Pampered Dog Blog

People tend to think that dogs can have only a few health problems in their lifetime and that these problems are specific to dogs. But dogs can develop the same health problems that humans can and the treatments for these problems are similar to the treatments for humans. Your dog is not that much different than you and since he can’t speak for himself, he depends on you to recognize any health problems he may develop.

Dogs can develop diabetes the same as humans. If you notice your dog losing weight, eating or drinking more than usual or urinating frequently, see your veterinarian. He will do a series of blood tests to determine if your dog has diabetes. If your dog is diagnosed with diabetes, it is easily managed with insulin injections.

Your dog can also develop cancer of just about any region of his body. The treatment for cancer is chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Sometimes, depending on the cancer and it’s stage of advancement, chemotherapy is more for pain control and life extension than a cure.

Arthritis is a common ailment in older dogs. The best thing for dogs with arthritis is adequate rest. Too much exercise or over exertion could lead to joint damage. You may give your dog NSAIDS for pain relief under the supervision of your vet. It is important that you keep your dog’s weight under control. Dogs can become obese just like humans, especially if their activity level is not what it used to be. Obesity can cause excess damage to the arthritic joints.

Your dog can also develop allergies to certain environmental toxins. But instead of the normal respiratory symptoms that humans will exhibit, dogs will exhibit allergy symptoms by excessive scratching. They will also bite or lick their paws excessively. If left untreated, the scratching can lead to secondary skin infections such as a yeast infection. This makes it harder to cure. Your vet can determine if the cause of the excessive scratching is due to allergies.

There is a very long list of diseases and aliments that your dog can acquire as he gets older. The best thing that you can do is become very observant. Know your dog’s normal routines and mannerisms. If you notice him acting differently take note of it. Your dog can have days when he just doesn’t feel good, but if he continues to act strangely you need to take him to the vet. The veterinarian will most likely run blood tests or do x-rays to determine the problem. Then he can discuss with you the best treatment option for your pet.

Your dog is not that much different than you. He deserves a chance at a full and happy life. If he is diagnosed with a health problem, follow your vet’s recommendation for treatment. With the advancement of medical interventions for animals, euthanasia is no longer the only option for a sick dog. Read more other info about Dogs Pets and Dog Kennels.

Access expert suggestions in the topic of house train a dog – welcome to your personal knowledge base.

When you think of a hotspot you may imagine a hip nightclub or a packed restaurant, but dog hotspots are nowhere near as fun. For a dog a hotpot can be a painful irritation that can potentially be a serious health complication if infection sets in. So what is a canine hotspot, and how do you know if your dog has one?

What are Hotspots?

            A hotspot begins when your dog’s skin itches, for a variety of reasons. It could be that allergies are irritating the skin, or that trapped moisture is making him itchy. Because dog allergies are more common in the summer (grass and pollen abound) they are often known as a summertime ailment, but they can happen year round. Mats in longer haired breeds also create an ideal situation for hotspots because the skin can’t breathe and moisture gets trapped beneath the matted hairs. When the pup begins to scratch the itchy area repeatedly he digs into the skin, creating a raw area that is vulnerable to bacteria. These germs move in and set up house, creating an irritating open sore known as a dog hotspot.

How Do I Recognize a Hotspot?

            Sometimes dog hotspots can be sneaky little things, hiding under hair so that you don’t even know that they are there. The first step is to monitor your dog’s behavior. Is he itching a particular spot over and over? Also look for licking and even whining, which indicates that the area is painful for your dog. If he exhibits these behaviors, cuddle up to him and explore the itchy area. Pull back the fur so that you can see his skin and look for raw and red areas. If you find a hotspot make sure to trim the fur away from the area gently so that the hotspot can breathe, trapped moisture only promotes bacterial growth.

            Now you know how to find out if your dog has a hotspot. Don’t worry though, hotspots are easily cured, sometimes even at home.

Are you up for the challenge? Great, because in today’s article we are going to discuss a simple method that can help you leash train your dog and teach her to obey the ?let’s go? command.

Because new puppies are easily distracted by anything and everything around them, it is important to start your ?lets go? leash training in a relatively quiet area. There should be very little distractions from other cats and dogs, children, and loud noises. The perfect area would be a private backyard or a quiet sidewalk in front, so long as you have a little bit of privacy.

The equipment you will need is simple: a leash, a loose fitting collar for your dog’s neck, and a squeaky toy that you will use to divert his attention towards you.

