Dogs - Man's Best Friend.Proper dog care

Dogs have been known as man's best friend for decades. Owning a dog can be a positive, enjoyable experience for the entire family. Keep in mind however, that the decision to own a dog is an important one that should not be taken lightly.

A dog is not just a fun diversion or entertaining gift. Owning a dog requires a commitment from you that will last the lifetime of the dog.
The responsibilities of owning a dog and the joys of owning a dog hold an equal place of importance. If you are considering bringing a dog into your family, here are some important considerations for you to keep in mind.

A dog is an important member of the family. If you live in a city, you will need to devote a lot of time to walking the dog, ensuring that the dog gets plenty of exercise and fresh air, and you will most likely be taking your dog along on family excursions and trips.

If you live in a country setting, you will need to ensure the safety of your dog and protect the dog from the hazards that come from a rural setting. Holidays and special occasions will include the dog and you may even find yourself including the dog in family portraits and gift giving occasions.

Dogs bring companionship and joy to any family. The time and effort you spend caring for your dog will be returned to you in the form of the lifelong loyalty and friendship that you will receive from your dog.

The dog will provide you with a friend to talk to, be an entertaining companion, and can also provide a sense of security and protection for your family. Individuals who are confined to their home or the elderly will find great joy in owning a dog and the problem of loneliness will be greatly reduced.

Because you will spend a lot of time caring for your dog in the form of walks and playtime, a dog can be a big health benefit for the owner. You may find yourself exercising more than you ever have before, and talking to your dog is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety.

Owning a dog is beneficial to you and your family and the dog will be forever loyal and grateful for the time you invest in its care.

As unlikely as it may seem, owning a dog can introduce you to new friends that last a lifetime. Walking your dog, training classes, and romps through the park are great ways to come in contact with others who share your interests and love of dogs.

You can be certain that your dog will bring you joy in your private life and introduce you to other dogs lovers as well.

Owning a dog can be equated to raising a child. You must be a responsible parent to your dog just as you would to a child. You can rest assured that being a responsible, loving dog owner will bring you many benefits, the most important of which is the trust and friendship of a pet who will love you unconditionally for its entire life.

 Owning a dog is a big responsibility and can even be costly when you factor in trips to the vet, having the dog groomed, and taking care of unexpected medical expenses. The hardships involved in dog ownership are well worth your time and money. You will never find a more loyal, devoted friend than a dog who loves you unconditionally.

Keith Kingston is a professional web publisher, offering information on puppy names [http://dogs.allspecialoffers.com/] and boxer dogs [http://dogs-365.com]

Treating the arthritis problem in my dog, Proper dog care

Before you decide to give your dog canine arthritis medicine you should understand what arthritis is and why medication will ease your dog's symptoms.

Arthritis in dogs is just like in humans, it is when a joint becomes inflamed. It can be very painful, swell and become hard to move.

 Dogs can have different types of arthritis also. Before just giving your dog any type of medication you find at the store, you should have your veterinarian check your dog for signs of arthritis.


Canine arthritis medicine will not make the arthritis go away. There are no cures for arthritis. In severe cases, surgery can be an alternative. But, many medications will relive the pain and swelling associated with arthritis.

 After your veterinarian has diagnosed your dog with canine arthritis it would be best to find out what medicines he thinks would be best for the type of arthritis you dog is suffering with.

There are many different types of pain killers and anti inflammatory medications that are great in helping your dog. With these medicines your dog will be able to play again and even enjoy life more.

The main thing to remember is that you do not want your best friend suffering with pain if he doesn't have to. He will not be happy and can become worse without the medication.

The pain from arthritis will have him lying around and then his joints can become stiffer. He needs to exercise and that is very hard to do, if he is in severe pain.

Luckily, its an ailment that can be treated with treatments such as Arthramine which helps repair the damaged tissue. To prevent arthritis better, read our extensive guide on canine arthritis

Niall Kennedy
http://www.pet-medication-supplies.net Pet Medication Supplies can help you get the best possible protection for your pet. Advantix, Arthramine, Cosequin, Frontline, Heartgard - find the best deals in pet medication for flea and tick control, arthritis and lyme disease. Upto 50% discount everyday on brand names.

