Dogs Talkup

Ever wondered why your dog jumps on you and messes up your dress?

Jumping occurs mainly when the dog is excited by your home coming, or visits by friends it considers as part of the family pack. It is their way of greeting.

Dogs also jump because they were never probably train before and it has always resulted in increased attention.

While small toy dogs will not pose too big a problem, bigger dogs may frighten and overpower a child or adult, causing injury. Therefore, a dog with a jumping habit should be discouraged and properly corrected.

• Discourage your dog by not patting him when he jumps on you during homecoming. Instead fold both your arms and look away till he calms down.

• Raise one of your knees and give a stern “Down” command if there is persistent jumping. As a reflex action, your dog will usually stop and back away.

• Learn to teach your dog the basic “Sit”, “Stay” and “Down” command to address the problem.

• Be consistent, repeating the process and praise your dog when he no longer jumps.

 

The down command is the next lesson to teach in your dog obedience training schedule. It should be taught as soon as you and your dog have mastered the sit command. The down command is a fundamental ingredient of your overall dog obedience training program. It provides the foundation for many other advanced commands/skills and establishes you as the leader in the relationship you share with your dog.

 

The down command is a very handy tool you will come to rely on in many situations. Popping your dog down into the lying down position is great for times when you need to go into a shop or for occasions when there are small children around. What you are trying to achieve with the down command is to have your dog quickly get down into the laying position, belly touching the ground and his front legs extended out in front.

 

 

 

HERE ARE THE STEPS TO TEACH YOUR DOG “DOWN” COMMAND :

 

STEP 1.          Put your dog into a sitting position.

 

STEP 2.          Grab your dog’s favorite tasty treat and hold it a couple of                             centimeters in front of his/her nose. Move your hand straight down to the ground. Your dog should follow it down. As soon as his belly hits the ground, with his legs out in front, lavish him with praise and give the treat.

 

STEP 3.          Repeat this action over and over in short sharp training sessions.

 

STEP 4.          When your dog is “getting it” and going down right away, you can add the verbal part of the command. Use the “down” or “lay” command. Add your command just before you start to move the treat towards the ground. This step is all about building an association in your dog’s mind between the verbal “down” command and the act of him lying down.

 

STEP 5.          The idea is that eventually, after plenty of repetition and praise your dog will only require your verbal command, and not the treat in your hand to lure him down. Also, in time you will be able to start the command not only from the sitting position but from standing and in any situation you and your dog are in.

 

STEP 6.          When your dog is responding well to your verbal command, introduce some other variables which make the down command a little more challenging. Try the command as you go about your daily business, around other people or dogs and increase the duration of the command.

 

 

Dog barks as its way of communication to the world. Your dog may bark to seek attention from you or as a warning when it senses non-pack members intruding its territory.

However excessive barking can irritate and cause both children and adults to shy away from your beloved canine. Therefore, training your dog not to bark is of utmost importance.

Do ignore your dog when he/she goes into a barking fit for no apparent reason as any attention will reinforce the behavior. Praise your dog when he becomes quiet.

Do use a squirt gun to spray water on your dog if excessive barking persists. This is to disrupt its behavior and your dog will associate barking as an unpleasant experience.

Do praise and reward your dog immediately after it stops barking and not ten minutes after. Your dog will not understand the reason for the discipline.

Do use an anti bark collar for further training whenever you are not around and your dog is not fully train yet so as to be thoughtful to your neighbors.

 

Today I want to provide some specific tips on how to avoid 6 preventable conditions.

Here are some things you can do to ensure your dog stays healthy.

1. Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) – This disease is most often genetic and cannot be prevented. It is most common in Dachshund dogs due to a genetic problem with the disc. You can minimize the chance of this problem by preventing your dog from jumping off the bed or furniture. Provide a ramp if needed to assist your dog getting off and on furniture.

