7 Tips for Keeping Your Dog Warm in the Winter
By Emmy E Bill
When it's cold outside, all you want to do is go home, curl up in a warm bed and sip on hot chocolate? But what about dogs, how do they feel about the cold winter months? Some dogs live their lives primarily outdoors so they need and want to spend time outside every day. However, certain dogs are more negatively affected by the cold than others; particularly older pets or those with certain conditions like arthritis. There are plenty of ways for you to keep your dog warm this winter, follow the steps below!
1) Consider adopting a cold weather dog.
If you don't have a dog yet and you live in a cold climate, you could consider getting a dog that is bred to handle well and enjoy cold weather. Alaskan malamutes, Siberian huskies, and chow chows are great dogs for cold climate dwellers.
2) House your dog indoors.
Even though you may keep your dog outside when the weather is nice, you may not want to do this when it's cold. Housing your dog inside the house is the best way to keep him warm during the winter.
3) Pet jackets and sweaters.
It might sound silly, but there are cute garments like jackets and sweaters you can purchase to keep your pets warm; there is even waterproof clothing you can put on them for play time in the snow.
4) Invest in proper outdoor housing.
If your dog absolutely has to spend a lot of time outdoors, make sure he has proper shelter. Consider getting a doghouse with a sloped roof, insulation and possibly a heater (make sure the heater is 100% safe and meant for being run outdoors).
5) Soft bedding off the floor.
Keep your dog warm by placing soft bedding a few inches off the cold floor.
6) Make sure he's getting enough food.
Some dogs burn more calories during the winter while they're trying to stay warm. This may make him hungrier, so feed him a little more in the winter months if it seems he needs it.
7) Don't forget to give him attention.
Nothing keeps a dog warmer than a caring, playful, and attentive owner. Make sure you don't forget about your pet if you put him outside, and when the weather is really cold, let him stay inside.
Cold weather isn't always fun to deal with, especially for animals. Although they love playing in the snow, it's not as fun when they are cold. Also remember, dog's can get colds and various illnesses like humans. Keep your dog safe and healthy by keeping him warm this winter season.
We love pets! Probioticsmart.com knows your pet deserves the very best care possible, and we're here to help. Visit our blog for more information, tips and stories on all things pet nutrition and health and our site for all the pet supplies you need to help keep your pet happy and healthy!
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Home Remedies For Dog Constipation
By Ethan Allen
There comes a time in everyone's life when constipation rears its ugly head. The same holds true for dogs, unfortunately. Lack of exercise and proper diet can lead to bouts of constipation (sound familiar?). While you may seek a variety of ways to "eliminate" this problem in your own life, let's explore some home remedies for dog constipation which can be utilized in the eventuality it occurs in theirs.
As mentioned earlier, a proper diet and exercise are key components in ensuring your dog has the ability to move his bowels as often as necessary. House dogs usually need to be walked twice a day while maintaining a proper diet. If your dog becomes constipated, one method to alleviate this problem is by adding one to two teaspoons of bran to his meal. This allows for extra moisture in the stool.
Another method to soften the stool would be to add psyllium (Metamucil in the adult world) to his diet. Half a teaspoon twice a day, in addition to drinking plenty of water, will suffice. A third option would be mineral oil. This may be used in cases where there is a large build-up of hard stool. Two teaspoons, twice a day should be added to his meal, but for only a week. There are several other steps you can take to alleviate your dog's constipation. Keep his food moist by adding a bit of water. If your dog is getting on in years, add some raw meat and vegetables to his diet.
There are certain signs which can alert you to potential problems, and for which you can take immediate steps. Long hair on dogs can cause feces to become entangled; therefore, keep your dog properly groomed. Dogs tend to eat everything in sight, ensure no bones or other material has been ingested. Just as we experience constipation due to certain medications, dogs are no exception. Psychological stress is another indicator relating to constipation.
While it has been suggested that all breeds and dogs of any age are prone to constipation, there are other aspects which you may need to consider, and for which many dog owners are culpable. Never feed your dog from the dinner table. While you may indulge the dog with a few scraps here and there, you are contributing to his constipation.
Foods that contain flour, sugar, rice, dairy and high protein are the main source of the problem. Ice cream, cookies, bread, chocolate, or other unhealthy food items can cause your dog unnecessary pain. As mentioned earlier, a lack of fiber and dehydration are common causes. Another cause for concern would be a condition known as mega colon. This simply means your dog has an inflamed colon which prevents the discharge of feces.
