My Ideal Dog

The first snow fall is the sign that the fun winter activities of dog owner and pet is about to begin. The dog owner does not have to bundle up the pet as the thick fur would protect the dog from the freezing temperature. Winter recreational activities would be even more enjoyable if the pet is around. Most dog owners though would be concerned about the pet’s inclination to eat snow. Although the habit to eat snow would be much better than eating rotting animals and feces, eating snow cannot be totally danger free. People holding plastic cups of snow topped with bright colored syrup is a common sight.

Snow with fresh or candied fruit toppings is also a favorite dessert. It seems that dogs really do have a lot of similarities with humans as these animals also love to eat snow. Dogs are not fastidious eaters as they would love to eat even unflavored snow. Haven’t you ever wondered why the dog loves to eat snow? Is the dog thirsty because you always forget to fill its water bowl?

By eating snow, dogs in the wild have survived the winter months when the rivers and streams are frozen. Modern day dogs don’t need to fend for themselves as the owners provide the pet with all its basic needs as well as all the comforts imaginable. Dogs though are very curious animals. Sunlight glistening on the snow crystals would entice an inquisitive dog to investigate. Once tasted, the dog would take another mouthful because the melting of the cold snow on the warm tongue would be pleasant sensation for the dog. Because snow eating is not dangerous, the dog owner would not prevent a pet that seems to get so much pleasure from eating snow.

However, if the pet has ingested large amounts of snow, it is possible that the body temperature will be lowered. The dog that has been eating snow excessively stands the risk of hypothermia. Eating snow is not entirely harmless as the dog can be eating snow laced with toxic substances. Instead of being topped with brightly colored and fruit flavored syrup like the snow people love to eat, the dog may be eating snow topped with anti freeze or other toxic substances. This would naturally result to poisoning.

Excessive snow eating can be attributed to a medical concern. Kidney disease or thyroid diseases can be the reason for the dog fondness for eating snow. Dogs with diabetes and Cushing’s disease will eat snow to satisfy the huge appetite that is a manifestation of the disease. To stop the dog’s snow eating habit, these medical concern must be addressed.

At Sarah’s Dogs you can learn more about why dogs eat snow as well as dog first aid and other common dog behaviors.

Contrary to the notion that dogs are carnivorous, dogs actually eat anything so that dog owners should not be surprised if the pet is seen eating grass. One of the bizarre behaviors of dog is eating grass. Dogs are known to raid trash cans and eat spoiled food, eat each others poop and drink water from the toilet so an owner has to be thankful that the pet has only formed the habit of eating grass. Dog owners will wonder why the pet would still eat grass in spite of the fact that it is regularly provided with enough nutritious food. A dog owner would wonder what makes his dog eat grass?

Wolves are the progenitors of dogs and grass forms a part of a wolf’s diet. Wolves hunt and eat their prey but grasses, plants and berries are eaten as well when food is scarce. Dogs have formed the habit of eating grass from subsisting on herbivores in the wild. Dogs in the wild would not know when the next meal would be thus the hunted prey as well as the contents of the stomach are totally consumed. Dogs in the wild have eventually developed a fondness for grass as these herbaceous plants have supplemented the dogs’ diet.

With the above mentioned fact, a dog’s inclination to eat grass becomes perplexing to the owners. Modern day dogs have no need to supplement their diet with grass as they are regularly provided with food. And yet, the dog would still be seen eating grass every now and then. Although dogs are known to eat anything, dog experts have an explanation for the dog’s strange eating habits.

One of the considerations made is the nutrient deficiency of commercially prepared dog foods. Dogs are intelligent animals but their ability to know what is wrong with their diet is uncanny. Eating grass is believed to be the dog’s way correcting a dietary imbalance. Dogs would eat anything – edible or inedible.

Dogs that have ingested anything that disagrees with the dog’s system commonly have an upset stomach. Grass is a natural cleanser that is used by dogs to deal with an upset stomach. Simply by eating grass; the dog can purge the toxic substance from its body. When a dog munches on grass, the blades of grass will sort of tickle the throat and induce vomiting so that the toxic substances together with the grass will be removed from the stomach. Grass is an effective bowel cleanser that eradicates parasite infestation.

