Best Dog Names

Characteristics Of A Good Hospital For Your Pet By Olsen Flowers

When you get sick, you go to the best doctor who can make you heal or recover from your illness. You should apply the same thing to your best friend, your dog. You will be obliged to find the veterinary doctor that can provide the right medication to your pet in case it gets sick. But since the veterinary clinics are not as many as the ordinary hospitals for humans, it may be difficult to find a pet doctor. You might have difficulty in finding the reliable vet clinic and a doctor who is equipped with good training.

What would be the best animal hospital? This medical facility should be able to afford the pet a complete excellent medical and veterinary health services. Even if the hospital is well equipped with facilities and amenities, the capability of the attending doctor is very paramount. He should be able to easily diagnose any problem with the animal. This could be done through adequate physical examinations. This procedure is also a way of finding the necessary preventive medicines which can be primarily in the form of immunizations.

Physical examination may start from visual inspection of the animal. This will provide the doctor an initial assessment of the condition of the animal, whether it is a wellness or an illness evaluation. Next to the visual inspection is the implementation of different tests which is usually done when the pet is sick. A good veterinary clinic should have all the facilities to provide the tests and examinations.

Among the important laboratory facilities are the X-ray equipments. Through this, you can detect serious damages or fractures to the bones of the animal. As in the case of human beings, the X-ray will enable the doctor to diagnose emergency situations pertaining to the pets.

Young dogs and other pets need preventive medications and they would need regular vaccinations. The clinic or the doctor should be able to administer the necessary vaccinations at any scheduled time.

In the event the clinic is not equipped with all the necessary equipments, it should have affiliation with other animal hospitals where your pet can be admitted in case of severe illness. You can never discount the possibility that your pet would need hospitalization due to illness. There are animals that would need blood transfusion or intravenous medication. Not all clinics would be able to provide this treatment thus the need for hospital affiliation is very essential. The pet owner will know where to take his pet in emergency cases.

A good doctor should be willing and able to provide counseling to the pet owners. In the treatment of illness or health care for the animal, the doctor should involve the pet owner. The counseling will include advices on nutritional needs of the animal. Your duties as pet owners are not only about feeding and providing shelter to the animal. You will also need to take your dog for leisure walks in order to provide them with necessary exercise. Dogs especially the younger ones are like children who love to play and you should be able to provide your pet with this. Do you have time to indulge in playing with your pet?

Pet proofing your home using indoor dog gates By Wilma Barrier

Most people know that when you have a toddler running thru your home you are going to need a baby gate to keep them safe. Well the same hold true for your furry friend, using indoor dog gates will keep them confined so your pet will be safe. When you bring a new pet into your home it can be overwhelming to figure out how to take care of them and give them just what they need. That is why I recommend that you do what new parents have to do with their homes, and I call it pet proofing, much like baby proofing, it is something you must do to keep your pet safe and secure.

Pet proofing can be a bit easier since most dogs are pretty smart and can be trained in a quick amount of time. Consistency and praise are the most important two things, when it comes to training a dog. I have four dogs, and this seems to be the best way in my opinion to get them trained with out your dog thinking you are being mean. Just like with children love goes along way when you are training your pet and this will make them try harder because that is a dogs nature, to make you pleased with them.

One other tool I have found to be most useful is indoor dog gates. They can be placed anywhere with ease and can help you to keep your sanity while keeping your pet safe and sound. I have seen some pet owners that decided to not use pet gates and found that their dogs will tear up their home, furniture or shoes. The pet gets into trouble for it and this is turn will make both the dog and the master feel bad. If you set boundaries for your dog at a young age they will respect you, and your home more. This will make for a happy and healthy relationship with your dog, which is a real rewarding experience.

I have also found that I can clean up my house or have a dinner party a lot easier with the use of indoor dog gates, which I know some of my guest appreciate since I am well aware that not everyone is going to be a dog person. Dog gates can make a better experience for your dog, and your guest so that you can avoid any awkward situations.

I do have a fenced in yard I can put them in when I have guests. But when it is raining or really cold outside I do not feel right about putting my furry friends out there to suffer since my pets are used to being indoors. In contrast I do not want to lose my friends just because they are not comfortable around a dog.

With the proper love and encouragement your pet can be a really well behaved member of your family. Just remember that a lot of love and praise, and setting boundaries will make your dog respect you more and give them a feeling of trust that will make them a better pet for you. And safety first when it comes to dog gates, just check out http://indoor-doggates.com for more about indoor dog gates and what types you may find the most useful for your home.

When Dog Preparation Training Really is Needed By Lauren Schmitt

Dogs can be very sociable. In fact, they sometimes get too sociable and get aggressive. That is why it is important to train the dogs to control their behavior.

Moreover, dog trainings are important to avoid dog biting incidents. Statistics show that 77% of dog biting cases are mostly those that are within the family.