The time to visit the vet will become evident when your dog's inability to defecate is hampered by a decreased appetite, passing blood in minimal amounts, and overall lethargy. Keep in mind, contributing to the overall health of your dog should be of the utmost importance. A dog's love is unconditional, therefore, he or she is totally dependent upon you to maintain a healthy and harmonious life. Be ever vigilant to any signs of stress and ensure his diet and exercise regimen is appropriate and on-going.
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Dogs are often considered as man's best friend - literally. German Shepherds are some of the favorites. It is not questionable nowadays to desire getting our canine friends enjoy the other half of luxury- other than sniffing each other. Dogs now not only dine in style, they dine like us! Here are some dog food recipes for german shepherds that you might want your old canine friend to chow on:
Recipe One
Ingredients:
2.5 kgs of ground beef (or if you prefer, lamb)
Half a cup of brown rice
2 Broccoli (pick only the stalks)
3 potatoes of medium size
3 carrots (moderate in size)
4 garlic (into cloves)
Fry the lamb in the pan until brown. Then, place on chopped garlic until it turns golden.
Boil water of about 4 or 5 cups in the pot. While the pot is boiling, dish out chop potatoes (already chopped into cubes of preference) in the fry pan and stir. Chop broccoli according to your preference and place this in the pot. Mix everything in the pot and place adequate hot water.
Add pepper and mix it with the brown rice.
Recipe Two
Ingredients:
1 and 1/2 cup of hazelnuts
4 ounces of chopped bittersweet chocolate
4 ounces of chopped milk chocolate
1 bar of unsalted butter
1/4 cup of Nutella
1/2 cup of all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
1/2 cup of white sugar
2 pieces of eggs
First, you need to toast and skin hazelnuts. Then place it in the food processor and pulse hazelnuts to coarsely ground.
Have the chocolates mix with butter and Nutella then cool moderately. Then add eggs and whisk it until it is glossy and smooth.
Sift flour and place in hazelnuts and chocolate together. Mix until they are totally combined.
Grease pan and dust cocoa powder and place in butter. Bake for 350 degrees Fahrenheit for a duration of 40 minutes.
To check if the baking is adequate, pick the brownie with a toothpick. It should crumbs stuck to it. Crumbs should be fudgy in texture. It indicates that this adequately baked.
Cool brownies and divide it.
Note: For recipe #2, give it to your dog maybe twice a month only to replenish calories lost especially if your dog is the playful one. Just like humans, chocolate is not bad for your dog if eaten in moderation.
Your dog will surely love these delicious dog food recipes for german shepherds!
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Charlene J. Nuble is a healthcare professional who loves writing about women's issues, parenting, pets and other health related stuffs. To learn more about Dog Food Recipes For German Shepherds... Click Here!
Every dog needs exercise. Most trainers and canine experts recommend at least 30 to 45 minutes of exercise for your dog (provided your dog is healthy enough to endure exercise) every single day. This can provide numerous behavior and health benefits. It should be noted that the walk is more valuable than other types of exercise (such as chasing the ball or running with other dogs at the dog park) because it offers training opportunities and helps to build the human and animal bond. However, proper dog walking is a little more complicated than just putting on the leash and heading out the front door. For the best results, consider some of the following best practices:
* Always walk with your dog beside you or behind you. You are the leader and the dog is the follower. When the dog is out in front, this helps reinforce the idea that they are in control of the relationship.
* Try not to walk your dog in the heat of the day. Canines do have sweat glands like people. In addition to that, they are stuck with a fur coat year round. As such, try not to walk them during the hottest time of the day, especially in the summer. It may not be a bad idea to bring water along for the dog to drink if showing signs of overheating.
* Do not play tug of war. There should typically be a bit of slack in the leash. If your dog is constantly pulling you and you are providing tension back - this is a behavioral issue that needs to be corrected. Consult with a trainer or professional if you are unable to remedy this yourself.
* Beware of other dogs. Do not let your pet approach other animals on a whim. Make sure that you have cleared it with the other dog's owner before allowing your animals to do a meet and greet. Just because your dog plays well with others does not mean that other dogs will respond in kind.
* Pick the right leash or collar. Not every leash / collar combination is perfect for every dog. Some dogs will view harnesses as a challenge to pull. Others may find a pincher collar to be too rough and painful. The collar that is typically the best fit for your dog is the one that provides the greatest amount of comfort while still generating the intended responses.
* Make sure your dog is wearing their tags. Even if you have the best behaved dogs, weird things can happen. You could be distracted and the dog may slip its leash chasing after another animal or something of that ilk. Make sure it is wearing its vaccination and identification tags to ensure the highest probability of its safe and timely return.
