LOVELY PAWS - TALKS

Preparation before bringing your puppy first day home- by Pang Si Min

2010-01-17T19:10:00.000-08:00

After you have decided on which dog breed, farm/petshop/adoption to search for the dog, it is time to bring home your dog. Most farms/petshop will allows you to collect the puppy after their final vaccination as required by AVA-Singapore. So you have the time to prepare yourself. They should also provide you the papers / certificate when you collect your puppy. If you need, arrange an appointment with the vet for a thorough health checkup.

Before you bring your puppy home, do some preparation to avoid any last minutes rush. You don’t see any parent purchase a baby cot or baby’s stuff on the day the baby go home, do you? Do the same for your puppy, it is still a baby after all.

Find a good location for the puppy enclosure, a place where he could sleep and do his business. It is best that the puppy can see the movement of everyone while they are in their enclosure, so that it would not feel too lonely in a new environment. Place newspaper in the enclosure, if you live in an apartment as it would start his paper-training.

It is advisable, you get ready the puppy necessities, example: drinking & eating bowl, kibbes (dry food), canned food, supplements if any. One thing most people had forgotten to prepare is a first aid kit. You can also get them when you pick up your puppy. Make sure you write what you need in a checklist to avoid any missing items.

Learn the behavior of your dog breed and what to expect from a puppy to prepare you. These are easily available online. If you have children, educate and prepare them before the puppy arrival. Especially the way they should handle the puppy to avoid injuries to the puppy.

On the day when you pick your puppy, make sure you will be with the puppy the whole day. Have a towel with you and wear a old/unwanted T-shirt. Puppy tends to be frighten/nervous when leaving their comfortable zone, (the farm/pet shop or wherever you picking your dog from) they would vomit or pass motion along the journey. Hug the puppy like you would for a baby wrapped in a towel. They would feel love and security on their way to their new home. If you are putting the puppy in a carrier / crate, lay towels in them to make him feel secure, try not having a carrier too big. The puppy is fragile at this point, you don’t want them to get hurt (especially their spinal cords) along the way home.

When the puppy arrived, clean him/she up if necessary and leave them in the enclosure you had prepared. If the puppy did not vomit/pass motion during his trip, he should need to go now. He will recognize in future that this is his territory and where he could do his business. Leave him to explore his environment in his enclosure where you settle yourself. If you have children, educate them; let the puppy settle down before introducing your children to the puppy. Make sure your children leave the puppy alone when it is in his enclosure and play with the puppy only when the puppy is out of it’s enclosure, to avoid pressure and stress to the puppy.

Allow the puppy to explore the house one or two hours while you are with them on their first day. Expand his hours slowly until you can allow it to roam your house when you are around. Once he is paper trained, you can allow it to roam while you are not at home.

Things to take note:

#Enclose the puppy from access to power sockets & cables. Puppy tends to lick power sockets and bite cables out of curiosity and get electric shocks.

#Avoid leaving toys on the floor as they get ruined

#Do not interrupt a puppy when it is sleeping & eating as they might bite.

#Do not hit a puppy, as they don’t understand why and develop fear towards you and human in future. Thus they might start to bite when a friendly hand and may run away.

#Treat a puppy like a friend or a child, not a toy.

#Avoid picking up the puppy as they bones are weak and easily break if you do not know how to handle it. If you drop them, they will break.

#Puppy tends to eat more often than dogs. A small breed puppy needs to eat more frequently than larger breed dogs as they don’t have much fats.

Doggie first aid items

#Antiseptic / soothing cream for itch and minor cuts

#Ear cleaning solution

#Eye cleaning solution

#Cotton wool and bug

#Disposable gloves

#Tweezers

#Protexin Pro-kolin (for digestive upset / diarrhea)

#Rectal thermometer (normal body temperature of dogs and cats is 100.5 to 102.5 F

#Activated charcoal tablets (effective in absorbing many toxics)

#Styptic power (for bleeding nails, or baking flour will work)

This article is for your reference only.

http://www.petcarrierbag.blogspot.com/

The Elderly Dog: Care and Maintenance by: Ron Ayalon

2010-01-17T19:09:00.000-08:00

It’s difficult to imagine the first time you are holding that irrepressibly cute little fur-ball that is your new puppy that one day he will be an older dog, a senior, with certain physical and mental needs. He won’t be as a quick as he once was; he might have a harder time hearing you come in the door; or he might take a few more minutes to get up off the floor, but there are special things you can do for your older dog to make his golden years comfortable and happy.

