Dog Aggression Towards People: How to Avoid Unexpected Dog Bites

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Written by Senior Editor Peter Gehr

Dog Aggression Towards People: How to Avoid Unexpected Dog Bites

Dog Aggression Towards People: How to Avoid Unexpected Dog Bites

Dog aggression towards people: how to avoid unexpected dog bites is often a topic that is misunderstood. Dogs communicate with body language, and although a lot of people consider words to be enough to communicate with a dog, words are actually not what a dog understands. Of course, there are commands that he obeys such as “sit”, “stay”, and “roll over”, etc., but the animal understands the sound of the word associated with the action, not the actual meaning of the word itself.

Body language is so important to watch in a dog—especially in a dog you are not familiar with or have never met before. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve known of or heard reports of people bitten in the face due to not knowing, acknowledging, or being completely oblivious to the body language of the dog. Unfortunately, this recent case of the newscaster being bitten on the face is not an isolated case.

Dog Aggression Towards People: How to Avoid Unexpected Dog Bites

Todd Langston of the Examiner reports on the incident:

If you happened to catch the dramatic rescue of Max, the Argetine Mastiff pulled from an icy pond in Denver a couple of days ago you probably also saw the interview of Max being reunited with his rescuer. The interview was cut short when Max bit the news woman, Kyle Dyer in the face and the question I keep getting asked is “why did this happen?”

I have never seen, met or worked with Max and all I have to go on is the 37 second video, but the video is full of answers.

Dogs communicate primarily with body language cues and Max tried many times tell the woman to “stop touching me, back up and leave me alone,” but these warnings were missed.

The first obvious warning on the video is called a tongue flick. He does this more than 10 times and it’s when he sticks his tongue straight out. He does this every time she makes direct eye contact with him and it means stop it now or I will stop you myself. It is a serious cue and it means business.

You will also notice that his mouth will be open and he will be panting and then all a sudden his mouth closes, and it gets short and tense. His body also stops moving in a flash of tension. This too is timed when the woman is looking at and talking directly to Max, and it often goes along with the tongue flick. Max basically tolerated the woman touching him but the eye contact and closeness of her face to his was something he couldn’t take.

Dominant dogs can feel challenged by direct eye contact and the uninvited invasion of personal space. Nervous dogs can feel threatened by it and both of these energies can lead to a bite. The woman’s face is very close to Max’s face which is hard for many dogs to deal with unless they know the person and are very comfortable with them.

He even looks away in avoidance to try everything a dog knows to say “Hey! Leave me alone lady.” And the very last thing you see is the woman lean in and almost kiss him and he freezes, curls his lip and bites her as quick as a snake. Once she crossed the line and got too close with that direct eye contact that was it, she was getting bit so he could back her off.

The tongue flick, closed tense mouth, avoidance and quick moments of tension were all warning signs that something was about to happen. Technically this could have been prevented had someone recognized these things as warnings but who knew. Dogs are animals and sometimes that is easy to forget. Max tried to tell her to stop and all Kyle wanted to do was get some good ole dog love which is a typical scenario of many bites.

This just goes to show you why it’s important to meet a dog as Cesar Millan says, “with no touch, no talk and no eye contact.” Click here to visit the original source of this post

Dog aggression towards people: how to avoid unexpected dog bites. These observations should especially be taught to children, in fact, to anyone who is not familiar with dogs, or if unaware of dog’s body language. Although I do think this incident was very unfortunate for the Presenter, the dog owner and the dog, it does point out the need for basic education on how to avoid dog bites. The owner, however, is the one responsible for his dogs actions, and the bottom line is that he should have been aware and watching to avoid this happening in the first place.

Alaskan Husky Exercise With or Without Snow

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Written by Senior Editor Peter Gehr

Alaskan Husky Exercise With or Without Snow

Alaskan Husky Exercise With or Without Snow

It’s commonly known that the Alaskan husky exercise with or without snow, and they love to run and run and work is simply an instinct, and in-built mechanism to work is part of the breeds makeup. In fact, most dog breeds love to be responsible for some form of work whether it be carrying, pulling, accompanying, guiding, performing and more.

