It comes as a surprise to many people to discover that dogs are not immune to the arthritis problems which so many humans are familiar with. However, when you think about it, dogs have almost the same muscular and tissue structure in their joint areas as humans do, so arthritis can rear its ugly head for them as well.

You can read more at Dog Arthritis Care…

Popularity: 46% [?]

Share This

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Dogs sometimes have a bad habit of putting anything they find inside their mouths. Actually, let me correct that statement, dogs always seem to find a way to put objects in their mouth that do not belong there! They tend to pick up all types of stuff, ranging from balls to rocks, small toys to articles of clothing, basically anything they deem fun to play with.

Unfortunately, there are many times when a dog accidentally swallows these objects and it becomes lodged in his throat. If this object is not removed immediately then there is the chance for the animal to stop breathing and become unconscious.

Since this occurrence is very common with all pets, it would behoove of you to learn the basic moves that it takes to help your dog from choking. This can invariably save the life of your pet.

Below are basic First Aid steps which can come in handy for a choking dog:

If Your Dog Is Choking, But Remains Conscious

1. With two hands, open your dog’s mouth and look inside to see if you can see the object. If you can see it, try your best to remove it.

2. If you cannot see the object, place your dog on its side and elevate the hindquarters.

3. Now place your hand below the rib cage and another on the dog’s back. Press in and then up, all in one fluid motion. Keep pressing until the object is coughed up.

4. If the object does not come up then your dog may become unconscious. If this happens, then follow the steps below.

If Your Dog Becomes Unconscious

1. As stated above, be sure that the dog is placed on his side with elevated hindquarters.

2. Open the airway and be sure the tongue is pulled out as far as possible and placed to the side.

3. Now perform several compressions in the same area that you had attempted to press in the rib cage. After two to three compressions, check the mouth for any foreign objects by using the sweep of your finger.

4. Now give the dog a few breaths.

5. Repeat this cycle of compressions, finger sweeps, and artificial respiration breaths until your dog starts breathing by himself and dislodges the object.

Popularity: 38% [?]

Share This

Dogs are surprisingly complex creatures.

Some official estimates of the number of breeds reaches as high as 800 in Western countries alone. Even given that distinguishing one breed from another can be carried to absurd extremes, the variety is astonishing from a human perspective, who have, perhaps, a dozen ‘breeds’.

Complicating the picture still further is the well-known fact that dogs have descended from wolves but began domestic interaction with humans over 10,000 years ago. As a consequence, there are behaviors that develop regardless of circumstances and some that are as unique as the human the dog is paired with. Still, some common traits stand out.

Dogs are predators.

That doesn’t mean they necessarily hunt and attack every passing cat or rat, but the capacity is always in them. With acute hearing and head muscles that allow precise orientation of their ears, dogs can pick up a range of sounds and locate the source quickly and with high accuracy.

A dog’s field of vision is higher than that of humans. Their field of view has been estimated from 180-270 degrees, by comparison to a human’s 100-150 degrees, allowing them to track events better.

And, of course, there’s that famous sense of smell. Citing figures such as having 25 times as many scent-receptor cells or being able to sense concentrations 100 million times smaller than humans conveys the fact one way.

Another is to report behavior. Golden Retrievers, for example, can smell gophers through two feet of packed snow and a foot of frozen earth. And, they’ll dig through it to get to the gopher. That’s predatory behavior.

Dogs are social animals.

That’s common knowledge, of course. But, though known, it’s often ignored. Individuals will often lock a lone dog away in a garage or pen, or on a rope in the yard for long periods. This isolation from contact with humans and other animals invariably leads to fear and/or aggression and other forms of maladjustment. Dogs need companionship in order to develop healthy behavior.

Isolating a dog for brief periods can be a useful training technique. Fear of expulsion from the pack can incent overly assertive, alpha-status seeking dogs into alignment with the trainer’s goals. In any human-dog pair, the human must be the alpha (leader). The alternative is property destruction, human frustration and unsafe conditions for people and dogs.

