Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Heal Your Dog Naturally

When my wife and I woke at 3 am to find our 8 year old Maltese just standing in the middle of the bedroom not moving, we were perplexed to say the least. When I went to pick him up and he yelped continuously we were down right scared. That is a sound a dog owner never wants to here. We ushered him into his carry bag and were out the door at 3:10 am. Another visit to the vet within the last three months. I fear this may become too familiar as he grows older.

As mentioned a little over a month earlier he had torn the ACL tendon in his hind right leg. This visit it was determined that he slipped a disk in his lower back. This can happen when a dog is compensating for another injury such as... a torn ACL. We were lucky on both counts, these injuries can require surgery and so far we do not need to take this route, as my pup is healing on his own. The doc says this is sometimes the case with small dogs that do not carry the weight of the larger breeds. However being good parents we got a second opinion, oops there goes more money. With both the torn ACL and slipped disk it is of course important to limit the dogs activity, easier said than done with an extremely playful Maltese. Keep it in mind for your dog that any jumping from an elevated surface such as a sofa, bed, auto etc. at a steep incline/decline can jam the back. Our dogs ACL injury was most likely caused by his habit of bolting around the apartment making quick changes in direction like the moves a football player makes on the field, this is why it is sometimes referred to as a football injury. Hardwood floors can add to the risk as well. We are attempting to have him wear little socks with rubber stripes on the sole for better traction, he seems to tolerate them.

As you may be aware, a trip to the vet is EXPENSIVE! But what choice do you have when you love them? After a Thousand dollars in three months (Yikes!) I decided to educate myself on caring for my beloved pooch and learning about natural remedies, and about underlying causes of dog diseases, rather than just treating the symptoms. This will lead to a better quality of life for both my wife and I and our pup. I have recently read "Heal Your Dog Naturally" which is chock full of helpful information on caring for your dog. This is a must read for anyone who thinks of their dogs as their four legged children. We have altered my dogs diet and various environmental aspects that contributed to his allergies and have noticed a marked difference already. I am not here to slam any one product but will recommend, as with humans, foods that are less processed and with more natural ingredient the better. For example one of my dog's allergies is wheat so we immediately found a product with no wheat. Dogs are individuals like us and you as their caretaker will decide what's best. I also want to take the time to express my gratitude to the Veterinary profession, the doctors certainly provide a valued service in caring for our pets. I however believe it is our responsibility to educate ourselves as much as we can on caring for our four legged children. Be kind, be well.

Stephen Provenzano is a devoted animal advocate (he loves 'em) and provides advise on various pet subjects which includes pet care, pet products, and more!

Please visit Heal Your Dog Naturally and decide whether you or your dog should live without this book. I wish you and your dog god speed. Be well.

Sunday, December 06, 2009

Snuggie For Dogs - Review of the Dog Sweater

No other invention has become as popular as quick as the Snuggie. For those that don't know, it all started when one day, a college student was trying to change the the channel with the remote under his blanket. Obviously the television sensors wouldn't be able to pick up the signal. So he cut a hole in his blanket to make it work. He then instructed his mom to make a blanket with sleeves. Soon enough, the Snuggie craze began.

As mentioned, a Snuggie is simply a blanket with sleeves. Why is this useful? Simply because your arms will be kept warm while at the same time, you can be free to use your hands for tasks such as grabbing items, changing the TV channel, or drinking a beverage.

Snuggie's quickly grew to fame after being seen on many TV shows being endorsed by celebrities. Ellen DeGeneres and the Today show helped bring publicity to it. On the other hand, comedians like Jay Leno and Jon Stewart poked fun at the concept.

Snuggie has recently launched a new version: Snuggie for dogs.

The Snuggie for dogs is a great invention for dog lovers. Dogs are known to be man's best friend. Why not treat your dog the same way you treat yourself? Snuggie for dogs looks like a normal dog sweater garment. It comes in the same colors as regular Snuggies and can match yours. Snuggie for dogs goes on in just seconds. Most pet clothing requires you to force your pet's head and feet into tiny sleeves. With Snuggie for dogs, it goes on from the bottom up and simply attaches by velcro. Machine washable so you can take your pet outside and no longer have to worry about your dog's clothing getting dirty! Any dog owner will know that dogs like to get under the blanket to keep warm. They will no longer need to do that with this. Let your dog watch TV with you!

Benefits of Snuggie For Dogs

- Easy to put on. No need to force your dog's head and feet into sleeves.

