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 .

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:
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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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When it is time to select a food for your puppy, choose one that is specifically formulated for young dogs. Puppy food has more calories per cup than adult food because pups need a lot of energy to grow, but only have a small stomach.

It doesn’t matter whether you choose a dry food or a canned food for your puppy. Canned or moist foods are often more palatable, and are a good way to start if your pup is a bit fussy. Canned foods contain over 75% water while dry biscuits and kibble have very little water in them. To effectively compare the amount of each nutrient in each food irrespective of water content, the nutrients are listed as a percentage of the food’s dry matter.

The ingredients in a dog food are listed on the packet in order from highest to lowest amounts. If the packet lists grains and cereals first, it indicates that this food contains more grains than meat proteins. Price can also give you an idea of food quality. Grains are cheaper than meat, which means it’s safe to assume that cheaper puppy foods have higher cereal content than meat content. Foods that contain predominantly cereals may cause a dry coat and loose stools.

When it comes to expensive foods that have meat products at the top of their ingredient list, there are still differences between meat and meat by products . Meat is lean muscle from livestock including poultry, large ruminants like cattle, sheep and goats and in some countries, horses and kangaroo. Meat by-products include liver, kidney and bone. These ingredients are cheaper than lean muscle meat but they are still beneficial to your pup.

Puppy foods also have a specific balance of calcium and phosphorus to make sure your pup’s bones develop properly. Growing bones need calcium, but too much of this mineral is as harmful as too little. Too much dietary calcium has been associated with serious orthopedic conditions such as osteochondrosis dissecans. If you are feeding your pup a good quality puppy food, don’t add any calcium supplements.

You may prefer to cook your puppy’s food yourself and that too is fine providing you make sure you meet all his nutritional requirements. This can be tricky, so make sure you ask your veterinarian for advice. There are several online services that will formulate a home made diet for your pup that is balanced and contains all the nutrients your growing dog needs.

Most dogs enjoy some table scraps, and it’s fine to give your pup leftovers, with a few notable exceptions. Never give your dog cooked bones, or anything of a size that may get stuck in their intestines, such as corn cobs. If you are in any doubt whether a particular leftover is safe for your four legged family member, err on the side of caution and put it in the trash.

Dogs have always enjoyed chewing on bones, and this is particularly the case when a pup is teething. However, veterinary dentists don’t recommend feeding pups any bones at all because of the risks to their teeth and gastrointestinal tract. There are safer alternatives, such as rawhide chews, that will allow your pup to chew safely.

For more information on feeding your puppy visit: ASPCA.

Puppies are well known for their enthusiasm for chewing on anything and everything! To protect shoes and soft furnishings, their owners have in the past given them a bone to gnaw on. Not only does a bone keep a pup busy, but it helps with teething and keeps their teeth clean and healthy.

You may be surprised to hear that this is now frowned upon by the US Food and Drug Administration. While it is well known that cooked bones are dangerous to dogs, veterinary dentists now recommend that you don’t give your dog any bones at all, even raw ones.

There are several reasons for this:

Small bones such as chicken bones can get wedged in the roof of the mouth, between those big upper molar teeth. Although this isn’t life threatening, it’s very distressing for your pup, and can cause abrasions to his gums.

• Bones can also present a choking hazard, as they may be swallowed and get stuck in the back of your pup’s throat.

• Even large marrow bones aren’t safe. These are hard enough to break your pup’s tooth, which can lead to painful gum infection and tooth root abscesses.

• Bones can get stuck in the gastro-intestinal tract and cause a blockage. Your pup will need surgery to clear the blockage. If a shard of bone actually pierces his intestine, it can lead to peritonitis, a potentially fatal infection of his abdominal cavity.

• It’s possible that bones can cause your pup’s feces to become very hard, which leads to painful constipation. He may need an enema and laxatives to help him pass his bowel motions.

This brings up two questions: how do you take care of your puppy’s teeth, and what do you give him to chew that’s safe and enjoyable for him?

Firstly, let’s look at tooth care. Most dogs will have some degree of periodontal disease by the time they are 3 years old. It’s important that you start caring for your puppy’s teeth from a very young age to prevent this happening to him.

Veterinary dentists advise dog owners to care for their dog’s teeth in the same way they do their own. This means that you need to brush your dog’s teeth twice daily with a toothbrush and toothpaste. There are a variety of toothbrushes that are suitable for dogs, from those with a thin handle and a small head, to those that fit over your finger. Make sure you use a doggie toothpaste to brush his teeth; human toothpaste is too frothy, and most dogs don’t enjoy the minty flavor.