Hence, with dog training, bad habits are removed and dogs have better control with their feelings and behavior towards environmental and social variables...

Dogs can be extremely sociable. In fact, they occasionally get too sociable and get hostile. That is why it is significant to train the dogs to manage their behavior.

Moreover, dog trainings are vital to avoid dog biting incidents. Figures show that 77% of dog biting cases are typically those that are within the family.

Hence, with dog training, awful habits are removed and dogs have improved control with their feelings and behavior towards environmental and community variables.

However, implementing dog guidance is not that easy. Certain things must be employed to boast positive results. The idea needed in dog training is what nearly all experts define as "positive reinforcement." This refers to the way people prize their dogs with treats, praises, or fancy dog collars whenever their dogs show optimistic behavior.

Through positive reinforcements, dogs will be capable to comprehend that treats and praises will come whenever he shows respectable behavior. For example, when the owner gives his dog a few treats for obediently obeying his commands, the dog will believe that obeying instructions when told equals treats.

But this does not essentially mean that when the dog did not comply with the owner's commands, punishment is wanted as counter-reinforcement. This must not be the case because punishments will merely make the matter worst.

What will occur is that the dog will be confused and it will start to doubt your feelings.

The next thing that humans must keep in mind when training their dogs is that people should stay away from training their dogs into bad habit. Actually, numerous people are not aware they are doing it but there are instances where the people's response towards some behavior of the dogs will unintentionally train the dog in a unpleasant way.

For example, when dogs bark, it is ordinary especially when they do that because they see something odd or unfamiliar things. But, when dogs persist to bark, even if it includes a recognizable person, that becomes a crisis.

In this case, most people have the preference to yell and tell their dogs to shut it or shut up. This particular response of dog owners will puzzle their dogs and will only make them comprehend that the reason why their masters are yelling is because they also like the shouting prospect and that they are "barking" beside with their dogs.

The main point here is to steer clear of paying attention to the dog. In time, he will discontinue. It's when the owners should gift their dogs.

Boiled down, dog preparation training is all about constructive reinforcements. And, as they say, encouraging reinforcements reap encouraging results.

Crate Training Benefits - Not just for housebreaking. By Anna Hernandex

Crate Training Benefits #1 - Housebreaking a puppy

Puppies have a natural instinct to not soil in their den.
This instinct can be used to your advantage for housebreaking.
If you leave your puppy in a small room, you'll notice that the room usually has two sides. One side where she plays/rests and the other where she relieves herself. Clearly, a room is too big to take advantage of the "clean nest" instinct. The same result can happen in a crate that's too big for your puppy. In this case, your little guy will be resting on one side of the puppy crate and soils on the other. If the puppy is confined to a properly fitted crate, she is likely to "hold it" until she is taken outdoors.

Crate Training Benefits #2 - Deterring Destructive Habits

An untrained puppy should never be allowed to roam free in the house.
Leaving him unsupervised in your home puts him and your possessions at risk.
Your puppy could encounter dangerous items such as toxic chemicals, toxic plants, electrical cords, fans and medicines. The most common danger I've seen has been when they swallow an everyday item that you would normally deem harmless and it gets stuck in their digestive track.
He may make confetti from the Sunday comics or turn your favorite sneakers or the leg of your antique chair into a chewing toy.
These bad digging, tearing and chewing habits are difficult to correct once they have started.
The best approach to preventing these unwanted behaviors is to confine the puppy. Keep him in his puppy crate with a couple toys when you're away from home. When you are with him at home and he is running around free, it's your job to teach him which items are off limits.

Crate Training Benefits #3 - Give your puppy his own space

A puppy will easily and happily learn that the crate belongs to him.
It's his private place where he can go when he feels tired or grumpy.
He can take his favorite toy or chew item there without the family cat or another dog interfering. The crate is also a place of security for the new puppy, giving him a sanctuary when you have unruly children or a friend's incompatible pet visiting. In situations like these, the puppy may go to the crate on his own. You may want to give him a treat in the crate so that he can enjoy himself without being bothered by the visitor.
If the puppy crate is wire, you can put a blanket over the top during the visit to ensure privacy.
Doing this with a wire crate is recommended for it's strength and because it allows for proper ventilation. If visiting children seem likely to poke about the puppy's crate, simply tell them that your puppy is taking a nap and shouldn't be bothered.

Crate Training Benefits #4 - Travel Safety

If you need to take your puppy somewhere in your car, a crate is a safe method of confining him. Your puppy could interfere with your driving. Crating allows you to open the windows for ventilation without the risk of him jumping out.
It also keeps your car damage and potty free, if you need to leave the parked car for a bit. (Be sure to park in the shade and crack the windows, of course)
If you need to leave the puppy at a friend's house, a boarding kennel or a veterinarian's office, his own puppy crate will help to alleviate anxiety he may feel when separated from you and his home. The crate becomes his own portable "room" and place of security.
If you take your puppy on a vacation, you will find that many motels and hotels permit crate trained puppies, since they cannot damage the room if they are confined.
Many families have fenced in enclosures in the rear of their car for their pet. A crate serves the same purpose, but it's also portable and offers a safe, familiar, comforting environment.

