Archive for January, 2010

If you have a dog that is driving you crazy up all night chewing and itching, then he most likely is suffering from an allergy to fleas. Sounds ridiculous but it’s more common than you think. For some dogs, this can turn into a serious problem, especially if left untreated.

You can see something like this start in your puppy but it is also very common in much older dogs. The adult flea does the biting but they don’t live long unless they are on the host dog. Hmmm, is that supposed to make you feel better?

First the adult flea will bite then it falls off but doesn’t survive. Then the eggs they leave go ahead and follow their proper life cycle. This problem will continue to manifest itself until you take control of the problem and eliminate the source totally.

If you want to keep your dog flea free, then you need to continue treatment. The symptoms can be painful to the dog and an annoyance to the owners. This chronic condition left untreated can lead to behavioral problems in your pet as well.

To determine if your dog is infested with fleas that might be causing an allergic reaction, you can look for flea dirt or fleas. The vet may want to test for mites if no fleas are visible. A noticeable increase in chewing and itching is a sure symptom of a flea allergy but can also be an indication of mites.

Humans are not immune to the dreaded fleabite. As we have said the adult flea will fall off the dog after it bites and you could become fair game. One or two bites is all your dog needs to get to start the allergic reaction in motion. Treatment is needed to keep this nasty irritation at bay as well as treating the house and yard.

Help your dog get relief from this itchy allergy by taking immediate action. Treat them with a dip or flea shampoo and a continued application monthly of the topical applied to the back of the neck. You dog will surely thank you, if he could!

Quick diagnosis and treatment will help relive your dog from his suffering. Chewing and itching along with hair loss are sure signs of a flea allergy. Additionally you might see lesions in numerous places over the dog’s body.

Remember that continuous treatment is necessary to keep your dog flea free. Initially you might have to give your dog a couple of dip baths before you notice the fleas disappearing as well as treating the interior of you home. You owe it to your pet to be diligent in the battle to rid them of fleas, and they will appreciate you for it!

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Canines are hardwired to protect their territory from intruders. In most cases, they communicate a warning to others by barking; it’s a form of intimidation. If a trespasser fails to heed the warning, your pooch’s barking might turn into pacing and growling as if he is preparing for a physical confrontation. If the trespasser still refuses to leave, the pacing and growling may evolve into an attack.

If your pooch shows signs of territorial aggression, it is important to begin discouraging the behavior as soon as possible. Otherwise, your visitors’ safety might be at risk. This article will provide several tips you can use to discourage your dog from behaving aggressively over his territory.

Before Training Begins

There are a few medical conditions that can influence your canine’s tendency to act aggressively toward others. For example, hypothyroidism causes a deficiency of thyroid hormones and can lead to his feeling overly-anxious. If he becomes agitated enough, his anxiety can potentially prompt an attack.

You should also take precautions to ensure that you and your dog will not be interrupted by strangers during your training sessions. Close and lock your gates, especially if you’re training him off-leash.

Action Steps To Curb Aggressive Behavior

First, make sure your canine receives at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. That will help prevent pent-up energy from contributing to his anxiety or aggression.

Second, devote time each day to training your dog to respond to your single-word commands. Many professional trainers recommend a program that includes two or three short sessions (5 minutes per session is sufficient) each day. Whenever your canine successfully responds to your commands, provide a food treat.

In addition to these training sessions, make your pooch work for everything he desires. For example, require him to sit before serving him meals or giving him attention. Over time, your canine will learn that if he wants something, he must follow your commands to acquire it.

One of the challenges owners have with canines that are territorially aggressive is that their dogs often try to usurp the role of leader. This can be due to several factors, including a laxity toward actively curbing the aggressive behavior. To that end, it may be necessary to place a head halter on your pooch in situations that might provoke his aggression.

For example, if you’re expecting visitors with whom your dog is unfamiliar, a head halter will gently encourage him to submit to your authority. That gives your pooch an opportunity to meet new people, and be rewarded (with treats) for staying calm when others trespass on “his” territory.

The suggestions above are effective for canines whose territorial aggression is based on dominance. If the aggressive behavior is triggered by a fear-based mechanism, a modified approach including desensitization and counter conditioning is necessary. Training in such cases is focused on reducing a dog’s level of fear and changing the manner in which he perceives a potential threat. We’ll address those training issues in an upcoming article.

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Dog grooming should be a major part of your dog care regimen as a responsible owner. The right grooming helps your dog both look good. Grooming embodies several different areas. Here we have got a glance at the necessary of dog grooming.

