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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DOG PARK MANNERS

Good dog park manners could mean life or death for your dog. Dogs are often turned loose in off leash parks by owners who have no control of their dog at home, and they think a good run will help his behavior. Yes, it will allow their dog to burn off some excess energy, but it can be at the expense of other dogs using the park.

There are two main reasons why dogs are bad mannered when they encounter other dogs in an off leash park.

Firstly, the dog may not be well socialized, and he has never been shown how to properly introduce himself to other dogs. This can result in misunderstandings, and the occasional “argument”.

Secondly, the dog may think he is pack leader, and he may want to protect his pack ie his owner. This can lead to trouble in dog parks when you have 6 owners turning pack leaders loose for a run. To avoid this, learn to be a calm pack leader and your dog can then enjoy running in the off lead parks without having to worry about you.

It’s your worst nightmare. You are in the dog park throwing a Frisbee for your dog and you see them coming. Their dog is straining at the lead, pulling the owner along and is first through the gate. The owner releases the leash, and you have an aggressive torpedo heading straight for you and your dog. What do you do?

Firstly, you need to make eye contact with the approaching dog and let him know you are in charge. Ask him with a wave of your arm and a sharp short hiss to ‘leave’. This also serves to let the owner know you are not happy with their dog’s behavior. Ask the owner to take their dog to another part of the park, or put their aggressive dog back on his leash. Some people may take offense at this; under these circumstances you may choose to leave the park rather than risk your dog’s well being.

If your dog is taking you to the dog park and charging at other dogs who are happily playing then you are the one at fault. You must not allow your dog to greet other dogs with aggression. This might only be a tail held high, and you may not recognize it but other dogs do. To develop good dog park manners you first need to make sure you are the pack leader at home. Make sure your dog has undergone obedience training to teach him to obey your commands. Obedience classes will also allow your dog to meet other dogs in a controlled environment, where you can teach him the right way to say hello to other dogs.

Bringing an ill mannered dog out into public and asking him to mix with other dogs when he does not know basic manners will not only make you and your dog unwelcome, it could result in a lawsuit if your dog mauls another dog or worse, a child.

Good dog park manners start at home so ask your dog to behave in public as you would at home. Don’t be the owner who approaches the park and causes the other owners to gasp and say “Oh no, here they come”. Instead, be the owner that approaches and the other owners and their dogs as well, say ‘Oh great, here they are”.

For more information on Dog Parks visit: here.

RAISING A PUPPY NOT TO BITE

Raising a puppy not to bite is easy if you understand why they bite. Puppies grow up with their litter mates playing games that involve both biting and chasing. While these might seem like innocent games, they mimic adult survival techniques of the wild dog. Dogs have evolved over thousands of years with these instincts and you will not change them, but you can prevent yourself becoming their prey!

Historically, puppies needed to learn how to chase and bite so they could catch a meal, and they may have needed to out run a predator themselves in order to survive. Puppies will chase and bite each other, changing roles often. In the past, both chasing and biting games as puppies lead to survival as adults.

If a puppy bites and pulls a litter mate to the ground and the one on the ground feels the game has become too rough, he will growl, get up and leave. Game over.

When playing with us it is natural for your puppy to use his mouth just as he would with his litter mates. This is because he considers us part of his pack, but he still needs to learn when enough is enough. You will not get this through to him by hitting your puppy or yelling at him. These are forms of aggression and will only make him afraid of you. Avoid acts of aggression towards your puppy; even raising your voice to him may cause anxiety and this stress leads to aggression back. It’s acceptable to make a short sharp hissing noise or even a low ‘grrr’ just as you get up and walk away, but do not use his name or say any words. The feeling of disapproval is conveyed to the puppy in your tone.

When your pup’s play becomes biting, you or any member of your family involved in the game with your puppy must growl at him, get up and walk away, game over. Perhaps you saw your puppy’s mother giving a him a growl when he bit too hard on her ear or paw, just before she got up and walked away. That’s how she says game over, and you can mimic this with your pup. This is a language he understands. When your puppy has gone to lay down quietly and is relaxed, then call him over to restart the game but remember, when the biting starts, you convey “game over”.

This method of teaching your pup not to bite is not just a good way of letting him know when he’s crossed the line, but it also teaches him that he has sharp teeth that can hurt.

To minimize biting as your pup grows, every member of your family needs to learn to be a member of your pack with higher status than your canine youngster. A pack leader leads by quiet calm example, and is firm, fair and consistent. If your pup has good leadership, he will grow into a well adjusted family member that is a great playmate for everyone in your household.

To get more information on this topic visit: ASPCA

With Christmas around the corner you may be thinking about giving your child a dog. Please read this beforehand.

HOW TO CHOOSE A DOG FOR YOUR CHILD

Choosing a dog for your child need not be a daunting task. Here are some things to keep in mind when selecting a canine companion for your young family member.

1. What is the purpose of the dog? Are you looking for a small cuddly dog to snuggle on the couch, or do you want a running partner for an active child? Lhasa Apso’s and similar small fluffy dogs are loved by many children, and they are small enough for them to pick up.

2. How old is your child, and how responsible are they? You would not choose a Siberian Husky for a 5 year old child. They are active and require a certain amount of rigorous grooming to keep their coat looking good and their skin healthy. A 14 year old youngster is quite capable of grooming and training a Border Collie or similar breed but you wouldn’t get them an Afghan whose coat needs daily brushing.

