Signs Of Ill Health In Your Dog

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Donna Schuchman

Signs of ill health in your dog are the most important signs to watch for when interacting with your dogs.  For example:

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Signs of ill health in your dog

  • If the dog has continuous nasal discharge, it indicates the presence of nasal congestion and if the discharge is thick, most of the times, the dog may have pneumonia.
  • If the dog vomits one or two times occasionally, this may not be taken as a serious sign of ill health but if the dog continues this vomiting, then this is something significant to be looked into.
  • If the dog has continuous itching, then examination of skin by separating the hair material especially in case of long haired breeds. You may also come across a lot of ticks or lice on skin, which may look apparently normal at a distance.
  • If the dog passes loose stool for one or two times, this need not be given more emphasis but if there is continuous passing of loose stool, then the dog could be suffering from bowel disorders.  If the dog does not pass stool for two to three days, the digestive upsets needs to be ruled out carefully.
  • Just patiently observe the dog’s walking movements and rule out any abnormal movements in the dog.  If the dog is limping, the animal may have foot lesions.  Similarly, if the aged dog has reluctant walking and less feed intake along with repeated vomiting, then acute renal disorders like nephritis needs to be ruled out.
  • If there is whiteness in eyes, suspect the corneal opacity that may occur in diseases like trypanasomosis.  When the dog becomes anemic, the mucous membrane of the eyes becomes paler and in severe cases, this may have wall white color.
  • If the dog bites chain and owners or others, look for behavior disorders and rabies needs to be ruled out.

If you watch for the signs of ill health in your dog you’ll be able to deal with the ailment before it’s too late.  Always call a vet if your dog does not improve.

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The Top 10 Dog Movies

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Donna Schuchman

For all those dog lovers out there here is a list of the top 10 dog movies.  Most of them can be found on netflex or you can rent them.  Some of you with children probably already own copies of some of them

The top 10 dog movies

10. Lady and the Tramp 
The classic that forever made you look at spaghetti and meatballs as more romantic than you ever thought possible. The story of two canines at other ends of the wealth spectrum warmed our hearts and souls and still does to this day.

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9. Cujo
Leave it to Stephen King to give us a slightly different dog tale than the usual heart-warmers that dominate this list. Cujo is one of the author’s best page-to-screen efforts and has a complete and utter jaw-dropping suspense around every turn, coupled by the fact that our villain is a dog, and that is why, Cujo, you have our number nine spot on our top 10.

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8. The Artist
Sure, technically the winner for Best Picture is not a dog movie. Yet, if you really think about it, The Artist is a story about a man and his dog. Bingo! Dog movie! And who can resist the silent charm of Uggie who stole every scene he was in? Besides, doesn’t the little guy save the day?

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7. Benji
Benji is such a resonant classic that it is easy to see why the moniker is one of the most popular dog names in the world. His first adventure on screen is still his best and reminds us of how a solid, well-written and well-acted (by canine and human) film compels, regardless of its subject or subject matter.

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6. 101 Dalmatians
We’re saluting the 1961 classic, not the live action remake starring Glenn Close. The story of those 101 Dalmatians and their efforts to avoid Cruella DeVille proves that when it comes to animated movies involving man’s best friend… Disney knows how to do it right.

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5. Marley & Me
Honestly, besides being one of the best all-time dog movies, Marley & Me is probably one of Jennifer Aniston’s best films! The story, based on the bestselling true story of John Grogan, impeccably captures what it is that a dog can do to the overall entity that is one’s life. Marley so enriches his owners’ lives, even if he is often more trouble than timid. What this film also achieves is to capture the underestimation people think they will feel when our best friend leaves our lives for good. We are inconsolable and Marley & Me, however sadly, captures it brilliantly

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4. Turner & Hooch
Tom Hanks co-stars with a dog and we have a fantastic film? That is exactly what happened when Hanks and his furry friend hit screens in 1989. Audiences are still talking about how attached they got to the ugly, yet cute at the same time, canine and what happened to him at the end of the film.

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3. Old Yeller
Talk about a tearjerker, if there is a soul out there who can watch Old Yeller and not turn into an uncontrollable tearing mess, I’d love to meet you. Although it is hard to watch at times, this film is a must-see for families seeking to introduce their children to the magic of Hollywood. Who doesn’t love Old Yeller?!

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2. Lassie Come Home

Lassie was a bona fide Hollywood superstar and he was never as good as he was in Lassie Come Home. If there is only one Lassie movie you watch, this is the one.

