Teach your Dog how to SWIM

Summer is here and you want to teach your new puppy or your dog how to swim.  There are several techniques that can be used depending on the age of your dog.  First things first, you must protect your dog from the sun.  They are at risk from sun cancer just as much as you are so it is important to use a good sunscreen product to keep them safe from the suns harmful rays.

Start by having your dog stand on the first step of the pool.  Some dogs are comfortable with doing this but others will need you to to keep them on the step.  I would sit on the pool deck with my dog on the step and just let them sit or stand there for about 10 min. at a time.  I would repeat this for a few days if you have a scared dog.  After your dog is comfortable on the first step, move your dog to the next step if your dog is able to keep his/her head above water on the second step.  This system works mostly on large dogs.  If you have a small dog you can start to hold your dog in the water to get him used to the sensation.  If you have a friend or neighbor that has a water dog I would invite them over for a doggie pool party.  Dogs teach each other better than we can teach them.  You can also buy a life vest for your dog to help them stay buoyant.

If your dog is like most dogs, he/she loves to chase a ball.  Throw a ball or other floating toy to encourage them to swim out to get it.  You can hold your dog a few feet away from the steps and let your dog swim to the steps. Throw the ball to the steps so your dog can get the reward of the ball when they reach the steps.  Do this over and over again until your dog has the hang of it.  Make sure not to let your dog get over tired and make sure to check your dogs paws to make sure that there are no soft spots from the pool surface.  Your dog can get sore pads on the bottom of their paws if they are in the water too long and if he/she keeps pushing off the steps.  If you have several different exit points in your pool it is a good idea to show your dog the different seats or steps that are in the pool.  If your dog ever falls in he/she will be able to remember where to swim to get to safety.

 

Once your dog has mastered swimming, the fun starts.  Now that your dog is comfortable in the water and swimming effortlessly you can try and teach your dog to jump in the pool.  Some dogs will just do it automatically and others will need your assistance.  You can put your dog's leash on him/her and run and jump in with your dog.  I would try and throw the ball so that your dog will want to jump to get the ball.  If you have a friend who's dog will jump in after the ball then use that dog to teach yours how to do it.  They learn by watching each other and some healthy competition in getting to the ball first usually helps.

It is important to not stress out your dog during the teaching.  You do not want your dog to become afraid of the water and you need to maintain a calm attitude.  Your dog will sense if you get frustrated and then you will not get much accomplished.  Just make sure that your dog is having fun and is comfortable in the water.  Do not push your dog to do something that he/or she is totally afraid of.  In time with patience, love and understanding you will have a fun filled summer in the pool, lake or beach with your dog.  Don't forget the sunscreen and make sure your dog has plenty of water to stay hydrated as they are swimming.  Have a great summer!
If you would like more info you can visit www.basicsofdogownership.com See you there.

Demodicosis "Red Mange"

I wanted to get this information out there about Demodicosis which is also called Red Mange.   We rescued Bella (our Pit Bull puppy) January 24th 2010.  At the end of Feb 2010 she started to loose her hair on her belly and sides.  It was very patchy and you could tell that something was going on.  We took Bella back to the vet (this is a new vet we tried for Bella) and they informed us that Bella had Demodicosis.  Demodicosis or Red Mange is diagnosed by scraping the skin at the level of the hair follicle in various locations.  If mites are found, then the dog can be classified as having one of two types of mange: localized or generalized .  Localized mange is a mild disease. This is the form that Bella had fortunately.  Generalized mange is a severe, debilitating disease that can involve hair loss and skin infections of the entire body.  There is a hereditary predisposition to developing the generalized form: these dogs should be neutered as soon as their skin clears up.

Red Mange is caused by a microscopic mite (Demodex canis) that normally feeds and reproduces in hair follicles and oil-producing glands of the skin.  Most of the time it lives in harmony with your dog.  However, when your dog's immune system is not working properly they seize this opportunity to reproduce uncontrollably and cause inflammation and secondary bacterial infections within the skin.  There are numerous factors that can trigger suppression for your dog's body defense mechanisms such as breed predisposition, stress, hormone imbalances and cancer therapy.  Puppies and older dogs usually get this mange as their immune systems are new or shutting down.  Pit Bulls are one of the breeds that tend to have a predisposition to this.

This mite is transmitted from the mother to her nursing puppy and is NOT CONTAGIOUS to humans and other animals.  This means that neither you nor your other pets have to worry about contracting this from your dog.

