Sunday, May 27, 2012

Can Worms Kill Dogs?

Worms can kill dogs. Did you know that?

Many owners are genuinely shocked to learn that worms can be so serious. Fatal in fact.

There are so many different symptoms that can appear when a dog has worms that anything you notice outside of the ordinary behaviour of your pet should be addressed by a visit to your vet as a worm infested dog can become a very unhealthy, unhappy dog very fast.

Left untreated worms can kill a dog so it is better to be safe than sorry if you suspect your pet might have worms or have been in contact with other dogs that might have worms.

The experts all agree that worming a dog four times per year is the best way to keep a dog worm free (see more: http://www.dogworms.co.uk).

First, establish whether your dog might already have worms (click here)

If you suspect your dog already has worms, see your vet for consultation on the best worming treatment dependant on your dog's age/weight.

In terms of avoiding worms in the first place, regularity of worming treatment is the best approach.

(A note on lungworms: The lungworm parasite is carried by slugs and snails. The problem arises when dogs purposefully or accidentally eat these common garden pests when rummaging through undergrowth, eating grass, drinking from puddles or outdoor water bowls, or pick them up from their toys. - See more: http://www.lungworm.co.uk)

Leading worming experts Bayer Animal Health advise:

To avoid worms reaching maturity and affecting your pet's health, and to reduce public health risks, you should worm your pet regularly. Worming at least every three months with Drontal will reduce this risk, but ask your vet who will be able to evaluate your pet's health and your family's requirements and advise you on a specific worming routine for your pet.

Also, don't forget about dog fleas (fleas and worms often go hand in hand - see more)

Why Do Dogs Bury Bones? (Want the Answer?)

Here's Today's Joke: Why do dogs bury bones?

A) Because they can't hide them in trees.

Dogs are a lot like children. They need stimulation or they will get bored and we all know the trouble children can be when they get bored.

Bored dogs are generally unhappy dogs and they are also the dogs that are most likely to get into trouble with other animals and humans.

The happiest dogs are often the working dogs as they not only have a purpose in life but they also get the praise and regular attention of their owners.

Even simply getting your dog some toys of it's own to play with can add a lot of fun and happiness to it's life, but more importantly getting the dog involved in family activities will have a positive effect on it's mental state and happiness. There are of course many types of interactive dog games you can now buy for your pup - after all, we now live in the age of the luxury pet boutique, the dedicated dog park and all manner of exciting canine innovations. Dogs are creatures of simple needs, but the point is - there is something for every dog that will entertain them!

Dogs love to be taken for walks or a run along the beach.
They get to look at a different environment and interact with strangers and other dogs.

This social interaction is very important for the overall well being of your dog and it is something that needs to be done on a regular basis.

One of the benefits of dog training schools is the fact that your dog will get to interact with other dogs, however training your dog at home also has it's benefits as you will be learning each others personalities when working closely together and your dog will still get the opportunity to socialize with other dogs when you take it for walks in the park and similar activities.

Any time spent with your dog, whether it is training or just enjoying playtime, is great for building a long and happy relationship.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Daily Dog Digest April 26, 2012

Here is your daily dog digest for April 26, 2012

Inside this issue....

  1. UK Animal Cruelty Stats Released - 2012-04-23 14:34:11-04
    The number of people convicted of cruelty and neglect to animals rose by nearly a quarter last year, according to figures announced by the RSPCA today. Cases revealed ahead of the charity’s major fundraising push, RSPCA Week 2012, include a dog repeatedly stabbed with a potato peeler, a dog the only survivor of a house [...]

    UK Animal Cruelty Stats Released is a post from: My Dog Magazine


  2. Dog Wardens Comment on Microchipping Proposals - 2012-04-24 05:39:36-04
    The National Dog Warden Association is the latest organisation to speak out about the recent Government proposals for compulsory microchipping of all dogs in England. In a statement, the NDWA says: Whilst NDWA welcomes the government announcement on proposed ways to deal with irresponsible dog ownership in its many forms, it is extremely disappointed that [...]

    Dog Wardens Comment on Microchipping Proposals is a post from: My Dog Magazine


  3. Why is My Dog Panting? - 2012-04-24 14:37:36-04
    Why Do Dog’s Pant? Unlike horses and indeed us humans, dogs do not sweat through the skin; they sweat through the tongue and nose, so that when a dog is [...]