Depending on the size of your dog (larger dogs age faster), by the time he has reached 6 years of age, he will be medically classified as a senior dog. It is not always readily apparent, but his body will have already started to change before your eyes.

Prevention and additional care go a long way to caring for the senior dog and keeping his mind and body in good shape. Here are ten ways to keep your senior dog active and comfortable:

1. Make sure to schedule your veterinarian visits each year. In very geriatric animals, every six months might be appropriate. Just because he doesn’t act sick doesn’t mean he doesn’t need to go. In addition to annual vaccinations, be sure to have a full examination and geriatric blood work panel done. Blood work reveals how well his body is aging and if there is any problems in organs like the kidneys.

2. Keep his teeth very clean with preventative brushing, chew toys, and professional cleanings when necessary. Plaque and tartar buildup allow a breeding ground for bacteria, which can damage organs as they move throughout the body.

3. Keep his body in a good weight and maintain his muscle tone through consistent exercise. He might not be able to go for as long a walk as he once did, but exercise should still be an important part of his daily regimen. Elderly dogs loose muscle mass and strength, so it is important to keep them fit.

4. Many senior dogs benefit from supplemental products like Cosequin or other joint care products with glucosamine and chondroitin. They help lubricate stiff joints, which are ripe for arthritis.

5. Don’t forget to continue giving preventative medications like monthly heartworm pills, but if your dog is very old, sick, or disabled, you might want to ask your vet about giving monthly topical flea and tick preventatives. Many of them are not recommended for these kinds of dogs.

6. Make sure to provide plenty of warm sleeping locations in the home where he will not be disturbed. Older dogs sleep more as they age, so providing them an opportunity without high traffic for quality sleep is a good idea. A thick, soft pet bed provides them with joint support and extra warmth.

7. Don’t forget about his mental health! Sometimes when a dog ages, people forget all about training and working with the dog. Old dogs still like to do their tricks and be active. For example, if you’ve got an old hunting dog, let him do field work for an hour or two before switching off to the younger dog. He will still feel useful and part of the team.

8. Make grooming sessions special times by taking the extra time to brush and massage your dog. Not only does the grooming and massage feel great to the dog, but it also gives an owner a good opportunity to do body inspections: check his ears for odors, check his mouth and gums for growths or changes, and thoroughly inspect and feel his body. Many older dogs develop growths as they age, and some cancers start with just a simple bump.

9. Pay attention to your dog’s personality and routine and take note of any changes. Some dogs are very stoic and don’t show pain or illness easily. If you notice even the slightest change in your dog’s eating, drinking, restroom usage, sleeping, or general personality, go to the vet. Trust your judgment, and if something doesn’t seem right, follow your instincts.

10. Really think it through before getting a new puppy. A lot of people want to get a new puppy when a dog becomes older, but some older dogs might not want to put up with the nuisance of a brand new puppy that only wants to play.

An old dog still has a lot of life in him, and mostly they just ask for a little love and comfort in return for the unconditional companionship. With a little preventative work and extra care, you can keep your senior in great shape for many years to come!

Visit the author's web site at:
http://www.worldwidepups.com
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www.petcarrierbag.blogspot.com

Training Methods to Stop Biting Puppies by: Richard Cussons

2010-01-17T19:06:00.000-08:00

How do you stop a puppy developing the bad habit of nipping you or—even if playfully—biting you? When puppies are having mock-fights with each other (an echo of their days as hunting dogs), they use their mouths, so it is not unsurprising if, in the spirit of some doggy fun, they bite you. Although this behavior is done without the slightest idea of aggression nor malice, it might grow into a habit hard to break unless your puppy is trained to go for a better social skill. So what needs to be done is to channel—or to "redirect"--the puppy's energy onto chew toys, to teach the dog to be more gentle with people, and to eventually stop biting puppies.