- Comes in red or blue. Perfect for either a male or female dog.

- Not for indoors only. Snuggies can be used outdoors

- Doesn't irritate your pet. Most clothing for pets are made of itchy material or contain exposed tags.

- Comes in 4 sizes. Fits any dog size.

- Can be used for cats too!

- It will match your Snuggie :)

Order your Snuggie for dogs before Winter comes.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shannon_M.


Tuesday, November 10, 2009

How to Feeding Your Dog - Dog Owners Must Read

Not like a cat or a human, it is important to feed your dog like dog. Dogs do well on a constant, unvarying recipe diet through much of their life span. Modify the diet as they become diseased or develop unusual physiological needs - but otherwise dogs do well and are happy on foods that people would consider monotonous. However the dietary needs of individual dogs may differ considerably. The requirements of a 2-pound Chihuahua are considerably different from those of a 140-pound St. Bernard. Small breeds need a dense caloric formula. These dogs need 40 to 50 calories per pound of body weight per day, and they must receive the nutrition in a small volume of food. Large breeds, on the other hand, need only 20 to 30 calories per pound per day, and since they can eat a large volume at one time, their food can have a less concentrated formula. In spite of these differences, some commercial dog foods adequately nourish all but the very unusual adult dog.

The dog owner who tries to compound his own dog food using only household ingredients faces a formidable task and, unless he or she is a trained nutritionist, will end up with an expensive and decidedly inferior product. Many dog owners sometimes spoil their dogs by giving them table foods and treats with high appetite appeal. Repeatedly, by refusing to eat a regular dog food, the dog "trains" its owners to provide unusual foods that may be insufficient nutritionally.

The single solution to successful dog feeding is to feed only a complete, balanced diet. Dog food should be produced carefully and if possible made feeding trials through several generations of dogs to prove the diet is adequate for all life stages. The diet can be dry, soft-moist, or combination of these. Adhere to the balanced diets and you will not go far astray.

You might be surprised to see that many dog owners don't really know how to feed their dogs suitably. Don't underestimate the power of these secrets. To see this AMAZING dog food secrets visit us here: Dog Food Secrets

Saturday, November 07, 2009

Obedience Training For Dogs - 5 Free Dog Training Tips



Obedience training for your dog must be an enjoyable process. Not something you feel that you must do but rather something that you want to do. If you enjoy the training sessions then you dog will enjoy the time with you and will learn quicker. What are the points to be kept in mind from the outset.

  • Obedience training is a lifetime process, not something that you will deal with in the first few weeks that you have your new friend. Therefore, it is important that you are able to make the quality time available.
  • If your intention is that your dog is only going to be a pet then keep the training simple. There should be nothing complicated in the training, certainly not in the early stages, it is merely a case of ensuring that your dog obeys your commands at the first time of asking.
  • Ensure that you are in the right frame of mind. This is an essential factor. At times training your dog will be frustrating. But approached correctly it will normally be very rewarding. If you have had a bad day at the office or at home it is not the time to start a training session as you may take out your frustration of the day on your dog - that isn't fair.
  • Keep the training sessions short. Early on in your dog's training there attention span will be short so make sure that is reflected in the length of each session. Gradually increase the time as the basics are achieved.
  • Ensure that you do not confuse your dog by having one set of standards during the training session and another when they are at home. To emphasize the earlier point - training is a constant ongoing process. It is always possible to make a fuss of your dog without undoing the hard work you put into training. Just think before you act.

Click for more FREE information and thoughts on Obedience Training For Dogs.

http://obediencetrainingfordogssimplified.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Oliver_Bay


Sunday, September 13, 2009

Help Your Dog to Lose Weight With These Awesome Tips

Like humans, some dogs can experience problems with being overweight. Any time that your dog is obese it is important to take steps to help him to lose weight. When your dog is overweight, it can cause a number of health problems. Your dog will likely not be as active as he should, which can make it hard for his muscles to be toned. In addition, the extra weight can place stress on your dog's heart as well as other critical organs. Dogs that are overweight are at a much higher risk for suffering from dangerous conditions such as diabetes.

In order to help your dog to lose weight, there are several areas you need to consider. First, you need to think about the type of food that you are giving your dog. Make sure that you have cut back or eliminated snacks completely. In addition, you should not be providing your dog with any table food. Give him either a high quality weight maintenance diet or consider preparing a home made diet for your dog.

