Keeping a Dog Healthy Well into Old Age

Do you want a canine companion? Do you understand what you will be responsible once you take possession of your dog? There are many responsibilities which come with dog ownership, and they start the first time you bring your puppy home. This article will show you the ropes and get you ready for your new best friend.

Your pet needs to be secured when in a car. Not only will it make the journey safer, as it will lead to fewer distractions for the person driving the car, but in the event of an accident, it could also save your dog's life. Look for a seat belt harness, often sold at pet stores, that you can put in your car for your pet.

Practice training your dog in your house or yard. Don't train in a park. They are going to become distracted, and the easiest commands can be tough.

If a dog does something correctly like sitting before you leash them, give them lots of praise and affection. By rewarding your pup when it does the right thing, you'll be teaching it to do these behaviors more often. Your pet is looking for ways to please you, and giving him your praise lets him know he has done just that.

Speak to your vet about your dog's eating habits. Dog food packages provide guidelines, but they can be wrong for your particular pet and lead to obesity. See what your vet recommends and adapt that to how your pet responds.

Dog training requires you to be consistent. Once you decide you want to establish a rule for your dog, do not make any exceptions. Make sure everyone at home helps you enforce the rule and encourage your guests not to let your dog jump on them or to not acknowledge your dog when it barks.

If you are considering owning a dog, keep in mind the size of your home when selecting the breed. Large dogs do not mix well with small apartments unless you have the ability to walk them frequently. They need exercise and room to roam. In this situation, a smaller barred might be the better choice.

Do you have a hard time keeping your dog from barking? You might be encouraging this behavior without even realizing it. Your pet will keep barking if you acknowledge this behavior. It is best to ignore your dog until it stops barking, even if your pet wants to come inside.

Be a responsible pet owner, to represent the species well. For example, Pit Bulls are feared and often even hated in most places these days, due to irresponsible ownership. People tend to blame the animals when in fact it's the human factor influencing the dog's behavior. Train your dog well and leave a good impression on others!

If you are training your dog, make sure the treat you are giving him really is desirable. Pets have preferences too, and if your pet does not like the treat you are providing, there is not going to be much motivation to do the right thing. Try out a few different brands, and remember that soft, chewy treats are generally the most well-received.

Get creative with your dog's ongoing training. For example, teach him commands in other languages or show him how to do something that will really impress everyone he meets. He will love showing off to people and the extra learning will create a more well-behaved animal who is happier with himself.

The knowledge you have gained from reading this article in full will prepare you to bring your dog to your home once and for all. Once you have everything you need and your home is puppy proofed, go and find yourself a best friend. You'll give them the life they deserve and provide yourself with endless hours of love.

Keeping Your Dog Healthy

When you get a dog, whether as a puppy or an adult, this animal becomes your responsibility. Most domestic dogs are unable to survive without the assistance of humans, and in addition to food and attention, the dog's health will be one of the most important aspects of dog ownership. Always remember that dogs are unable to tell you when they are feeling ill or hurt, and some breeds are so stoic (mastiff breeds especially) that they will not show that they are in trouble until they are extremely ill. It is up to the owner not only to schedule vaccinations and checkups, but also to observe their dog for any deviation from normal behavior, even if slight.

When you have decided upon a breed of dog, it is definitely best to use a reputable breeder with a solid reputation. Make sure that you visit the breeder's facility and meet the puppy's parents; this will give you a good indication of the pup's future temperament. I would also recommend looking over the puppy's pedigree. Although many breeders extol the value of 'line breeding' where cousins and sometimes siblings are bred to one another repeatedly, this is still inbreeding and can cause genetic problems such as hip dysplasia, Von Willebrand disease (a form of hemophilia), Cushing's Disease, and cardiomyopathy. Make sure that the breeder's dogs are as free as possible of genetic problems, and ask to see test results.