The inner drive that dogs are born with is to please. They want so much to get your attention and to perform tasks, and this is what a lot of dog owners misunderstand, or do not provide, which can lead to behavioral problems and boredom.

A bored puppy will often become destructive, develop bad habits, become discontent and misbehave out of character, and this is all sourced back to mental and physical stimulation—which is vital to the well-being of your pet.

Alaskan Husky Exercise With or Without Snow

Consider the case of the Alaskan husky in this report below:

A warmer and drier than average winter is causing sled dog trainers to use off-season training techniques in lieu of sleds, according to Sno-Trek Sled Dog Adventures trainer Howard Thompson.

“Simply put we’re running on wheels. We’ve had a tradition for decades actually of preparing our dogs for the winter season by having them pull motor less four wheelers or ATV’s”.

Portion so Central Wisconsin have seen daytime temperatures nearly six degrees warmer than usual in January, and the region is more than 11 inches below normal snowfall levels. Those factors have led to little to no snow pack in areas of unusually snow-covered Wisconsin.

Even areas with snow do not have enough to allow sleds to be used to run the dogs.

Regardless of trail conditions, Thompson says his team of Alaskan Huskies maintains their fitness. His dogs are part of Sno-Trek Sled Dog Adventures, W573 US Highway 10, Mondovi. The team takes tourists for rides through the landscapes of east central Wisconsin.

“Alaskan Huskies are a breed of dog that has resulted from a lot of cross breeding of different breeds in Alaska during the Gold Rush around 1900. They hear better, smell better, and see things that we don’t see” Thompson said.

Thompson says that no matter what the conditions or weather is like, his dogs’ safety comes first.

“You always finish and leave gas in their tank. That’s how you develop trust. They know you’ll rest them before they need rest. You water and feed them before they need those things” he said. Click here to visit the original source of this post

Alaskan husky exercise with or without snow, and this story above shows how important it is for these dogs to know that they can exert and fulfill tasks that they love to do for both mental stimulation and that physical drive that’s bred into them. With the right care and attention the Alaskan husky develops a deep respect for their owner knowing that they are connected and cared for and given responsibility. This can also work for all breeds of dog, although obviously not all breeds are for pulling sleds, but it’s the work, the desire to please that can be used to keep dogs physically fit and given the opportunity to assist in some way—which is their natural yearning.

Articles Against Puppy Mills and Cruelty to Man’s Best Friend

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Articles Against Puppy Mills and Cruelty to Man’s Best Friend

Articles Against Puppy Mills and Cruelty to Man’s Best Friend

The internet is awash with articles against puppy mills and cruelty to man’s best friend. It’s when good people unite that things begin to happen, and although it appears that there are no solid laws to stop some of these practices, if enough people speak out to their local leaders and congressmen, changes can be made. Evil abounds when good people do nothing, and although there are active movements and motivated individuals out there, it’s the changes in law, both on the Federal and State levels that will force these cruel practices to be put to an end.

Imagine your family pet caged for life, breeding in a wire cage like a caged hen laying eggs. Unthinkable isn’t it? Well that’s exactly what happens to these poor animals, and according to existing Federal and State laws, the definition of “puppy mill” is a little grey and herein lies the problem of enforcing laws to prohibit such a practice.

As strange as this may sound, the following article on the ASPCA website outlines the dilemma.

However, I don’t see why it’s so hard to define what a puppy mill is, and we all know what it is, so why complicate the definition!?

I would agree with the Wikipedia definition of puppy mill:

A puppy mill, sometimes known as a puppy farm, is a commercial facility that is operated with an emphasis upon profits above animal welfare and is often in substandard conditions regarding the well-being of dogs in their care.

A legal definition for the term “puppy mill” was established in Avenson v. Zegart in 1984: “a dog breeding operation in which the health of the dogs is disregarded in order to maintain a low overhead and maximize profits.”