With all that being said, the new vet prescribed a product called Promeris which is in the form of a Frontline or flea product which you snap the tube and put it in between your dogs shoulder bones.  She was also given puppy shots that day along with a sheet letting me know that she could be experience side effects from the shots.  We put the promeris on her and it smelled so bad it took your breath away.  We noticed that she was acting funny but chalked it up to the puppy shots.  We were to do the dosage that day and then do it again two weeks later and then once a month.  Two weeks go by and she looks to be kind of improving but we were told it would take a while.  Second dosage almost put Bella into a coma.  As soon as we put it on her within 5 minutes she looked like she was going to die.  She stood with her head against the wall to help hold her up. She started drooling like crazy and she was just not the same puppy.  Needless to say we were washing off this horrible product at midnight and praying that she would be ok by morning.  This stuff is like poison and they don't even put warnings or adverse reactions on the packaging.  I found out how bad this stuff is through a google search at midnight trying to do what we could for Bella.

Next day we took her to a different vet and started treatment on her with IVOMEC which we had to give her nightly for 45 days.  This is a cow de-wormer and we were told it tasted nasty but that it would work and not make her sick.  She did not like the taste but she got a big treat every night after she took it.

It has cleared up and her hair is mostly back now.  We might have to put her back on it for a few weeks as she was spayed two weeks ago and the vet said that the surgery could possibly make it come back.  So far so good as we just got the stitches out on May 14th 2010 from her spaying. You have to keep watch in of the changes in your dogs skin and try and catch anything out of the normal as quickly as possible.  If you catch things soon enough then you can get them back to health quicker.  It has been an experience.

The Basic Needs For Your Dog in the Event of a Hurricane By Tami Grant

It is very important to make sure that you have all of the necessary items for your dog when you are getting ready for a Hurricane. Everyone is so worried about so many things that some of your dog's basic necessities can be forgotten.

I live in an area that is hurricane prone and yes you guessed it, Florida. We are on the alert during Hurricane season and we watch the weather like a hawk. We are also accustomed to tracking several storms at once unfortunately. Due to the past Hurricanes in the United States, Disaster preparedness is being revamped and legislation is now being hashed out to provide for pets as well as people in an emergency. It is reassuring to know that projects are in the works but make sure that you have your own plan first and foremost. Read on for a few tips learned over the years by this hurricane veteran.

- If it's not safe for you to stay in your home, it's not safe for your pets. Take them with you to a friend's home or call ahead for a pet friendly hotel or arrange boarding for them somewhere out of the Hurricane area. During emergencies when boarding facilities are full, veterinarian clinics, shelters, or friends may take in animals. Give them a call as people open their hearts and homes in desperate situations.

- Have appropriate restraints for all pets, such as crates, leashes, harnesses, cages, stake-out lines.

- Pack 5 to 7 days worth of food, water, bowls, and all medications and a favorite toy or two.

- Piddle pads, paper towels, plastic bags, and pet-safe disinfectants will come in handy as you might not have regular access for your dog to use the bathroom.

- Make sure all pets are wearing identification, medical information, and contact information.

- Carry a picture of your dog to help identify them should they get lost, along with vaccination proof.

- Ask your veterinarian if a couple of day's worth of tranquilizers are appropriate for your pet. The pressure drop will cause your pets to understand that something is going on and if you have a pet that stresses easily then you would definitely want to discuss tranquilizers with your vet.

- Keep a first aid kit on hand and make sure that you have some Benadryl in case your dog gets bitten by anything. Ask your vet how much dosage that your pet needs as weight will dictate how much medication you will need to give.

- If you decide to stay home, keep your pets with you in an interior room, and remember that they are just as scared as you and your family so reassure them to help keep them calm.

- If you are in a flood zone, you might want to invest in a life jacket for your dog. I have one for my dog as we do some boating. Some of the places we to does not have an area for my dog to get off the boat and walk around. Get your dog used to the life vest in advance as you do not want to introduce a foreign object to your dog when he is under duress.

- After the storm, check the yard for anything that may harm your dog. There could be a lot of debris and things in the grass or on the ground that you might not see. Please take a good look around as you do not want your dog to be harmed in any way by debris or snakes etc.

You should get prepared for your dog just as you get prepared for the Hurricane in advance. Make the call to your vet and get all necessary supplies before the season starts or at least the first you hear that a Hurricane or bad storm may be heading your way.

Let's keep our dogs safe and as calm as possible during the storms. My dog Boo Boo does not like the thunder. She stays right by my side the whole time. I pet her and talk to her to let her know that things will be just fine. Just having your pet right with you during the storms will calm them down. Try not to leave them alone as they will be scared.

If you found this information helpful and would like more Free information about your dog and the care of your dog, please visit my website http://basicsofdogownership.com/

Tips on How to Train Your Dog to Walk on a Leash - Part 2

Training your dog to walk on a leash is an essential part of dog ownership. I want to do just a brief review of part one to just go over the points.

