Where Can You Leave Behind Your Little Pup While You Are Away?

April 30, 2009 by darlenen · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Dog Training 

 

People nowadays tend to become very busy with their work or with their respective businesses and they can’t simply find the time to spend some time with their family. Why, they can even ignore their pets especially their dogs. You know how it is with dogs, right? An adorable and reliable dog can suffer separation anxiety when all of the people on the house is gone, off to work or to school and they will feel weak and sick. Now, what if everybody decides to spend a vacation at grandma’s house far, far away? Well, there’s no problem about it. You might want to put your dog in some dog boarding kennels while you are away.

Dogs nowadays are no longer like their predecessors that were wild. Unlike them, they need to be constantly taken care of and their maintenance is never a thing to be ignored with and isa must. Given that these two factor are absent, the pet dog may become too unhealthy and prone to the variety of ailments that abounds. However, dog boarding is now rising in popularity and is designed to provide your pet with sufficient care in case you are not around and he needed to be with someone else.

So, Instead of having your pal stay alone in your home, it is a better option if you would enter him in a dog boarding program. Wherein he’ll be properly taken care for and you can assure yourself of your peace of mind that your dog gets expert dog guardianship. The problem is, however, where to find a dog boarding kennel wherein he can still feel at home with other dogs and professional, able and competent dog caretakers, right? What if there are no dog boarding kennels near you area? No, that would be impossible. Because a place like a boarding dog kennel is very popular nowadays, there will always be a kennel near or within your area. What you need to do is go to this site called dogboardingdir.com and here, you can find the top dog boarding house and for sure, you will find one near or within your area. And here’s another last hint: try sending your pet dog to a dog boarding kennel bringing along familiar things like a toy for dogs or his usual blanket to provide familiarity to the new place and make your farewells short so you won’t give him a hint that you’ll be gone for a long time.

Vaccines for Your Doxie

April 29, 2009 by darlenen · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Dog Training 

vaccines

Vaccines are an essential tool in keeping your Doxie healthy, but a few do carry some risk of allergic reaction.  Knowing which are vital and which are optional can help improve your odds of doing good without doing harm.

- Rabies

Rabies vaccine is among the most important for your Dachshund, as it is for any dog.  While the disease is much less common today, the consequences of getting it are still so drastic - often fatal - that most vets still recommend it.

Rabies vaccinations are normally given every year to puppies and every two to three years thereafter.Most states require the vaccine and determine a specific schedule.That is being reviewed as research now reveals that immunization lasts three years or more.See your veterinarian for specific guidelines, but also seek a second or even third opinion and decide accordingly.

Side effects from the vaccination are rare, but may include fever, hives, swelling, or lethargy, along with decreased appetite.

- Canine Distemper

Distemper shots used to be routine.  Today they are still common, but schedules have lengthened.Current research shows that puppies given a series of vaccinations will develop antibodies that last several years.First shots should be administered at approximately eight weeks.As with any vaccination, the schedule can deviate from one part of the country to another, since prevalence and the associated risks of the disease vary geographically.See your veterinarian.

- Parvo

A vaccine to protect against the parvovirus is often combined with that for distemper, though it can be given separately.Bear in mind that “combo” shots present a slightly greater risk of allergic reaction.Combinations also make determining the foundation of any problem more difficult.

In some dogs, the immune system becomes hyperactive and produces facial swelling, redness of the gums and other symptoms.If a problem occurs, it ordinarily happens within an hour or less, so stay near your vet’s facility after any vaccination.Observe your Doxie carefully.Keep Benadryl stocked and call your vet at the first sign of a reaction.

- Hepatitis

This shot helps protect against infectious canine hepatitis.Once again, the disease is not common and the shot carries a small risk of allergic reaction.Nevertheless, the disease is serious enough that owners will want to discuss the subject carefully with their veterinarian and seek a second opinion before deciding.Kidney infections are possible following the vaccination because modified live virus is used.

- Lepto

Shots to immunized against the leptospira bacteria used to be routine, and in many areas still are.This is another vaccine that may cause a reaction and offers only short-lived protection against the disease.Since the disease itself is uncommon, this vaccination is considered “non-core” by many vets today.

