Archive for March 2009


Would getting a puppy be wrong?

March 31st, 2009 — 11:15 pm
puppy rescue
Gillyahoo asked:


Have had a really sweet 5 year old rescue dog but as she is an ex beeder all she does is sleep and cuddle. Introducing her to walks, play and toys. We wanted to get another dog so that she has company when we are out – would a puppy be the wrong thing as she is an ex breeder?

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12 comments » | Dogs

What a good puppy training place in Brighton or Hove?

March 31st, 2009 — 09:00 pm
puppy training
starsarahs asked:


I want to take my little Jaack Russell puppy to training classes in a clean and safe place. I live in Brighton and Hove. Can anyone reccomend?

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3 comments » | Dogs

What breed should my next dog be?

March 31st, 2009 — 07:07 pm
dog rescue
loveisokay asked:


Currently, I have a young puppy Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Whilst she is adorable lovely, I would like a larger dog that enjoys walks without being hyper – so something that is quite calm. I would also like a dog that doesn’t have a strong tendency to bark is very affectionate. Basically, similar to a Cavalier’s temperment but able to walk longer a bigger dog. Plus it must be good with cats, dogs children.

This is purely for research. Suggesting rescue dogs would be pretty useless right now.

Any opinions?

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23 comments » | Dogs

Stop Puppy from Biting

March 31st, 2009 — 12:19 pm

There is no need to be worried if a puppy starts biting you. This behavior is normal for puppies. As with human infants, puppies experience painful teething, which chewing, nibbling, and biting helps. In addition, this helps puppies to develop skills in chewing and eating. Chewing and biting are playtime activities for puppies.

Although biting is natural for puppies, there are things you can do to stop puppy biting. As his master, you are responsible for teaching him about good and bad behaviors with regard to his biting problems.

Puppies are usually adorable and cuddly and they don’t mean to injure anyone with their sharp little teeth. In their thinking, they are being playful and showing love. However, a small number of puppies will still find a reason to bite.

For a great guide to help you with your puppy behavior problems, I recommend that you take a look at: Stop Puppy Biting.

While puppies are still young, they must be discouraged from biting. Puppy biting should be stopped by 4 months of age or earlier.When puppies are left with their mother, they will learn to stop biting from her. A puppy that is taken away from his mother as soon as he is weaned will not have a chance to learn how to stop biting naturally.

Socializing puppies with other dogs and puppies is a good way to stop them from biting. It is probable that the company of other dogs will help your puppy to understand the lessons that his mother would have taught him. It is completely normal for puppies to nip and bite while they are playing. Your puppy will quickly realize that he dislikes being bitten by other dogs during playtime. Puppy biting will eventually stop due to just this factor.  This is a lesson that you can’t teach your puppy. It can only be taught through socialization with other dogs and puppies.

Your dog will learn not to fear other dogs if he is allowed to socialize with them. Puppies are able to be boisterous and play when they are with other dogs. It is also an ideal way for a puppy to burn up excess energy so you will be able to take home a calmer dog. A puppy is less inclined to bite if he is given plenty of time to play with other dogs.

If puppies are not properly socialized with other dogs, puppy biting may become an issue. There are two main reasons why dogs bite: fear or the need to display aggression in order to get a person or thing to move away from them. When a dog is not accustomed to being around other dogs, it is more likely that he will bite. Your puppy will eventually stop biting if he is socialized at a young age.

Your relationship with your dog must be based on mutual trust and respect. You should never yell at your puppy to discipline him. You should never slap, kick or hit your puppy. A firm and authoritative tone should be used along with a consistent approach with rewards and discipline. You should shower your dog with affection on a regular basis. A puppy that knows he is loved will quickly learn to stop puppy biting.

Visit our site today to stop puppy biting.

 

Comment » | Dogs

Dachshund’s Common Diseases

March 31st, 2009 — 12:19 pm

The title is a little misleading since no disease is truly common in Dachshunds. Most Dachshunds are born healthy and live long, relatively disease-free lives.Almost every dog can develop minor health issues even if they receive vaccinations and excellent life-long care. Even dogs that receive their vaccinations and excellent life-long care can develop some minor health issues in their lifetime.