A pet owner would be annoyed by the dog’s habit of digging holes. An owner has to live with this destructive behavior because digging, like chewing and barking is a natural behavior of dogs. All dogs dig. Of course dogs are not aware that digging holes will make the master angry thus the pet that is always eager to please would rearrange the landscaping and would meet the master with a very proud look on its face.

Dogs are affectionate pets that have the desire of pleasing the master and digging holes can be its way of repaying the master for all the love and the care it has received. Dogs are well loved pets but it would certainly be frustrating if the garden that eats a lot of your free time will be destroyed by the dog again and again. Dog owners would always want to be with the pet thus locking the dog in a kennel to prevent it from digging holes will not be a very good idea. Would knowing the reasons behind the dog’s unacceptable behavior help? Dealing with the reasons why the dog digs can be a better solution to modify the destructive behavior.

The dogs‘ unwanted digging behavior will always be attributed to boredom. Most of the undesirable behaviors of dogs were developed because of boredom. Dogs, apart from being energetic are social animals as well. Digging holes is only one of the destructive behaviors dogs will develop if not given the opportunity to expend excess energies or the chance to interact with the human family.

Dogs would always want to receive attention from the family but because of tight schedules, pet owners may not have the time to bond with the pet thus the destructive digging behavior will be developed. In the eyes of the dog, the reprimands of an angry master would be more acceptable than being ignored. Another reason why dogs dig holes is to break away from confinement. Dogs do not enjoy being leashed because these energetic animals love to roam. Dogs are curious animals thus the sounds and scents on the other side of the fence will be very interesting. The dog will dig tunnels under the fence to get to the other side.

For a dog, digging is a cool activity. Digging holes would be a pleasant activity for dogs especially if the temperature is hot. Lying on a newly dug hole will cool the dog’s heated body. In the wild dogs have another purpose for digging holes – to store food. The dog would dig holes to be used for storage purposes not unlike the way we store food in refrigerators. Dogs will be seen digging holes to bury bones and other “treasures” that can be unearthed when food is scarce.

A dog would always be a most loyal and affectionate companion whose comic antics would continuously bring laughter and amusement to the family. Dogs are much loved pets that are even considered as the “baby” of the family so that all eyes will be turned to the dog and all the antics of the pet will be noticed and appreciated. The dog’s fun and loving nature is the reason why the pet is always taken around but a dog that can do tricks would make an owner show off the pet’s abilities. A pet owner would be very proud of a pet that can shake hands, roll over, play dead and do other tricks. Other dog owners would be impressed with an owner that has successfully trained the pet to do awesome tricks.

Many pet owners would baulk at the idea of training the dog to do tricks. Without a doubt, encouraging the dog to learn new things would be a daunting task. Dogs have varied characteristics. While some would instantly adapt to the training, other dog’s mind would seem to be wandering. Don’t be discouraged if your pooch looks at you as if you are speaking some foreign language that cannot be understood by the pet. Training the dog to do tricks is definitely not for a lazy person as a single trick entails countless repetitions before it can be learned by the dog.

Teaching the dog to do tricks is not too different from obedience training. Both would need constant repetitions, positive reinforcements and a lot of patience and perseverance from the owner. For the training to gain the desired result, an owner has to establish the position as the alpha dog to secure the respect and obedience of the pet. Directions must be simple and clear to be easily understood by the dog.

Reinforcing verbal commands with hand gestures would make the command more understandable for the dog. By holding out one hand in the shake hand trick, the dog will be prompted to extend its paw. Use an authoritative voice to give a consistent command until the trick is learned.

Dogs naturally want to please its people. The dog will be encouraged to obey if it receives lavish attention from its master. Being food motivated, dogs will be encouraged to respond well with the training with treats. Dogs are energetic but they are curious animals as well. Training the dog to do tricks must be conducted in short sessions and in an area where there are few distractions.

How do you teach a dog to do tricks? Sarah’s Dogs has more answers to this question as well as dog first aid.

