Tips & Tricks

Keep your dog away from the following foods:

Onions and garlic can cause anemia. High-fat foods can lead to obesity and digestion problems. Chocolate is toxic to dogs and could lead to death. Poultry bones could splinter and lead to choking or internal bleeding. Grapes and raisins can be toxic in large amounts.

Watch for the following oral disease symptoms in your dog:

Excess plaque and calculus (dental tartar) deposits on your dog's teeth cause bad breath. Without treatment, this could lead to painful gum and bone infections.

It is perfectly normal for young dogs to lose their "baby" teeth, just like children do. After the "adult" teeth have grown in, tooth loss becomes a great concern for canine health. Tooth loss is caused by an infection of the tissues and bones surrounding the teeth. Once this infection starts, it is irreversible.

Bleeding gums could indicate dog health problems known as pyorrhea or gingivitis. Pyorrhea causes inflamed and infected gums that could eventually cause kidney infections or endocarditic in older dogs. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gum line from food particles.

Your dog should not have difficulty chewing on hard foods or toys. Sensitive teeth or gums could indicate a tendency towards pyorrhea or gingivitis.

Four Tips for Tackling Tub Time

No, not all dogs bound toward the tub when you mention taking a bath.
But you can make tub time less hairy for you and your pooch with these easy tips:

Take care of tangles before bathing. Especially mats; they're nearly impossible to comb through once they're wet!. Choose the right tub. Depending on your dog's size, use your sink or bathtub or, if weather permits, use a plastic tub outdoors.

Use restraints. Have a pup who won't stand still? Try keeping her leashed, or use a leash-like grooming tether that fastens to the tub wall with a suction cup. A rubber bath mat can help prevent slipping or sliding.

Set water on warm. Start by wetting down your dog's coat with cupfuls of warm -- not hot -- water. Or use the low setting on the spray head of your sink or shower. Gently work dog shampoo into her coat, massaging her from head to tail, keeping suds away from her eyes and mouth. Rinse thoroughly to avoid leaving any soap residue that may irritate her skin.

Apply the finishing touches. Give her a thorough once (or twice) over with a towel. If your pup has longish hair, comb her out while she's still damp. If you use a hair dryer to speed things along, keep it on a low, cool setting.

How to Avoid Teething Mishaps

Give her chew toys. Most puppies chew to ease tooth and gum pain, not to intentionally destroy. So your pup will likely enjoy gnawing on a few good chew toys as much, if not more, than your Jimmy Choo slingbacks. But if she keeps sinking her teeth into one, take it away, firmly tell her "no," and replace the shoe with one of her toys. When she chews on the toy, reinforce the behavior with, "You're a good girl."

Keep it interesting. Switch out your pup's chew toys every couple of months so she doesn't get bored and seek out alternatives. Avoid confusion by steering clear of toys that resemble household items -- like those squeaky rubber shoes -- until she gets older.

Puppy-proof as needed. When you're out and about, put your pooch in her crate or an area of the house that's been stripped of all potentially chewable items, except her toys. Move plants and electrical cords out of reach, too.

Run her around. Give your pup plenty of opportunities to be active and get some exercise. This will help prevent two of the leading causes of destructive chewing: boredom and restlessness.

Tips & Tricks

Road Rules for Rover. Got a pup who loves hitting the road and feeling the wind on his whiskers? Just as you do with your people passengers, follow a few important precautions to keep him safe while riding in the car.

No Riding Shotgun. Having your pup up front is way too dangerous and distracting, so he/she should always ride in the backseat.This helps protect your furry friend from making contact with the windshield or being injured by the airbag in the event of an accident. And don't let him ride in the back of a pickup truck. It's as unsafe as it looks.

Buckle Up for Safety. Ideally, your dog should ride in a travel carrier or crate that's secured to the seat so it doesn't slide around or tip over. Another option is a travel harness that works like a seat belt -- most pet stores carry them.

Go Easy on Breezy. Letting your dog catch a little breeze is fine; just be sure to leave your windows up at least halfway so that he can't stick out his head too far. Lock any automatic windows so he doesn't accidentally hit the "up" switch with his paw.

Don't leave him ALONE. Always keep an eye on your pooch and the temperature inside the car; the mercury can quickly rise, even on days that don't seem terribly warm. Hot temps can put your pup at risk of heat stroke and other health problems.

Common Parasites & Diseases

Preventing and treating parasites and diseases that afflict your dog is both compassionate and cost-effective. As with any treatment, only use pet-safe products, follow the label directions careful and consult your veterinarian before beginning any treatment program. Here are some of the most common one’s that pet owner’s need to be vigilant about.

