DIY DOG TREATS

If you would like to give your dog a treat try making these dog treats. Make sure you use an organic peanut butter and make sure that the ingredients do not contain 'Xilitol'

Aggressive Behaviors in Small Dogs

Aggressive dogs are a major problem for many pet owners, and a justified cause for concern. Some canine experts refer to aggression in miniature breeds as small dog syndrome, the animal kingdom's version of a Napoleon complex. Unfortunately, many people fail to take this behavior seriously, believing that an aggressive small dog won't be able to cause much harm. Professional dog trainers do take this phenomenon seriously, however, and recommend that dog owners do the same. Fortunately, small dog syndrome can be successfully mitigated with proper training and follow-up.

Small Dog Syndrome

Small dog syndrome is a term that many trainers use to describe aggression in miniature breeds. This phenomenon is sometimes mocked or discounted because small animals usually can't impart the level of damage that a large breed can. Consequently, pet owners allow their tiny companions to exhibit behavior that would never be tolerated with a large dog. Rather than training the tiny canines to display correct behavior, owners often control by force. It's easy to scoop a tiny dog up in your arms and carry him away when he acts up, but this does nothing to teach it proper behavior. This practice causes a variety of complications that can reward and reinforce bad behavior rather than eliminate it. In addition, this degree of close contact, when overdone, can make the dog feel uncomfortable and overwhelmed.

The Most Aggressive Small Dog Breeds

As you might expect, the usual suspects top this list: Poodles, Jack Russell terriers, Chihuahuas and Lhasa apsos are the most commonly reported breeds for aggression. It may surprise you to learn that cocker spaniels, beagles, dachshunds and shih tzus are also frequently noted as being antagonistic. Rounding out the list are the bichon frisé and the Pomeranian. Of course any dog, regardless of size, can develop aggression.

Experts say that it is important not to blame the dog's breed or expect breed-specific negative behavior patterns. Behavioral patterns in domestic canines almost always have more to do with human influences and the degree to which the animal was successfully socialized as a puppy.

Understanding and Addressing Tiny Aggression

Aggression in small dogs may have different influences than for larger breeds. And while tiny pups are more easily hurt, it may be difficult to make the adjustments necessary to overcome aggression while still keeping them safe. It is important to watch your dog for signs of fear or discomfort, which are the typical emotions that precede aggression. Careful observation will help you learn to recognize those situations that trigger unwanted behaviors. Watch for your dog to tuck its tail, assume a wide, crouching stance, put its ears back or lick its lips. If the situation elevates, it may bark, growl, initiate eye contact, snap at the air or put its hackles up.

The best way to remedy aggression in small breeds is with training, specifically using reward-based training techniques with obedience, confidence-building and socialization. It isn't easy to break old habits with weekly pet-store classes, however. Many experts suggest boot-camp-style programs. In this scenario, away from the owner's influence, a small dog can have the comfort level to successfully master new behavior patterns. At the end of the program, pet owners typically join their dogs to learn how to maintain and reinforce the new behaviors. With this approach, you are much less likely to experience recidivism, wherein the dog reverts to his old aggressive dog ways.

Choosing A Family Dog For Your Child

Children and pets go great together, keeping each other entertained and occupied. A child and a dog can develop a strong bond. When choosing a family dog for your child, there are several different things to keep in mind.

First, think about the dog breeds that are noted for being good family dogs. Some of them are rather large breeds, so it's the breed, not necessarily the size. Of course, you have to be comfortable with the dog around your children, so if you want a smaller dog, then so be it.

Of course, this can also depend on the age of your child. Do you have infants, toddlers or preschool age children at home, or are your children adolescents? Also, is the dog going to be an inside dog or an outside dog?

There are of course certain dog breeds that make for better inside dogs, and the same goes for outside dogs. According to the ASPCA, a dog in the house is a good idea once a child reaches ten years old. Of course, you can have a dog when your child or children are younger, but you really have to keep up with everything and ensure safety.

Furthermore, an older child can have a much better say as to what kind of dog they might like. This can also help you pick out a dog.

Where do you plan on getting the dog? Do you want to get it from a breeder or pet store, or would you like to take home a rescue dog? You don't have to get a full breed, rescue dogs that are mixes often make nice family pets, too. I have one of them here beside me.

You also need to think about the age of the dog in contrast with the age of your children. If you get a puppy for a three year old, you're in for having two children running around the house. All things considered, sometimes it's better to opt for a mature dog.

