Don't Let Moving Traumatize Your Pet

We know how stressful and energy depriving moving can be for our children and us. What about our pets? They have grown up in a certain place that feels familiar and safe. Can they overcome the stress and adapt to their new home?

Picture it from their point of view. They had a yard they loved to play in where they could smell their scent all around and feel comfortable and they had a territory to protect. Maybe they had animal friends in the area that they were used to seeing. They even knew the mailman and were on friendly terms with them.

Take all that away, put them in a new place, with new smells and new animals, and a new mailman, can you see why they may feel a little distressed? All of this can give your dog stress and anxiety. This affects their health and their appetite.

You may begin to notice when your dog is feeling stressed if they have diarrhea, vomiting, or lose their appetite. This can start even before the move takes place when the structured schedule of the dog's life is turned upside down. There are things you can do to try to prevent this from happening.

Try to keep their meal times the same as always. Play with your dog every chance you get, it stresses them when they are ignored. Take them on outings to minimize the craziness of the house.

When you begin the move, keep your dog with you at all times. It can add to the stress if they constantly are being dropped off and see you leaving. Bring old toys and bedding with them to the new house so that the new place smells familiar to them. Play with them in the new house to encourage positive behavior and help ease the strange situation.

Make sure you initiate all the old rules again because sometimes a dog can think new place new rules, and accidents can happen because of this. Avoid extra stressors, like bathing or grooming, this only adds to their anxiousness. Give them time to adjust to the new place and new rules before throwing parties and gatherings.

If you notice your dog seems stressed, you can find things like calming tablets that are natural and effective. You can visit the vet and make sure they are just stressed and that it is nothing more than that. Always take precautions with your pet so as not to let them get loose in the neighborhood.

Sometimes we forget the impact our decisions have on our beloved little pets. But they are constantly watching us and looking to us for direction and stability. Be mindful when you move that it can be traumatizing to them and do your best to make the transition easy for them.

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Do Your Dogs Need Treats?

One of the best ways to positively reinforce good behavior in a dog, is by giving them treats. Of course, in order for this to work, you cannot reward bad behavior and only give treats when the dog does what you want them to do. However, even though most dogs respond well to treats, this isn't the only way you can train them. There are other ways to positively reinforce behaviors such as physical and verbal praise.

Unfortunately, for many dogs, those types of rewards are not very effective and might slow down your training. So, the question remains, why are treats so effective? Well, for one, dogs have an unbelievable sense of smell and can smell the treat you have in your hand from over 20 yards away. They know exactly what type of treat you have and the main ingredients. Therefore, based on how much they want the treat in your hand, they will obey your commands in order to get the reward.

Whenever you are using treats to train your dog, you should always ensure that the dog is in a calm state. You never want to give the dog a treat when they are overly excited or stimulated. Also, be sure to allow the dog to smell the treat and make sure that they can sit and wait for it. Now, this means that you shouldn't put the treat right under their nose, but above their head and make sure to command them to sit. Only when they sit and are calm, should you give them the treat.

Another great tip is that you should always save the best treats for the end of the training session. Most dogs will get tired or uninterested after a long time of training and may not be very interested in normal treats. So, in order to combat this, you should use different types of treats and save the ones that they love the most, for the end of the training session when their attention is waning. This will definitely get their attention and you will be able to continue training them.

Lastly, make sure to regulate how many treats you give your dog, as well as the quality of the treats. These treats should never substitute food and should only be given in between meals. In closing, you do need treats if you want to quickly and effectively train your dog. It isn't a necessity, however, it can definitely speed things along.

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Tips For Brushing Your Dog's Teeth

Brushing your dog's teeth serves much more than just keeping your dog's breath clean, it also helps to keep your dogs health in top shape as well.

Gum disease is fairly common in most dogs, as most people don't even think about brushing their dog's teeth. If people did brush their dog's teeth, much of the periodontal problems in dogs could be prevented.

Veterinarians estimate that roughly 85 per cent of dogs that are over 5 years in age have gum problems, which develops when bacteria forms from food particles that stick to teeth. A soft lining called plaque forms along the gum line and if it is not removed by brushing will harden, and eventually inflame the gums of the dog.

