Worming Your Dog - How Often Should Dogs Be Wormed?

How often should I worm my dog?

You probably wouldn't be all too surprised to find out that many dog owners are often left stumped when it comes to the frequency of worming.

In their straight to the point guide (How often should I worm my dog?) K9 Magazine has this to say:

A dog with worms is an unhappy, unfulfilled and potentially very poorly dog. You might be surprised to learn that one of the more common queries we receive is from dog owners who want to know “how often should I worm my dog?”.

 

The frequency of worming is something that requires some further analysis on the topic of worms in dogs on a more general level. You’ll see why when you read on.

The truth is, a dog with worms really is unhappy and at a potentially very high risk of some seriously unpleasant health problems.

Take a look: http://www.k9magazine.com/how-often-should-i-worm-my-dog/#ixzz1lbhZEb5z

What's The Best Dog For Kids?

Want to know what are the best dogs for children?

K9 Magazine can help.

The magazine has this to say in their recent article on selecting an ideal dog to live with a child inclusive family:

Picture if you will a young family. 2.4 young kids, a young, lush lawn and a newly furnished semi on the outskirts of town. For the lucky ones reading, this might be reality. Nothing is more rewarding than starting a family, but for those who got down to prolonging the existence of human kind a few years ago, you may notice that your children’s heads are disproportionately large in comparison with their meek, yet flexible bodies. If their heads do look a bit large it could mean that you have toddlers.

Great, everyone loves toddlers. Especially this writer, but what he likes to see more than a happy, healthy young family is a happy, healthy young family talking the dog for a walk.

Read more: http://www.k9magazine.com/best-dogs-for-children/#ixzz1l9j5bWaH

Bad Breath in Dogs - What Causes It?

Most people brush their teeth every day, but far fewer of us remember to do the same for our pets. This February, during Pet Dental Health Month, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is reminding pet owners that bad breath can be a sign of serious health problems.

Read all about the causes and cures for bad breath in dogs -

"Periodontal disease is the most common health problem that veterinarians find in pets," explains Dr. Rene Carlson, president of the AVMA. "It's estimated that by the age of two, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats have some form of periodontal disease."

The AVMA recommends that pet owners brush their pets' teeth every day, or at least several times a week.  The cost of a toothbrush and pet toothpaste is far less than treatments for dental disease, which can include x-rays, teeth cleaning and tooth extraction.

To help pet owners prevent periodontal disease, the AVMA, a sponsor of Pet Dental Health Month, offers an informative video providing step-by-step instructions on how to brush your pet's teeth. The Pet Dental Health Month website, www.petdental.com, includes tips from veterinary experts on pet dental health.

"Untreated periodontal infections often lead to more serious health problems because of chronic pain and infection, and subsequent stress on the immune system," says Dr. Carlson. "These untreated conditions can then lead to heart valve disease, kidney disease, and even diabetes and cancer, not to mention the significant discomfort associated with dental infections.  The AVMA is encouraging all dog and cat owners to take steps to control plaque on their pets' teeth and bring their pets into their veterinarian for regular dental checkups."

While regular dental checkups are essential to help maintain your pet's dental health, there are a number of signs that dental disease has already started in your pet's mouth.  If you find any of the symptoms below, take your pet into your veterinarian as soon as you can:

    Bad breath—Most pets have breath that is less than fresh, but if it becomes truly repugnant, that's a sign that periodontal disease has already started.
    Frequent pawing or rubbing at the face and mouth.
    Reluctance to eat hard foods.
    Red swollen gums and brownish teeth.

Finally, while any dog can develop periodontal disease, some pets do seem more prone to it.  For example, studies have shown that smaller dog breeds—like toy poodles, Yorkshire terriers and dachshunds—can be more vulnerable to dental disease.

For more information, please visit www.avma.org. 

Proof About Dogs & Passive Smoking

Dog owner Dot Dagless from Leeds had been a smoker for over forty years when she decided to kick the habit last May. Since quitting, her health has improved, but more remarkably, the health of her fourteen-and-a-half-year-old Yorkshire Terrier Winston, has also dramatically improved!

Winston was under the care of vets at Leeds PDSA PetAid hospital, and was on medication for a chesty cough.

Since giving up smoking, Dot has noticed that Winston is much sprightlier and his cough has cleared up considerably. “His appetite has
really increased plus he has a lot more energy,” comments Dot, “and he doesn’t need an afternoon nap like he used too!”

PDSA Veterinary Surgeon Carolyn Oldridge, says “Pets can be affected by breathing in second-hand cigarette smoke. Although Winston’s cough hasn’t gone completely, it has improved significantly thanks to Dot giving up.”