You also need to consider your dog's activity level to help him to lose weight. Exercise is crucial to any weight management problem. If your dog is not accustomed to being active, make sure you start out slowly, but do make an effort to increase his activity level.

Finally, consider providing your dog with several small meals throughout the day instead of one or two large meals. When he eats once or twice per day there is a strong tendency to gorge on food and that can lead to weight gain. Providing smaller meals multiple times per day can help to prevent this problem and make it easier for your dog to lose weight.

Do you want to discover more about how you can help your dog naturally? For more information on helping your dog to lose weight click on http://www.petnaturalremedies.com

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Where To Find Doberman Pinscher Puppies For Sale?

Are you looking for doberman puppies for sale? Beware puppies purchased from puppy mills are of no use! So, don't purchase doberman puppies from puupy stores. They are often untrained, often sickly and do not offer any help once you get the pup home.


Then,where shall I get good puppies? - This question may bothers you. Don't worry!!! Thee are few places you can go online to select listing of Doberman puppies for sale. You can get all the dob puppies in one place.

These ads may be given by the individual dog owners as well as breeders. As there are huge ads, you can be sure that you will find one that will be the perfect fit for your family.

Once you have found a breeder that has the right Doberman dogs for sale and choose one for your family, it's time to bring your doberman dog home. You should make your home ready before bringing the pup home. Some of the reputable breeders may also want to see your home before complete the purchase of your doberman puppy to ascertain hat you have the perfect environment to raise doberman puppies.

I have searched the net and found one such website that offers perfect puppy sales. Just peep in to this site- www.puppies-forsale.co.uk to get your dream dob pups. ALL THE BEST!!!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

How to protect your garden from pet pampering?

How to protect your garden from pet pampering needs to be thought of once you have a big garden or garden with valuable plantations with flowers etc. Whenever the dog is found with digging activities that are not desired in the concerned garden campuses, then provide the dog some sorts of distracting materials like toys etc.

Hence, such activities make much diversion for the dog and finally, the dog engages in some other activities without causing damage to your garden.

Small thorn varieties like barberry may be grown in the garden to protect the plants or flowers from the dogs. However, though some pleasant smell is coming from various herbs or bushes, most of the times, the dog may not be afraid of approaching many plants in the garden.

Battery operated electric fences are now a day available and such fences may not harm the animal but gives a mild shock. Hence, the dog has distractions while trying to enter the garden, which you like to a greater extent for multiple reasons.

Though prickly bush is the nice idea to have in your garden, see that the thorns should not harm your dog.

Try to have a fence with door facility for the garden and open it only when you need. Also you can keep the dog under your direct watch during allowing of your dog into the garden.

Hence, if at all the dog tries to engage in an unwanted activity damaging your garden, you can be able to control it immediately.

Also to avoid damage to certain selected species of the plants in your garden from the dogs, spray some repellents like neem oil nearby those plants.

Hence, when the dog approaches the site, this helps to drive away the dogs due to the effective smell that is not liked by many dogs. Try to adapt some measures that are more practical to adapt for driving away of the dogs from the garden.

Sometimes, you need to express your dissatisfaction by some specific commands to the dog. But, you need to use the same syllable in a high pitch, every time.

For example, when you say no, every time, you need to tell the same thing in same pitch and hence, the dog may understand that it is doing something that is not really liked by the owner. Whatever measure you are taking to protect the dog, this should not lead to any health related problem for your dogs.

To prevent the damage of your garden in your absence, it is better to educate the house keeper on what to do when the animal tries to enter the garden or when the dog attempts to damage the precious plantations available in the garden liked by many of your family members in the house. It is better to give clear-cut instructions in such occasions.

Remember that the dog thinks that you are doing something that is not liked by it, while you many think that the dog is doing something in the garden, which is not liked by you.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Stop Dog Barking - 2 Step Dog Behavior Success

A dog's natural instinct is to bark when they feel their territorially is being compromised by another dog or human visitors. They consider it their obligation to alert you of an impending threat to your property, which is of course, their property as well. In some cases, dog owners appreciate the warning that their dog bark provides them however, excessive dog barking can become a behavior problem, and here we look at some practical tips, which will allow you to control your dog's behavior and will with patience, cease excessive dog barking.