The two things that need to be done to stop biting puppies is to foster acceptable behavior and to help train the dog away from undesirable behavior. The former can be done by redirecting the puppy's tendency to nip and bite. For starters, give the dog items meant for biting; you will need to bring these along whenever you play games with her. So as you or the child tries to pet her on the head, extend to the puppy the toy with the other hand. Stay consistent with this to help the puppy get accustomed to the ideas that people and petting are wonderful, which at the same time will help her mouth to be occupied when she is being petted. But watch out how long you pet her, since she might get distracted and turn and nip you.

If you want to wean your dog away from negative behavior, demonstrate that nipping leads to results that she dislikes. One strategy here makes her see that if she is nippy or biting, she loses her friends, especially you. Whenever she strikes, look the puppy in the eye and make an abrupt, quick (not long-drawn out), loud noise. Then get up and pretend not to notice her. Leave her in the room if she is that stubborn, but return in a few minutes to check if she is calm already. Then try the petting and chew toy method again.

Here are some last few things to remember before you go grab a chewie and train the puppy. Your still-delicate puppy must not be left alone when she is tethered as she might wrap the leash around herself and get injured.

If you honestly think that all of the methods explained above did not do much, then you can always try yet one more. Get some cotton gloves and apply some bad tasting substance more or less near the spot where the dog bites. Eventually the puppy needs to learn that "hands literally leave a bad taste in the mouth." This method may prove successful on the condition that the puppy gets a bad tasting result every time she tries to chomp on your hand.

Visit the author's web site at:
http://www.bedogsavvy.com

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www.petcarrierbag.blogspot.com

Dog Training - Stopping your Dog From Barking by: Tyler Wiest

2010-01-17T19:03:00.000-08:00

Unless you are one of the fortunate, all dog owners have had to deal with a barking problem. The truth is barking is a perfectly natural and all right thing for your dog to do. Think how you would feel if you were never allowed to talk, you would eventually burst out and just say everything on you mind. It is the same with dogs, the trick to stopping barking isn’t stopping it but controlling it.

Dogs will bark for a variety of reasons including, staking their territory, telling you what they want, alerting you of danger, when around other animals, when bored or lonely, when cooped up in a dog cage for long periods of time and when they’ve been encouraged to bark by you (more common then you might think).

The majority of barking problems are because owners will actually reward their dog for barking wether they realize it or not. This can happen when you yell or get angry at the dog and give them the attention they were after. If your dog is outside and starts to bark to be let in and you respond to his wishes, then you are communicating to you dog that all he needs to do is bark and you will give in. Giving any sort of attention to your dog will encourage him to continue barking. Don’t feel bad all of us have done this one time or another. The key to stopping this barking is to ignore your dog, don’t give them what they want and they wont have a reason to bark. This may be hard on your ears and your neighborhood but simply let them bark until they run out of energy. Depending on the bread this may be minutes or it over an hour but as soon as you give in all of your progress has been lost. Try just walking away when your dog starts to bark, go into the other room and do your normal activities. Eventually your dog will understand that his barking isn’t getting him anywhere and will stop.

If you dog is barking when the phone rings then the best thing to do is get him used to the sound of a phone and turn it into something positive. Try calling your house a few dozen times and when your dog beings to bark just ignore him. If that doesn’t work then hold a treat out in front of him and say a phrase like “stop” or “quite” and when your dog is silent give him the treat. Eventually after enough training no treat will be necessary to tell your dog to stop barking.

