Grooming For Dogs’ Health And Comfort

Dogs make an excellent pet and have been considered since time immoral, men’s best friend. Since we love so much our dogs, we always want them to remain clean, healthy and fit. Dogs need very good cleaning and grooming for keeping them healthy. Some simple tips are given below:

To keep the teeth clean, you need to brush their teeth everyday, two times just like we brush our own teeth. We must avoid forming plaque on their teeth. This habit should start right when dogs are little puppies.

When you feed your dog in after noon you can give carrots. Carrots are hard food and act as teeth scraper also. Always try to give hard food to your dog, not the soft canned food. Soft food might look good but in fact spoils the teeth of pets very much.

Dogs suffer from various diseases like heartworms. Heartworms can be detected by doing simple blood test on the dogs. If you suspect that dog suffers from heartworms, always consult the veterinary doctor. Giving self medication to dogs is not a good idea. Pills are helpful for treatment.

Claws of dogs need special attention. Every six to eight weeks, the claws need to be trimmed. If your dog is very active then maybe a small term of two to four weeks is better. When you start trimming the claws, take it as dulling exercise not shortening exercise. This way you will not cut the claws too short thereby exposing the pink part.

Dogs get ear mites also. A proper grooming means that they should be free from, any pests. Ear mites infect dogs and suck their blood. To keep mites away, you need to clean the crusts off the ears regularly. Most vets recommend anything that contains pyrethrums which is an insecticide made from chrysanthemums as a good medicine. Once you have chosen what medication to give, pick it over the counter from any pet stores, simply drop a few drops into the dog’s ear (make sure you follow the instructions as per your particular medication).Now, massage the base of the ear for 5 minutes or so. The simple massage will saturate the ear well.
To keep your dog healthy, you should give him lot of exercises. The more exercise you give him, easier will be it for you as he will be better trained and will spend less time digging your yards.
To keep him clean start brushing him everyday. You must use a soft bristle comb. There are lots of brushes available in the market. These combs come in varied varieties like stainless steel comb, a soft bristle brush. The choice will depend on the kind of coat that your dog has. Buy a comb/brush that will suit the coat.

When you take your dog for a bath, wash the coat really well, preferably using a shampoo. You can use a tub wash or a shower depending whether you have puppy or a dog.

Keeping pets healthy

Commerical pet food doesn’t have the best reputation right now, and for good reason, it can be a danger to your pet. You’ve certainly heard of the cat and dog food recalls that killed several innocent animals. You may have also heard that certain ingredients in common pet foods are harmful to your pet. However, what about the way pet food is stored? Whether it be at the pet food manufacturing plant, your local pet food store, or even your own home, improper storage can be a serious risk to your pet. Libby, a miniature-schnauzer, found this out the hard way.

When Dan Price of Newark, Delaware bought Libby from his local pet store, his vet conducted the usual battery of medical tests. Libby received a clean bill of health.

But when Libby was about a year old, Dan noticed she began vomiting frequently. “She lost all of her energy and almost completely stopped eating,” Dan commented.

Dan took her to the White Clay Creek Veterinary Hospital where blood and stool samples were taken.

Dr. Richard Spencer Jr., Libby’s vet, noticed an abundance of mites, or microscopic insects, in her system making, her ill.

“I was able to tell almost immediately that Libby had ingested a rather large quantity of mites. I just didn’t know where or how she was picking them up. Usually, you see this kind of thing in farm dogs because they’re exposed to a variety of different animals and spend more time outdoors. It’s very rare to see this in an apartment dog like Libby,” Dr. Spencer said in a phone interview.

Dr. Spencer put Libby on a drug called Interceptor, made by Novartis, that is designed to kill the mites in her system and allow them to be passed safely through her body. When Libby was brought back for follow-up tests the next week, the mites were still present in her system. In fact, they were worse.

Dr. Spencer asked Dan to bring in a sample of Libby’s food. When Dan returned with the food sample, Dr. Spencer discovered that mites were crawling all over her food.

“I’ve never seen anything like that before. There was definitely a problem with the way the food was stored,” Dr. Spencer said.

Dan purchased the Purina Beneful he fed Libby from a Petco store on the Kirkwood Highway in Wilmington, Delaware about a week before Libby became ill. Dan claims he immediately removed the food from the bag after opening it, and stored it in a plastic bin to keep it fresh.