Crate Training Benefits #5 - Time Out Area

A puppy is often overly rambunctious. If a long walk or a play session doesn't calm him down, you may choose to redirect his energy by giving him a toy and puppy crate time out for a short while.
A very important rule when crate training is to NEVER let your dog think he is being punished or banished when he is put in the crate. When bringing him to it, be friendly and encouraging to him. You should also give him one or two of his favorite toys.
Giving him a treat each time you bring him to the crate is a good practice also.

Crate Training Benefits #6 - Give your puppy some flexibility of location

Who doesn't love the idea of falling asleep with a super cute puppy and waking up with his cute face right next to you? For many people, this becomes a habit that's hard to break. What's more natural than a den animal sleeping with his pack?
If this isn't what you want, there's a way to still allow your puppy to bond with you, in the bedroom, without actually being on your bed. I'm sure by now you've guessed that I'm talking about a dog crate.
Let's face it, puppies are a handful. If you have chores to do, most people will keep their puppy in another room. In the crate, he can be safely in the kitchen, while you're chopping food for dinner. Try vacuuming with a puppy in the room and you will understand what I mean.
Your puppy will still need training for proper house manners and family etiquette, but using a crate may help you maintain a sense of loving companionship while he learns acceptable behavior.

Crate Training Benefits #7 - A safe place to recuperate

When your puppy or dog needs to be confined because of illness or injury, a dog crate can really be a blessing. After all, when you're sick, don't you prefer to be in a private, familiar, safe place until you are better? The crate will shield your recuperating friend from other pets, children, or anything that will interfere with him getting a really good rest.

Tips for Litter Box Training a Dog By Darrin Swain

Smaller dogs obviously have smaller bladders. That means that they have to go outside more often than their larger counterparts. One way to avoid frequent trips outside is to teach your small dog how to use a litter box much like a cat.

Be aware that your dog's won't have a cat's natural instincts when it comes to using a litter box or burying waste. Therefore, it will take a lot of patience when it comes to litter box training a dog. The following tips should help somewhat though.

Many people are surprised to learn that there are litter boxes designed especially for dogs. However, you can still use those designed for cats. Just make sure that it's one of the largest that you can find so that your dog doesn't have space issues.

Your little one won't just go running to the litter box whenever it's time for him to go to the bathroom. You will need to pick him up and take him there instead, at least until he gets used to the process. This means that you'll need to keep a watchful eye on your canine.

Dogs typically start walking in circles or sniffing the ground whenever they're about to go. Dogs also have to eliminate whenever they wake up in the morning, so take him to the box then too. A few minutes after he eats is another time that he needs to be taken to the litter box.

You may not want to go about litter box training a dog right from the start. The old method of using newspaper will help considerably. Once your dog gets used to going on the paper, you can just switch it out to a litter box.

As with any type of training, you will need to be patient with your dog. Whenever things go right, make sure that you praise him for it. Give him a nice treat or two whenever he successfully uses the litter box too.

Conversely, make sure that your dog gets the message whenever he messes up. Don't worry about scolding your dog if you find an accident at a later time, since doing so will do no good. Catch him in the act and reprimand him, just not physically.

When there are accidents, make sure that you're prepared. You will need to clean up messes thoroughly. Dogs have an amazing sense of smell, and will be drawn back to spots that they've eliminated on in the past.

Litter box training a dog isn't the easiest thing in the world to do. However, it will save you a lot of trouble if you can do it successfully. Good luck.

Purchasing Dog Beds: A Comprehensive Guide By Janet Hosler

Our pets are just like us and why not! After all, they are part of our very own family. So, quite like most of us, they have their own siesta or party time, lounging hours, bed times, and also their favorite resting spot. And, in order to provide the ultimate comfort to your pet dogs, you would also need to buy dog beds that are aesthetic, durable, and provide the requisite amount of comfort. Besides, once you have purchased this bed, it would be equally important to place it in their favorite spot as well!

What are the desirable dog bed features you should be looking for?

* To begin with, it should be adequately comfortable.
* It should be able to conserve the body heat for a warm and restful sleep.
* It should protect bony prominences fittingly as well. If your pet has aged or has special needs with respect to bone and muscle support, you could also opt for orthopedic dog beds.
* You need a bed that is easy to clean and wash. It would be prudent to consider beds that come with covers that can be machine washed. It is important to maintain hygiene for your pets in order to keep them clean and healthy.
* Your dog bed should be durable enough to stand the test of time.
* Consider waterproof material for pet beds that resists moisture build-up.