As soon as you observe your dog excessively barking at visitors or passers-by to your property the first thing to consider is rather than disciplining the dog, will be to teach ourselves and the animal that this type of behavior should be rewarded. Inconsistent commands by dog owners are the primary reason for excessive dog behavior and the key you and your dog need to learn is consistency.

Inconsistent messages given by you to your dog will develop into confusion and an inability for your dog to retain any of the learned behavior which you're trying to teach.

Follow these simple dog behavioral techniques for instant success;

1. Whenever your dog barks at visitor passing by your property allow him to bark for two or three occasions. It is important to praise your dog alerting you of the impending visitor, and should, however gently request that the dog is now quiet. If the dog ceases to bark for a few seconds praise him and offer them a reward. This will help focus your dog on the command.

2. Provide them with a treat as soon as they are quiet and consistently praised them for doing so. Ultimately, any discipline directed at the dog should be for disobeying your command rather than the barking itself (this applies to any dog behavioral problems). As above, always be consistent with your dog. You will always be setting yourself up to fail if you offer him or her inconsistent messages.

While it will take several occurrences for your dog to learn that barking is not a bad behavior, consistent messages applied by you to reward quietness after the act will remedy the problem of excessive dog barking. This technique can also be applied for many other dogs behavioral issues and this simple two stage process of command and reward is excellent practice for the future. It will ensure that you and your dog relationship will blossom upon mutual respect and understanding.

As we have just learned, consistent and confident commands are the key to dog training success and it cannot be over emphasized how important the early stages of a dogs development are for the future prosperity of both dog and owner. Puppy Training Dogs would like to invite you to effectively and simply learn the best principles required in training your dog. This unique technique, developed specifically for new dog owners, has helped thousands of people promote and maintain the best relationships between dogs and owners. Visit Puppy Training Dogs to participate in this valuable course.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kate_Brielle

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Hunting Dog Training Techniques

When you think of a hunting scene, what do you imagine? Perhaps you see a man in camouflage clothes, toting a rifle. Perhaps you see a proper British man in red jacket and knee high black boots on horseback. And probably, no matter how you picture the people, there's a hunting dog nearby.

Dogs have been great companions to hunters for hundreds of years. They provide friendship, of course, but can also help a hunter be more effective in the field by tracking, flushing, pointing, and retrieving game.

When you're training a dog to hunt with you, it's important to make sure your dog is trained properly and knows exactly what's expected of him in the field.

One tip that's repeated over and over by trainers is to start your dog in training early. It's much easier to train a puppy than a full grown dog. And by training early, you ensure more hunting time with a well trained dog.

The first piece of advice given to all dog trainers is to be patient. It takes dogs time to learn commands, and you shouldn't expect too much too soon. After all, it takes humans time to learn new things, so why should you expect more from your dog?

Along with patience, you should make sure you introduce your dog to commands slowly. If you try to do too much at once, your dog will get overwhelmed, and you won't get anywhere. This is frustrating to both you and your dog.

Consistency is another point that's stressed to trainers. Once you decide what commands to use, whether they be verbal, hand gestures, or even whistles, make sure you stick to what's set down. If you start training a dog to sit, for example, by saying "Sit," and then suddenly make a whistling sound to command the dog to sit instead, your dog won't know what you want, and you'll set your training back.

Praising your dog for obedience and good behavior is a very good way to get results quicker. Dogs respond well to positive reinforcement. If they know they'll get positive attention, they're more likely to repeat the behavior. Even if you think the good behavior is something "minor," give your dog a friendly pat on the head and a "Good boy!" to let him know he's doing a good job.

The proper training of your dog for the hunt is important. And while it may be a little overwhelming at first, patience, consistency, and praise can lead to a great hunting companion for any hunter.

Training a dog to hunt with you is a lot of fun. Make sure you have the proper Dog Supplies and the proper Dog Training Supplies. Visit premierdogsupplies.com for all you will need.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Dog Purses

When you've got a lot of money, it seems that even wacky things don't seem so crazy. In fact, if enough of your friends join in, you might even get your pictures taken and start a trend. Dog purses seem to be just such a trend. Although carrying around one's favorite little friend has been popular for hundreds of years among the upper classes, paparazzi taking photos of the likes of Paris Hilton seems to have given the idea of carrying a dog around in your purse a new burst of popularity.

A dog purse is simply a device designed for hauling around your tiny dog in a very fashionable way. Instead of hauling around a plastic carrier, some people are choosing to place their pooch in a purse designed especially for holding pups. There are even bags fashioned by famous designers carrying price tags ranging into the hundreds of dollars available for purchase.

