Teaching Your Puppy to Take Treats Gently

Recently a friend of mine adopted a six-month-old puppy from a shelter.  The Shepard mix was a quick student and was eager to please, however when they would attempt to reinforce commands with a tasty treat, she would overzealously grab at their fingers.  I know many owners find themselves in the same position so here’s a simple method that will have your pup taking treats politely in no time.   

• Make sure you don’t reward your dog for the grabby/nippy behavior.  If she is going for the treat in a rude way and still receiving it, that’ll only reinforce the behavior.  Instead, make the process of training her to take treats gently a separate command that you work on isolated from others.
   
• Take a treat in your hand and close your fingers around it.  Offer it to your puppy.  If she is very aggressive with nipping, you may want to consider wearing gloves.
   
• Keep your hand closed until the moment your dog stops biting and starts licking gently or moves away from your closed hand.  The moment she does, open your hand and allow her to take the treat while saying your command of choice (“easy” or “gentle”).
   
• Try and practice this command two to three times a day in sessions of 5-10 minutes each.
   
• Don’t try and enforce this while you’re working on other commands at the same time.  To avoid rewarding your puppy’s grabby behavior while she’s still learning to be gentle, you can stuff a Kong with peanut butter or squeeze cheese and allow your dog a few licks of it to reward her during training.  A dab of peanut butter on a spatula also works well for this purpose.
   
• Remember that playtime with a favorite toys can be a good substitute for food rewards while your pup is learning to take treats politely!

How Hip Dysplasia In Dogs Is Diagnosed

Young, large breed dogs such as Labrador retrievers, St. Bernards and Great Danes are prone to develop a condition called Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD). So are some of the smaller breeds such as beagles, bloodhounds, Brittany spaniel's and bloodhounds.

CHD is a very serious disease that can cause the dog to suffer a great deal of pain and even become lame. While most dog experts will admit that it cannot exactly be determined what causes canine hip dysplasia, they will tell you that genetics plays a big part. If your dog's parents suffered from canine hip dysplasia, it is likely your dog will develop it. However, there are other factors. For example, older dogs can develop this condition due to osteoarthritis. It can also be caused by overfeeding the dog high-protein and high calorie foods, and by prolonged inactivity or obesity.

The symptoms of CHD include a difficulty or stiffness when the dog gets up or climbs uphill, You may also notice it using only its front legs when it attempts to rise, that it has a waddling rear limb gait or is reluctant to jump, climb stairs or exercise. If your dog has hip dysplasia, it may also have a very short stride due to pain in its rear legs.

Diagnosing Hip Dysplasia In Dogs

After your veterinarian watches the dog walk and performs a general physical examination, he or she will do an orthopedic evaluation to determine how the dog can best be treated. One of the things your vet will do is flex and extend the dog's hip joint. If your dog does have CHD, it will probably tolerate the hip flexion but abduction will cause the dog to experience pain. After your vet performs the physical examination and orthopedic evaluation, he or she will use and x-ray to confirm the diagnosis and evaluate the severity of the disease. For the X-ray, the dog will probably be laid on its back with its legs extended.

X-rays are used to confirm the diagnosis of hip dysplasia because its symptoms can also be those of other conditions that resemble hip dysplasia in dogs. This includes lumbar-sacral spinal problems, a ruptured cranial cruciate ligament, osteochondrosis, panosteitis, degenerative myelopathy and hypertrophic osteodystrophy.

If The Diagnosis Is Confirmed

If the x-rays confirm that your dog does have CHD, the treatment will depend on several factors, not the least of which is finances. This is because surgery may be an option but will be expensive. In fact, if the problem is really severe, the recommended surgery might be a total hip replacement.

If you catch the hip dysplasia early on, the recommended treatment will probably be anti-inflammatory or analgesic drugs to help with the dog's pain combined with changes to its exercise and eating. The drugs are usually given for only a short time to help the dog stay active while you are making changes to its lifestyle. These changes usually include weight control and good exercise management. In other words, you will need to restrict the dog's exercise and keep its weight at a recommended level.

Please visit HipDysplasiaInDogs.com to learn more about hip dysplasia in dogs including information on
hip dysplasia symptoms, prevention and treatment.

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How Dog Socialization Can Stop Dog Aggression

Aggressive behavior in your canine must be understood that which is best in curtailing it. Aggression is just a natural instinct for all dogs. Dogs that are domesticated have minimized the trait but this instinct is still present. It is but proper and natural for your own dog to protect its own pack, family and it's territory. When your canine finds neighborhood dogs becoming a threat to it's territory, or it's social standing, it will become really aggressive.