* Don't be afraid to make a pit stop. This is especially true if you are just starting. Your animal may need a break to rest and get a drink.
* Finally - have fun! The walk is a good opportunity for you and your pet to get exercise. It also represents a great bonding experience with your four legged best friend. They will appreciate it more than you will ever know.
By Felix Chesterfield III
Please Contact for:
Greensboro dog walker
Greensboro dog walking
Dog walker, dog walking, dog exercise
Do you have a dog that is prone to urinary problems? Are you wondering how you can treat dog urinary problems and yet at the same time prevent them from recurring? Do you want to know what kind of diet will lower the risk of urinary problems and improve your dog's health? You will find the answers to these questions in this article.
If your dog is suffering from a urinary problem, you can choose to treat it with either prescription drugs and natural remedies.
Treating dog with urinary problem with prescription drugs
Most of us have got used to the idea of treating canine urinary problems with antibiotics. This is a necessary specific therapy that will help to eliminate infection from the body. There is a chance that your dog will not tolerate a particular antibiotic well, although a veterinarian can adjust the medication as needed.
Treating dog with urinary problem with natural remedies
Natural remedies differ from antibiotics in a number of ways. Unlike antibiotics, they do not specifically address the infection. Instead, homeopathic products are formulated to support the health of the urinary system, so that your dog can naturally keep bacteria from colonizing or taking hold in the urinary tract.
They are not used instead of antibiotics, but with antibiotics to reduce the severity of symptoms and strengthen the a dogs urinary system to the point where it naturally protects itself from infection. In the case of mild infection, this might be all you need, although this is more a decision for you and your veterinarian and the results of any testing such as an urinalysis.
When purchasing a natural remedy, avoid any product that contains chemicals, flavors, colors, or any other additives. The product you choose should contain 100% natural ingredients and should be free of chemicals. Look for a product that contains well-known homeopathic remedies like berberis vulg, uva ursi, cantharis, and staphysagris. Also make sure the product you choose is manufactured in a GMP compliant laboratory under the supervision of qualified pharmacists and homeopaths.
Visit the manufacturer's website before you buy their products and look for information such as customer testimonials and money back guarantee details. These are some of the factors that indicate that the manufacturer is confident of the quality of their product.
Along with conventional and supportive treatment approaches, make sure you are feeding your dog a high quality AAFCO certified dog food from a reputable manufacturer. Also, make sure that your dog has a constant supply of clean water. Add some berry based juice to the water for extra protection, as berries have properties that help to keep bacteria from clinging to the bladder walls.
What you need to remember is very simple. The combination of healthy food, clean water, and a regular dose of homeopathic remedies can contribute to the way you treat dog urinary problems and stop them from recurring. Initially use a specific therapy such as antibiotics to treat any infection, particularly in more advanced cases. So, follow the tips given above and take good care of your dog.
Jeff Grill is an editor of the Pet Health Guide, which has additional information on how to treat dog urinary problems.
For information on natural or homeopathic approaches the author recommends this site on treating dog with urinary problem.
Buying commercial dog toys [http://www.dogtoys-4less.com] can be very expensive at times. You are also not 100% sure if they are safe to your canine pet. Some dog toys contain deadly toxins and chemicals that may be detrimental to your dog's health. Other pet chews and toys also have lead components that can cause vomiting, poor appetite and dog's diarrhea.
Though dog toys are not a necessity, they can play an important role in sustaining your dog agility while training him to be independent and boosting his confidence. They can also provide entertainment and keep your dog preoccupied and physically active all day long.
To make sure that the toys you give to your k9 are safe and non-toxic, why not make simple homemade dog toys yourself? Here are a few ideas on how to make dog toys from recyclable materials that can be found in comfort of your home:
Rope Dog Toy
To make this simple homemade dog toy, an old towel or handkerchief and scissors will be needed. Cut about 4 inches of strips of towel along the end then bundle the strips together to create a knot. Afterwards, braid your strips together and until 3 inches from the end. Voila, as simple as that, you have a nice little rope dog toy!
Gutless Fleece Dog Toy
You will need 9 feet of rope and a can of 3 tennis balls. Begin by placing one tennis ball in a clamp. With the use of a drill, make a hole through the tennis ball. Next, thread the rope through the holes. Tie a simple knot near the ball. Knot the ends of the rope to avoid fraying. Finally, tie a second knot near the ends of the rope.