There is a concern that seeing people at the top of popular culture accessorizing with dogs in purses might encourage others to take to carrying around their canine with more concern for being fashionable than keeping their dog safe. If you are thinking about going the route of the fashionable, please always put the interest of your pet first. If your dog has any health issues at all, you should take them into consideration. Although small breeds like Yorkshire Terriers and Chihuahuas will fit comfortably into these purses, if they have issues like arthritis or weak bladders, you might want to reconsider placing them in such a device until you have consulted your veterinarian.

It seems that purses for carrying dogs are here to stay, for a while at least. If you own a large dog, you might be out of luck. If you have a toy breed and want to go with the current flow of culture, there are plenty of these purses out there waiting to help you accessorize for a price. Just make sure that it is fun for both you and your dog.

You might also enjoy these other articles about dog purses and finding cheap purses for sale online.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michelle_McGeen

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Thyroid Problems in Dogs

Our dog Lucky was slowly becoming different than our other dogs. She was over weight even though she ate less than the other dogs and really didn't seem to care that much about food. She was also very depressed acting. We could just see it in her eyes. She seemed very sad. Lucky did not like to play like the other dogs did. She pretty much just sat on the porch and watched the other dogs while they played.

We took her to the vet, and he decided to do a blood test on her to see if her thyroid was producing enough thyroid hormone. The thyroid hormone is what regulates metabolism. Her test showed she was only borderline low. But the vet gave us some thyroid pills anyway and told us to give her half a dose each day for a month.
The results are detailed below.

Here are some symptoms which might indicate your dog has a thyroid problem:

Very lazy acting and not wanting to play -Lucky had this symptom

Weight gain with no added interest in food - Lucky definitely had this symptom

Dry skin - Lucky's coat was dry and very coarse feeling compared to our other dogs

Hair loss (especially in the tail area) - Lucky had a large bald spot on the top of her tail

Bacteria infections - She did not have this symptom

Problems with the cold - Well, all of our dogs seem to dislike the cold

A slow pulse rate - We never checked her for that

Strange behavior or compulsions - Lucky was (and still is) our dog with the strangest behavior

Aggression - Yes, Lucky is the one dog of our four we don't trust around very tiny children without close supervision

Depression - Yes, Lucky was for sure depressed.

Most dogs who are affected are in the mid to large sized breed category. Lucky is a mid sized dog. It is also hereditary. But in this case Katie is her mom, and Katie is the happiest, most perfect dog there could be. We also know who Lucky's dad was. He too was a very happy dog. So with lucky it must have skipped a generation.

It can happen to both male and female dogs. But it happens to spayed females more than unspayed females. And Lucky was spayed. And the problem did not start happening until after that. However, a low thyroid problem doesn't start happening usually until a dog is over 4 years old. Lucky was spayed about one year old and we started noticing a change in her about a year later.

After we had given Lucky the pills for a month, we started seeing a behavior change. She actually WANTED to play once in a while! As we kept giving them to her she started losing some weight too. The vet said we might try stopping them for a while and see how it goes. Apparently, sometimes the pills do some kind of a jump start on things and they keep going correctly. He was right...for a while anyway. She did continue to improve and lose weight without the pills. However, after about 6 months, we see the old, depressed Lucky coming back. So we have started to give the pills again to her.

As near as we can tell from researching the subject on the Internet and talking with our Vet, there are few side effects associated with thyroid pills. So we will probably continue now giving them to her on a regular basis.

Please write to us if you have any questions about this or if you would like to share your story.

Steve Weber owns http://www.CactusCanyon.com which offers advice and natural products to owners of dogs with thyroid problems.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Looking For a Solution to Dog Barking? Dogs Bark Naturally So What Can You Do

If you want just one solution to dog barking, there isn't one, there are many. Many different solutions to this most common dog behavior problem. The bottom line is that you must communicate to your dog that you are in charge, not them and that barking is not allowed.

There are many ways to get your dog to stop barking, citronella collars, shock collars, ultrasonic devices, and training. Of all these solutions, citronella collars and re-training are the most humane.

Citronella collars can be bought anywhere. It is basically a collar your dog wears around its neck and it shoots out a burst of citronella whenever your dog barks. Dogs don't like this smell so they stop barking. The problem here is you have to constantly refill the citronella reservoir, so it does not always work. Also, using this method, the dog learns much slower than doing retraining.

