Doggy Mentor

Archive for April, 2009

You and your dog are basically in a symbiotic relationship in which each other needs are fulfilled by the other. He showers you with undying, unconditional affection and companionship. For your part, you provide him with meals, dog treats, a roof over his head, periodic trips to the vet, and your friendship. In many cases, it is a perfect match that only grows with age.

Unfortunately, even the most loving dog owners at times forget to take care of a few essential responsibilities. In today’s article, I’ll give you a few reminders of basic things you need to do (if you haven’t already) in order to keep your canine companion safe, healthy, and happy.

Tip 1 – Leash your dog when not at home

A lot of owners feel leashing their dog is cruel and inhibiting. While taking a stroll around the neighborhood, visiting parks, or going to other public places, they’ll leave the leash at home. That’s a bad idea. Even if your pooch has been properly vaccinated and has his tags, keeping him on a leash is best for everyone – including him.

Tip 2 – Spay Or Neuter Your Pet

Unless you’re a professional breeder, there’s little reason to avoid spaying or neutering your canine companion. Basically taking care of this you can help improve the lifestyle of your dog and prolong their lives. Also, it’s worth noting that one of the leading causes of homeless mutts is that their owners fail to have their pets “fixed.” That leads to a greater number of pooches being placed into shelters and eventually euthanized.

Tip 3 – Enroll Him In Obedience Training

Dogs begin learning how to behave immediately. What’s more, they continue learning throughout their lives. If their bad habits are not curbed, those habits can develop into frustrating behavioral problems. Enroll your pooch into obedience classes. Not only will he learn what type of behavior is acceptable and what isn’t, but the training will also improve the relationship you share together.

Tip 4 – Give Him Exercise

Dogs are physical creatures and as such need daily activity for a wide variety of reasons. First, if you spend most of the day away from home, he’s going to have pent-up energy. He needs a way to release it. Second, daily exercise keeps your dog healthy and enthusiastic. Take him for a walk in the morning and again during the evening. You’ll find that providing exercise for him will keep him happy and healthy.

Loyal for Life

The responsibilities of dog ownership are never-ending. Indeed, keeping your canine companion healthy and safe requires ongoing vigilance. But, by providing him with the essentials he needs, especially in the beginning, you’ll lay the foundation for a lifelong friendship. Most owners agree that the loyalty and love they share with their dogs is irreplaceable. Take care of your pooch and he’ll remain faithful to you for the rest of his days.

There is a lot work to looking after a dog or puppy and he or she will take up a lot of time, you must be prepared to clean up dog poo every day, until your dog is house trained, or when you take him for a walk.

Training a dog can be hard, especially if you aren’t used to dog training. Simple acts can produce the best and quickest results. You have to understand how a dog would live if he were living in a dog pack. There is always a leader of the pack the alpha male, and you will have to become the alpha, so your dog will know you are in charge and will obey and follow you.

Don’t let any of this put you off, a dog is a wonderful companion and will give you lots of love, with the added bonus if needed, of protecting you. Remember they need plenty of love, attention, and petting as well, so enjoy your best friend.

The following tips will help you look after your dog properly and have a good relationship

Dog problems

Dogs like to dig, they like to bury bones, not good if you are a keen gardener. Being social animals dogs tend to dig when they are lonely. Spending more time with him or her should help if this becomes a problem. Sometimes when they dig they eat the soil, this can be because they are lacking in vitamins and nutrients. Check you pet’s health with a vet and if there is nothing wrong, buy a good dog vitamin pill, and this should help keep that digging at bay.

Potty Training

The best way to deal with doggie potty trainig, is to reward your puppy when he or she gets it right. Never rub his nose in it when he has an accident or hit him, he will know from your face and tone of your voice that he has got it wrong. If the occasional accident does happen, remember it isn’t the end of the world and urine stains do wash out.

Discover the answers to your dog health and dog problems

Some people are pet people, others aren’t. Then there are people who don’t know that they are pet people because they simply have never experienced the joy that having a pet in your home can bring.