There are several good alternatives to bones that will allow your puppy to satisfy his urge to chew and make his gums feel more comfortable while he is teething. Consider buying a Kong and filling it with peanut butter and other yummy treats. He will spend hours chewing and licking at the Kong, and won’t be interested in your slippers!

Bones are not worth the risk. Brushing your pup’s teeth twice daily is time consuming, but it’s all part and parcel of being a responsible dog owner.

For more information on puppies and bones, visit :Professor House .

Do You Really Need Pet Health Insurance?

Vets today can do so much more for your pets than they could even a few short years ago. There are many conditions that used to be a death sentence for dogs, which are now treatable as a chronic illness.

Treating an older or chronically ill dog is not for the faint of heart though, and I am not talking about the illness. I am talking about the vet bill!

As a result of our vet’s increased ability to offer procedures like MRI tests, radiation treatments and even transplants vet costs have almost doubled in the last five years. So as you sit by the fire watching your sleeping dog age by the minute, it begs the question, “Do I need to get health insurance for my pet?”

The short answer is, “It depends”, and unfortunately there is no easy solution. Since the level of vet care that a dog receives is directly related to his owner’s finances and feelings, care levels are all over the map.

Some dogs get regular checkups, vaccines and dental exams. Others get nothing until they are injured, and then they get caught up on all of their shots. And still others do not even get that. So depending on the commitment to your pets’ care that you are willing to make, pet health insurance may or may not make sense for you.

Due to the rising costs and abilities of veterinarians, pet health insurance is becoming more popular with each passing year. The insurance policies are very similar to human insurance policies with annual or monthly premiums, deductibles, co-pays, caps and coverage to suit any need.

Pet insurance policies can be very different from company to company, so if you are considering covering your pet read the fine print carefully. Generally the more coverage you get the higher the premium, so take care to match the policy with your vet visit needs. However, as your dog gets older you may suddenly find yourself strangely interested in prescription coverage for your dog and unable to find a suitable policy.

Another pet insurance option that is becoming more commonly offered is by the vets themselves. They frequently offer bundled rates for regular routine exams and discounts for anything from routine teeth cleanings to prescriptions.

When it comes to a sick or aging dog sometimes nature makes the decision for you, and while it is tragic, in a way it is easy. When the decision is left to you, it is rarely easy to determine when enough is enough. Frequently your pocketbook makes the decision for you, and that is why it is a good idea to know what you plan to do and what your tolerance points are well before you find yourself in the situation of having to make life and death decisions.

If you know that you will mortgage the house to make sure that your dog gets the latest procedure available and the best care possible, then pet health insurance may be for you. If you know that you will not opt for any heroic measures when the eleventh hour arrives, then pet insurance is probably not going to be a good option for you. So take a minute to think about the unthinkable. Then you can plan according to whatever makes sense for your particular situation, and when the day comes that you need to make a hard choice you will already have a good idea of what you need to do.

For more information on pet health insurance, visit the ASPCA.

Dogs naturally jump up on people as a means of greeting them, and to show their loyalty. However, some do this to excess, not to only their owners, but to strangers as well. Dogs may also do this to get the attention of their owners, or sometimes even to show dominance. It may even just be pure enthusiasm. This is natural, but can be a problem. This forceful kind of jumping, especially with big dogs, can really be scary. Regularly training your dog can help to reduce the intensity and frequency of his natural jumping behavior.

You can stop your dog’s jumping behavior more easily than you might imagine. If you use his favorite treats to train him, he’ll learn very quickly what he has to do to get the treat. Dogs love treats and praise and will do whatever it takes to get them from you. He’ll quickly catch on that you only pet and praise him when he is not jumping up.

The first thing to do is to only greet your dog if he has his front paws on the ground. If your dog jumps on you when you first enter the house, simply ignore him and turn away, continuing to ignore him until he stands with his feet on the ground. He may keep jumping on you to get your attention for a while, so be sure to completely ignore him until he’s standing still. Then, give him a treat and pet and praise him.

You can also gently put your dog’s paws on the ground each time he jumps up on you. When his feet are on the ground, say “yes”, then give him a treat. Do it again and again. It won’t take long until your dog learns that the treat comes when his feet are on the ground.

