Your dog is a social being, just like you! He/she loves walking in the park with you, playing ball or chase with you, and just being with you. Even when he/she’s lying around the house or the backyard having a snooze, your dog is well aware of your presence, or absence, and appreciates every minute you spend with him/her. If you have a family, your dog loves being part of your family and no doubt has a special relationship with most, if not all, of the family members.

I have a Rottweiler, Kara, and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Jet. They’re both female and both just turned 9 years. I’ve had them since they were puppies, and they’re definitely members of my family. I love them to bits and would be lost without them.

I’ll bet your dog is much like mine when it comes to interacting with you.

I know my dogs are always beside themselves with joy and excitement whenever I come home - regardless of whether I’ve been away for a week, or just popped out for 10 minutes! What human gets that excited to see you? No one? I thought so. I don’t know any human who’s even half that happy to see me.

Kara often stands and wags her tail when I walk past her in the house or when I talk to her. And Jet doesn’t move from her comfortable position lying down. But her tail thumps up and down on the floor. Just goes to show that every dog has his/her own unique personality. Just like us.

And my dogs just love being let in from outside. They consider their place is in the house - just like the human members of the household!

And why not? Dogs really can be a man’s (or a woman’s or a child’s) best friend. They rarely ask for anything. So long as you feed them regularly, and show them some love and attention, they’re happy. And a happy dog is the first step to a healthy dog. (Don’t get me wrong, dogs don’t have to be allowed in the house to be happy - mind you, my dogs would like me to believe that this is the case!)

Consistency when dealing with your dog is very important. And I’m talking here about both the initial teaching/training of your dog, and also the reinforcement of those teachings throughout your dog’s life.

It’s essential for your dog’s wellbeing for you to be consistent when disciplining, playing with and just simply spending time with, your dog. But it’s also important for other members of the household (and even frequent visitors) to treat your dog in a similar manner where possible. This is particularly so if your dog has any problem behaviours, such as jumping up at people. If you don’t also ask your family and your visitors to make it clear to your dog that this is unacceptable, your dog is unlikely to curb the jumping altogether. And this may simply perpetuate the problem.

Dogs who experience consistency tend to be better behaved dogs, and, guess what? You guessed it - better behaved dogs are happier dogs, and happier dogs are healthier dogs!

So you know what to do - love your dog, spend quality time with your dog, and make sure you’re consistent.

About The Author

(c) Brigitte Smith, Healthy Happy Dogs, 2004

Brigitte Smith is a dog lover and owns 2 dogs - a Rottweiler and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Brigitte has a special interest in improving the health and possibly extending the life of your dog.

You can subscribe to the Healthy Happy Dogs ezine - for free tips, information, strategies and resources for a healthier happier dog - at: HealthyHappyDogs.com” target=”_new HealthyHappyDogs.com; mailto:Brigitte@HealthyHappyDogs.com Brigitte@HealthyHappyDogs.com

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For humans, summer is such a beautiful season, filled with fun and outdoor activities. But for our canine friends, it can really be a frightening time of year.

Many dogs suffer from anxiety attacks during the summer months due to many seasonal factors. Hot sunny weather unfortunately brings thunderstorms. And, of course, the fireworks displays around the Fourth of July pose special problems as well. Even the sound of a siren through an open window can trigger a panic attack for some sensitive pets.

As a boarding kennel owner for many years, I dealt with this situation on a regular basis. Many people obviously would leave on vacation during the summer months, and left their precious pets in my care. I have dealt with many different dogs over the years with varying degrees of noise anxiety. It has been my experience that advance planning for these pets with special needs is vital. The first step to dealing with anxiety is recognizing the problem.

Pet owners are usually aware of their pets’ noise sensitivity. The symptoms are obvious; with the onset of loud noises, the dogs become very nervous and unsettled. Generalized anxiety sets in, then heavy breathing or panting, pacing back and forth, and even vomiting can occur. If left unaddressed, these symptoms can escalate into more severe, dangerous antics. These extreme anxiety attacks usually bring either destructive behavior, or escape attempts.