2. Gastric Torsion (Bloat) - This is a life-threatening condition resulting from a distended stomach that rotates into an abnormal position (torsion). Untreated, it results in death. It is most common in large breed deep-chested dog (such as the Great Dane). Many veterinarians will prophylactically “pexy” or stabilize the stomach to prevent it from occurring in susceptible breeds. Other things you can do to help prevent his condition is to divide meals into 2 or 3 meals per day rather than one large meal. Feed a mixture of canned food and dry food.

3. Foreign Body Ingestion (Small Intestine) - This condition is entirely preventable. A foreign body is caused by the ingestion of an object that can’t pass through the intestine. Common objects include underwear, socks, pantyhose, coins and toys. How can you prevent it? Closely supervise your dog to ensure that he doesn’t ingest household items. Provide indestructible toys such as the Kong®. If your dog chews and ingests anything – call your veterinarian or local emergency clinic immediately.

4. Cruciate Rupture - This condition is due to a rupture of a ligament in the knee. It is difficult to prevent, as you cannot predict how or when it will happen. It can occur to any dog at any time when running or playing. You may minimize the changes by resting your dog when he is tired. Don’t over exercise him.

5. Foreign Body Ingestion (Stomach) - This condition is also preventable. This is similar to condition #4 but the foreign object is caught in the stomach rather than the intestine. Keep all items that your dog might ingest out of his reach. Observe his behavior when playing with toys to ensure he doesn’t try to “eat” them.

6. Pin in Broken Limb - This condition is a fracture or broken bone, which is treated with a surgical pin to stabilize the bone. Broken bones can be preventable. Many broken bones in dogs occur from being hit by a car. You can prevent this by ensuring your dog is on a leash and does not run free. In small or toy dogs, broken bones can result from being dropped or stepped on. Take special care with small dogs

For any contingencies be prepared with dog insurance.

 

 

Mostly dogs live between eight to fifteen years with an average lifespan of about twelve years. With better nutrition and advances in veterinary research, it is now possible to extend its life considerably. Caring an old dog will be a fruitful and a lovely experience for you because it is at this time the dog needs you the most. If a family owns an old dog, it is likely that the family has taken good care of it.

To ensure a comfortable old age for the dog, you must know the signs, symptoms and diseases of old age to help him live longer as you would not like to give up your loving companion. With the natural ageing process, there is a gradual slowing down of various functions and activities of your dog’s body, which are not always noticed. Hence it is best to be aware of these signs to treat them and make your dog healthy and comfortable .Please take your dog to your vet for general health checkups so that any ailment which you cannot notice may be done by your vet.

Some of the early signs of old age

• You may notice grey hairs around his muzzle along with a duller and drier coat.
• He is slow to get up in the morning.
• Most of the time he will be seen sleeping and resting rather than playing with you.
• He will be moody and a small trifle may cause him great annoyance.
• He may sometimes growl at small things which he never did before.

Some common disorder in old dogs

Failing eyesight:

It is natural as the dog gets older, his eyesight suffers. Many older dogs begin to develop opacity in the lens on the eyes called cataract. Sometimes diabetes may cause this problem. He cannot see things properly, but this may remain unnoticed in the house on account of his familiarity of the things in the house. The owner can however help the blind dog by not taking him off the leash outside the house and by avoiding any major rearrangement of the furniture in the house, including his food and water bowls.

Arthritis:

It is a common problem in the older dogs. This process can be gradual as the dog gets older which manifests with slow walking, straining while climbing the stairs etc .Moderate and regularly done exercise through walking is very helpful.

Kidney disorders:

This is one of the problems seen in older dogs. The dog may not eat properly or it may drink excessive water. A visit to the vet is a must if any signs like this appear in your elderly dog. He will suggest some medications and changes in the diet.

Heart diseases:

Any symptoms like coughing, breathing difficulties and fatigue could be due to heart problems. If any of these symptoms persist please take him to the vet. X rays and diagnosis tests may be required.

