Kristopher’s Pet Blog

Washing your dog is important, but not as important as some people think. Healthy dogs actually don’t need to be washed all that often, but humans prefer to bathe them so that they have a more pleasing smell and appearance. Doggie bath time is a good time to spend with the dog, however. Although most of them don’t like to be washed, they will appreciate the contact and attention that they receive from their owners during a bath. It is also a good time to perform some other necessary “dog maintenance” such as cleaning the ears, checking for ticks and fleas, and brushing the teeth. Since many dogs do not like to sit still for any of these activities, it can be a good idea to do them all at once.

Brushing Dogs’ Teeth

Brushing your dogs’ teeth is just good dental hygiene. Most vets recommend that it be done at least twice a week to ensure your dog maintains healthy teeth and gums. If you’ve not been doing this (and, unfortunately, many people don’t) it’s never too late to start. The dog should have its own toothbrush and special toothpaste designed for dogs. Make sure you brush the back teeth in small circles, the same way you would your own, and brush up and down the length of the “pointy” canine teeth. Dog toothpaste is made to have a pleasing taste (for the dog, don’t try it yourself) and this should make the dog willing to let you perform this activity.

Checking for Ticks & Fleas

Ticks are nasty little arachnids (they’re eight-legged creatures like spiders, and therefore are not insects) that will latch onto your dog’s skin and make its blood their meal ticket. They are most common in wooded areas, but your dog should be checked for them regularly because they can carry a number of diseases. The best place to look for these bugs in under the collar or on the dog’s underbelly, buried in the fur. If found they can be removed with tweezers.

Fleas can be found in the same places, under the fur. The presence of fleas can be betrayed by the sight of their droppings on the dog’s coat. They look like flecks of pepper. The fleas themselves look like bits of brown rice. They’re about an eighth of an inch long. They can’t simply be picked off of the dog like ticks can, but finding them will let you know its time to start the dog on a program to control and eliminate the insects.

Cleaning the Ears

Pet supply stores sell special solutions for cleansing a dog’s ears. Dogs can easily get ear mites, small insects which live in the ears and feed of the waxy secretions there. Over time the bodies of these short-lived creatures build up and form a black, dirty substance. Using a cotton swab dipped in a bit of this solution, gently clean the inner ear. It may be difficult to hold the dog still for this procedure, but it doesn’t take long. And the result will be clean ears and the avoidance of potential infection and earaches in the dog.

And they suggest teaching your pet to ration his or her food by offering a large bowl of food and allowing him or her to figure out how often the bowl will be replenished.

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The head collar has become an increasingly popular dog training tool in the past couple of years. Two of the most well known brands of head collar on the market are the Gentle Leader and the Halti, but there are many other brands that incorporate the basic head collar concept.

Many people find the Gentle Leader easier to fit that the Halti, and in addition the Gentle Leader is designed to fasten around the dog’s neck. The advantage of this design is that even if the dog is somehow able to wriggle out of the muzzle, it is still wearing a collar. This safety feature is very important, especially during training outside or in novel situations. On the other hand, the Halti offers better control of the dog, and for this reason it is often favored when working with very aggressive dogs.

Training a dog with a head collar has a number of advantages over training with a traditional or training collar. For one thing, head collars are often easier to use for beginning dog trainers than are training collars. Head collars are also quite effective at preventing dogs from pulling, or controlling and retraining dogs that tend to pull.

Head collars can also be quite effective at controlling dogs in difficult situations, such as controlling a dog that wants to be with other dogs. Most owners know of some situations in which their dogs are difficult to control, and head collars can be quite effective at controlling these volatile situations.

Head collars can be excellent for controlling dogs that are very strong, or for working with a dog in an area that contains a great many distractions. For instance, head collars are great for when your dog is on an outing, or in an area where there will be other dogs and other distractions.

Even though a head collar can be a great tool, it should not be used as a replacement for effective dog training. A head collar is most effective when it is used in combination with strong and sensible dog training methods, such as reward training and other forms of positive reinforcement.

Disadvantages of head collars

Even though head collars have many advantages, they have some distinct disadvantages as well. For one thing, head collars tend to make many dogs dependent on the equipment, and they quickly learn the difference between their regular collar and the head collar, and adjust their behavior accordingly.

In addition, some dogs, particularly those not accustomed to wearing a head collar, dislike wearing it and paw at it, try to rub it off or pull excessively. If your dog exhibits this behavior, the best strategy is to keep it moving until it learns to accept the collar. A good alternative is to have the dog sit by pulling up on the dog’s head.

