Ten Reasons Why Dogs Are Better Than Cats
1. You can train a dog better than a cat. Have you ever seen a cat sit on command? Roll over on command? Stay? Neither have I.
2. Dogs are smarter. Have you ever seen a dog fall into a fish tank? I have not either.
3. A dog can protect your home much better than a cat.
4. Dogs are better suited to lead you to a more active lifestyle. Have you ever seen anyone walk their cat?
5. There are a lot of things cats will jump up on that dogs won't. I know a cat that would not get off the kitchen counter. Dogs won't do that. Your dog also won't climb up a tree.
6. Dogs are much more fun to play with than cats.
7. A dog knows when you are sad. And he will try to comfort you. Cats do not care how you feel as long as you remember where the can opener is.
8. Dogs will wake you up if the house is on fire. Cats will quietly sneak out the back door.
9. Dogs are happy. Dogs think you are the best person in the world even if you are grumpy when you come home from school or work, your dog will be there licking your face and jumping around and they can not wait to see you, while cats do not notice if you are there or not as long as they get their food.
10. Dogs listen. When you talk to dogs they will make faces and tilt their head and try to work out what you are saying while cats just meow and walk away.
Here are the top ten dog breeds that do not shed. However, there are also some dog food out there that help dogs shed a little less than usual. Without further adieu, here is the list.
10. Yorkshire Terrier
9. Dachshund
8. Poodle
7. Shih Tzu
6. Miniature Schnauzer
5. Boston Terrier
4. Maltese
3. Havanese
2. Westie
1. Bichon Frise
It is never any fun when your dog is in heat. I am grateful that Pebbles is fixed so I do not have to worry about her getting pregnant and making a mess in my house. But if you do not know when a dog is in heat and want to know, here are the three common signs to let you know when your dog is in heat.
1. Swollen vulva: This is one of the best ways to spot the beginning of a dog heat cycle. The swelling is a significant difference over her "normal" appearance. Her teats may also swell slightly, but this is not a great heat indicator and can be a little tricky to spot.
2. Discharge: Your female dog may suddenly spend a lot of time licking herself. Take a tissue and wipe her vulva. If you notice red discharge, and her vulva is swollen, that is a pretty good indicator that your dog is definitely coming into heat. It is important to check this, since timing is everything when it comes to mating, or preventing a mating, your dog. The first day you notice the bloody discharge is called "day one". Mark it on your calendar.
3. Suitors: The third sign of heat is not found on your dog, but in the presence of other dogs. You may notice neighbor dogs hanging out around your house. They can smell your female dog's heat cycle. You may notice that your dog will tuck her tail often, protecting herself. She is not ready to accept a sire.
I know, it is so gross to even think about or to even witness. But dogs do eat poop and there are ways to prevent that from happening. Luckily for me, my dog stopped eating her own poop when she was a year old. Now she just poops then sniffs it. I think that is disgusting, too. But I guess it is because she wants to check her poop. No clue, but it is gross.
Here are ten tips to stop your dog from eating his poop.
* Puppies may eat poop to get your attention, which means even yelling rewards their behavior. If you catch Fido in the act, do not make eye contact or speak to him. Instead shake a can full of pennies or clap your hands to make a noise to make a noise to interrupt him.
* For bored puppies, increase playtime to a minimum of twenty minutes aerobic exercise twice a day. Increase the number of toys to keep your puppy busy when you are away if he is left in the yard. A treat-spiked toy, such as a Kong, filled with peanut butter offers a tastier, healthier alternative.
* Prevent access by walking your puppy on a leash and leading him away once he is done. Reward him for leaving stools alone. Teach him to "come" and sit in front of you after each bowel movement, his or other dogs, and give him a fantastic treat while you pick up the waste.
* Some dogs may eat their own stool when it has not thoroughly "processed". A more digestible food may help. Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation. You will need to make a gradual change in the food or the sudden change could prompt.