Tumors:

Tumors are the common culprits that afflict ageing dogs. It may be found on any part of the body, but tumors of the breast and testicles are more common in old dogs. Never neglect the tumors no matter how smaller it looks. It is best to get these tumors surgically removed in the earliest stages by the vet.

Obesity:

It is the most common problems in the old dogs and more common in females than in males. Overweight dogs tend to die very young. Don’t over feed your dog and stick on with daily schedules walking and some fun exercises.

Consideration and toleration for the old dog is imperative to allow him to pass his old age comfortably and to help him live longer. A little patience in picking up his bowls till he has finished his food, telling small children to avoid pestering the old dog.These little things will go a long way in making good to your old companion because he has been with you for such a long time.

Take care of your dog !!!

 

All your puppy need is “YOU”. Then comes the food .Feeding your puppy is not just adding the food in the bowl and keep in front of it .It does not end here. There are lots of things you should do to make your puppy to learn while feeding. You need to know how a puppy views food, because fussy and problem eaters are generally made, not born. Your puppy, which is growing rapidly, will have an intense desire as well as obvious need to be fed because he needs to grow. But you can take advantage of this “desire for food” to get your puppy’s attention and to train him up.

 

Food is a great training tool .Always ask  something for return like sit, stand or any other  simple commands and make your puppy realize that in order to earn his food he should obey your commands. There is no free lunch .But if you fall for his adorable way of begging for food and just feed him, you will end up with a dog which is always begging food. Your puppy will always like to know exactly where and when meals will be served daily.  You can feed your dog in the kitchen in a non traffic spot and stick to the same spot. But large dogs like mastiffs which makes a good mess of food, can be fed in a backyard or any other place. Always ensure that a water bowl is ever present in that place (where you feed). But food bowls must be taken after fifteen to twenty minutes.

 

Some breeders use the “self feeding method”, where the bowl is filled with food and the puppy feeds on his wish. This is a very bad method of feeding because a dog which is left to eat whenever he pleases will become obese. In case of larger breeds, bloats may occur, whish can be fatal to the dog. So don’t ever use this type of feeding.

And there is another disadvantage in this type of feeding. A puppy left all day long with free access to food, tends to overeat due to sheer boredom. And a puppy which is left to feed all day long also needs to eliminate all day long, which makes house training difficult. On top of that, you lose your role as a ‘provider’, the offer of food ceases to be an exiting event and food rewards lose their effectiveness’ as teaching tools.

 

Ok now we have learned how to feed, lets see how often to feed.

 

You can feed your puppy four times a day until he is 8 to 12 weeks old. At about 12 weeks skip the late afternoon meal i.e. 3 pm .Small to medium size breeds should be fed 3 times a day until they are about 6 months old. And after 6 months old you can feed him twice a day. If you have a large breed, feed him thrice a day but don’t over-feed him because a dog with huge body will develop skeletal problems due to fast growth. You can stick to this schedule until 14 to 18 months old and then switch over to twice a day .Your dog will just be fine.

 

Below is a schedule for feeding your dog

 

8 to 12 weeks old puppy	8 am 12 noon 3 pm 7 pm Four times a day
12 weeks to 6 months	8 am 1 pm 7 pm Thrice a day
6 months onwards	9 pm 7 pm Twice a day

 

 

Lastly, always provide fresh drinking water all day long because it makes easy for your dog to eliminate and flush out any toxins from the body of your dog .Raise a happy and a healthy dog.

 

 

Fetching is a fun game as well as a good exercise for your dog. It is a very useful lesson and hence should be taught with great care. And the best thing is that it is easy to teach this activity because your dog naturally has a knack for fetching. This lesson should begin as a game and it should keep your dog’s attention towards you and the object you are throwing (ball or toy).Start this when your dog is in a playful mood.

Here are 3 simple steps to teach your dog to fetch an object.