This can loosen the teeth, form pockets in and around the tooth area, and even spread bacteria out into the general circulatory system of the dog, reaching the heart, liver, kidneys, and the brain.

The ideal thing is to brush your dog's teeth each day, and if that is not possible, then try to accomplish this several times per week. If your dog is one of the breeds that have a short, flat snout, such as pugs and bulldogs, more frequent brushing attempts should be made, as their teeth are crowded together and have more areas for plaque to form.

You can buy doggie toothbrushes at your favorite pet store, and if the toothbrush thing is not what your dog prefers, you can get a little plastic or rubber nipple that fits over a finger with a slightly roughened surface on the end for brushing. If all that fails, just slip a piece of gauze over your finger and use that.

Be sure and get toothpaste that is made for dogs, and don't use your toothpaste, as your dog will swallow a lot of it, possibly upsetting his stomach. Toothpaste for pets comes in different flavors, such as chicken, liver, mint and peanut butter.

You can experiment a bit in this area, or offer a different flavor every so often to keep your dog interested. Move slowly, as dogs are sensitive when you get to messing with their mouth. You can start with your finger, and see what works the best, and soon your dog will trust you, and you will be heading off more serious issues in the long run than just bad doggie breath.

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Exactly When Is A Dog Thought Of As A Senior?

Unfortunately dogs will age much more rapidly than we humans do, and it is painful to see them as they get older. The time it takes for this to happen will vary by breed, but generally speaking the larger the breed, the faster it happens.

Statistics tell us that only 13 per cent of the larger breeds live past 10 years, and 38 per cent of the smaller breeds live over ten years. Dogs are considered to be in their senior years when they are in the final 25% of their lives. We can also tell, as they slow down quite a bit, and are not nearly as active as they once were.

It is a good idea to keep in close contact with your veterinarian, as dogs develop arthritis and other maladies as they age. Your vet may have some good ideas on what to feed your dog too, as the need for lots of protein will diminish as the dog becomes less active.

It is important that your dog still gets a good amount of exercise, but just not as much running as your dog was probably used to when he or she was in their younger years. Walks with a leash would be the ideal exercise, and of course, you will be getting some exercise too, so there will be a double benefit.

Exercise will keep your dog's muscles and breathing in good shape, and there will be limited impact as far as joints go. Your dog will be wanting to lay around more, but will relish the opportunity to go on walks.

When dogs get older, they are more tuned into being with their people, and when you care for your dog they really appreciate it. You may have to bring the food to the dog as they decline, but when it happens, the dog will be fine with it, if that is how it has to be. Sometimes it will require help in getting outside to do their business, as some dogs will get lame as they get older.

Senior dogs become more and more dependent on their people as they age, and it seems a shame, and yet it is an honor to repay a loyal and steadfast friend for the years of companionship and love. It is the least we can do for such a fine friend in their latter years.

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How to Clean Dog Ears - Veterinary Advice

Some advice from a veterinarian on how to clean your dog's ears.

How To Properly Clean Your Dog's Ears

Dog's ears are not something that you look at regularly. However, in addition to your dog needing regular baths, they will also need to have their ears cleaned out on a fairly regular basis. When you clean out their ears on a regular basis, it is going to be easy for you to reduce the chance of them having any type of infection in their ears.

Selection of the proper cleaner is going to be what you have to do first. When you select the cleaner, you will want to make sure it is fairly neutral and not harsh for the ears. However, you will want to make sure you are looking at your dog's needs and make sure the cleaner is going to take care of the issues that your dog is having.

The best source for a cleaner will be from your vet. They sell or can recommend a good safe cleaner.

After the proper cleaner has been selected, you will want to keep it at room temperature. You will then take and spray the cleaner into the dog's ears. This is going to allow you to clean the dog's ears, but it is important for you to keep a paper towel or other type of towel under the dog's ears to ensure that you are not dribbling the water on the floor.

When this is done, you will want to take a wash cloth or something else and try to dab the ears dry. By dabbing it dry you will prevent the dog from getting any type of recurring water in their ears. Cleaning your dog's ears is going to help your dog feel better, and also get the gunk out of their ears.

