Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Tame that Free Spirit in your Pit Bull

Pit bulls sometimes get a bad rap. While there are some unscrupulous people out there who train these dogs to fight, many people have good-natured animals that just need a little obedience training. Before deciding upon a Pit Bull, you have to research the breed to ensure that they are something that you can handle. Pit bulls need an ever-ending supply of attention and love in addition to receiving an obedience training education in order for them to be the wonderful pet you want them to be. The great thing about the pit bull is that they are super smart and will catch on quick to any training you give them.

Your pit bull can be very headstrong which can be trying when it comes to training them. In other words, they can be very stubborn! They have a mind of their own and sometimes will go off on a tangent. You will have to work very hard to keep them on task. Patience is the key ingredient to training a pit bull. Becoming frustrated and annoyed does not solve any problems; rather, it just creates more when it comes to obedience training.

Starting when your pit bull is a puppy will make your obedience training go more smoothly. Eight to ten weeks of age, after being weaned from mom, is the perfect time to get started. Regardless of the age you decide to start, just know that your training will be more successful if you incorporate some fun and games into it. And most of all stay positive and focused on your goal - an obedient pet who loves you!

Integrating your pit bull with other dogs and people is an essential part of your every day training routine. Social skills are important, even with dogs. By mingling with others while he is still a puppy, your pit bull will be less likely to be aggressive. If you decide on a group obedience training class, your puppy will get plenty of socialization.

Just like a teenager, your pit bull will try and test his bounds several weeks into the obedience training. He will push you and push you to see what he can get away with. Typically, this can occur at around twelve to seventeen weeks of age. This is also the time when he will discover his teething skills. He may try and nip or nibble on you during play time. Do not allow this to happen! Assert your dominance and authority over him and immediately correct the nipping and biting behavior. Your dog will respect your position as top dog, if you pardon the pun.

Pit bulls can be loyal and loving to their families, especially with the proper obedience training. That is why you should make the time to ensure that he gets the training he needs. This breed is a very social animal and is a big attention getter. With obedience training, you will get an exuberant dog with good manners and behavior. Don’t forget though – they have forceful doggie personalities. You have to be consistent and strong. Your own reward is a wonderful pet for years to come.

Monday, December 24, 2012

Using a Remote Trainer for the Sit and Stay Command

The advantage of employing a remote trainer for modification purposes during the sit and stay command is good. You will have the ability to time your corrections accurately. That way you can clearly show your dog his mistake immediately so that it can be fixed. This results in fewer corrections with remote training than would have been needed with the conventional one on one hand corrections where you would physically touch your dog each time. In addition, correcting with a remote trainer can be accomplished even if you are not within eyesight of your dog. It cannot be stressed enough that it is less difficult for your dog to learn when they have properly timed corrections.

There are some proper ways to correct your dog during the remote training for the sit and stay commands. If your dog starts to get up or leave, you must instantaneously press the button to activate the electronic collar and say “sit.” When he sits back down, release the button so the electronic charge dissipates. If this happens, he may be in a slightly different spot than where he started. Nonchalantly, guide your dog back to the original location, put him in the sitting position and move away again.

If your dog stays distracted, call him back from it using mild electronic stimulation from the collar. When he comes towards you, cut off the stimulation and then lead him back to the original spot. You must take your cue from your dog. The remote trainer cannot be used accurately if you do not act at the same time as your dog. You must catch him in the act and respond accordingly by depressing the button that activates his remote collar.

Sometimes your dog may try and lie down. Again, if you are observing him closely, you can pick up some body cues to know when he is easing up on his stance and thinking about lying down. When you catch him starting to lie down, press the button to activate his collar. Try and do this before the elbows are touching the ground. This way, your dog can respond and get up more quickly. Do not say anything as you press the button. Sometimes, the quick shock surprises him back into a sitting position. If your dog does this, quietly commend him for acting appropriately. If your dog does not sit back up, go to him and put him back into a sitting position and say “sit” again.

You will have to repeat these processes for remote training multiple times before your dog starts to understand. It takes time and patience before your dog understands how to hold a position. If your dog is persistent in his actions to leave the area or lie down during the training for the “sit” command, you may have to review the need to intensify the shock the electronic collar emits. You must make it uncomfortable, but not painful, for him to do any other action other than the one that was commanded.

Behavior Modification for Shih Tzu Dogs

If you have a Shih Tzu that loves to jump in your lap all the time or paws at you, this does not necessarily mean that he trying to do anything bad. Rather, it may be your dog’s way of saying, “I need to play and exercise!” When this happens, go on a good walk with your Shih Tzu. In fact, to cut down that continual pawing and lap jumping, incorporate daily walks a few times a day if possible.