Another common issue with dog barking it when the mail carrier or guests are at the door. Believe it or not your dog is actually barking out of love for you. He doesn’t know who this person is and naturally thinks they’re dangerous. After your dog has started barking and the mail carrier goes away you dog thinks that he was the one that stopped the intruder, encouraging him to bark. The first way I recommend stopping this is by blocking your dogs view of the street or where ever the mail comes from, this can be difficult based on the lay out of your home but a dog cage can be a useful tool. If that doesn’t work try associating the mail with something positive like a treat it will encourage him to stop. Either try the previously stated way with a phrase or ask your mail carrier or guests if he or she would be willing to give you dog a treat when they come by, your dog will then see new people as a friendly visitor and will await there arrival.

Remember giving any attention to your dog when he barks will encourage the problem to persist. By putting your dog into a dog cage or dog pen during common guest hours your dog won’t even be aware of the guest reducing the frequency of barking.

Looking for where to find a great dog cage? Try my website PuppyHideOut.com where you can find every day low prices on dog cage and dog cage accessories.

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www.petcarrierbag.blogspot.com

Creating an Identity for your pet.

2009-07-17T01:46:00.000-07:00

by: Kari Raderstorf

You have a style, a sense of Identity, a signature that you want others to remember. Doesn’t your pet deserve the same? Of course he does. Creating that style for your pet is somewhat simple and does not have to be overwhelming. Below is an outline of several elements that will make an impression and create an identity for your pet.

1. Dog Collars and Leashes: Dog Collars are the most critical style element as they are the constant identifier. Collars come in many shapes and forms. Some are solid colors, some are multi-colored. Some are thin and some are thick. Some are fabric and some are leather. Some are for training purposes and some are for aesthetic. Picking the right dog collar is important and is an obvious signature that will always be with your pet. Not forgetting the Dog carrier.

2. Dog Clothes : There are various types of clothing for your dog. There is the t-shirt, the rain slicker, the sweater, the parka, the swimsuit…. So many to look into… but the main ideas to consider are quality of construction, the price and the ease of use. For most dogs, wearing an article of clothing takes getting used to, but after a wear or two, you’ll see a personality change in your dog (he’ll either be completely proud of his new attire or extremely bothered) regardless of his like or dislike, this will form an impression and an identity that will not be forgotten.

3. Accessories and Jewels : Whether your pup be glitzy or glamour-less, your pup will be remembered for his attempt to glamorize.

4. Spritzers and cologne’s : This is the scent your pup will leave behind. Do you want your pup to be known for his ‘just taken a bath’ scent or his ‘I need a bath scent’. Whatever the choice, he will be remembered. There are many great spritzers on the market to ‘freshen’ your pup up.

Although there are many forms of creating an identity for your pet, the four listed above are the evident in identifying his sense of style. There is not a right or wrong in creating his identity. The idea is to have fun, stick within your budget and read your pups signs on whether he embraces the style or might prefer another.

Dog flying as passager on Pet Airways-New York.

2009-07-15T18:40:00.000-07:00

Another big step forward for our fur-kids!!

Dogs and cats flying as airline passagers in the main cabin no longer a dream! Currently, they are flights between 5 cities, and hopes to fly to 25 locations in the next three years. The existing 5 cities-New York, Washington, Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles.

Check out the full articles extracted from Singapore Newspaper "Today".

Take your small pets everywhere.

Learn how easy it is to take them whether its around the corner, to around the world....

Click here Now!

PETS ALLOW ON FLIGHTS TO SINGAPORE

2009-06-23T23:17:00.000-07:00

For those who did not know about it. Yes, it is true, you can now travel with your pets on flight via air canada and Jazz Flights to Singapore. Before this annoucement, pets are not allow to travel with their owner into Singapore on commercial flights.

However, upon arrival, pets still required to undergo a veterinary inspection and quarantine before the owner can have them home.

Still, it is still a big step for pet's owner. In time, we hope that the Singapore airlines would allow pets to travel out of Singapore. That would be a dream comes true for most frequent traveling pet's owner. One more reason why you should get a carrier for your pets.

I've attached the newspaper cutting from "Today" dated 24 June 2009 for your reference.

You will need to contact the airlines for more details & regulation. Don't forget to check from your departure country if they allow on their airports and ava regulation upon arrival.

Cherrs!