When a reporter asked Katie Singletary,

Dog breed: Standard Schnauzer

The standard schnauzer is a robust, medium-sized dog, standing seventeen to twenty inches high at the shoulder and weighing between twenty and fifty pounds. Like his relatives, the giant schnauzer and miniature schnauzer, the standard schnauzer usually has a salt-and-pepper or black coat. For show, the coat is trimmed short over most of the body and allowed to grow long on the chin, eyebrows, and legs. The long facial hair gives schnauzers the somewhat comical appearance reminiscent of an old man. Their wiry coats shed a only a negligible amount of hair, making the standard schnauzer a dog that is relatively easy on the vacuum cleaner.

While the German Kennel Club first recognized the standard schnauzer in 1918, the breed is far older. Paintings from as far back as the fifteenth century feature schnauzers. The Dutch master Rembrandt included several schnauzers in his work, and a fourteenth century statue of a hunter in Mechlinburg, Germany includes a schnauzer at the hunter’s feet. The first schnauzers were probably produced by cross-breeding black German poodles, gray wolf spitzs, and wirehaired pinschers.

Classified by the American Kennel Club as a working dog, the standard schnauzer is strong, agile, and highly trainable. Standard schnauzers are easygoing and good with children and thus make excellent family pets. As working dogs, they need lots of exercise and will thrive when given ample walks and room to play. In competition, standard schnauzers excel at obedience, tracking, herding, and agility. They also make excellent guard dogs, companions, and therapy dogs.

The temperament of the standard schnauzer is inquisitive, playful, and very energetic. Originally bred as rat dogs, schnauzers have a strong chase instinct. While they can often coexist peacefully with other dogs and even cats, they should be kept well-separated from any rodents that are kept as pets. Standard schnauzers enjoy intellectual stimulation and will readily accept training for competition, sport, or just to entertain their owners. They are excellent companions for hikers and outdoor sportsmen.

Another aspect of the standard schnauzer’s character is his territorial instinct. The standard schnauzer is very protective of his home and his owners and will warn potential trespassers with a deep, loud bark. Though standard schnauzers are excellent at warding off unwanted strangers, they are affectionate to people they recognize and can be taught to get along with people who are frequent visitors in the home.

Practical Dog Training Tips

Why is it important to train dogs? There are many benefits that you can enjoy from training your dog especially if it is between you and your pet dog. Dog training can foster strong owner-dog relationship. With dog training, you can build a good relationship that is based on mutual trust and respect. The age for dog training is between six and eight weeks of age. However, if your dog is older and has yet to undergo dog training, do not worry for it is never too late to teach a dog a new trick. Training dogs can help the owners have confidence in their dogs and have control over them at any possible situation since most of you surely do not want to be embarrassed in public by your dog.

Proper dog training can certainly help your dog socialize better and be a good and cooperative house buddy, too. A lot of dog owners are wondering as to what are the best ways in dog training. Are there any specific steps to follow in training a dog? One very important thing that dog owners must remember is to use positive reinforcement in dog training. It is absolutely discouraged to be cruel or to use harsh training techniques. These techniques in dog training are part of an old school practice and is therefore, proven not to have a long-term positive effect on dogs.

Many experts in dog training believe that these harsh techniques can “break a dog’s spirit” while in training process. In dog training, it is ideal to reward a dog with praises and dog treats. It will further reinforce a positive behavior from the dog if he is rewarded for every command that he is able to perform correctly. Do not punish your dog. It will not be beneficial for you in achieving your goals in dog training. If you punish your dog, you will only make them afraid of you. Remember, we are trying to employ positive reinforcements here. So, when your dogs make mistakes.

Do not hurt them or hit them with something. You should not blame them when they make mistakes or when they cause accidents in your house. During training, owners or trainers must give commands in a friendly yet firm manner. If you want your dog to come or heel, you can speak in a friendly voice. If you want your dog to stay or sit, you may speak in a low but firm voice. Be consistent in giving commands and in using different techniques. This is to avoid confusion for your dogs, too. Dog training will further teach you how to work with your dog’s natural drives and instincts.

Dogs are generally easy to train. Positive reinforcements are the easiest ways in dog training. So, do not forget to give your dog some treats when they do good. Be generous with praises, too. Treat them like they are human beings worthy of love and respect. Dogs are wonderful companions. They will not be called “man’s best friend” for nothing. The time that you spend with your dog can certainly create a bond that is not easy to break.

Free Dog Training Tips – Make a Best Friend

Free dog training tips

Many new and first time dog owners, as well as those that already have dog’s, are trying to find a way to make sure that theirs will be a well-mannered dog, but aren’t sure how to go about making that happen. They know that they don’t want to have an unruly tyrant on their hands so what to do? Well, help is as close as the internet. With the popularity of the internet it has become much easier to solve the problem.