Another tactic is to train your dog to sit on command, and then when he approaches you to jump up, ask him to sit and reward him for doing as he’s asked. Teaching him an alternative behavior is very effective in breaking the jumping habit. I have very successfully used this method in my own dog. Instead of jumping up to greet me, he now sits beside me for a cuddle. Instead of jumping, he now leans against my leg when I pat him, but I can live with that.

Many people advocate putting a knee up and pushing your dog in the chest to deter him from jumping. That’s not a good way to train a dog, and may in fact hurt him. It’s much easier to show your dog what you want him to do using treats, than it is to use punishment to stop the wrong behavior. It’s also much better for your relationship.

If all else fails, you can hire the services of qualified dog trainers and behaviorists to help you teach your dog to stop his jumping behavior.

Finally, although dogs can be trained any age, the best time to train them is when they are still puppies and haven’t yet learned any bad manners. You can quickly get them to learn your preferred behaviors. Puppy pre-school and dog obedience classes are an important part of raising a well behaved dog.

For more information on this topic visit the ASPCA.

Reduce, reuse, recycle, carbon footprint – they’re all terms we associate with taking care of our environment. You’ll be glad to know that our four legged friends can also play a role in taking care of our planet. Here’s how it can be done:

1. Reduce.

Reducing waste and reducing wrapping and packaging can lower the amount of landfill we produce. Choose dog accessories and toys with no packaging, so there’s less rubbish to dispose of.

Where possible, buy your dog’s preventative medication and food in bulk, as this will also mean less packaging to put in the bin. For example, if the budget allows it, buy a year’s worth of worming tablets instead of one at a time, and purchase a bulk bag of kibble that will last you longer.

While we’re on the topic of kibble, if you feed a good quality food that is very digestible, you’ll need to feed him less to meet his nutritional requirements. This will also mean you have to buy less food, and dispose of less packaging.

When you’re picking up your dog’s feces during your daily walk, use a biodegradable bag so that it breaks down when it’s put in the bin. Plastics can last for many years in landfill.

2. Reuse.

Don’t throw anything out without making sure it can’t be turned into something useful for your dog. Those old bath towels can be stitched into blankets for him. Leftover ropes or panty hose can be plaited into tug toys. You’ll find that your dog isn’t put off by recycled toys, and will enjoy a game, no matter what they’re made of.

3. Recycle.

Your worm farm or compost bin will appreciate a top up with your dog’s feces, and they can contribute to your healthy garden.

Look for dog accessories made from recycled fabrics and materials. You can purchase dog beds with recycled filling, and your dog will sleep very well on them. Hemp can be recycled into dog collars, and it’s very durable.

4. Replace.

Replace any cleaning products that may be harmful to the environment with a gentler alterntative. Use a phosphate free shampoo, and wash your dog as little as possible. That way you’re not adding chemicals to our waterways.

Look at what you’re using for parasite control, and see if there is an environmentally friendly alternative. One example is using tea tree oil to control fleas on your dog. Keep in mind that just because a product is natural, doesn’t necessarily make it safe – tea tree oil can be very toxic to dogs if used incorrectly.

Also, don’t take chances on natural products that may not be as effective as chemicals, particularly with potentially deadly diseases such as heartworm.

We’ve only got one planet, and we need to look after it as best we can. Give your dog the opportunity to do his part. He won’t mind at all.

For more information on how to go green with your dog visit
The Dog Channel.

The Three Amigos – Understanding Differences Between the Wild and Domestic Dogs

To really understand the differences between wild dogs and domestic dogs, consider three canids, coyotes, wolves, and dogs. Despite their differences, they seem to crossbreed rather freely. Unfortunately, it can cause problems when an unexperienced pet owner keeps the offspring as a pet.

Many of our domestic dog’s best traits are the ones most similar to their wild ancestors. For example, the wild dog is every bit as loyal and intelligent as his domestic counterpart. These are traits that allow the pack to survive and thrive.

When a female wild dog gives birth her litter can have anywhere from two to ten pups; however, only one or two pups are expected to survive the first year. Both parents raise the pups until they are fully-grown. The expected life span of a wild dog is thirteen years, and if they are raised in captivity it moves up to twenty years.