Is my dog having heart worm? How do i treat it? Proper dog care

The treatment for heartworms is different for cats and dogs. Do not ever give medicine intended for a cat to your dog or vice versa.

Once your pet has heartworms the treatment is not easy. You want to rid your pet of heartworms but many factors need to be looked at before proceeding. Your veterinarian will have to do many tests to determine how many worms your pet has, how it is affecting your pet and if your pet can handle the side effects of the medication.


Let's first look at the treatment of heartworms for dogs. The first thing that will have to be done is an evaluation of your dog and what treatment is necessary to stabilize them for treatment for heartworms and then the elimination of all the heartworms and larvae.

The adult heartworms will be killed first, then comes the larvae and the microfilaria. Both have to kill with different treatments. There are side effects that can happen that are very dangerous to your dog while ridding them of the adult heartworm. As the adult heartworms die they can become lodged in the arteries. The arteries are already inflamed by the presence of these worms but as the worms decompose the arteries can become more inflamed and your dog will need to be watched carefully for things like this that may occur during treatment. Sometimes, according to how infested your dog is with heartworms, he may need to stay at the hospital for proper care. Talking with your veterinarian will ease your mind and let you know the best options for your dog.

The treatment for heartworms in cats may be no treatment. Cats are very hard to treat for heartworms. The side effects of the dying worms cause at least one third of the cats treated life threatening problems. Cats can not also take some of the medications available for eliminating heartworms. Your veterinarian will have to do many tests to determine if your cat should undergo treatment.

As with all disease prevention is better than the treatment. Before your pet can get heartworm disease talk with your veterinarian and find medications that can prevent heartworms in your pet from ever happening.

Pet Medication Supplies can help you get the best possible protection for your pet. Advantix, Arthramine, Cosequin, Frontline, Heartgard - find the best deals in pet medication for flea and tick control, arthritis and lyme disease. Upto 50% discount everyday on brand names. Dog News Center [http://www.dognewscenter.com] publishes news and articles about dogs and puppies.

Lyme Disease in Dogs. Proper dog care


It is hard to get an early diagnosis of lyme disease in animals including your own dog. The first sign of lyme disease in humans is a rash, well; animals do not develop this rash. Lyme disease is also not one of the first illnesses that the veterinarian looks for when you take your dog in for a visit. Many other common illnesses can produce some of the same symptoms, so it can be hard to detect.

Lyme disease does affect each dog different as it does with humans. Many dogs that are affected with lyme disease seem to be in pain and many stop eating. They may even run very high fevers. Lyme disease affects the entire body and some dogs may become lame and then even if untreated the lameness can disappear but can reappear later on. Your dog may not even show any signs of an illness for a long period of time and in fact have lyme disease, and then the symptoms can show up a year later.

Diagnosis of lyme disease can be done with a blood test. But, if your dog has had the illness for a long time even confirming that it is, in fact lyme disease can be hard to prove. In many cases, the antibodies that are present when a dog has lyme disease may have already disappeared or have not been created yet.

So, of course, the best way to go to ensure that your dog does not contract lyme disease is in the prevention. Always groom your dog after they have been outdoors in and around where ticks live, high grass, thick brush, or even in the woods.

http://www.pet-medication-supplies.net Pet Medication Supplies can help you get the best possible protection for your pet. Advantix, Arthramine, Cosequin, Frontline, Heartgard - find the best deals in pet medication for flea and tick control, arthritis and lyme disease. Upto 50% discount everyday on brand names. Dog News Center [http://www.dognewscenter.com] publishes news and articles about dogs and puppies.

5 Practical Tips to Help Your Overweight Dog!

The obesity epidemic is hitting humans hard, with more than 1/3 of adults in the US and UK clinically overweight or obese. Our pets are quickly following suit. Some experts blame processed commercial dog foods while others place the blame on heavy-handed feeding practices. Food is love, right? Wrong.