When you do get a dog to bring home to your child, you need to make sure that he or she understands the responsibilities of care. This is a great way for them to learn responsibility in general. If you get the right dog for your child, you no doubt are going to be welcoming a loving new member to the family.

A Senior Dog Health Management - Rich Diet, Exercise, Vet Checkups & Supplements

As humans, your dog too ages and it is relatively earlier than a humans age. With age, numerous health issues arise in your dog such as deterioration of skin and coat, loss of muscle mass, digestion issues, obesity, arthritis, dental problems and decreased ability to fight back infections. However, large size dogs experience age-related changes earlier compared to smaller dogs who live longer. This gives us the hint to estimate when it is a time to feed your canine a senior diet food based on the size.

A standard guideline to follow to determine how dogs age related to their size is:

•  Small breeds or dogs weighing less than 20 pounds - 7 years of age.
•  Medium breeds and dogs weighing 21 to 50 pounds - 7 years of age.
•  Large breeds and dogs weighing 51 to 90 pounds - 6 years of age.
•  Giant breeds and dogs weighing 91 pounds or more - 5 years of age.

Say no to diets that have low level of proteins

Normally, it is believed that as dogs age, they require less amount of proteins. This is far behind the real fact. Senior dogs require as much protein as they were taking previously. Studies have proven that older dogs need to be facilitated with proper level of proteins, and this does not open gateways to the development or progression of renal failures. It is even crucial to feed senior dogs with optimal levels of easily digestible proteins to help retain good muscle mass.

Ensure to Provide Low-Calorie Diet

Senior dogs have been recorded to attain an extra body fat in spite of consuming fewer calories. Due to the age, this change in a body is unstoppable and may be triggered due to reduced energy spending or a sudden change in metabolism. Whatever the reason is, it is paramount to feed a low-calorie diet to avoid every possibility of weight gain and the problems arising due to obesity. However, meeting the proper protein level is important to support in retaining muscle mass.

Talk to your vet regarding the change of diet of your older dog

Ageing can directly affect a dog's intestinal functionality. It can hamper intestinal bacteria, which can surface the symptoms of gastrointestinal infections. When selecting a senior dog diet, ensure  it contains FOS (fructooligosaccharides) that promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria, this invariably helps in proper digestion, preventing any digestive issues.

Pick foods with high ratio of vitamin E and Beta-carotene

Antioxidants such as vitamin E and beta-carotene help in removing free radicals that can largely damage the tissues of the body and can cause signs of aging. Senior dog diets should contain higher levels of these antioxidant compounds. Good amount of antioxidants is responsible for increasing the effectiveness of the immune power in older dogs.

Stick to Consistency

Never be inconsistent when it comes to a routine care of geriatric pets. Along with consistent daily routine, timely veterinary examinations should be involved to diagnose the presence or progress of a chronic disease. Stressful situations and abrupt changes in daily routines should be shunned. In case, you are looking to make a drastic change in your older pet's routine, remember to put it on a gradual scale.

In a nutshell, senior dogs undergo a variety of physiological changes along with psychological changes. To tackle these changes, it is advisable to follow the right diet that is recommended for older dogs. Two things to care - their weight and agility. Your elder dogs need not only proper diet and optimal weight but also regular health checkups at a vet office. Not limited to this, the care should be extended in adding the nutritional supplements to aid their physical health. Well, taking proper care of your older dog, you can help them pass their golden years happily.

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Is It Safe To Give Your Dogs A Bone?

The image of a dog with its bone is one of those classic images in media. You see it in all manner of television shows, cartoons, and paintings. Many people like to keep bones aside for their dogs for this purpose. It gives a dog something to chew on, and it allows them to enjoy the taste of any meat still connected to the bone.

Is it safe, though? Unfortunately, it's not. There are some bones that it may be safe for a dog to chew on, but by and large, bones are actually quite dangerous for dogs. This is because bones tend to splinter and chip. It's incredibly easy for one of those splinters or chips to get lodged into the skin of a dog's mouth. This can cause all manner of health problems, up to and including an infection that would end with needing to remove part of the dog's jaw.

Some of the larger bones, such as cow femur bones, are a bit safer. It's more difficult for a dog to splinter these bones with chewing. Any bird bones, however, are incredibly dangerous. You should never allow your dog to chew on chicken bones, turkey bones, or the bones of any other poultry. This is because birds have hollow bones, which makes them so much easier to splinter.