Nevertheless, some conditions do occur more often in Dachshund than in other breeds.

Adrenal Gland Malfunction

One common disease of the adrenal gland is Cushing’s Disease, or hyperadrenocorticism. In Cushing’s Disease, too much of the hormone cortisol is produced, either by the adrenal gland or by a primary tumor, or a malfunction of the pituitary gland, which is the master gland that tells the adrenal gland how much cortisol to produce. The elevated cortisol level results in excessive drinking and urination, skin conditions, a pot-bellied appearance, hair loss and sometimes diabetes. Special lab tests are conducted to measure cortisol and the adrenal glands capability to produce cortisol. Several drugs are can be used to decrease the level of cortisol. On occasion, surgical removal of the adrenal gland may be needed. Cushing’s disease is also found in other breeds of dogs.

The opposite condition is called Addison’s disease or hypoadrenocorticsim (low cortisol). Whereas, Cushing’s takes some time to present itself, Addison’s disease is a sudden episode of collapse due to to low of glucose (blood sugar) and an imbalance of the electrolytes. The sudden illness results in an emergency visit to the veterinarian for cortisone injections and fluid therapy to correct the imbalances. Addison’s disease is the most difficult to diagnose because the sudden collapse resembles many disorders. Specialized blood tests are needed to identify both Cushing’s and Addison’s Disease. Life long treatment with prednisone and electrolyte supplements will be needed to treat Addison’s disease.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

Several eye diseases can affect Dachshunds, such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. PRA is a gradual deterioration of the retina, the back wall of the eye. The deterioration leads to gradual vision loss and eventual blindness. PRA is a genetic trait and because it often does not show up until the dog is older, the dog may have already been bred and passed the condition to the puppies. Regretfully, there is no cure or treatment for PRA. Other eye diseases that can affect Dachshunds are cataracts, glaucoma, optic nerve hypoplasia, abnormal eyelashes (distichiasis) as well as other conditions. Regular eye exams can help detect these eye-disorders early.

Intervertebral Disc Disease

By far the most common disease of Dachshunds is related to the discs between the vertebrae (the bones of the spine). The disc provides a cushion between the bones of the spine (back) and is normally gelatinous. In Dachshunds, this material sometimes ruptures and sometimes calcifies, or hardens. The herniated disc causes swelling and pain around the spinal cord and the nerves coming out from the spinal canal. Early signs of a herniated disc are pain, a reluctance to jump up, partial paralysis and sometimes total paralysis or the rear legs,. Most of the Doxies with disc disease can be managed medically with pain medication and anti-inflammatory medications. Acupuncture and Chiropractic manipulation is sometimes used to help relieve the pain with varying success. Immediate surgery to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord may help restore full function in the legs when there is a complete rupture resulting in total paralysis. The faster the surgery is performed, the better the chances of full recovery.

Experimental treatment is being tested that uses laser heat to fuse the disc material in the spine to prevent the rupture. Because this is such a common problem in them, I do recommend purchasing health insurance for your pet. Spinal surgery for herniated discs is very expensive and I have had the uneasy task of performing euthanasia on several Dachshunds because the owner’s were unable to pay for the surgery. A few of my patients that were partially paralyzed did recover some function of their legs over time. There is no way to predict which dogs will recover without the surgery.

Vaccination Reactions

Allergic reactions to vaccinations does seem to occur in the Dachshund more often than any other breed. Usually, the reaction is minor, resuling in swelling of the muzzle and face and sometimes hives. Vaccine reactions do occur with any dog, so it is wise to observe your pet for a few hours after receiving. With the advances in vaccines, fewer side effects do occur and the benefits far outweigh the risks.

Dachshunds can lead a very long and healthy life, sometimes upward to 15 years. Vaccinations, proper diets, preventive health checks, heartworm and parasite prevention, and good dental care can help your Dachshund live longer.  You can find more information concerning your dogs health at LuvUrDog.com as well Dachshund breed gifts.