Learn about dogs and passive smoking.

Another advantage is that Winston no longer needs his medication. Dot
continues, “I don’t miss smoking one little bit, and it feels even
better to have quit knowing that I’m helping Winston’s health too, as
well as my own. The spare cash I’ve got has gone towards buying a new
coat to keep Winston warm during the winter on our walks together!”

Carolyn continues: “Remember that a pet can’t tell us if cigarette smoke
is affecting them, but over time their health will suffer. Why not take
the dog out for a walk instead to forget about those nicotine cravings!”

How To Get Your Dog To Reach Their Potential

Dog training is a great way to spend time with your dog, bond with him, and get a well behaved dog out of the deal as well. Your dog needs to know who the boss is in the house, and dog training produces great results. This article can help you choose the dog training that is right for your dog.

To help with training your dog you need to be flexible in your training methods. Being flexible with your training will help you when your dog is struggling to learn. This will help you tweak the methods needed to suit your dog until you figure out what works best for him.

You may need to try different treats until you find what works for your pup. There are a lot of different dog treats on the market, but your dog has his own tastes and preferences just like everyone else. If a particular treat doesn't seem to get your dog motivated, try something else.

A dog with hobbies is a happy dog. Make your dog work on walks. Many large breed dogs enjoy carrying items during walks such as tennis balls, sticks, or even dog-sized backpacks. This gives a dog a sense of purpose and gives him something to concentrate on. This way his attention span will be less likely to stray from your walk. Always teach your dog the basics (such as train your dog to stay).

Health

When you are training your dog, you should make sure that your dog is not sick when it is not following your commands that it normally will follow. They also need regular visits to the vet so that he or she can inform you of your dog's health. If your dog is sick, you shouldn't punish your dog for not following commands. A quick tip - food intolerance in dogs will leave your pet uncomfortable and he'll never be able to reach his full potential.

Insight: An overweight dog will not perform to their best and will suffer a range of health problems. Dog obesity is a huge issue and you should ensure your dog is the right weight for their age, breed and lifestyle.

Keep your dog up-to-date on his check-ups. If you are finding your dog is having difficulty with some aspects of training, or has regressed in his training, make sure he is in good health. Dogs are very adept at hiding pain and discomfort. So many times behavioral changes are the only clue that there is a health issue. For example, aggression can be a sign of pain, and sudden regression in-house training can signal a urinary tract infection.

If you are training a high-energy dog, it may be beneficial to exercise your dog just before the training session. A dog that is overly energetic will have difficulty focusing on what you are trying to teach. The exercise session can be beneficial for the human owner's health as well!

Food and Proper Nutrition For Dogs

Avoid using food and treats to train your dog beyond the puppy stage. Once you teach your dog to expect food for performing any task, they will refuse to do even the most basic commands without a food reward. Praising your dog warmly with words, cuddles and special playtime will get you a dog that listens without you worrying whether or not you have a treat in your pocket.

When potty training your new puppy, keep him on a strict feeding schedule. Offer food twice a day, at the same time each day, and take your puppy out to eliminate shortly after finishing the meal. Young puppies often need to use the bathroom quickly after a meal. Giving your dog the opportunity to go outside will get him on a schedule and help to prevent accidents.

Diet

Is your dog eating a nutritionally-sound diet? Like children, dogs can become hyperactive, inattentive and even a little bit bratty when their diet isn't up to par. Consider changing your dog's diet to something more species-appropriate, and he'll have long-lasting, consistent energy all day. Check with your vet about any specific nutritional needs he might need attending to!

Before you begin training your dog, make sure that his diet is the best it can be. Just as humans can feel lazy after eating junk food, a poor diet for your dog will affect his behavior. A healthy moderate diet will give him energy and concentration to learn what you are teaching him in training.

An often overlooked component of good dog training is to evaluate and improve the dog's diet. The old adage that you are what you eat definitely applies to dogs. A lot of medical and behavioral problems can be traced back to a dog's diet. Make sure you are doing all you can to give your dog the very best food it can get.

It has already been established that dog training is a positive choice for your dog and your family. Everyone loves a dog who is well behaved and doesn't jump all over you and destroy the house. By using the information in this article, you can choose a dog training method that is perfect for your pooch.

Keep your health. Dog worms are potential killers. Find out how often you should worm your dog.

Teaching Dog Obedience The Easy Way

The easy way to teach dog obedience using kind, positive dog training methods.

Training a new puppy can be overwhelming. However, dog obedience training is crucial for the safety of your pet, your home, your property and other people. It is essential to you and your puppy that you use positive dog training methods. Consistency and patience are key elements in dog training. Set aside time each day to spend training your pet, usually 20 to 30 minutes in length is best, because that is the amount of time that they are most receptive. Any longer and they become bored.