Many dogs destroy their surroundings as a result of their fear of loud noises. The physical exertion becomes an outlet for anxiety. From favorite toys to couches and carpets, nothing is off limits for a dog that is in panic mode. Dogs have even been known to mutilate their own bodies while suffering from noise anxiety, by excessively licking or biting themselves. Their fears take over, and their own pain then becomes secondary.

Oftentimes destruction is the precursor for escape. When ripping up the family’s favorite chair doesn’t offer relief from the fear and stress, the dog then goes into flight mode. Fearful dogs left indoors have been known to chew through entire wood doors, tear through drywall, even jump through plate glass windows to escape their fears. For outdoor pets, the need to get away is ever present as well. Fences that have effectively contained the dog now become an insignificant obstacle when driven by fear of loud noises. Many dogs simply chew through the chains that anchor them in their yards, just to get away.

A severely frightened dog satisfies it’s fear through the act of escaping, and, in his own canine mind, he thinks that running away from the loud noise will save his life. Thousands of dogs end up in animal shelters during the summer months, especially around Independence Day. Shelters nationwide are accustomed to dealing with what is referred to as “Fourth of July Dogs.” Some are picked up by animal control officers, and others are turned in by good samaritans. The loud sounds from the fireworks displays prove to be too much to handle for these anxious pets. Many of them who end up in the shelters are not wearing i.d. tags, making it impossible for them to be reunited with their owners. If and when new homes are not found, ultimately many of these pets are then euthanized. It is a sad situation that can be avoided, if precautions are taken by pet owners who recognize their pets’ fears.

The key to dealing with noise anxiety in dogs is making the pet feel safe and secure. Of course the most obvious solution is to remove the noise or remove the dog from the situation. But this is not always possible. Therefore, planning ahead is vital.

Confining a pet when it is fearful will only be effective if the pet’s place of confinement is what he considers to be a “safe place” during normal life. Many pet owners have used pet carriers for housebreaking, or as a pet’s bedtime place. If your pet feels that his carrier is a safe place, then it is acceptable to place him in the crate during a storm, etc. Placing the crate in an interior room or basement can be helpful to muffle the noise. Playing a radio and/or running a fan near the crate will make it difficult for the pet to hear the outside noise, and can have an overall calming effect.

It is very important, however, to note that if your pet does not like going into a crate, placing him in one during a time of anxiety can be very detrimental! If he does not feel the crate is safe when it isn’t storming, it will become a place of great fear after being locked in it when the thunder is crashing around him. This negative reinforcement can result in a dog with more generalized anxiety if not properly handled.

Some dogs like to find their own place to hide when they encounter fearful noises. Small dogs often prefer to hide under a bed or behind a sofa. If this makes the dog feel better, then it is important to provide access to his favorite hiding place when he is afraid.

Distraction can be a great tool for dealing with fear and stress, but this method is usually only effective with dogs who have a low level of anxiety. A lively game of indoor fetch can sometimes distract him from the bottle rockets going off next door. Or even cuddle time on the couch with favorite treats can be enough to keep your pet distracted. Determining the level of anxiety will help to define the treatment method needed to deal with the noise anxiety.

Those dogs with more severe cases can often be effectively treated with medication. Many over-the-counter medications such as Benedryl® can offer great relief with mild tranquilizing effects. It is vital to seek veterinary consultation before administering these medications at home, as frequency and dosing is much different for our canine friends than for humans.

It is important to note that using these medications as a prevention rather than a treatment can be more effective. We had one frequent guest at the kennel that was so terrified of thunder that his teeth would start to chatter long before the first clap of thunder! At his vet’s advice, we started giving Winston a dose of medication when the forecast called for storms. By the time the actual storm would set in, he would be peacefully napping. Overall, it is easier for these medications to calm the pet if adrenaline is not yet a factor.