Traditionally, when people would get a new dog they might go to a friend who is also a dog owner with the expecatition that their friend would be able to fill them in with some free dog training tips, often not realizing that most people are in the same boat. They really haven’t a clue themselves, because they never learned what it takes to effectively train a dog. This was a never ending cycle. But, these days, the internet may just be a dog owners best and probably the most comprehensive source of information in the world; so, if you’re looking for free dog training tips to improve the relationship with your four-legged friend, run a simple search and see what you can find out. If you’re wondering about the reliability of these free dog training tips, there is really only one way to find out isn’t there, try them and see if there is noticeable progress in your dog’s behavioral patterns. After all, you haven’t paid a dime for these tips.

For many dog owners the greatest complaint about applying free dog training tips is that owners often don’t have enough time to devote to the training of their pet. However, you can practice for instance the “sit” command together with other free dog training tips at any moment; you don’t need special preparation. In fact, short training sessions are preferable, as most dogs have a short attention span. You may even turn your attention to the dog during a commercial break for instance, or when playing “fetch”. Before throwing the ball, you can apply a simple free dog training tip or command: “sit” or “down” and continue with the game after the dog obeys it.

Many free dog training tips will help you teach your dog target focus: the simplest form of the kind is paw or touch. You actually get the animal focus on a specific area and then perform a certain action afterwards. Such free dog training tips are used in competitions as well as in daily life, when you want for instance to turn the pet’s attention from you. Moving and finding a specific place are forms of targeting and they are considered to be the first step towards retrieving. Free dog training tips applied for the matter will make you improve the relationship with the pet, it will move away from the couch for instance.

Consider for a moment why you wanted a dog in the first place. Did you get a dog to make you unhappy? Did you get a dog to be a companion? Do you want that companion to be unruly? Or, a great friend? People who actually spend time with their pet, and apply free dog training tips find it very entertaining for both parts involved; keep in mind that the first to benefit is your pet. By starting with some free dog training tips not only will you save money, but you’ll also avoid specific mistakes that dog owners make, thus ruining their chances of ever growing an obedient animal.

Tricks for giving your dog medicine

There are many. many tricks for giving your medicine I does make a little difference if it is a big pill or a little pill and if it is a bog dog that gulps food or is a little more dainty and picky. Both of my dogs are big, A Golden Retriever and an Akita so they will gulp down an piece of a hot dog or a hunk of bologna and not even know that there is a pill or a vitamin in it. We had a dachshund one time and that usually worked for him to. If a dog has a favorite soft treat that you can push a pill in you can usually get it in them that way. But as in all things in life, there are exceptions to every rule

If the medicine is a liquid, sometimes you ca just open their mouth and shoot it in but sometimes that doesn’t work. I have found that if you marinade their hot dog or meat chunk that that usually works. Some times you can put it in a small bowl of milk or water and they will drink it. I have never really dealt with the real small dogs but I can imagine that they could be a problem giving a fairly large pill. Break the pill in half and give it to them in two pieces of hot dog. You can always grind it up and put it in some soft dog food that they like. That works equally well for large dogs if they don’t like hot dogs. I have never seen one that didn’t but I am sure there is one some where that doesn’t like hot dogs or bologna.

I had a room in a ladies house when I was in college that had a little schnauzer and he was a vegetarian dog. He would east radishes and onions before he would eat a piece of T-bone. She always crushed up any medicine that she needed to and put it in his coffee cup. When we would visit over a cup of coffee that dog would raise heck if he didn’t get his cup of coffee with cream and sugar. He liked ice cream and watermelon.

If all else fails open the dogs mouth and put the pill as far down his throat as you safely can and hold his/her mouth shut until they swallow. I have heard people say that if you coat the pill with a little butter or something slick that it makes it easier for them to swallow. If they still don’t want to swallow hold their mouth shut with one hand and gently massage up and down there throat. That usually does the job.

If this fails too call your vet and see if there is a shot you can give them or that he/she will give them. You very seldom have to resort to this but then there are some dogs that are so people like that they are stubborn, obstinate and just plain hard to get along with.

Simple Health Tips to Help you Take Better Care of your Dog

Is your dog one of your best friends? If so, you’re especially motivated to want to take care of his health. As I’m sure you’re aware, your pet’s health is a very important part of your responsibilities as an owner.

There are a number of health issues that can affect your special pet.

For example, if your dog gets worms, you need to make sure that you take him to the vet if you can’t get rid of the worms by yourself. Worms come in several different varieties, such as roundworms, tapeworms and heart worms. It’s critical that you get rid of his worms as soon as possible before really serious health conditions arise because of these parasites.