Water Bottle Dog Toy
Making this homemade dog toy is so easy. All you need are an empty water bottle and popcorn kernels. The bottle can either be small or large in size. Start by unscrewing the top off the bottle and place about a tablespoon of popcorn kernels inside.
Rope Dog Chews
If you have old ropes that are not being used, tie several knots at each end to make a homemade dog toy for fetching and chewing.
The abovementioned ideas for homemade dog toys can help you save a great deal of money. Bear in mind, however, that you need to supervise your dog whenever he plays with these homemade dog toys. Check them for any damage to avoid choking or the ingestion of parts.
The author is dog trainer connected to a company that offers a wide variety of dog toys, dog leash and dog strollers at affordable prices.
Heart worms in Dogs - What They Are & What to Do For Your Pet
Heart worms are parasitic worms that happen to be well-known in both cats and dogs. Like their specific name suggests, they reside in the animals heart, usually free-floating inside the right ventricle and also surrounding blood vessels. The worms can be transmitted from dog to dog from mosquitoes which pass the worm larvae through their saliva. Currently the presence of this worm can be very dangerous to your dog's health. Despite the fact that the pet will not display signs of illness until it has advanced considerably, this parasite can easily be deadly and are sometimes hard to detect and diagnose.
Symptoms of Infection of Heart worms in Dogs:
When a dog is first carrying the parasitic worm, your dog will show no signs.Even a blood test can't detected them in the beginning stages. When the worm larva reaches the heart and matures, however, signs that are detectible by X-ray start to develop quickly. This also includes damage to the blood vessels around the heart and lungs. It is rare that your dog will be infected by only one worm and because the mature worms within the heart grow larger and number, the conditions worsen, eventually causing a blockage of blood flow. It is typically at this point where the dog will begin to display physical signs which can include pain, hypertension, trouble with breathing, lethargy or even fainting. In extremely progressed cases the puppy or dog can end up with having a major heart problem by the time this disease has reached this stage and the owner has probably realized that something is happening and sought veterinary care,but in some cases this might be to late and the dog has died.
Treating The Worms in Dogs:
After the dog is diagnosed as having heart worms, treatment needs to be started. What this treatment is and just how it is administered depends on the stage of the infection.
Generally, there are four stages of this disease.
Stage One - Dogs at the lowest risk - the worms are detected in X-rays but all other tests appear normal.
Stage Two - Dogs are moderately infected, sometimes have some difficulty breathing and be demonstrating coughing.
Stage Three - Dogs are severely affected & may display weight reduction, have a problem breathing, blood tests likely show kidney and/or liver damage.
Stage Four - Dogs have Vena Cava Syndrome and are also in shock, essentially dying - surgery may be undertaken to get rid of worms, but there is no promise that it'll save your dog.
In the case of heart worms in dogs, prevention truly is one of the best medicine. The perfect time to start with a preventative treatment is at the start of puppy-hood, before the dog is seven months old since dogs older than seven months are at a great risk for side effects to the preventative treatments.
Tips on how to Prevent Heart worms in Dogs:
Regular preventive treatments work nicely and are highly recommended by veterinarians. They'll save you the expense of rescue treatments, and more importantly, could possibly help your pet avoid a great deal of pain. The majority of preventive treatments kill any immature worms that enter the body, before they have a chance to grow and cause serious damage. Besides, most monthly heart worm preventives have activity against intestinal parasites, as stated by the American Heart worm Society (AHS). Many of these intestinal parasites could also infect people--another good reason to utilize preventive treatments.There are a number of FDA-approved heart worm preventives in the marketplace, in a wide variety of different formulations. These include daily or monthly chewable tablets like HeartGuard or monthly topical (skin) treatments. In case you have trouble remembering a monthly treatment, ask your vet about injections that provide protection up to six months. Your veterinarian can help choose the best preventive treatment and method of administration for your own dog.Before placing your family dog on heart worm preventive, your veterinarian will likely conduct a simple blood screening to make certain your puppy isn't already infected. Using preventive treatments with infected dogs won't kill existing adult heart worms and may cause severe complications. Your veterinarian may schedule regular tests in the future to ensure your canine remains heart worm free.
For more information on Basic Dog Care Tips or If you would like to learn more about training your dog from someone who is training her three dogs herself at home,then check out my site at http://nothinbutretrievers.com. I offer both basic and advance dog training advice.