    Why is My Dog Panting? is a post from: Dog Advice


  4. Vets Latest to Hit Out at Government’s Dog Law Plans - 2012-04-24 15:09:22-04
    Veterinary associations have described the Government’s package on dangerous dogs as a missed opportunity to prevent future dog attacks. The package (for England) includes an extension of dangerous dogs law to cover private property, the removal of the requirement for all dogs to be held in police ‘custody’ and a range of options to introduce [...]

    Vets Latest to Hit Out at Government’s Dog Law Plans is a post from: My Dog Magazine


  5. Alice Cooper & The 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act - 2012-04-25 07:28:23-04
    Some people never learn from the mistakes of history. Ken Baker is one of those people. His introduction of the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act and, along with it, breed specific legislation (outlawing/banning certain dogs by ‘type’) has been an unmitigated failure. A disaster on every level. Dog attacks have not reduced, the cost of attempting [...]

    Alice Cooper & The 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act is a post from: My Dog Magazine

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Daily Dog Digest April 24, 2012

Welcome to the Daily Dog digest for April 24, 2012.

In this digest we've got...

  1. Cesar Millan Talks to K9 Magazine About BSL - 2012-04-17 14:42:57-04
    He’s the world’s most recognised dog trainer, star of screen and best selling author, The Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan is known to millions. He has spoken exclusively to K9 Magazine about a number of key canine issues, including Britain’s controversial breed specific legislation, Cesar- like most supporters of animals – is NOT a fan… In [...]

    Cesar Millan Talks to K9 Magazine About BSL is a post from: My Dog Magazine


  2. 7 Funniest Photo Bombing Dogs - 2012-04-18 04:56:08-04
    Firstly, you might be asking, just what exactly IS photobombing and how does one go about detonating the perfect photobomb? Definition: A typical photobomb is when somebody jumps into the background of what was supposed to be a nice picture, usually sporting a funny look on their face–thus ruining the photo. OK, so does anyone [...]

    7 Funniest Photo Bombing Dogs is a post from: My Dog Magazine


  3. Is it OK to Let Dogs Like Your Face? - 2012-04-20 10:45:35-04
    Rare is the dog owner who’s pet has never given them a canine kiss. Sloppy, wet dog kisses – it would seem – could hand in paw with the dog ownership experience. But can dogs pass on germs when they lick your face? One of the more commonly asked questions we get here at DogTips.co [...]

    Is it OK to Let Dogs Like Your Face? is a post from: My Dog Magazine


  4. World’s First Sex Selected Puppy Litter Born In America - 2012-04-21 11:31:27-04
    Five cuddly puppies born in American are more than your average litter. They're the world's first dogs to have their sex selected prior to conception via cutting-edge cell-sorting technology developed by an American biotech company. The black Labrador pups, three female and two male, join a long line of animal species the group. has demonstrated [...]

    World’s First Sex Selected Puppy Litter Born In America is a post from: My Dog Magazine


  5. Compulsory Microchips Fall Short on Dangerous Dog Owner Problem - 2012-04-24 02:50:55-04
    The Government has wasted the best opportunity to tackle irresponsible dog ownership in more than 20 years, claimed the RSPCA today. The country’s biggest animal welfare charity has accused Defra of ignoring the advice of the country’s dog law enforcement agencies, and instead launching yet another unnecessary consultation. The RSPCA’s believes the coalition has broken [...]

    Compulsory Microchips Fall Short on Dangerous Dog Owner Problem is a post from: My Dog Magazine

Friday, April 20, 2012

Is It Safe To Let Dogs Lick Your Face?

Is it safe to let dogs lick your face?

That's the question posed (and answered) by MyDogMagazine.com.

The article covers:

  1. Dogs Lick Faces Because…
  2. Is it OK to Let Puppies Lick Faces?
  3. A Show Of Respect
  4. How To React to Dog Face Licking?
Extract:

Dogs use their long tongues for mopping up lunch crumbs, removing mud from their feet, and cleaning their privates. And yet, when they give our faces sloppy licks, there’s something endearing about it. Apart from occasional attempts to retrieve bits of glazed doughnut from our chins, dogs lick us because they like us. It isn’t a kiss, but it’s close.

Almost as soon as they’re born, dogs experience the soft warmth of their mothers’ tongue, which bathes them with maternal affection. The licking never really stops after that. Mothers take advantage of their puppies’ relative immobility during nursing to lick them clean. They also lick their bottoms to jump-start their impulses to relieve themselves.

