Total Dog Magazine

Blog

  • Canine Nutrition – How Important is Water in Your Dog’s Diet?

    Your dog’s body is made up of 70{d4f4ff813a06e2c77cbb9c6effe011ebffe2f8986e44983e90e08c54deb62f63} water. He can live even if he loses all the fat and half of the protein in his body. However, he will die if his body loses even just 1/10 of his water.

    In order to survive, a full-grown dog requires at the very least, two millilitres (mls) of water for every pound he weighs every single day (keeping in mind that there are 30 millilitres of water per 1 ounce). The two millilitres are just enough for the dog to produce urine in his body. Without enough water necessary for urine production, your dog, any dog, will not be able to live.

    When given an unlimited amount of water, your dog will drink much more than the required two millimetres. This is especially true when you always keep a fresh bowl of water. Giving your dog just the least amount of water every day may be enough for him to survive, but not for long. Deficiency in water harms the body and gradually terminates its functions. He will eventually turn weak, get sick, and die. This is a problem for older dogs or dogs in hot conditions, because some won’t consume enough water and will get heat stroke.

    Hot conditions and your dog’s water intake

    It’s important to know about the type of water your dog needs in hot conditions. For example, in hot weather give your dog cool, not cold water. Another issue is overdrinking, you need to have a balance with giving them enough without allowing them to drink too much and be at risk of health problems.

    One way to prevent this is to invest in something like a raised dog bowl where your dog can eat from too. By placing the bowl off the ground you not only help your dog to stoop less and ease any neck issues that may arise in older age, but you change the dynamic for the dog of how they eat and drink, while being able to monitor how much water is available to get the balance right.

    The importance of giving your dog more water than the least amount needed is used in several ways:

    1. Water is used to help digest and absorb nutrients.

    2. It is used to burn fuel, which is turned into energy.

    3. Water is responsible for maintaining a normal body temperature.

    4. Drinking enough water replaces the fluids that are lost in the body during secretions.

    5. Water is also responsible for mixing different types of chemicals in the body as they dissolve and transform into different chemical reactions.

    6. Water carries nutrients to the cells and also transfers toxic waste products from the cells to the organs for proper elimination. With the absence of water, these organs will not be able to get rid of toxins from the body.

    7. Last but not least, water is needed to regulate the blood’s acid level.

    As you can see, water is almost always required for every function that takes place in the dog’s body. And because of its versatility and the degree to which it is used, water is considered to be the most important nutrient that is required on all breeds of dogs.

     

  • Training Tips for Older Dogs

    Your adult dog needs the right amount of balance in his training. These needs include a regular dose of physical exercise, mental exercise, and the need to socialize.

     

    Providing your dog with these needs will keep him happy, healthy, and may even add extra years to his life.

    Mental Needs Of Your Adult Dog

    The more you teach your dog, regardless of his age, breed, and personality, the better he will become at all levels of his life. Training your dog to perform certain tasks gives him purpose, which in turn greatly improves the quality of his life. Once your dog learns certain skills, he is no longer just your pet. He becomes more of a friend, a companion, a helper, someone to enjoy more wonderful times with.

    (more…)

  • What to Do if you Think your Dog is Being Bullied

    What to Do if you Think your Dog is Being Bullied

    What are the signs of “dog bullying” and how can you prevent your dog from being bullied by other dogs?

    There are dogs out there that bully other dogs when in a “doggie environment”, such as a dog park, dog daycare, or a beach area designated for dogs and their owners.

    Often, bullying takes place in large groups, regardless of the size. Most of these dog bullies are of the large breed and prey on smaller dogs, although there are also smaller breeds with a strong, dominant personality whom bully on other dogs of all sizes.

    The next time you take your dog to the daycare, the park, or other places where there are other dogs around, observe how he behaves toward the other dogs and vice versa. Find out if your dog is being bullied by other dogs or if your dog is the one who does the harassing to other dogs.

    Dog bullying comes in many shapes and sizes. You can tell that your dog is being harassed by other dogs if he is being surrounded by them, ganging up on him, jumping at his face, and growling at him, often for no legitimate reason. Below are other signs of a dog that is being bullied by other dogs:

    1. A dog that is almost always happy around other people and dogs, but nervous and scared around the “bully” dogs.

    3. One that is repeatedly mounted.

    3. One that is continually being taken away from his toys, water, or certain spots.

    4. One that is being attacked, beaten, pinned to the ground, and pushed around.

    5. One that is continually being menaced.

    6. In worst cases, one that is being bitten or badly hurt.

    These acts are not right and should not be tolerated. Repeated display of these behaviours are not only hurtful to your dog in a physical way, but can also be mentally damaging.