 

2 comments » | Dogs

Tips for Housebreaking A New Dog

March 30th, 2009 — 03:54 am

When we talk of housebreaking a dog, most people think of getting the dog to relieve himself in the right place and at the right time. This is certainly a major part of it. But housebreaking is more than just potting training. It involves his entire behavior in the house. It also involves his understanding where he can go and when.

No one wants to find out their dog urinated on the carpet. (A more exhaustive list of dog behavior problems is available in Dog Training Online by Dove Cresswell.) Of course, pups can’t help it if they are indoors and need to go. They don’t have the knowledge or capacity to wait. They do what is natural. Therefore, it is important to start the training process on day one.

If you got your pup when he was eight weeks old, you got him at the ideal time. But remember, the dog usually can’t control the urinating muscles until he is about twelve weeks old. This underlines how important it is to take your dog outside often during the first days of ownership. Especially get him out a short time after a meal. Every hour would be good for the first few days at least. When he goes in the proper place, reward him with voice and treats.

Dogs usually like to please their masters. Therefore, reinforce good conduct with words of praise, a pat on the head, and even with a favorite dog treat. So, in summary, encouragement and opportunity and consistency will all work together to potty train your new dog.

Perhaps your dog is not welcome in every area of the house. For example, you may not want a black shedding dog on the white couch! Perhaps the dog is to stay out of your bedroom or at least off of your bed. Your pet must understand these rules.

This kind of training, say the best books on dog training, requires consistency and patience. So, if the dog goes into the forbidden area, then instruct him with words and force him out of the room or off of the furniture. Do this every time he trespasses so that he knows this is never allowed. If you make exceptions, it will only confuse him.

If the dog trespasses when you are not watching, but never when you are watching, he may be displaying a stubborn (and tricky) streak. One family made it clear their dog was not welcome on the furniture. When they came home and felt the warm spot on the softest chair, they knew the dog was violating the rules. In such cases, perhaps you need to trick the dog into thinking you are gone when really you are watching. Then when you catch him trespassing, a rap with a folded paper and a scolding will demonstrate to him that he dare not ever cross the line.

Most dogs like to please their masters. Therefore, when the dog doesn’t jump onto the couch, or enter the forbidden room, words of praise should be poured on. Let him know he has done very well to control his urge to join the group. But if you give in and let him into a forbidden area, then the dog has won and has really trained you.

Hope you enjoyed this article. Learn more tips and read reviews of top dog training books at http://www.dogtrainingbible.net.

Comment » | Dogs

A Guide To Stopping Your Dog From Jumping Up At You

March 30th, 2009 — 03:54 am

If you are interested in learning how to stop a dog jumping, then you should read this article. Specially we are going to talk about why your dog jumps up at you, tips on helping you to correct this behavior, and a simple step-by-step system you can use to fix this problem for good.

Firstly, I’m going to talk about reasons why your dog is jumping up on people. Most dogs will jump up at people to greet them, especially if they recognise the person. It can also be a display of dominance, or simply because he wants attention from you.

There are a few ways to correct this behavior. If you have a puppy, you should correct this behavior as soon as possible because it will be much harder to correct when it is developed into a constant habit.

Do not punish or hit your dog  for jumping up on people, because there are other ways to correcting it, and this will only encourage your dog to do it again because he is getting attention. You should remember that any attention is good attention to your dog. You should always reward your dog for good behavior.

When it comes to correcting this jumping problem, you should use a one word command like “down” which is simple for you to remember for when he does it again. Also you should give this command in a dominant tonality, to show your dog that you are the leader.

Here is an easy 3 step system you can turn to whenever you need to stop your dog from jumping up at you or other people.

Step 1 – When your dog starts to jump up, use a short command like “down” in a commanding tone of voice.

Step 2 – Turn away so you’re not facing your dog. He will learn that you do not wish to be greeted in this way.

Step 3 – reward him with lots of praise when you have stopped your dog jumping.

Remember to give your dog lots of attention when he is behaving the way you want him to. Also remember to use this step-by-step system whenever you want to stop your dog from jumping.