It's desire to protect it's own family will cause your canine to become too aggressive. Then it is really necessary for your canine to acclimatize into various situations to help it and let it know that aggressive behavior is inappropriate. Dog Socialization Socialization of dogs gives opportunities for your dog to know and learn how to get along with some others dogs as well as helps your dog to prepare for different situations that it may encounter

It is a best idea that your puppy must learn some proper dog behavior from its own mother and socialization. In case a puppy is taken away from its mother at its early age then it may be possible that it has not been taught how to socially interact with other dogs and people as well. When this is the situation your canine does not know how to relate with other dogs too.

Let us learn the two areas of dog socialization to consider for your canine.

With other dogs and other animals - Your canine must learn how to get along with them and how to interact with them without being aggressive.

Along with Other people - Your canine needs to know and understand its role in the family. Your canine wants to be a part of your own family.

It will wants to learn and know the meaning of a responsible part of your family when you train it since the start when it was still a puppy. Effect of tension on to your canine All the members of your family must know how to handle tension in your household for it will surely affect your own canine. Tension within the family will also cause your own dog to be tense.

Dogs are good and have instinct when they feel that there is something wrong with its owners. It is really important that the family members must handles problems and tensions in the family. When your dog has been to a dog socialization program it will know how to behave even when there are problems in the household. Your Dog Needs this: Your dog needs affection sometimes like the humans and they seek also attention from their owners. You must show some love and security to your own dog to make it feel that it belongs to the family.

When your canine has been trained at the dog socialization clinic there will be no problem regarding dog aggression and biting. And if your canine is bored there is a tendency that it will growl or bark, so you need also to keep your dog busy all the time.

With the right information, Dog Obedience Classes can be easy. For the best chance of success, why not look into the top Dog Training Courses available?

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5 Tips To Reduce Shedding

Dog hair everywhere? Do you feel like you’re vacuuming unending tumbleweeds? There are dog owners everywhere that can sympathize with you so we wanted to provide you with a few tips that can help cut down on the flying fur!

1. Brushing, Brushing, Brushing!

If the fur is outdoors (or in a bag, or in the tub…), less will be on your floors and furniture! While there is not one single brush that will work for every dog, we highly recommend the Furminator line of deshedding tools. With the amount of fur you remove from your pet, you’ll think you made a new one! Another great tool is the Kong Zoom and Groom – it’s a rubber brush that seems like it almost has magnetic properties when it comes to hair! Work it in circles around your dog’s coat and he’ll feel like he’s getting a massage. Remember, grooming is also a bonding and relaxing experience for most dogs. Keep it pleasant and low pressure and provide lots of treats for dogs that aren’t used to the process.

2. Mega Omegas!

Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are extremely useful in improving your dog’s skin and coat health. While many dog foods claim to supplement their formulas with these already, the amounts are usually negligible. Omega -3’s include Alpha-liolenic acid (ALA), Elcosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), Omega-6’s include: Linoleic acid (LA), Gamma lionlenic acid (GLA), Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) and Arachidonic acid (AA). High Quality fish oils and premium canine skin supplements should contain a combination of both Omega-3’s and 6’s. Dogs usually find these extremely palatable and you’ll start to see a difference in 4-6 weeks (though you need to continue supplementation to keep up the improvement!).

3. Diet Matters

If your dog is eating a food with “junk” ingredients (corn, wheat, soy or byproducts), it’s likely that some of the excess fur is due to his diet. Think about switching him to a premium food (the first ingredient should be a protein, not a grain) and you’ll not only see improvement in his coat, but you’ll have to feed less as well! If you’re really feeling ambitious you may want to check out our articles on raw feeding!

4. See The Doc

Canine allergies can manifest in a number of ways, but often they are seen as skin irritations. Keeping up with regular veterinary checkups will help keep you aware of any underlying issues your pet may be experiencing that could contribute to the shedding issues.

5. Get A Good Vacuum!

No matter how many tips we can give you, your dog is still going to shed (but hopefully not as much). So our final tip is to invest in a good vacuum if you have a dog that sheds a great deal. While many of the companies are aiming their marketing at dog owners, we’ve found that the Dyson stands up exceptionally well to heavy dog hair pickup (and it’s lasted for years). We know there are other models out there that can live up to the job as well, so just make sure you choose one that will make the process as easy as possible and won’t have you sweating away as you wrestle with the vac!

Pet Theft - Is It On The Rise?

Unfortunately the answer is yes.

Research in the U.S shows that dog theft figures have trebled in recent years. The U.K is experiencing the same increase too. Why do people do it and how can you protect yourself and your dog from this heartache?