Ideally, a dog bed made from soft poly-fill that is marginally elevated would be considered as the ideal choice. However, if you are looking for specialized orthopedic dog beds that cater to specific medical needs, it would be prudent to have your personal vet verify the features and the make, before you buy.

Some Practical Tips for Choosing Dog Beds

* When you select a dog bed, consider the size of your dog and choose one that is likely to be sufficient for him even as an adult. You could seek your vet's advice in case you aren't sure of the size of a full grown dog of the breed.
* It should fit into his crate snugly, so that his so called "home" could be made more comfortable.
* Keep in mind that dogs can try to rip or consume the bed materials. So, beds need to be sturdy enough to protect them from damage and dog bites. If the dog does decide to chew on the bed, the bed will be worn out eventually and eventually ruined. You should buy something else for the dog to chew on and keep them easily accessible for the dog so they do not feel inclined to chew on the bed.
* Again, if you have opted for orthopedic dog beds, all specifications provided by your vet for the same, needs to be adhered to.

A Better Life for Your Dog

Whether you choose ordinary beds for your pet dogs or orthopedic dog beds, the choice should be planned well. Just make sure you take time in selecting them, so that your coveted pets can enjoy the benefits of a restful sleep.

There are many things to consider when selecting the right bed for your pet.

Janet Hosler

Train Your K-9 to Stop Barking At the Door Bell By Cody Crown

As well as how people talk to express the thought, a dog use barks to convey their thought. Every barking definitely occurs from a reason. But in the case you see your canine barks overly over no reason then you are dealing with some serious behavior issue. A hyperactive dog barks at everything, including when a bell rings.
This everyday barking behavior will give you headache unless you are living far from everyone and nobody ever visits you. The very last thing we want to get from your dog when a person pay a visit to your house is to bark over and over. This really is a true stressful moment for us being a host.

Only just some people might stay and tolerate the noise the dog is making. Along with such barking sound you would not manage to hold a proper conversation with your guest. This is besides from your dog jumping on your guest and frightening the living daylights out of them. We might never hope for that situation to occur. It is challenging to stop this sort of behavior. However with a technique labeled as desensitization this issue can be resolve easily.
There are some stages required for a total desensitization. You should teach your dog the basic sit and heel command first before you can move to the next phase. If for example the dog is familiar with these commands then you could proceed to the following stages.

Step 1
Use the sit command that you have taught to tell your dog to sit away from the door from where the door bell rings comes. Give your dog a reinforce if they can remain sit and remain on their position for some time.. Dogs are really smart creatures. He understands that whenever he is doing your command he gets a treat. Proceed to the second step only when your dog obeys you consistently.

Step 2
Now tell your dog to sit before the door while you open the door simulating a visitor. When your dog rises from his sit position, correct him with soft poke while saying "NO" to make him back. A leash would be really necessary for the training to lead your dog to return the first sit position every time they steer away.

Step 3
This now involves a person at the door. Take your dog to sit on their spot. Wait up until your canine in a relaxed state prior to open the door. In case the dog gets up, correct using a NO. And command again to sit. Wait until your dog well-behaved before you can let the guest to enter the door. Of course, you only train with someone who's in on your dog obedience training. An actual guest will think if you missed your appointment with the doctor.

Step 4
Once you have a success on all 3 steps then you may include a real door bell to the exercise. This final phase is quite challenging, so you may need to be a little patient and focus. When your dog hears the doorbell ring and responds, reprimand with a NO and tell him to Sit or Heel whenever he is doing this correctly reward him. Over time your dog will understand how to act whenever the doorbell rings.

Neighbour's Dog Barking? How to Stop It By Ella Schwartz

At one time or another, most of us have experienced a neighborhood dog that never seems to stop barking. Whether it's working in a garden, having a picnic, or just reading, most people go outdoors to relax, and a barking dog is not a particularly relaxing sound.

The Reason Dogs Are Barking

The first step in solving the problem, is to realize that, unlike some humans, dogs don't bark just to hear themselves make noise. If a dog is barking, there is usually a reason, and to stop the barking you need to find out what triggers it. Is the dog barking when you, or other people are outside? If that is the case, and you're friendly with your neighbors, you might try to talk to them when they are outside, explain the problem, and ask if it would be possible for them to bring the dog outside. Dogs are quite territorial, and once he or she knows you belong, it won't see you as an intruder, and won't bark when it see's you outside(in theory). The same could be true if you have pets of your own. If neither animal is aggressive it may help to socialize them, or even let them play together if possible.

If you don't know your neighbors well, or are hesitant to bring up the subject, you could try leaving a nicely written note on their door. However you decide to proceed, do it rationally, and respectfully, an angry neighbor is the last thing anyone needs. You could end up having a complaint filed against you because your lawn in 2 centimeters higher than the city code allows.