The puppy you buy should have been wormed and received its first vaccinations. Observe the puppies at the kennel - the one you want will be sturdy in physical appearance and active. A hyperactive puppy will likely be a hyperactive dog and a puppy that hides rather than coming out to meet you is also exhibiting abnormal behavior. The mental health of the puppy is every bit as important as the physical, so a pup that comes out to greet you without being frantic about it is exhibiting normal, healthy puppy behavior.

Vaccinations against common and serious canine diseases are necessary from the time a dog is a puppy. Vaccinations work by using either attenuated or dead viruses or bacteria to 'train' the immune system to fight a disease should the dog be exposed to it. Your veterinarian will begin to vaccinate your puppy at about 6 to 8 weeks of age, usually beginning with a 4-way shot that will offer protection against distemper, parvo, hepatitis, and parainfluenza. If you live where leptospirosis is present, your pup will get a 5-way shot.

One of the most serious and dangerous viral diseases is rabies. This is a disease of the central nervous system and affects the brain, causing hallucinations, headache, and eventually death. It is spread by bite, and can spread from dogs to humans. Rabies vaccinations will prevent the disease and are given, initially, every year, then every 3 years. If you are worried about the cumulative effect of rabies vaccine on your dog, it is possible to have a blood test done to make sure that your dog is still producing antibodies against the rabies virus.

Checkups for your dog are very important. A yearly, or twice yearly, checkup will not only assure that your dog is current on all his or her vaccinations, but will enable your vet to spot problems before they become serious. A comprehensive checkup should include complete blood work that will establish a baseline for your dog's liver and kidney functions. Should your dog become ill later, this will help your veterinarian see how much deviation has occurred.

A checkup will also allow your vet to check your dog's teeth to see if a cleaning or extractions are needed. Plaque buildup on teeth has been linked to heart and kidney disease in dogs. You can help keep the dog's teeth cleaner between checkup by either brushing them, or using a damp washcloth to clean them regularly.

A healthy dog will not only be a more pleasant companion, but will also remain your companion for a longer time.

Ivan's Puppies has been breeding and training puppies for over 30 years. Our hard work has been paying off, as now we are proud to be breeding Bulldog litters with excellent quality, with little to no health problems and good temperaments. For English Bulldog Puppies, visit our website at http://www.bulldogsnewyork.com/

Keeping Your Dog Healthy

When you get a dog, whether as a puppy or an adult, this animal becomes your responsibility. Most domestic dogs are unable to survive without the assistance of humans, and in addition to food and attention, the dog's health will be one of the most important aspects of dog ownership. Always remember that dogs are unable to tell you when they are feeling ill or hurt, and some breeds are so stoic (mastiff breeds especially) that they will not show that they are in trouble until they are extremely ill. It is up to the owner not only to schedule vaccinations and checkups, but also to observe their dog for any deviation from normal behavior, even if slight.

When you have decided upon a breed of dog, it is definitely best to use a reputable breeder with a solid reputation. Make sure that you visit the breeder's facility and meet the puppy's parents; this will give you a good indication of the pup's future temperament. I would also recommend looking over the puppy's pedigree. Although many breeders extol the value of 'line breeding' where cousins and sometimes siblings are bred to one another repeatedly, this is still inbreeding and can cause genetic problems such as hip dysplasia, Von Willebrand disease (a form of hemophilia), Cushing's Disease, and cardiomyopathy. Make sure that the breeder's dogs are as free as possible of genetic problems, and ask to see test results.

The puppy you buy should have been wormed and received its first vaccinations. Observe the puppies at the kennel - the one you want will be sturdy in physical appearance and active. A hyperactive puppy will likely be a hyperactive dog and a puppy that hides rather than coming out to meet you is also exhibiting abnormal behavior. The mental health of the puppy is every bit as important as the physical, so a pup that comes out to greet you without being frantic about it is exhibiting normal, healthy puppy behavior.

Vaccinations against common and serious canine diseases are necessary from the time a dog is a puppy. Vaccinations work by using either attenuated or dead viruses or bacteria to 'train' the immune system to fight a disease should the dog be exposed to it. Your veterinarian will begin to vaccinate your puppy at about 6 to 8 weeks of age, usually beginning with a 4-way shot that will offer protection against distemper, parvo, hepatitis, and parainfluenza. If you live where leptospirosis is present, your pup will get a 5-way shot.