Here are some general guidelines for dealing with your pet’s noise anxiety:

DO’s

Make sure your pet is wearing a current i.d. tag on it’s collar.

Have a safe hiding place available for your buddy to escape to, under a favorite chair, or into a pet taxi.

Provide a fun distraction or favorite ritual that you know your pet enjoys.

Contact your veterinarian and discuss medication options. Make a chart of dosages and keep the medication on hand at home. (Tip: Rolling a pill in a lump of peanut butter makes the medicating process easy for you, and yummy for Fido!)

DON’T’s

Do not take your pet to a fireworks display. Arrange for someone to stay with him, or put him in his safe spot with a radio or fan.

Do not punish your pet for being afraid. This will only make him more fearful!

Do not try to de-sensitize the pet by exposing him to more loud noises. This will only exacerbate the problem.

Overall, dogs suffering from noise anxiety can be helped through proper planning and prevention, and of course, loving reassurance. If left untreated, this anxiety reaction, like any high stress situation, can be potentially harmful or can even lead to fatal consequences. Consider which treatment options would be best for your anxious pet. Remember, with planning and patience, a caring pet owner can indeed make the noisy situation less stressful!

© Shannon Lynnes Heggem (2006)
shannonheggem.com/ Shannon Lynnes Heggem is a motivational speaker with a strong background in the pet care industry. In the 1990’s, she established an upscale pet resort in Montana, and then founded the Fast Track Institute of Pet Careers, a vocational school focused on pet-related careers.

Shannon quickly became one of the top experts in the pet care industry. She was the first Certified Master Groomer in Montana, and went on to become a Certified Kennel Operator; only four people in the world actually hold both of these certification titles!

She amazingly survived a vicious Rottweiler attack in 1998, and since then has overcome incredible obstacles to continue her life’s journey. Shannon has just launched a revolutionary new seminar series learningaboutpets.com/ Learning About Pets Program focused on teaching pet owners vital knowledge to enhance their pets’ vitality, health, and well-being! learningaboutpets.com/ learningaboutpets.com/

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A dog, like a human baby, experiences the world through his mouth, by tasting and chewing on things. But, he also uses his mouth is as his hands. He carries and pulls with it as well as defends himself. Therefore healthy teeth and gums are very important.

A dog’s teeth need the same care as a human’s. Therefore, it’s important that you take care of his teeth as you would your own. The best way to do this, of course, is to brush them, which should be done at least twice a week. There are special tooth brushes designed to fit in a dog’s mouth as well as special chicken flavored tooth paste to make the task easier. But sometimes, brushing your dog’s teeth can be a real hassle. For instance, there are some dogs that will flee at the sight of a toothbrush and it is very had to coax a seventy pound Rottweiler from under the bed.

So, how can you get Bruno the Rottweiler to care for his teeth? Here are several alternatives to toothbrushing.

Dog Food

Dog food is a major cause of tooth decay. Believe it or not, canned dog food, though it tastes real good, is not good for Bruno’s teeth. Therefore, you should not feed it to him all the time; once in awhile, as a treat, or on a special occasion is fine. Instead, Bruno should eat a good quality hard dry dog food. This will keep his teeth and gums exercised, as well as cleaned.

Bones

Of course, Bruno needs more than just dry dog food to keep his teeth white and his gums healthy. Chewing on things, such as sticks, the furniture and golf balls, though it is good exercise for his gums, is not very healthy, especially if he were to swallow the wrong thing. Or, in the case of the furniture, just chewing on it is not a good idea on his part. So, you can provide him with a bone, either rawhide or real, as a diversion. These come in various sizes to fit your dog. Bruno will want a larger one, while a smaller dog would necessarily need a smaller bone. Either way, he can exercise and clean his teeth without fear of choking.