New tips for picking up dog waste are sorely needed. We have been following the same procedure and using the same mode of operation for far too long for this necessary task. The dog poop bags will remain the same. There has been a huge variety available for years, including biodegradable, scented, colored or even patterned options. It is what we decide to do with these dog waste bags that will change. These new tips will propel us into the future as we happily endorse these changes.
The first needed tip is how we remember to carry how dog poop bags and how we choose to carry them. Remembering to bring them with us on our outings has always been a challenge. Hopefully, they are stored by our leash so we remember to scoop them up as we head out the door with our canine friend. However, often we forget and must return back home when we remember. Or sadly, we do not remember until our best friend has done their daily duty and then we quickly walk away in the hopes that no one else was watching us. Unfortunately, this is a very common occurrence and one that has increased the environmental and health dangers caused by dog waste. Remembering our bags is vitally important for us and for others. Once we have remembered our bags, our choice of how to carry them is also important. Stuffing them in our pockets must change. The potential to weaken or tear the bag which will be holding our pet feces is increased by treating them in this way.
Remembering and carrying our bags is now made much simpler and safer with the explosion of dog poop bags holders on the market. This unique poop pouch will have a constant supply of poop bags in the interior pocket, so remembering the bags on every outing is a thing of the past. And the secure and safe storage and way to carry the bags will properly protect them from tears or rips.
Our second tip is what we do with our poop bags once they are full of dog poop. We have usually tied them to our leash or held them in our hand while walking home or to the nearest receptacle. This too must change. Dog waste contains many disease-causing organisms including bacteria, parasites, worms and their eggs. These dog poop bags must be protected from breakage, spillage, rips or tears. They are also an ugly, medieval site to be displaying to others as we walk along.
The new dog waste bags holder will protect the bags full of pet feces and also protect the sight of others by removing the disgusting dog poop bags from their view. And the new poop pouch will accept more than one bag.
Our third tip concerns our health after using our dog poop bags. Dog poop causes disease and it causes many more diseases than those caused by human feces. Yet we wash our hands after using toilet facilities and haven't been doing the same after handling dog poop. This too must change. We must wash our hands after picking up after our canine friend.
The sanitary dog poop bags holder has room for a small bottle of hand sanitizer. This is simple and easy to use and must be used every time after handling dog waste. Since it is carried at all times in our poop pouch and is also easily and readily available, this practice will become widely accepted once we make it a part of our routine and display its importance to others.
Bonus tip: The dog waste bags holder also has room for other needed necessities when out with our best friend. There are interior & exterior pockets for dog training supplies, treats, park passes, wallets, cell phones and more. There is also a handy clip for keys, flashlights or a dog poop bags dispenser. This extra storage in our poop pouch which is always carried with us will also be appreciated.
New ways of doing things will be gladly accepted if they make our lives more pleasant, safer and healthier. For these reasons, these new tips for using our dog poop bags have been readily accepted and appreciated by many. Consider adding this new and unique poop pouch to your life with your canine companion and add a bit more pleasure and sparkle to your life. And while you are picking up dog waste, also help teach others they ways of the future.
Please consider this new, discreet, convenient and safe way to carry your dog poop bags and your hand sanitizer.
This convenient poop pouch will safely and discreetly carry your poop bags and also has interior and exterior pockets for empty plastic bags, dog training supplies and an inverted bottle of hand sanitizer, along with a handy clip for a dog poop bags dispenser, keys or a flashlight. This is the new way to carry your dog waste bags. It is convenient, discreet, and sanitary
Food treats are the best way to reward a dog for being efficient and active in training or for being so kind and affectionate to the masters. Food rewards are said to be the best way of building good behavior in dogs. Masters can also make them happier by giving birthday food treats by ordering cakes in a dog bakery.
The food products baked in dog bakery are usually made with all natural ingredients which will be healthy and delightful for pets. No artificial calamities are added to give artificial color and growth. The ultimate aim of the dog bakery is to provide proper nourishment and healthy growth to the dogs by adding sufficient natural ingredients which dog usually prefer to eat. The ingredient usually contains fiber-rich minerals, wheat flours, purified milk, chocolates and vegetable oils which are always considered as healthy nutrients. It�s better to avoid heavy meat solids, onion, garlic, grapes and nuts since it may be toxic and harmful to dogs sometimes. Most of the products are baked in favor of dog�s tastes and ingredients which dogs don�t like to eat are normally avoided. All the healthy ingredients like milks and vegetables are directly taken from farms in order to maintain the freshness of the product.