Dogs are known as ‘Mans best friend’, with good reason. They can quite simply be the most loyal friend you could ever have. Of course they won’t be able to give you any words of wisdom or go training at the gym with you but there are many other quality things you can do together. From a personal point of view my own dogs bring so much to my life, here are some examples:

Companionship

Before my dog came to live with me I struggled to find a reason to go out for a walk or to get someone to come with me. My dog now accompanies me every time, without fail. I have always enjoyed my walks out with my dog.

Motivation

Most people have those days when it’s difficult to motivate yourself. If you have a dog you need to. Every morning, my dog will make his way upstairs at around the same time and nuzzle his head under the covers to greet me. Sound like a nightmare? I can’t get annoyed with him. When they are visibly so happy to see you and are always in a good mood, how can you?

Safety Outdoors

Going back to my walks, there are areas I like to stroll that I wouldn’t have visited by myself now, having my wonderful loyal dog with me provides that element of security. Even though he is an exceptionally friendly pet, he will turn into a protector if he senses danger. Although I think that I would also become a protector of him too! Well, that’s what friends are for, right?

Safety at Home

Today when few people feel completely safe in their own home, having a dog is an excellent deterrant. Most dogs will bark or alert you in some way if they see someone too close to the house or hear a noise they aren’t expecting. Mine does and he wasn’t trained to do it; it’s instinct. As long as the would-be-intruder doesn’t realise my dog will probably happily play ball with anyone of course!

Entertainment

I am never bored at home I have to say. You know those days when you want to do something but don’t know what. You don’t want to go out, there’s nothing on the television, you don’t want to read. Well, given the slightest hint and you have a four legged buddy only too happy to provide some entertainment to your day. Teach him a new trick, play ball or frisbee or go out for a stroll. Boredom eliminated!

I get all this joy for the cost of the adoption fee, a bag of dog food each month and the odd vet bill. I wouldn’t trade my four legged best buddy for anything.

Just remember that while they aren’t human, having a dog is almost like having a child. You need to take good care of him/her. He needs his medical check ups, he needs to be fed a healthy diet and he needs to be given lots of attention and guidance to make sure he grows into a good adult dog. So make sure you find a good vet, a decent pet supplies shop and read some dog books too because there are plenty out there.

If you think you are the only one suffering from bad breath, you may want to think again. Although halitosis is a condition common to human, your dog may also have the same fate. Incredible as it may sound; your dogs are also at risk of having bad breath.

But, you don’t have to worry that much. There are now lots of halitosis products for dogs available for your dog’s needs. In fact, most of these are products for home remedy; saving you from visiting the vets too often just to restore your dog’s pleasant breath.

Read also our selected articles on Cure Bad Breath.

Now, there are lots of home remedies for your dog’s halitosis. And since people have different interpretation of halitosisremedy for dogs, it is up to you to decide which one will best suit your pet dogs. The following are some remedies to try to keep your doggy’s breath always pleasant;

Dog Toys

Perhaps you won’t believe this, but some of your dog’s toys are not just designed to help you in training it. Some of these are also effective in cleaning the teeth of your dogs. Dental chews are among them. These are usually designed to massage the gums of your dogs as well as clean its teeth, removing plaques and food particles in between. Greenies and Nylabone are two of the most popular brands when it comes to doggy dental chews. You may want to watch out though, because most dental chews are not meant for dog with stronger chews.

Dental sticks are also great for your dogs. This is also designed to massage the gums and get rid of food particles and plaque between the teeth. You can fill the sticks with treats to make your dog happy while keeping yourself satisfied at keeping your dog’s breath pleasant.

If your dog likes bone for playing, it is fine because bones can actually help keep your dog’s teeth clean. However, you should be aware that giving your doggy some cooked bones is not a good idea at all. Why? It is because cooked bones can crack while they are playing with them and can cause serious injury to your dogs especially in the mouth. Instead, give your dogs some raw bone to play with.