    It is important to find out what is causing the harassment to occur among these dogs and put an end to the improper behaviour. Some dogs are just real bullies, without any direct reason for acting that way. Keep in mind that in many cases, it only takes one bully to rev up other dogs and follow his behaviour. In this case, separating the dog from the playgroup will solve the problem.

    Another reason for dog bullying is improper or lack of supervision from the owner or staff member in the day care. Dogs that aren’t properly watched over tend to get out of control while playing, and that’s when the bullying starts. Therefore, when you take your dog to a day care, make sure that there is enough staff members to supervise all the dogs and that they are being looked after at all times. And lastly, whether it is at the park, the beach, or your neighbor’s house, make sure to keep an eye on your dog at all times.

  • Helping the Hyperactive Dog

    Hyperactivity in dogs is a common problem. Generally it is present amongst a cluster of other inappropriate behaviors such as jumping, pulling on the leash and unwarranted barking. In most cases, canine hyperactivity is stress induced.

    We must realize that simply living with humans involves a certain degree of stress for most dogs. Many humans do not understand dog communication and do not respect the fact that dogs are of a different species with different needs. To gather an in depth understanding of some of the many communication difficulties that exist between man and canine, you may want to refer to dog whispering , which addresses how dogs communicate. However, for the purpose of correcting hyperactive behavior in your dog, the following remedial methods can often be employed with success.

    Use the crate liberally. Keep your dog in his crate during idle time when he is not interacting with you or other family members. Allow your dog to sleep in the same room as you, but have him sleep in his crate.  Crates are like doggy tranquilizers.  Dogs like the comfort of confined, defined spaces.

    (more…)

  • Now Ear This! What Your Dog’s Ears Can Tell You About How They’re Feeling

    Now Ear This! What Your Dog’s Ears Can Tell You About How They’re Feeling

    Understanding What Dog Ear Movements Mean

    All positions of a dog’s ears should be gauged relative to the way the dog normally carries his ears when he is relaxed. Dogs with severely cropped or very long ears will be harder to read.

    Ears erect or slightly forward: “What is that?” This is a sign of attention in response to a sound or when studying a new situation. Accompanied by a slightly tilted head and a relaxed or slightly open mouth, the meaning changes to “This is really interesting” or “I do not understand that” and is associated with observation of an event.

     jackrussel.jpg

    However, when accompanied with bared teeth and wrinkled nose, it is an offensive threat by a confident dog.

    Ears pulled back flat against the head: “I am scared” or “I am protecting myself against a possible attack.” This is usually associated with a challenge of some sort.

    Ears pulled slightly back: On a prick-eared dog such as a German Shepherd, the ears take on a slightly splayed, sideways spread in this position. It means “I do not like this” and “I am ready to fight or run.” This is the look of suspicion and may show both aggression and ambivalence.

  • Train Your Dog To Do Any Behaviour

    I’m a professional dog trainer. I’ve had formal education, studied with other accomplished trainers and worked with dogs for nearly thirty years. It’s no secret why I can do things with dogs that seem amazing to the average person.

    But training your dog is about you and your dog, not me. If I can’t give you some useful nugget of knowledge that will cause a change in how you relate to your dog, then I’ve failed both you and your dog. The most important thing I’ve found to teach the average dog owner is a simple universal dog behavior, which will allow you to teach your dog any trick or cure almost any problem behavior.

    Simply keep in mind the simple axiom that “Dogs do not engage in unrewarding behavior”. That’s it. Remember this and you can accomplish anything with a dog. To use this powerful tool, you employ a strategy that I call “shaping”. What this means is that by using the superior intellect of a human over a dog, you shape their environment to create rewarding outcomes for positive actions and unrewarding outcomes for negative actions.

    Let’s take the example of your dog jumping up on you with his muddy paws. This is a negative action. But it can also be very rewarding to a frisky dog that wants to get as close to master’s face as possible, as quickly as possible. Now here’s where much confusion comes in to the dog owner. One book or trainer says to turn your back on the dog, another source says to spray him in the face with a squirt bottle, and another says to knee him in the chest. Who’s right?

    They all are right.

    What they’re telling you is that you want to make jumping unrewarding for your dog. If you consistently squirt, turn your back or do something that is unpleasant and unrewarding your dog will stop jumping up on you. I guarantee it. When he doesn’t jump, you praise him and make the experience of greeting you in a civilized fashion rewarding. The dog will pick the rewarding behavior every time.