Articles Against Puppy Mills and Cruelty to Man’s Best Friend

While the ASPCA defines a puppy mill as “a large-scale commercial dog breeding operation where profit is given priority over the well-being of the dogs,” there is no official definition of “puppy mill” in the legal world. This is one of the reasons why it has been so difficult to create laws that crack down on puppy mills. Also, it’s important to note that the commercial breeding of dogs is regulated on the federal level and on the state level—but only in some states.

Furthermore, some commercial breeders who sell directly to the public—including those who sell puppies online—fall into a large regulatory loophole. The federal government doesn’t require them to be licensed, as it considers these breeders “retailers,” and thus the responsibility of the state—but states often categorize these operations as being primarily “breeders,” not retailers. The result is that no one regulates these facilities. There are no inspections, no standards that they are required to meet and no consequences for providing inadequate care. As Internet purchases of puppies increase, more and more breeders are using this loophole to get around regulation and inspection. Lack of enforcement by the USDA and state departments of agriculture means thousands of dogs are left to suffer in inadequate and inhumane conditions.

The laws discussed below, which concern puppy mill-related standards and rules, are civil laws—they are distinct from animal cruelty laws, which are criminal laws. For clarity, a similar application of civil law is how restaurants are regulated by their state’s health department. Restaurants that violate health codes can be cited, just like commercial kennels that violate kennel standards.

Federal Laws

The Animal Welfare Act

The Animal Welfare Act (AWA), a federal law passed in 1966, regulates certain animal activities, including commercial dog and cat breeding. The AWA defines the minimum standards of care for dogs, cats and certain other species of animals bred for commercial resale and exhibition. It also requires that certain commercial breeders be licensed and routinely inspected by the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA). However, violations regularly go unpunished, and there are innumerable loopholes and faults within the current system. For example, only animal-breeding businesses considered “wholesale” operations—those that sell animals to stores for resale—are overseen by the USDA. The AWA does not apply to facilities that sell directly to the public, including the thousands that now do so via the Internet (Original story here)

With enough articles against puppy mills and cruelty to man’s best friend to indicate the general public’s outrage you would think that we could do more to stop this inhumane treatment of innocent animals. When you consider how sinister this practice has become, and with a commercial mindset at the forefront in the minds of these dog breeders, you’d think it would be a no-brainer to ban such ill-treatment. Voice your concerns to local authorities and question the origin of puppies in the pet store, or if you plan on purchasing online. Research the background of the breeder and refuse to buy pets from puppy mills.

 

Best Puppy Exercise: How Much is Too Much, How Little is Too Little?

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Written by Senior Editor Peter Gehr

Best Puppy Exercise: How Much is Too Much, How Little is Too Little?

Best Puppy Exercise: How Much is Too Much, How Little is Too Little?

Best puppy exercise: How much is too much, how little is too little? It’s obvious that a well-planned exercise regimen is going to be both good for your puppy and good for you too. A good thing to keep in mind from the very beginning is to be sure not to overdo with your pet, as his bones are still developing and his little legs are not quite big enough to keep up with you. To overdo could mean damaging your dog by pushing him too far, for too long.

Having said that, chances are that your puppy will let you know when he’s tired, especially when he is very young, but the time will come when you will need to provide more running for your dog than what most people can provide, and this is where fetching a ball or Frisbee can come in very handy.

Be sure to provide the fresh and clean water that he needs after exercising. If you don’t provide water, chances are he will drink whatever he can find, i.e. from a puddle, and this may not always be ideal—or safe.

Best Puppy Exercise: How Much is Too Much, How Little is Too Little?

The first step is to set a routine for yourself and set goals that aren’t out of reach. Your puppy will have no problem getting up early in the morning or finding the energy to play later on in the day, so it’s best to find what works best with your lifestyle.

Next, decide on which time of the day is best for you. In today’s world we are all busy will a million things to do and not enough time in the day, so by setting a time it will keep you on track towards your goals. Working out in the morning will start your day off on the right foot and will give you energy and help you charge through your day. Puppies also benefit from exercise early in the morning, especially if you are gone at work because they will burn off a lot of energy and will be rested while you are at work.