- Bordatella

The Bordatella organism causes a fairly common condition popurlarly known as “kennel cough”.The name originates from the fact that the organism has the ability to be airborne and can spread when dogs reside close together.It is not a serious ailment, but does require treatment when it arises.

This vaccine is probably not needed if your Doxie does not come into contact with strange dogs.Exceptions are in areas where the disease has gone unchecked, or when you intend to go on vacation and kennel your Dachshund.

Summary

Vaccines are a low-risk, outstanding way to protect your Dachshund against a wide array of diseases.But “low-risk” doesn’t mean “no risk” and what was once a customary habit has become a more thoughtful exercise, thanks to improved research.

Paranoia about vaccinations is unfounded.Nonetheless, the chance of disease is not zero, either.However, careful contemplation of the benefits and risks will help maximize your dog’s health.

Just for Dog Lover’s

Ionic Air Purifiers - Safety Is Top Priority

April 28, 2009 by darlenen · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Dog Training 

User safety tops all criteria in the selection of an ionic air purifier for use in the home, office, factory or school.

Existing ionic air purifier technology, regardless of whether they originate in North America, Europe, Japan or China produce a primary beneficial reactive agent.Depending on the specific technology, these reactive agents may be called negative ions, bipolar ions, plasmacluster ions and so on. Their prime objective is to eliminate contaminants in the air we breathe. There is much research on the efficacy of these reactive agents in eliminating these airborne contaminants. What takes effort to unearth is whether these powerful reactive agents also act against the delicate human tissues that lead from the trachea to the bronchi of the lungs.

Whether by design or otherwise, there is also an information void about whether there are other by-products and if these are harmful to fragile human tissues as well. However, in the industry, it is known that current ionic air purifier technology results in the inadvertent production of by-products. In sufficient concentrations, these may prove harmful to human tissue. Ozone is one of the potentially toxic by-products. In high concentrations, ozone has been proven to damage human tissues.

In the light of the above, the issue of safety for the user of an ionic air purifier has to be addressed from these two perspectives:

(1) Potential harm from the beneficial reactive agents, and

(2) Potential harm from the unintended by-products.

Our intensive though by no means exhaustive research on these two perspectives have been condensed into two detailed write-ups that are featured on Ezinearticles.com.

Don’t miss these 2 in-depth Ezine articles. To read, click on the Ezine Author Badge on The Ionic Air Purifier Blog.

Subject to their terms and conditions, Ezinearticles.com allows publishers to freely reproduce these two articles. So help yourself, publish the two articles on your websites as a complete set, via these links:

(1) Beneficial reactive agents

(2) Unintended by-products

In addition, keep updated with our progress as we research other aspects of the very broad and exciting field of ionic air purifier technologies.

The AKC - Dog Friend Or Foe?

April 28, 2009 by darlenen · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Dog Training 

To the average dog lover, the rules and regulations of some nationwide dog registry associations like the American Kennel Club (AKC) can seem unusual, to say the least. Whilst you would expect a puppy registered by the American Kennel Club to be a high-quality, healthy purebred, this is not necessarily the reality. You can really only be sure of getting a puppy with a recognized pedigree. The American Kennel Club does not make sure the puppy’s parents are free from health problems that may be latent but genetic. Neither does it seem to care about the standards of breeders and their kennels. This can shock a lot of dog owners who would certainly presume that a registry like the AKC would provide such basic assurances. And it shows why some breed clubs, such as those for the Australian kelpie dog breed, have decided not to finish the requirements for American Kennel Club registration. Dogs not recognized by the AKC cannot compete in the many American Kennel Club official dog shows. It does, however, protect the breed’s health.