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1. Best in Show
It’s kind of funny that our number one dog movie is unlike any other on this list. It is a farce beyond farces. Christopher Guest and his comic crew skewer the dog show world as no one else has in history with their comedy about those who make showing dogs their passion. The cast is stellar. The canines are brilliant. The writing is bitingly funny. And it’s the type of movie, dog film or otherwise, that we can watch again and again and again.

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It arrives on April 20 in theaters, and in honor of another solid canine cinematic journey, Movie Fanatic presents the Top 10 Dog Movies! The classic that forever made you look at spaghetti and meatballs as more romantic than you ever thought possible.

Of course these are just the the top 10 dog movies.  There are several more that are available.  Darling Companion is a new movie that was just released.  The film’s title refers to a family dog adopted by Kevin Kline and Diane Keaton.  It arrived on April 20 in theaters.

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Pet Insurance Coverage

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Donna Schuchman

Before you purchase pet insurance coverage for your pet, check the list of the companies approved veterinarians to see if your veterinarian will accept the companies check.   Ask your local veterinarian what type of pet insurance would best suit your family pet. Ask your local veterinarian to read over the plan and listen to their advice. Talking to your local veterinarian will also help you establish if the insurance company you are considering is reputable.

Pet insurance coverage

Before you pay for pet insurance coverage you need to carefully read how the policy handles prescription coverage.  Most companies that sell pet health care insurance do not include prescription coverage in their basic medical health care insurance plan.  If you are concerned about the cost of any prescription your pet might need during the course of its life you should probably consider buying a prescription coverage rider to complement your pet insurance coverage.  Just like the human counterparts prescriptions are very expensive.   I didn’t have prescription coverage when Onslow was sick.  He had to take antibiotics, pain medication and others for several months due to an infection.  I would tell you how much I had to spend but my husband is going to read this, (sorry Jerry, He is worth every penny).

Pet owners who are city dwellers probably feel that they don’t need to worry about something like pet insurance coverage because they can’t possibly for see when they would need it. Their pets live inside, what could possibly happen to them. What these pet owners don’t realize is that illness can sometimes affect house pets the hardest because their immune systems haven’t had a chance to build up any resistance.

There is no question about the need for pet insurance coverage. More than its disadvantages, it offers more benefits not only for the pet but also for its owner. However, no matter how important pet insurance coverage may be, owners should not jump into getting one without conducting enough research.

Researching about pet insurance coverage will not only ensure that you will get the best healthcare for your pet but can also help you save up some money to attend to other needs of the pet.

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Sporting Dogs

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Donna Schuchman

Many dogs are adopted and trained for the purpose of being sporting dogs.  The dog can be completely or partially involved in the sport they are trained for.  One of the most popular sports animals are dogs.  Some sports called the blood sports also exist which are very harsh and they put the life of the animal at risk.  Many organizations are against such kind of cruelty and also it is against the law in many countries.

Sporting dogs

Dogs were first domesticated for the purpose of hunting.  This necessity later turned into a sport.  This sport was meant for the rich people and the royal family, in the medieval period.  Hunters rode horses and dogs accompanied them.  The sport was sometimes dangerous when lions and other exotic animals were hunted.  The dogs and hounds were trained to actually attack the animal.  But now hunting is banned in almost all the countries.

Greyhound racing is also another sport.  In the 1800s, greyhounds were brought from Europe to the United States to control the increasing hare population.  Breeders then thought of involving this animal in racing, this was how greyhound racing started.

Sporting dogs also participate in dog shows.  It is a competition where dogs of certain breed compete with each other.  Things such as looks, intelligence, grace, etc, of the individual dog are considered.

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Tips on raising a confident puppy

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Donna Schuchman

The American Kennel Club offers the following tips on raising a confident puppy.  Remember that your pup feels what you feel.  If your confident in your pup he will know it and your bond will grow stronger.

Tips on raising confident puppy

Meet new people and animals: Socialization is an integral part of raising your puppy, and part of that is introducing him to all types of people and exposing your puppy to adult dogs and other animals.

Exploring is good: Encourage your puppy to explore different objects. Provide things for him to crawl into, on top of, and underneath.

Make noise: Your puppy needs to get used to everyday sounds, sights, and smells in your home. Let him hear the dishwasher run and the vacuum cleaner go.

Being alone: To avoid separation anxiety later, teach your puppy to be alone. Let him spend time in his crate or exercise pen while you’re doing chores around the house.