The first thing you will need to do is to get your dog interested in the squeaky toy that you have brought with you. Play with it and show it to her in a friendly manner while talking to your dog at the same time and asking ?what’s this?, ?pretty toy huh?, or ?look what I got? – doing so in a tone of voice that makes your puppy feel comfortable and playful. Everybody has that ?cutesy voice? that like to talk to their pets with, so use yours!

At this point your dog should be very turned on to the squeaky toy and will want to follow your hands and the fun noises that follow. To test this out you should get your dog’s attention diverted away from you, perhaps towards another animal, and then start squeezing the toy to see if she forgets the activity around her and darts towards you and the noise.

Stand with your dog at your left side while you have coiled most of the leash in your right hand. Your left hand should be holding the end of the leash near the collar as well as the squeaky toy. When you’re ready to move, give a loud ?Let’s Go!? command and begin to walk away. It is important that your command is in a cheerful and positive tone of voice.

Your dog should then start moving at your same pace because there is little room for the leash to extend and the fun in a squeaky toy that she loves so much is right near her face, keeping her entertained and wanting to move towards that direction.

Be sure to utilize the simple training procedure for only a few steps at a time. If you make the mistake of trying to keep your dog walking on the leash after giving the ?let’s go? command for too far lengths at a time, she will get bored quickly and will stop watching you in the toy, as well as your movements.

Repeat this protocol as often as needed until your dog will follow in your direction without the use of a diversion (the squeaky toy). Checkout other free info about Small Pet Dogs and Dogs Pet Supplies.

Grab practical hints to house train dog – welcome to your own knowledge pack.

Glucosamine is a substance that has been used as a supplement for people in treatment of arthritis and other joint conditions for many years. Because of its success in humans in the treatment and prevention of arthritis the supplement is also being used for the same purpose in dogs. This article will give you all the information you need, including the recommended glucosamine dosage for dogs, and how to increase the effectiveness of the supplement.

Arthritis is an extremely common condition in dogs with around 20% of the American population of dogs suffering from the condition in one of its many forms. There are certain dogs that are more at risk of developing the condition than others including overweight and bigger breeds of dogs, which is why increasing numbers of vets advise giving your dog a good glucosamine based supplement.

Because glucosamine is a naturally occuring substance within a dogs body it is extremely hard to give them to much and for them to OD on the supplement. But to ensure the effectiveness of the supplement for an average sized labrador the amount you will need to give them will vary between 1000mg to 2000mg depending upon the seriousness of the joint condition. Most vets will recommend that you use a higher glucosamine dosage for your dog in the first few weeks and then reduce it.

But rest assured that when you buy any glucosamine supplement from a good manufacturer they will provide you with a table stating the recommended glucosamine dosage for a dog, dependent upon the weight of your dog.

You can increase the effectiveness of the glucosamine that you give your dog by making sure that the supplement that you are giving them contains chondroitin as well. All the clinical tests that have been carried out so far on dogs have concluded that when the two substances are used in conjunction they are more effective than just using on their own.

This is because glucosamine is used in your dogs body to manufacture the cartilage on the ends of the bones, and accounts for a large part of all the cartilage in yours dogs joints. Chondroitin has a slightly different function, it acts as the scaffolding within the cartilage of your canines joints. It’s main function is to stop the cartilage being squashed and keep it rigid while holding all the substances that make up cartilage together.

So when there is not enough glucosamine or chondroitin in your dogs body to regenerate, the cartilage in your dogs joints this can lead to severe osteoarthritis in your dogs joints.

When you are looking for a supplement to buy for your dog it is wise to give them something that is recommended by vets and has a track record of sucessfully reversing the thinning of cartilage in your dogs joints. I say this because supplements for dogs are not approved by the FDA so some of them are not as effective as they promote themselves to be, so it is important to select a brand that has a good track record and is recognised and used by veterinary professionals. To watch a video of a vet with over 20 years experience talking about a supplement that he recommends visit http://dogglucosamineandchondroitin.weebly.com/.

Access useful ideas about house train dog – your personal guide.

I know this may be tough to believe, but not everyone likes your family dog. Keeping your pet in an enclosed space with a good quality pet fence, your dog can stay in your neighbors good graces. I know what you are thinking, it’s almost impossible to imagine that anyone who knows your dog doesn’t immediately fall in love. Well your dog might be ok with the neighbors but the things she does in their yard might not be so ok. This is one of the main reasons why every pet owner has an obligation to control their pets traveling range with some type of pet fencing.