If you can't give your dog a bone, what should you allow your dog to chew on? There are a number of chewing toys available at most pet shops, and many of those are much more appropriate. The traditional one is a rawhide bone, and there's no reason not to go traditional. Many of these chewing toys are even flavored, allowing your dog to enjoy a taste they'll love while they're also chewing on things that are much safer for them to chew.

Due to a combination of tradition and popular media, it's really easy to think you should give your dogs the bones from you meal. Yet it's an incredibly dangerous thing to do. So you should avoid doing it whenever you can. If you want to give your dog some meat, then simply give your dog some meat. If you want to give them a chew toy, buy an actual chew toy. Giving them a bone is just increasing the risk of getting a bone chip splintered into their jaw or gut, and that can cause way too many problems.

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Dog does sit up exercise with owner (HILARIOUS)

Anything you can do. I think the dog is better at exercising than its owner,

How to Keep a Dog in Good Health

Being a dog parent is not easy. One needs to be very careful about the special needs of the dog and offer them proper care and attention. In fact it would not be an exaggeration today that the adopting a dog is akin to being a parent of your child. You have to offer them a happy and healthy life that would not only increase their obesity but also offer them a high standard of life. One thing that you should remember here is that you don't have to adopt the dog only because of its liveliness or charm but also because you want to form a lifelong relationship. So you need to be very careful about physical and mental health of your dog as you are careful about your own child.

Here are a few helpful tips to maintain the health of you dog:

Daily Exercise

Daily exercise is the most important part of a dog's schedule. In fact many pet owners would not like to take their dogs to nearby parks for walking as they are too much worried about the dog being attacked by street dogs. In that case you may use a vehicle to take your dog in a vehicle and park it outside the garden. Then you can take you dog inside the park and allow it to enjoy brisk walking. The obese dogs find it difficult to breather and are at a high risk of developed diabetes.

Diet

Some people treat they dogs as their own family members. However it times they go a bit too far. It is especially true in the case of diet; In fact the dog's biological system and digestion process is distinctly different from human beings. So chocolate can be a treat for your child but for your dog it is a threat. The digestion system of dogs is designed in such a way that they cannot digest certain foods like chocolates, pizza, bread and others. Hence, instead of giving it what it likes the most you should rather offer it something that is most beneficial of its body.

Mental Well-being

The dogs are very sensitive when it comes to psychology. Many people buy dogs, not adopt them. It means that they buy them because of their liveliness instead of forming a genuine relationship. Such dogs are pampered too much in the beginning and later on when the owners are fed up they stop giving much attention to them. Sure, they get the food and water on time. But that is not enough. They also want to get proper care and love. Many such dogs suffer mentally and finally they fall victim to various psychiatric problems. So, it is very important to adopt a dog only of you have enough time to take their proper care.

Training Your Dog Without Headaches? Try These Ideas To Help

When training your dog, you want to ensure that you are using the most common and proven methods. This article will go into detail with the most popular and tested methods and let you know how to implement them. Follow the tried and true methods listed, and you should see success in your training.

Positive reinforcement is everything when you are working at training your dog. You need to give your dog lots of chances to get things right and then immediately reinforce that desirable behavior. You can use treats, praise or a combination of both to let the dog know how happy you are with what he just did.

Your dog should have a wide variety of social interactions daily. This will ensure he'll continue to blossom as a social animal, and he'll be able to use up some of his energy meeting all these exciting new people and dogs.

In order to train a well-mannered dog you should always be consistent with your punishments. If you let your dog get away with a particular bad behavior when you normally punish him for it, then your dog will be more likely to revert to bad behavior in general and not as likely to listen to your commands in the future.

One tip to keep in mind when training your dog, is to be sure to never discipline your dog for bad behavior when he is ill. This will only confuse your dog and might cause him to not respond to discipline in the future. Examples of this would be, if your dog defecates or vomits in a manner that is not typical to his normal behavior.

Dogs are creatures of habit. If you customarily take them out for their walk at the same time every night, they will grow to expect that walk, even to depend on it. Missing the scheduled date by even just a few minutes can result in an accident for the younger dog and even for the older one.

Before you ever get a dog, be sure that you have everything you need. You should have: sturdy food and water bowls; a good quality of dry dog food; a comfortable bed; a crate/kennel in the right size for the dog you plan to get; and an appropriate leash and collar or harness. By having everything in place, you will avoid a lot of rushing around and uncertainty with a new dog or puppy. This will help everybody settle in better.