It's true that most of us over-feed our pets. We give snacks and treats as often as we can and give in to their begging behavior. Veterinarians may charge us with the task of helping our dog to lose weight, but many don't know how to begin. Let's take a look at some basics on how to put your overweight dog on a diet.

Tip #1: Visit to the Vet

If you're not sure what your pet's ideal weight should be for their age and breed, ask your veterinarian. A physical examination will help determine your pet's body condition score and level of obesity. The vet can then help you determine what kind of diet your dog needs to be on. Some veterinarians will offer nutritional counseling, providing you with a very specific meal plan, number of calories per day or prescription diet.

Tip #2: Measure the food

Commercial dog foods have published feeding instructions on the side of every bag of dry dog food. Some canned foods also have feeding recommendations. Feeding recommendations are based on current body weight.


Always remember that the recommended amount to feed is the DAILY RATION.
If you feed your dog twice a day, you must split the recommended amount in half. It is a common mistake for owners to read the bag and give that amount twice a day - essentially feeding twice as much as the dog needs.
Tip #3: No Snacking

It's thought that the French have one of the lowest rates of obesity in the world due to their cultural "ban" on snacking. Americans are the worst about eating all day long, snacking in between meals and eating more calories than we should. Many of us do the same for our dogs. Even if we have a "healthy" snack, such as an apple, we may give some of these extra calories to our patiently waiting pooch.

If you do give your dog treats or snacks, stick to low-calorie options and very small portions - no larger than your thumbnail 1-2 times daily. Also incorporate this treat as a reward during training or physical exercise. Your dog will simply be happy that you are giving them attention and affection, even if it is less food.

Tip #4: Begging Behavior

Don't give into the begging! This is one of the reasons that pet diet plans fail. When you cut out the snacks and reduce the amount of food that they are eating - sometimes they will beg for more. If you give in to this annoying habit, you are actually positively reinforcing the behavior - making them more likely to beg in the future!

Tip #5: No Table Food

If your dog eats the same way that you do, this can be the cause of their obesity. Many dogs don't eat commercial dog food and can suffer the ill effects of a high calorie 'human' diet. To remedy this, cut back on the table food very gradually, as going 'cold turkey' can cause annoying begging behavior. If your dog will only eat roast beef and boiled rice, mix it in with a high-quality canned dog food. As your dog gets used to the new textures and flavors, slowly phase out the 'human food.'


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Let's Talk Bloat, Doggy Style

No I'm not talking about the way you feel after you've taken a dive head first into a gallon of ice cream or eaten an entire pizza pie, I'm talking about the terrible condition that can affect animals of all shapes and sizes. Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV) aka bloat, is a serious condition that occurs more often than we realize.

What is GDV?

Gastric Dilatation is, simply put, the filling of the stomach with a great deal of air. Now you may be thinking that this is a normal process that occurs when we eat, and you'd be correct. The amount of air in this condition, however, is much greater than the bits we swallow throughout the course of eating our afternoon meal. In addition, animals aren't able to express the abdominal discomfort they might be having from any bloating, making our job as fur parents that much more important.
What does the "V" stand for?

The V stands for volvulus. A volvulus is a twisting of an organ on top of itself. In the case of GDV, the stomach can flip over and actually tie off blood supply to the stomach. When the stomach is deprived of blood, the tissue rapidly begins to die, making this condition much more dangerous. An expanded stomach also puts pressure on the diaphragm, which then inhibits the lungs from full expansion. When breathing is impaired, the rest of the body suffers due to lack of oxygen going to all other tissues, leading to even more tissue death.

How does this happen?