Dog Whistles

Another thing to try is getting a good dog whistle. Every time the dog barks, give a few short blasts on the whistle. Eventually the dog will associate barking, with the unpleasant noise. There are also products available that attach to your house and emit the same high frequency noise whenever the dog barks. This is the same type of product that you buy to keep unwanted animals out of your yard, it is a high pitched sound that is painless, but annoying to the animal. A word of warning about the whistle or product that you use, try to find out, in an unobtrusive way, if anyone living close has a hearing aid. While you are feeling proud of accomplishing your goal without upsetting the owners of the dog, you could be unknowingly making the slightly grumpy, older gentleman next door, very unhappy (it seems that some hearing aids can also pick up that piercing sound.).

How to Complain

If none of these things work, you may be forced to call and complain. Do this very carefully, as a last resort, and do it anonymously. People tend to get very irate when they get complaints, even if you have spoken to them about the problem before, and letting them know who complained will just give them a target for their anger. Before you call anyone, look carefully through your city's codes, the noise laws may only apply during certain hours.

All in all, the best way to solve your problem is to work with the dog owners and try to keep a peaceful neighborhood. Contacting the authorities going to cause hard feelings, and if your neighbor reacts badly, you could find yourself dealing with something much worse than a noisy dog.

Does Your Dog Need To Bark All The Time? By Jennifer Ayalon

Barking is natural for your dog; he or she uses it to communicate and under ideal circumstances, barking is used as a warning or to signal fear. However, all too often barking slides from being a normal means of communication to being a nuisance. Dogs never seem to become hoarse from barking, and dedicated barkers can keep up the opera for hours at a time. Not only can barking become annoying to you, it can be even more obnoxious to your neighbors. In order to stop your dog?s excessive barking, it?s important to find out the reason for the behavior.

Although a woof or two to let you know that a stranger is approaching the house is fine, a barking session that continues without respite is certainly not called for. Dogs who bark like this will also generally start in as soon as they hear any odd noise or catch a glimpse of something moving outside.

Some dogs bark just to keep themselves amused. Like people, dogs can become bored, and this is probably especially true with dogs that belong in the working breeds. These dogs have been used over the centuries in various occupations, and if simply left to sit with nothing to do, they will bark to pass the time. Dogs that have been left out on a chain are particularly prone to do this.
Sometimes our dogs love us so much that they simply cannot bear to have us away from them. They will bark when we go out, evidently hoping that the barking will cause the owner to return. This is called separation anxiety. Dogs with separation anxiety will often be destructive in the house as well, tearing up furniture and eliminating on the floor, bed, or sofa.

One of the most common mistakes owners make when attempting to curb excessive barking is to pay attention to it. This doesn?t mean that you praise the dog or give it a treat when it barks, but even yelling at the dog is providing attention ? like children, dogs will take negative attention if nothing else is available. One way to deal with a problem barker is to deny the attention that they crave when barking. However, staying quiet and unresponsive while the bark session is going on is not enough; you have to pay positive attention to the dog when the barking stops. Spending more time playing with your dog or otherwise providing affection can help to curb barking.

The best time to address barking problems is when the puppy first comes into your home. Young puppies will often bark out of excitement, but once again, paying attention to them when they do not bark is a good way to short circuit future barking problems.

Obedience training for dogs of any age is another way to either control or prevent barking issues. A dog that undergoes obedience training not only learns a certain set of commands, but also comes to understand his place in the home ?pecking order?. This is not a bad thing as wild dogs of all kinds have an established social order that helps maintain the security and order of the pack. Learning what is considered appropriate behavior will keep the house and neighborhood much more peaceful. While obedience training is most effective when started early, adult dogs also respond well to this training, especially when it heavily emphasizes positive reinforcement.

There has been a good deal of controversy over the use of bark collars on dogs, and there are arguments for both sides. Some dogs respond very quickly to even a vibration on the throat, but anyone who uses these collars should realize that some dogs will be able to block out the ?stimulation? and will continue barking. Injury can be done to the dog if the collar is used too long, especially if there are no results.

It is possible to train a problem barker to stop serenading, but in all cases, it will take time, patience, and understanding. Always remember that your dog doesn?t realize that it is being a pest, and finding out what is causing the behavior is the first step to stopping it.

How Ticks Can Impact Your Dog's Health By Jennifer Ayalon

There is basically no region of the country that can be considered free of tick borne diseases. These diseases can have a serious impact on your dog?s life, and being aware that they exist can help you detect symptoms early and get treatment when it will be most effective.