When interacting with other dogs, expect a calm, sedate attitude from your pet before letting them go loose. By establishing a calm demeanor in your pet, you will cause a ripple effect through the other animals as well as teaching your dog that you control the environment. When it is time to go as well, this will make it easier to withdraw your dog.

In the foregoing, we have provided the most popular methods for training your dog. These tricks and tips have been used over a long amount of time with many types of dogs and many dog owners. So, if you follow these methods as suggested, you stand a good chance of training your dog correctly.

You want to ensure that you are using the most common and proven methods when training your dog. When you are working at training your dog, positive reinforcement is everything. One tip to keep in mind when training your dog, is to be sure to never discipline your dog for bad behavior when he is ill. You should have: sturdy food and water bowls; a good quality of dry dog food; a comfortable bed; a crate/kennel in the right size for the dog you plan to get; and an appropriate leash and collar or harness. These tips and tricks have been used over a long amount of time with many types of dogs and many dog owners.

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Controlling Dog Obesity

Many people love and cherish their dogs, and we all know that dogs love to eat. It is common for dog owners to reward their dog with treats in the form of food. This is the main reason most canines today are considered to be overweight. An overweight dog can be defined as a dog whose weight is 15% higher than what is considered optimal for that specific breed's weight. If you look around at people's dogs today, you will not be surprised to find out that most of them are probably obese.

Canines never seem to get tired of eating. If you don't take control of what your dog consumes and the intervals of his or her meals, you could unknowingly cause him several illnesses such as diarrhea, blotting, constipation, and even obesity. One of the main reasons why most canine are obese is because the owners allow their dogs to have free feeding. However, what many people do not

realize is that when a dog always has food at his or her disposal, it can be a detrimental to him or her. Controlling when and what your dog eats will help you keep him healthy and free from obesity.

The food that you give your dog should not be necessarily dictated by his or her breed but his or her age, the activity he or she indulges in and health. Only give your dog an occasional bit of table scraps, and never directly from the table. If you feed him or her from the table, he or she may develop a habit of begging while you are eating, and it will eventually result in obesity.

Nutrition is a very important aspect of your dog's general physical health. Without the right foods, it can easily become obese or even worse, fall ill. The best quality food that you choose should provide your pet with a glossy coat, good energy, and a good quality of health. Finding a quality food for your dog's maintenance is the best choice.

Dogs need plenty of exercises to remain healthy. Give your dog plenty of exercises. They have a natural desire to use up energy by playing and running around. Playful exercise is good for your dog's body as well as the mind. Avoid circumstances where you have to keep your dog locked up all day since you will make him or her unsocial, obese and miserable. Allowing your dog to run around so as to provide him or her with exercise and entertainment that plays a major role in keeping the dog's body healthy.

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Dogs Brittle Nails and Their Causes

Among the frequently experienced nail problems found with pet dogs is the problem of dry and brittle nails. Usually you will see the nails crumbling quite readily whilst trimming or cutting nails during grooming. While breaking nails could be caused by your dog's active lifestyle that involves digging holes and scratching posts, brittle nails in dogs is usually a sign of particular nail or nail bed problems resulting from an infection, disorders or trauma of the nails.

Brittle Nails Causes

Physical Trauma or Injury: Injuries to the nails is often very painful for dogs in particular those dogs having long nails. Untrimmed nails on dogs can easily split or break up especially during intense exercise or activity and can even happen if the dog is not used to walking on hard surfaces. Routine nail trimming making use of specially designed nail trimmers is extremely important for your dog's overall health and well-being.

Symmetrical Lupoid 

Onychodystrophy: 

This is an immune centered condition which will bring about dry and brittle nails in dogs. The disease causesan overactive immune system which in turn has an effect on the nail and nail beds. As a result this results in splitting and breaking of nails which usually rarely really heals. Sooner or later you could notice the loss of nails from all of the paws. Other indications of Lupoid Onychodystrophy may include twisted nails, painful paws, secondary infection and lameness. To identify the condition a biopsy of a claw has to be carried out. As soon as a firm diagnosis is attained from the veterinarian, treatment can start. This could include the use of essential fatty acid (EFA) supplements such as fish oil, vitamin A treatment, antibiotic treatment with tetracycline and niacinamide. In some severe cases the removal of the nails may be required in order to relieve the pain. The dog breeds most prone to this condition are rottweilers and greyhounds.