Meet new people and animals: Socialization is an integral part of raising your puppy, and part of that is introducing him to all types of people and exposing your puppy to adult dogs and other animals. Exploring is good: Encourage your puppy to explore …

Learn to read your puppy’s body language and don’t force him into a situation if he’s exhibiting fear.  If your puppy tries to turn away or has his tail tucked tightly, try to figure out what made him afraid. These are just a  few tips on raising a confident puppy.  There are books available that have information on specific breads.

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What To Do When Your Dog Has Irritation Of The Skin

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Donna Schuchman

Dogs can suffer from skin irritations the same as humans.  What to do when your dog has irritation of the skin will depend on what is causing it.  Below are the most common skin irritations in dogs.

What to do when your dog has irritation of the skin

  • One of the most common problems in dogs is the presence of fleas and ticks, which are parasites that live on the surface of the skin and feed on the dog’s blood. These parasites’ saliva causes skin irritation and results in intense scratching.  There are preventive products available for use on a monthly basis that will prevent this type of infestation.
  • Mange is a skin problem caused by mites that burrow underneath the dog’s skin, causing intense and even agonizing itching.  Bald spots or inflamed red skin are common symptoms of mange.  Two types of mange exist in dogs: sarcoptic mange and demodectic mange, depending on the kind of mite involved.
  • — Mange or scabies causes intense itching in the dog as the mites burrow under the skin and even lay their eggs there.  Scabies can infect humans as well and cause itchiness, although infection in humans usually disappears by itself after a while.  However, it is still important for people to seek treatment if they get infected.
  • —The best way to kill the mites is to soak your dog in a lime and sulfur medicated dip for 10 to 15 minutes a few times in a week.  The dip should not be washed off, but left to dry on your dog’s skin and fur.  During this time, it’s best to watch your dog closely and prevent him from licking himself dry.

It is best to check with your vet if you don’t know what to do when your dog has irritation of the skin .  It is possible he is experiencing an allergy or simply his coat is too dry.  The vet will be able to help diagnose his exact problem.

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Teaching Dogs To Be Socialized

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Donna Schuchman

Teaching dogs to be socialized and accept new dogs into the household is not always easy.  The dog usually has its own ideas of its territory and home and is generally not generous when it come to sharing.  Most dogs would much rather chase the intruders away.  We have to reprogram the dogs thinking to make it understand that chasing the cat or iguana or whatever other pet you may have, is not acceptable.

Teaching dogs to be socialized

To start, make sure that the new dog will be safe.  Put the new dog in a pet carrier or some other sturdy structure that stops the dog from actually physically contacting your other dog but still allows for both dogs to see, smell and hear each other.  This provides a way for both dogs to acclimate to each other in a safe, though possibly a bit stressful, situation.

After the dogs have both calmed a bit give them each a small reward, some favorite food. Be sure to give the dog lots of verbal praise and affection when it is not barking or trying to get to the new animal, this will show the dog that you are accepting of the new dog’s presence and you expect him to be also.

One last point to keep in mind when teaching dogs to be socialized  is that just like humans, not everyone is going to get along.  There will be days where the dogs wont get along.  Some dogs were just never meant to live in harmony but with a lot of patience and a little direction you can make your household fairly peaceable most of the time.

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Meditating with Your Dog

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Donna Schuchman

Meditating with your dog is natural and rewarding.   ANYTIME you are feel at peace is the Zen way of meditation.  Watching your baby sleep, watching your children playing happily or experiencing the love of your dog is the Zen way. 

Meditating with your dog

I was at my class sitting on my cushion, noticing that sitting cross-legged is highly uncomfortable and that my spine curves like a question mark and wondering if, perhaps, I had some of those funky mala beads I might be able to do this, when my meditation teacher said something that reduced meditation from some sort of magical breath-induced alchemy to something simple. That even I could do. That my dogs do every single day.

“Imagine,” she suggested, “a time during your day when you’re totally in the moment. When you’re focused on simply being…and not doing. That,” she explained, “is a meditation.”

Wow, I thought. My dogs meditate. A lot.

What’s more, I realized they were giving me the gift of meditation. Just that day, I had stood at the back window and watched my three dogs race around my backyard, fresh snow up to their bellies, one dog on only three legs. I smiled as I watched. Their delight was contagious. They would pause just long enough to take a few more breaths deep into their bellies…then they’d be off again, high on sunshine and snow and life. Even the one who almost lost his life to bone cancer.