The best solution to a barking dog is retraining your dog. It is natural for your dog to bark when people enter his territory or when he views someone as a threat to the family. Many dogs even bark just to get attention.

The problem is that they live in our houses and they are not allowed to bark. You have to clearly communicate to your dog that barking is not permitted in the house. If know that your dog barks during certain situations, like someone coming to the door, make sure you have a leash on your dog or are at least close to him, so you can instantly correct his behavior.

If you are having problems getting this dog behavior problem under control, there are lots of resources out there to help you. Click here for one of the best resources for Stopping Dog Behavior Problems

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Dogs and Toxins

Apart from other dogs, what is the one thing that all dogs love virtually all the time? You guessed it: food! Dogs are very much like people in that they eat out of necessity, boredom, interest, nutritional compulsions, and sometimes; by mistake. Even the most well-trained dog could be subject to accidental poisoning. Many poisons also taste fantastic, and are easily accessible around your home. The question is, are you prepared to assist your dog, should this ever occur? The following are some common sources of potentially fatal poisonings, including symptoms, and treatments.

Antifreeze:

Antifreeze is deadly to dogs, even in small amounts. Antifreeze contains compounds that destroy the liver and red blood cells once ingested. It is, in fact, a rather frequent killer of pets. The reason for this is that antifreeze tastes sweet; like a syrupy candy. Antifreeze must be wiped up immediately following a spill, and at all times it should be isolated from dogs, other pets, and children. If your dog does ingest antifreeze, you should look for the following signs:

  • Ataxia: unable to walk, stumbling, falling down
  • Vomiting
  • Excessive water consumption
  • Excessive urination

Treatment:

Induce vomiting. Seek immediate emergency veterinary care.

Chocolate/Caffeine:

If consumed, these products will impact your dog's cardiovascular system. Chocolate and caffeine increase the heart rate in dogs, leading to heart problems, and breathing difficulties. If your dog ingests large amounts of caffeine, it can prove fatal. Here's what to watch for:

  • Excessive panting
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Tremors/Seizures
  • Hyperactivity

Treatment:

Induce vomiting. Seek immediate veterinary care, to include gastric lavage, and activated charcoal treatments.

Raw Salmon:

Any raw meat, but particularly salmon, can contain a fluke-like parasite that is highly specialized. Once ingested, the fluke spawns and lives in the intestines, where it produces very toxic substances that infect the entire body, causing the dog to become very ill rather quickly. Symptoms are typically as follows:

  • Lethargy
  • Severe weight loss
  • Vomiting
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Bloody or discolored diarrhea

Treatment:
Antibiotics are the only way to prevent your dog's death. Dogs that survive this type of infection will then be immune to recurrences.

Raisins & Grapes:

Dogs who ingest large amounts of raisins or grapes may place their life in severe danger. Both of these foods contain toxins that attack the liver. Survival rates of this type of poisoning is only 50%, so it is vital to get your dog immediate attention should you suspect it has eaten large quantities of grapes or raisins. Symptoms will include:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Excessive water consumption
  • Excessive urination
  • Kidney failure

Treatment:

Induce vomiting. Stomach lavage. Activated charcoal. Intravenous fluid therapy

Mushrooms:

Mushrooms can be deadly to dogs. In America, there are numerous types that will cause a very quick, painful death. For this reason, it is imperative to watch your dog closely outside, especially in the fall and other moist times of year where mushrooms are prolific. There are many different types of deadly mushrooms that attack different parts of the body, so the symptoms will vary greatly. You can expect the following:

  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Confusion
  • Collapse/Unconsciousness
  • Hallucinations
  • Irregular behavior
  • Coma

Treatment:

Induce vomiting immediately. Activated charcoal. Treatment for liver disease.

Lead Poisoning:

Lead poisoning is much more prevalent in dogs than many would think. Dogs who ingest paint chips or painted wood, fishing sinkers, weights, or any other material containing lead are in grave danger. If you recognize the following symptoms, your dog need emergency veterinary treatment:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Excessive urination
  • Decreased appetite
  • Abdominal pain
  • Blindness
  • Tremors
  • Erratic behavior
  • Seizures

Treatment:

Blood testing. Extensive intravenous therapy.