Foods treats are rewarded to dogs in order to encourage them and to provide vitamin rich nutrients to keep them healthy. There are also different flavors of baked cakes available especially for dogs. Flavors like chocolate, strawberry, vanilla will be preferable for dogs to eat. The ingredients used in these flavors are original peanut butter, molasses, natural cheese, honey and milk. All the ingredients used are top favorite for dogs so they will enjoy eating the food treat for sure. These food treat cake biscuits are available in different sizes and shapes in which dogs can choose for the best suitable one.
There are some bakeries providing healthy meat enriched with normal food items for meat preferred dogs. But it is also necessary to check whether the meat contained is freshly made or not.
Allergies are most common among dogs due to intake of some non-suitable food ingredients like fatty oils and nuts. Before providing food treat to dogs, it is must to check for the ingredient content added in food with some medical specialists especially during the period of illness. Usually foods made of high fat solids and chicken made nuts may cause harmfulness to dogs. It�s better to avoid those ingredients in order maintain healthiness for your pets. Dog bakery shops may offer food items with low pricings in order to attract customers by providing low quality ingredients, so it is necessary to consider those precautions before ordering food cakes. Hope the above said facts will be helpful for you to know about the guidelines on dog food treats.
Jackboy's dog bakery is considered as one of the leading dog food bakers providing quality food products for dogs. They also offer dog birthday cakes specially made with natural ingredients for dogs. To know more about the services they provide kindly visit the website at http://www.jackboydogbakery.com/
Does your dog have breath like death warmed over? Do you cringe when she gives you doggy kisses? Is her breath making your kids faint? Then it's time to do something about your dog's breath. Luckily, there are some answers.
Dogs can have bad breath for lots of reasons. One of the most basic reasons is because they are eating some very foul things. Do you know what your dog has been eating? For instance, does your dog eat dog poop outside? Does your dog get in the cat litter box? These are two common causes of bad doggy breath and they are both preventable.
If your dog is eating doggy poop outside you should do the following:
1. Make sure you keep your yard picked up. Pick up poop as fast as your dogs make it so they won't have a chance to eat it.
2. If your dog still finds poop to eat, add some pineapple or meat tenderizer to his food. Both of these ingredients will make poop taste unappetizing to him (as if it needs something to make it taste bad!). Or, you can look for products for this purpose at your pet supply store.
3. Make sure that cat litter boxes are kept in places where your dog cannot get to them, such as a special room for the cat, or in high places.
Finally, check to see if your dog is eating other nasty-tasting things outside. Is he eating dead birds or dead squirrels? If your dog is eating carrion or rotting flesh then it could very easily give him bad breath.
Next, check your dog's teeth. What do they look like? If you have a young dog then your dog's teeth should be pearly white. Even older dogs should have teeth that are mostly white, though they may show some signs of wear. If your dog has teeth that are brown, yellow, green or which have obvious cavities or broken teeth; you have likely found the source of your dog's bad breath. You need to take your dog to the vet. He may do doggy dental work himself or he may refer you to a doggy dentist.
In some cases your dog may simply need his teeth cleaned. This is usually done by giving your dog anesthesia and scaling all of his teeth while he's asleep. Your dog can also fix any cavities or pull any bad teeth while your dog is asleep. In some cases a dog may need a root canal in order to save a tooth.
Most dogs will need their teeth cleaned by a vet at least once in their lives. Good dental care will prevent bacteria from these bad teeth from getting into your dog's bloodstream and going to his heart. As your dog ages, bad teeth can also prevent him from eating, so it's very important to keep your dog's teeth in good shape.
If your dog's teeth aren't at this dire stage you can still make his breath better by starting to care for his teeth regularly. If you brush your dog's teeth at least once a week with dog toothpaste and a dog toothbrush you can avoid most dental problems and keep his breath nice.
There are also a number of good dental chews recommended for dogs that can help to freshen their breath. Check your pet supply store for dental chews for dogs and other things to freshen your dog's breath.
Tristan Andrews is a freelance author who writes about dog information and dog training.
Finally, check what you're feeding your dog. Canned food tends to stick to your dog's teeth more and can cause bad breath. Dry food may be slightly better from a breath stand point. People who feed a raw diet say that their dogs have the cleanest teeth and the freshest breath.
Tristan Andrews is a freelance author who writes about dog information and dog training.
Dogs are pack animals and thus social by nature. However, just as with people, some dogs socialize better than others. Some dogs even have problems socializing with the other sex (That sounds human!). Still considering that dog are pack animals it is weird that some dogs find it difficult to get acquainted to other dogs.