Yeast Infection in Dogs: Canine yeast infection is caused by Candida albicans yeast which resides in your pet's body and consumes sugar and fats in order to thrive and grow. It affects the immune system, mouth, nose, ears, and gastrointestinal and genital tracts of the dogs causing health problems such as allergies, vaginal and bladder infection and skin disorders. Although a healthy dog with an immune system which is healthy has the ability to fight off the infection, a dog with a weak immune system can be afflicted by a number of health problems. Besides brittle and dry nails, yeast infections in dogs may also trigger allergies, constipation, ear infections, itching, skin rashes and lots of other dog health issues.

Nail Bed Tumors in Dogs: Nail bed tumors in dogs affect the nail matrix, the nail beds which contains nerves, blood vessels and the melanin-producing cells. In addition to brittle nails, these tumors cause tumor like growth on the nail bed, limping, bleeding and ulcerations. Because they are very easily mistaken for bone

inflammation or nail infections, the diagnostic procedures for this condition will include cytology and tissue biopsy. The treatment for this cancerous growth is the surgical removeal of the grouth or in serious cases, amputation of the digits to avoid the re-occurrence of the tumor.

Fungal Infection: Onychomycosis is the name widely used to describe a fungal infection in the nail folds or around the nail bed. This infection is characterized by the dog constantly licking it’s paws, brittle nails and swelling of the feet. To diagnose a fungal

infection, a skin scraping may be required. The possible causes of fungal infections could possibly be particular medication to suppress it's immune system. Antifungal medication is prescribed by your veterinarian for the treatment of the condition.

The other symptoms of nail infections or ailments affecting the nails include licking of the paws, lameness, pain in the feet, swelling and inflammation of the surrounding tissues and abnormal nail color. These symptoms will probably become apparent when you become aware of your dog limping .

As well as these things that cause brittle nails, lack of essential vitamins and other nutritional deficiencies may well bring about chipping and cracking of the nails. Adding zinc supplements to your dog's diet and giving foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids can resolve this issue. The success of brittle nails treatment is dependant upon identifying the underlying cause of the problem. Whilst fungal and bacterial infections may be treated by topical treatments or ointments which are applied to the affected area, in some severe circumstances surgical removal of the nail plate could be required. The simplest and the best brittle nails treatment and prevention is to keep your dog's nails groomed well. Avoid clipping your dog's nails too close to the nail bed. If nicked it might cause bleeding and infection in the dog's paws. For further information regarding the treatment of the other nail disorders, it would be advisble to consult a veterinarian as soon as a problem was noticed.

How To Clean A Dog's Ears - In Detail

This is an IN-DEPTH, detailed demonstration on how to clean and medicate a dog's ears by a veterinarian. Hopefully, this video will help you. The best medicine in the world won't work if you don't get it in the ear correctly!

Your Dogs Shake Their Heads Because Of Itching Ears - What To Do

I've had two dogs that shake their heads and over the years have learned a lot about what causes it. I spent a lot of time scratching my dog's ears to give them the needed relief they desired and it always worked to give them relief for a period of time. When I hit the right spot on their ears their tongues always got going with me getting a bath.

Of course ear mites are the first thought that comes to mind and to save most of the $50.00 it would cost to have a vet check out my dog's ears I just went a purchased a bottle of 'Ear Mite Solution" from the pet store for $8 dollars. I've read posts from people who take their dogs to the vet for every little condition and that's great if you have the dollars to do so but I myself don't have the gold mine I can dig in every time I need to pay a bill. I've always been a do it your self-er hands on person anyway. I put some cash away for when my dog really needs to go to the vet for major injuries.

The ear mite solution never worked most likely because the problem wasn't ear mites so I went back to the pet store and purchased an "Ear Wash" solution and to my surprise that worked so much better for at least for a week or so. This took place over several years as I got myself educated on my dog's ear itching problems.

I did look inside my dog's ears and they always looked "Pink and Clean" with no signs of bits, infection, swelling or other abnormalities. Yes, I read so many articles about dog ear itching and sorting out the information became my goal. After all was read and sorted I came to the conclusion that the problem with my dog's ears was "Bacteria" and/or "Itchy Skin".

A point to watch for is if you treat your dogs ears a certain way or with a type of solution and the itching comes back fast, over a period of time or never. Observing the amount of time elapsed gives a clue as to if your dog's ear itching problem is "Mites", "Bacteria" or "Itchy Skin". Mites should be gone within 3 weeks, Bacteria should die fast and may come back later on, Itchy Skin problems without visual abnormalities will never go away but can only be soothed.