There isn't much warning when it comes to bloat. One thing to watch for is the way your animal eats. It has been suggested that high feeders can contribute to bloat incidence. Those that eat rapidly without coming up for a breather tend to gulp in greater amounts of air. A slow feeder may help decrease the rate at which your animal eats, as well as doing multiple feedings each day rather than one big helping daily. Some have noticed that older animals are more likely to experience GDV, perhaps because the tissue isn't as elastic as it once was. Animals that come from a line where bloat has happened before also have an increased chance of experiencing the condition themselves. Lastly, certain breeds are more prone to bloat, especially those that are deep and narrow chested, such as the Doberman, Setters, and Great Danes.

Early symptoms of GDV:

• Distended Abdomen
• Restlessness
• Hypersalivation
• Unproductive retching
• Trouble Breathing

What can be done?

If you suspect your animal of GDV you need to get them to a veterinarian immediately. The sooner he/she gets treated, the greater odds of having a better outcome. Your vet will probably do an xray to verify GDV and then there are several routes that can be taken depending on the specific situation. Some animals require a needle to be inserted into the abdomen to release the air, others have tubes inserted, and then some require more in depth surgery where the volvulus is untwisted and put back to normal. Animals that have suffered bloat do have a higher likelihood of recurrence.

Prognosis:

Depending on the rapidity at which your animal is treated, mortality rates can be low. Even those treated early however, can have up to a 30% mortality rate.


Prevention:

There are several theories on ways bloat can be prevented, here are just a few:

• Be aware of symptoms if you own a susceptible breed
• Use a slow feeder
• Feed multiple meals daily
• Keep your animal calm and help relieve anxiety
• Do not play for up to an hour after eating
• No vigorous exercise or excitement two hours after eating
• Research the best food for your breed

What we know is that GDV is a life-threatening condition, and if your animal exhibits any signs of it he or she needs to be taken to your veterinarian immediately!

Dr. Christina Cole
http://www.advancedanimalchiropractic.com
Certified Animal Chiropractor



Puppyhood and Behavioural Development




Puppyhood can be divided into four main periods:

- Neonatal 
- Transitional 
- Socialization 
- Juvenile

Neonatal
This period starts at birth and lasts 14 days. During this time, the pup is essentially defenseless but perfectly adapted to his environment. He has been fitted from birth with many traits that allow him to do what he needs to survive: feed and get his mother's attention.
His nervous system is still predominantly underdeveloped, and while his sense of smell, touch and taste are present, he is blind and deaf. One important mechanism is the distress call: it is a very distinct, instinctual call which the pup makes when he experiences discomfort, such as getting lost. Puppies are born equipped with this call and the instinct disappears a maximum of five weeks after birth. The mother's instinctual response to the call starts at the birth of the last pup of her litter and ends two weeks later, at the end of the neonatal period of her litter's life. Only she will answer to her puppies' calls, and only during the specific period of maternity. Should a puppy get lost before the last one is born, his cries will be ignored, just like when a 17 day old puppy makes the same call.

The pup is able to clumsily roll about, generally in a circular direction, so as to never stray far from his mother. Since puppies at this age are still blind and deaf, their sensory system doesn't allow for much learning. This being said, it has been shown that pups (even wolf pups) handled by humans during this period are more apt to handle stress in adulthood, friendlier to humans and all around better learners than pups who have been handled very little or only after the neonatal period.
Transitional
This period starts right before the end of the neonatal period and ends at more or less 30 days of life (two weeks in duration).
During this period, the pup's eyes (between day 10-16) and ears (between day 18-20) open. This marks the transition from completely dependent newborn to more independent puppy. Adult behaviours (tail wagging, growling, various play behaviours, pouncing... ) start to form at this time and the mother stops responding to the distress call of her pups. The startle response to loud noises is present and although eyesight is poor, the pup can still follow moving objects. The puppies start to walk and in the wild, this is the age where the now ambulatory puppies emerge from the den for the first time.