Dog owners often have other dogs and pets visiting or living with them. To make sure all animals live peacefully together is not something that happens on its own. When on top of that your neighbours' dog visits your premises every now and again and the ocasional cat wandering through the garden, you better be prepared.
To prevent potential problems you better prepare your dog by socializing him as soon as possible. When dogs grow up, very much like adults, it's more difficult for them to learn the rules of social behavior. It's very important to expose your dog at the earliest age possible to other people and dogs. When they are still puppies the whole world is new and wonderful and they are very open to new experiences.
When your puppy has received all his vaccines it time to meet other dogs and people. It is important that many different people touch him especially in sensitive places like ears, toes and close to the eyes. This will make the visit to the vet much easier. Off course he needs to meet as many other dogs and animals as possible.
Dogs like to sniff each other. When they're about to meet another dog you should control the set until you're confident that both dogs won't start fighting. Only after that you can let them explore the other dog.
If your puppy likes to jump on or bite other dogs, see if the other dog corrects him in a gentle dog manner. You should only interfere when one of the dogs is at the point of getting injured. Just stay near your puppy for an emergency intervention, just in case. You might want to bring a pair of gloves if you expect fighting.
Sometimes they start barking which can be annoying. You can try to make him stop by giving him a treat or give him his favorite squeeky toy. If that doesn't help, just go home and come back the following day. You'll have to learn what works best for your dog, because each dog is different when it comes to behaving around other dogs. Just take your time and learn how your dogs socializes best.
If you have a (adult) dog that comes from a rescue shelter and you don't know his past you might need more time to teach him proper dog behavior. Many of these type of dogs have had bad experiences in the past and it might take them some more time to trust other dogs and humans again. They might be violent or shy, but whatever the way they react, bear in mind that many of these dogs turn in to wonderfully adapted animals with a little bit of love from their owners.
With socializing it is very important to begin as soon as possible. Expose your puppy to as many other dogs as possible and you'll have a perfectly socially adapted dog.
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Have you taken a good look at your dog lately? Is he/she overweight? I know it's hard not giving them treats, leftovers, and too much food. But just like us, being overweight is dangerous for any dog, especially the bigger and the very small breeds.
And if they don't get a good amount of exercise, too much weight can put a lot of pressure on their hearts. A good brisk walk a couple times a day is good for you and you're dog. Couch potato dogs are never a good thing health wise. We all need a little calorie burning exercise everyday to keep that weight down.
You can still give your dog treats and food. You just need to make sure it's got good healthy nutritional content rather than fat and sugar. Most of the commercial dog treats sold have little nutrition and mostly sugar and byproducts. Not a good thing for your favorite pet.
Don't believe me? Take a look at the label next time you go to buy some dog treats. If the contents have corn syrup, artificial colors (dye), and multiple preservative chemicals then all you have is junk food. This applies to your regular dog food too. Dogs don't need byproducts filler, corn syrup, artificial coloring, and a bunch of chemicals to make it stay fresh
A lot of dogs have medical problems due to over eating and too much good tasting but low nutrition food. Dogs don't know any better, I'm fairly certain my dog would eat rocks if I put a little corn syrup and artificial flavoring on them. It's up to us to try and provide a nutritious diet to our dogs. And limit the amount of food they consume everyday.
There are some high end (read expensive) healthy commercial dog treats available. Check the price per ounce and I'll bet you'll be surprised at the high cost. You could probably buy your dog some of the best cuts of meat for the price you pay for those special treats.
So what's a good solution? Well, you can pay those high prices for the commercial healthy dog treats, that's one way. Or you can make your own dog treats with some simple ingredients that provide the right amount of nutrition and taste good too. Here's a real easy and quick recipe:
Healthy Dog Biscuits
* 2 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
* 1/2 cup powdered milk 1
* teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1 egg
* 6 tablespoons vegetable oil
* 8 tablespoons water --(8 to 10)
* 2 jars of Baby food, Meat, Beef, Strained -- *Note: Strain. Use beef, chicken or lamb
Mix all ingredients together and knead for 3 min. Roll out to `/1 inch thick. Use a dog bone shaped cookie cutter, and place biscuits on an un-greased baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 min., makes approximately 2 dozen dog biscuits.
You can also be very selective in what you give your dog as leftovers. High protein and low in fat leftovers are fine. A dog does need some fat, just like we do for a well balanced diet. A steak or roast bone is good, just don't smother it in gravy and include the cut off fat you didn't want to eat. Vegetables are good too, they provide the vitamins and minerals necessary for good nutrition. Avoid giving your dog gravy, butter, trimmed fat of any kind, cookies and dessert items, and fried foods in general.