Water Technique

If human needs plenty of water to keep anaerobic bacteria at bay, well so are your dogs. You need to provide your dogs with lots of water to keep its mouth moist and its mouth free from food particles. You also have to make sure that your dog’s water are always clean; thus, you can be sure that no food particle or bacteria will get back to your pet’s mouth. Or you can buy oxygenating solution meant for dogs; by mixing this to the water, you can be sure that bacteria are destroyed and your dog’s breath fresh.

Brushing

If you need brushing to keep your mouth and teeth clean, so are your dogs. There are brushes especially designed for your dogs. Just make sure that you brush your doggy’s breath properly and regularly and you can be rest assured that no visit to the vets is necessary.

Aside from these home remedies and halitosisproducts for dogs, you can also keep your pet’s breath fresh by choosing what it eats. Experts advise that you give your dogs some mixture of dry dog foods and canned ones. You can also consult your vets for guides on how to keep your dog’s breath pleasant all the time.

Please visit: http://1st-Bad-Breath.com where you can get your FREE Report on “Discover How You Can Combat Bad Breath!“, videos, resources, and discover more on Bad Breath Remedies.

Getting a puppy isn’t just fun and games, there is a certain amount of responsibility in maintaining them with perhaps none more frustrating than potty training puppies. It's not like you can tell them to use the bathroom whenever they feel like relieving themselves, even if you get to pull that off, good luck in getting them to flush the toilet after using it.

No worries though because there are certain steps you can follow in making sure that your puppies relieve themselves when you want them to and where you want them to and it doesn't involve the use of hypnosis or acquiring the services of a snake charmer. You might even be surprised as to how easy potty training a puppy is. Just how easy? Well easy enough to summarize in three steps:

Three Steps in Potty Training a Puppy

1. Set up the mpuppes meals to promote the call of nature - There's a specific amount of time that a puppies digestive system needs to go through its cycle and get from meal to waste. The amount of time it takes your puppy to relieve itself after a full meal varies from puppy to puppy so you should monitor this time. It may take a number of monitoring sessions to decide the general amount of time but once you get it then go on to step number two.

2. Will you potty train inside or out - Make a decision about whether you want your puppy to do its business in doors or out of doors. Remember, what's important is what's convenient for you because you can go either way. Whether you are potty training puppies indoors or outdoors you would still have to clean up after it.

3. Paper or plastic - If you decide to train your puppy to do its business in the house, then you need a lot of newspaper and scent-spray which you can get at most pet stores.

a. Whenever your puppy needs to relieve itself lay down a generous stack of newspapers and spray a small amount of scent spray on it.

b. Restrict the puppy within the newspaper covered area and wait until it relieves itself. Right after it does let it smell the scent sprayed on the newspaper.

c. Repeat b until your puppy gets used to the newspaper or the scent it will look for either of the two next times it needs to relieve itself.

One thing you can do when you are training the puppy to do its business out of doors is just take it out for a walk. Your puppy will eventually find a location after a while and assume the position. Remember to clean up after your puppy. Eventually, when your puppy gets used to this system, he/she will display signs of wanting and needing to go outside when it feels the need to do its business.

And there you have it three sure fire easy steps for potty training puppies. There's no real expense; you don't have to be a rocket scientist, not even expensive devices - just a bit of patience.

ear video

The most common ear problem in dogs is inflammation of the outer ear, technically termed otitis externa. The area between the outside opening and the eardrum can be irritated by infections, parasites, allergies and foreign objects.

Signs of Ear Problems
Signs of irritation include scratching, shaking the head, and reacting painfully when the ears are touched. You may also see a discharge. Ear hematomas, (a rupturing of the blood vessels in the ear flap causing the ear flap to swell) are common if irritation goes untreated. Depending on the cause, one or both of the ears may be affected.