FLEAS & TICKS

Because fleas are constantly shedding their eggs on your dog, and in your house and yard, there’s a continuous source of re-infestation. So if you don't treat both your pet and your environment, you may never get the fleas under control.

INSECT BITES AND REPELLENTS

If you think insect bites are causing your dog to itch, see your veterinarian before beginning any treatment.

The itching might be caused by an allergy. The most common allergy is flea allergy. Dogs may become allergic to the saliva of fleas. As a result, each flea bite causes intense itching, redness of the skin and small red bumps. Just a few bites on a highly allergic animal may cause a severe reaction. Plants, pollen and sometimes even food, along with insects, are among the allergens which may induce intense itching. Treatment depends upon your working with your veterinarian to identify and remove the allergen.

EAR MITES

Ear mites are tiny parasites that live on the surface of the skin lining in the ear canal. They pierce the skin surface to feed, causing inflammation and discomfort. If left untreated, bacterial infections and loss of hearing may result.

The warning signs for ear mites include:

Excessive and persistent scratching around the ears
Head shaking
Restless behavior
The ears are painful to the touch and the pet may cry out in pain
Brown material present in the ears
A foul-smelling odor

Dogs with long, floppy ears are more prone to ear mite infections. since air movement is restricted, promoting infection and bacterial growth.

If ear mites are present in a multiple-pet household, it is likely that if one animal is treated, the mites will move to another resident. The best preventive measure is to treat all residents for mites.

Dogs with long, floppy ears are more prone to ear mite infections. since air movement is restricted, promoting infection and bacterial growth.

If ear mites are present in a multiple-pet household, it is likely that if one animal is treated, the mites will move to another resident. The best preventive measure is to treat all residents for mites.

HEARTWORM PREVENTION

This mosquito-transmitted disease can be fatal to your dog. The better course is prevention. It takes powerful drugs and even hospitalization to cure a dog of these parasites, so you should do everything possible to prevent this disease.

Start with an annual test to see if your dog is already carrying these deadly worms. If the test is negative, your veterinarian will recommend a preventive heartworm medication.

Tips & Tricks

4 Tricks to Help Break the Jumping Habit

A fuzzy little puppy leaping onto your lap sounds downright adorable, no? Now, fast forward a few years, and imagine that dog full grown, jumping on you with all his weight. Or better yet, with dirty paws! Not so cute.

Luckily, you can nip the jumping habit in the bud with a little training. The key is to focus on the times when his desire to jump is often the strongest: when he greets people or other pups. Try these 4 tactics:

Play it cool. Making a huge fuss when you walk in the door will likely send your dog into a tailspin, leading him to bowl you over with love. Instead, first tell your pup to sit, and when he does, calmly greet him and offer a "good boy."

Practice, practice, practice. Get your pup used to your comings and goings by rehearsing your entry; leave through the back door or garage, and come in through the front door. Repeat this as many times as needed, making sure to praise him each time he greets you appropriately.

Turn your back. If your pup jumps up on you, resist the urge to push him away with your hands -- he may think you're trying to play. Instead, turn your body away from him. Once he's back down on all fours, ask him to sit, and then reinforce the behavior by telling him, "That's a good boy."

Train your guests. Always have your dog sit before opening your door to visitors, and kindly ask your guests to hold off on petting your pooch until he is sitting.

Top 4 Reasons Dogs Dig. Is your dog's digging habit destroying your otherwise lovely yard? As naughty and spiteful as it might seem, dogs typically don't dig because they want to cause damage or get back at you for making them take a bath. Their wants are often less obvious, so you might need to dig a little deeper to uncover the real reason the dirt starts flying. Here are a few to consider:

He wants something to play with. If your dog spends long stretches of time outside by himself without any toys or companions, he might dig because he has nothing better to do.How to deal: Keep his life as interesting as possible. In addition to daily walks and playtime, consider teaching him a few new tricks or commands.

He wants to hunt. Dogs that dig in specific areas, like around the base of trees or plants, could be trying to catch small critters or bugs burrowing below.What to do: Depending on the wildlife situation in your yard, you might consider implementing some humane animal control tactics to get a handle on things.

He wants out. If your pup tends to dig around or underneath a yard fence, he might be looking for a way out.What to do: Make extra efforts to reassure your pooch, helping him feel safe and comfortable in your home and yard. If you're worried he might escape, fortify your fence by placing some large rocks underneath it.

He wants your attention. If your pup does most of his digging while you're watching, he might just be saying "hey, look at me."How to deal: Make sure you're giving enough attention and love to your dog by spending time each day going for walks, playing, and just hanging out.

If your dog just seems to be hardwired to dig, try designating "a dig zone" in a less visible part of your yard. Giving him a small patch of ground where he can sink his paws can work wonders. Cover it with a bit of sand or loose soil. Always let him know what a good boy he is when he digs there. If he takes his digging elsewhere, tell him "no," and then take him over to his special spot.

