This week we are featuring Philadelphia Pet Photographer, Lauren Kaplan. The inspiration for her starting down the path of Pet Photography was simple, to capture and document the last days of her dog Norma before she passed. That labor of love grew into a new passion, and people began to take notice in a big way. Her ability to capture the expression and emotion of her canine subjects really sets her apart. For more information about Lauren’s Pet Photography, visit www.petimagery.com

P.S. Take the time to check out laurenphoto.com as well, and enjoy some truly mesmerizing and hauntingly beautiful photos Lauren has captured of her hometown of Philadelphia.

Not being “judgmental” is nigh impossible. Someone points out that we are doing something stupid. We know they are right. Yet, we don’t like the embarrassment, so we turn up our noses to he sky, and retort sassily, “Uh, you are like… soooo like judgmental and stuff,” without realizing that statement is one of judgement.

Yes, I said sassily. Google it.

We are especially discerning with how other people parent their pets or children. I am personally big on discipline. So, I struggle to keep my nose pointing toward the horizon when I see someone with a dog that is running around peeing on everything, yapping cuss words, and tagging walls with graffiti. I shake my metaphoric fist and shout, “Hooligans!” Immediately my chest puffs out with pride at Basil as he walks right by my…. whoooaaaaaa! Then he takes off after a squirrel and jumps up on some nice old lady trying to lick her face.

To someone who knows Basil, it is endearing. However, seeing a strange dog that is literally tall enough to lick your face when he stands on his hind legs jump up at your face is obviously terrifying.

This photo was taken by our friend Rebekkah Kemp.

I wonder sometimes what others think of me as a dog parent. I do not pretend to not care about what others think. We all care. Simply, it doesn’t rule us, or shouldn’t. I think of it terms of how we describe Royalty. Would others consider me to be Nicholas the Wise? Or the Tyrrant? (shudders) I guess the real question is what would Basil say?

That answer I do know. At this very second he is licking my face. To him, I am just dad. If pushed, he would probably say I am Nicholas the Salty.

This article was written by Dallas Photographer Nicholas Laning.

I am going to combine two loves here. I love dogs. I also love words. So, I am going to throw a big one at you. Don’t act like it is a big deal either. You and I both know you are going to use this word within the next 24 hour period, and will revel in how smart you sound.

Here we go. The word is ANTHROPOMORPHISM. It means, the attribution of human form or behavior to a deity, animal, etc.

We humans love to do this. Think about every Disney cartoon there is. Bambi, Fox and the Hound, Robin Hood, Lion King, they are all feature animals that talk and emote as humans. This isn’t a new thing either. Aesop’s Fables and the Bible both have anthropomorphism in them.

Well, I am no different. After four years, I have noticed that I reward my bloodhound, Basil, by anthropomorphizing him. Without fail, I will say, “Good Boy, Basil!” or “How’s my big man doing?” Yet, if he sits on the sofa (a big no-no in our house) he is banished back to dogdom. “Bad dog, Basil. Bad dog.” This is especially ironic, as sitting on the sofa is a very human thing to do. Poor boy. See, did it again.

I don’t know why I do this, as I don’t think he minds being a dog. Perhaps it is how he sits like a human when he rides in a car, straight up with his back against the seat. Perhaps it is his love for almost all vegetables save tomatoes. Hold out a sugar snap pea, and you are risking losing a finger. Or, perhaps it is the way he cocks his head whenever you talk to him, as if he is trying to understand, but like Scotty from Star Trek, he just doesn’t have the power.

Let me introduce you to Basil, so that you can picture him when I speak of him in the future.

P.S. Let me know how throwing down ANTHROPOMORHISM goes for you. I am very excited to hear about it.

This post was written by: Nicholas L. Laning

It is an unfortunate fact of modern life that people are getting more and more obese. Similarly, their dogs are becoming very generous around the waistline. Statistics suggest that as many as 40% of our canine companions are overweight or obese.

To understand how to avoid this problem, you must first look at the reasons behind excessive weight gain in dogs.