The American Kennel Club in effect wanted to restrict the natural genetic variability of breeds like the Australian kelpie. Dogs in AKC recognized breeds, and with an American Kennel Club issued pedigree, have been bred for show, according to quite limiting characteristics. The result has been that a lot of these dogs can no longer do the things for which they were once well known, such as hunt. It has also meant a lot of genetic health issues, the consequence of too much inbreeding to keep the lines ‘pure’. Dogs are bred back to their parents and grandparents, all because it creates dogs that help win shows. The University of Wisconsin:

“First, the AKC defines quality in a dog primarily on the basis of appearance, paying scant heed to such other canine characteristics as health, temperament, and habits of work. Over the years this policy has led to destructive forms of inbreeding that have created dogs capable only of conforming to human standards of beauty. Many can no longer perform their traditional tasks–herding, tracking, hunting–while more than a few cannot live outside a human-controlled environment.” (Source)

Of course, this isn’t the only reason why a breed isn’t recognized by the American Kennel Club. Many are considered a size variation of a larger breed rather than a separate breed. This is true of dogs like the small German spitz and the toy Manchester terrier.

In any case, unless you plan to show your dog, registration by the American Kennel Club is not as critical as finding a good quality dog from a breeder who breeds healthy dogs that still retain the abilities for which the breed was once (or still is), known. Breeders who breed mostly to achieve a certain look are more likely to follow breeding practices that highly strung or unintelligent dogs. And it could result in dogs that have personalities that might prove difficult to live with. Whilst there may be some instances where this is not true, in the long run, excessive inbreeding can only result in long term problems for a breed.

Spinal Problems in Dachshunds

April 27, 2009 by darlenen · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Dog Training 

Like any breed, Dachshunds are at risk for numerous conditions and diseases.Being as they have long bodies and short legs they are most at risk for spinal problems.One of the most common forms is a condition called Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD), actually an umbrella phrase for a number of problems.

Vertebrae are the hard bones that make up the spinal column support.They enclose the spinal cord and are separated by soft tissue called intervertebral discs, which provide a pillow between the bones.IVDD endangers their health in several different ways.

Excess jumping and other forms of back stress can cause a rupture of one or more discs, usually close to the rear.  IVDD and other back problems occur most frequently by age four but can happen earlier, sometimes as young as two.Simple age can cause the disc to decrease its fluid level, making it less pliant.That also increases the chances of herniation or rupture.Frequently the spinal column becomes more brittle.

If that happens, a collection of serious possibilities exist.

As a portion of the spine loses vital support, the spinal cord can be put in jeopardy.If compression happens, paralysis is not far behind.Constriction of spinal fluid can have similar outcome.Loss of circulation leads to nerve death, as the nerves are cut off from needed nutrition.

Look for any instance of incapability to lift the rear end off the ground or lowering near the tail.Other signs include loss of bladder control or weakness in the rear legs.

In these extreme occurrences, treatment - usually surgery - within 24 hours is critical.  If left untreated, the result is frequently permanent disability.

Even in less critical cases back pain is evident.It can be difficult to identify when a dog is in pain but symptoms include lethargy, difficulty walking up stairs and similar signs in an otherwise active dog.

Treatment with Prednisone (or corticosteroids) is occasionally recommended but entails risks.  Apart from the usual risks of long-term steriod use, it is possible to overdo care.  Lessening pain is desirable, but if it is eliminated the dog can become too active again, leading to more injury.  Injections of Adequan can help promote disc healing.

Whether treated with steroids or just Rimadyl, it is advisable to cage your Dachshund or otherwise keep him calm, reducing physical activity.Given their assertive and active nature that is difficult, but it is essential.

Do not allow the dog to stand on its hind legs, which constricts the spine.Do not let the dog to jump down stairs.Yard recreation should be restricted until the dog has fully healed.Also, always support the complete length of the spine when picking up your Dachshund.

With the right kind of care many Doxies recover completely to lead active, healthy, normal lives.  But proper diagnosis as early as possible is essential to improve the odds.

More tips, information and dog supplies can be found at LuvUrDog.com, just for Dog Lover’s

Dog Whining Behavior Case Study

April 26, 2009 by darlenen · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Dog Training 

Rufus and Mermaid are two Doberman Pinschers that have grown up in a pleasant suburban home together. The owner, Ms. Vicky, has no objection about the behaviors of the two dogs, with the exception of the fact that they whine incessantly. Seeing as her prince and princess do not have any aggressive tendencies, are not territorial, and do not have any other bad habits, she has overlooked this dog whining issue for years. But, years have passed and the whining progressed into impatiently annoying and Ms. Vicky started to think why the two frequently whine.