Ticks are active during the entire year in winter-free regions and will appear in colder areas as soon as the ground thaws. Never assume it?s too early or too cold to find ticks on your dog. Our Pip even got one from somewhere when there was 2 feet of snow on the ground. Check your dog over after every outing, even if it?s only been to the backyard. Catching ticks before they attach to the pet is much easier than prying them off later.
Most people probably think that ticks are insects, but they are actually a member of the spider family. An adult tick has 8 lets, just like a spider, and feeds on the blood of living animals. However, while spiders will form egg cases for reproduction, the female tick itself sometimes forms the egg case ? in some tick species, the eggs mature inside the swollen body of the female, which eventually bursts to release hundreds of tick nymphs, while other species simply lay the eggs on the ground. These tiny ticks have only 6 legs and generally feed on smaller animals like mice and shrews until they mature.

Ticks feed by inserting their mouthparts into the flesh of their host and drawing blood out. An anticoagulant is used to keep the food supply flowing, and the bite itself causes extreme irritation including itching and oozing of clear liquid.

Removing ticks from your dog safely is important because they can either leave mouthparts in the skin or regurgitate into victim, opening the possibility of more infective agents entering the dog?s body. Use fine tweezers or a special tick removing tool to grab the tick as closely to the skin as possible, and use a slow, but steady motion to draw the tick out. From personal experience, I have found that swollen female ticks will inevitably leave their mouthparts in the skin regardless of how careful I have been, raising the chance of infection.

The types of ticks most dogs and people encounter are the dog or wood tick and the deer tick. There are actually about 90 species of ticks found in the United States, although some have a very limited geographic range.

Tick borne diseases can cause serious illness in dogs, as we found out with our French Bulldogs several years ago. The first to become ill, Iris, was taken to the vet the first day her symptoms of limping and lethargy appeared. A blood test revealed that she had both Lyme disease and Ehrlichiosis. Although she was on the appropriate antibiotic, she lost the use of all 4 legs in 3 days, and was unable to even drink on her own; we had to use a syringe. She ate nothing for over a week until the medicine finally kicked in. She was literally reduced to a loose bag of bones. Primmy and Pip also became ill, but not to as great an extent, and all the dogs recovered after a month of antibiotic treatment.

Ehrlichiosis is also called tracker dog disease and is a legacy of the Vietnam War. Returning dogs used by the military were infected with Ehrlichiosis, and it causes symptoms such as joint pain, high fever, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea. Unless treated, long term damage can occur to the heart and joints.

Lyme disease causes many of the same symptoms as Ehrlichiosis, and the antibiotic used to treat it, doxycycline, is also the same.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is even more serious a disease than the above two, and can be fatal if untreated. Symptoms, again are similar to tracker dog disease and Lyme, but can include skin lesions and cough. Heart attacks can also occur. In addition to doxycycline, tetracycline can also be used to treat it.

Anaplasmosis is yet another serious tick borne disease and this time the infective agents target either the white blood cells or the platelets. This disease causes muscular pain, fever, general malaise, coughing, and diarrhea. Doxycycline is the medicine of choice to cure the dog.

Babesiosis is caused by a tiny parasite, and this one attacks the red blood cells. Anemia is one obvious result as well as red urine, lethargy, fever, and weakness. Unfortunately, treatment for this disease is more complicated than for the others, and often involves a combination of drug therapies combined with blood transfusions in extreme cases.

There are a number of products on the market that are applied to the dog?s back that will either kill ticks on contact or hopefully before they are able to infect the dog. Flea and tick collars also offer protection.

Carefully checking your dog after he or she has been outside is also a good way to prevent these diseases. Ticks often wander around for quite a while before settling in for a meal, and disease transmission depends on how long the tick has been attached ? it usually takes about 72 hours before enough pathogens enter the system to do harm. You should check with your vet with any concerns or questions regarding tick borne illnesses in your pet.

Characteristics Of A Good Hospital For Your Pet By Olsen Flowers

Young dogs and other pets need preventive medications and they would need regular vaccinations. The clinic or the doctor should be able to administer the necessary vaccinations at any scheduled time.

Seven Common Household Items That are Poisonous to Dogs By Darrin Swain

There are many different items that can be found in virtually every household. Dog owners need to pay particular attention to some of these items since they can poison their pets. The following is a list of some of the most common.

Pesticides

Homeowners frequently make use of pesticides to keep a wide range of pests at bay. It's vital that you be careful when using them around your home. Dogs can be curious and a few licks of a trap can be very hazardous.

Chemicals

Other types of chemicals that you have around your home should also be kept away from your dog. Don't keep a bottle of bleach beneath the bathroom sink and let your dog go sniffing around unattended. You need to keep all types of chemical cleaners stored somewhere safe where your dog won't be able to access it.

Antifreeze

One of the most hazardous household items to dogs is antifreeze. It only takes a small dose to cause irreversible damage to the kidneys. Larger doses can easily be fatal. It's important to note that not all types of antifreeze have the same amount of danger.

