance of the desired behavior. The proper application of motivation and structure can help the owner keep the consistency, but it is up to the owner to stay consistent.

    By using this model for a foundation of training, a dog owner, and dog, can build and maintain a happy and successful relationship. Punishment is not needed in this model, and both owner and dog will confidently understand and uphold their roles in a household. Understand that all components of this model are required to achieve the most success, and your dog will thank you for it!

  • Proper Dog Food Is The Key To A Healthy Pet

    Your diet plays a critical role in determining your total health. The same is the case with your pet. So , it only appears reasonable if you pay rather more attention while choosing dog food for your pet. These are some straightforward tips and proposals that will help you select the right dog food for your pet.

    Checking the ingredient list is the first step in selecting the right dog food. Before you purchase any dog food, ensure that you go through the list of ingredients fastidiously. Check if the product includes any ingredients that would be harmful for your dog’s health. Also, if the product includes meat spinoff, chicken derivative, birds derivative meat and bone meal in the first 5 ingredients, then you need to desist from the product.

    Besides ingredients ; another thing to be observed out for is the nutritional value of dog food. It’s essential the product must have adequate quantity of all the essenatial nutrients. In addition to checking the nutritional value; it is suggested that you should always check the share of calories as present in a dog food. If a specific dog food is noted to be running high on the calorie content; it’s better to refrain from buying such dog food.

    The dog food needs to be better to the nutritive duty of your dog. This criterion of selection is imperative because different races of dogs have sundry requirements of nourishment. It’s been noted the smaller dogs are more in need of carbohydrates. On the other hand the dogs which are huge in size need more of minerals and vitamins quantity. So first update yourself about the nutritive wants of you dogs. Only then purchase a dog food which is able to meet the required nutritional requirement.

    Another important thing in this context is additives. Nearly always dog food which is ready to be loaded in preservatives which may not be good for your pet’s health. While choosing dog food; keep a watch on the preservatives as be loaded in a particular food product. Some of the preservatives that may prove detrimental to the fitness of your pet are BHA, ethoxyquin and BHT. These the chemicals as present in a selected food have the potentiality of triggering in a condition of cancer in the canines. You should generally go in for dog foods which have preservatives in the shape of Vitamin C and Vitamin A.

    Look for APHIS paperwork. Dog foods that are warranted by APHIS are a safer bet than the ones that come without certification. APHIS authorized dog foods make use of human grade ingredients. So, with these foods, you can be absolutely guaranteed that they won’t harm your dog. Besides, you may also consult your pet about the food brands that would work fine for your pet.

    Choosing dog food with extra care and caution is essential. While the wrong dog food could deter the general fitness of your child, the right food can play a big role in keeping your pet healthy. So, watch out when selecting dog food.

  • Keep your Dog Healthy with Dog Health Insurance

    If you have a dog as a family pet I think you’ll  confirm  that they’ve added so much happiness and love to your life. They are the embodiment of unconditional love and  friendship  . They really don’t ask for too much, maybe just a kind word, a pat on the head and a game of fetch every once in a while. They are just so happy to be your friend and share their life with you.

    So when you consider what they give to you, you know you want to be  in support  for them when an malady or chance event strikes. But a  humongous vet. bill could be devastating . And having to choose between your best friends health and the family budget can be a terrible choice too. That’s why dog health insurance can be one of the best ways to show that you care and are thinking ahead for your best friends wellbeing.

    Also advancements in veterinary medicine have provided for so many more  alternatives today. In days past many diseases and/or accidents would be considered life ending for many dogs. Now heart conditions, hip problems and other circumstances  can be treated. Though at a price that many family budgets can’t afford. That is why finding the best dog insurance at a reasonable price can be the reaction.

    Every day checkups and regular handling can also be covered by dog health insurance. Expensive vaccinations and protection  procedures, such as teeth and ear cleaning and de-worming can be part of a sensibly  priced dog insurance plan. And as you know, if you provide for the regular checkups and treatments, major illnesses can be avoided or lessened.

    So what is the best dog insurance for you? It depends on the age of your dog, the breed and your family budget. Pet health insurance can range from $10 to $70 per calendar month. And as you should expect, the $10 per month  alternative  will just be the bare bones coverage. So think long and hard on what coverage will be sufficient  for your dog. Over the life of your loved one the best dog insurance will cover the predictable  stuff, but also be there for the unexpected illness or accident. And isn’t that what insurance in general is there for most – the unexpected.

    Find out  more about getting the best dog insurance at my web site. This site contains much more useful information on getting a pet insurance policy.

  • Total Dog Health: Canine Cancer Care Sheet

    Cancer in pets is more common than you think. It is the number one natural cause of death in geriatric cats and dogs and accounts for nearly 50 percent of pet deaths each year. Some breeds are especially susceptible to cancer.

    Although the leading cause of death in older cats and dogs, cancer also is the most treatable disease when compared to life-limiting diseases such as congestive heart failure, renal failure and diabetes. An educated and dedicated veterinary health care team is essential to caring for cancer-stricken pets. (more…)

  • Cataracts in Dogs: What You Need to Know

    Canine Cataracts: A Total Dog Care Sheet

    Owners of older dogs often notice begin to notice a bluish white film start to develop over the eyes of their dog. As dogs age, eye problems – particularly cataracts – are more common. The condition is a thickening of the lenses, which is a function of age. It can become present in dogs of any age but normally happens as the dog enters their senior years and it tends to progress slowly. (more…)

  • How to Keep a Puppy Occupied

    How to Keep a Puppy Occupied

    How To Keep Your Puppy Busy While Learning At The Same Time: Looking for fun games that your puppy can enjoy? Check out these tantalizing activities that you can get a puppy of any age involved in.

    Grooming Made Fun

    Probably one of the most important things to do is groom and brush your puppy. So what better way to start on the right foot than to make it a pleasant experience? (more…)

  • How to Stop a Dog From Escaping

    The Escaping Pooch & A Dog With A Tissue Fetish

    Question: My Run-Away Dalmatian

    “I have a two-year-old female Dalmatian. She has never given me any real problems – except one – If the front door is open and I’m not watching, she’s gone like a flash! When she’s in the backyard, she comes to me when I call. When she splits through that front door though, the words ‘come here’ seem alien to her. Any suggestions? I’m afraid she’ll get run over by a car and I don’t want to tie her up.” (more…)

  • The Role of Eye Contact in Dog Training

    Every wolf pack has a leader, also referred to as the alpha figure. This wolf, sometimes a male, sometimes a female, controls many aspects of pack life, including, to a degree, defecation and urination rights and spots. Dogs, of course, are directly descended from wolves and now live in human packs. Problems arise when an individual dog, either through his genetic makeup or improper training by his owner, comes to think of himself as the leader of the pack. (more…)

  • Canine Dominance: Is it a Myth?

    Dogs Do Not Learn By Dominance And Submission: Many people believe that dogs learn by dominance and/or submission. This is an interesting theory that appeals to our sense of logic and the way nature appears to be ordered from the point of view of the human ego. Supposedly, dogs can learn to respect another individual through dominance. This presupposes that they can perceive another being’s point of view. Humans can indeed entertain others’ points of view, yet we know that no one learns to work effectively through the dominance/submissive model. (more…)