When training your dog, you should always give your dog only one order at a time. If you give your dog more than one command at the same time, your dog will be confused about what order it should follow. This will frustrate both of you. By giving your dog only one order at a time, it will better understand your commands which will lead to a higher success rate.

As you begin working with your dog on their training program, make sure to pay close attention to their diet (dog nutrition guide). Much like humans, a dog gets their fuel from what they eat each day. Having a diet that is not nutritionally sound can affect a dog's behavior and make training more difficult.

When your canine has misbehaved, do not give it too much attention. In doing so continually, your dog will equate bad behavior with receiving attention from its owner(it does not matter to your pet that it is negative attention) and this will only reinforce bad habits which are difficult to break in the long term.

Make sure you and your family are consistent with your commands. If one person uses "down" to tell the dog to get off the couch while another says "off" and a third is letting him lay there, the dog is going to get mixed signals. It makes it much more difficult for him to learn the commands.

Train your dog by reinforcing positive behavior. This does not mean to punish your pet when he does something bad; instead, simply do not reinforce negative behavior. Negative enforcement might just make your dog scared of you. Positive reinforcement will ensure that your dog will want to do good things more often in order to receive treats and praise.

Give your dog plenty of positive reinforcement. Discipline isn't only about punishment for bad behavior. You should make sure to reward good behavior with lots of affection and praise. It will ensure that your dog understands when it is doing the right thing, and it will help it develop trust in its trainers.

When doing early leash training, select a nylon leash about six feet longer. A leash made of leather or other heavy material will drag on the dog's collar even when you aren't attempting to give a reinforcement, and can be extremely distracting for the dog. Once your dog is fully leash trained, however, leather leashes may look better and last longer than nylon ones.

If you are travelling with dogs, make sure to pack everything that your dog needs to eat, sleep and use the bathroom. Items like water and food bowls, paper towels and bathroom bags are essential to having a relaxing ride. Do not worry about taking a bag of their dog food with you; it is much easier to pick some up when you get to your destination.

When training a dog it is important to reward good behavior while redirecting bad behavior. Careful effort to maintain a clear distinction between good and bad behavior will go a long way towards overall training of the dog. This will guarantee that the dog knows why it is being rewarded or why it is being punished.

When you are training your dog, do not repeat commands over and over to get the dog to obey. Rather than teaching your dog to do what you say, repeating the same command when your dog doesn't listen gives them an attitude of indifference. Give your commands firmly, once, and insist the dog do what you say.

If your dog seems depressed or gets anxious when you are about to leave the house, your dog might suffer from separation anxiety. To help your dog go through the day, leave something that has your smell on it, such as an old piece of clothing. This could mean that your dog will not miss you so much.

Never yell at a barking dog. While a barking dog is sure to raise your frustration level, resist the urge to yell at them. Dogs do not understand that you are yelling at them, and often associate your raised voice as you joining in the fun of barking. If your dog is barking, calmly distract them with a toy or treat, and when the barking stops, give them their prize.

Dog Advice & Resources:

• Fasting For Dogs
• How To Teach Your Dog To Walk To Heel
• Can Dogs Have OCD?
• Normal Temperature For Dogs
• I Want To Adopt A Dog

How To Have A Well Behaved, Happy Dog

As a new dog owner, you may be overwhelmed with the amount of work it takes to make sure your dog is both healthy and well behaved. This article will go into detail regarding tips specific to your situation, a new dog owner, and ways that you can successfully train your dog.

It is fun teaching your dog how to do tricks. Pick a time when he is fed, relaxed and calm. First, extend your hand to your dog's paw. You may have to pick his paw up when you first start. Regardless of how he acts, give him a treat. Pretty soon he will learn that if he extends his paw he will get a treat. In no time, he will simply give you his paw on his own.

Practice walking your dog over to a rug and asking him to sit whenever a doorbell rings. To do this, have a friend or family member ring the doorbell. Guide your dog by his leash to a rug or spot and have him sit. Praise him and offer a treat. Repeating this exercise will help him to remain calm and appear more polite when guests come over.

Do not respond to demands for attention from your dog. Training a dog to be docile and controlled, means that you control when attention is given. In the pack, Alphas will ignore these behaviors until the dog is calm and relaxed. Then and only then, should you build excitement through play with the animal.

Establish a calm environment when you enter a room that your dog is in. Play time is good to have with your pet, however, your dog should remain calm when you enter the room. Do not acknowledge the animal when you enter and by doing so you create a controlled atmosphere in which you decide how and when play time begins.