One of the first things to do to promise your dog is groomed properly is to brush his/her hair. Not brushing your dog’s hair often enough could lead to caught fur which in turn could finish up damaging the dog’s coat. Regular brushing can help to stop that and maintain the coat.

It must be mentioned that frequency of brushing the hair of your dog should be decided for most satisfactory results. Brushing the hair of your dog every day is a bad idea. It will be a complete waste of your time. Based on the length of the coat of your dog you can brush on alternate days or perhaps stretch the period for as much as five days.

Bathing your dog is also an essential part of grooming. A bath is ensures that your dog is both clean and well groomed. Showering constantly doesn’t simply keep your dog’ coat clean but also gets rid of a bacteria or germ sticking to his coat. A number of these bacteria or germs could pose a threat to the dog’s health if left unbridled and cause infections and other disease.

You do not have to clean your dog on a daily basis. Often , showering them once a month suffices adequately. However, if your dog has soiled himself, he should be given a bath at the earliest. There are certain considerations to take into account while bathing your dog though. One such consideration is the water temperature. The water should be of moderate temperature and neither to hot nor cold. Also, ensure that the hair shampoos you use on your pet are of top quality.

Nail trimming is also part of dog grooming. Dogs with longer nails are sometimes more susceptible to diseases of various kind then those with shorter nails. This is because without regular trimming the nails could attract dirt or germs making your dog more disposed to diseases.

Therefore, trimming your dog’s nails continually is crucial. your dog may resist getting his nails trimmed as they are not happy with the method. So you will have to take extra cares and care while doing the trimming. Try not to trim from the fringe of the nail as the littlest pain could make the dog actually uncomfortable. Do use only professional dog nail clippers to trim your pet’s nails.

Thus, whether you are way more concerned about the way your dog looks or feels- grooming can contribute greatly to the final health and well being of your dog. Simply follow these necessities and your dog will both appear and feel good.

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Puppies chew as a way to explore and relate to the world around them. The activity is instinctive to them. Unfortunately, if chewing behavior is focused in the wrong direction, it can result in damaged clothes, shoes, and furniture.

It’s important to realize that adult dogs also chew, but do so for a variety of reasons that extend further than mere exploration. For example, your pooch might feel separation anxiety if you leave him alone for long periods. Or, he might be bored. This happens often when canines lack an outlet through which to expend their pent-up energy. Your pooch may also chew on your belongings as a way to get your attention.

Whatever the reasons for the destructive behavior, you can control the problem. Below, we’ll provide a few tips for training your dog to avoid chewing on your possessions.

Use A Crate

Crating your puppy is an ideal strategy for confining him when you’re unable to watch him. Not only will he come to see his crate as his personal space, but you’ll prevent him from ruining your furniture and clothes when you’re not home. If you plan to keep him crated, be sure to give him a few toys with which he can entertain himself.

Provide Chew Toys

The goal is not to eliminate your pooch’s penchant for chewing; again, that’s his way of relating to the world around him. Instead, redirect the behavior toward objects that are acceptable for him to chew.

For example, all pet supply stores sell chew toys that can keep your canine occupied. Some are rubber; others are made from durable rope; still others are designed from strong leather and rawhide. Any of these toys will keep your dog’s attention while providing the stimulation he desires.

Keep Your Departures Understated

Owners often unwittingly worsen their dogs’ separation anxiety by overstating their departures. When they return home, they’re surprised to find their furniture partially destroyed. Downplay leaving your home. The bigger fuss you make, the more likely your dog will sense that your leaving is a major event. That raises the likelihood of his chewing.

Provide An Outlet For Exercise

When canines lack an outlet for physical activity, they become bored. Moreover, their energy level remains unspent and stifled. That’s a recipe for destructive chewing. Make sure your pooch receives at least an hour of exercise each day. He’s less likely to suffer boredom and he’ll have less pent-up energy to direct toward your couch.

Offer A Swap

Puppies find chewing new objects to be irresistible. If you see your pup gnawing on something he shouldn’t be, take the item away and replace it immediately with a chew toy. Avoid getting into a tug-of-war contest with him. Instead, have a toy on hand and swap it quickly.

Some dogs love to chew almost anything they can get into their mouths. Other canines are more selective, though they can cause just as much destruction. Learn to control the problem by redirecting your dog’s chewing behavior to objects you don’t mind being destroyed.

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