Moist eczema, acute moist dermatitis and hot spots refer to a type of skin infection that is most common in dogs. These circular sore spots would erupt on the head, face, chest, hip and on other parts of the dog’s body. These hairless patches of moist, raw, red and inflamed skin will be very itchy and at times painful. Licking and chewing are natural behaviors of dogs thus anything that causes them pain and discomfort will be constantly worried by the mouth and tongue. A flea bite that causes minor irritation will be incessantly licked and gnawed by the pet. Hot spots can develop rapidly so that a coin sized itchy spot in the skin can develops into a palm sized raw and inflamed skin with a smelly pus discharge. Pyotraumatic dermatitis is the other name for hot spot purportedly given because this skin infection is worsened by the dog’s self mutilation.

All breeds of dogs can be weighed down by this itchy and painful skin infection but hot spots usually develop in long coated dogs. Hot spots are common skin concerns of dogs living in places where the climate is hot and humid. Although not a long term disease, hot spots have the tendency to recur. Moreover, first aid treatments that could have prevented a small lesion from developing into a hot spot is oftentimes not administered by the owner as the sore spot will be hidden by the long and thick hair of the dog.

This type of skin infection could have started from a flea or mite infestation. Dogs with histories of food and inhalant allergies, with anal gland concerns and ear infections are most susceptible. Hot spots commonly develop in dogs that are not regularly groomed because the tangles in the coat are perfect breeding places for bacteria.

First aid treatment is necessary to control the spread of infection. Hot spot would not only mar the appearance but would also create immense discomfort for the pet. The hair in the affected area must be removed to expose the edges and to prevent the spread of infection. Clipping the hair will let in air that will dry the inflamed tissues. The hot spot must be cleaned daily with a sterile saline solution. A topical antibacterial ointment will control the growth of bacteria thereby speeding up the healing process.

Dogs with hot spots tend to have the skin infection over and over again until the underlying cause of the infection is not eliminated. External parasite infestation has to be controlled. Regular grooming will do a lot to prevent the development of the itchy and painful sores.

Want to know more about hot spots and first aid for dogs? Visit Sarah’s Dogs.

Many dog owners have been informed about the bad effects of chocolates on the pet. However, a lot of dog owners are not aware of the dangerous effects of onions to the pet. Onions are unsafe for dogs as consumption can result to the development of serious health concerns.

Onion is a pungent bulb used as a cooking ingredient as it improves the taste of foods. Onions are one of the people-safe foods that have toxic effects on dogs. Dogs are much loved pets thus owners have develop the habit of feeding the pet human foods. Life threatening concerns can develop in a dog that ingests raw, cooked, powdered or dehydrated onion.

The toxic effects of onions will be dependent on the amount ingested by the pet. A dog would immediately show signs of poisoning if it has ingested significant amounts of onions. Signs of onion poisoning may not be manifested by dogs that have eaten small amounts of onions. Small amounts of onions when regularly ingested would cause a buildup of toxicity. The dog will develop a serious condition known as hemolytic anemia.

Onions are toxic to dogs because these animals do not have the enzyme needed to metabolize thiosuphate, a substance contained by onions. Thiosulphate has the dangerous effect of causing the premature destruction of the red blood cells. Red blood cells have the significant function of supplying oxygen to the tissues and to the different organs of the body. Thiosulphate has the dangerous effect of oxidizing the red blood cells. Once red blood cells are oxidized, bubble-like clumps known as Heinz bodies will project from the red blood cells. These bubble-like clumps will weaken and cause the premature destruction of the red blood cells. Premature destruction would considerably lessen the numbers of red blood cells giving rise to various health concerns one of which is heart failure.

Dogs that have ingested small amounts of onions will not manifest toxicity symptoms at once. A one-time onion eating episode may not have dangerous effects as the bone marrow can still cope with the regeneration of the red blood cells. Dogs that eats onion regularly would suffer from the toxicity effects of this human food as the toxic substance would accumulate and cause the mass destruction of red blood cells. Hemolytic anemia will develop when the dog’s bone marrow can no longer correct the mass destruction of red blood cells.

Dogs would eat just about anything thus there will be no need to entice the dog to eat its food by adding onions. Onions are dangerous to dogs thus please keep this human food away from your pet.

So onions are dangerous to dogs. But do you know everything. At Sarah’s Dogs there is further discussion on the topic of onions and dogs.