One of the most serious and dangerous viral diseases is rabies. This is a disease of the central nervous system and affects the brain, causing hallucinations, headache, and eventually death. It is spread by bite, and can spread from dogs to humans. Rabies vaccinations will prevent the disease and are given, initially, every year, then every 3 years. If you are worried about the cumulative effect of rabies vaccine on your dog, it is possible to have a blood test done to make sure that your dog is still producing antibodies against the rabies virus.

Checkups for your dog are very important. A yearly, or twice yearly, checkup will not only assure that your dog is current on all his or her vaccinations, but will enable your vet to spot problems before they become serious. A comprehensive checkup should include complete blood work that will establish a baseline for your dog's liver and kidney functions. Should your dog become ill later, this will help your veterinarian see how much deviation has occurred.

A checkup will also allow your vet to check your dog's teeth to see if a cleaning or extractions are needed. Plaque buildup on teeth has been linked to heart and kidney disease in dogs. You can help keep the dog's teeth cleaner between checkup by either brushing them, or using a damp washcloth to clean them regularly.

A healthy dog will not only be a more pleasant companion, but will also remain your companion for a longer time.

Ivan's Puppies has been breeding and training puppies for over 30 years. Our hard work has been paying off, as now we are proud to be breeding Bulldog litters with excellent quality, with little to no health problems and good temperaments. For English Bulldog Puppies, visit our website at http://www.bulldogsnewyork.com/

Pet Care Tips Keeping Dogs Healthy the Natural Way

Prevention speaks volumes, especially when it involves caring for animals. To improve their health, it is necessary to use the right supplies and foods to keep them buoyant. By attending to dogs when the early warning signs appear, a pet owner has the chance to prevent health risk. Below is a helpful guide to help pet owners care for canines and diagnose health problems early.

Bodily health:

One of the characteristics that enlighten dog owners about their pooch's health is how their ribs feel. This of course depends on their coat length and the breed. Other aspects are there to observe, but this is a fundamental attribute that calls for scrutiny. Such an approach is necessary to decide his or her performance statistics. To get clarity about such realities, it is all-important to consult your veterinarian.

Examining your dog's eyes:

For all animals and humans alike, the eyes are body parts that tell ones mental/physical health. To determine if your dog suffers from a health problem, examine his/her eyes to see if both are clear without any signs of redness, soreness and runniness. It is also sensible to examine your dog's eyes if he or she squints excessively. Another way is to look how he or she reacts when light enters the eyes and be sure to report signs of shyness. The reason is that he or she is in pain. Moreover, poor eye focus cause animals to bump into objects unexpectedly. Instead of neglecting these symptoms, learn to understand them and be sure to ask for veterinary help.

Caring for your dog's mouth:

It is not an effortless task to care for animals, but pet owners who take action to prevent health risk have a better chance to help their canine. Various underlying problems cause poor oral hygiene in dogs. Kidney and indigestion issues are the commonest problems animal doctors identify. Even though, dogs interact differently, in comparison to humans, their tolerance to rejection is low. Since this is a concern, dog owners must care for their canines well to avoid the embarrassment. Some pet lovers see the problem as a social or cosmetic issue, but the escalation goes a far way. Dogs appreciate companionship; therefore, a dog with poor oral health loses out on interacting; because dogs and humans do not appreciate the company of dogs with unpleasant oral hygiene. To save your canine from this humiliation, proper mouth care is all-important. A vet is the best candidate to detect the underlying cause. Gum or tooth diseases, bacterial infections, and plaque are other common issues responsible for poor oral hygiene in dogs. If your canine is a sufferer, ask a veterinarian for help to remedy the condition.

Pet owners have other concerns, but the above mentioned are some common health issues and preventive measures limit exposure. Even though, not many pet owners render these concepts valuable, converting canines to a natural, nutritious diet lowers risk to different dog-specific illnesses and diseases.