One of the biggest problems is a dog deciding to go to the bathroom in your neighbors yard. Of course your pet might be the nicest dog in the world, but you can bet that your neighbor will get mightily upset if your dog starts leaving surprises all over the front lawn!

That’s not to say that your dog isn’t nice, or anything silly like that. Dogs are usually social animals and enjoy interaction with a variety of people and other animals. This interaction is not without consequences though, and you must realize this. Things can get broken, chewed on and otherwise “enjoyed” by your pet no matter if they belong to you or the neighbor.

There is also the issue of community security to be concerned with. This is even more true if you have a larger dog. Having a large dog escape the security of their owner’s yard could be seen as negligence. Many communities are becoming more and more upset at pet owners who allow their animals to free run of a neighborhood.

The old saying says that “A good fence makes for good neighbors”. That rings true with your pets as well. By keeping your dog in your own yard, you can rest easily with the peace of mind and comfort knowing that your pet is safe and not getting into any trouble. Invisible dog fence products are a great investment no matter which type of dog or other pet you have!

I highly recommend you go take a look at a dog fence system for your dog. I would most highly recommend Invisible Dog Fence brand.

Grab timely hints about house train a dog – welcome to your own knowledge base.

 So you love the city, from the easy availability of pizza at 2 am to the fantastic entertainment and access to shopping. But sometimes it can be hard to be a dog lover in the city, where living space is often cramped and exercise isn’t as easy as going to the backyard. But don’t fret, you can still be a dog owner in the city, it’s just important to consider what kind of dog would do well in that environment. To help you in your search for your urban canine companion, here are some suggestions.

The Chihuahua

            This spunky little dog is a firecracker in a tiny package. The Chihuahua is a breed of Mexican descent whose tiny stature (around 3-10 pounds usually) makes it a great dog for small spaces. The Chihuahua does like to play though, and has a lot of energy. Fortunately though, it is so small that a good walk around the block and some fetch will suffice. The Chihuahua is very loyal and usually devotes itself entirely to one person.

Boston Terrier

            The Boston Terrier is a smart little dog who likes to play fetch and cuddle equally. They are best kept indoors because they get cold and overheat easily, which makes them an ideal apartment dog. Boston Terriers also get along well with older children, and make great play companions.

The Pug

            If you are looking for a funny fellow to join your life, try a pug. These dogs, with their scrunched up faces, love to please whether it be playing a game of fetch or watching TV with you. Pugs are a bit bigger than the previous two breeds (14 to 18 pounds) but this makes them better dogs for families with young children. Pugs do best indoors because they get overheated easily.

The Japanese Chin

            The Japanese Chin is an excellent dog for those who love a constant companion. The Chin is devoted to his family and gets along well with others pets. He only needs a moderate amount of exercise, and does best indoors, making him the perfect apartment dog. Chins live to please and are fairly easy to train, though it is important they are properly socialized as puppies in order to make them sociable around strangers.

            Of course, everyone has a breed preference, but these dogs are very well suited to living in a city. It’s important to find a dog that will be happy to live in a smaller environment and get less exercise, because an unhappy dog can be a destructive dog. Good luck finding the urban pooch of your dreams!

 He’s your best friend, so why can’t he also be the first mate of your ship? That’s right, taking your dog boating is an excellent idea, you can have a blast together while forming a unique bond that not all dog owners get to share. Many dog breeds especially love the water, and will feel completely at home, whether in a lake or at sea. But, as with any other outing, you need to take some steps to ensure your dog’s safety and comfort while aboard your vessel. Think about the following tips when taking your dog boating.

Bring Fresh Water

            It is very important to bring water for your dog to drink on the boat, especially if it’s a warm day. The sun beating off of the reflective water can make your dog even warmer, and he can become dehydrated very quickly. Bring a fresh source of water for him; don’t just expect him to magically drink out of the lake. Don’t forget to bring some water for yourself as well, dehydration is no laughing matter.

Buy Matching Life Jackets

            Well, they don’t have to be matching, but wouldn’t it be cute if they did? Regardless of whether they match, both you and your dog need to be wearing life jackets. It doesn’t matter if your dog is a lab who seems to share more DNA with a duck than a dog, he still needs one. Your dog could fall in while the boat is moving or he could panic when he senses the depth of the lake, which is far greater than it is near the shore. Either way, isn’t it easier to put a doggy life jacket on Fido than to risk his life?

Bring Towels and a Blanket

            If your dog goes swimming he’s going to be very wet, and it’s far better to towel him off than have him shake all over your boat! Bring your dog’s blanket as well. Even if it is warm the breeze that blows by when the boat is moving can be very chilly, and your dog will be much more comfortable with a blanket.