1. Overfeeding. It’s fair to say that the majority of dogs are fed too much food. Many packets of kibble over-estimate how much your dog should be given for his dinner. Don’t forget those little toast crusts at breakfast, or the leftover pasta after your main meal – they will all add to your dog’s body weight.
2. Lack of Exercise. We’re all busy with work, families, and other commitments. It’s not always easy to find time to take Fido for a long walk. This means that all those extra calories aren’t burned off, and it won’t be long before he is overweight.

What can you do if your dog is already too heavy?

Firstly, take him along to your veterinarian for a check-up. There are some medical conditions that cause weight gain in dogs. If your dog is suffering from one of these conditions, you won’t see any improvement in his weight until it is properly managed.

Next, look closely at what he’s eating. His nutritional requirements are influenced by his activity level. If your dog is a couch potato who only gets up when he needs a drink or to go outside to the toilet, then he really doesn’t need too many calories. He just needs enough to keep his body processes chugging along, and to keep him alive. A more active dog does need more to eat, but probably not as much as you are giving him!

Start an exercise program with your dog. If he is particularly overweight, you may not be able to walk very far before his legs get tired. In that case, take him swimming or use an underwater treadmill. The water will help to support his body and make it easier on his legs. As he loses some weight, you can then start walking him more. You’ll enjoy this too; it’s relaxing and it’s a pleasant way to spend some quality time with your four legged best friend.

One thing that is particularly important, and not all that easy, is to teach your dog not to beg at the table. It can be very hard to resist those soft brown eyes, and more often than not you just give him a tiny piece of leftovers. By doing this, you have just trained him that begging pays, so he’s not going to give up anytime soon. You must harden your heart. Either lock him away at your mealtimes so you’re not dealing with temptation all the time, or be strong enough to resist his pleas for treats.

It is as difficult to get weight off your dog as it is for people to lose weight, and it takes as much discipline and control on the part of you, his owner. It’s worth it though, as you could be saving him from the debilitating symptoms of arthritis, diabetes and heart disease.

To get more important information on this topic visist the ASPCA .

Whilst most puppy owners understand the benefits of exercising their puppy, a question that is frequently asked is how much exercise a puppy actually needs. Too little exercise and the puppy may become bored, and too much exercise can lead to injury.

There is no definite answer to this question, so we need to look at various factors including the breed of your dog, their size and also how old your puppy actually is. Some breeds are predisposed to orthopedic problems, and any strenuous exercise should be delayed until they are well and truly mature. For giant breeds, this can take until they are 18 months of age or more.

A young pup will not do too much, as their young legs won’t have much strength until they are 5-6 weeks old. While they are very young, the only exercise your pup needs is to potter around your home with their litter mates.

At this early age, pups should be allowed to determine how much exercise they do. Pups should never be forced to exercise as it can cause long term harm to their growing bones and joints. If you leave them to their own devices, they will run and play as much as they want, then rest when they are tired. Keep in mind that an enthusiastic pup will want to run and play with you, and may not want to stop. It’s up to you to put the brakes on and allow them time to rest and recover.

Once your pup is five or six months old, you can start taking them for walks. Watch for any signs of weariness, and stop before they get tired. Their bones are still growing, and still susceptible to overuse injury. At this age, you should avoid any excessive jumping, because this can be particularly harmful to young joints.

When your dog is approaching 12 months of age, you can start taking them for longer walks, and even start a jogging program with them. This is great for keeping them trim, and burning up their excess energy. It’s also good for their mood, and you’ll see your own health improve too. Dogs in fact make ideal running buddies!

Consider joining a dog sports club – agility, flyball and tracking are lots of fun for dogs, and will exercise their brains as well as their bodies.

Most neighborhoods have a dog park, and this is a great venue to let your dog off leash to have a good run around. They can play with other dogs, wrestle and tumble with them, and completely wear themselves out.

Never underestimate the importance of exercise in your dog’s physical and mental well being. You’ll find that if they have enough exercise, they’ll be less anxious, and less inclined to get up to mischief because they are bored. After all, a tired dog is a happy dog.

For more information on exercising your Puppy visit: Petco .