Read in full: http://mydogmagazine.com/interesting/dog-lick-face/

Monday, April 16, 2012

A Different Approach to Dog Training

As most of us realise when bringing a new puppy home, dogs are not capable of the same type of analytical thinking that their human owners are, so never assume your pup is as smart as you are. Treating a dog as if he is able to understand every word you say can be disappointing. However, you are about to learn how to properly treat your dog so you can train it.

When a behavioural problem suddenly occurs you should take the dog to the vet to eliminate health problems. Animals that are in pain or that have certain health conditions may lash out or behave inappropriately. Animals can't tell us when something is wrong, so they depend on us to interpret their behaviours.

Ask your family to help you train your dog by using the same commands you are teaching him. If you use different commands for each action, like using "down" and your wife using "lay," your dog will get confused. If the family can be consistent about commands, training will go easier.

When teaching your puppy not to chew on things that are not toys, you should try to facilitate success. You also need to make sure that you keep your pet away from objects that could hurt him if chewed. Common items like curtains and hairbrushes are choking hazards that can kill your dog if you aren't vigilant.

In consideration of your training efforts, avoid rough games or anything that mimics in play what you don't want your dog doing on his own. These games often encourage a puppy to start biting. You don't want them doing that, so you should wait until they are older and more mature to play those games.

To house train your pup, get him on a set feeding and potty schedule every day. This will give you an idea of when the dog is likely to have to go, so you can take it outdoors to take care of this matter before an accident occurs on your rug. Conversely, this also teaches your dog that he may need to wait to go to the bathroom.

Dogs that don't like being away from their owners should learn to be comfortable with multiple people. This will help it be less focused on the fact that you are not home.

Learn how to use positive reinforcement for training outside of treats. You will find that treats do work. Unless you are in a training class, however, you are not likely to carry dog treats on you 24 hours a day. Good behavior can be rewarded with petting and hugging, which are two great treat replacements.

Spay or neuter your dog at the age of six months. This really should be done prior to the start of obedience classes. A newly neutered or spayed dog is more obedient. You will have a lot more happy years with your dog, and your dog will have a happier, healthier life.

Be certain your dog knows that you are the leader of your pack. Make sure he knows that you know what you are doing and are in control of the situation. Then he will look to you and defer to your judgment. It is important to walk ahead of your dog when taking him for a walk. This will let him know that you are the leader.

You need to make certain your dog is having fun each day during training sessions. If you do so, your dog will feel closer to you, and even respond to training better. While you can have fun during training sessions, it's a good idea to spend a little time simply playing.

After learning some helpful hints on how to get through to your dog and train it to behave to your expectations you simply need to follow what you have learned. After changing your dogs behavior to fit with the tips suggested you can properly train your dog.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

K9 Insider April 5, 2012

  1. Puppy Personality Test - 2012-04-03 07:13:29-04
    A puppy personality test enables you to conduct some (very) unscientific research prior to choosing your puppy. We've got four short tips to help you run a puppy personality test [...]

    Puppy Personality Test is a post from: Dog Advice



  2. A Nation of Animals? The Stats Don’t Say So - 2012-04-03 07:38:25-04
    Is Britain really a nation of animal lovers? A new study has estimated that over 260,000 cats and dogs entered the care of UK rescue organisations during 2009, the first full year since the onset of the UK recession. The aim of the research was to estimate the number of cats and dogs, currently being [...]

    A Nation of Animals? The Stats Don’t Say So is a post from: My Dog Magazine


  3. How Often Should I Train My Dog? - 2012-04-04 06:05:05-04
    Positive dog training can happen any time, all the time. You don't need to get your dog ready in special training equipment. Your pet is usually ready whenever you are. [...]

    How Often Should I Train My Dog? is a post from: Dog Advice



  4. World’s Weirdest Inventions for Dogs - 2012-04-04 06:11:32-04
    A popular aggregator website has compiled a list of the "ten strangest inventions" and a remarkable 30% of the list were inventions created specifically for dogs. Of the top ten list, three of the inventions were specifically for dogs, proving either that the most innovative and ingenious people in the world are dog owners, or [...]

    World’s Weirdest Inventions for Dogs is a post from: My Dog Magazine


  5. Can Dogs Catch Colds? - 2012-04-04 07:49:27-04
    Can Dogs Catch Colds? Or, as many of our readers have asked, can dogs catch a cold from humans (and even vice versa, can humans get a cold from dogs?). Let’s have a look shall we and see if we can answer one of the most commonly asked questions here at MyDogMagazine.com….can dogs get colds? [...]

    Can Dogs Catch Colds? is a post from: My Dog Magazine