Amanda Pang
24-June-2009

Dog Oral and Dental Diseases and Care

2009-06-08T02:35:00.000-07:00

Dental and oral problems are important to learn, to prevent and to cure. Dogs may not live to the fullest if there's something that bothers on their mouth. Mouth and teeth diseases will also keep the dog owner from getting too close because of unpleasant odor. Proper hygiene and oral care is important, and it ensures our dog is healthy. Tartar Build Up.

The most common form of canine dental disease is tartar buildup. This causes irritation of the gums around the base of the teeth (gingivitis), resulting in exposure of the roots. Ultimately, this leads to infection and tooth loss. Infection will accumulate in the mouth, resulting in gingivitis, tonsillitis, and pharyngitis (sore throat). Infection within the mouth will be picked up by the blood stream and carried to other parts of the body. Kidney infections, as well as infections involving the heart valves, frequently begin in the mouth.

One of the main factors determining the amount of tartar buildup is the individual chemistry in the mouth. Some dogs need yearly cleanings; other dogs need a cleaning only once every few years. Bad Breath and Halitosis. Dog bad breath is a common problem that makes unpleasant situation for dog owners. Bad breath could keep from enjoyable playing and getting close with dogs which upsetting for the dog too. Dog halitosis bad breathe is a particularly foul and offensive odor coming from dog's mouth.

While it's unpleasant, dog bad breath can also be a sign of a serious health problem like infection or any internal health issues that releases the foul odor. Furthermore symptoms like facial swelling, pawing at the mouth, sneezing, and nasal discharge can all be signs of mouth disorders. However, even if you only observe the foul odor, it's still important to have your dog examined by a veterinarian so that the cause of your pet's halitosis can be identified and treated, preventing continuation of the unpleasant odor as well as protecting your furry friend's health and happiness.

Periodontitis or Periodontal Disease. Periodontitis is the inflammation of the structures that support teeth, the gum tissue, periodontal ligament, alveolus (small cavity) and cementum (bonelike connective tissue covering the root of a tooth and assisting in tooth support). It is one of the most common infectious diseases in the world in dogs and is caused by bacteria that make up plaque. 'Periodontal' comes from two Greek words that mean 'around the tooth.' Periodontal disease is a series of changes that are associated with the inflammation and loss of the deep supporting structures of teeth.

Periodontal disease is inflammation of some or all of the tooth’s support structures (gingiva, cementum, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone). When compared to gingivitis, periodontitis indicates bone loss. Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria. Initially a pellicle forms on the clean tooth. This pellicle attracts aerobic gram positive bacteria (mostly actinomyces and strepococci). Soon more bacteria adhere forming plaque. Within days the plaque thickens, underlying bacteria run out of oxygen and anaerobic motile rods and spirochetes begin to populate the sub gingival area. Endotoxins released by the anaerobic bacteria cause tissue destruction and bone loss. Small breed and brachycephalic dogs are at greater risk of periodontal disease because their teeth are often crowded together. This results in an increased accumulation of plaque because the normal cleansing mechanisms are hindered. If gingivitis is left untreated, it will progress to periodontal disease which is irreversible. Periodontal Therapy is one of the treatment that controls plaque.

Mouth Infections and Stomatitis. Infection or inflammation in the mouth - stomatitis - can be caused by cuts, burns, foreign bodies stuck in the mouth, and diseases of the gums and the structures that support the teeth (periodontal disease). Metabolic diseases such as kidney failure can also cause painful stomatitis. Stick are common and potentially serious, especially those in the back of the mouth.

To treat stomatitis, the cause is addressed: physical injuries are treated, foreign objects are removed, dental conditions are corrected , and any underlying metabolic disorder are controlled to prevent recurrence. Secondary bacterial infection is common, so appropriate antibiotics are almost always used. Foreign bodies in the mouth and throat. Dogs love to chew sticks, stones, bones and other hard materials but also potentially dangerous: sticks can cause damage to the mouth and can also crack teeth, especially molars. This may lead to tooth-pulp exposure and infection. Sticks can also lodge in the back of the throat, too far for easy removal with a spoon handle.