Can you still own a dog if you’re allergic to them?

Many people are allergic to dogs and develop sneezing, runny eyes and skin rashes whenever they come in contact with them. If you are thinking about owning a dog, and you suspect you may have such an allergy, you need to find out for sure before inviting a dog into your family. A simple way to do this is to spend some time with a friend’s dog. An hour of cuddling and patting should give you adequate time to gauge whether you are allergic to dogs, and also to what degree. The symptoms of an allergy to dogs are uncomfortable and annoying. However, if you are indeed an allergy sufferer, you can still enjoy the company of a loving and loyal canine companion.

If you have allergies and are planning on owning a dog, it is a sensible idea to choose a breed with short hair that doesn’t shed large amounts of its coat. People often react to the dander, or dead skin cells and scurf, that is constantly shed from a dog’s skin. All dogs have dander, so there is no such thing as a truly hypo-allergenic dog. Poodles, Chinese Crested Dogs and Mexican Hairless Dogs are all popular choices for people who are sensitive to dogs.

Take into consideration the size of your home before choosing a breed of dog for your family. If you live in a small apartment, you may find that you have more allergy attacks, simply because the hair and dander accumulate in a smaller area. In this case, a smaller breed will shed less than a larger breed, and there will be less allergens inside your home.

What else can you do to manage an allergy to dogs so you don’t have to miss out on the pleasures of pet ownership?

• Ask your doctor to prescribe anti-allergy medication that will ease your symptoms. All drugs can have side effects, so make sure you are familiar with your medication and can recognize any potential problems before they become too severe.

• Vacuum your home thoroughly, and there will be less dander and dog hair in your environment to make you itch and sneeze.

• Have your dog groomed regularly to remove loose hair and skin scurf, and you’re less likely to have an allergic reaction when you cuddle him.

• Keep your dog off the furniture so you’re not exposed to hair or dander while you are relaxing in front of the television. Give him his own bedding, and launder his blankets regularly.

• Consider having a course of desensitizing injections. These injections contain tiny amounts of allergens, and are given to you every week or fortnight for many months. They allow your body to better tolerate the things you’re allergic to, so you’re less likely to react to them. It takes quite a long time before you see the results of these injections, so they are definitely not a quick fix.

Having an allergy to dogs doesn’t mean you can’t own a dog. Choose your breed carefully, keep it and your environment clean and seek help from your medical professional to manage any symptoms. You’ll then be able to learn exactly why a dog is known as “man’s best friend”.

Visit the ASPCA for more information on this topic:
here

There is nothing more frustrating than listening to your dog scratch, scratch, scratch all the time. For some reason it seems so loud and distracting. Not only is it annoying, it can cause such severe skin irritation to your dog that he needs veterinary treatment to soothe his irritated skin.

There are many reasons why dogs scratch, some more common than others.

1. Fleas. This is by far the most common cause of dogs scratching. These little parasites bite your dog as they take a blood meal, and the itch can be severe. Some dogs are actually allergic to fleas, and the result is red skin and hair loss. It’s most common for flea irritation to develop over your dog’s rump, tail base and down his hind legs.

2. Nutrition.
This is often something that isn’t often considered when looking for a reason for your dog’s scratching. Dog owners often feed their dog with low quality pet foods that may be a bit short on the nutrients needed for a healthy coat and skin. With this in mind, always try to choose a reputable brand of pet food, even if it does cost that little bit extra. Some dogs are actually allergic to something they are eating, and this can manifest itself as scratching. You’ll need to do a food trial to work out what it is, and then don’t feed your dog that food ever again.

3. The environment.
Quite often, dogs can be allergic to certain kinds of grass and plants, and they scratch whenever they have been in contact with them. Also, dogs can develop a hay fever type condition called atopy, where they are allergic to dusts and pollens in the environment. This can be difficult to manage, because it’s not always possible to keep your dog away from the things he is reacting to. You may need to resort to anti-allergy medication to keep him comfortable.