* Make the stool unappealing by adding a spoonful of pineapple, canned pumpkin, or spinach to your dog's meal. Include a dash of MSG in the food, which changes the consistency so dogs will not find the poop as appealing. Commercial products, like For-bid, may help.
* Scoop and clean the cat box as often as possible. Leaving droppings any length of time asks for trouble. Automatic cat boxes sweep the feces into a bin within ten minutes of the cat's deposit.
* Place the litter box on a table or counter out of dog's reach. If the cat does not object, a covered litter box might deter the dog but allow the cat access and privacy.
* Use a baby gate to keep the dog out of the cat's domain. Some cats can jump over the standard gates, or you can install it a couple of inches off the ground so your cat can crawl underneath while your puppy can not.
* Add a tablespoon of vegetable oil to the cat's food so her poop becomes softer and less attractive to snacking dogs. A spoonful of canned pumpkin added to her food also changes the taste or consistency of her poop to make it less appealing, and many cats relish pumpkin as a treat.
* Finally, if all else fails, and you are not around, put a muzzle on your dog. (Side note: I am not a fan of muzzling your pets, as I see that as a bad idea. Your dog may think they did something wrong if you put a muzzle on him.)
Here is a list of ten reasons why it is great to be a dog. I think being a dog is great because they get to sleep all the time, play when they are in the mood to play, get fed, and they do not have to work and worry about paying bills.
1. If it itches, you can reach it. And no matter where it itches, no one will be offended if you scratch it in public.
2. No one notices if you have hair growing in weird places as you get older.
3. Personal hygiene is a blast. No one expects you to take a bath every day, and you do not even have to comb your own hair.
4. Having a wet nose is considered a sign of good health.
5. No one thinks less of you for passing gas. Some people might actually think you are cute.
6. Who needs a big home entertainment system? A bone or an old shoe can entertain you for hours.
7. You can spend hours just smelling stuff.
8. No one ever expects you to pay for lunch or dinner. You never have to worry about table manners, and if you gain weight, it is someone else's fault.
9. It doesn't take much to make you happy. You are always excited to see the same old people. All they have to do is leave the room for five minutes and come back.
10. Every garbage can looks like a cold buffet to you.
About thirty-some years ago, my family and I went to visit my grandma for the summer. She lived up in the country and had lots of animals. She even had a dog that looked like a mutt. I never encountered the dog, but my sister did. My sister actually approached my grandma's dog while he was eating dinner. Bad idea. Of course, the dog ended up biting her and forever scarred my sister for life on dogs.
So, here are some correct ways to approach an unfamiliar dog.
* Ask the owner if it is okay to approach him.
* Hold out your hand, fingers closed, palm down, and slowly walk toward the dog. Allow the dog to approach your hand and sniff it.
* Wait for the dog's "okay" and see if he wants your affection. If he does, he will lower his head, perk his ears, or even come closer to you. If the dog puts his ears back, flat on his head, or growls, or cowers down, don't pet him.
* Pat the dog on the top of his head or you can pat him along his back. But avoid touching him on his belly, tail, ears, or even his feet.
There are also wrong ways to approach a strange dog. Here are the wrong ways to approaching a strange dog.
* Don't run toward an unfamiliar dog.
* Don't get eye level or very close and smiling at the dog. When a dog sees you smile, he thinks that you are "bearing your teeth" and that is an invitation to fight.
* Don't surprise him by sneaking up on him. When a dog is surprised, his defense mechanism will kick in and will bite in self defense.
* Don't ignore their warning. If a dog barks at you or growls at you when you approach his territory and you continue, that is like an invitation to get bitten. They are warning you that they don't like that and you need to stop and listen.
* Don't touch them inappropriately. Dog's usually don't like their ears, tail, and feet tugged. Some don't even being inverted and being rubbed on their belly. This is a submission position and an aggressive dog will resist this challenge and will resist vigorously.
Here is what you should do when you are threatened by an aggressive dog.
* Remain calm and stay still. Do not run. This is one race you will not win. If you are by yourself, walk backwards slowly. Do not turn your back on the dog.