In an effort to stop this behavior, she used her time to find the root of the problem. Dogs whine for a lot of reasons, including pain, fear, or boredom. In this instance, she thought that the cause of the whining was probably boredom, but she also felt that the other reasons should not be completely ruled out and so she decided to seek for the expert’s opinion. Toby and Josie’s owner brought the pair to the vet’s office to get more information about the situation. The veterinarian believed that the dog whining behavior stemmed from Toby and Josie being left alone for a large portion of the day while Ms. Vicky was at work. Although Toby and Josie were placed outdoors, so they can play, do their business, and exercise at will, the pair was still lonely. Given that this behavior has never been checked, the dogs have acquired the habit as a sympathy ploy to get what they want. The Miss confirmed this thought and the next step of breaking the habit began.

First and foremost, Toby and Josie were noticeably not okay with their current condition of being left alone during the morning. To make her dearly loved prince and princess happier, Vicky hired a pet sitter who comes in twice a day to walk, pet, and play with Toby and Josie. Despite the fact that the whining was still present, they’ve observed that the two dogs seem to be much happier when their owner returns from work. If Ms. Vicky didn’t allowed this whining problem to continue for such a long period of time and corrected the problem sooner, this new arrangement would have likely ended the whining altogether.

In the mean time, the owner began to put into practice the new training method for the two dogs. Each time either dog whines, she firmly states “no whine”. She gives this command with a quick squirt of water from a spray bottle to get the dog’s attention. Once the dog stops whining, the Miss lavishes it with praises and treats. Once the dog stops whining, the Miss lavishes it with praises and treats. Of course, tasks like going outside cannot be punished, since many dogs whine when they have to relieve themselves.

This training method coupled with the hiring of a pet sitter has drastically changed the whining condition with Toby and Josie. Now, neither dog whines to get what they want! Furthermore, Miss Vicky finds the situation a great deal less stressful on both her and the dogs. If you too are experiencing a similar situation, consider following this case study to help break your dogs from whining. Keep in mind that pain or uneasiness is a viable motive for whining, so visit your veterinarian to guarantee your dog is in top health. Best of Luck! Cheers!

Should You Buy A Small Dog?

April 25, 2009 by darlenen · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Dog Training 

The advantages of owning a dog are many. Dogs provide great companionship, they can significantly reduce your stress levels, benefit your blood pressure, provide unconditional love, lift your mood, and provide an excellent incentive to exercise more. Not only that, they can be a great way of meeting people whilst you’re both out for a walk. And if you’ve got kids, dogs can be excellent at teaching them about being responsible and aware of someone other than themselves.

One of the first questions you should consider if you want to get a new puppy is, what type of dog breed should you get - large or small?

Obviously, if you don’t have a big yard or live in an apartment where they regulate the size dog you can keep, you may not have a lot of choice. But even if you have a large backyard, there are a number of benefits to getting a small dog that bear weight on other issues than the size of your home.

Smaller dogs won’t feel as threatening to cats or young children do make fantastic family pets, even better than some small breeds. Breeds like the Tibetan Spaniel dog breed, the Miniature Poodle, Maltese, Chihuahuas, and similar breeds, are not really suited to families with children who aren’t old enough to know how to behave around dogs.

Or, if you are older, unwell, or just not very strong, getting a small dog is a more realistic option. Large dogs will be more difficult to physically handle. To illustrate, walking an excited, large dog on a leash might be near impossible if your dog has a stubborn moment when he wants to chase something, like a car or another dog. And of course, there are going to be occasions when you’ll have to pick up your dog. If you don’t have someone readily available to assist you, this could be a problem, especially when your dog grows old. Will you be able to check your dog’s teeth regularly, and be able to establish yourself as ‘top dog’ when training your dog.

Additionally, large dogs need more exercise as a rule, although some smaller breeds also need a lot of exercise as well. This is especially true for working dogs that also come in small sizes, such as the border collie dog breed. Border collies are very high energy, smart and active dogs. They have been - and still are - used to herd cattle and sheep, and as a result they have very high endurance and stamina. As pets, they need physical and mental exercise. Two hours per day as a rough guide, although if you mentally stimulate them during that time, it will wear them out more quickly. So, for a person with a busy lifestyle, who’s unable to devote the time to your dog, a breed like the border collie would not be the right pet.