The chemical ethylene glycol is used in some types of antifreeze and is very deadly. If you own a dog, it's probably in your best interests to put antifreeze in your car that contains propylene glycol instead. This chemical is also dangerous, but your dog would need to ingest more of it to to experience more severe consequences.

Fertilizer

Gardeners commonly make use of plant food or fertilizers to enhance the output of their hobby. Just make sure that you don't allow your dog to consume any of it. Be careful about the type of chemicals that you use on your lawn too. Don't let your dog go nosing around directly after you have applied any of these chemicals.

Plants

Speaking of gardening, dog owners need to note the different types of plants that are inside and outside their home. Some of them are very poisonous to dogs. Therefore, it would be a huge mistake to have them around since your dog won't know better than to eat them if he gets the notion. Mistletoe and azalea are two plant types that are very harmful.

Medications

Different types of medications are found in virtually every household too. It doesn't matter if it's a prescription medication or simple cold medicine. You shouldn't let your dog have access to any human medications. Pills aren't the only things that are toxic to dogs either. Creams and liquids can also be harmful.

Food

Feeding your dog is probably the most important task that you'll have. Don't make the mistake of feeding him scraps from the table. It's common for dog owners to give their dog a bone when they're having chicken, turkey, or another meat. Although dogs love bones, they have the potential to do major damage. Your dog may chew on the bone causing it to shatter. If he swallows the shattered pieces, they may lead to an intestinal obstruction. Internal punctures are also possible too.

Other foods should never be given to dogs because they're poisonous. Two of the most poisonous include chocolate and onions. You should also avoid giving raisins, grapes, alcohol, and salt.

Dog Urine Killing Your Grass? Read This By Darrin Swain

You definitely don't want your dog using the bathroom inside your home. That's why owners readily take them outside when they see signs that it's time for Fido to go. Some will become dismayed at the fact that their dog's urine seems to be killing their grass.

This happens because of the fact that urine is composed of a lot of nitrogen. If your grass is growing well, then the soil has all of the nitrogen that it needs. An excessive amount will cause the grass to become colored most commonly to brown or yellow. This problem is really made much worse if you're using lawn fertilizer that adds additional nitrogen to the soil.

The sex of your dog will also affect how much of your grass gets discolored. Both sexes output urine with similar concentrations of nitrogen and uric acid. However, males tend to urinate on trees, mailboxes, hydrants, and other objects.

This isn't the case with their female counterparts. Your female dog will squat down and put all of her urine in one spot. Such a high concentration will dramatically increase the risk of dog urine killing your grass. There are a few things that you can do to help prevent this problem.

You don't want to start messing around with your dog's pH for any old reason. You definitely don't want to do so without consulting your veterinarian beforehand. Your vet can simply recommend that you switch to a different dog food. Foods that contain protein that's more digestible will probably help avoid the problem with your grass.

Supplements also exist to help with the problem of dog urine discoloring your grass. You would especially need to seek advice from your vet before giving your canine any of these though.

Another option to save your lawn is to train your dog to use more inconspicuous areas. At least you wouldn't have to deal with lots of discolored spots in your front yard. After your dog uses the bathroom, you can use the hose to rinse the area which will go a long ways towards preventing discoloration.

As you have already learned, lawn fertilizer contains nitrogen. If you make use of fertilizer, then make sure that it doesn't contain too much. With your dog urinating in a fertilized yard, you would most likely have problems with spots appearing.

You should also be aware that your dog urine killing your grass may not be caused by your pet alone. Other animals may come onto your property to alleviate themselves. The main way to avoid this scenario is to erect a fence around your yard. However, fences won't be able to keep out more agile animals like cats.

Fast Way to Control Your K-9 Bark By Cody Crown

Human and canine are certainly close and inseparable since human begin to keep a wild wolf as their companion. The dog makes a wonderful buddy and can be immensely favorable both within and outside the house. Humans talk to show the thought while dog barks for the same reason.

Regrettably just like a few people who simply talk way too much and don't know when to be stop, there are dogs that also do the same. They bark excessively all day and through the night. You'd find it hard to have a good night sleep once they get started. You may also get lots of complain from the angry neighbors that are also gets disrupted because of your dog bark.

There's always good reason why your canine barks. They bark from fear, solitariness, anxiety and excitement. Whenever your canine barks from excitement sometimes it is not a real trouble unless your dog does it overly and over and over. Important note you will want to keep in mind is not to shout when the dog bark overly. The screaming will never get your dog stop the annoying behavior. Your canine will think that you encourage their crazy behavior and barking along with them.

Pick one word reprimands to correct his excessive barks. Do the correction every time the dog goes crazy with the barking. Everyone in your family member needs to utilize this same word, in order for him to understand the commands and situations, where it is alright to bark and when it is not okay to bark.