But excessive time devoid of social interaction with another dog, the human, or even a friendly cat harms the dog’s psychology and leads to unwanted behavior. Even guard dogs have to be able to distinguish between external ‘threats’ and members of its own ‘pack’.

Dogs are exploratory.

Like the two-year-old humans at roughly their same mental level, dogs learn by exploring their environment. And like those humans, they can engage in destructive behavior. Dogs are no respecters of property. Training and an appropriately selected set of objects and suitable area can channel that behavior into something acceptable to humans and healthy for the dog.

Providing toys with characteristics very distinct from human property, such as rawhide bones rather than rubber balls that are hard to tell from children’s, leads to less confusion and misbehavior. In many cases, however, the problem is solved by scent. The dog’s toys may look like the child’s, but smell very different.

Some amount of digging may be inevitable as part of the dog’s exploration. Be prepared to patch holes in lawn if the dog is unsupervised for very long. Plants can usually be protected with cayenne pepper paste, bitter apple and other preparations.

Dogs are scavengers

Dogs will eat deer droppings, even when they have perfectly sound and ample diets. They’ll chew on dead rats, eat grass and ingest a wide variety of things that their own experience shows causes upset stomachs. And they’ll repeat the behavior day after day.

Acknowledging their limited ability to connect cause and effect when those are separated in time is a must in order to keep them healthy and safe.

Recognizing a dog’s nature, and working within in it rather than against it leads to less frustration for both human and dog. Enjoying the beneficial aspects, such as spontaneous dog hugs (leaning into a leg), paw offering and a head laid on the lap are just a few of the rewards.

Popularity: 40% [?]

Share This

You can get your Free Dog Training Report when you subscribe to our Weekly Dog Lover Newsletter packed with Dog Training, Dog Health and Dog Care Tips!

Here is some of what you will discover in this Ground Breaking Report:

Why So Many Dogs Are Way Out Of Control

Common Mistakes Dog Owners Unknowingly Make

How You Can Tell If Your Dog Is Out-Of-Control

The Top Ten Dog Problems Commonly Seen

Discover How You Could Be Causing These Problems In The First Place!

The 8 Proven Leadership Exercises To Re-Gain Control Of Your Dog!

The Importance Of Putting Together a Dog Training Plan Of Action!

Take a look by clicking on: Dog Lover Newsletter

Popularity: 63% [?]

Share This

Cats and dogs are notoriously famous for being thought of as arch enemies. From cartoons to movies, they are always being depicted as two animals that are always at each other’s throats. This makes it easy to assume that they are not meant to get along. However, there is a way for these two seemingly opposite pets to be friends and live under the same roof in peace.

The key to success when building a relationship between a cat and a dog has a lot to do with the individual traits possessed by each animal. It is generally easier to build this relationship by starting off by introducing a young kitten to a dog that is a bit older. Kittens are still a little bit more easy to mold than adult cats and while most cats will not eagerly run up to a dog to make friends, with a little bit of time an adjustment, it can be done

Expect some hissing and spitting from your kitten

When you bring home a new kitten and you begin initiating contact between your feline friend and your adult dog, you must be present at all times and expect the cat to display some fear by hissing and possibly spitting. This is just the way that cats express their fear as well as make an attempt to scare off a potential enemy. In order to prevent your dog from reacting back towards this behavior, just grab your kitten when you see the hissing reaction taking place and then place her back down again to associate with the dog. It just takes time.

Use the method of “exposed isolation” to help them get to know each other

Exposed isolation means just what it says: you want to isolate the cat in one area and the dog in another, yet have them both exposed so that they can see and stiff at each other. A great way to do this is to get a baby gate and separate the two animals on either side in a room. Your cat now enough area to roam free, as well as your dog. And when they get curious they will simply come closer to the gate and sniff each other out, slowly making friends.

Do not get your hopes up

You have to realize that not all cats and dogs will get along no matter how much conditioning and training you involve them in. Some dogs have an increasingly high amount of predatory drive, depending on their breed.