The haunting and eerie howling of the dog would keep fearful people awake all night. It would seem as if dogs really do follow a leader. Barking that is started by one dog will be picked up by other dogs. You would think that you are suddenly transported to a horror movie scene if the howling that was started by one dog will make other dogs howl as well. Dogs are often featured in horror movies as the howling is commonly associated with sinister happenings. Although baseless, these beliefs would nevertheless make your hair stand on end especially if the chorus of howling is piercing the silence of the rainy moonless night.

Howling is a behavior commonly associated with wolves. It seems that howling is the favored means of communication of wolves. The wilderness is a vast area and barking may be ineffectual in calling the attention of other wolves. The reverberating howl will notify other pack members of the whereabouts of the howling wolf. Dog owners would always want to have the pet around thus, modern day dogs don’t need to howl as there will be no need to find the pack members. Pet dogs though are still heard howling.

Howling is an inherited trait used by the dog to communicate. Studies have noted that dogs living inside the house with the family and dogs that are receiving sufficient care and attentions from the loving owners are seldom heard howling. Experts believe that howling is one way of getting the human family’s attention as the mournful sound is more commonly heard from dogs left alone all day. Dogs are social animals and as such pets that are left alone all day or pets that are not given opportunities to interact with the family will howl because of separation anxiety.

Dogs will be heard howling at passing ambulance and fire trucks. The sound of the ambulance or fire truck can be viewed by the dog as the howl of another dog thus it would howl its response. This will be the same as a howl that is answered by other wolves. Mistaking the ambulance sound as a howl, the dog will also let out a howl as a response.

A dog that is not provided with food, water and comfortable shelter may howl to get the attention of the owners. The howling dog may have an undiagnosed medical concern. A howl is a haunting sound that can be indicative of the pet’s pain and discomfort. Are you one the kind of owner that would shout to stop the pet’s howling or would you be a concerned owner and see what is wrong with the pet?

Find out more about why dogs howl as well as information on dog first aid at Sarah’s Dogs.

You will find warning signs within your pet’s behaviour which you can look for to know if he has pet arthritis to enable you to bring the correct move.

Once you notice that your particular pet doesn’t act just like they’re accustomed to. Routines can be firm and even clumsy. If you notice a very limited mobility in some joints. Limping is invariably a reliable clue that he or she have joint problems.

Suffering is among the most obvious indications of pet arthritis and also the most frustrating for pet owners, as your pet cannot let you know where they are offending.

The pain could be mild, modest or deep throbbing. Initial phases of minor pain is exactly what usually arises following the joint is used and most likely fades away if your pet rests. So as times moves on, any sort of movement of the joint causes a sudden pain, and can possibly interrupt sleeping. You may notice, restlessness on your pet, maybe it’s an indicator.
With the suffering happens hesitancy in walking or maybe may hold that arm or leg in specific position. Your pet may whimper or perhaps flinch when selected areas of his physique are touched. He may even avoid from getting picked up.

Grouchiness is one other clue to watch out for. If your pet is at pain, he possibly feels vulnerable near several animals or as he is to be picked up.
Depression is actually a sign of pet arthritis symptom. In case your pet does not greet you on the door when you are getting home, he could be in pain. He may have a sad look in his face, or simply refuse to play with his beloved toy.

In addition, you may well observe a loss in appetite. Your pet may just turn down his most liked food, or he could not eat for several days. This will be a cause for concern, and it was obviously a wise decision to visit your veterinarian.
Irregular peeing may be an indication that you pet has got arthritis. Your pet may start peeing in the house when they’ve never performed this in the past. The particular reason why this is done is because it is much too painful to go outside or in case you have a cat, use the litter box. Bizarre peeing could also be indicative or another condition, not just pet arthritis. It is suggested that you simply go see a veterinary doctor.

Irregular sleeping habits is also a sign. Should your pet is sleeping extended hours, it may be pet arthritis. Pets make it happen because fewer movement implies a lot less agony.

Aspirin is the most most typical pain medication prescribed to pet dogs and other household pets. However, when not used properly it could cause a number of issues and it can even lead to overdose or a case of aspirin poisoning in canines. This is among the most important reasons why it is necessary that canines keep aspiring at a safe place where their canines can’t get at it.