In case the dog stops the barking whenever you correct them, give a reward. Be diligent with your dog. Rome was not built in one day, so don't expect to change him right away. Every day the dog will improve and better and ultimately stop the behavior.

Every single dog requires attention because they are house animals. Only let the dog inside your home when you are home. Keeping your canine in the crate all the time and isolate them with outside world is not the best possible way to have a dog as a pet.

If your dog need to meet people, it talks to you in a language people will hear but not necessarily like and that is excessive barking. Leave the dog a chewable dog toys to make them occupied during the time you're not at home.

If you seldom walk your dog, then it's time to get started on the exercise. By giving a lot of exercise to drain their energy, your dog will most likely stops the outrageous barking. The energy remained right after walking won't be enough to spend to bark continuously. Acquire at the very least 30 minutes up to one hour of walks. Shortly after the walk you could see your dog calmer and more obedient.

Have a highest commitment to the training. Never start today just to stop tomorrow. Force yourself to the daily training as whole new behavior and make it something that is anticipated by your dog every single day. Stay with each step through and devote to yourself and you will paid by a wonderful calm and obedient dog.

Hungarian Vizsla - The Biggest Change In Life By Ellen Schmidt

The Hungarian Vizsla is a hunting, pointing and retrieving dog breed which is extraordinary intelligent and easy to train, good with children, other pets and even with cats.

This is the official description of this rare breed you can read everywhere about. The truth is, if you decide to adopt a new Vizsla puppy you will see very soon just how life changing this new member of your family will be!

These dogs are very intelligent, which shows in the ease of learning and training: after even only a few repetitions of a simple task with correct timing of a positive reward, they will do everything for you.

The downside of this is that they need this kind of mental stimulation every day, as otherwise they become easily bored and start to destruct and chew objects and furniture or develop signs of neurosis.

Magyar Vizslas, as they are named in Hungary, their country of origin, are very energetic dogs. This means they need more than the 20 minutes round the block: they need space where they are able to run, bounce around, retrieve something for you and much more.

Vizsla owners can tell you: You will walk a lot. And this means really a lot. You will probably spend most of your spare time outdoors with your dog, no matter what the weather forecast says. It doesn't matter at all if you've just completed your daily 5k walk, your dog won't necessarily want to lie down and take a nap for a few hours, no, he or she could actually just continue to run its next 10k instead.

If you don't mind to get fit, if you aren't sad to give up a mostly sedentary life style, this is certainly the breed to consider.

This dog breed is also called the "Velcro" dog, as it is going to be very attached to his or her human. Adopting a Hungarian Vizsla will get you a very close friend for life.

If you fancy this rare breed take the above described points into consideration and only if you really think you can meet all of your dog's needs, get one. You can be sure that your life won't be anymore the same as it has been before.

Orthopedic Dog Bed By Aisle Murad

The problem with dogs is that they are not able to tell their owners what they are feeling so people have to watch their dogs carefully to know if they have pain or other discomfort because dogs just like people can have arthritis or hip dysplasia that is a sort of abnormal formation of the hip joint. The first one is noticed when dogs get older, but the second one can be developed at a younger age. The characteristic of both diseases is stiffness in the joints, inflammation and pain.You can reduce the pain by buying an orthopedic dog bed. Here you will find some tips what type of bed and why is good for your pet.

People in the past did not care much for their pet dogs which is different nowadays. Now people accept their dogs as a part of the family and look after their needs very carefully. Dogs need different food when they get older and they also need different bed, too. The first signs of arthritis or hip displasia are when we notice that our dog walks slower or walk much smaller walks , if he never starts to run anymore or leap as quickly as he use to even for a treat . Together with all these , you will notice that your dog doesn?t lay as comfortably anymore as he did before.

Types of beds

You will find so many different shapes and sizes dog beds available. Most orthopedic dog beds are made from high quality materials like memory foam, some have electric heater systems to give dogs a soothing warmth against joint pains.

There are different shapes for dog beds like:

Cuddler dog beds , excellent for dogs who like to curl up . They are also knows as nest beds because their walls and little legs prevent draft in colder climates

The most common available dog beds are mattress or pillow dog beds but there is a great difference in quality. The best form is rectangular in shape, its size should be slightly bigger then the diagonal of the dog when he lays down. Choose very high quality material like memory foam or a mixture of different materials.The underground of the bed should be firm and shock absorbing , cedar is a good solution for example. The top should be made from a thick layer of orthopedic or memory foam. The material of the bed which you should choose needs to have a long lasting crush resistance.

You can use an electrical blanket especially designed to be put on the dog mattress if your dog gets cold quickly.

You can buy an orthopedic dog bed in a lot of places nowadays but the best place is online because web shops usually have all sizes of the bed of your choice which is very important because there is much difference in dogs size.