In conclusion, I have shown you why your dog jumps up at you, some useful tips for fixing this problem, and a step by step system you can use every time your dog jumps up. Now that you have read this article, you should know more about how to stop your dog from jumping up on people.

Comment » | Dogs

state why body language, approach and handling of this dog is important?

March 28th, 2009 — 05:13 pm
dog rescue
MinxMandy asked:


A rescue dog is brought into groomers. Initial assessment suggests that the dogs wooly coat is matted with bald patches and has an infestation of fleas.
(this is question i have in my written exam this week shortest answers possible but to the point greatly appriciated thanks)

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7 comments » | Dogs

Puppy Training Basics

March 28th, 2009 — 08:22 am
puppy training
When it comes to training your puppy, there are a few tips to keep in mind to help guide you through the process. By following a few key points, you can maintain consistent training and avoid letting things get ruff.

If you are using the crate method for housebreaking your puppy, never leave him/her inside of the crate for more than two hours at a time. Puppies cannot control their bathroom habits yet, so make sure to let them out frequently. Your pet will soon grow to understand that he/she should go outside of the home to relieve itself and your housebreaking approach will be a success.

Never use physical punishment as a form of puppy training. This will only result in your pet being afraid or nervous when you are near. Instead, reward good behavior and ignore them if they fail to respond on command. For instance, if you instruct your puppy to “sit”, gently push down on his/her backside and repeat the command. When your puppy is seated, reward him/her with a treat and praise. If your pet refuses to sit, walk away and try again in a few minutes. Training takes time and patience, but should never involve your pet being afraid of you.

You can begin training your puppy as early as 8 weeks old. He/she may not respond immediately, but you will be building a foundation for your pet’s learning at an early age. Continue working with him/her for short intervals every day and instill positive reinforcement as you train.

Whenever you plan to attempt obedience training with your puppy, make sure that you have his/her favorite treats on hand to serve as a reward. In addition, puppy training should be approached at a time that is calm for both you and your pet. If he/she is anxious about something, it is not likely that the training attempt will be successful. Instead, your puppy should be relaxed and able to focus on the training task at hand.

If you are housebreaking your puppy, be sure to watch him/her closely during the earliest days of training. If you allow your pet to roam freely throughout the house, it is especially important to be mindful of their whereabouts. If your puppy has an “accident” on the carpet, which is possible if he/she is unattended, catching them in the act is the only way to deter future behavior of the same. If you later find the problem spot and you verbally scold your pet, he/she will not understand or associate the “accident” with bad behavior. If you catch them in the act, however, a firm “no” will let them know that you are displeased with their actions.

When training your puppy, always be consistent in your commands. For instance, if you are attempting to teach your pet to sit, always use “sit” as your command. Avoid using alternate terms that may confuse your pet and never yell or shout your instructions as this will make your puppy feel as though he/she is being scolded. A normal, instructive tone will be much more effective in your approach to puppy training.

It’s important to realize that the amount of obedience training, housebreaking and instruction needed will largely depend on your pet. Some breeds are highly intelligent and may learn quickly according to your puppy training techniques. If your pet does not respond as quickly as you think it should, simply spend additional time working with him/her and you will have a perfectly-trained pup in no time.

Following these steps will help get you started on the right track in training your new puppy. There are many great resources for dog training available on the internet. One of the best ways to find these resources is by reading independent reviews and comparison rankings. In this way you can be confident your pet is getting best training possible.



By: Brian Dolezal

About the Author:

Brian Dolezal is a contributing editor for TopConsumerReviews.com, a leading provider of independent reviews and rankings for hundreds of consumer products. You can find out how top dog training programs compare by visiting TopConsumerReviews.com today.



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Comment » | Pets

I had my rescue female staffie put down last year and promised myself a rottie puppy,?

March 28th, 2009 — 05:21 am
puppy rescue
jules jewels asked:


then my son came home with another mistreated staffie (male and now approx 18 months old, this staffie is the softest dog we have ever owned and so submissive, to get to the point I would still like to get a rottie (puppy ?), has anybody got these two dogs together as pets and does this combo work ?.

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9 comments » | Dogs

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