You have to remember that dogs are hunters and have a natural instinct to chase. Before you consider purchasing a kitten it would be wise to do some research and ask specific questions about the type of breed of dog you have. An obvious example would be trying to bring a kitten into the house where an adult pitbull is living. It doesn’t take much common sense to know that this would be a mistake.

Popularity: 28% [?]

Share This

If you have a new puppy in the house and are unclear about whether or not you should use yelling as a way to get him to stop doing something wrong or barking too much, then this should clear up your confusion. If anything, you should learn the simple fact that yelling at your dog it does nothing to fix a problem, stop what he’s doing, or induce any type of positive reinforcement.

Yes your dog may stop doing a certain activity temporarily after yelling at him, but he will only return to whatever behavior he was displaying which made you angry in the first place. Why? Because when you shout at your dog it does nothing to fix the issue, yelling only works as a temporary solution.

Most puppies think of their owners as other dogs. And when you start yelling at your pet, it only increases how excited he is about the situation. You also cause your dog to create a negative association between yelling and how he feels around you. He will soon start to connect yelling with the idea that he is disliked or unwanted, and will not have the ability to know that he is actually breaking a rule that you are trying to establish.

Not All Loud Voice Commands Are Bad

Even though yelling at your dog is considered to be of poor communication skills, there are definitely times when you need to firm up the tone of your voice and change the way you come across to him. There are three general forms of communication in terms of the way you speak to your dog that you can apply:

1. The soothing tone of voice. A soothing and delightful tone of voice should be used whenever you want to give praise to your dog. When you communicate this way, you should be able to relax and soothe him as opposed to creating excitability. Speaking to your puppy in a soothing tone of voice makes him feel secure and proud knowing that you are happy with him.

2. The second tone of voice used when communicating with your dog is more of a direct tone. A direct tone would be the same way you give commands to your puppy when you want to get his attention. It should be short, firm, and authoritative.

3. The third general tone of voice you can use with your dog is more of a disciplinary tone. However, you must learn to draw a fine line between a disciplinary tone and a yelling tone. Remember, you do not want to yell your dog but there are certainly times when you need to get across to him to back away from something quickly or to stop doing something immediately, all without actually scaring him off with shouting. Personally, I like to use two syllables such as “DOWN BOY” or “SPARKY NO”.

Popularity: 45% [?]

Share This

One of my subscribers wrote and asked if I would share the Dog lenses I have over at Squidoo with you.  So here is a list of some of the current ones which I hope you will find helpful:

How to Stop Your Dog From Digging

New Puppy Care

Dog Health Care

How To Deal With Dog Separation Anxiety

Homemade Dog Food Recipes

Dog Obedience Training

How To Potty Train a Dog

How To Potty Train a Puppy

How To Train a Dog

If you are interested I also have a lens on How To Succeed with Squidoo and I have also published a couple of ebooks which you can see at Squidoo Revealed!

Popularity: 100% [?]

Share This

Giving your puppy good food, healthy treats, and the necessary supplements will not only help him grow strong and healthy, but it will also affect his behavior and his ability to be trained to learn new things.

Every dog is different, and there are certain factors to consider when determining the diet program that will fit the needs of his growing body. However, there are also general rules that owners must follow to ensure that their pets are getting the balanced food and supplementation that their bodies require.

You May Want To Avoid Giving Your Dog Human Food

Most vets and breeders do not recommend adding table scraps to your dog’s diet. They will also likely tell you that the majority of commercial vitamin and mineral supplements that are available today are only a waste of money. When you give your puppy human food, he will not only get used to eating that type of food, but the difference in the taste of human food and dog food will cause him to reject his own food. He will become a finicky eater and it will be more difficult to get him back to eating his regular food.

Take It Easy On The Supplements

It is also not necessary to give your dog a separate vitamin and/or mineral supplement along with human food and his own food. The majority of supplements out there are ineffective and can even be dangerous to some level.

For example, providing your puppy with an extra calcium supplement is not at all beneficial. It doesn’t aid in bone growth, but actually does the opposite. In some cases, extra calcium in your puppy’s body can actually develop to certain types of bone problems. Adding a combination of supplements is just as harmful to your pet because they can create an imbalance to his diet.

