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Once you bring your puppy home, you will want to train him. One of the first commands your puppy will need to learn is to "Come." This gives you control so that your puppy doesn't run off and get lost when you take it to the park or the beach. You will also need to teach the puppy to come if the puppy seems to be bothering another animal or a person. read more
The pancreas produces insulin, which regulates the metabolism of sugar and enzymes, which aid in food digestion. When enzymes are released prematurely, the pancreas begins to digest itself, resulting in inflammation, or pancreatitis. Symptoms can include loss of appetite, vomiting, pain and diarrhea. Depending on the severity of the condition, different treatments may be prescribed. read more
Seizures,an electrical discharge within the brain of the dog radiating through it's entire nervous system creating an overload in dogs are commonly the result of epilepsy or hypothyroidism. Whether you canine is regularly experiencing seizures or only has one, it can be frightening to not understand it and to help your dog through it. There are several ways to treat canine seizures. read more
Diabetes in dogs usually strikes between the ages of 5 and 7. It is most common in overweight, female dogs. The disease is caused by a lack of insulin, which is a hormone that aids in the delivery of glucose (sugar energy) to the cells of the body. It is hereditary and the most prevalent hormonal disorder in canines. read more
Fleas are pests that appear in the spring and summer, although in milder climates they can be a year-round problem. They are annoying and can irritate humans and dogs but also have the potential to put you both at risk for infections and other complications. The signs of infestation can be subtle so check your dog regularly. Choosing the right treatment option can ensure that you and your dog remain comfortable and healthy. read more
If your dog is diagnosed with cancer, you'll understandably want to seek out any and all treatment options. Conventional treatment options are usually effective, but some pet owners don't wish to put their pets through the struggle and sometimes awful side effects of methods like surgery, chemotherapy or radiation. Because of this, dog owners sometimes seek out alternative treatments. Holistic treatments can be used alone or alongside regular treatments to boost your dog's quality of life and improve the immune system. read more
Ticks--a common canine problem--carry disease and cause discomfort for dogs. One variety of the pest, the deer tick, can also infect humans with Lyme disease. Whether you're dealing with an occasional issue or an ongoing challenge, you can find methods to get ticks under control. read more
Brought on by an infestation of mites, mange can lead to hair loss and extreme itchiness in dogs. If your dog is afflicted with mange, a homemade cure can clean it up, leaving you and your dog happier. The process takes between one and two months, and is painless for the dog. read more
Yeast is a single-celled organism that can be found on surfaces of living things. Yeast is most often found in the mucous membrane of the digestive tract and is rendered harmless by the body's immune system. When a dog's immune system weakens, yeast can multiply causing harmful effects. Yeast infections can cause damage a dog's skin as well as a dog's immune and nervous systems. read more
Vomiting occurs often in dogs. You may discover that it's tricky to find the correct cause among many possibilities, ranging from relatively harmless to potentially fatal. You need to consider several potential factors, including frequency, severity and the presence of additional symptoms. read more
Housebreaking a puppy is perhaps one of the greatest challenges of owning a dog. Housebreaking can be trying for both the puppy and the owner, but by following a few simple tips the process can be a lot easier and much shorter lived. read more
You've mastered the basics of dog training with your canine buddy--sit, stay, down--and now you're ready for one of the next level, the crawl. This is a pretty easy trick to teach a dog, especially one that is food motivated. Grab a few of your dog's favorite snacks and head to an open area either inside or outside and watch how easily your dog figures out what you want him to do. Be prepared to get down on the ground for a little while! And once he masters it, keep reinforcing it amongst the repertoire of his other tricks so he doesn't forget what you're asking him to do! read more
Having a dog as a member of your family brings added love and happiness into your home. This is especially true if your pooch is well behaved and obedient. Learning how to discipline your pup in a way that it will best respond will help you and your dog be more content. read more
Dogs share over 400 health problems with people, including anxiety. Anxiety is a little different from depression but is still often treated with anti-depressants -- some of them human anti-depressants in a more canine-friendly dosage size. Dogs can be anxious all of the time or just in certain situations, such as riding in the car or meeting another dog. Dogs resciued from puppy farms and abusive situations often have anxiety. read more