Insecticides & Pesticides:

While there are simply too many of these to make an exhaustive list, insecticides and pesticides can prove fatal to your dog within minutes of ingestion. For this reason, it is absolutely imperative that you store and use these items where your dog will not be exposed to them. If for some reason your dog ingests or inhales any type of the mentioned items, you should seek immediate veterinary care. Symptoms will vary greatly according to the type of item ingested:

  • Excessive salivation
  • Vomiting/ with or without blood
  • Diarrhea/ with or without blood
  • Confusion
  • Ataxia
  • Seizures
  • Unconsciousness

Treatment:

Varies widely according to what was ingested. Contact a poison control center and seek immediate veterinary assistance.

Venom:

A dog can sustain a venomous snake bite much more easily than a human. Dogs have very tough skin, and venom does not affect them as significantly as it does one of us. However, a snakebite can be fatal. If you observe an actual bite occur, or suspect that your dog has been bitten, first ensure that the snake (or other venomous creature is no longer in the area.) Remove your dog to a safe location and attempt to keep them still. You might notice the following symptoms:

  • Puncture wounds
  • Severe Pain/Swelling
  • Necrosis of tissue at bite site
  • Labored breathing

Treatment:

Antibiotics sometimes help. Benadryl may be recommended by your vet if you are in the field. Anti-Venom. Do not suction wound site. Do not use tourniquets or make incisions at the bite site.

Your natural responsibility to your dog should mitigate most of these types of poisonings. However, we all know that dogs are indiscriminate eaters, and that they sometimes eat and expose themselves to toxic or even deadly items. Be observant, and be prepared, and you will greatly reduce the chance that your dog will become a casualty of toxins. For more information, and to report a suspected poisoning, contact the APCC at: 888-426-4435.

Geoffrey A. English is the Founder of GundogsOnline.com, the internet's premiere online magazine dedicated to hunting dogs. Their site has a wide variety of dog supplies such as Dog Training Collars, SportDOG, and Dogtra products.

Chocolate Pitbulls

Does it seem like there are more brands and breeds of pitbulls that you can coherently wrap your mind around when trying to decide on a dog? Is there a specific reason you are looking for a chocolate pitbulls and what have you heard that was so intriguing that you just have to find where you can adopt some chocolate pitbulls? If you stumbled across here because you are confused, well that is great because there are so many names for the same thing and sometimes it seems as though they were only created to cause confusion while creating a mass ‘demand’ for this new named creature.

What are Chocolate Pitbulls?

Chocolate pitbulls is simply the name of the dog designated by it’s colors and it is brown, a deep chocolate color and that is the only difference between that and other kinds of dogs. If it is a dark brown pitbull that you are looking for, any one of the chocolate pitbulls will work just fine.

This color of dog will rear itself in many different breeds of pitbulls such as the Alligator and Lion Head pitbulls and it only confirms that the coloring constitutes that of chocolate pitbulls. There are literally a thousand breeds and ‘strains’ of the breed and in each of those sub categories you will find the label chocolate in many of them. Again, it is used to predominantly describe the color of the dog and the coat of the dog.

Chocolate Pitbulls Vs. Pitbulls

Obviously there is no versus when speaking of other breeds and the chocolate pitbulls for the reasons mentioned above so if you are seeking for that beautiful dark brown pitbull for you, look no further than any breed at all and in the coloring they will label the dogs as ‘chocolate pitbulls’ and you can be confident in knowing that you are getting the same quality, breed or whatever you are seeking for in that infamous chocolate flavoring.

Now when you get one of the sought after chocolate pitbulls, remember to always be a responsible pet owner when searching for your perfect pet and treat it with kindness and respect! Pitbulls are getting such a terrible wrap for being horrible, mean, untamable beasts and they are not. Man is the beast much before the dog is and most often, those pitbulls that are attacked are treated cruelly and inhumanely and this causes many unwanted traits within the dog.

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Saturday, January 31, 2009

Pitbull Training

The most troublesome and boring aspect of owning a pet pit bull according to most owners is training. Though boring, early obedience training for pit bulls is very essential, otherwise they may become disobedient and even aggressive. A poorly bred pit bull is often a danger to the people around it. Also, it is necessary to teach housebreaking to a pit bull when it is still a puppy.

The first thing that a pit bull needs to be trained in is housebreaking. Pit bull puppies have weak bladders, which they may need to eliminate almost every hour. Have specific meal times for the puppy and then take it out. Over time, puppies will begin to recognize this place by its smell. It's no fun to be woken in the middle of a night by a puppy whining to go potty, but it takes endurance in the first few months. As pit bulls grow older, their bladder control improves, but it will be a while before they can hold their bladders overnight. Another method is paper training, where newspaper can be spread at spots within the house. However, paper training is not good as it gives the pit bull the idea that it is okay to poop inside the house.