03/20/2011 Stamford, CT – Phillip DeLouise formerly worked as a veterinary assistant and he shares some of his experiences with aspirin overdose in dogs. “Perhaps the object that most interests is that in most cases of toxicity, unintentional ingestion is often one of the most popular cause,” said DeLouise. He was also the most people who were at hand when the  website – http://www.weimaranerproblems.com/train-weimaraner/ was launched.

In the forum that focused on the way to train weimaraners, there were some members who brought up the problem of aspirin toxicity. Accidents were pointed out as being a primary cause as evidently most of the reported cases of poisoning in canines were because of accidents. Canines can get into the aspirin bottle out of curiosity and cause the problems. Other possible causes of aspirin overdose in canines is long term aspirin use. Improper dosages and administration can also cause issues overdose in dogs.

When it pertains to aspirin toxicity in dogs, pet owners are gonna want to keep a lookout for a range of symptoms. These include gastrointestinal concerns similar to abdominal tenderness, vomiting, diarrhea, melena, and losing hunger. Other symptoms that owners would need to look out for include restlessness, losing concentration, and depression.

Dogs also can exhibit problems with clotting time and signs of clotting time issues and stomach ulcers. These can also induce serious conditions like belly wall perforation and perhaps even general bacterial infection.

There are various exams that will be used to determine if the dog is going through an overdose of aspirin. Taking the dog’s medical history is the most first diagnostic strategies to be performed. Doctors will ask dog pet owners if they have observed their canines ingesting a sizeable amount of aspirin. How long a family dog has been taking aspirin may also be considered.

As treatment, doctors may really need to do gastric lavage. Activated charcoal might also be launched to help you absorb the aspirin in the stomach. Other treatments entail antacids to assist to protect the belly lining. Intravenous therapy might also be done to help relieve dehydration.

In the boards that discussed the way to train weimaraner, it was also dealt with that owners should take their canines to the vet as soon as possible. This is really significant because canines could die from overdose. That could be prevented by taking the dog to the vet as soon as possible. When going to the vet, owners need to bring along any evidence of aspirin intake in canines. This is likely to help facilitate therapy and also help the diagnosis go faster.

Most dogs owners would not give the pet chocolates knowing the toxic effect of this human food to dogs. A lot of dogs have died because of this comfort food. Chocolate has a toxic substance known as Theobromine that stimulates the dog’s nervous system so that the pet will have a rapid heart rate and very fast pulse. Drooling, vomiting and diarrhea are the less serious effects of chocolate to dogs. However, in some dogs, chocolate ingestion will result to tremors and seizures that can lead to the death of the dog.

Not only chocolates would have ill effects on the dog as some human foods are toxic to dogs as well. Foods that are perfectly safe for humans can have toxic effects on the dog. Dog owners have to know which of the foods commonly found in an average home can poison the dog.

Dog would get lots of benefits from eating fruits. Grapes and avocados though must not be given because of its toxic effects. More and more dog owners are taking the time to provide the pet home cooked meals fearing that commercial pet foods may be contaminated. Dogs would eat just about anything thus there will be no need to enhance the flavor of the meal by adding garlic and onions. These food enhancers have potentially dangerous effects to the health of the pet. Eating onions and garlic has the ill effect of bursting the red blood cells of the dog. Dogs that are regularly fed onions and garlic can develop anemia.

Dogs must be prevented from eating tomatoes and potatoes because these are poisonous to dogs too. These seemingly innocuous foods contain oxalates that cause abnormalities in the functioning of the nervous system, the kidneys as well as the digestive system. Green tomatoes are most toxic but the dog must be prevented from eating the leaves or the tomato plant as doing so would cause the dog to have tremors, to seize and to suffer from heart arrhythmia.

Foods known to be poisonous to dogs vary in the degree of toxicity. A dog owner may boast about a pet that has ingested one of these poisonous people food and show no signs of poisoning. This situation should not make other dog owners complacent as it does not really indicate that the food is safe for dogs. Poisoning will depend on the quantity of the food ingested, the body weight of the dog and the amount of toxicity the food. Furthermore, the toxic effects may not be readily apparent especially if the dog’s organs are slowly being damaged. Dog owners have to be careful in allowing the pet to eat people food.

Many common human foods are toxic to dogs. A more comprehensive list of foods toxic to dogs can be found at Sarah’s Dogs. Also you can read abotu dog grooming.