All dog food is regulated by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, or AAFCO, but not all dog food is created equal. Just as with human food, some dog food contains a lot of fillers, which makes it less than ideal. Choosing a healthy dog food is an important decision since it usually the only means of nutrition for your dog. read more
A bite from one flea can cause allergic dermatitis. This is a severe reaction to the saliva of the flea and causes itching, redness, hair loss, infection and hot spots. Advantage is one flea medication recommended by veterinarians. Hot spots are itchy, inflamed, raw areas that can occur in breeds of dogs that have thick hair and long, oily coats. These include akitas, chows, cocker spaniels and golden retrievers. Hot spots could be triggered by an insect bite. Lice can cause itching, rough hair and hair loss. This should be treated with permethin. Food allergies can cause dogs to itch all over. Dogs with food allergies need to be on a prescription trial diet for two or three months that includes smaller protein molecules which don't trigger the immune system. Another type of allergy, anine atopy, results in itching and loss of hair because of pollen and other allergens. Solar dermatitis is a reaction to sunlight that causes redness, hair loss and scales on the ears and nose. This is common in collies and shelties. read more
In fiction and popular culture, Dalmatians are traditionally seen as the ideal canine companion of firefighters. But what modern-day police department would be complete without its very real crime-fighting dog, the German shepherd? German shepherds are one of the most popular dogs to own because of their intelligence, size and companion abilities. There are a lot of important facts to know if you are interested or planning to own a German shepherd. read more
According to Washington State University Veterinary School, Cushing’s disease occurs when the adrenal glands produce too much of the hormone cortisol. Cushing’s occurs most often in dogs over 6 years of age. Cushing’s is treated by prescription medication and occasionally surgery. read more
Puppies are initially born without teeth. They do not receive their first puppy teeth until they reach the age of between six and eight weeks old. They grow a total of 28 teeth, which are known as baby teeth or deciduous teeth. The first teeth that fall out are the incisor teeth, followed by the premolars and the canines. Puppies do not have molar teeth, only premolars. Their upper and lower canine teeth are at the back of their mouths and are larger. Their upper and lower incisor teeth are located in the middle. read more
Fleas in a yard or field may bother cats and dogs and especially larger animals, such as horses. Borax is an inexpensive, easy way to kill outdoor fleas. Mixed with diatomaceous earth and salt, borax kills fleas by dehydrating them. read more
Puppy training strategies are often absolute: use treats; never use treats; reward good behavior only; punish bad behavior. Proponents of each theory are often absolute about its effectiveness. Whatever system you use, be consistent. read more
Iams produces several types of canned and dried dog food for all life stages of a pet's life--from puppies to senior dogs--including premium and veterinary formulas. Which type of Iams dog food you choose will depend on your pet's breed, size and health. Each dry food formula comes in different kibble sizes, including MiniChunk for smaller dogs. Ingredients vary drastically in the various Iams formulas, so a little research will pinpoint the best formula for your dog. read more
There are many reasons that a puppy may experience hair loss. In some cases it can be caused by an allergic reaction to food or its environment, while in other cases it could be because of a behavioral problem such as obsessive licking. If your puppy experiences hair loss, it is important to have it checked by a veterinarian so that the appropriate method of treatment can be prescribed as soon as possible. read more
Potty training a puppy with vinegar water can make training more effective. After your puppy has an accident in the house, he may return to the same spot to potty. Even if you clean the spot with regular soap, the dog may still smell his scent unless you also neutralize the odor. White vinegar is a chemical-free way to disinfect and neutralize the odor of urine and feces. Use a mixture of vinegar and water to house train your puppy. read more
Bathing your dog with a chemical-laden flea shampoo may get rid of fleas but may not be the healthiest option for your dog or your household. Pet shops now sell high-end organic flea shampoos infused with essential oils, but that might not be the best option for your pocketbook. However, you can combine affordability with health by mixing up your own organic flea shampoo, which will repel fleas while leaving your dog smelling fresh. read more