Keep It Natural

Your puppy is better off with his own food, which is a good, commercial dog food specifically tailored to his needs (ask your vet for recommendation). In addition to the dog food, you may also give him a multivitamin such as Omega 3 oil and occasional liver tablets which, in my opinion, are one of the best treats you can give your dog. Omega 3 and liver tablets are available in most health food stores, pet stores, and online catalogs.

Other supplements to give your dog are natural, whole foods. A few examples of these are wheat grass, brewer’s yeast, bee pollen, and barley. These are food that contain nutrients from nature and will not interfere with the nutrients in your dog’s diet.

Don’t forget to check out Healthy Dog Food and Healthy Dog Food Advice

Popularity: 90% [?]

Share This

In today’s world the possibility of an emegency requiring evacuation of your home has become a reality we all have to live with. So we really need to think about what would happen if our family faced an emergency! Are you prepared? Have you made an evacuation plan in case of tornado, fire, hurricane, or any other natural disaster. What if there was an emergency evacuation of your area because of a chemical spill, again are you ready? Most people nowadays have thought of these things and prepared accordingly. However, have you thought about what would happen to your four legged family member? Being prepared for your dog’s safety is just as important.

How do you prepare to evacuate with a dog? Basically the same way you would for yourself. Think about what your dog needs every day. What about what he uses on a weekly basis. Does your dog take any type of medication? The following is a list of a few things that you might want to think about:

1. Food: You will need to pack at least a week’s worth of food (2 weeks would be even better). Don’t forget to pack some bowls as well. If you use canned food (or even if you don’t, you may have to use it in an emergency) remember to pack a can opener. Also any type of doggy treats that you use for your dog. This will help your dog feel a little more settled in what will be a very unsettling situation for him.

2. Medication: You will need to pack any prescription medication, if it needs to be refrigerated don’t forget to have an insulated bag to put ice in to keep it cold. Also think about any thing else your dog takes such as: heart worm medication, flea and tick controls, and ear medication. You will want to make sure to keep your pet healthy in an emergency situation.

3. Restraints: You will need to make sure you have a walking leash and a short leash (in case you are stranded in a crowd). If it is a possibility that you will be driving during an evacuation you will also need a harness to attach to the seat belt. Even if you don’t use one regularly, you may want to have a muzzle handy as well. You may have the most well behaved dog on the planet, but when everyone is running around, or in a crowd, you dog could very well misbehave with all the disturbance and excitement.

4. Bedding: Make sure you have a dog bed, blankets, and possibly a crate as a secure place to sleep. You will want your furry companion to be as comfortable as possible.

5. Familiar item: Just as you would when preparing for children, make sure you have some familiar toys for your pooch to play with. Not only will it possibly keep him occupied but may make him feel more secure away from home. A good tip is when you buy your dog a toy, buy an extra one for your emergency kit. Also in case you have to leave your dog in a shelter, an article of your clothing that you have worn may help your dog feel less insecure.

6. Important papers: Current shot records as well as registration papers should be sealed in a waterproof plastic bag. You may also want to include a recent photograph, in case you get separated from your dog.

7. Hotel listings: You may want to include in your kit a listing of dog friendly hotels with phone numbers. You may want to break this down into a 10 miles away, 20 miles away, 50 miles away, 100 miles away, etc. type list. In an emergency situation, you don’t want to be wondering which one to choose.

8. Basic care items: Don’t forget that your dog will need basic care just like yourself. Make sure to pack shampoo and brushes.

9. First aid kit: When packing your first aid kit don’t forget about your dog. Pack anything you may need to care for your dog if he is injured. Also you may want to talk to your vet about anything extra you will need to take care of your pet, such as what to use if your dog has an allergic reaction to something.

With some planning and forethought you can prepare for an emergency evacuation with your pet in mind. Your dog’s safety will depend on you, so plan well.

Shop now and save 10% on all pet supplies with CheapPetStore.com Coupon Code: CCP1

Popularity: 81% [?]