4. Infections.
Bacterial and fungal infections can be a source of irritation for your dog, and can make him scratch all the time. These infections are often secondary to another problem such as an allergy, or a hormonal skin disorder. This means that treating the infection won’t solve the problem because the underlying cause is still there.

6. Your dog’s personality.
Some dogs scratch through anxiety and boredom. This is difficult to diagnose, because you really need to rule out all other causes of your dog’s itch. Medication is available that should help if your dog genuinely has a behavioral basis to his scratching.

If your dog is scratching excessively, it’s time to make an appointment with your veterinarian to work out why. The sooner you can find the cause, the sooner your dog will get relief from the constant itching and irritation.

Visit the ASPCA for more information:
click here

Intelligence testing for puppies

A dog is a very socially advanced animal and enjoys living with humans, and can easily learn what’s acceptable and what’s not. As with humans, each individual has a different personality and behaviours .
Carrying out intelligence tests for puppies can be done for a number of reasons, either to test an individual dog’s intelligence, or to find out whether he has a suitable temperament for a particular job or environment.

If you are looking for a puppy that is skilled in certain areas and is adaptable in an unusual environment, then you should always consider carrying out an intelligence test.

It is important to learn how dogs can be trained and how their minds work.

Some studies have suggested that most dogs do not have a great deal of independent intelligence, which consequently means that working out problems or finding solutions can be hard. However, breeds such as the Australian Cattle Dog or Border Collie are often able to think for themselves when they are working livestock.

Dogs learn best by example, either from humans or from other dogs, and they learn quickly through repetition. When shown what to do, a very high percentage will pick up the task or follow a command very easily. This is particularly the case when they are rewarded for following that command. Dogs also have great visual and hearing abilities, and can even learn names of objects.

What is intelligence testing, as it applies to puppies? This is when you examine a dog’s individual behaviour traits, and it’s capacity to learn. You are testing his mood and how he responds in different situations. It’s important to check a dog’s adaptability and attention span to see if he is suitable for your needs. These are basic tests that are used to test small children, but have been somewhat adapted to suit dogs.

For owners who do not have any particular needs when it comes to their dog’s intelligence, it can still be fun to see how smart their four legged family member really is. There are many different IQ tests on the internet which present around ten various tasks so that the owner can see gauge just how clever their dog is. These tests will go through simple memory, social, and language tasks and can easily be conducted at home.

A great deal of research has been put into dog intelligence testing , because dogs play an important role in professions such as the army, or the police force. These tests are very helpful when used as part of the selection process, to match the right dog to the right human partner.

For most of us, intelligence isn’t all that important, and the results of intelligence testing wouldn’t play a big role in our choice of canine companion. Our dog is our friend, our companion, our confidante, and they don’t need a great deal of intelligence to do that well. All they need is to know how to love us.

For more information on this topic visit: here.

A critical part of raising a well adjusted dog is socializing your puppy. Through socialization, they learn to fit into society, both human society and the dog hierarchy. Your goal is a calm, well adjusted dog who is doesn’t think it’s his job to keep the postman from stealing your letterbox.

Un-socialized dogs won’t know what to do in new situations or when introduced to new dogs and people. This can lead to them showing aggression or fear in unfamiliar circumstances.

Socializing starts when a puppy is still with his dam and with his breeder. A puppy’s first introduction to canine body language and pack structure starts around the three to four week mark, when he starts playing with his dam and litter mates. The breeder plays an important role in socializing a pup, by giving them positive early experiences with people.

The ideal age to bring your new puppy home is when he is eight weeks of age. From eight to twelve weeks of age is a very important period for socialization. During this time your pup is open to learning and enjoying new experiences. You need to take advantage of this small window of opportunity to increase your puppy’s social development. Invite friends and family to visit, and expose your pup to gentle children, all of which will teach him that people are friendly and nice to be with.

Puppy preschool can be good for your young puppy provided the instructor is accredited and understands pack structure. The right instructor and a well run puppy pre-school allows your puppy to meet and play with other puppies of a similar age and level of development. A good pre-school instructor can help you teach your pup some basic obedience and work on your communication skills. This will strengthen the bond between you and your new best friend.