Enzymatic Rawhide Chips

You can try some of the rawhide chips that are infused with enzymes designed to kill your dog’s bad breath as well as remove tartar and plaque. However, the taste leaves something to be desired and Bruno may not like them, thus leaving them untouched. If he does not use them, they won’t work.

Regular Visits to the Veterinarian

Of course, the veterinarian is the best person to keep Bruno’s teeth in perfect health. As much as he will protest, regular visits insure good oral and physical health. Your dog’s veterinarian will provide him the proper care that will keep him healthy and happy for years to come.

Arlene Mason is a freelance writer living outside of Dallas, Texas with her husband and two dogs. She has written and published the following e-books: “Understanding Low-Carb Dieting”, “On the Edge” and “Stepping Stones” which are all available at double-dragon-ebooks.com double-dragon-ebooks.com

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Health Issues

Your very first action after officially adopting a new puppy or dog – before you take him or her home – should be to stop by your vet’s office for a thorough examination. If you have other pets at home, you don’t want to inadvertently expose them to a communicable illness. If the vet even suspects something contagious, like parvovirus or distemper, leave the animal there for treatment – don’t take him home yet!

It’s even a good idea in such cases to clean your exposed body parts with a bleach water mix to kill latent viruses and germs before you enter your home. Try to avoid direct contact with any pets. Immediately head to the laundry room and put your clothing in the washer with lots of detergent and hot water. If you ruin something, that’s certainly better than exposing your pets to a disease!

Vaccinations

Your vet will, of course, know which vaccinations are required in your city and state. Most vets will administer inoculations in bundles (known as DHLP-P) to save time and expense. The injection includes vaccinations against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. Rabies vaccine is given separately and is mandatory in virtually every locale.

If you have other pets at home, vaccinations are absolutely critical for any new dogs you add to the domestic mix. Get them done - and stay on schedule!

Pack Hierarchy Issues

Any time you bring a new pet into your home with existing dogs, there is potential for fights as the hierarchy of the ‘pack’ is thrown into temporary disarray. It’s often impossible to tell whether a new dog will be an alpha or not, especially when it’s a puppy. However, puppies are much easier to condition to a lesser status within your home’s pack, even if their natural tendency is toward dominance. Remember, even two dogs will often be driven to attempt to form a pack with a dominant-subordinate relationship.

Let the dogs work it out, unless open aggression erupts. Then, you might try bringing in a professional trainer or, if possible, separate fighting dogs by partitioning them in certain parts of your home. Caution: never attempt to physically separate fighting dogs with your hands or feet! Instead, spray or pour a copious amount of cold water on them. The cold and wetness will serve to startle them, which usually defuses the situation without you ending up with stitches.

There is, unfortunately, not much you can do to predict which animals will be dominant. Some breeds are more likely to have individuals that will assert themselves in the pack (German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Pit Bulls), but even there, you get a wide range of characteristics. So, plan for any contingency, including returning the new dog or finding a better home if it causes serious disruptions that are not naturally resolved within a few days.

Feeding Routines

If you’ve only had one dog in your home previously, an issue that can be a source of potential problems when you add a new one is feeding time. You don’t have to think about it with just one pet, but when you have two or more animals trying to eat in one space – especially a confined area – watch out! Early on, make sure you remain close by in case a fight breaks out. Even dogs that have always been docile and friendly can quickly turn on companion animals when food is in the mix.

If possible, segregate your pets so they can eat without any contact with the other(s). Not only will this eliminate the potential for aggression, but it may prevent other disasters as well. Dogs that eat in groups tend to gulp without properly chewing their food. This can lead to choking and a condition called ‘bloat’ that can be life threatening.

Don’t Ignore Your First Dog!