Share This

It’s really exciting for you and your family when you bring a new puppy home isn’t it! However, in the excitement don’t forget to address the basic needs of your puppy. The way to make sure this does not happen is to have your puppy’s supplies already bought and on hand before the big day. So let’s take a look at some of the things your puppy will need from the start of his new life with you.

Obviously one of the absolute basic supplies that you will need is food. This should be obvious, but you would be surprised at how often this is overlooked. You will need to check with the breeder to find out what food your puppy is already eating. You will need a supply of this type of food. If you are planning to change to a different brand, you will need to gradually change it over the course of about seven to ten days. Just add a little of the new brand to the old brand, adding a little more each day, until your puppy is eating just the new brand.

Of course, to go along with the food, you will need food and water bowls. These need to be made from easy to clean material. They also need to be heavy enough that they will not be easily tipped over by an excited young puppy. Since some breeds chew more than others, you may also want to avoid plastic altogether, as these can splinter and cause problems. A set of stainless steal bowls will take care of this problem and they are easy to clean.

After food, one of the most important items you will purchase for your new puppy is his crate. These can be found in many different styles and sizes. If you are bringing home a large breed dog, you will either want to buy a crate that is adjustable or buy several crates in different sizes to accommodate your growing puppy. This crate will become your puppy’s special place. This is where he will sleep, stay, and get away from all the household hubbub. This can also be his “safe” place, especially if you have children. This will become your puppy’s own little “den”. When you purchase your puppy’s crate, you should be sure that it is the right size. Your puppy should be able to stand comfortably, turn around, and lie without being cramped. It should not be so large though that your puppy has enough room to relieve himself at one end while having room to sleep at the other, you do not want your puppy to get in the habit of relieving himself in his crate.

When your puppy is ready to be taken outside, you will need to have him in a collar and on a leash. Your puppy’s first collar and leash should be made of lightweight nylon or leather. If you start your puppy from the very beginning wearing a collar and leash, it will be less of a challenge when you start training. You will need to make sure the collar fits properly. The way to do this is to add two inches to the puppy’s neck size. As your puppy grows you will need to check the collar to make sure it is not to tight. To go along with your puppy’s new collar, you will also need to have an identification tag attached. This tag should have your name, address, and telephone number (make sure you include area code). If your puppy was to stray, it could make the difference in you getting him back or not.

Another item to have on hand to use right from the start is your dog grooming tools. Establishing your puppy’s grooming routine early in his life will eliminate a lot of challenges later on. Hopefully your puppy will start to look forward to this time as time spent one on one with you, so do everything you can to make it a special time. The brushes and combs and other grooming supplies will depend on the breed you choose. Check with the breeder to determine which grooming supplies you will need.

Another thing you will need to establish from the very start of your puppy being a part of your family is what he is allowed to play with. Having toys already on hand will help establish his boundaries for what to play with. If you find your puppy playing with something unacceptable, you can very easily distract him with the proper toy, if you already have the toy on hand. Some good toys to consider are any large rawhide piece (chips, logs, or bone shaped), large nylon chews, and hard rubber balls. You want to find something that is made for puppies and cannot be torn apart, swallowed or splinters easily. You will want to avoid any toys that will fit completely into your puppies mouth, this can pose a serious choking hazard. Also, do not use toys that are meant to encourage tugging, these can unintentionally reinforce aggressive behavior. One last note on toys, do not let your new puppy chew on any old shoes or clothing. Puppies do not know the difference between the old things you gave them and any thing they find laying around, to them it is all fair game. Not only the damage that could be done to your pocessions, but this could also cause some serious safety issues for your puppy. Little pieces could be torn off and swallowed, possibly causing obstructions in the digestive tract.

Thinking ahead and doing a little planning before your new family member comes home will make the transition a lot smoother. It is much easier to have what you need on hand before you even need it. Then there won’t be any mad dashes to the store because you were not prepared.

Click Here to Browse the Petplanet.co.uk Pet Shop

Popularity: 86% [?]

Share This