    I mentioned that we humans have a superior intellect over dogs. Have fun and use it. If your dog is a ten pound Yorkshire terrier, I’d suggest you use a squirt bottle or turning your back. If your dog is a two hundred pound Rottweiler, then a firm knee to the chest might be more appropriate. Ponder the problem and create a negative and positive outcome for your dog. In this way you have allowed your dog to teach themselves when they invariably choose the rewarding behavior. So please forget about learning some magical technique that must be some secret that only the pros understand. The magic is in not “training” your dog but offering your dog choices that will allow them to train themselves. Try it. You’ll like the results.

  • The Benefits of Using Food in Dog Training

    The Benefits of Using Food in Dog Training

    dogwithtongueout.jpgFor a puppy, feeding is like breathing. Filling a belly does more than merely nourish; it displaces the nervousness caused by the pangs of hunger. The warm glow that comes from a full tummy assures the puppy that he is securely connected to his group. Therefore, we shouldn’t hesitate to use food in training.

    Since eating is so basic with a puppy, it is easy to excite him with a treat. If in his rush to grab the food, he snaps at your hand very hard, do not correct the dog or get mad at him. Just take the time to calm him by giving him a steady flow of food so that he is reassured that he is going to get all the food he wants. As he becomes satiated, his drive to grab the food will start to subside and he’ll be ready to learn how to take the food gently from your hand.

    Food is very effective with adult dogs as well. It clearly indicates to the dog that he has an instinctive advantage in doing what his trainer wants. Also, food can be used to relax an adult dog’s nervous system by washing away social resistance. Remember that although our pet seems domesticated, his instincts are still wild and need to be calmed.

    (more…)

  • How Do I Help My Dog’s Separation Anxiety?

    I hope you can help me. I have an eighteen month old Border Terrier called Lucy. She has been housetrained and was doing fine. But recently she seems to have regressed into a state where she suffers from separation anxiety quite severely.

    I’ve tried training her again to show her that whining and crying won’t have any effect and I’ve also tried giving her a treat before I go out and when I get back, but she appears to be in the same state of distress when I get back as she was in as I left. I can’t think of anything that could have triggered this.

    Do you know of a possible cause and a recommended course of action?

    Christine Duncan, Fife.

    Reply from Christine Emerson

    Hi Christine

    You were right to try and eliminate attention-seeking as the cause but as your efforts made no difference we need to look at other causes. Separation Anxiety is an overused expression. I see many dogs that are agitated when left alone but they are not anxious, just frustrated, bored or have simply never learnt to be patient.

    (more…)

  • My Dog Looks Like a PitBull, What Are My Rights?

    I have a general enquiry about dogs and the law. What is the legal status of ownership if a dog escapes? I’m really concerned about the treatment of Pit Bull type breeds after the dog amnesty (my dog is a Staffy mix) and I’m really concerned that if he ever escaped, god forbid, that he wouldn’t be given back to me as he does have a certain look that could get him confused as a Pit Bull.

    I have him microchipped, registered as a Staffordshire Bull Terrier x English Bull Terrier, although we aren’t really sure about this, and it is not likely he will escape, but I’m concerned that if he ever did, whoever collected him would refuse to give him back. What are my legal rights?

    Many thanks
    Pam Stibson – Wirral

    Reply by Neil Burton of the National Dog Warden’s Association“Dogs are classed as domestic animals as they are owned by a person in much the same way as a person owns a car or other goods. Due to this classification it therefore follows that a dog may be stolen and the person who takes the dog is guilty of theft. Sadly a number of police forces seem to ignore this when dog owners report their dogs as stolen!

    (more…)

  • Dog or Bitch – Should I Get a Male of Female Dog?

    Male Or Female: Which Dog Is Better?

    Which dog makes a better pet, a male dog or a female? The answer to this question depends on what you’re looking for. On one level, if you care about the personality and character of the dog more than anything else, the gender shouldn’t matter. Your decision will be based mainly on how the puppy behaves and acts towards you and other people when you are looking at the litter.

    On another level, if you want to find out whether a male dog or a female dog would generally make an overall better pet, then you’ll have to take in other factors, such as the size, temperament, and level of care.

    Choosing A Female Dog

    Generally speaking, female dogs are relatively smaller in size and warmer in temperaments. There are, however, some male dogs that are just as affectionate as female dogs. Many dog trainers and breeders recommend a female dog to homes with small children. Some believe that there is some type of maternal instinct that exists in female dogs, a quality that makes them amiable and ideal for a household with children.