Figuring out an exercise routine may seem confusing and you may feel out of your element, but making goals and developing what works for you is all about being fit. If running works for you, then taking your puppy on runs and walks is for you. If playing fetch in a park and running around chasing balls and Frisbees is more up your ally, your puppy won’t complain. Remember, working out with your puppy is all about staying/getting fit and spending quality time with them. As long as you give it your all, it’ll be worth it.

Staying fit is also important for a puppy because it gives them a strong foundation and sets the pace for the rest of their life. Keeping your puppy strong and energized will help them feel more comfortable and confident with you as their leader. Click here to visit the original source of this post

Best puppy exercise: How much is too much, how little is too little? If you cannot provide enough exercise for your pet, then it may be an idea to look at finding someone who can do it for you. There are numerous dog walking services available, but the best thing for your dog is to exercise with you, as this is a great time to bond daily and to strengthen your relationship with him. He will look forward to it, and the consistent regularity will provide him with that outlet of energy that he needs, as well at the mental stimulation he needs for health and well-being—not to mention the great exercise and fun it can be for you too.

How to Deal with Dog Aggression and Lack of Exercise

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How to Deal with Dog Aggression and Lack of Exercise

How to Deal with Dog Aggression and Lack of Exercise

How to deal with dog aggression and lack of exercise. The very title of this article addresses the problem and the solution. In other words, if you have an aggressive dog, it’s usually because of a lack of exercise and attention. Aggression should not be tolerated from the very beginning and needs to be dealt with to help your pet understand that this is not acceptable behavior. Unfortunately, a lot of people get a dog, play with him when he’s a puppy, and once he’s grown out of the puppy stage, they leave him to himself and give the reign over the backyard. Or, in some cases, he’s chained with little access to space.

Your dog will rule the backyard like he owns it, and anyone walking passed your house will soon become enemies and threats to his domain, and his aggression will increase and blow completely out of proportion.

Daily and regular time and effort with your dog from day one will give your pet both the stimulation of exercise, and the security and trust he feels from you will establish his behavior and structure his mentality.

Aggression is all too often the fault of the pet owner who has either neglected the dog, or encouraged the dog to behave like that from day one.

How to Deal with Dog Aggression and Lack of Exercise

Here are some great tips from one of the best, Cesar Millan:

Dog aggression is a major problem for dog owners. Dog aggression stems from the dog’s frustration and dominance. The dog’s frustration comes from a lack of exercise, and the dog’s dominance comes from a lack of calm-assertive leadership.

Breed and Dog Aggression

I deal with a lot of red zone dog behavior cases, and I often hear people incorrectly blaming the breed. Any breed can cause trouble. The difference between an aggressive Chihuahua and an aggressive pit bull is that the bigger breeds can cause proportionately bigger damage.

It is important to recognize the power of a strong breed, like the pit bull, the Cane Corso, and the Mastiff. These dogs are very powerful and, if they are unbalanced, they can cause serious injury. Bad things happen when powerful breeds (or mixes of powerful breeds) live with humans who like the breed but don’t understand and fulfill the animal in the dog. Many people consider the look or popularity of a breed before thinking about whether the dog works for their lifestyle. This is a recipe for disaster.

To control a powerful breed, you need to become the dog’s pack leader and establish rules, boundaries, and limitations.

Fear-Aggressive Dogs

For many of these dogs, it is a lack of adequate exercise that is the root of the problem dog behavior. Physical activity burns the dog’s excess energy and helps maintain his healthy state of mind. This is important because, in order to talk to the mind, you need to remove the energy from the body.

Dog-Aggressive Dogs

Your dogs are asking you to step up as the pack leader. Animals select pack leaders because they instinctually know who is strong and who can best lead them. An animal pack leader is concerned for the pack, not for himself. His natural instincts are protection and direction for the entire pack. It’s an unselfish role and an instinctual role. And in return, the pack completely trusts the pack leader. You need to earn your dogs’ trust, loyalty, and respect before they will look to you as their leader and you do this by giving them rules, boundaries, and limitations.