A dog with something in its throat gags, paws anxiously at its mouth, and may drool or vomit. A foreign body in the throat may cause swelling that interferes with breathing. If the object blocks the voice box, the dog chokes and faints. Treat the dog immediately for choking. For severe cases, surgery is needed. Always supervise what the dogs chew, or rather give them balls and other chewing toys instead of sticks and other not safe to chew materials.

Dog Mouth Tumors. Tumors are uncommon but can occur on the gums, tongue or roof of mouth, or in the salivary glands. When possible they are surgically removed, followed by radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

Dog Oral Examination. The annual physical exam must include an oral exam to recognize problems with teeth, periodontal disease, and other oral diseases. The comprehensive oral exam begins by observing the face, recognizing that there are normal breed variations but carefully observing for abnormalities. Diet and Chewing Behavior. Studies show that hard kibbles are slightly better than canned foods at keeping plaque from accumulating on the teeth. Dogs that chew on various toys or edible dental chews may remove some of the plaque build-up. Home Care.

The owner plays an important role in the oral health care for their companion animals. We consider the pet owner and the family veterinarian as key members of our dental health care team. Out Comprehensive Oral health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT) as well as all of our services may be ineffective without the pet owner's involvement.

It is important that the pet owner has interest in their pets' oral health. Regular teeth brushing are strongly recommended because it is a huge benefit for pets and it allows for close observation for oral problems.
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How to prevent your Dogs from Sunburn?

2009-06-08T02:27:00.000-07:00

Dogs just like us humans can get sunburned as well. Dog Breeds like Shar Peis, white Pit Bulls, and Chinese Crested Hairless dogs are in particular vulnerable. All dogs, even the ones who have thick coats also can get sunburn. The areas that need special attention are the ears, nose, and around the eyes, where the coat is often thinner.

To prevent sunburn you may want to apply sunblock to your dog's vulnerable areas. You can use children's sunscreen, there are various good products available in the market and are conveniently purchased. These Sunscreens contain avobenzone, also known as Parsol 1789- a UVA blocker, and octisalate that blocks UVB rays. But be careful, you should avoid sunscreens that contain zinc oxide because accidental ingestion could lead to a serious condition called hemolytic anemia the abnormal breakdown of red blood cells with some pets.

Another effective way to counteract sunburn with dogs is to cloth your dog with a sun suit. A sun suit will cover the areas that are very sensitive to the suns UV rays. The fact that the easiest way to protect your dog's skin from the sun's UV rays is to cover up with a sun suit.

Clothing that covers the skin and protects against the sun's UV rays, reduces the risk of sunburn and even worst skin cancer. Your Dog loves the sun and keeping your dog away from it can be very unfair for your dog also the fact that keeping your dog out of the sunlight is nearly impossible. A

nother well-liked item that guard's a dog's face are DOG HATS. Justin Bryce owner of the DesignerDogwear sells a lot of dog hats and sun suits. This dog hat protects your dog's sensitive areas of the face from sun's UV rays. Justin's dog Fred wears them all the time and is very comfortable with it. Long walks and fun times at the dog park is a lot of fun and are very good for your dog, but watch out of high temperatures. The rule of thumb- when it gets above 85 degrees, dog owners is supposed to be cautious when exercising their dog outdoors.

For most dogs, moderate activity for 30 minutes is good. But when the temps exceed 95 degrees, it's probably best for both of you to leave out the outdoor exercises until it cools down. Throughout the summer months, aim to walk or jog in the early morning or evenings or search for shaded trails. When your dog start's to have fast or labored breathing, starts to refuse walking, or acts unhappy, your dog may be overheating.

When this happens you should stop, rest, and give your dog water. This doesn't mean you should discontinue exercising just because your dog is out of breath; you need to strongly watch your pet to conclude if the panting is extreme or abnormal. When you are not sure take a break and let your dog cool down, if all else fails contact your vet for immediately.

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Signs of Illness and Health Problems in Dogs

2009-06-08T02:22:00.000-07:00

Did you know that people grieve the loss of their animals harder and longer than we often do the loss of our friends and family member?! We want them to be happy, but often we don't even know our animal friends are suffering -- until it's too late.