A "Black Granular Seepage" most likely is yeast or bacteria. Older dogs that are getting ready to pass away will often have bacterial problems in their ears that cause this black granular seepage. If the black substance has a distinctive foul odor it is most likely a bacterial infection or bacterial yeast. Black seepage doesn't always produce a foul odor though. Young dogs can get the black seepage but it mostly comes in older dogs up in their years or close to passing away.

Ear Mites produce a dark crusty substance that isn't the black gooey substance produced by yeast and bacteria. The black gooey substance can still be produced with an ear mite infestation but it's only produced because the ear mites have caused a bacterial infection. If you check your dog's ears regularly and notice a dark crusty substance accompanied by red and inflammation you are most likely dealing with ear mites. The dark and crusty substance is waste matter produced by the ear mites.

A yellowish discharge from your dog's ears is most likely just wax. Some dogs will have more discharge and some will have less. An ear cleaning solution will take care of this. Humans get wax buildups as a normal process of life and the same is true for dogs also.

Except for the ear mites and swelling, an ear cleaning solution for $7 to $11 dollars at the pet store will take care of the problem. If it's

deemed that your dog needs a "Deep Cleaning" then it's time for your dog to go to the vet. "Never" put a Q-Tip to far down into your dog's ears because they have eardrums that can rupture just like humans.

The main accomplishment you will be trying to achieve with your dog's ears is to "Kill The Bacteria" and the ear cleaning solution does this. Most likely if your dog gets a bacterial buildup in their ears one time it will happen again and again over time which will require an ear cleaning now and again. Keeping your dog indoors helps but your dog says going outside now and again for awhile will be fun.

Alkaline water alone will kill a lot of the bacteria if not all of it but the ear cleaning solution you get from the pet store or vet has a chemical content designed to do a better job of it. The ear cleaning solution with the chemical content will also work well on dog ears that just have plain itchy skin.

Any good ear cleaning solution should have an alkaline water base. You can get dry ear powder also and this works well but surely not as good as the liquid ear cleaner that is alkaline. Bacteria like places that are not alkaline to grow. The ear powder I've used does a good job but is really a pain to get into the dog's ears when the dog is flopping around wanting to "Get Away". The powder won't always go deep and may leave pockets for bacteria to grow again later.

You can get your dog an ear mite solution from the pet store also if the discharge you notice is dark and crusty. If it's determined that ear mites are causing the bacterial infection you will need to use the cleaning solution to get all the seepage out then use the ear mite solution.

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The 4 Most Common Dog Health Problems And What You Can Do About Them

Our pet dogs rely on us for food, love and care. Like us, our pet can suddenly feel ill and as a dog parent, it is important to know what to do when they get sick. It is ideal to know the most common health problems that are likely to hit your furry friend at any time to be better prepared.

Here are the top 4 common dog health problems and what you can do to care for your pet when they experience it:

Ear Infection

Usually caused by bacteria, ear mites, yeast or hair growth in the ear canal, canines are prone to ear infection. Symptoms include ear odor, ear discharge (brown, yellow or bloody), scratching, head shaking or tilting, loss of balance, redness and swelling of the ear canal and unusual eye movements. A simple ear infection can be cured through cleaning and medicating the ear canal, but it's ideal to bring your pet to the vet if symptoms don't clear up.

Worms

Dogs are naturally curious and would put everything in their mouth, that's why it's easy for parasites to enter their system. Roundworms, tapeworms and whipworms are common internal parasites in canines and are pretty easy to deal with but hookworms are known to be fatal to dogs, especially puppies. A change in appetite, diarrhea and weight loss are signs that your pet has worms and should be brought to the vet immediately. Treatment depends on what type of worm infestation he has.

Hot Spots

A bacterial infection, hot spots (medical term is acute moist dermatitis) are those bare, inflamed areas in your dog's fur that they can't stop scratching. Fleas are a common cause of a hot spot. Depending on the cause, these itchy and painful spots may be treated with antibiotics, topical medications, steroids or simply shaving and cleaning the affected area.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea can hit canines as easily as it can hit us and are usually caused by food-related problems. In dogs, it can also be caused by intestinal parasites, parvo virus or even stress. Symptoms of diarrhea are obvious - loose, watery stools sometimes accompanied by lethargy, dark and bloody stools and vomiting. Be sure that your pooch remains hydrated but if symptoms last for more than a day, it's time to bring him to the vet.

Knowing these common dog health problems will help you better take care of your furry friend!

5 Most Important Puppy Potty Training Tips to Follow

Having a new puppy in the house - you have a bundle of wonderful things to do and enjoy with your furry kid. Sweet kisses, games, fetch and tug along with cuddling and fun time, all these really enriching your life.