3. WHAT IS YOUR CHILD’S LIFESTYLE LIKE? IF THEY SPEND A LOT OF THEIR TIME AT AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES, THEY WON’T HAVE TIME FOR A HIGH MAINTENANCE BREED. PERHAPS A WHIPPET, PUG OR SIMILAR QUIET SHORT COATED BREED WOULD BE A GOOD CHOICE FOR THEM.

4. IN MANY CASES, THE BUCK STOPS WITH THE PARENT, AND THEY END UP TAKING A LOT OF THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR CARING FOR THE DOG. HOW MUCH EFFORT DO YOU WANT TO PUT INTO GROOMING AND TRAINING YOUR CHILD’S DOG? THIS WILL INFLUENCE WHETHER YOU CHOOSE A HIGHLY INTELLIGENT BREED SUCH AS THE AUSTRALIAN CATTLE DOG, THAT NEEDS LOTS OF MENTAL STIMULATION, OR A MORE LAID BACK BREED. SIMILARLY, IF YOU ARE BUSY ENOUGH COMBING YOUR CHILDREN’S HAIR, THE LAST THING YOU WANT TO BE DOING IS COMBING YOUR DOG’S HAIR TOO!

5. DO YOU HAVE TIME TO TOILET TRAIN A DOG? AGAIN, IF YOUR FAMILY INCLUDES TODDLERS WHO ARE LEARNING TO WORK THEIR WAY OUT OF DIAPERS, IT’S JUST TOO HARD TO HAVE TO POTTY TRAIN A DOG TOO! THINK ABOUT ADOPTING AN OLDER DOG THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN THROUGH THE DIFFICULT AND TIME CONSUMING PUPPY PERIOD.

WHEN YOU HAVE NARROWED DOWN THE BREED AND AGE OF DOG THAT IS MOST SUITABLE FOR YOUR CHILD, IT’S TIME TO LOOK AT INDIVIDUAL TEMPERAMENTS. SOME NATURAL DIFFERENCE IN TEMPERAMENT STARTS TO BE SEEN AT ABOUT 10 WEEKS. THE USUAL ADVICE GIVEN IS TO CHOOSE THE MOST OUTGOING PLAYFUL PUPPY. IF THE TRUTH BE KNOWN, EVEN THE MOST RECLUSIVE PUPPY IN THE LITTER CAN BECOME A GREAT CHILD’S PET IF YOU PUT THE TIME INTO SOCIALIZING AND TRAINING YOUR FOUR LEGGED FAMILY MEMBER.

MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE INDIVIDUAL PUPPY ARE THE GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS THE BREED OFFERS IN THE WAY OF INHERENT TEMPERAMENT. KNOW WHAT YOUR BREED WAS BRED FOR AND YOU’LL BE ABLE TO WORK OUT IF YOUR DOG WILL FIT WITH YOUR FAMILY LIFESTYLE.

MANY DOGS ARE GIVEN UP TO SHELTERS AND RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS EACH YEAR BECAUSE THEY’RE JUST NOT THE RIGHT DOG FOR THEIR FAMILY. IF YOU DO YOUR HOMEWORK BEFORE YOU CHOOSE A DOG, YOU’LL AVOID THIS HEARTACHE, AND YOUR CHILD WILL HAVE A NEW BEST FRIEND.

For more information, visit the: ASPCA .

LEASH TRAINING YOUR DOG

If only for safety’s sake, leash training your dog is a must. Also, if you plan on taking your canine companion out and about with you, many of the public places where dogs are welcome require him to be on lead while he is there.

The easiest way to get your dog used to his leash is to start when he is a baby. Between 8 and 12 weeks of age, a dog’s mind is open to so much. Place a soft collar on your puppy and attach the leash. Let him wander around, getting used to the feeling of the collar and leash dragging behind him.

The next step needs you to have some food treats in your pocket. Pick up the leash, look away from your puppy and start walking to a point you mark in the distance; most puppies will follow you. Some need to be convinced to come along, and this is where the treats will be handy. Don’t hold the lead short at this stage, let puppy experiment on how far he is able to move while on lead. He may rear up like a horse or do a back flip, just ignore him and try not to scare him.

If you have not had your puppy long enough to make a bond with him, he may not be willing to follow you just yet. The same applies if you adopt an older dog who was never taught how to walk on a collar and lead. If that’s the case, you need to spend some time in the backyard or house with your dog or puppy and develop a relationship with him before you start leash training him.

Always make your leash training sessions fun; give your dog lots of praise and treats when he walks nicely with you. In the early days, keep your sessions short. Several five minute sessions during the course of a day is more effective than a single long 45 minute session.

Once your dog understands that the lead has a limit, shorten the lead enough so that you are asking your dog to walk beside you, not in front of you. This can take some time if your dog is exuberant and enthusiastic! If he lags behind you, do not worry too much, encourage him to keep up with a treat, and reward him when he is in the right spot.

Most dogs learn to walk nicely on a leash when they’re at home, but the real challenge is when you are walking with him around your neighborhood. There are so many interesting smells and sights to catch his attention. This is why you need to keep up with his training whenever you go for a stroll.

If you are having difficulties with leash training, you’ll find help from an obedience trainer or dog club. Keep in mind that dogs learn well if they are treated with kindness, and avoid any training methods that rely on harsh handling.

For more information on leash training click 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
.

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.