Red Zone Dogs

It is important to understand that red-zone dogs are usually frustrated animals. To control a powerful breed, you need to master the position of pack leader. The sheer size and strength of a pit bull, Mastiff, Cane Corso, Rottweiler, or any other large dog can quickly transform a frustrated and dominant animal into a serious threat. You must gain control of the situation and dog behavior before it escalates. (Original story here)

How to deal with dog aggression and lack of exercise will be measured by your consistence and dedication. If you’ve let this happen to your dog, it is a matter of you making the necessary changes for your dog to change. The responsibility is yours, and it’s vital for you to regain the assertion of the dog’s leader. An aggressive dog is a threat to society, and it’s only a matter of time when someone is bitten or terrified by it. It doesn’t have to be that way, and the best time to start training your dog against aggression is from the day you bring the dog home to your family.

 

What the American Veterinary Medical Association Says About Dog Flu

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What the American Veterinary Medical Association Says About Dog Flu

What the American Veterinary Medical Association Says About Dog Flu

What the American Veterinary Medical Association says about dog flu. According to the AVMA, “it’s really based on the benefit-risk to a particular dog.” In other words, if your dog is very social and spends a lot of time with other animals, boarding facilities, kennels, group obedience training sessions, then it may be a good idea to vaccinate.

Dog flu can spread very quickly amongst other dogs, so to avoid such infection consult with your vet for their expert advice and the options available.

What the American Veterinary Medical Association Says About Dog Flu

“Dogs have no natural immunity to influenza whatsoever,” said Thomas Burns, veterinarian with Veterinary Associates of Cape Cod in South Yarmouth.

“All it takes is one dog in a kennel” to get sick to cause an outbreak, said veterinarian Claire Sharp, an assistant professor at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.

The virus has been reported in Massachusetts in companion animals and in greyhounds in 2005, she said.

According to media reports, the animal virus also has broken out in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Colorado and Texas.

Flu symptoms in dogs are similar to those of a head cold in people. Fido may cough, sneeze, run a low-grade fever and experience discharge around the nose and eyes.

“For most dogs it’s a very mild disease,” Burns said.

The risk of an outbreak is too high for Cape Cod Farm Kennels, which can board up to 80 dogs at a time, McMorrow said.

Dogs start “shedding” the virus before they show symptoms, she said, which increases the risk of dog owners taking infected canines to places where other dogs congregate.

Pet groomers and other animal handlers also can pass along the virus on their clothing, Sharp said.

“The virus actually can live on our clothes,” she said. “It can live for a couple of days on inanimate objects.”

Approximately 5 to 8 percent of dogs exposed to the virus will die, Sharp said.

The relatively low mortality rate means the vaccine “wouldn’t be warranted for all dogs,” said Lynne White-Shim, a veterinarian and assistant director with the division of scientific activities at the American Veterinary Medical Association in Schaumburg, Ill.

“It’s really based on the benefit-risk to a particular dog,” she said.

For dogs that spend time near other dogs in kennels, doggie day care and socialize heavily at dog parks the vaccine would be a “good idea,” Burns said.

Veterinarians say they are not aware of any outbreaks of H3N8 on the Cape. Click here to visit the original source of this post

What the American Veterinary Medical Association says about dog flu is to basically take the precaution of immunization if your dog regularly spends a lot of time with other dogs. You should take the advice of your local vet who knows your pet and any possible risks you may need to consider. Again, it’s that “benefit-risk” factor that should be part of your decision-making. Keeping your dog healthy by giving him all the right foods, exercise and fresh water will keep his immune system optimized. However, do keep in mind that your dog has no natural immunity against influenza.

Good Reasons Why to Get a Dog License

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Good Reasons Why to Get a Dog License

Good Reasons Why to Get a Dog License

Getting your dog’s legal paperwork in order will vary from State to State, and there are lots of good reasons why to get a dog license.

There are numerous reasons why you should get a dog license for your pet, and probably one at the top of the list is that is shows you are a responsible owner, and you care for your animal.

Besides, if your dog were to get lost, you may never find your beloved puppy again if he/she has no license, and let me tell you a story to emphasize my point:

My dog Jessica used to sit by my towel when I was out surfing. She would sit there for hours without moving, or even responding to people walking past. She would stare out at the ocean until she’d see me coming out of the water, and then she’d come charging towards me like I’d been gone for eternity.