However, with these sweet things also come a few not so admiring jobs that you need to tackle with while living with a pup. Apart from training lots of things, the first thing that comes on the list of your puppy training is potty training. Addition of a new member to the family brings in loads of pleasures as well as bundles of responsibility. It is also crucial that you take on responsibility of inculcating manners and teach some basic things. It's really a tricky job but a crucial thing to not miss when you have to go a little extra for that fur ball.

Five Potty Training Tips for Your New Puppy

Follow Time Table

With puppies in the house, the first and the most important thing is to maintain schedule. Feeding and providing water at the same time of the day helps you to be well prepared for the potty time. Sticking to the proper timing can support you to have some control over when the puppy has to potty. This allows to take them to the right place and prevents soiling up the house.

Keep Supervision

When you are not training, giving food, or spending some one-to-one quality time, let your puppy be in the crate or puppy pen. When a puppy is left without anybody's supervision, it is only under trouble. Puppies are quite sensitive, mischievous and like to explore new things. And, leaving them alone may sometimes means potty accidents, which you may have to clean up later.

Proper Potty Place

Take puppy to the designated litter spot outdoors. Don't change the place now and then. This can greatly confuse a little pup. At every 2 hours, take her to the place and using your command encourage her to do her business. You can pick up any word like "potty" and use it until she does the thing, and praise her when the overall business is done. Slowly, she will associate with that word and relieve herself outside when the command given.

Don't Scold for Mistakes

Has your puppy an accident in the house - it does happen sometimes. Don't shout or yell or neither rub her nose in it. She's still a baby and yet has to learn many things. She is growing, slowly learning, and only knows what you have taught her. At times, mistakes do happen. It can be your mistake also.

Furthermore, also check her health whether she is suffering from diarrhea or any other health issue. This usually leads to potty accidents. If the condition is worst, take your pooch to the vet.

Be Prepared

When such accidents happen keep cool and, be prepared. First, take your pup away from the place and get on the cleaning mission. Use cleaning up towels or tissues to remove the mess. Use some dry detergent followed with wet cloth to clean it up. After this not-so-wanted procedure, use Urine Off for cats on the spot. Leave it for some time and then remove it. It helps to completely remove the bad odor, absorbs any of the remaining urine or mess and leaves refreshing aroma.

Well, these tips can help you potty train your pup quite perfectly. Have we missed any tips? If you have any up your sleeves, do share, we would be happy to hear.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?5-Most-Important-Puppy-Potty-Training-Tips-to-Follow&id=9670584

Dog Training 101: How to Train ANY DOG the Basics

Zac makes it seem so simple. But by following his methods you too will be able to start training your dog.

5 Amazing Tricks To Achieve A Successful Dog Training Session

Although actions, behaviour, commands or cues can be taught to a dog at any time during his life, experts encourage dog parents to start training their dogs as early as their first year. It is ideal to set aside even 10 to 15 minutes each day to start teaching your dogs - it will be you who will benefit in the long run.

Here are 5 effective tips and tricks to follow to make your dog training session a success:

Keep them short

A dog's attention span, especially a puppy's, is relatively short. They are also very easily distracted that's why it's important to keep training sessions not longer than 15 minutes. It could be even shorter during the first few times as your dog is just starting to get a feel of "training". Don't force it once he gets bored, there's always tomorrow for another session.

Choose the right location

As mentioned, dogs are easily distracted. It is best to choose a training area that's not busy and with the least distractions around - perhaps a quiet bedroom in your house. Too much noise or activity in the surroundings will greatly affect your dog's concentration and ultimately, your training session.

Teach one command at a time

When training your pet, it is best that he learn and master one command at a time for each session. Sticking to one command helps improve his concentration and focus. Teaching different lessons in one session will confuse your dog and the longer it will take for you to achieve your goal.

Practice outside of training sessions

When you're teaching your pet basic commands such as come, fetch, down and stay, it is best that he practice the lessons outside of your training sessions. This gives him the chance to apply what he's learned in every day life. For example, reinforcing commands like "come" and "fetch" during playtime will also help your dog associate training with fun, making him more enthusiastic to learn.

Always end on a positive note

One of the best and fastest ways that dogs learn is when they enjoy your training sessions. Like mentioned above, keep the sessions short and rewarding. When your pet displays good behaviour, give him a treat and end the session there. This helps him look forward to future training sessions.

Follow these 5 simple tricks when training your dog and you're sure to have a successful session!