Most people know they have to give their dogs a bath, however they normally do not realize they have to wash their ears as well. The problem is this is not something people tend to learn about and is not even really talked about. However, by learning how to clean your dog's ears properly, it is going to be easy for you to maintain your dog's ears and know they will be healthy for a longer period of time.

How often should the ears be cleaned? That is a good question and is something you should ask your vet. Some dogs require ear cleaning more often than others.

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Can My Dog Be a Therapy Dog?

Many of us appreciate the affection and love we receive from our dogs. They look up at you with those eyes that say "I love you no matter what." We just can't help but adore them and thoroughly enjoy cuddling with them.

It seems almost therapeutic having a dog with you to pet and feel warmth from. You may have even noticed that your anxiety decreases when the dog is with you, and that a certain calm almost comes over you. Studies have shown that this feeling is not merely an emotional attachment to your personal pet, but actually a real source of comfort for those in need.

For example, some studies have found that a dog owner is less likely to have depression than one without a pet. Also that people who have dogs have lower blood pressure. Pet owners over the age of 65 visit their doctor 30 percent less than those with no pet. So these studies are proving what we have always felt in our hearts- pets are therapeutic to our soul.

One reason why we have such results is that animals fulfill the human basic need to touch. Criminals in prison even showed long term changes in their behavior after spending time with dogs. When we touch a loving animal it can rapidly soothe and calm us if we are anxious or stressed.

Many people lose their marriage mates or have their children grow up and leave the house and find themselves lonely. A pet provides great companionship and eases loneliness. They also can motivate one to exercise more, which aids in boosting your mood and helps depression.

Sadly, there are many people in need of this therapy that are not in a position to have their own pet. For instance people in convalescent homes and hospitals. They would benefit by having pets regularly visit them to not only give them this kind of therapy, but also light up their countenance with a smile and some affection.

If you are interested in sharing your loving pet, look into getting your dog training for being a therapy dog. There are several places that your pet can take these classes. The classes provide training for visiting assisted living homes and programs for the mentally disabled children and adults.

No doubt we want others to experience the love and comfort we get from having a pet. Find out today how to help your animal help others. Perhaps your dog would make a terrific therapy dog.

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How To Know If Your Cat Is Safe With Your Dog

If you'll be bringing a cat home you may want to know if it's okay for a dog to be around. It may be hard to know if either animal will react poorly to this. Here are some tips so you can see if this can be done in the best way possible.

Dogs and cats getting along really depends on how they were trained to get along with other animals. If you haven't had your dog around other animals, then it may not really want to have a cat around at first, but if it's a mild mannered dog there won't be too much of an issue. The best thing to do is get them used to each other slowly. You don't want to just put the cat down and leave them alone as you do something else, they could end up fighting.

When you have a cat at home already and are bringing a dog home, you may want to keep in mind that cats can be very territorial. You'll want to have the cat get used to the smell of the dog, so try to have them keep away from each other because you don't want the cat to get freaked out. Don't let, for instance, the dog go to the cat's food dish and start eating. If the cat feels like it is having its space taken over, it could end in a fight which could injure the animals.

Some dogs and cats get along right away, and this can be great. If you want to see if they can be friendly, just give them time to meet in a large room where the cat or dog can easily escape if they are scared. You need to be around them both when they first meet just in case. Even if the dog is very large, your cat can hurt it or the other way around. Always be wary of this for a few days to a few weeks and if there is any fighting keep them separated for a while.

Now you are clear on what to look out for when you bring a cat home to live with a dog. There are many problems that can happen if you don't do this right. Animals are generally able to get used to each other, so be sure to give it time.

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How to Ensure That a Senior Dog Is As Comfortable As Possible

Elderly dogs, just like elderly people have changing needs. Everyone seems to flip when they see a puppy or a young dog leaping around but an older dog which has been well cared for and loved is equally appealing for a true dog lover.

Although you may not be able to have absolute control over the health of your dog as he gets older, there are a few things which you can do to make sure that he is as comfortable as possible and that all of his needs are well met. It's all about making his life a little bit easier as he gets on in years and making your life together as enjoyable as ever.

Here are a few things you may need to consider.