One afternoon, I was surfing with a group of friends, and, as per usual Jessica sat by my towel diligently waiting for me to arrive, and once I got out of the water she was there on the shoreline with her traditional greeting, dancing up and down, and then settling down to walking beside me. Okay, so everything was routine, and she followed me up to the car like we’d done hundreds of times, I put away all my gear, got in the car and drove away—without the dog! So you’re thinking just like I did, OMG! However, I didn’t realize until I got home that she wasn’t in the car. The whole time I thought she was asleep on the back seat as per usual—but when I got home and realized she wasn’t there, my heart sank. To cut a long story short, her license identified her, I was called immediately, and I drove to pick her up, and that never happened again. Whew!

Good Reasons Why to Get a Dog License

By Nicole Pajer (writing for Cesar’s Way)

1. It’s the law. In most states, it’s mandatory that dog owners have their pets licensed. If you get caught without a license, which can and does happen, you will be hit with a hefty fine. Dogs must have a renewed license each year, which must be displayed on them at all times.

2. If your dog goes missing, having him licensed drastically improves your chances of getting him back. A license tag helps animal control and shelters quickly identify your dog and get him back to you safely. If your dog is found wandering the streets, a rescue organization can easily look up your dog via its license identifying number. Dogs that are licensed tend to be kept at the shelter longer than unlicensed dogs, which are the first to be euthanized if their owners do not quickly claim them.

3. The cost of the license is far less than the penalty for being caught without one. If a city official finds your dog without a license, you can end up paying a fee of up to $250! In addition, some cities consider owning an unlicensed dog to be a class IV misdemeanor.

4. Licensing lets people know that your dog is up to date on its rabies vaccinations. A dog cannot be licensed unless it is properly vaccinated. Animal control or a Good Samaritan will be much more likely to want to handle and care for your missing pup if they know that it is healthy and sans rabies.

5. License fees support the efforts of many local animal shelters. Typically, the annual fee that you pay to license your dog helps to keep shelters running and supports the work of your local animal control. By paying to properly ID your dog, you are helping to feed and house stray dogs found on the streets within your city. Click here to visit the original source of this post

Again, each state has different fees and requirements. Simply check with the local authority and you can sort it out pretty easily. The above are good reasons why to get a dog license, do your best to be a good dog owner by keeping your pet safe, documented and in compliance to your community rules—it’s not a hard thing to do, and the fees are reasonable.

Dog Overweight Health Problems: Prevention and Solutions

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Did you know that over half the dog population in the United States are clinically obese? This is most often a result of poor diet and lack of exercise. Dog overweight health problems: prevention and solutions are based on common sense, but in a lot of cases, it’s a matter of complete reeducation and lifestyle change. Even though pet owners are well-meaning, and love their dogs and want them to be happy and let them eat whatever they want to eat, sadly, this can often lead to a shortened life in addition to hefty vet bills as you try to nurse the pudgy pooch in its declining health.

Remember this: your dog is a dog, and not a human. Your dogs internal organs and processing systems and tolerances are totally different from that of a human being.

Of course, it’s so easy to spoil our pets, much the same as you want to spoil your kids, but getting back to the pith of the matter, human food is often totally unsuitable for pet consumption. Ice cream, sugar, chocolate, beer, avocado, tea and coffee, the list goes on. I’m sure that even from my short list here, you may be guilty of feeding at least one of these items, right?

Dog Overweight Health Problems: Prevention and Solutions

EL PASO- New research says that 55% of dogs and 54% of cats in the U.S. are obese or overweight according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention.

It seems like we might be giving our pets too many treats and not enough exercise. Bottom line is pets are battling excess weight and it can lead to serious health problems.

So how can you as a pet owner get your pet to lose that weight and eat better? Pet owners might treat cats and dogs like part of the family.

According to the American Pet Products Association, we spend on our pets just as if they were a member of the family too.