Another disadvantage of the head collar is the reaction that many people have to it. Many people think that a head collar is a muzzle, and react to the dog as if it may bite. While this is not necessarily a defect of the head collar, many people do find it troublesome.

In conclusion, training with a head collar is much like training with a training collar or any other equipment. While the head collar can be an important and useful tool, it is important to use it appropriately, follow all package instructions, and to combine its use with solid training methods. The eventual goal of dog training with a head collar should be to have the dog behave as well with a regular collar as it does with the specialized head collar.

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A dog training career may be just right for you, if you love working with dogs. Dogs of all ages, from puppies to older dogs, need training, and their owners often don’t know how to train them. They look for a professional dog trainer to do the job.

If you are thinking of a dog training career, you might want to start by practicing on your own dog. If you are good at training your dog, you might be good at training other people’s dogs. But if training your dog leaves you frustrated and drained, then becoming a dog trainer might not be the best career for you.

When you are training dogs, you are actually training the owners more than the dogs, so you need to be good with people to consider a dog training career. People are not at their best when they are frustrated or embarrassed by their dog’s behavior. Will you be able to deal with these distraught owners calmly, while at the same time tending to their dogs? Give this some thought.

Consider volunteering to help out at a dog training class at your local shelter. You will get a feel for what is involved in a dog training career. If you are good, the teacher may let you teach a segment of the class. This will be your trial by fire. If you do a good job, then you can move forward with your training.

You can prepare for a dog training career in several ways.

1. Attend a school specifically for those interested in a dog training career. There are many schools and seminars available. Be sure to get lots of hands on training.

2. Become an intern or apprentice to a dog trainer in your area. This way, you can learn dog training on the job.

3. Become a certified dog trainer. Do a search on the internet for dog training certification programs.

Once you have the proper education in dog training, starting your business should be easy. Decide if you want to work with individual clients in their homes or offer dog training classes. It is a good idea to offer a combination of both. By advertising your dog training classes, people who want individual help training their dogs will hear about you too. Soon your dog training career will be off to a great start.

Check around in your area for facilities where you can hold the dog training classes. Often the local humane society will have space for classes, or you could check with dog day care facilities. In warm weather, you may be able to hold your classes outdoors.

Advertise your services by leaving brochures about your training program with veterinarians, dog supply stores, and pet shelters. This way, your advertising will not cost you much.

Congratulations! You have followed the steps above and have a thriving dog training career. You love dogs and are working with them every day. For a dog lover and a natural teacher, you have found the ideal business to be in.

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Every dog and every dog owner has his or her own unique dog training challenges. Each breed of dog has a different temperament as does each individual dog. And dog owners are no different. Despite the differences, there are some basic things in common for training all dogs.

No matter why you have a dog, he should at least have some very elementary dog training. No one wants a dog who isn’t housebroken, who runs away or into the street, who won’t sit, come or stay when you want him to. Both you and your dog will be happier with a little common ground on obedience training.

One of the first things to take into account when dog training is that dogs are programmed for a world of leaders and followers. You have to be the leader in your relationship. Signs of a leader are absolute consistency. Know what you want your dog to do and keep that constant from day to day and training session to training session. Don’t shout. That is a sign that you have lost control. And keep your dogs attention focused on you during the entire training session.

Attention is the second important thing to keep in mind for dog training and one of the hardest to maintain. It has been said that ninety percent of dog training is getting and keeping his attention. Dogs are very much like small children and have short attention spans. Keep training sessions short - 20 minutes is fine, or even a couple of 10 minute sessions. Work with your dog in a quiet environment that is free of distractions. Talk to your dog in a quiet voice. Use his name and explain what you want him to do. He may understand no more than, “Blah blah blah, Toby”, but your voice will keep him focused in your direction.

Experts have found that positive dog training is more effective that a system of rewards and punishment. A dog who looks forward to training sessions as fun and full of rewards is a dog who will learn faster and better. Reward accomplishments with treats or words of praise or pats. As your dog learns new skills, you can reward him for each step along the way. If he doesn’t respond the way you want, rethink what you are asking him to do and how you are asking him to do it. What worked as a dog training method for one dog may not work as well for the next. Your dog may need to review some more basic dog training lessons before going on to new lessons. Rather than punishment, a stern NO, blocking a movement with your hands, or withholding rewards when he doesn’t perform, and remaining consistent are the best ways to encourage your dog to exhibit the behavior you want. Remember that it is in his nature (as well as yours) to want to test limits and see how much he can get away with. Consistency in dog training and rewards are what get positive results, not punishments.