Diagnosing Ear Problems
Your veterinarian will use an otoscope to look into the ears. She will also take a sample of ear discharge and examine it microscopically to check for signs of infection or ear mites. If infection is present, the sample may be sent to a lab for culture. Cultures provide information about the kinds of bacteria present and the medications that can help.  During the examination, the veterinarian may also see foreign objects such as fox-tails or ticks in the ear canal. If your dogs ears are very painful, sedation or anesthesia may be required to fully examine and treat the ears.

Common Causes of Ear Problems
Some pets are simply more prone to getting ear problems, either due to their ear structure, allergies or skin conditions. Ventilation of the ears is poor in dogs with floppy ears, resulting in a warm, moist environment perfect for growth of bacteria and yeast. Certain breeds of dogs are also more likely to suffer from skin allergies and disorders like seborrhea. These skin problems affect the ears too, causing chronic inflammation and susceptibility to infection.

The lining of the ear canal, like the rest of the skin, normally contains small amounts of bacteria and yeast. These organisms are harmless unless they multiply out of control. Overgrowth of these organisms causes irritation, inflammation, foul odor and discharge. Long term infections can lead to damage to the ear tissues and may even rupture the ear drum. If the ear drum is ruptured, the infection can gain access to the middle ear, causing serious problems like head tilt, loss of balance, and inability to walk normally. Chronic ear infections may require surgery to remove the diseased ear canal (ear ablation) or to improve air flow to the ear (lateral ear canal resection)

Parasites that can infect the ears include ear mites and ticks. Ear mites are tiny creatures that are just barely visible with the naked eye. You can view the ear video to observe the mites magnified. They are quite contagious between animals. They cause severe itching and produce large amounts of black, waxy discharge. The ear mites cause the ears to itch and the pet will scratch at it incessantly. This can lead to ear or skin infections as well as damage to deeper ear structures. Ticks can attach to the inside of the ears. They may irritate the ears or obstruct the canal, preventing normal ventilation and interfering with hearing.

The most common foreign bodies in the ears are fox-tails or grass awns. These pointy seeds get caught in pets fur and gradually work their way into the skin, nose, ears, and paws where they can cause major damage. Fox-tails and grass burs are very irritating to your dog’s ears. If they are not removed from the ear canal, they may actually puncture the ear drum.

Treatment for Ear Problems
Cleaning your dog’s ears is the first step in treating his ear problems. This may require sedation or anesthesia. Once all the debris is cleaned from the ear, specific medications are then prescribed. Antibiotics are used for bacterial infections, anti-fungals for yeast, anti-inflammatories for irritation and allergies, and insecticides for ear mites. Most of the medications are administered directly into your dogs ears proper administration is crucial for effective treatment. Medication must be given exactly as instructed and continued for the full duration prescribed, even if the pet seems to be fully recovered sooner. If the ears were particularly full of debris, weekly flushing may be needed to get all the debris out of the ear.

The final step is to minimize the factors that can put pets at higher risk for ear problems. Allergic skin disease often responds to dietary supplements, antihistamines or anti-inflammatories. Routine ear cleaning with a product recommended by your veterinarian can also help. It is vital that the ears stay clean and the pH of the ear corrected to minimize the return of the yeast or bacteria. Avoid allowing pets in areas that contain fox-tails and check for fox-tails when they return from outdoors. If signs of ear problems recur, seek prompt medical attention before the condition worsens.

For routine cleansing of your pet’s ears, we commonly use T8 Ear Solution.

If your pet has a discharge, pain or itching of his ears, please take your pet to your veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and treatment. Using the improper medication will only prolong your pet’s problem and take longer for the ear to heal.

For pet supplies, tips and more health care articles, visit LuvUrDog.com

A bark control collar may be used as a safe and efficient training implement for eliminating your dog’s annoying or persistent barking. Following are the most frequently asked points I’m asked to clarify from pet owners interested in learning more about no bark collars and how they are used.

Are bark collars humane?

There has been a lot of debate about whether bark collars are a humane training device. In my opinion, bark collars are very humane.