Step 1:

Wave the ball in front of your dog and throw it in a short distance. Most dogs will run immediately after that ball. As the dog starts to run say “fetch”. As he reaches his toy and picks up, praise him.

Step 2:

As soon as he picks up the ball, say him “come”. As he turns to move towards you, encourage him. If your dog wanders off at this point, start again from the initial throw, so that he begins to get the idea of a sequence.

Step 3:

When your dog returns to you, give the “sit” instruction. As your dog sits, he would naturally drop the ball, but if not, crouch down and offer him a treat in exchange. As soon as he drops the ball, praise him.

Play this game about half an hour daily for three days, I’m damn sure he plays the game like a pro.

Safety precautions

Select a right size ball to play. A ball too small is dangerous because it may slip through the throat and may choke him.Don’t use sticks for fetching because they may splinter and this may harm your dog. That’s it.

Happy playing!!!

 

Well, let me tell you a bitter truth. “Thousands and thousands of dogs are killed each year in animal shelters just because they have no homes”. Doesn’t this seem very cruel .The reason behind this slaughter is casual breeding! Many people just don’t understand this problem. But as a responsible dog owner we can reduce this problem.

HOW?

The answer is spaying or neutering.

 

To spay or neuter is the decision left to you. If you wish your dog to have puppies, that’s fine. But if you don’t want to add an extra pet to your home, then consider neutering.

 

Neutering is done to male dogs to prevent birth control. Neutering is the removal of both testes in male dogs. Spaying is removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries to your female dog. It is a minor operation in which your dog will recover quickly. It is beneficial both to you as well as to your dog.

 

Ok if you have considered neutering your dog many questions will sprout out of your head!

 

•       When should I neuter?
•       How do I get my dog neutered?
•       What are the benefits of neutering?
•       Will this bother my dog much?

 

Firstly let me tell you when to neuter your dog.

For male dogs the best time to neuter is when their skeletal frame is matured i.e. fully grown. This can be around 6 to 8 months for small and medium breed. For large breed better do it around 10 to 12 months because it takes longer time for these big dogs to mature. For female dogs the best time to spay is just before 3 months or after her first heat cycle. They will have this first season cycle in 6 to 7 months of age. It is best to spay her early because it minimizes the chances of getting mammary tumors later in life. Also consider your veterinarian also as when to spay or neuter the dog because it varies from breed to breed.

 

And your second question is how to do this? Well it’s very simple. Get an appointment with your vet before an operation and let him first examine your dog to make sure he is ready for the operation. In male dogs, the testes are tested and felt to determine they are properly descended.  In female dogs the mammary glands are felt to check whether she is not lactating. If she is not, your dog is good to go. Once your appointment is booked your vet will say you not to feed the dog anything from midnight before the operation is performed to ensure your dog has an empty stomach at the time of the surgery. The whole process of operation is done on the same day and you can take your dog home in the evening.

  

Now let’s see what the benefits of neutering 

 

When neutering your male dog,

•       It curbs the desire to roam and get into brawls with other males.
•       It reduces mounting or humping behavior.
•       It reduces dominant behavior and aggressions.
•       It greatly reduces the risk of prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

 

When you spay your female dog,

•       You can avoid her heat cycles, during which she discharges blood and smell.
•       It greatly reduces the risk of mammary cancer and uterine cancer
•       It prevents unwanted pregnancies
•       It reduces dominance behaviors and aggressions
•       It curbs roughhousing

 

Here’s the answer to your fourth question, Will this bother my dog much? You may have heard that spaying or neutering will cause your dog to get obese.  It’s a myth.  If you don’t overfeed and provide plenty of exercise, your dog doesn’t get obese. It will not turn your dog into wimp. It will always protect you and be as good as a watchdog ever.