Dogs are very much like us. They want to follow a leader they respect. And dog training is just like school. They like to do things that are fun and make them feel good, where they get rewards for accomplishing what is asked of them. And they want the same thing their owners want, a happy and safe relationship with the ones they are love. A little dog obedience training will go a long way in making this happen.

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Dogs are susceptible to urinary tract infections just like humans. Males are affected less often than females. This is because females have a shorter urethra, so bacteria can invade more easily. This article will discuss UTIs in canines.

Cause

Dogs develop urinary tract infections due to various strains of bacteria. E. coli is particularly common. These are strains similar to the ones that infect humans. So, what are some of the signs you should be on the lookout for?

Symptoms

Dogs that have a urinary tract infection will display a range of signs. One of the most common symptoms that you will notice is increased urination. Dogs will strain to urinate. Sometimes, your dog’s urine will have a foul smell. It’s also common for dogs to experience lethargy and a fever. Dogs that display these symptoms need to be taken to a vet promptly.

Diagnosis

In order to diagnosis an infection of the urinary tract, the vet will analyze your dog’s urine. The urinalysis will help the vet determine the amount of white blood cells, blood, protein, and sugar is in the urine. Bacteria may also be detected in the urine. A needle or catheter can be used to extract urine from the bladder if your dog won’t urinate normally.

Treatment

Canine urinary tract infections should be treated as quickly as possible. If not, the bacteria can move up the urinary tract and into the kidneys. You don’t want your dog’s kidneys to be damaged. The infection can be treated by giving your dog antibiotics.

Prevention

There are things you can do to help prevent canine urinary tract infections. It’s important that you always provide your dog with fresh water. It’s also important that he be allowed to use the bathroom every few hours. If urine stays in the bladder for too long, the risk of infection increases as the bacteria multiply.

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Canine dermatitis is a general term for various inflammatory skin diseases. Some conditions can damage overall health, while others just affect the shine of the coat. Dogs can develop either atopic, contact, or moist dermatitis. Here’s a look at some of the different types.

Moist

Dogs can develop moist dermatitis. The skin will suddenly develop moist, raw areas. This type of dermatitis is most common in hot, humid weather. The raw areas of skin are caused by your dog scratching and licking constantly. Bacteria can also invade these areas of skin.

Atopic

Dogs can also develop atopic dermatitis. This condition is brought on by an allergic reaction to various things in the dog’s environment. A common allergen that may affect your dog is grass. The most common symptom is red, irritated skin due to your dog’s constant itching and scratching. Eye and nose discharge is also common.

Contact

Another form of dermatitis is contact. Dogs can develop allergies to various materials that touch their skin. Fertilizer, bleach, and carpet cleaner are all common substances. Your dog may even develop allergies to his flea collar. Red, itchy skin is the main skin of this type of allergic reaction. This condition only affects the part of the skin that come into contact with the allergen.

Flea

Dogs can also develop allergies to fleas. The dog will experience an allergic reaction if he is bitten by just a single flea. Hair may start to fall out in the affected area. It will also itch constantly. These areas may become infected and lead to hot spots in canines.

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One of the most common problems for dog owners is dealing with shedding hair. You will have to practice good grooming habits if you want to prevent dog shedding problems. This will help keep your carpet and furniture clean. Here’s a look at a few things you can do to prevent shedding problems in dogs .

Brushing

You can go a long way towards preventing problems by brushing your dog’s hair regularly. At a minimum, you should brush it on a weekly basis. If you have a long-haired breed, you may want to brush the hair daily. You can keep hair from falling all over the place during the process by using a slick brush. That way you won’t have to vacuum it up afterwards.

Vacuum

You could also use your vacuum keep your dog’s hair in check. You obviously won’t want to put the whole machine up to your dog. So, use one of the attachments to suck the hair off. Be aware that some dogs don’t like all the noise produced by the vacuum, so they may not like this method.

Skin

If your dog has extremely dry skin, he may experience shedding problems. Therefore, you should make sure your dog doesn’t have any skin conditions. These skin conditions can be very itchy or painful and prompt your dog to scratch himself excessively. This will cause more hair to fall out. Oral medication or medicated shampoo can be used to treat most skin conditions.