There are several different varieties of bark collars (Aboistop and Citronella collars, Ultrasonic Collars and Shock Correction Bark Collars). For the intention of this post, I’ll center on static correction since the majority of debate about safety and humaneness seems to concentrate on this variety.

Static collars work by delivering a harmless static shock to admonish your dog when he barks. Some collars detect barking by using a vibration sensor, some bark collars utilize a microphone to identify barking from sound; several versions of collars use a combination of both sound and vibration.

The shock correction that your dog receives is akin to the jolt you feel when you scuff across a carpeted floor in your socks and then come in contact with a metal object. Another example would be when you pull your clothing out of the clothes dryer during the wintertime and they have “static cling”. The resulting shock is startling, but isn’t harmful.

When used properly, along with uniform training, static correction bark collars can be a safe, harmless tool to stop excessive or annoying barking.

Which bark control collar will work best for my dog?

The answer to this question lies with you, and your dog of course. As a dog owner, you know your pet best. Factors to consider when purchasing a bark collar:

• Your dog’s age: Bark collars or remote dog trainers should never be used on a dog less than 6 months of age.
• Your dog’s size & weight: Your dog’s weight and collar size need to be considered when considering collars. A bark collar for little dogs will not work well for a bigger or stubborn dog.
• Your dog’s temperament: Is your dog very stubborn? Apprehensive and  timid? There are bark collars specially created for both of these extremes, as well as standard collars that will work for most dogs. A very timid dog may respond better to a Citronella Bark Collar or Ultra Sonic device. Likewise, a larger dog will in all likelihood be trained easier with a shock collar especially made for big dogs.

Do bark control collars always work?

The degree of success for bark collars is high, but its important to realize that they might not work in every circumstance. A sure way to help encourage success is to commit yourself to consistent training. Opt for the bark control collar that conforms best with your dog’s personality and size, apply persistent training, and you will be well on your way to quieter days.

basic dog grooming

Do you like the smell of dirty dog? Do you like seeing your pet infested with fleas or ticks? There is a high chance that you do not. The answer to this problem is to make sure your pet undergoes regular dog grooming. It is not always easy to do, especially if your pet is not used to taking baths or having its hair cut but it is essential to maintaining a healthy coat and body.

Dog books and experts agree that dog grooming is an excellent way to foster a bond between pet owner and pet. It allows consistent contact and it helps assure the pet that its needs are being met in a safe way. It keeps the pet’s appearance healthy and make sure that allergies in the home are kept to a minimum. Dog grooming starts with the basics. You do not have to have expensive equipment nor do you have to always turn to be an animal wiz.

Basic dog beauty treatments begin in much the same way that you, yourself, spruce up. Start with an adequate bathtub with a hose attachment to the shower. Pets Mart sells a variety of shampoos and conditioning agents to help the dog grooming along. Make sure the bathtub area is cleared of all clutter. If this is your puppy’s first bath then it might not be quite as calm as you would want.

Start the shower, making sure the water temperature is tepid to warm, and make sure that your supplies are very close. The best idea is to have a dog training collar attached to a short leash and have the leash held by someone else while you do the dirty, or rather clean, work. Dog grooming starts with the bath. After the bathing is done and the dog is dried off then the entertainment begins.

Most dogs like to do a little dance after their bath time. They will roll around the carpet or make a dash for the backyard. You definitely do not want to repeat the bath so it is better to keep them indoors until they are properly dried. Once the drying is complete, it is time to brush your dog’s coat. It will remove any loose pet hair or dander remaining after the bath and will also give it a nice shine. If you feel up to the challenge clip their nails as well.

If you own a breed of dog that requires a special hair cut or is exceedingly large, consider taking them into a local dog groomer who has the facilities to take care of your pet. Dog grooming is a lot of work at times but it is worth it to see your pet healthy and have a beautiful coat. You will not have to worry about matted hair or the smell of a dog that has rolled around in something that it should not have.