 

 

 

Choosing a veterinarian is very important because it is a vital process in keeping your dog healthy. Often people find it a bit difficult to locate a veterinarian for their dogs .This may be because they don’t have the right contacts or they may be new to their locality. Usually when choosing the best vet, ask your neighbors who own a pet or your friends who is familiar with dogs.

 

Veterinary practices are no longer limited to a waiting room, examination room and surgery run by one person. Many today are in large complexes where all your pet needs can be met under one roof-medical care, food supplies, toys, grooming, boarding, training and behavioral consultations. Nowadays we find mobile vets who arrive to your home with all the necessary medicines and equipments.

 

Feel free to call and ask if you may visit the office to meet the doctor. Clarify any doubts regarding the health of your dog. Remember you are the vital link between your dog and his vet. The dog can’t say what is bothering him or how he feels, so you must be able to communicate to the vet, how the dog’s current actions differ from what is normal for your dog.

 

The perfect time to get to know a vet and establish the necessary confidence in the doctor, the staff and the way the office is run is when you are taking care of those puppy shots. If you’re not satisfied with the service they provide, you can switch off to other vet who meets your criteria by asking with other responsible dog owners in your neighborhood

 

When to call the veterinarian?

 You need to call your vet in an emergency situation when:

 

•       Your dog’s breathing is not normal.
•       He is choking.
•       Your dog has been injured and bleeding profusely.
•       Your dog has been stung or bitten by any insects.
•       Your dog is been bitten by a snake.
•       Other animal bites your dog.
•       He has licked poison.
•       He is burned with fire or by any caustic chemicals found in your garage.
•       Hit by a car or a truck.
•       He has broken bones or cannot put any weight on one of his limbs.
•       He has a seizure.

 

BE A HEALTHY AND A HAPPY DOG OWNER!!!

TAKE CARE OF YOUR DOG CAUSE HE IS WORTH IT!!!

 

 

As you enjoy you’re your life with your puppy, it’s very crucial that you do immunization to keep your happy dog, healthier .Because health is wealth. Let us know what is meant by immunization.

 

Well, immunization provides protection against contagious disease that can be fatal to your puppy. This is usually administrated through a vaccine .Vaccine is an Immunogen consisting of a suspension of weakened or dead pathogenic cells injected in order to stimulate the production of antibodies. May be a lot of people will be aware of immunization. But there are some things to consider during immunization.

Here are few guidelines:

 

•       Observe very closely your pup’s reaction to all immunizations and medications.
•       Report anything unusual about your  pup
•       Ask your pet ,when does your puppy need his next shots

 

These are all essential part of preventive health care for your puppy. There is an advantage in the process of immunization. Every time you take your puppy to the vet for her shots, the vet will check your pup’s general physical conditions and his growth and also answer your questions .Isn’t it great?

 

What vaccines dog need and how often they need them has been a subject of controversy for several years. Researchers, health care specialists, vaccine manufacturers, and dog owners do not always agree on which vaccines each dog needs or how often booster shots must be given.

In 2003, the American Animal Hospital Association released vaccination guidelines and recommendations that have helped dog owners and vets sort through much of the controversy and conflicting information. The guidelines designate four vaccines as core, or essential, because of the serious nature of the diseases.

 

These are:

 

•       Canine distemper virus
•       Canine parvovirus
•       Canine adenovirus-2
•       Rabies

 

 The general recommendations for their use are:

 

•       Vaccinate puppies at 6-8 weeks and 12-14 weeks
•       Give a booster shot when the dog is one year old
•       Give a subsequent booster shot every three years

 

Noncore vaccines should only be considered for those dogs whose risk exposure to particular disease because of geographical area, lifestyle, frequency of travel, or other issues .They include vaccines against these following diseases:

 

•       Distemper –measles virus
•       Canine parainfluenza virus
•       Leptospirosis
•       Bordetella bronchiseptica
•       Borrelia burgdorferi(lyme disease)

 

Be an owner of a healthy dog because your dog is worth a million dollars for you.