It is also important to try and read body cues. Sometimes, your dog is not misbehaving but rather trying to tell you that something is not right. It could something simple like your Shih Tzu needs to go eliminate or he needs more water in his bowl. Recognizing that your dog needs you is crucial. The Shih Tzu is very smart but cannot always communicate what it needs.

A Shih Tzu wants nothing better than to be by his master’s side all the time. That is all fine and good. However, did you know you are almost setting him up for failure by not attending to his needs before you get involved in a project, whether it is work or reading a book? If you take care and get him his favorite chew toy or fill his water bowl or whatever before you start something, chances are that he will not bother you or cut into your project time. He will be content just lying next to you or being in the same room.

When you sit down for a while, instruct your Shih Tzu to lie down near you. Most Shih Tzus will automatically do this. However, if they have a pressing need, they will not until it is taken care of first. Often, if you make the effort to see to their needs first, they will likely just lay down near you. Don’t forget, your dog wants nothing else except to be near their human masters.

Some Shi Tzus are naturally a bit high strung and need some time to expend that excess energy. Arrange a play date with another dog or hook a leash on him and take him for a long walk. Once your dog winds down a little, you will find that he is a lot more agreeable in his behavior.

Shi Tzu puppies appear to be little balls of fluff in perpetual motion and they are very inquisitive. They will seem like they are into everything and that is normal, just a part of being a puppy. However, as they get older, most of the Shih Tzu are content to relax all day. Of course, with behavior modification, training should start with they are still puppies. Be advised that it will take a bit longer simply because they are puppies.

Just remember that most of the Shih Tzu, while active, is not hyperactive. Don’t try to “give him something” to make him calmer. That may do more harm than good. With proper training and the setting of limits, they can catch on quick to your personal routine. They are smart and inquisitive, absorbing all the stimuli around them. Be careful though. They can be stubborn little tyrants so you have to show them right away that you are the leader.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Canine Orthopedic Braces for Man's Best Friends

“A dog is a man's best friend” is a cliché, but which dog lovers hold close to their hearts. Perhaps, it is the most quoted among quotes about animals and pets because it can't be truer. This is why dog lovers are pained when they see their dogs suffer brought about by pain and injury. It is a good thing that dogs are treated well these days so that their welfare is taken cared for. These pets need not suffer unceremoniously because there are canine orthopedic braces to support fractured bones and torn ligaments.

What are canine orthopedic braces and its functions?

These devices are designed to appropriately fit the injury and the size of the dog. These help the dog heal faster by stabilizing and supporting the damaged structures through distributing or sharing the weight of the body between the body and the brace.

There are several goals in the treatment involving injuries.

• Foster healing of the traumatized tissues (bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons).

• Reduce the inflammation and ease the pain in the affected area.

• Prevent the atrophy of the muscles in the area of injury by assisting the dog in moving around despite the injury.

• Rehabilitate and reestablish proprioception which refers to the ability of the dog to sense the position, orientation and movement of the body and the body parts.

What are different canine orthopedic braces and prosthetics that help dogs move around?

When the lower limbs (knee, elbow, hock, carpus and paws) are injured, there are splints or braces that are particularly designed to help the part heal. There are dog splints, hock splints, bootie splints and carpal splint for these injured parts.

• Dog splints are for pets with lower limb problems. These are modeled and inspired after splints that support injured foot, lower leg and ankle of humans. Thus, it is positioned on the back of the canine's leg with Velcro adjustments. Its features allow the dog to keep the leg in a normal walking form and helps in managing the weight on the injured leg. The design provides an easy access for daily treatment if there are wounds. Its cost is lower compared to casting. It s also lightweight and waterproof.

• Hock splints stabilize and provide support to the lower rear limb and the heel. This keeps the paws free.

• Bootie splints support the lower rear leg. This type of splint extends under the paw steadying the injuries on the toes or digits. It also effectively provides proper positioning when there are nerve damages. Bootie splints are available in sizes X-Small, Small and Medium has two adjustable straps while Large and X-Large booties have three.

• Carpal splints are intended for carpal joints. This is lightweight and is generally used as a post-surgery brace for the carpal joint. This type usually does not extend under the paw.

What are the important points to remember when buying orthopedic braces dogs for?

There is a huge choice of braces and splints for the dogs. It is important to work closely with a veterinarian or a specialist in dog orthopedics to get proper guidance in choosing the most appropriate brace for your dog. Since dogs have variable sizes, make sure that your dog will get the right fit. That is achieved by having it customized to get a perfect fit. Though there are sizes available in different types of splints, the measurements need to be done the right way. It is also important that these canine orthopedic braces are made out of composite rubber joints than metals, which are similarly strong, and works better with the dog's movements.