You’ve also got to keep a close watch on fleas because they can really cause problems. You certainly don’t want your dog to suffer needlessly.

Make sure you keep your pet current with his innoculations and take him to the vet for periodic checkups.

If you can keep tartar from growing around your dog’s teeth, that would be best. However, if you’re not prepared to do that, be sure his gums aren’t infected with tartar that has gotten out of control. You’ll need to take him to the vet for teeth cleaning if you aren’t prepared to keep his teeth free of tartar deposits by regularly brushing them.

Brush your dog’s hair on a regular basis, especially if he is one of the long-haired varieties — like collies or shelties. While you’re brushing his coat, be on the lookout for skin growths or rashes that need medical care. The time you spend brushing his coat can be a special time of closeness between you and your dog.

Be careful not to give your canine buddy chicken bones which can easily splinter and get caught in his throat. In fact, don’t give small bones to him at all because of the danger of splintering with resulting internal cuts.

Be sure that your dog always has a fresh full bowl of water — especially during the hot summer months.

Choose a good brand of nourishing dog food instead of inferior brands. Don’t let him become overweight because that is a health hazard — just like in humans.

Be on the alert for symptoms that may show that your dog is in pain. If your dog refuses to eat, you need to take him to a vetinarian to see what’s the matter.

Older dogs often develop arthritis and there are special supplements that can be given to them that can help. Be sure to check with your vetinarian to see what treatment option would be best.

Be aware of where 24-hour emergency care is located. That way you’ll be prepared in case your dog needs immediate medical attention on a weekend or evening when the vet has gone home.

The suggestions in this article can help you to be a more informed dog owner, but there are a lot more topics relating to dog health that you need to research to help your dog be as healthy as possible.

Knowing that your buddy is healthy and happy will be your reward for being an informed owner.

What is your dog thinking about?

We all know dogs are intelligent. Have you ever watched them and wondered, “What is that dog thinking about?” I have spent the last week visiting my Father in his wonderful retirement village in Florida. Watching the dogs here has made me wonder exactly that.

This is the land of quiet and tranquil days; even I have forgotten what day it is. I walk down the street with my Dad’s Labrador, Teddy. Dogs of all shapes and sizes pass us in golf carts ears flapping in the breeze. I am positive I saw a poodle stick his tongue out at Teddy as to say, “Ha ha looks like you have to walk today Teddy”. He looks like one of the few dogs here that actually has to walk when he goes out on a walk.

At the small village area many of the dogs are sitting out in their golf carts and cars waiting for their master to return. It can be hot in Florida, so the air conditioner is left on for the dog while they are away, as not to get too hot. One little Schnauzer sitting casually in her air conditioned golf cart as to say, “Wow, Teddy, is it hot out there?”

The world here revolves around these furry “children” which comes complete with a special doggy playground. The grooming mobile comes in the give dogs their weekly spa treatments. These dogs are definitely part of the beautiful “people”. Not a hair out of place, and there is certainly no “doggy” smell on any of them.

They stand in front of their homes with their owners who are chatting with the neighbors. Face to face with the dog next door. There is no barking or fussing. The dogs seem to be chatting just as the owners are. “How is it going fluffy?” “Good Dexter how was your traveling this summer, where did you get to go?”

The funniest thing I notice is the owner following each dog with a small plastic bag. The poop hardly gets a chance to hit the ground and it is quickly scooped up by the owner. A golden rule here is to pick up and dispose of all pet waste immediately. Doesn’t that make you think? Who is the master here? I know exactly what the dog is thinking there. After all, who is picking up who’s poop?

3 Easy Dog Training Tips

Most pet owners are likely to be on the hunt for quick and easy dog training tips. As you know, dogs are incredibly smart animals, but it’s not like they understand what you are saying or can tell you why they’re acting the way they are. So, if you’re a new dog owner or are very experienced with this, we have three very easy dog training tips that will make this process go by quicker and with a lot fewer tears.

Tip #1 – Think like a dog.

Not many dog owners want to think like a dog. What they really want is for their dog to start thinking like them! But, out of all the dog training tips you’ll read, this will be the most important. If you can understand why your dog is behaving the way she is or what is making her disobey, then you are able to address it. For example, many dog owners hate to hear their dog bark continuously. It’s important to remember that barking is just part of their nature, especially when they suspect a threat or danger. Some dog training tips will advise you to muzzle your dog or to punish it harshly, but in our experience it is more productive to address the reason why it barks. Try to socialize your dog more so it’s not as restless around strangers, or let it have more room to run in the yard so it doesn’t feel threatened.