Rollers

If you’ve ever had too much lint on your clothes, you may have used one of those sticky rolls to remove it. You can also use one of these rolls to remove hair from your dog. Simply rub it all over coat to get rid of any loose hair. If your dog doesn’t like vacuums, this is a great method to use.

Supplements

You can also try giving your dog supplements to deal with shedding problems. You can try giving your dog omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acid supplements. A lack of omega 3 and 6 in your dog’s diet can cause dry skin, dull coats, and excessive shedding. It usually takes about a month of using the supplements before you notice a difference.

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Parvovirus is a deadly and highly contagious disease. The virus can be harbored in feces and infect your dog upon contact. Puppies are usually affected because dogs older than four months are usually vaccinated. This article will discuss parvovirus in dogs.

Signs

Within ten days of being exposed to the virus, your dog should start showing signs. Also, the disease can take on two different forms, namely the intestinal and cardiac forms. When the disease affects the intestines, common signs include severe bloody vomiting and canine diarrhea. Vomiting and diarrhea can easily lead to dehydration.

The virus may also damage the intestinal lining. Damage to the intestinal lining may cause loss of proteins and may lead to anemia in dogs. Toxins may also enter the bloodstream if the intestinal lining is damaged. Cardiovascular and respiratory failure are common complications when the heart is affected.

Diagnosis

Vets diagnose this disease mainly based on symptoms. Your dog will also need to submit a stool sample to check for the presence of the virus. However, a false-positive can occur if your dog has been vaccinated within two weeks. To make diagnosis even more difficult, dogs can also have a false negative if the test is done too late or too early in the progression of the disease. The most definitive method of diagnosis is usually a complete blood count.

Treatment

It is important to start treatment for this disease as soon as possible. Treatment involves administering electrolytes and fluids to help prevent dehydration. Your dog will also receive medication to help control vomiting and diarrhea. Secondary infections can become a problem with parvovirus, so antibiotics may also be prescribed. Your dog may also need a blood transfusion if anemia develops.

There is no cure for canine parvovirus. These medications and treatments only provide support until the immune system kicks in and fights the virus. Though, dogs can easily die from dehydration without these treatments.

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Strokes rarely occur in canines. Strokes occur when enough blood doesn’t flow to the brain. Schemic and hemorrhagic are the two types of strokes that dogs can suffer. Schemic strokes occur when blood flow is impeded for some reason. The hemorrhagic variety occur when a blood vessel breaks.

Causes

Canine strokes can occur for a number of reasons. Severe trauma to the head is one of the main reasons. Dogs that ingest poisons may also have a stroke. Underlying medical conditions can also be to blame like cushings disease in dogs. Common conditions include brain tumors, heart disease, diabetes, and dog kidney disease.

Symptoms

Various other conditions can cause some of the same symptoms brought on by a stroke. Some of the most common signs include head tilting, constant circling, and difficulty walking. It is also common for dogs to experience sudden behavioral changes, loss of bowel control, and blindness.

Diagnosis

It’s best to take your dog to the vet as soon as he starts showing any of these symptoms. Dogs may recover completely if they are diagnosed and treated soon enough. At first, the vet will probably perform a physical exam on your dog. If your dog has had a stroke, he will perform a CT scan or MRI to try to determine the cause. To have these two procedures done, your dog will first need to be anesthetized.

Treatment

The underlying cause or condition will need to be treated. If the cause can be identified and treated, your dog shouldn’t experience anymore strokes. Damage caused by a stroke is usually permanent. Recovery should occur within a few weeks though. After your dog has had a stroke, he will likely act differently than he did before it occurred.

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Periods of abnormal electrical activity in your dog’s brain will trigger a seizure. Dogs can experience four different types. These different types include status epilepticus, grand mal, petit mal, and cluster. This article will discuss dog seizures.

Petit Mal

The first type of seizure is the petit mal. Dogs that experience this type of seizure usually don’t have a lot of uncontrolled movement. This type of seizure causes a blank look on the face. This type of seizure can cause dogs to blink more than usual.

Grand Mal

One of the next types of seizures is the grand mal variety. Dogs often lie down on their sides with their legs out. Their limbs may also jerk around. Uncontrolled salivation, bowel movements, and urination are also common signs. Dogs are usually disoriented for a short time following this type of seizure.

Cluster

Cluster seizure can be life-threatening. Cluster refers to the fact that multiple seizures occur within hours of each other. These seizures are so devestating because there isn’t enough recovery time between them.

Status Epilepticus

These seizures also occur within hours of each other. However, the seizures occur continuously. Your dog will need to see a vet as soon as possible.

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