Pitbulls are athletic dogs and so they need stamina and strength training. The most common way to teach almost all dogs is by drive and tracking. A ball and string can be used for this. Show the ball to the pit bull until its curiosity is aroused and then roll the ball on the floor, away from the pit bull. The pit bull will begin chasing after it. Using this tactic, several tricks can be taught to the pit bull.

Pit bulls are intelligent dogs. They respond to commands. Pit bulls can be trained to understand commands such as 'go', 'fetch', 'heel' and they also recall to their names. Repeating the commands over and over helps the dog to learn faster. Such obedience training must not be taken lightly as it may sometimes be a lifesaver to the dog.

Training a dog requires patience and affection on the part of the trainer. Pit bulls are sensitive and they should never be hit or yelled at when training. This may have an adverse effect and they may not respond to training at all. They may also fight back and nip or bite people. A slight reprimand, with a strong 'No' is enough to make a pit bull stop any undesirable activity. It is important to be consistent in pit bull training. If you train a pit bull for a couple of days and then decide to take a break, then the whole thing is going to be a worthless affair.

However, there are many ways in which pit bull training can be made exciting to both dog and owner. The training also provides some exercise to the owner and goes a long way in making the dog a trustworthy and able companion.

Pitbulls provides detailed information about pitbulls, pitbull breeders, pitbull kennels, pitbull puppies and more. Pitbulls is the sister site of Dog Fleas.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kent_Pinkerton

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Pit Bull Training For Responsible Ownership

Owning a pitbull requires a big responsibility. For one, pitbull training is very important. It's necessary for pitbull owners to do this because there have been many reports on Pitbulls attacking people or children with no reason at all. Dog owners should not stay ignorant especially when they have pitbulls under their care. In reality, the pitbull is one of the most behaved dogs on the list of breeds according to disposition or attack frequencies. Training a pitbull properly will spare the dog from attacking people. If the owner is irresponsible, the pitbull will more likely cause harm to others.

It is sad to know that there are many irresponsible owners who take pride in flaunting their fierce dog. Unluckily some of these irresponsible owners end up as the victim of their own pet. Pitbulls can actually be safe with children if you keep an eye on how your dog interacts with kids around. However, this does not mean that you have to be complacent by leaving children alone with a pitbull. You still have to keep your presence among them. Knowing how to discipline a pitbull at a very young age is very important. It is necessary that pitbull puppies socialize with other dogs even at a young age.

This is in contrast to the myth that pitbull puppies must be isolated from people or other animals. Pitbulls are actually sociable dogs contrary to the negative impressions of people on their breed. Only that many dog owners who attempt to train pitbulls fail due to lack of consistency, discipline, and timing. The latter is said to be the most important of the three. Furthermore, if you lack knowledge in the implementation of positive reinforcement on dogs, it may also lead to your failure to train a pitbull. Pitbull puppies that were not exposed to the public well have greater tendencies of attacking people or animals when they grow older.

Thus, it would be better to bring your pitbulls in places such as parks. It surely is very helpful that dog owners read guide to pitbulls prior to owning one. This way they will know their responsibilities towards their dog. Irresponsible ownership of pit bulls can cause danger to other people or even death to its victims. Pitbull puppy training can be fun and rewarding. It is in the nature of pitbulls that when they are comfortable to their environment and the people around them, they become more loving. If a pitbull gets the right training, it can contribute to their healthy development.

Aside from its health benefits, they become a more behaved and trustworthy dogs. Training your pitbull to be a protector instead of being a fiend can work so much to your benefit. Trained pitbulls can actually protect you from dangers that may happen to you like robbery or kidnapping. It is only a sad fact that pitbulls are viewed negatively in the public eye. Pitbull training is a long process. Just stick to the basic rules by reinforcing the dog's desirable behavior and ignoring the undesirable behaviors. Surely you will have a happy and harmonious life together with your pitbull.

The author of this article Alex De La Cruz is a Dog Trainer who has been successful with several dog training courses for many years. Alex decided to share his knowledge and tips through his website http://www.doggyweb.info. You can sign up for his free newsletter and enjoy a healthy and submissive dog.

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