When you bring in a new pet, it’s easy to start ignoring your existing dog(s). You’re not a bad person! It’s a natural tendency. However, you should anticipate it and work hard to catch yourself doting on the new dog at the other’s expense. Dogs are very tied in to our feelings and actions. More than most owners ever realize. You will send the wrong “vibe” to your older pets if you change how much time and attention you give them. To keep everyone happy, spend quality time with them all and don’t play favorites – even when the new pet is really ‘new.’

John Schwartz is a freelance writer and dog lover. He has written many published articles on subjects that include shopping for safe puppies-dogs-supplies.com/dog_toys.html dog toys and supplies, improving pet health, and good dog training practices. Visit his website at puppies-dogs-supplies.com puppies-dogs-supplies.com for more information and dog ownership tips.

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Shedding, unfortunately for pet owners, is a natural cycle in every pet’s life. No wondrous cure exists, contrary to what some product manufacturers would like us to believe. They offer tonics for the pet’s coat, tools that claim to remove all of the loose hair in one simple step, and of course, the cure-all supplement. Don’t waste your money, they will not work.

To help alleviate the shedding dilemma, it is important to examine the facts. It is necessary to determine whether the pet is actually shedding, or if it is experiencing coat loss. While the end result is the same, the causes of these two situations are very different.

Shedding typically occurs every spring and fall season, relating primarily to changes in the intensity and duration of sunlight cycles. Pets that live mostly in an outside environment tend to “blow their coats” twice yearly, according to the natural sunlight schedules they are exposed to. Pets that live most of their lives indoors are exposed to artificial light, which alters this natural shedding cycle, causing the pet to shed excessively.

Most dogs under indoor conditions usually go through at least one major shedding cycle each year, depending upon the breed. Here is the general rule: if the dog requires regular maintenance haircuts, it most likely will not shed excessively. Dogs with shorter hair that require brushing rather than haircuts, usually have double coats and thus tend to shed much more.

Coat loss is much different than shedding as it is not a natural occurrence. The result is the same, but actual coat loss can be caused by many different factors. Older pets generally have poor coat quality as their digestive systems don’t function as well as they once did. The same is true for pets that have been ill for any length of time, or have been exposed to a significantly stressful situation, or change of ownership, etc. As always, an examination by a veterinarian is always a good choice to rule out any obvious health deficiencies.

Studies have also shown that dogs that have been under anesthesia for an extended period of time usually blow their coats within two months. Females that have had puppies tend to lose their coats soon after as well. Most of these situations are repairable, and the coat will return to normal after the pet has returned to good health.

Pet owners seeking a solution to alleviate excessive shedding need to evaluate the brand of dog food they feed. If a dog is being fed poor quality food, the dog’s body will utilize what little nutritional value the food has for energy to maintain bodily functions, and therefore the quality of its coat decreases. In most cases, good quality dog food is usually the cheapest, easiest way to reduce the excessive hair loss. Talk to your veterinarian about choosing a premium dog food that is best for your pet’s individual health and well being.

Finally, in addition to quality food, good brushing habits will indeed reduce the amount of hair you’ll find around your house. Whether you institute the brushing ritual at home, or turn to your favorite dog groomer to do the task, you will be pleased with the results.

© Shannon Lynnes Heggem (2006)
shannonheggem.com/ Shannon Lynnes Heggem is a motivational speaker with a strong background in the pet care industry. In the 1990’s, she established an upscale pet resort in Montana, and then founded the Fast Track Institute of Pet Careers, a vocational school focused on pet-related careers.

Shannon quickly became one of the top experts in the pet care industry. She was the first Certified Master Groomer in Montana, and went on to become a Certified Kennel Operator; only four people in the world actually hold both of these certification titles!

She amazingly survived a vicious Rottweiler attack in 1998, and since then has overcome incredible obstacles to continue her life’s journey. Shannon has just launched a revolutionary new seminar series learningaboutpets.com/ Learning About Pets Program focused on teaching pet owners vital knowledge to enhance their pets’ vitality, health, and well-being! learningaboutpets.com/ learningaboutpets.com/

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