During this time, it’s a good idea to take your pup walking, and expose him to noisy places such as busy roads, train stations and even markets. This helps him to learn that these places are not scary, and will make it easier to take him to such places in the future.

As your pup grows, continue his obedience training so that he grows into a confident, well mannered companion.

Off-leash parks and beaches are other places you can socialize your puppy but care must be taken to see that he is not intimidated. Many owners do not have control of their dogs, and your pup may be frightened by unwanted advances from a larger dog. It may be better to keep your puppy away from these areas until he is more mature. Make sure your puppy is up to date on vaccinations, as there will be an increased risk of contact with disease in public places.

Taking on a new puppy means you will need to work to socialize him well. You need to look at it as an investment in his future. A good job on your part will lead to a well adjusted and happy companion who knows his place in the mixed human-canine pack.

For more information on socializing your pet visit: Oregon Veterinary Medical Association
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Our puppy is a very important part of our family, and it’s reassuring to know that many of the the medical services that benefit people are now available for our dog. However, these services do come at a cost, and it’s a good idea to have pet health insurance to help with veterinary bills should your dog have an accident or suddenly become ill.

There are many pet insurance policies to choose from, so it’s important that you take the time to understand what is and isn’t covered in each policy. This will make sure you buy the policy that best suits you, and your hard earned money isn’t wasted.

Most pet insurance policies will cover hospitalization, surgery, accidents and other medical procedures. In most cases, they don’t cover routine procedures such as neutering and vaccinations. When you are looking into buying an insurance policy for your pup, work out what you need before you go shopping. Here are some things to keep in mind.

• INSURANCE POLICIES HAVE AN ANNUAL LIMIT WHEN IT COMES TO THE BENEFITS THEY PAY, AND SOMETIMES EVEN A MAXIMUM PAYOUT PER ILLNESS OR ACCIDENT. OFTEN, IF YOU PAY A HIGHER PREMIUM, THESE LIMITS WILL BE INCREASED. WORK OUT A BALANCE BETWEEN THE PREMIUM YOU CAN AFFORD AND THE AMOUNT YOU’D LIKE TO RECEIVE IF YOU EVER NEEDED TO MAKE A CLAIM.

• Do you have more than one pet? Some insurance companies offer a discount if you have two or more animals insured with them. If it isn’t mentioned on their policy paperwork, it costs nothing to ask.

• MAKE SURE YOU FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT IS AND ISN’T COVERED BY YOUR POLICY. SOME POLICIES DON’T ALLOW CLAIMS FOR SOME TREATMENTS, AND OTHERS DON’T COVER DOGS OVER A CERTAIN AGE. FIND OUT BEFORE YOU SIGN UP, AND YOU WON’T BE DISAPPOINTED LATER WHEN YOU NEED TO MAKE A CLAIM.

• Will the insurance cover pre-existing conditions? If your dog has an injury or illness at the time you take out the policy, you may not be able to claim for expenses relating to that condition.

• DOES THE POLICY ALLOW YOU TO CHOOSE YOUR OWN VETERINARIAN? SOME INSURANCE COMPANIES WILL FORCE YOU TO USE A VETERINARIAN AFFILIATED WITH THEM. IF YOU WANT YOUR PUP TREATED BY SOMEONE YOU KNOW AND TRUST, MAKE SURE THIS IS POSSIBLE WITH THE INSURANCE COVER YOU PURCHASE.

• How long has the insurance company been in business? Ideally, choose a company with a long track record of providing good service to pet owners. Ask other dog owners about their experience with insurance companies, and take this into account when you make your choice.

THE COST OF VETERINARY CARE FOR YOUR PUP IS INCREASING FAST, AND IT’S NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE TO PUT MONEY ASIDE FOR UNEXPECTED EMERGENCIES. IF YOU HAVE PET HEALTH INSURANCE, YOU WON’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT FINANCES AT A TIME WHEN YOU ARE WORRYING ABOUT YOUR DOG’S HEALTH. IT’S WELL WORTH THE PEACE OF MIND.

For more information on pet insurance visit: ASPCA .