• Put your puppy or dog on the leash before you open the door for the walk.
• Walk out of your home in front of your dog and never let your dog exit before you
• If your dog is pulling on the leash just pull straight up to stop the forward motion and get his attention
• Make sure your dog walks behind you; keep your dog on a short leash if necessary
• Make sure that you are relaxed and in control during the walk as your dog will know if you are not.

Once you have mastered these techniques you can start addressing other aspects of the walk. Most dogs, especially puppies, will have a tendency to try and go after other animals during the walk. If your dog tries to chase after other dogs, squirrels, etc., give him a nudge with you foot to get his attention while still walking in a forward motion. It is important to keep moving as you do not want your dog to get fixed on any one thing. This must be done quickly and at the very start of the chase.

My dog Boo Boo is two years old now and can walk off leash with me anywhere. There are tons of squirrels, other dogs and lizards that were getting her attention during our walks. She does not go after anything anymore as she knows what I expect of her and she knows that is not what I want her to do. During the training she would pull and try and go after her target. I would make the correction with her and would give her a little tap with my foot to get her attention. I would then tell her NO at the same time of the correction all done while continuing our forward motion. I would also pull her head forward during this whole process. It is important to keep moving.
Once you have accomplished walking with distractions, you can start to introduce other commands such as "Heal". During the walk stop and say "Heal" and stop your dog's forward motion. Use a short leash for this training. Take a couple of steps and repeat the word "Heal", and stop again. It is important to get your dog's attention during this activity as you want your dog to look at you so he knows that you are giving him a command. If you keep repeating this every ten steps or so, your dog will start to understand what you want him to do.

I suggest that you walk your dog every day and repeat these functions. Your dog will be healthy and happy and it is a great stress reliever for you. It is also a wonderful way for you to bond with your dog. I will be adding some video's of Boo Boo to my website in the very near future. Boo Boo has been trained since she was 8 weeks old and can do amazing tricks. She is truly a wonder dog and I would love to share her accomplishments with everyone.

All of the above techniques were done with the use of a regular collar and leash. There were no choker or pincher collars used.

If you have found this article helpful and would like additional Free tips and information please visit my website at http://basicsofdogownership.com/

Tips on how to Train your Dog to Walk on a Leash Part 1

The process of training your dog to walk on a leash can be an easy venture or a difficult one. Most of this depends on your attitude and patience. It is beneficial if you can start your training in the puppy stages. Your puppy will most likely pull against you as the rules and boundaries have not been set yet.

First start by introducing a collar to your puppy and let him wear it for a while before attempting the walk. Your puppy needs to overcome the feeling of something around his neck and act as if it is not there. Once your puppy is not paying attention to the new collar any longer, you can introduce the leash.

It is important to do the same routine with your puppy previous to a walk. Your puppy will start to know what you expect from him and will start to listen to your commands if you always repeat the same routine.

Make sure you put your puppy on the leash before opening the door to go outside and make sure that your puppy is calm during this process. You will need to exit the house first and then let your dog follow behind you. This is very important as this will establish who is in charge of the walk.

Do not let your puppy pull on the leash as they are very curious of the outside world and all the things in it and it can cause them to gag. Pull straight up on the leash and say “heal” to get your puppy’s attention. Take a step or two and see what reaction you get from your puppy. He will probably pull again and you will need to make the correction again with pulling up and saying “heal”.

When I was training my Pit/Lab mix Boo Boo, she would take part of the leash in her mouth and walk along with me. Although it was very cute to see her do that, I had to stop her as when she had the leash in her mouth, she was walking me. It is important to take control of the walk and have a calm attitude. Your dog can feel your energy through the leash during a walk. Constant tension on the leash is not a good thing. This should be a relaxing experience for you and you puppy therefore you should not be tense at all.

Stay ahead of your dog and do not let your dog lead the way. Do not use one of those leashes that automatically let line out or take line in. It is best to use a regular old fashioned leash. Get one in your favorite color or if you walk in the evenings, get one that is glow in the dark for safety.

Keep repeating these tips:

Put your puppy or dog on the leash before you open the door for the walk.

Walk out of your home in front of your dog and never let your dog exit before you

If your dog is pulling on the leash just pull straight up to stop the forward motion and get his attention

Make sure your dog walks behind you; keep your dog on a short leash if necessary

Make sure that you are relaxed and in control during the walk as your dog will know if you are not.

This is just basic introduction to walking on a leash. Once you have mastered these steps you can start working on other commands during the walk. I will explain those techniques in part 2 coming soon.