Being able to detect if your dog is sick quickly can mean the difference between recovery or not, in some cases. Our job is to listen to them so we can learn about their experiences and discomforts and then take appropriate action. Begin by paying attention to subtle cues:

1. Energy levels -- watch out for changes in your animal's energy levels and behavior. I promise you, what your animal does makes perfect sense -- to them!

If you notice your friend slowing down or not wanting to go as far or as fast as before, or not wanting to play anymore... this could indicate a pain problem or illness. For instance, if your dog would happily play fetch for hours, then all of a sudden quits after only 30 minutes of play or won't bring the ball back to you, chances are he may be feeling sore or getting winded, so he doesn't want to run anymore. You might feel glad for the break! But you should also check him for other signs of distress.

2. Hiding or running away/escaping -- this can be a common management problem, such as leaving them alone too long or overwhelming them with too much stress and activity... or this could indicate something unknown, like an undiscovered abuse situation.

One dog I worked with was being teased by the kids in the neighborhood so she escaped from her yard and ran away when they were around. Then she happily came home to wait for her humans to get home from work!

3. Aggression -- growling, biting, not wanting to be touched are all signs that something is wrong. Pay attention to what areas of your friend's body evoke this kind of response, and what kinds of triggers spark the reaction.

Evasive reactions to certain areas of their bodies can mean different things. Ducking the head reaction from a dog can mean either a dominance issue problem, or it could mean they have a headache or vision problem. Sensitivity in the hips or back or shoulders can mean pain, as in "Ouch! That hurts! Stop That!"

4. Refusing food or not drinking water -- be alert for any changes with eating and elimination. Problems here can mean many things, from food allergies to kidney or bowel problems.

It could be the food you're offering them isn't good for them or it is no longer meeting their nutritional requirements, or has been contaminated in some way (remember the pet food recalls). Or they have ingested something toxic. Dogs will often impose a fasting period on themselves while their system works to clean itself up and heal. Or they could have a bowel impaction or are suffering from bloat, which can be a life threatening condition requiring an emergency vet visit. The sooner you notice and start asking them the right questions, the sooner you can take action to prevent whatever is wrong from getting worse.

5. Sad eyes -- always an indication of something wrong. Our animals grieve and feel emotional pain. They also can get depressed and sad about changes in their lives. Or they may just have a headache or other pain issue that you aren't aware of.

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Do your best friend a favor and learn what to watch out for. Learning how to communicate with your animal can help you detect physical discomforts and the reasons for their behavior. Then, you can more easily correct the problem through appropriate caretaking, because you need to understand their experiences of illness and health problems.

Talking with them can also help to properly prepare an animal for surgery or other medical interventions will facilitate a speedy recovery with less trauma or complications. Catching these kinds of things early can mean the difference between life and death - literally!

www.petcarrierbag.blogspot.com

Is Dog cage/crate benefits a dog?

2009-06-03T07:01:00.000-07:00

Benefits of a Dog Cage by: Tyler Wiest

Puppies and grown dogs alike, a dog cage can be a useful dog training tool for any age dog. Dogs naturally crave shelter even indoors, they will find it under a table, chair or bed, virtually anywhere that will make them feel safe and secure.

By providing a dog cage for your dog you are giving them the security they want in a safe clean environment that you control. Dogs naturally avoid soling their “den” and by putting your puppy into a cage you are promoting them to hold their bladder until they are in an appropriate area. After dogs have reached maturity from 3-6 months, they gain the ability to hold their bladder and potty training becomes more possible.

Using a dog cage is meant for any age dog, not only can it be useful for potty training but also to help prevent property damage. Keeping your dog inside their dog cage while out of the house or at work can eliminate coming home to a house full of chewed up pillows and soiled rugs. When trying to decide when to stop using a dog cage the answer fully depends upon the dog. Some only use a cage while still puppies but others will use their cage as their own place to feel safe their entire life.