The coyote is considered a cousin to both the domestic dog as well as to the wolf. One of the most versatile canids the coyote will eat just about anything making him highly adaptable. He is both cautious and curious and unfortunately, this adaptability often results in missing pets or livestock as humans continue to crowd his land. The coyote looks like a small German Shepherd, but instead of dark brown eyes, the coyote has yellow eyes. Other distinguishing marks include black lines on his legs and a cylindrical, low hanging tail. He is much smaller than the wolf, though his appearance is very similar. His coat has a protective undercoat for protection just like his wolf cousin, and he has four canine teeth just like his domestic dog cousin. The coyote is built for hunting with incredible agility and speed.

Coyotes are notorious pack hunters setting ambushes for larger animals, and double teaming smaller rodents. Coyote females breed in January or February, have six to nine pups and again infant mortality is high. Between human predators, winter temperatures, distemper and roundworm, it is nothing short of a miracle that any of the pups survive. Yet despite being hunted by man and the ravages of parasites and distemper coyotes are alive and thriving.

Wolves on the other hand while similar to the coyote are shy and not quite so quick to adapt, and their numbers are thinning. Physically they mature more slowly than dogs with females not breeding until they are two as opposed to about six months in domestic dogs.

Both the wolf and coyote have a very well defines pack structure. Dog trainers encourage dog owners to understand pack theory and why the alpha position in the pack is so important. Just as your dog lives in your family pack, wolves in the wild live in family packs. Consisting of 12 to 24 members, each pack has a single alpha male and an equivalent female. The alpha dogs maintain order in the pack. Generally only the top male and female mate, and a single litter is born to the pack each year. The job of raising the cubs goes to all of the pack members whereas a domestic male dog does not participate in raising the pups at all. Pack members communicate with subtle body language just as domestic dogs do, and left to their own devices, domestic dogs behave more like wild dogs than not.

There is a line between wild dogs and domestic dogs, but it is probably much thinner than you would expect. Humans frequently use the principles of pack behavior to train their dogs, and it is very effective because of domestic dogs’ connection back to their wolf ancestry; however much of the pure wolf like behavior has been bred out of domestic dogs by generations of selective breeding by humans.

For more information on domestic vs wild dogs visit here

With all of the physical and emotional changes that happen to young people in their teens, that transition period can be quite difficult. The same can be said of dogs, and it’s in your best interests to know what to expect in the doggie teenage years. Adolescence can begin anywhere around 4-6 months depending on the breed; some dogs don’t “grow up” until as much as 2 years!

There are various changes that dogs go through and you should be aware of them all. They can be categorized as physical, behavioral and nutritional.

Let’s examine physical changes first. The process of growing can result in painful conditions such as hypertrophic osteodystrophy. This is a condition that affects the bones in growing dogs, especially giant breeds. Bone growth happens at growth plates which are found on the end of long bones. These growth plates are very susceptible to injury. Always keep a close eye on your dog to prevent any. Make sure your dog does not jump from high places. Depending on your breed, you may need to limit the amount of exercise that your dog gets to prevent certain other orthopedic conditions such as osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD).

Some behavioral changes that may occur with dogs at adolescence often stem from the hormones related to puberty. You will see male dogs starting to lift their leg to urinate. You may be in for some laughs and embarrassment when your dog reaches sexual maturity, because they sometimes hump your legs and pillows. As they start to feel more mature and grown up, they may try to rise up the pecking order of the household. If this becomes a problem, neutering may help.

Other behavioral changes to look for include being overly sensitive and fickle to new experiences, which can be due to the fear period which normally occurs at this age. It is essential to keep working on your dog’s socialization to make sure that he learns to take everything in his stride. Training your dog is a must as they always try to push the boundaries. If necessary, you can take your dog to obedience classes to be as well mannered as possible.

Your dog’s nutritional requirements also change at adolescence. Their growth rate is slowing down, and they don’t need as much food. Depending on the breed, your dog may need to switch from puppy food to one that is more suitable. There are brands that even have what is called a “junior” diet for the needs of your “teenage” dogs.

Here are some tips to manage a teenage dog:

1. Training, training and more training – Having a firm, yet gentle technique will achieve the best results.

2. Patience – Dogs do not intentionally misbehave to make your life difficult; he is just exploring what his limits are. Be ready to gently remind him of your expectations.

3. Make the most of this time – You want to maintain a wonderful relationship with your dog, so spending quality time with him to help him through adolescence is important. Remember to not only train him but play with him often.

It is common for people to give up on their dog at adolescence, because of the extra challenges that occur. Taking the time to understand his behavior will help you get through this time, and you’ll have a loving loyal companion for life.

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For more information on dealing with an adolescent dog please visit: PetStyles