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:
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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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Worms in dogs

Worms are a common problem for many dogs. In some cases, puppies are actually born with worms on board, but these unwanted parasites are most commonly picked up from a contaminated environment or insects. For example, whipworms are picked up from the soil, the common tapeworm is spread by fleas, and heartworm can be contracted from a bite by an infected mosquito.

Let’s look at the common worm parasites that affect our four legged family members.

Roundworms cause a pot bellied appearance, diarrhea and vomiting. If your pup has enough of these worms, they can actually cause a blockage of their intestine. This is a common infection and is often spread from mother to puppy either in the uterus or through the milk. Dogs can also be infected by eggs that are in the soil. If a human becomes infected with round worm larvae, they can cause blindness and brain damage. This is most common in children because they tend to forget to wash their hands after playing with dogs.

Tapeworms are an extremely common parasite, and one of the easiest ways to spot them is by looking at your dog’s feces, or having a peek under his tail – I know, it’s not the most savory thing to do. You will see what looks like little grains of dried rice; these are actually small pieces of the tapeworms. If they have enough of the worms, dogs may also vomit and lose weight.

Hookworm infection is contracted when immature worms penetrate through your dog’s skin, usually their feet as they walk on contaminated ground. Once the parasite has penetrated the skin, it then works its way inwards to his lungs where it settles down and causes further irritation of the tissues. Your dog then coughs up the worm into his mouth and it is then swallowed. This worm uses the hooks in its mouth to attach to the lining of your dog’s small intestine, and it drinks his blood. Your dog will eventually develop blood loss anemia, with pale gums, tiredness and a weak pulse. A heavy hookworm burden can be fatal to a young pup. Hookworm larvae can also cause skin inflammation in people.

One worm that lives in your dog’s large intestine is the whipworm. It is spread through contaminated soil, as it can survive for quite a long time in the environment if conditions are right. These worms cause inflammation of the lining of the intestine, leading to diarrhea, often with blood and mucus.

Lastly, one of the most dangerous worms that can be contracted by a dog is the heartworm, as it can cause serious illness and even death. This type of worm is found in your dog’s heart, and in the large blood vessels leading to his lungs. The first symptom is often a cough, but if untreated, this progresses to signs of heart failure and death.

There are various medications that will help to prevent your dog becoming ill because of worms. your veterinarian can help you with a worming regime that will keep your dog healthy and happy.

For more information on worms visit: here.

Caring for your dog’s teeth

THE NEED TO CARE FOR YOUR DOG’S TEETH IS OFTEN OVERLOOKED BY MOST DOG OWNERS, SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY DO NOT REALIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF CANINE DENTAL CARE UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE. ONE THING THAT YOU MUST UNDERSTAND IS THAT A PET LIVING AT HOME IS OUT OF ITS NATURAL HABITAT SO MAY NOT HAVE THE TOOLS TO CLEAN ITS OWN TEETH. WOLVES IN THE WILD NATURALLY CLEAN THEIR TEETH AND GUMS BY GNAWING ON HARD BONE, OR USING TENDON AND MUSCLE LIKE DENTAL FLOSS. CHEWING ON THESE OBJECTS WOULD HELP TO REMOVE UNWANTED PLAQUE OR TARTAR.

YOUR FOUR LEGGED FAMILY MEMBER’S TEETH SHOULD BE LOOKED AFTER ON A DAILY BASIS, JUST LIKE YOUR OWN. THEY SHOULD ALSO BE CHECKED BY THEIR DOCTOR EVERY SIX MONTHS, AGAIN JUST LIKE YOUR OWN. THIS WILL HELP YOU TO CATCH ANY PROBLEMS EARLY, AND HELP TO PREVENT HIGH DENTAL BILLS IN THE FUTURE.

THE FIRST THING THAT ANY PUPPY OWNER SHOULD DO IS TO CHECK THE SPACING AND POSITION OF THE TEETH FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF THE DOG’S LIFE, TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE GROWING IN THE RIGHT SPOT. IF THEY ARE GROWING CROOKED, OR MISALIGNED, THERE IS THE CHANCE THEY COULD PIERCE THE ROOF OF HIS MOUTH, OR TRAUMATIZE HIS TONGUE OR LIPS. WHEN YOUR DOG HAS HIS BABY TEETH, STICK TO SOFT FOODS THAT ARE EASIER FOR HIM TO EAT. WHILE HE IS YOUNG, BRUSH HIS TEETH REGULARLY WITH A SOFT TOOTHBRUSH AND A TOOTHPASTE DESIGNED FOR DOGS, SO HE CAN GET USED TO HAVING IT DONE. HUMAN TOOTHPASTE IS NOT GOOD FOR DOGS; IT FOAMS TOO MUCH AND DOGS OFTEN DON’T ENJOY THE MINTY FLAVOR. IF YOUR DOG DOESN’T LIKE HIS TOOTHBRUSH, USE A CLOTH WITH BAKING SODA AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO CLEAN HIS TEETH.

