Common birth defects in dogs

A vital part of good prevention is to know the common types of illnesses and disorders associated with particular dog breeds. For dogs, the parts of their body that are most frequently affected by congenital problems are the central nervous system, the eyes, the muscles, and the bones. For instance, the Beagle, Collie, miniature Poodle, German Shepherd, and Keeshond are more likely to inherit epilepsy.

Also, different types of nervous system disorders are often passed on within certain breeds. Examples are paralysis of the front and back legs, which is common in the Irish Setter, a failure of muscle coordination common in Fox Terrier, and abnormal swelling of the brain is common in the Chihuahua, English Bulldog, and Cocker Spaniel.

A great number of common breeds suffer from congenital eye abnormalities including glaucoma, cataracts, and blindness.

A hernia is a common muscular problem for many breeds. Breeds such as Basenji, Basset Hound, Pekingese, Lhasa Apso, and Cairn Terrier have a high risk for inguinal hernias (gut protrudes into the groin). Umbilical hernias (gut protrudes through the navel) are inherited defects in breeds like Bull Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, Pekingese, Basenji, Collie, Weimaraner, Airedale Terrier, and Pointer.

How Confident Is Your Puppy?

There is a simple way to find out how confident your puppy is. Keep in mind, however, to not perform this test if the puppy is from eight to eleven weeks of age, as this is the "fear imprint stage." During this period, sudden noises or unexpected, scary events can have a profound, lasting effect on him.

Wait until the puppy is not paying attention to you. Then, without him seeing you, drop an object down on the floor. It should be something that will make a fairly loud, sudden noise, perhaps a steel pan or container of some sort. Do not throw it down too close to him. Observe his reaction:

A favorable response would have the puppy showing some caution at first, but quickly recovering and then showing some curiosity toward the object. This puppy is confident, well-adjusted, and does not show irrational fear.

An unfavorable reaction would have the puppy howling and bolting in fear, heading for the farthest corner of the room, perhaps even urinating or defecating. This puppy lacks confidence, and could end up being fearful of unexpected situations or persons. A puppy that reacts in this way could become fear-aggressive.

Just Going Out For A Walk With Your Dog

Having a dog that knows how to Heel demonstrates control and is useful under situations where he needs to stay close to you and pay attention to you. But for many of us, the main reason we take our dogs for a walk is for daily exercise where it does not really matter what he does, so long as he does not pull. Usually the dogs are somewhere ahead of us, checking out who has been there and just sort of following their noses.

For this type of a walk, it makes little sense to have him do a Heel since his main enjoyment is to use his nose and all you want is no pulling. The following is a simple, yet effective way to teach him to remain within the length of your leash without pulling:

Start the walk with "Let's go," and as soon as he gets to the end of the leash and starts to pull, stop and say "Easy." His reaction will be to turn toward you and come back a few steps. Start walking again with "Let's go," and when you begin to feel tension on the leash, stop with "Easy."

You may have to repeat this sequence a few times over the course of several sessions. If you do it consistently, he will quickly learn that pulling causes you to stop, which in turn will stop him from pulling.

Inspecting Your Dog's Semi-Moist Food Packaging

You owe it to your dog to thoroughly inspect and check the dog food that you buy for him. If you are purchasing semi-moist dog foods that come wrapped in cellophane then be sure to follow the simple guidelines below.

The cellophane should be soft and pliable, and it should not be off color. Pillow-pouched bags should contain a small amount of air that does not escape under moderate pressure. A careful inspection should also be made through the unopened wrapper for any dull or furry, gray or black spots; or for any shiny or moist, whitish or yellowish spots. The first is mold growth, the second bacteria.

Soft-moist foods are not subjected to high heat and many species of both mold and bacteria remain viable in soft-moist foods. A little water is all either needs to get started, and away they go, held in check only by the inhibitors within the soft-moist food.

Once the visual inspection of the wrappers and wrapped surface of the food has been made, tear open the cellophane. Observe all odors at the time of opening the wrapper. Pick up a piece of the food and squeeze it. Regardless of the type, it should be soft, spongy, and tender. It should have a slight lubricated feel, but should not feel moist on the surface.

3 Simple Steps To Cleaning Your Dog's Face

Routine grooming serves three major purposes: First, it keeps your dog's skin, coat, teeth, gums, and nails in a healthy state. Second, it helps you detect any signs or symptoms of problems or abnormalities. Third, grooming allows you to spend quality time with your pet which helps create a special bond between you and your dog. It is therefore important to establish a daily or weekly grooming ritual that both you and your dog can enjoy. If your dog refuses to be groomed, command him to sit and stay. In addition, grooming should always involve a reward for your dog.

Below are 3 simple steps to properly clean your dog's face:

1. Gently wash the skin around the eyes using a fresh piece of moistened cotton for each one. If you notice any discharge or inflammation, contact a vet for advice.

2. Hold open the ear with one hand and gently clean inside the flap with a small piece of moistened cotton. Use a fresh piece for each ear. Do not probe too deeply into the ear canal.

3. Loose facial skin must be cleaned regularly with damp cotton. This prevents dirt, dead skin, and bacteria from collecting in the folds and causing irritation and infection.

What If My Dog Refuses To Walk On A Leash?

Nothing will make your dog want to move away from you more than jerking the leash and dragging him. If your dog lags, be careful not to reinforce this behavior by giving him attention when he stops. Instead, stand still facing away from your dog and put gentle pressure on the leash and wait. Praise your dog if he moves even one inch to come towards you. Alternatively, go to the end of the leash and kneel down facing away from your dog and wait for your dog to come to you, praising him all the way.

It does not matter how long it takes for him to start walking, (although it should not be more than a minute or two), he eventually will. Then, walk another few feet away and repeat if he stops. If your dog is afraid of leash walking, you will need to take him out for numerous confidence building training sessions on leash. You do not want to take him with you on an errand when you may be in a hurry and get frustrated with your dog. Once you have taken the time to teach your dog to enjoy leash walking, he can come along with you on all your errands.

4 Things To Look For In A Dog Training School

Enrolling in a dog obedience class can be a rewarding experience for both you and your dog, but choosing the wrong class can make the experience unpleasant for both of you. If you are lucky enough to live in an area where you have a selection, shop around. Observe the class prior to taking your dog.

Below are 4 things to look for in a dog obedience class:

Individual Attention: Is the size of the class such that the instructor is able to give individual attention when needed?

Pleasant Atmosphere: Is there a relaxed friendly atmosphere in the class? Tension and disorder will affect both your ability to learn as well as your dog's.

Training Concept: Is the approach to training used in the class consistent with your own
feelings about dog training? Does the instructor wants you to do something to your dog that you are unwilling or reluctant to do?

Instructor Expertise and Ability to Teach: Does the instructor seem knowledgeable about dog training? And beyond that, is the instructor able to communicate his or her knowledge effectively?

A Few Of Your Dog's Favorite Things

There are many ways you can reward your dog other than giving him his favorite treat. Generally, the more reliably your dog has learned a behavior, the more you can give him rewards in place of foods. For dogs who love certain things more than a treat, rewards can become a more important primary motivator than food. Many dogs will turn up their noses at treats if you offer him a game of catch.

Below are 10 examples of great rewards that you can give to your wonderful pet:

1. Chasing a ball or a Frisbee

2. Playing with other dogs

3. Chewing a chew toy

4. Digging a hole

5. Going outside or coming inside

6. Playing tug-of-war or chase

7 Taking a walk or going for a car ride

8. Swimming

9. Chasing birds in a safe environment

10.Anything else your dog loves to do