If you’ve got a family with kids and you’d like a small dog, you could consider: {English Cocker Spaniels, boston terriers, Miniature English Bulldogs, bichon frise, Miniature Australian Bulldogs, Kerry Blue Terriers, Miniature Australian Shepherds, and border terriers}. And small breeds like the French bulldog, whose temperament is easygoing and happy, and who love spending a lot of time with their owners, and do not require much exercise, are best for the elderly.

Choosing A Small Dog - Terriers

April 25, 2009 by darlenen · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Dog Training 

For a lot of folks, the decision to buy a small dog is predicated by the fact that they only have a small backyard, or live in a condo. Yet while lap dogs are very popular these days, there are also those that prefer the temperament of larger dogs. For these people, who like the temperament of larger dogs but cannot have one, small terrier dogs are an ideal pet. Small terrier dogs were bred down from regular terriers, so they retain the characteristics of their original, vermin-hunting ancestors. They aren’t at all submissive like a lap dog.

Small terriers are, actually, quite the opposite of submissive. You’ll discover them to be confident, fearless, outgoing, and willful. Consequently they need an owner who knows how to be ‘top-dog’, so they always know their place in the ‘pack’. Don’t get a small terrier if you can’t be firm and assertive when it’s necessary. And you can’t allow a situation to develop, even in play, when your terrier gets to win, even for a moment. Most terriers will challenge their owner some time anyway, even if you do keep the structure of the pack. But if you don’t, you set up some potentially disruptive behaviour in your terrier.

Terriers are lovely dogs. They’re affectionate and happy. As long as they’re socialized properly the household cat should be okay, although all other cats will be prey. This is because terriers have a high prey drive, so if you have young children and you have or want a terrier, they should not be left alone with each other.

There are a lot of terriers that come in a small size. The breeds are:

  •  Welsh Terrier 
  •  Irish Terrier
  •  Scottish Terrier 
  •  Smooth Fox Terrier
  •  Border Terrier 
  •  Cairn Terrier 
  •  West Highland White Terrier 
  •  Norwich Terrier and Norfolk Terrier 
  •  Yorkshire Terrier 
  •  Australian Terrier 
  •  Toy Manchester Terrier 
  •  Manchester Terrier 
  •  Miniature Bull Terrier
  •  Sealyham Terrier
     Kerry Blue Terrier 
  •  Boston Terrier 
  •  Dandie Dinmont Terrier

Of course, even though terriers share the common characteristics described, the various breeds have their own unique qualities. These range from the obvious, like coat type and color, to temperament. Some breeds take longer to groom than others, even within the terrier group. That can be an important consideration when choosing a dog.

Puppy Barking is Puppy Communication

April 24, 2009 by darlenen · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Dog Training 

Canines bark, so a puppy barking is a completely normal phenomenon. As natural as birds sing, puppies bark, whine, and sometimes howl. If you own a dog, you realize that it is inevitable that there will be times when your dog will bark, whine and howl. There is no way to train your puppy to stop barking completely and you would not want him to anyway. However, it is really ideal for you, your neighbors, as well as your dog, if barking fits can be placed under control.

Why Barking Starts

Dogs who are confined or alone a lot without exercise store up energy and need an outlet for it. If there is nobody with your dog all day, then they may bark just to hear itself and nobody tells them to stop. It won’t be long before barking becomes part of his or her daily routine. And for a great number of dogs, once they start barking, they continue to do so just for the sheer fun of doing it.  

It may actually be your fault that your dog barks so much. You always obey when you hear your dog speak. When the dog barks, you let him out.  When he barks again, you let him back in. If he barks, he gets his tummy rubbed; therefore, barking is a behavior that is rewarded. When your puppy barks you give it attention, so early on they know that if they bark you will give them attention and that is what they want. You need to reward your dog when they are not doing any barking.

Exercises and Puppy Barking

To minimize puppy barking and for you to get some peace and quiet, you have to realize that most of the time; puppy barking is really due to the boredom, loneliness, frustration and fright that your puppy feels. Behavioral problems are usually alleviated when you are spending more time with your new puppy. If your puppy is happy, contented and adequately exercised, he will probably spend the day napping when you are not at home. Try to take the time to give your puppy exercise, playtime, and proper training.