Understanding Your Dog’s Behavioral Problems

Dogs exhibit many behaviors that leave their owners scratching their heads in confusion. Whether it’s barking, digging, nipping, or a number of other annoying activities, canines do things that seem odd to us. However, by understanding why they do such things, owners can learn to modify such behaviors.

Below, we’ll discuss several behavioral problems that can frustrate owners, their guests, and their neighbors. Knowing why your dog is displaying certain behavior issues, and the steps to fix them is the purpose of this article.

Chewing

Dogs chew for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, they’re anxious. Other times – especially in the case of puppies – they chew because they’re teething. Still other times, they simply become bored or restless. They do it to work off excess energy.

If your canine limits her chewing to a chew toy, or Bully Sticks there’s little harm in it. However, if she doesn’t have a chew toy, your furniture, books, clothes, and other belongings will be vulnerable to damage. When you physically see your dog chewing on inappropriate objects, may sure you inform them. Take away (or remove her from) the item on which she’s chewing and give her a Odorless Bully Stick in its place.

Excessive Barking

First, it’s important to realize that your dog barks as a way of communicating. While it can become frustrating if she does so excessively, owners should understand that there may be a valid reason for the behavior.

That said, canines often bark excessively for a number of reasons that are inappropriate. For example, they may be bored or excited. They may be barking because other pets are close by. Many times, your dog just wants to attract your attention.

To discourage inappropriate barking, make sure your pooch gets exercise each day. When bored, her pent-up energy can trigger the behavior. Also, avoid encouraging her barking by giving her attention when she does it. Instead, a loud clap will let your dog know they are doing something wrong.

Begging

Dogs love food, even if they’re not hungry. Given the opportunity, they’ll continue eating as long as someone gives them something to eat. The problem is that owners encourage begging each time they provide a taste from the dinner table. Remember, your pooch learns by repetition. When it comes to food, she learns quickly. When your dog is rewarded when they beg, they will learn this behavior and deem it natural.

You can discourage the begging behavior putting the dog into another part of the house during meal times.

The Value Of Obedience Classes

Most behavioral issues can be curbed by enrolling your dog into obedience classes. If you do so when she’s a puppy, the training is more likely to “stick.” If you enroll her as an adult, the training will be effective, but she’ll probably need periodic classes as a reminder of what constitutes appropriate conduct. In the end, a well-trained, well-behaved dog makes a more pleasant companion.

One of the most frustrating experiences for new dog owners is house training. Your dog may get the point of the training in no time at all, whereas it may just be a case of persevering a little longer. House training your dog is easier than you think! By following this straight forward method you can succeed with little stress and damage to carpeted areas.

First of all, it’s important to know that dogs will urinate or defecate where this has been done previously. If you own, or have owned, other animals, remove odors from the areas you know that they have used a potty. It can be quite a problem on carpets but it is imperative to ensure that you can progress with the training.

Puppy pads—absorbent diaper-like disposable mats that are placed in a designated area of the house—are the absolute best way to house train your dog. If you have decided to use the puppy pad method you will want to ensure you have a handy supply at all times. Find somewhere where you wish to have it permanently and place it there. An immediate response to using them can be seen in some puppies as they are attracted to the special scent.

If you notice your puppy relieving him or herself in a particular place, move the puppy pad to that area. If you spot an accident after the event then all you can do is clean up the area. Put your training pad where your puppy has been to the toilet and then carry your puppy to the pad, sitting it down on the pad.

If you happen to catch your puppy during the act, tell them “no” in a firm tone of voice, and move them to the puppy pad. It is important that you give your puppy loads of praise when you see it using its pad. The young puppy will soon understanding that a reward is heading their way through using the puppy pad. It’s quite natural for you puppies to see you as their leader and to try to please. This works to your advantage when training your dog.

If you’d like your dog to potty outside, begin to move the pad toward the door gradually, eventually moving it outside. Sometimes it can take more than just a few days for your puppy to start to go to the toilet outside without using a puppy pad. It’s an absolute must that you reward when your dog does get it right.