Exercise - as your dog gets on in years it may be necessary to increase the frequency of his walks, playtime or other exercise while diminishing the intensity of the exercise. Instead of taking him to the park once a week on a Sunday and throwing the ball for hours until he can barely walk take him for a gentle walk every day. Make the walk as short or as long as is comfortable for him. If he finds it difficult to move then speak to your vet, he may be able to prescribe anti-inflammatory medications which can help him.

Orthopedic Dog Bed

Bedding - spoil your elderly dog with a bed which is as soft and cozy as you can find. You know he's worth it and he would do the same for you.

Dog Sweater

Clothing - just like older humans can find it difficult to maintain body heat, older dogs can too. Check out some of those colorful sweaters at your local pet store, particularly if your dog is of the short-haired variety.

Ramps - can be a great help for any dogs which start to have difficulty getting up and down the steps into the yard or into the car. This can make everyone's life much easier. It's a much better idea than having to help him up and down the back steps every time he needs to take a toilet break and it can be a great help for getting him in and out of the car if he is to accompany you on a journey.

Just these few simple measures really can make a huge difference to the comfort of an elderly dog. A dog's life really can be a good life.

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3 Travel Tips For Dogs - Keeping Your Pet Happy During Your Drive

Traveling long distances can be stressful, and that feeling tends to be multiplied when you are traveling with pets. This is especially true if your pet is anxious about traveling, or hasn't traveled much in the past. The following tips can help you ensure both you and your pets a stress free trip, and minimize the anxiety of traveling with your dogs.

1) Practice Before The Trip

I know, this might sound insane, but helping your dog learn that the car isn't something to be scared of is a good idea. If your pup only gets in the car to go to the vet, then he will surely have a lot of anxiety when ever it's time to get in the car. If you have a long trip planned, start taking your dog other fun places - drive to the dog park instead of walking, or drive him to the pet store to pick out a treat.

Travel Crate

This will help lower his anxiety, helping him realize that the end of a car trip isn't always the Vet! Start off slow, drive around the block and come home a few times, let him sit in his crate in the car with a treat even without it moving. This is a great way to help him acclimate and lower stress levels during the trip.

2) No Crate? No Problem!

Travrl Harness

If you don't have a dog crate, or your pup is used to riding without one, there are devices you can get that can help your puppy stay safe during the trip. Leashes that click into the seat belt holder are a great choice and can help avoid your puppy dashing out before you get around the car, or falling out of the window. They also help your dog stay where they should be, ensuring they don't get underfoot being a danger to yourself and other drivers.

3) Tire them Out Before!

Taking your dog on a long run or walk before leaving is a great idea, and can help him sleep and stay calm during the drive. This is a great option for drives lasting only a few hours and can help the dog travel comfortably and stress free.

If you are planning a trip with your dog, these tips could help you minimize stress, and ensure you reach your destination safely, and with minimal anxiety.

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How To Stop Your Dog From Destroying Your Back Yard

Destructive behavior in dogs is not only frustrating to deal with but can also be a sign that something is wrong with your dog's health or lifestyle. Here are a few of the most common causes of this type of behavior as well as tips on how to stop your dog from destroying your back yard.

Boredom

Boredom is one of the leading causes of destructive behavior in dogs. When dogs don't have enough to keep them occupied, they will find their own way to entertain themselves. Unfortunately, this often means digging holes in your otherwise perfect flowerbed or lawn, clawing at your brand new fence or chewing on your deck railings.

Putting an end to destructive behavior caused by boredom starts with finding ways to keep your dog occupied. Consider investing in a treat dispensing toy. These toys can be filled with bits of dog food or sticky snacks like peanut butter and are a great way to keep your dog busy for long periods of time. Additionally, be sure that your dog is getting plenty of exercise and that he gets lots of love and attention when you are home.

Separation Anxiety

Many dogs become fearful and anxious when left alone. This fear and anxiety often manifests itself as destructive behavior. A dog that suffers from separation anxiety may bark, urinate, defecate, scratch or dig excessively while you are away.

One way of easing separation anxiety is by making the experience of being alone more pleasurable for your dog. For instance, you could give them a special treat every time you leave the house. Treat dispensing toys are an ideal choice since they often keep your dog occupied for long periods of time. Just be sure to only give the treat when you are leaving so they start to associate delicious food with being alone.