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?5-Amazing-Tricks-To-Achieve-A-Successful-Dog-Training-Session&id=9699765

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Helping Your Pet Cope With Growing Older

The little puppy you brought home ten or so years ago was a romping, roly-poly ball of fur. It jumped on your sofa with abandon and never minded a little rough play. A decade on, it is no longer enthusiastic or active. It reminds you of old Mr. Jones a few doors away, who needs a walking stick.

Old age strikes pets as it does humans. They have the same aches and pains that grandpa and grandma have. Like your human seniors, they may display moody, erratic behaviors. As a pet owner, you can help your beloved pet to cope with old age by understanding expected changes, empathizing with their behavioral problems and doing what you can to help him deal with its rigors.

Expected changes in Senior Pets

Physical changes take place in animals, just as they do in elderly humans. Illnesses become pervasive, and organs may not function as well as before. Spotting the changes can ease financial and emotional burdens.

A dog's nutritional needs change as it ages. Older dogs may consume more fat, as they may lose some of it. Monitor your pet's weight changes carefully.

Older pets may develop gray hairs, just as humans do. Haircoats may become thinner, and duller. Lumps may start to appear on its skin as well. Groom your pet constantly, and check for any skin changes.

Your pet may become more prone to injury. It may find it a task to fight off infectious diseases as well. Diabetes, common in elderly humans, is typical in older pets too.

If you have a female pet, she may experience the hardening of her mammary glands as she ages. If not checked, she may develop cancer. Her footpads may become brittle and thick. You may need to clip her nails and coat more often.

You may find your pet becoming less active because of muscle and bone degeneration. Arthritis is a common health problem in senior pets, just as it is in older humans. Your pet will find moving and breathing a task. Exercise it regularly to prevent muscle loss.

Older dogs are prone to dental and other degenerative diseases. Dental disease may make it difficult for it to take in food. It may be troubled by hearing and vision loss.

Behavioral Problems in Senior Pets

Senior dogs often suffer a decline in their functions. Their memories, cognition, awareness and senses deteriorate.

The decline may disrupt their sleep-wake cycles and make them fidgety at night. They may also wander about and fidget more.

Like older people, animals may forget details, like the commands they knew from long ago. They may either become overdependent or, conversely, disinterested in affection.

4 Behavior Problems in Senior Dogs and how to Solve them

There is no question that older dogs go through change. If yours shows any of these behaviors, it is time to take action.

1. Cognitive Dysfunction

Your pet's brain may slow down in several ways. He may become confused, or fail to recognize you. Also, he may experience changes in his sleep-wake cycle and forget how to use the potty.

Veterinarians will usually recommend the drug Selegiline Hydrochloride to counter the degeneration. You may also combine the medication with the behavioral treatment given by a dog trainer.

2. Separation Anxiety

Older dogs may become irritable when taken to new environments. They may display aggression and anxiety when left alone.

It is not advisable to keep a senior dog with separation anxiety in a crate, especially if it is not accustomed to being isolated. It may attempt to escape if it cannot control its bladder or other physical functions, and hurt itself in the process.

If your dog paces about when you leave it alone, soils your home or is destructive, it is time to manage its behavior. Your vet will try to identify underlying problems and may prescribe medication to aid your dog's cognition.

Control your responses to your pet's conduct. If your dog nudges you, you may feel tempted to give in because you think the behavior is cute. Doing so may cause it to believe that it is in control of the situation.

Change your routine to help your dog get over the fear of being separated from you. Use a different door when you go out, and leave your things in different places.

3. Excessive Vocalization

Your pet's vocalization may disrupt your sleep or irritate your neighbors. The vocalization may be due to fear or separation anxiety.

Loss of hearing may contribute to his excessive vocalization as well. He may also whine a bit more if he feels the urge to eliminate.

If your dog still vocalizes when you are at home, seek the help of a behaviorist. Do not reinforce the vocalizing behavior; instead, reward it when it keeps quiet on cue.

4. Restlessness

Your dog may become less active during the day but restless when it is time to sleep. Eyesight or hearing loss may trigger its nighttime activity. Your pet may also have medical issues, such as problems with its central nervous system.

Treat its medical conditions first, then retrain it to resume normal waking hours. Keep it exercised both physically and mentally; give it lots of chew toys and take it out for regular walks.

A little loving kindness and effort will help your older pet through its difficulties, and strengthen the bond between you.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Helping-Your-Pet-Cope-With-Growing-Older&id=9550471

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