Tip #2 – Reward good behavior.

Many dog training tips stress the proper way to punish a dog when it disobeys and this is appropriate at times. Dogs really crave positive attention from their owners, and honestly excel under this positive influence. In many cases it’s better to reward them when they do the right thing than to simply punish when they do the wrong thing. You need to remember that dogs don’t have reasoning ability. If you punish them for chewing up your shoes when they’re bored, this doesn’t tell them what they can play with when you’re away. Throwing a toy with them reinforces that this is what they should play with. That time spent with you is a much sought after reward for them. Many people who teach dog training tips forget to point this out to owners, missing a valuable lesson on how to actually teach their dog.

Tip #3 – Remember their attention span.

Some dog training tips will tell you how to deal with a mistake your dog has made, but many dog owners forget that dogs have absolutely no attention span. They don’t understand that they shouldn’t have chewed up your new dress shoes even if they just did it five minutes ago. Waving those shoes in their face means nothing to them because they can’t make the connection between what they did in the past with what you’re trying to speak to them about right now. Catching your dog in the act and then punishing her is one of the most important dog training tips you’ll ever get.

So keep these easy, but important dog training tips in mind and you’ll have success.

Questions About Dog Health and the Critical Answers – Revealed!

Dog owners have always been baffled by some of the biggest questions about dog health. Getting the right answers is on top of their priority list and will definitely help them take better care of their pets. Here are a few frequently asked questions about dog health.

Question #1: How can I tell if my dog is sick?

As with humans, it’s usually fairly easy to tell if your pet is sick. But of course, you have to be certain before you take action. However, unlike humans, who are able to inform you right away when they’re not feeling well, animals will require your most careful observation and attention.

Take note of any changes in his daily routine, no matter how small it might be. Observe his appetite level, his liquid consumption, urinary frequency, general appearance, sudden weight loss, and drops in energy level. Does he refuse his food completely? Is he vomiting? Does he limp or have difficulty getting around? If your dog shows an alarming change in behavior, then it’s time you took him to the vet.

Question #2: How often should I have my dog checked at the vet?

Annual physical checkups are advisable for dogs. It should be more frequent than that if your dog is still very young, or has a medical condition that needs constant monitoring. Around age six, you should start taking him twice yearly so that any health problems that may come with age may be detected and prevented from worsening, and that the right course of action may be taken to ensure good and continued health as he matures.

Question #3: Should I have my dog neutered/spayed?

Unless you’re planning on putting up a breeding facility, it is highly recommended that your dog be neutered (if it is a male) or spayed (if female) once it has reached six months of age.

This makes them less aggressive. It also boosts their health. A male’s chances of getting prostate and testicular cancer falls to almost zero, while the same rate holds true for females getting mammary cancer.

Spaying significantly cuts down their risk of contracting a form of diabetes, as well as womb infections or pyometra. On a more practical and humane note, it prevents overpopulation or the swelling in numbers of poor, unwanted puppies in rescue shelters.

Moreover, it saves you the trouble of having to deal with the horde of male dogs trooping to your house each time your female dog is in heat.

Question #4: What do I do if my dog drools excessively?

It’s perfectly normal for dogs to drool; it’s in their nature. But relative to his size, a good tip would be to take note of whether or not there is a sudden increase in his salivary output as this might be a sign of periodontal disease, tongue injuries, or even cysts, in which case you must take him to see the vet immediately.

Question #5: How do I deal with ear mites?

Before using your vet’s prescribed ear mite medication, first clean off the deposit of hardened debris in your dog’s ear by applying some drops of baby oil in the ear canal and letting it stand for a few hours.

Once the coating has softened, you can flush it away with vinegar and distilled water (avoid tap water) in equal parts using a rubber ear-cleaning syringe. Do this with extra care as too much pressure will cause pain.

Once clean, apply a few drops of the medication; after which, gently massage the ear’s base for a few minutes so that the medicine can be properly absorbed into the affected area.

Don’t forget to read the medicine’s instructions first before applying. When in doubt about the procedure, your vet could always do the cleaning and medicating for you, though it would be advantageous for both you and your pet if you knew how to do it yourself.

Observing your vet during this process can give you a good idea how to handle this situation. Remember that it is easy for your dog to catch ear mites from other dogs. If you happen to have two or more dogs in your household, it’s definitely wise to observe them and see if they could possibly be infected by ear mites, too.

To get more answers to your other problems and questions about dog health, pay a visit to your veterinarian and he/she will be able to assist you with your concerns.

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