Firstly and obviously money is the primary reason. Stealing a dog off the streets, from pet stores or from a park and then selling them on to unsuspecting buyers is becoming a popular practise. People rarely disbelieve that someone's a fake dog breeder. They have no reason to be suspicious. A buyer is usually only interested in the new dog's health, have they been vaccinated etc and the cheap price they've managed to pay. A thief will easily obtain fake documents off the internet and lie to you about the animals health and vet visits. Once you've paid it's highly unlikely you'll ever be able to get hold of them again.

A lot of one off sales from drug users to dog fighters happen because of the need for fighting dogs for the illegal practise of dog baiting that sadly still goes on. It doesn't matter to these disgusting people if the dog won't fight, it'll be good for bait for the other dog to practise on. Sick, but very true.

Particular breeds are going to be a target for different reasons. Lurchers are sold on for hunting, Staffordshire Bull Terriers and similar breeds for fighting and the smaller breeds like Yorkshire Terriers are quick and easy to steal and can fetch a nice profit. Breeding is another reason for dog theft and if the dog has been spayed then they can just sell it on anyway.

U.K animal charity Dog Lost works tirelessly to reunite lost and stolen dogs with their owners.

The charity's founder, Jane Hayes says "It's rising and rising, and probably due to the recession," she says "It's a good way to make money because owners will pay anything to get their dogs back. One owner paid £25,000 and had to remortgage the family house."

Thieves are well aware how much pets are loved and if they can tap into the heartbreak of losing a beloved member of the family they will ransom it for as much as possible.

Sadly some people just take an animal because they want it. I heard about an elderly man in my town who lived on a very tight budget but truly loved his cat. He always made sure his cat had food was groomed and vaccinated. When his cat was stolen he was devastated and never really recovered. I had my suspicions as to who had done this but nothing could be proven. The person I suspected would have given the cat a beautiful life but this was no justification for taking him from his owner. Poor or not the cat was loved and very well looked after. People often think they can sit in judgement of other people's lifestyles, but rarely enquire properly as to their circumstances.

Below are some tips on keeping your dog safe.

Don't leave your dog tied up outside when you're shopping. It sounds obvious but people do it all the time. No one would leave their child on a leash outside a shop and when we park our bikes before shopping we usually make sure they are securely chained up. So why think your dog will be safe. It won't.

Don't leave your dog alone in a car. If someone sees an opportunity they won't think twice about smashing your car window in if it means they'll get money.

Do listen to your instincts. It's always right. Be suspicious if someone is paying too much attention to your dog, asking too many questions. You don't have to be rude but be aware of who's around you at all times.

Don't lose sight of your dog in the park and keep a watchful eye out for anybody suspiciously hanging around.

Do microchip your dog immediately.

Don't buy a stolen pet even if you think you're getting a great deal. You will only be helping this vicious circle to continue.

Do get a new pet checked out at the vet if you're suspicious about their history.

Don't buy pets from the internet. You will never truly know their past.

Always thoroughly check out a breeder before committing to buying an animal and if possible try to rehome an animal from a rescue centre.

At http://www.petpromenade.co.uk/ we understand how important it is to not only have the latest cat toy, or the trendiest dog collar, but also to make sure the boring bits are covered.
That's why we have a variety of flea, worming and fur treatments.

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How to Breed Dogs in the Smartest Way Possible

There are people who claim that they are experts on how to breed dogs but what they do not understand is that breeding dogs should be approached in the smartest possible way. When we say the smartest way this means that the process should include proper planning. As such, before breeding your pets, the breeder must research into the nature and specific techniques to do so. Even breeding dogs of the most compatible kind is a challenge. Dog breeding requires patience since it is a very time consuming process. Nevertheless, all the difficulties are worth it since you will get to witness the whole process and always gain something from this type of experience.

Knowing how to breed dogs also require the competence of the breeder. Thus, the breeder has to make sure that he or she is doing it for the correct reasons. Some people are attempting to breed their dogs because they simply want another animal of the same breed. While this may be acceptable, dog breeding should be carried out if the breeder believes that by doing so they can improve the breed of that particular dog. Thereby, you should not breed dogs when your purpose is purely economic, that is, you want to sell the puppies. If you are really into dog breeding, you must also know that selling puppies is illegal unless you have a separate business for this with the corresponding permits and licences.