Limit their amount of dog food each day to the recommended amounts by weight of your dog. Don't leave food out for constant munching. Give them enough food to provide good nutrition each day but don't let them eat all day long or whenever they want.
Your dog will be healthier, have fewer medical problems, and live longer with a good nutritious diet. Clean and fresh water and daily exercise will keep them in good shape too. And there's a good chance you'll save money on vet bills too.
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Panic attack in dogs comes on suddenly and can be triggered by booming noises such as the sharp sound of gun shots, fireworks or even rumbling thunder. The fight or flight instinct kicks in big-time, but since fighting an invisible entity is not possible, some dogs will panic and blindly run for survival. For dogs who are protected within a fenced yard or confined inside a building, there is nowhere for them to go. So they turn all of that "flight" energy into outward detrimental behavior or they internalize it, causing severe shaking, whining, panting, and raised heart rate.
No one really understands why some dogs experience these panic attacks and others show no signs of anxiety during the same circumstances. In a home of two or more dogs, one may sleep right through a powerful thunderstorm, while another dog has a panic attack and seems to be totally lost within its fear.
If you have adopted a rescued dog, its previous history may be unattainable. It could have included some type of incident that caused a deathly fear of certain situations or abrasive sounds. If only they could tell us. On second thought, I'm not sure I would want to know. Anyway, you may never know the reason behind the panic, but it's really not as important as helping your dog learn to relax rather than react.
I honestly believe that a panic attack in dogs is much the same as it is in people. I don't believe we really understand why a number of people suffer from panic attacks and yet others don't. Fortunately for us, humans are able to seek out guidance to help us conquer our anxieties.
Dogs don't have any methods or dealing with an anxiety or panic attack. They have no means of working through it or of understanding how to overcome this panic they are experiencing.
That is where we, as their caretakers, must intervene and find methods to help overcome this panic attack in dogs.
To begin with, I have to emphasize the necessity of not chastising your dog for running away or destroying something during a panic attack. Your dog is reacting to something he doesn't understand. By punishing him you will be adding to the already high level of anxiety your dog is experiencing, possibly escalating any further episodes.
I do believe that a dog who has undergone some obedience dog training will have an advantage over an untrained dog in that your trained dog may be able to be distracted from its fear somewhat by obedience commands. This is not always the case with extreme anxiety, because it does seem to dominate any previous training, but with mild cases of panic attack, distraction with obedience work may help.
Sedatives are one option for calming a panic attack in dogs. This is not a method I would recommend because it doesn't solve the problem. It will only temporarily mask the situation. Your dog will be listless and debilitated for a few hours and each dog may react a little differently to each sedative.
Some sedatives will slow down your dog's reactions yet not calm the panic within. He will still experience the distress caused by the noise or other stimulant without being able to do anything about it. If you have tried other options that have failed and decide to use a sedative, please do some research on the side effects of the specific sedative you will be using.
The ultimate goal is to help your dog defeat its terror and get through a nerve wracking event without the anxiety that has plagued him in the past.
Another tool for helping overcome a panic attack in dogs is the anxiety wrap. You can find this as the Original Anxiety Wrap and the Thundershirt. The anxiety wrap is a snugly fitting shirt that exerts deep touch pressure on pressure points to soothe a dog during stress. It is similar to the swaddling of an infant to help it feel secure. This does not work for every dog or every stressful situation, but it may help many dogs. Some are helped immediately, others might take several times of using the anxiety wrap to slowly lessen the extreme panic they have experienced so many times.
One other option for helping your dog to get over its extreme fear is by gradually exposing it to the very thing that terrifies it, such as rolling thunder. You would begin with a tape recording of thunder. Play it at a very low level, offering your dog treats, to play ball, to dance around and have fun. Your dog will learn to associate fun things with the noise it has previously deemed terrifying. Increase the stimulation gradually, but not until your dog has accepted each level with no signs of anxiety.
There are a number of options to work through a panic attack in dogs. There really is no reason to simply watch your dog deal with the terror it feels. It may take some research, seeking advice from trainers and an abundance of patience, but it will be worth it on that day when you are in the middle of a thunderstorm and your dog is lying peacefully on its bed.
Karleen Lindsey has worked with dogs for many years. In her work fostering rescue dogs and in her grooming career, she has observed many behavior issues. She works extensively to help each dog break through the barriers of fear and anti-social behavior, with patience being the primary key to success. To learn more, visit her site at http://www.anxietywrapreviews.com.