AS YOUR DOG GROWS UP AND STARTS TO LOSE HIS BABY TEETH, HIS DIET CAN BE CHANGED TO INCLUDE HARDER FOODS. THIS NOT ONLY HELPS TO CLEAN HIS TEETH, BUT IT MAKES DINNER TIME MORE SATISFYING FOR HIM. GIVE HIM A BRISKET BONE OR CHEWY BISCUIT ONCE A WEEK TO HELP KEEP HIS TEETH IN GOOD CONDITION. CONTINUE WITH ONCE OR TWICE DAILY BRUSHING. PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THOSE BIG UPPER MOLARS AT THE BACK OF HIS MOUTH, AS THEY OFTEN ARE THE FIRST TO ACCUMULATE TARTAR.

TWICE YEARLY VISITS TO THE VETERINARIAN FOR MOUTH CHECKUPS ARE A GREAT IDEA, AS THIS WILL IDENTIFY ANY PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH TOOTH DAMAGE OR GUM INFECTIONS BEFORE THEY BECOME TOO SERIOUS. YOUR VET MAY RECOMMEND AN ULTRASONIC CLEAN AND POLISH FOR YOUR DOG’S TEETH, TO HELP KEEP THEM CLEAN AND HEALTHY, AND TO REMOVER TARTAR FROM BELOW HIS GUM LINE.

NEGLECTED TEETH WILL NOT ONLY EVENTUALLY AMOUNT TO HIGH VET BILLS, BUT THEY CAN CAUSE UNNECESSARY SUFFERING AND PAIN IN YOUR DOG. MAINTAINING AND CARING FOR HIS TEETH FROM AN EARLY AGE IS VITAL FOR THE HEALTH AND HAPPINESS OF YOUR CANINE COMPANION.

For more information on your dog’s teeth visit: ASPCA .

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.

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.

CHOOSING A LEASH AND COLLAR FOR YOUR DOG

While the leash serves only to link you with your dog, collars serve many purposes. Today we have a wide choice of collars made from many grades of leather, plastics, nylon and terylene webbing as well as soft cotton and synthetic fabrics. Leashes are often made of matching material, and are available in a variety of lengths from 4 foot to 10 foot and more.

Some styles of collar are more suited to particular breeds. For example, Poodles still often wear the classic ‘diamante’ or Rhinestone collars. Sight hounds traditionally wear a collar wide in front and tapering at the buckle end so as to distribute the pressure more evenly over a sensitive throat. Sight hound owners also prefer a Martingale over a straight ‘choke’ collar as they do slip to a snug fit but can be adjusted not to slip tight on the dog’s neck and cause him to panic or choke.

You may be familiar with the check chain, which is primarily an obedience training tool but is often left on a dog and used as a collar. These are not a good choice for two reasons: firstly, it’s not safe to leave this type of collar on your dog as he may choke, and secondly, there are many better alternative training methods for dogs.

While we’re on the subject of safety, you may want to look into the Breakaway collar. This collar is designed to break open if your dog is caught by the collar, and can save his life.

An alternative to a collar when walking your dog is a chest harness. These avoid pressure on his neck if he likes to pull when he walks, but they’re not suitable to be left on him all the time. They also don’t have a place for his identity tag. This means that your dog will still need to wear a collar, even if you walk him on a harness.

Your choice of leash length will be influenced by what you will be doing with your dog. Leashes for obedience training are usually 6 foot long and in the past were traditionally made of leather. Modern show leads are made of fine cord or similar, and the collar will often be of the same fine material so it shows off an elegant neck. Some dog owners prefer to use a longer lead of up to 10 yards long when teaching their dog to come back when called.

For everyday use it really is up to you how long you prefer your lead and what material you like the feel of. To properly walk a dog on the lead, they should be at your left hand side, not barging in front and preferably not lagging behind so a 4 to 6 foot lead will usually suffice. A show dog lead needs to have enough length so you are able to move away from the dog and he will be able to gait out nicely for the judge to see. Tracking leashes are very long indeed, to let the dog work ahead of the handler and keep up with the scent.

It’s important that you keep your collars and leashes in good order. Buckles and clips should be checked, and if they are worn out, you’ll need to buy another collar. The last thing you want is your dog to escape from his collar and leash when you are out walking.

For more information on this topic, visit the ASPCA

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