Pet experts say obesity is one of the biggest reasons for those rising vet bills. So how can you tell if you pet needs to lose a few? “I usually tell my clients it really doesn’t matter what the number is it matters whether they meet these three criteria in my mind, so as long as you can feel the ribs without having to dig into them, um you can have an hour glass figure from the last rib to the hip when you’re looking down on them and tucked in tummy,” says Vet Annette Davis.

Many owners think that by overfeeding and giving treats, they’re showing their pet love. But experts say the truth is you could be shortening their lives. Pets are susceptible to diseases just like we are.”Pets can get Diabetes and Pancreatic and Liver Disease and Kidney Disease and Heart Disease and all of those are made worse or brought on because of obesity.”

Starting a healthy lifestyle when the pets are young is so important. “Think that’s a perfect way to start your puppy so whenever they get older they’re already stronger and know what to do,” said Abraham Rocha. Abraham and his mom just got their puppy Bella a month ago. They say they only feed the dog twice a day and walk her twice a week.

Doctor Davis says everything in moderation is key. “Maintain a good diet, you know food that is dog food, not table food, not a whole lotta treats, a good exercise program.” Click here to visit the original source of this post

Dog overweight health problems: Prevention and solutions should be implemented immediately if it’s obvious that your dog is obese. Consult your vet and come up with a feeding and exercise regimen that will help your dog trim down to be normal again. This is going to take effort and persistence to the plan. A dog’s life is short enough as it is, so give them the opportunity to live a healthy and happy life by providing your pet with a balanced and species appropriate lifestyle.

Sudden Dog Behavior Changes May Mean Health Issues

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Sudden Dog Behavior Changes May Mean Health Issues

Sudden Dog Behavior Changes May Mean Health Issues

Sudden dog behavior changes may mean health issues are present in your puppy. Of course, every time your pet acts abnormally it doesn’t always mean that there’s anything wrong at all, but the point of this article is to help you be aware and to keep track of any early warning signs that may be revealing themselves.

Dogs, and especially puppies are developing and learning all the time, and they are often experimenting with their bodies as to how fast they can run, how quick they can turn, how much they can eat, and a myriad of other developmental behavior that you will notice from the day your puppy enters your home—not to mention the funny antics and hilarious games they play.

Sudden Dog Behavior Changes May Mean Health Issues

Martin Deeley, a dog training expert expounds on some important points:

When you feel under the weather or have a disease of any nature, other people notice it. Your behavior, attitude, body language, and facial expressions change. Your friends may tell you, “You are not your usual self.” You may feel nervous in certain situations, irritable even aggressive and you may also make mistakes that you would not normally make. Plus, other behaviors can emerge that you have never had before. This can be the same for your dog.

Let’s look at some of the potential medical issues that could be causing your dog’s behavior problems:

Your dog could encounter hormonal imbalance and an increase in thyroid abnormalities for some dog breeds. With today’s technology, we do have the advantage of being able to identify these abnormalities much more easily and conveniently. Fearfulness, aggression, and altered brain function are some of the symptoms of hypothyroid disease. I personally had a young pup that tested normal, but she was continuously losing her fur and was not acting as I expected. A discussion with a good friend, who is also an excellent nutritionalist and has vast experience both in training, behavior and physical causes of bad behavior, advised me to change my dogs diet and to ask my vet if he would consider a low dose thyroid medication. You could also ask your vet to expand the thyroid panel, before attempting thyroid drug trial. (Such a trial can have hyperthyroid effects if there really is normal thyroid function). My vet agreed and recommended a low dose, which improved my dog’s condition dramatically over two weeks.

Parasites can create internal disorders and these are often the prime cause of behavior changes. Therefore regular worming for parasites is essential, especially heartworm. It has not been uncommon for me to notice a client’s dog has tapeworm when they come in for Board and Train. The owners did not realize there was an infestation because either they had not made an effort to pick up the feces immediately, or the dog had defecated in bushes where they never saw it.

Tapeworm is more easily identified. It shows mainly first thing in the morning where it can be seen quite clearly as what looks like moving white rice grains in the feces. Some breeds can experience chronic bowel syndrome, pancreatitis and have food allergies. In fact, we are seeing more allergies that create skin problems and internal disorders more today than ever before. The discomfort can initiate unpleasant behaviors.