I thought of nothing else as I watched. Not my computer, open to work that needed finishing. Not the breakfast dishes on the counter. Not the piles of laundry. The unmade beds. I just watched and breathed and savored. As my teacher had explained, I meditated.

James Jacobson isn’t at all surprised by my epiphany as it’s one he had years ago. One that prompted him to write “How to Meditate with Your Dog”, a book that landed him on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and CNN. “Dogs are natural meditators,” says Jacobson, who insists that he means all dogs. Even, he jokes, Jack Russell Terriers.

Admittedly no one expects dogs to volunteer at hot lunch or drive carpool. So perhaps getting into the Zen state requires less of a stretch. But even if dogs had iPhones that bleeped with commitments, they would preserve their Zen. “Dogs live in the moment,” says Jacobson, noting that’s all meditation really is.

So while I might have a human in my life offering courses in meditation, the real teachers sit at my side, or curled at my feet or patiently waiting for the cats to leave their food bowls so they can lick what remains, every day. No cushion or candles required.

Can you find zen by meditating with your dog? Learn the health benefits of breathing and meditation both for dogs and humans.

If you think meditation isn’t your thing you may surprise yourself.  Meditating with your dog is something most dog owners do all the time, they just don’t realize they are doing it.  Feeling the love of your dog is rewarding and it’s the Zen way to feel.

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DOGS AND PARASITES

Posted on April 20, 2012 by Donna Schuchman

When it comes to dogs and parasites, there are too many to list here.  They begin in the fetal life of the pup and most times, the mother already had them when she became pregnant.  After about forty days of pregnancy, the parasites will travel through the placenta to the fetus.  Parasites can also be passed through the mother’s milk.  Of those parasites that have infected a pup, most are quite mobile.  They can move to the intestines and lungs.

Dogs and parasites

An awful internal parasite is the heartworm.  Transmitted by mosquitoes, they can be fatal to your dog.  Have a blood sample taken and analyzed.  Even if the test is negative, the vet will probably start your pup on heartworm medicine that he will take once a month.  If positive, the animal will have to hospitalized.

Roundworms can be a problem because most  puppies are born with them.  The larvae are transmitted from the Mom to the fetus.  They are easily transmitted to humans in the dog’s stool.  They can be ingested if your dog eats another animal’s stool.  Wash your hands frequently after handling the puppy and remove all feces from the yard.  Some people have no symptoms at all.  There have been cases where the worms have migrated to the liver, brain, and eyes of humans.  Your puppy should be wormed at two, four, six, and eight weeks of age.

An external parasite is the tick.  These animals live on th dog’s skin.  They look like small dots.  You must use tweezers to pull them off the skin.  DO NOT use fingers.  Ticks can bite and suck blood out through the skin as well as transmitting diseases such as Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.  You must make sure the whole tick comes off the skin as they can burrow deep.  Dogs and parasites can be avoided .  Just take precautions.

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TEACHING AN ABUSED DOG TO TRUST

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Donna Schuchman

Often you will come across a dog that has been abused at one point in his life.  These dogs are difficult to deal with because the normal things we do causes them anxiety and fear.  You can increase your chances of teaching an abused dog to trust with a few simple changes in approach and a lot of patience.

Teaching an abused dog to trust

When interacting with this dog,kneel down to appear less threatening.  When talking to him, keep your voice low and cheerful.  A loud or frustrated tone will scare him.  Call him to you, don’t approach him.  If he makes an effort to obey, praise him.  Don’t wait for him to obey completely.  Remember, he may be used to getting hit when he approaches someone.

When you do get to pet this dog, avoid his head.  Keep your hand palm up as it approaches him and gently rub under his chin or on his chest.  Rubbing either spot will calm him.  If he moves to step backward, let him retreat.  In time, he will stay longer.

When a dog is nervous or scared, he will often wet the floor involuntarily.  If this should happen, it is important not to allow your frustration to show.  It is not a deliberate attempt at disobeying and will likely disappear as he gains trust in you

Keep any sessions short, with just a few minutes of actual touch each time.  You can gradually increase the time as his trust grows.  Just sitting quietly and waiting for him to approach you will make him feel comfortable.

A once-abused dog can be as trusting and loving as any other.  Teaching an abused dog to trust takes is patience on the part of those in his life.  A crouching position, low voice and appropriate touch will win him over eventually.

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