    Do not let feminine problems such as heat cycles and bleeding steer you away from getting a female dog. If you are worried that she will bleed all over your house when that time comes, consider getting her spayed (read: spaying female dogs), which is the ideal thing to do anyway. Once spayed, rest assured that she will not bleed a single drop. And with regards to behavior, female dogs can be just as challenging as male dogs, sometimes even more so.

    Choosing A Male Dog

    Male dogs are a bit more difficult to care for at times than females. For instance, they are quite good at performing a disappearing act when a nearby female dog is in heat. This can be dangerous to the dog as well as create problems for you. Many male dogs have been injured or even killed when escaping their homes to search for a female in heat. Between moving vehicles and fights with other male dogs, it makes sense to also have male dogs fixed.

    Male dogs are also very territorial over their property, including any of his “stuff” inside the house, his bathroom area, or even a female dog. He tends to get very aggressive when he thinks that his property is being taken over by another dog and is willing to fight to defend it.

    Male dogs also display territorial urination by lifting its leg up as high as possible while urinating. This leg-lifting behavior is not a problem unless it occurs inside the house.

    On the other hand, male dogs have tons of energy and a lot of fun to play with. They are more active and have better endurance than female dogs. This is probably why male dogs are usually chosen for jobs in law enforcement.

  • Positive Dog Training Methods Create Happy Dogs

    Positive Dog Training Methods Create Happy Dogs

    How Dog Training Methods Have Evolved Through the Years

    When you look down at your brand new, small and tender puppy peacefully sleeping in its little bed, it’s hard to think that in just two to three months it may grow to be 40, 50, or even up to 100 pounds depending on the type of breed. And although its behaviors may cute at the moment, like jumping up and putting his front paws on your body, these actions will be far less enjoyable when your dog is all grown up and literally knocking you over.

    It’s always a sound idea to start training your puppy from day one so that he can learn proper manners as he grows into adulthood.

    Puppies that are not trained in this manner end up learning all of the wrong stuff and their owners wonder why they cannot seem to get their dogs to behave as they age.

    Many years ago, when dog training methods used more punishment oriented (using harsh methods to train puppies), dog trainers typically required all puppy trainees to be at least six months old.

    The reason was partly due to the fact that such physical correction protocols used could not be done with dogs that were too small or too young.

    What is ironic about dog training in the dim and distant past is that by the time most puppies are six months old they are big enough and mentally stubborn enough to ignore commands and are altogether tough to train.

    Modern Times, Modern Dog Training Methods

    Over the last 20 years or so, the dog training profession has embraced more friendly and loving training tactics for their puppy clients.  Most trainers now except puppies that are as young as 8 to 10 weeks old. They are typically enrolled in socialization classes and puppy kindergarten.

    Positive training is now used instead of the old-school methods of negative reinforcement. Puppies are taught to walk politely on the leash.

    They learn the basic commands of sit, stay, lie down, and come. In addition to these simple instructions, other useful techniques are learned by puppies such as how to relax, give and take their paw, and polite greeting.

    Modern Dog Owners are More Clued up Today

    Another interesting aspect of raising dogs that has been noted over the last couple of decades is that more and more dog owners have taken it upon themselves to train their puppies. 

    This is partly due to the fact that so many dog training publications and manuals have been written. Modern dog training programs are based more and more on scientific principles and psychological studies of animal behavior and temperament.

    Simple puppy training programs have taught dog owners to utilize techniques such as clicker training and luring.

    Clicker training involves the use of a small mechanism that makes a clicking sound when pressed. When a dog hears the sound it will associate the click with whatever reward you give him.

    This tells the animal that something good is coming and he should repeat whatever behavior or action you have been teaching him.

    Luring training is simply using food such as a dog treat, or even a toy, to induce the dog to display a specific behavior in order to follow the lure in hopes of getting the reward.

  • How to Stop My Puppy Biting & Nipping

    Puppy Training – How To Control Nipping & Biting

    One thing you can count on when bringing home a new puppy is the fact that he will nip and bite at your fingers during the first few days or weeks. This is perfectly normal and there is no reason to get alarmed that you may have purchased an aggressive dog.

    Important: If you’re looking for immediate, expert advice to [keyword id=’biting’]… click here and we’ll show you how to fix the problem today!