Heart problems, bacterial and viral diseases, and stress can also play a part in affecting a dogs behavior. Pain and discomfort is probably the most common reason for unwanted behavior. I started off by saying we do not behave as we normally would when we are feeling ‘under the weather’ or in pain, and your dog is no different. (Original story here)

Sudden dog behavior changes may mean health issues, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on them if repeated or uncharacteristic behavior continues. No need to run to the vet every time your puppy hiccups, but if an active puppy is acting lethargic, or a passive puppy acts aggressive for no apparent reason, these may be signs of problems that you need to address. A dog cannot tell you he is sick in words, but he can certainly tell you by his actions.

 

Best Tips on How to Pick a Puppy for Your Family

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Written by Senior Editor Peter Gehr

Best Tips on How to Pick a Puppy for Your Family

Best Tips on How to Pick a Puppy for Your Family

If you’re considering a pet, here are the best tips on how to pick a puppy for your family. Although you may be able to find a bargain from a litter across town, you should be aware that that sort of bargain can end up costing you money and emotional trauma. Having said that, I’m not suggesting that you don’t do that, but I am recommending caution to avoid inheriting a sick or unhealthy puppy.

By knowing some fundamentals in order to make an informed decision, you can avoid issues that you may not even be aware exist. In fact, the only criteria most people in mind are limited to the following: Is it cute?

However, try to be a little more objective when making this choice. Be pragmatic and sensible and be sure you have some testing rules in place to help you.

Best Tips on How to Pick a Puppy for Your Family

Here are some steps to include to help you choose your pet:

Choosing a healthy puppy is easy. Health is the foundation everything else builds off. If you ignore this simple, puppy health check you may end up paying for it later.

Before you start any puppy testing , you should follow some basic guidelines to find a healthy pup. Make sure you spend time evaluating each puppy.

Be objective. Don’t fall in love with a puppy because you feel sorry for it, or think it’s cute. Of course it’s cute, they’re all cute. You have plenty of time to coo once you have a healthy puppy romping around with you.

Sickly puppies and dogs are a burden both emotionally and monetarily. Before taking on a dog or puppy with known health problems, be sure you have the means in both time and money.

If you do end up with a sickly dog, or puppy you will need to have a veterinarian check them out thoroughly.

When you approach a litter of pups observe them for a while. Do you see any pups that don’t seem to fit in? Are there any with noticeable limps or discharge around their eyes? Are their coats clotted and matted? Do you see any bare spots? If yes, it is worth inspecting the whole litter very carefully. It’s not uncommon for a whole litter of puppies to become infected from one sickly pup.

After observing the puppies pick each one up and make some, simple inspections:

A healthy puppy has teeth that meet in the front of the mouth with the tops slightly overlapping. Pull back their lips and check. At the same time look for pink, wet gums, and bright white teeth.

A healthy puppy’s nose should be slightly damp. It shouldn’t drip or leak mucus. A puppy’s breathing should be clear without any raspiness. Puppies shouldn’t have stuffed noses.

Check the puppy’s ears. They should be clean and should not carry any offensive odors.

A healthy puppy’s feet and legs will point forward when the puppy is standing. Dogs shouldn’t be pigeon toed or bowlegged. Run your hand down each limb feeling for any obvious abnormalities.

Check the eyes. They should be clear without any mucus buildup around the lids. The hair around the eyes should be unmatted and dry.

Litter Condition

Check the overall condition of the litter area. The litter area should be free of dog poop and pee. The puppy’s fur should be clean. If you see poop on their fur it most likely means the pen was neglected. Healthy puppies won’t poop where they eat and sleep unless they have no other choice. Puppies that have been living in filth may have problems with rolling and poop eating when they become adult dogs. They will also be harder to house train.

The great majority of puppies are healthy puppies, but it’s worth a close inspection to make sure your new best friend is a healthy puppy. Click here to visit the original source of this post

Some of the best tips on how to pick a puppy for your family are actually pretty practical and methodical. Let yourself be guided with a reasonable approach to the decision process, and you’ll end up with an assurance that you’ve chosen well, and chosen “cute.”