Kong Stuffed with Frozen Peanut Butter

You can also ease their anxiety by being calm when you leave and when you arrive home. Instead of talking in an excited voice and getting your dog all riled up, make it seem like your leaving is no big deal.

If neither of these tactics work, you may want to consider enrolling your dog in doggy daycare. This allows them to interact with other dogs and people, preventing the types of situations that often lead to destructive behavior

Getting your dog to stop destroying your back yard starts with understanding what triggers him to act out in the first place..In most cases, when you address issues such as boredom or separation anxiety, the destructive behavior will stop on its own.

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Dangers You Should Be Aware Of When Using A Muzzle Or Choke With Your Dog

When training your dog, it pays to use the right tools in the right way at the right time. Two tools that are often misunderstood and misused are training collars (choke collars) and muzzles. In this article, we will discuss the proper time and place for using these tools along with the hazards inherent in misusing and/or abusing them. Read on to learn more

The first thing you should know about training collars and muzzles is that they are intended to be used with fairly mature dogs. You should never use either of these tools with a puppy under six months of age. It is simply inappropriate, and collar can do permanent damage both physically and emotionally.

Choke Chain

If you are going to use a training collar, you should use it only for training. This type of chain collar is intended to be used during obedience classes and for walks. It should never be left on an unsupervised dog, and it should never be used for tying your dog. This type of collar goes by the nickname, choke collar.

You should not use a training collar if you don't know what you're doing. Get proper instruction from your vet or a dog trainer in correct use of this tool. This type of collar gives you good control over your dog, when used correctly.

Dog Muzzle

A muzzle can be a useful tool for performing necessary procedures. If your dog is insecure, aggressive or frightened, use of a muzzle can help keep everybody safe.

It's good to teach your dog about use of a muzzle during bathing, toenail clipping and other common procedures you perform at home. In this way, you will be able to take the muzzle with you to the vet and apply it appropriately to your dog for inoculations and other procedures. When you train your dog correctly in the use of a muzzle, it will even give your dog a sense of security in frightening situations.

If your community mandates the use of a muzzle for your type of dog, of course you must comply. Be sure to take the muzzle off when your dog is not out in public. Never leave your dog unsupervised with the muzzle in place. A muzzle can cause distress and problems in that it will prevent your dog from being able to eat or drink so make sure you use basket muzzles that allows your dog to pant and drink.

With proper use and common sense, both a training collar and a muzzle can be very useful tools in dog care and training.

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What Type Of Collar Should I Use?

If you are planning on getting a new dog, it is important to look at the different collar options on the market. The fact is, different collars serve different purposes. In order to choose the right one, you are going to need to know what you are going to be using it for. In this article, we will be going over some of the different things you should consider looking at to determine which collar you are going to want to use.

Things To Look At:

1. Purpose.

Normal Collar

The first thing that you are going to want to do is determine what the purpose of the collar is going to be. Ideally, you are going to want to know what the purpose of the collar is before you decide which collar to purchase because there are many different collars on the market that serve different purposes. For example, if you are planning on using the collar to simply walk your dog, you might want to check out normal collars. Whereas, if you are going to be using it to train a very large breed how to walk, you are likely going to want to try out a prong collar for better control. As you an see, the usage of the collar is going to determine which collar is right for your dog.

2. Size.

Gentle Leader Dog Collar

As noted previously, the size of your dog is also going to play a large role in determining which type of dog collar you decide to purchase and use. Obviously, the larger the dog, the more control you are going to want to have over your dog. Therefore, you will want to purchase a collar designed to give the walker more control over their dog. The best collars for this would be a prong collar and something like a gentle leader dog collar.

3. Time.

LED Collar

Another thing that you are going to want to do is determine what time you will be walking your dog. Ideally, you are going to want to find a collar that is going to serve your dog the best. This means that if you are planning on walking your dog at nighttime, you are likely going to want to invest in a collar with LED lighting. That way, your dog is going to be able to be easily seen by cars and other types of automobiles.

These are just some of the things to consider when deciding which collar is best for your dog.

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