Puppy obedience training is as tiresome a mental exercise for dogs as it is for humans. “Come here”, “sit”, “heel”, and “stay” all make enjoyable games for your dog.  Why not make it even more fun by rewarding good performance with treats, hugs and praise.  Remember that dogs and puppies like a quick pace and high energy! Try to think of new training ideas for your puppy so it won’t get bored.

For dogs living in the backyard for the majority of the time, they probably need some “social” exercises. You may need to walk them around your neighborhood to minimize the puppy barking. Daily walks will be an adventure for them to investigate and find out about those sounds and smells that excite them while they are in the yard. Dogs and puppies will run around outside and have fun, but this is not necessarily exercise. Just like humans, they pace, fidget, and have other nervous tendencies. Be sure your dog or puppy has something to do to keep busy. Puppies love to have chew toys for puppy biting, and big dogs enjoy a digging pit.

Dogs are very sociable. Dogs are much like their human owners in that they enjoy companionship. Socialize your dog by making a weekly trip to a dog park where he can interact with other dogs. They will sleep great after a good hard day of playing, dog training, and exercising.

Dachshund Dog Training

April 24, 2009 by darlenen · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Dog Training 

By Sandra Scott

The Daschund dog breed originated in Germany and dates back hundreds of years. They were mainly used to hunt badgers and hares (”Dachs” means badger in German). Also known as “sausage dogs” and “wiener dogs”, the name of the breed is often spelled as Daschund.

If you want to put an end to Dachshund  aggression, barking, whining, or biting, I recommend that you take a look at Daschund Training.

It can be difficult to train Dachshunds due to their stubborn nature. This can make them quite a handful for inexperienced dog owners.

Dachshunds are boisterous, determined, curious, and amusing dogs that can be quite naughty some times. They must have plenty of attention. If they don’t get the amount of attention they require, they will act up.

Although they are usually compatible with children and pets, they can be jealous and, if overly indulged, may become bad-tempered and snappy. For this reason, they are probably better suited to a family with older children. That said, Dachshunds are also very affectionate, loyal, and devoted dogs that will lavish love on their families.

A Dachshund that is left on his own may whine until he has company. Separation anxiety is a common problem with Dachshunds, at which time they may relieve their stress by chewing household items. Their personality and attitude make it appear that they are completely unaware of their small size. As with most small hunting dog breeds, Daschunds are bold and will stand their ground with much bigger dogs.

Dachshunds are happy to play indoors which makes them an ideal dog breed for apartment dwellers or for homes with little or no back yard. However, they are energetic and lively dogs that love to play. It is necessary for Dachshunds to be taken for frequent walks to give them sufficient exercise and fresh air. Many Dachshund behavior problems are due to a lack of good exercise. Dachshunds that are kept inside for a few days with no way to release their pent up energy will probably misbehave.

Without regular exercise, Dachshunds can easily gain weight, which could lead to potential health issues related to the heart, spine, or blood sugar. As Dachshunds are liable to suffer from spinal problems, you should avoid exercises that may cause spinal damage. Children should be made aware of the weakness of the Dachshund’s back and not be allowed to treat them roughly.

Housetraining your Dachshund should be the first step when you bring him home. There are a number of ways to potty train your dog, such as on command, paper training, and crate training. No matter which training method you choose for your Dachshund, you must make sure that you are understanding and patient with your dog. Your puppy will have accidents and you cannot expect him to get it right straight away.

Once you bring your new puppy home, you should also start obedience training. Your Dachshund training sessions should be of short duration but frequent – ideally a maximum of 15 minutes, three to four times each day. The best time for training your puppy is before he eats. Same as people, dogs don’t feel like being energetic after eating a meal.

Do not expect your dog to learn good manners overnight. Training your Dachshund will take plenty of patience due to your dog’s stubborn nature. If you show plenty of love and patience, you and your family will get to enjoy a loyal and playful pet for many years.

I strongly recommend Secrets to Dog Training for your Dachshund training. This outstanding e-book is the best selling course for the fourth year in a row!  You should definitely take a look at it at Daschund Training.

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