Although a well trained dog can be taught to put up with just about anything, there will be times and situations where they are truly uncomfortable with a person, another animal, or a place. Don't force your dog to suffer through more of this discomfort than is absolutely necessary. There is a reason that they are uncomfortable and you need to determine that reason.

If your dog barks and growls at strangers in your home, do this: leash your dog, make him sit, wait until his attention is on you, and hand the leash, in full view of the dog, to your guest. Then wait until the dog is calm again, with the guest giving commands as needed. This teaches the dog that your guest ranks above him in "the pack" and he must accept them. When the dog starts to react again, repeat the exercise.

Put yourself in your dog's proverbial shoes - or paws, rather. It is easy to get frustrated with your dog if they are not learning very basic things quickly or at all. Instead of giving up entirely, you might consider trying to put yourself in your dog's mindset. Imagining the world as they see it might give you a new perspective on training them.

Young puppies are prone to chewing on their owners belongings. You can address this problem by immediately stopping your puppy if he chews an inappropriate item. You should then, instead, give him the toys that he is allowed to chew. Praise your dog anytime you finding him chewing a permitted toy. Remaining consistent with this training method can save your favorite furniture or pair of shoes.

If you are undergoing chemotherapy it is common for certain foods to leave a metallic taste in your mouth. The most common foods that give this type of reaction are water and meats. You can try adding fruit to water to lighten the taste and you can substitute fish, eggs, beans, or some other type of protein to your diet instead of meat.

Don't give treats to your dog for no reason, and never feed your dog at the table (learn to stop dog begging). Feed your dog his dog food in the same place, at the same time, every day. Give treats as rewards for good work done during training time. Otherwise, praise and petting are ample indications that you are friends with your dog. Too many treats at the wrong times will produce a spoiled, overweight dog.

Many puppies like to use their mouths to play because that is how they played with their litter mates. This should be discouraged as soon as possible after your puppy comes home. It may be cute when a seven pound puppy pulls on your arm or shirt sleeve, but I assure you, it isn't as cute when a fifty pound dog does it.

Dog Health

Your dog will need a diet high in nutrition to maintain his vitality and health. This means that you should be picky about what you feed your dog. Making your own dog food can help to reduce fillers that do nothing for your pet, while increasing the crude protein to a healthy and more beneficial level.

In many cases, a dog's diet can be contributing to the behavior and health problems that he is having. Be sure that you are feeding your dog a balanced diet and he is going to thank you by adapting his behavior to be accepted, more important than that, he will be healthier for many more years.

When you are training your dog, you should make sure that your dog is not sick when it is not following your commands that it normally will follow. They also need regular visits to the vet so that he or she can inform you of your dog's health. If your dog is sick, you shouldn't push your dog for not following commands.

If you are training a high-energy dog, it may be beneficial to exercise your dog just before the training session. A dog that is overly energetic will have difficulty focusing on what you are trying to teach. (Useful: can dogs have ocd?) The exercise session can be beneficial for the human owner's health as well!

A great dog training tip is to make sure your dog gets a little bit of exercise every day. Exercise is not only good for your dog's health, it also keeps them social with other people and other dogs. Taking your dog for a daily walk is key for socialization.

Keep your dog up-to-date on his check-ups. If you are finding your dog is having difficulty with some aspects of training, or has regressed in his training, make sure he is in good health. Dogs are very adept at hiding pain and discomfort. So many times behavioral changes are the only clue that there is a health issue. For example, aggression can be a sign of pain, and sudden regression in-house training can signal a urinary tract infection.

A good dog training tip is to make sure you regularly take your dog to the veterinarian for check-ups. You never know what sudden health issue could pop up. By regularly taking your dog to the veterinarian for check-ups, you can insure that your dog stays happy and healthy.

Be sure that your canine is consuming a healthy diet. A bad diet is unhealthy for dogs for many reasons. Poor nutrition adversely affects your dog's health and can cause uncharacteristic behavior. By simply improving the diet that the dog gets, you may notice a great improvement in how receptive they will be when it comes to training.

When a behavioral problem suddenly occurs you should take the dog to the vet to eliminate health problems. There are painful medical issues which cause aggressive or obnoxious behavior in dogs. This behavior is an indicator to humans that there is something wrong.

Ensure that your dog gets plenty of exercise and stimulation. Almost all dogs have short attention spans. When a dog is bored, he will be hard to train. Your dogs will obey more quickly if you keep them well exercised. Get out for some long walks and runs with your dog.

Because you are a new dog owner, you are faced with many challenges. Hopefully if you follow the steps presented in this article, you will be much closer to being able to successfully train your new dog and will have a better understanding of what goes into dog ownership and training.