Socialization
This period, also called the imprinting period, goes from the third week of life all the way to the 12th. It is important to note that in wolves, this period lasts just under three weeks, that's about 30% of the time it lasts dogs. This fact allows humans to desensitize shepherds to animals they'd normally feel inclined to hunt and eat (sheep, horses... ) and instead instill in them the inclination to guard and protect these animals.
The terms socialization and imprinting have become very hot words within the training community, and with good reason! This crucial period in an animal's life essentially defines the individual they will grow up to be.
Learning ability and socialization are at their peak during this time, the pup learns what species he belongs to based on the social interactions lived during this period. He starts to move around less awkwardly, gains more dexterity and a willingness to explore everything and everywhere.
During this time, the pup becomes attached not only to individuals, such as his littermates and handler(s), but also to places, his environment and inanimate objects.
Given a puppy's inherent curiosity at this age, and elevated learning ability, handlers and trainers need to be very careful when it comes to traumatic events because fear towards something instilled at this age is understandably hard to alter, as is everything, good or bad, that is learned during this time.

This age is the best time to start housetraining a puppy, as they become attracted to the smell of urine and feces, and thus start preferring to eliminate where these odours are found.
As far as behaviour is concerned, this is definitely the most important period in the puppy's development. Most ethologists and behaviourists agree that even though the imprinting period is rather long in the dog, the puppy is most receptive between the third and fifth week of life. During this time, the pups will not oppose to being handled. After the fifth week, they start to become increasingly more stressed. After the 12th week, handling an inadequately socialized pup becomes very difficult.

Juvenile
This period goes from the end of the socialization period up until puberty (between 6-12 months of age). Ethologically speaking, dogs can be considered permanent adolescents. They retain juvenile behaviours (such as the ability to bark) right into adulthood and become sexually mature without ever becoming completely mentally mature.
While it is true that the imprinting period is over, pups this age are still sensitive to new things, aversive or not, therefore care must be taken to avoid social regression that may lead to fear and timidity. Harsh treatment (for instance harsh "corrections" in obedience training) can be especially detrimental, causing, in all likelihood, irreparable damage.
Studies seem to attest to the presence of a fifth period, the prenatal period, which is influenced by the environment the gestating female is in and how she reacts to it. It is well documented that stress negatively affects both the mother and her unborn pups, but the exact effects in dogs have not been extensively studied.
For an effective socialization process, the handler should expose the puppy to as many safe situations and environments as possible. Armed with high-value positive reinforcement (toys, treats... ), the handler should introduce the pup to many people and dogs, rewarding a good reaction and approach.
Needless to say, the dogs the puppy meets need to be well socialized and not reactive or aggressive.
One must keep size and energy level in mind when looking for suitable playmates for the young pup; a seven week old Miniature Pinscher and a five month old Rottweiler may not be the best match!

Vaccinations also have to be kept in mind. Before the complete vaccination series had been administered, it is best to keep the puppy out of high-risk places such as dog parks and puppy classes. The dogs deemed appropriate for socializing a puppy must be healthy.

Vaccine schedules vary greatly, but generally the protocol starts at eight weeks and is complete at around 16 weeks. A lack of exposure to the outside world and all of its myriad stimuli has a detrimental effect on an imprinting puppy and will result in a dog who is withdrawn, lacks acceptable social behaviour and resists anything new.
This brings us to a very highly disputed argument: when is a puppy ready to be adopted out to its new family?
Some experts argue that earlier (around six weeks of age) in the imprinting period is better, it allows the puppy to still be psychologically malleable when it moves into its new environment. Others argue that taking a puppy away from its littermates before 7-8 weeks of age makes them more socially inadequate because it robs them of time with other dogs. Studies have shown that puppies that are weaned by their mother and not rehomed until about 12 weeks of age have much better social etiquette (such as greater bite inhibition) than those placed in new homes earlier.

At whatever age you decide to get your puppy, remember that socialization is a life-long affair; and while it is true that "erasing" a faulty upbringing is very difficult, with the right tools it isn't impossible. 
Make it fun, keep it positive and you'll have a well-adjusted and happy dog!

For more information on how to properly socialize a dog or puppy, please contact us at http://www.corbiesdogtraining.com





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