If you have found this article helpful and would like additional Free tips and information please visit my website at http//:Basics of Dog Ownership.com

Emergency Poison Treatment For Dogs

There is nothing as frightening as having your dog accidentally come into contact with some type of poisonous substance. As with humans or any animal, dogs may eat poisonous items, inhale poisonous gases or vapors or get poisons on their skin or hair. Like humans, there are general emergencies procedures that dog owners should know to be able to treat their pet should they suspect poison. It is important to have a few general supplies on hand, but most of what you will need is likely to already be in your house.

Ingested Poisons

If you believe that your dog has eaten something poisonous, the first step is to find out what it was and then call your vet or an emergency treatment center that has information on poisons. If the poison was caustic you do not want to do anything that might cause further damage, so make sure the dog has not eaten anything that will cause a burn. If he or she has, get them to a vet immediately, do not induce vomiting or give them any food or drink unless specifically instructed to do so by the vet or poison control center.

Typically the vet will recommend a dilute lemon juice or vinegar and water solution to attempt to neutralize the chemical until you can get the dog to the clinic or animal hospital. Do not give any human medications to a dog as they can have severe reactions to "people medicines". Always bring the label form the item, whenever possible, to the vet with the dog.

If the substance is not caustic, it is important to try to get the dog to get the poison out of his or her system. The easiest way is to induce vomiting, which can be done through the oral administration of hydrogen peroxide. Be sure to only use the 3% hydrogen peroxide mixture and give about 1 teaspoon or 5ccs or 5mls per 10 pounds of dog's body weight. Use an oral syringe if possible and squirt the hydrogen peroxide to the back of the mouth over the top of the tongue. If you don't have a syringe, a turkey based can be used. Don't give more than the recommended dosage as hydrogen peroxide can also cause complications. The dog will typically vomit within a few minutes. If the dog is not swallowing, is comatose or is having difficulty in breathing or standing don't administer hydrogen peroxide unless under the direct supervision of your vet. Immediately get the dog to your vet after they have vomited.

Contact Poisons

If your dog has touched something poisonous the best option is usually to wash the area with warm, soapy water using baby shampoo or specialized dog shampoo. For tar or paint on the coat first apply a generous amount of Vaseline or petroleum jelly to remove as much of the substance as possible. The coat may need to be clipped or even shaved to completely remove the substance if the Vaseline doesn't do the trick. Follow with a soapy wash with warm but not hot water, followed by a thorough rinse with clear, warm water.

For more information recommended by Kelly Marshall, see these recent articles Before You Bring Your Puppy Home, You Need Some Supplies and Cats and Dogs: Living Together as Brothers and Sisters.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelly_Marshall

The Best Things You Can Do To Make Your Dog Happy

Deciding to bring a dog into your family can be one of the most rewarding decisions a family can make. Dog ownership can be a wonderful experience with the proper supplies, patience, and guidance. You must first decide where you will obtain your new addition. You can buy from a breeder, look into your local animal shelter, check online, and check in the newspapers. Sometimes your dog will find you as we acquired our dog by word of mouth from a neighbor that knew of this little 8 week old lab/pit mix that needed a home.
Once you decide on where to gain your new dog, you need to decide on a breed. Do research on the traits and characteristics of the different breeds so you will know what to expect. Find a breed that fits into your lifestyle. You do not want to get a dog that needs lots of room to run if your dwelling is not conducive to those needs.
There will be some necessities that you will need to have when you bring your new dog home. Some of the basics are food, food and water bowls, collar, leash, crate (if you crate train which I highly advise), chew toys, shampoo, brush, flea comb, flea treatment, heartworm pills, and plenty of balls to throw. Make sure you check with your vet for the best food for your dog. Some dogs need specific diets and a change in the food can bring on stomach problems. Also make sure that the shampoo that you buy for your dog is appropriate for the dog's skin type. Always check with your vet for the best options for you or do some looking on line as there are a number of safe organic supplies that will do the trick.
Start training your dog from day one. If you have brought a puppy into your home you will need to take a deep breath and start the potty training immediately. This can be accomplished simply with the right tools and attitude. You will need to establish yourself as the Pack Leader and reaffirm that position every day. This is extremely important as you need to let your dog know who is in charge and this will help tremendously in all facets of the training that you will need to do with your dog.
Dog ownership can be very rewarding if you are prepared with the right tools and mindset. Please remember that your dog will need your attention and love on a daily basis. You will need to have patience and understanding and a lot of love, you will also get that love back from your dog which makes everything worth it.

If you found this article helpful and are looking for additional information about raising your dog or information about training, please visit my newly revised site at http://basicsofdogownership.com Thanks so much for reading this article.