Sick as a Dog

Pets instinctively hide pain and illness.Be aware of warning signs so that you can prevent an unhappy ending.
The best way to notice these signs is to observe and keep a diary of what is normal for your dog.
Then watch for symptoms that could signal a serious illness -- sudden changes in behavior, appetite, or thirst,and changes in frequency of urination.
Become familiar with any breed-specific health conditions.
Take your dog to the vet if you notice an increase in breathing rate, unexplained weight loss, unsteady walking,or gums that have turned white, gray, blue, or yellow.

Shedding: How to Keep the Fur from Flying

A dog that doesn’t shed? Not unless it’s one that’s totally hairless.
Shedding is the part of your pup’s biology that lets a new coat come in.
Fortunately,one simple thing can help keep more fur on Fluffy and less on your favorite sweater.

Brush, brush, brush.
The more hair you’re able to dispose of,the less of it you’ll find on your clothes, couch, carpet, and car seats.
Short-haired dogs should be brushed two or three times a week, while medium- to long-haired dogs should be groomed daily, especially during the spring and the summer.
If your pooch develops severe mats,take her to your vet or a professional groomer
careful shaving is the only way to take care of the problem.

And ask what kind of brush is best for your dog’s coat.

Let your vet know if your pooch starts shedding more than usual or if you notice bald spots.
Excessive hair loss is not a part of normal aging, and it could be a sign of a health condition, including cancer, ringworm, mange, or a skin infection.

Sharing Your Sofa: Set the Rules Up Front

Want Daisy to cuddle with you on the couch,
or is the sofa reserved for your R&R? Once you make a decision, stand your ground:
If you let your pooch have a little leeway, she’ll make a habit of lying on your loveseat
or curling up in your favorite chair.
That’s because dogs don’t know when they’re allowed or when they’re forbidden (think they know muddy paws means “no way”?).

If you’ve decided that the furniture is off-limits, some basic training is in order.
Put a leash and slip collar on your pooch and leave the room.
Then, watch what your dog is doing. As soon as you see her leap onto the furniture, grab the leash and tug it while firmly saying “no.” And when she’s back on the floor, praise her so that she knows it’s the proper place. Or say you’re lounging in your chaise, and your dog looks like she wants to join you. Use the “sit,” “stay,” and “lie down” commands.

You can also try giving your pet a dog bed or pillow.
With her own place to rest, she may no longer crave your creature comforts.

Is Your Dog Afraid of Thunderstorms?

Picture this: As the skies darken overhead, an otherwise amiable dog is panting and pacing around the house with his tail tucked between his legs. When the first crash of thunder hits, he bolts into the bathroom and curls up tightly in the tub, where he remains, panting and trembling, until the storm passes. Sound familiar? Does your dog behave this way during storms? Not to worry, some advice for helping your pooch overcome his/her fear.

Any dog can develop a fear of thunderstorms, but herding breeds seem more susceptible to developing noise phobias. Age is another risk factor: Dogs who are afraid of thunderstorms can become more distressed with each successive season, so it’s smart to start working with your dog as soon as you notice his fearful behavior. If your adult dog has suddenly become afraid of storms, please start with a visit to your vet. A sick dog may become more sensitive to sounds, and no amount of behavior modification will help if your dog’s fear is medically based.

Try the following strategies to reduce your dog’s anxiety during storms. For dogs with mild thunderstorm phobia, these tricks may get rid of the problem entirely.

* Let your dog take refuge inside. Storms aren’t as loud and scary with four walls around you! Bringing your dog into the house also ensures that he won’t try to escape from the yard.
* Having some human company often calms panicked dogs. If your calm, quiet touch brings him comfort or if he comes to you for security, it’s perfectly fine to pet and reassure him.
* Try turning on some calming music, a TV or radio, or a fan to muffle storm noises. Shutting the drapes may help if lightning also frightens your dog.
* More active distractions may help, too. See if your dog will eat from a food-filled toy, such as a stuffed Kong, scatter treats in the house for him to find, or try playing tug or fetch with his favorite toy.

If your dog’s quality of life is seriously impaired by thunderstorms, consider speaking with a vet about anti-anxiety medication. Medication can enhance the effectiveness of other efforts to help your dog cope with his fear. A technique called desensitization and counterconditioning can also help. This technique involves gradually increasing the volume of an audio recording of a thunderstorm to help your dog become accustomed to it, while at the same time associating the sound of thunder with good things, like treats and toys. Additionally, there are a number of products on the market that may help your dog remain calm during storms, including close-fitting body wraps, noise-reducing headphones and herbal remedies.