Going back, the process of how to breed dogs also requires you to have them medically examined. You have to research about the hereditary problems that are unique to a specific dog breed. Although you might breed the most compatible kinds of dogs, there is still a possibility for physical defects when one of them has hereditary problems. Likewise, even experienced breeders acknowledge about 30% mortality rate when breeding dogs. You might put the life of your dog in jeopardy if you will not consider these consequences. Other than this, they could be also disease carriers which may eventually cause the puppies to be aborted or die shortly after they are born.

There may be physically deformed puppies, partially decomposed puppies, and puppies that die after a few hours. Nevertheless, you have to take care of the dog and the puppies as well. Newborn puppies are very susceptible to diseases and may eventually be in peril because of this. Have these puppies checked as well after they are born. Remember that knowing how to breed dogs does not end when the dog you bred gave birth to the puppies.

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Cystitis in Cats: Can It Be Treated?

Cystitis is a common bladder ailment that troubles the feline world. Many feline parents often worry about cystitis in cats and ask if it can be treated. Let us have a look at feline cystitis and go through some of the possible treatments for this common ailment.Cats are delicate creatures who think they own the world. Felines tend to have many health problems due to their weak digestive as well as urinary system. One of the common health problems many cat owners complain their cat(s) suffers from is the problem of urinating. The cat tends to stop using the litter box and has accidents around the house. Sometimes, the cat passes just a few drops of urine and appears to be in a lot of pain. At times, you may also observe a few drops or clots of blood and in some extreme health cases, the urine passed is red in color. This indicates that your cat is suffering from urinary tract obstructions and needs medical attention. Cystitis in cats is a common health complaint that veterinarians come across. Feline cystitis is associated with other health conditions like feline urological syndrome, feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), and feline idiopathic cystitis. This condition needs medical attention and if not treated soon, it may put the cat's life at risk. Let us go into the details of feline cystitis and its causes, symptoms and treatment in this Buzzle article.

What is Feline Cystitis?
Cystitis in cats is also called 'crystals' as tiny crystals or sand-like particles are formed within the urine. This condition occurs due to inflammation of the bladder. This condition affects both male and female cats, but is more common in females. Cystitis in male cats often turns out to be a very dangerous condition. The exact cause of cystitis is unknown. In case of dogs and humans, it is often thought that the condition occurs due to a bacterial infection. However, in case of cats, there are no bacteria present in their urine. Thus, the condition is termed as idiopathic in nature.

It has been observed that if cats are spayed or neutered too early, they may have higher counts of crystals in their urine. Litter boxes that are not cleaned daily also cause increase in bacterial count in the cat's systems. In some cases, dry food also tends to aggravate the condition. However, these factors do not lead to cystitis, but worsen the condition of a cat suffering from cystitis.

How do You Suspect if Your Cat has Cystitis?
If your cat acts unusual when urinating, it means there is definitely something wrong with its health. Apart from this, you need to spot other symptoms of cystitis in cats. These symptoms include frequent urination. However, the animal will be able to pass just a few drops of urine. Your cat may discard the litter box and urinate on cold surfaces like sink, bathroom floor, etc. This is because, the condition is very irritating and they find a cold, hard surface comforting when passing urine. The urine passed will have a foul odor and have a thicker consistency. You may also observe drops of blood or clots in the urine. The cat becomes irritable and licks his/her genitals continuously. You will also hear your cat cry or meow in pain when passing urine.

Can Cystitis Be Treated?
As a pet owner when you hear about cystitis in cats, the question 'can it be treated?' will pop up in your mind instantly. This condition can be treated successfully, especially when prompt medical treatment is given. In order to treat your cat, the vet may carry out urinalysis tests. Based on the results, he may prescribe antibiotics to treat urinary tract infection in the cat. In most cases, the cat begins to feel better within a week or so. The vet may even have to insert a syringe through the abdomen into the bladder and draw urine, in case of severe bladder obstruction. This procedure is carried out only in case of an emergency. The vet may also feed the cat more fluids, to flush out the urinary system. In case of urethra blockage or bladder stones, the vet may have to try catheterization or surgery (perineal urethrostomy) to unblock the obstruction.

Apart from this, you need to give your cat more fluids in the diet. The aim is to reduce the urine pH below 6.5. If the pH is more than 6.5, there are chances of crystal formation in urine. If your cat eats dry food, you need to moisten it or start giving it wet food. Encourage your cat to drink more water.

Cystitis in cats can be treated under correct medical guidance. This condition is known to recur, therefore make sure your cat takes in plenty of fluids in his/her diet. If you observe anything peculiar or out of ordinary in your cat, make sure you seek medical attention. This condition can turn into a serious health complication, when not treated at the earliest. Keep in mind, a healthy cat is equal to a happy owner.

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