For many people, dogs are not just best friends; they are also family. We feel their pain when they are injured. Help them recover faster with these braces.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Why Is My Dog Sneezing?

Seeing a dog sneezing can be funny when it just happens once or twice, but if your pet is starting to sneeze a lot, you may begin to wonder why. Is it just a normal part of a dog's life, or could it be a sign of something more serious?

Like humans, when animals sneeze it is because their nasal passages are irritated or inflamed. This may be caused by something getting into the nose, like pepper, or it could be a symptom of a viral infection that is causing inflammation. If your dog also has a runny nose it is likely that he is going down with some kind of virus.

An infection of the sinuses is another possible cause of repeated sneezing. Sometimes this can be caused by a tooth infection. An abscess in the upper jaw can easily spread to the sinuses. In this situation you will probably realize that the dog is in pain and needs treatment.

More rarely, a cyst or polyp in the nose might cause a dog to sneeze. If this happens, the dog sneezing could gradually become more and more frequent and you might not even notice that your pet's habits had changed for a while.

Of course, sometimes dog sneezing may be one symptom of a more serious problem. In this case there will usually be other symptoms too. Consult with your veterinarian as soon as possible if your pet is panting, coughing or wheezing, or appears to have breathing difficulties.

It is also a good idea to see the vet if any viral infection lasts for longer than a couple of days, or if the dog is very tired and lethargic, or is running a fever. Some viruses are more serious than others and may require treatment.

Another sign that means a trip to the vet's office is if your pet has nosebleeds along with the sneezing. It's not unusual to have a few drops of blood when a sneeze causes a small capillary to burst, but a flow of blood could be a sign of mites, exposure to rat poison or even a tumor in the sinuses.

Of course, a canine sneeze from time to time is usually nothing to worry about. Dogs like to poke their noses and sniff in all kinds of places, so it is not surprising if sometimes they pick up something that irritates. This could be pollen from a plant, smoke, dust or a small foreign object.

Occasionally, they will get something larger stuck in the nose. If the sneezing continues and the dog is also pawing at its nose or shaking its head, it is probably trying to dislodge something. Most times, the dog sneezing will get rid of the irritant but if the problem continues, see your vet because there may be something there that needs to be removed.

Why Is My Dog Not Eating?

A dog not eating can be worrying. Clearly, a dog who does not want any food is not the healthiest of animals. But what is wrong? In this article we look at some of the possible causes of a dog not eating and what you should do.

Like children, dogs often lose their appetite when they are sick. This actually helps the body to recover because it can concentrate all of its resources on the illness without having to handle digestion of food at the same time. Any kind of minor bacterial or viral infection may cause this to happen.

If the dog is also coughing, it may have infectious bronchitis, also known as kennel cough. This is a very common mixture of viral and bacterial infection that is easily passed from dog to dog. The symptoms are a lot like flu in humans, including fever and lethargy or depression, but may last for up to a month.

There is no complete treatment for kennel cough and in most cases you just have to keep the dog home and let it rest. However, you might want to have it checked by a vet. Sometimes antibiotics are necessary to prevent pneumonia. As with flu in humans, kennel cough can sometimes be serious or fatal, especially in old dogs or those with impaired immune systems.

Lyme disease is a more serious infection that is passed on to dogs from ticks. A dog with Lyme disease will often have painful joints and may limp. It will probably also have a fever and bad breath. Lyme disease must be treated as soon as possible to prevent serious complications from developing.

A puppy not eating may be suffering from red or demodectic mange. This is a parasite that lives on virtually all dogs and many humans, but only causes problems in puppies up to one year old or adult dogs with depressed immunity. The skin becomes itchy, reddened or scaly and the puppy loses hair in circular patches.

Another possible cause of a dog not eating is that the dog has an abdominal obstruction. This means that they have swallowed something that is causing a blockage somewhere in the digestive system and will not pass out. It could be a bone or anything that they swallowed that is indigestible. These obstructions can cause serious problems and you should see the vet with your dog to check this out. Surgery is sometimes required to remove the obstruction.

More rarely, loss of appetite in a dog may be caused by rabies, heart disease or heartworms. Of course, these are serious conditions that will have other symptoms too.

In summary, there may be many different reasons for your dog's loss of appetite. It would not be possible to be sure what is wrong without seeing the dog. However, you can be sure there is something. Dogs do not stop eating for no reason at all. Therefore, it is important to take your pet along to the vet's office so that the problem can be investigated and the vet can discover the cause of the dog not eating.