            Boating can be a fun experience for the whole family, so don’t leave your canine members out. Be safe, and have fun on the high seas!

Check our these adorable dog life jackets at Pampered-Dog-Gifts.com

With so many different kinds of dog shampoos on the market today, it is not easy to decide which one to use.  For most breeds, a basic, all-purpose shampoo is fine.  But if you want your shampoo to do more than clean, you might consider a specialty shampoo.

• Shampoos designed to deliver extra conditioning to long or curly coats can make post-bath grooming even easier.

• Accentuate your dog’s coat color by choosing a shampoo made for white, black, or red coats.

• For sensitive eyes, consider a tearless shampoo.

• For wire-coated dogs, look for a shampoo designed to preserve the crisp texture of your dog’s coat.

• Many dogs have sensitive skin or eyes.  A hypoallergenic shampoo can minimize sensitivity reactions to bathing.

• If your dog already has a rash, allergies, itching, or other sensitive skin conditions, look for a medicated shampoo designed to treat your dog’s problem. Your vet should be able to recommend a good medicated shampoo for your dog.

• For flea season, consider a shampoo containing a gentle anti-flea ingredient such as pyrethrin or limonene, or any of several natural botanicals designed to repel fleas, such as neem oil.

Here is a recipe for dog biscuits that my dogs just love.

Ingredients:
1 cup oatmeal
1/3 cup margarine
1 tablespoon beef boullion granules
5 1/2 cups hot water
1 tablespoon garlic powder (optional)
3/4 cup powdered milk
3/4 cup corn meal
3 cups whole wheat flour
1 egg  (beaten)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees

Put the oatmeal, margarine and boullion in separate bowl and pour the hot water over it.  Let stand for 6 minutes.

Stir in milk, cornmeal and egg.  Add flour 1/2 cup at a time mixing well after each addition.

Knead on floured surface for 3-4 minutes adding more flour if necessary to form a very stiff dough.

Roll dough to 1/2″ thickness and cut into shapes with your favorite doggy cookie cutter.

Bake at 325 degrees on parchment paper for 50 minutes.  Allow to cool and dry out until hard.  Store in air tight container.

THE IMPORTANCE OF DOG TRAINING

So you are probably thinking that any kind of training will spoil the relationship you have with your dog.  After all pampered dogs should get away with things, that’s what being spoiled is all about.  So he barks uncontrollably and pulls at the leash when going for a walk, and you do have to put him in another room anytime somebody knocks on the door so you can get the door open, but that’s OK because your dog rules the house.  He is spoiled rotten, right?  Well, not really.  Sorry to burst your bubble, but in spite of your dog not being human he is expected to act polite.  Sure your dogs’ antics may seem  adorable to you, you might think it’s cute when he jumps up and scratches the door or jumps all over company, but his victims are not amused.

You might think you don’t want to exercise the authority to discipline him and have what it takes to make him behave and that’s quite all right, really.  Being a dog owner doesn’t require to just jump in and start cracking the whip.  You are right in denouncing the pathetic idea that humans must dominate and establish who the boss is when dealing with animals.

Where you are wrong though is in your basic understanding of dog training.  You need to realize that training your dog is not proving how much better you are than he is.  You are not trying to teach him ‘human rules’  thereby trying to make it more ‘human’.  Training is not a way of ‘humanizing’ a dog, it is a way of improving the relationship you have with your dog and making him more sociable.

‘What’s the point of that?’ you might wonder.  Well, most of us spend the better part of our lives working at the office, taking care of personal business, online etc.  The little time we get to spend with our family and pets we try to blend with some sort of socializing.  We go for a walk after dinner or over to a friends’ house for a movie.  If our dogs are unfriendly and act up, we leave them behind, at home, alone.  Soon our dog is barely a part of our lives at all.

Now, just like humans, pets get lonely too.  It gets lonely when left by himself, alone, in a dark house with nobody to pat him on the head or pet him.

So you see, by not training your dog, you keep your dog from enjoying the company and activities he would like to do.

Obedience training is a means of letting your dog cope better with his environment.  It grants every dog an easier life and makes him easier to live with.  Training your dog will give you an opportunity to spend more time with your beloved pet, no matter where you are going.

So get in there and give your dog a pat on the head and take him out for training. A few magic words like ‘sit’, ‘stay’, ‘down’ and ‘come’ with change the relationship you have with your companion forever.