    However, like any behavior you wish to change about your dog, you need to take a few steps so that he realizes that nipping is not something you as the “pack leader” want him to continue doing.

    So how do you change this natural biting behavior that a little puppy has? Well the first thing to do is determine his age.

    This is important because puppies under the age of about 15 weeks need to be handled a little differently when it comes to mouthing and nipping than puppies over the age of 15 weeks.

    (more…)

  • How to Stop Puppies from Barking

    Puppy Barking Problems – How To Prevent a Puppy Barking from Attention

    puppy on a leadFor any new dog owner, handling all of the loud barking of a new puppy can be quite an unnerving experience. Most new dog owners are not prepared for the intense amount of barking and yelping that young puppies start doing the minute they arrive in their new home.

    Although it is totally natural, some puppies do not give their owners the luxury of quieting down, especially at night.

    One of the biggest phases that a puppy will go through is the fear of being alone. And I’m not talking about being alone in the sense of you leaving the house. Some puppies will go absolutely nuts even when you only leave the room for a split second. They just can’t bear to be alone because they are used to having their mommy or littermates around non-stop.

    When faced with this situation, what you do? If you run to your puppy to sooth and caress him every time he cries, then you are only feeding the behavior and creating a spoiled dog. On the other hand, if you ignore him and let him bark his brains out, the rest of the family (especially your spouse) will become very annoyed with you for letting the barking go on.

    (more…)

  • 5 Activities to Keep Your Puppy Stimulated

    golden retriever puppyAll of the games and skills discussed below are designed to contribute to both the fun and the positive upbringing of your puppy.

    These energy-producing exercises act as building blocks that make advanced training easier and enhance the bond between owner and puppy.

    Grooming Practice: Starting grooming procedures at an early age teaches the puppy acceptance of hands-on treatment over all parts of his body and emphasizes relaxed “stays.”

    Grooming also assures the owner of dominance as nails are cut and teeth are cleaned, as the puppy learns to be quiet and tolerate-these “house-cleaning” techniques.

    Hide & Seek: Hide and seek is fun for owners and puppies alike and helps teach your puppy how to come.

    (more…)

  • Animal Organisation Labels Cesar Milan’s Dog Whisperer Style Training ‘Inhumane’

    The training tactics featured on Cesar Millan’s “Dog Whisperer” program are inhumane, outdated and improper, according to a letter sent yesterday to the National Geographic Channel by American Humane, the oldest national organization protecting children and animals.

    In the letter, American Humane, which works to raise public awareness about responsible pet ownership and reduce the euthanasia of unwanted pets, expressed dismay over the “numerous inhumane training techniques” advocated by Cesar Millan on “Dog Whisperer.”

    Several instances which the society considered to be ‘cruel and dangerous treatment’ – promoted by Millan as acceptable training methods – were documented by American Humane, including one in which a dog was partially asphyxiated in an episode.

    In this instance, the fractious dog was pinned to the ground by its neck after first being “hung” by a collar incrementally tightened by Millan. Millan’s goal – of subduing a fractious animal – was accomplished by partially cutting off the blood supply to its brain.

    The letter requests that National Geographic stop airing the program immediately and issue a statement explaining that the tactics featured on the program are inhumane, and it encourages National Geographic to begin developing programming that sets a positive example by featuring proper, humane animal training. In its letter, American Humane said: “We believe that achieving the goal of improving the way people interact with their pets would be far more successful and beneficial for the National Geographic Channel if it ceased sending the contradictory message that violent treatment of animals is acceptable.”

    “As a forerunner in the movement towards humane dog training, we find the excessively rough handling of animals on the show and inhumane training methods to be potentially harmful for the animals and the people on the show,” said the letter’s author, Bill Torgerson, DVM, MBA, who is vice president of Animal Protection Services for American Humane. “It also does a disservice to all the show’s viewers by espousing an inaccurate message about what constitutes effective training and appropriate treatment of animals.”

    Torgerson noted that the safety of a woman and her German shepherd were jeopardized in one episode by the use of an electric shock collar, which forced the tormented dog to redirect its aggression at its owner, biting her arm. “Furthermore, the television audience was never told that Mr. Millan was attempting to modify the dog’s behavior by causing pain with the shock collar,” he said.

    Cesar Milan has enjoyed widespread commercial success with his TV and media career and is currently the most well known animal behaviour expert in the United States.

    In Britain, Jan Fennel is known as ‘the dog whisperer’. The Humane Society attack on Milan does not draw comparison or reference to Britain’s dog whisperer style dog trainers.