For older dogs, small children and other pets can cause your dog to become stressed and having a place where they can go to feel safe and be alone is critical to the well being of some dogs. Other dogs prefer the hustle and bustle of every day life and then a dog cage isn’t needed. Be sure to place your cage near the daily activity of the house, dog are naturally social animals and usually crave the presence of their masters. To prevent barking a dog cage cover should be used.

Typical dog cages are built of metal wire and are exposed on 5 sides but by simply using a cover, which can be a towel over the top, the visibility your dog has decreases. If your dog doesn’t know your there they won’t bark for attention. If you feel your dog suffers from separation anxiety and shows signs such as excessive chewing and salivation, scratching walls, floors and doors (most commonly exit doors) and worst case scenario escape attempts through windows and doors, seek professional attention for the best way to help your dog.

One last thing to make sure of is to get a cage that fits your dog, having too large of a cage can make a dog feel uncomfortable and too small of a cage won’t be comfortable. By using the right dog cage you can relieve the stress of coming home to a destroyed home and help your dog feel safe a secure.

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www.petcarrierbag.blogspot.com

Why is my cat always so afraid?

2009-06-03T06:42:00.000-07:00

Check out this article, maybe it may helps your cat.

Do You Have A Cat That Is Constantly Afraid?
by: Judy Jantzen

If you have a cat that is constantly afraid then you need to read the following very carefully.

A cat should have a good safe hiding place, where it can be left alone until it perceives that things are safe. The cat will usually pick one of its own, but it should have access to its food bowl, water and litter box.

Close room doors when possible to make the cat feel more secure. This is extremely important when company comes to visit or you have a noisy party. Giving a cat as a gift at a noisy party, can freak the cat out, because it violates its comfort factor. Take the time to introduce the cat quietly.

Cats have a social organization that is flexible and allows them to share their territory with other cats. Some times they are accepting of another cat and sometimes they do not - just like people, who have just met someone new. Liking and disliking, on a moments notice. One may want to play and the other may not. Their time as a kitten may determine the likelihood of their desire to be sociable.

When cats have been introduced, they may want to fight to protect territory or establish dominance. Many cat training e-books will tell you NOT TO allow a fight to happen or to continue, if one happens. Make a loud noise, such as yelling HEY. Use a spray bottle with clean water and spray them once or twice from a distance. A clean, well washed out used cleaner bottle will work nicely. They will probably be on the run for their safeafe place before you can get the second spray out.

DO NOT try to physically separate them or in their passion of the moment, they may be aggressive toward you. Be very careful in handling, while a cat is fearful. Their instinct is for self protection. When they have reached their safe hiding place, close the door and give them a time out, just as you would a child.

Be consistent with your water bottle treatment and the time outs. Other punishment may cause further bad behavior and fear. The cat may become aggressive toward you, if it preceives you as a threat. It is NOT acceptable to them, for you to hurt them in your temporary anger. Be loving after the time out, so that the cat knows you love them, but that there are limits to be lived by.

A cat will usually react to fear with 3 Fs - fight - freeze - flee - sometimes loss of bladder/ bowel control. A cat may also puff out its fur, hiss or spit. What causes the fear? Figure it out and fix the problem. Some things that cause fear are a person, children, other animals or loud noises such as a vacuum cleaner being used.

One example we had, was the putting on of a ski hat and sunglasses when Winter came. It freaked out our recently rescued cat the first few times it happened. He had a bad memory?

DO NOT force a fearful thing/ person on them. Introduce at a safe distance - slowly. Feed the cat a treat and praise them for accepting the new thing/ person. Remember that animals have a better inner radar than we do, about people and the vibes they give off. Trust their judgment.

Routines and schedules are important for the well being of your cat. Be as consistent as possible. They want the same things to occur each day in the same way and at the same time.

Play time before bed time will help to ensure a good sleep. The more leaping, jumping and running the better. Remember that cats are noctural by nature. They like to play at night and tiring them out will help them sleep. If you sit down to watch a TV program, that you watch each day, the commercial breaks are a great time to brush your cat and play with it.

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