* If you laying on the ground, curl in the fetal position and cover your head with your arms and keep your fingers curled into a fist.
* Avoid eye contact with the dog. Remember that staring at an aggressive dog in the eyes is a "challenge".
* Remember to not smile at the dog.
* Be sure to use a soft, soothing tone of voice. If you are loud, angry sounding, and screaming will only spur on the dog.
* If you happen to get bitten by the dog, do not pull away. This willy only spur the dog on. Just try to remain calm. Try to put something between you and the dog like your purse, jacket, a bicycle, backpack, etc. Do not hit the dog. This will just make the situation worse.
If your dog is suffering from constipation, there are a lot of remedies you can do to save your dog from this uncomfortable situation that he is in. Here are some remedies you can do to help your dog out.
* Water - This is an easy remedy for your dog who has constipation. Just make sure your dog has water at all times. And always refill his water bowl at all times to ensure that he has enough to drink all the time.
* Pumpkin - Pumpkin is known to be a natural laxative because of their high fiber content. Feeding your dog pumpkin will help soften their stools and make it easier for them to go to the bathroom.
* Fiber - Fiber is helpful when you want to regulate their bowel movement. You can find fiber at your pet store or even at the supermarket. If you get the powdered kind, you can dilute it in water so that your dog can drink it that way.
* Wet Dog Food - Changing their dog food may be necessary when your dog is constipated. Just make sure to choose a dog food that is rich in fiber and it also has a minimum grain content. Changing your dog's food can make digestion easier and help soften their stools.
* Aloe Vera - This is a common remedy for dog's who have constipation. It helps in regulating their bowel movement. However, aloe vera does not have the best taste, so it may be necessary to get it in juice and mix it with your dog's food to make sure your dog takes it.
* Olive oil - This is a popular lubricant and laxative. If your dog is constipated, mix in olive oil with your dog's food.
You can use more than one remedy to relieve your dog from constipation. But if your dog is having constipation constantly, the best thing to do is change their diet.
A therapy dog is a dog that is trained to provide affection, comfort, and love to people that are in hispitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, hospice, disaster areas, and for people with learning disabilities. According to ehow, there are eight ways to train a dog to become a therapy dog.
1. Make sure you choose a dog that is calm with a friendly demeanor. Hyperactive dogs will not be good therapy dogs.
2. When teaching dog basic commands, try using gentle, positive reinforcement. The dog must learn how to come, sit, stay, and down. All therapy dogs must be housebroken, have good manners, and obedience skills.
3. Make sure to teach your dog that it is okay for strangers to approach and talk with you. A therapy dog cannot become protective if someone touches you, shakes your hand, or pats you on the back.
4. Take walks with your dog in public places and to a variety of outdoor events such as parades, carnivals, or flea markets. Let your dog get acclimated to loud noises and being around crowds.
5. Make sure that you let your dog know that it is not acceptable for them to jump, sniff, bark, lick, and growl.
6. Make sure you maintain your dog's health by taking him to the veterinarian regularly. This will prepare your dog to allow the CGC (Canine Good Citizen Certificate) examiner to groom him and inspect him without him being shy or resistant.
7. Try to teach your dog to heel on command and not to pull or strain on his leash. To pass the CGC test, he must walk with you on a loose leash to prove that you are in complete control.
8. Take your dog to the dog park so they can learn how to play well with others. A therapy dog must learn to show no more than a casual interest in other dogs when you stop to talk with other dog owners.
Here are some tips and warnings:
* Remember that "down" is not a position that is comfortable for your dog, so don't try to make him stay in that position for long periods of time.
* The dog must learn to let a stranger pet him.
* It is very important that a therapy dog be comfortable with children and not respond negatively if a child tugs an ear or touches a dog in a way he may not like.
* The dog can not show signs of shyness, try to go to another person, or break position to pass the CGC test.
* The dog will be tested by a AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator before a designation of therapy dog is given.
When your dog has an upset stomach, it can easily be treated at home with a bland diet and a couple of simple at home remedies. But if your dog's vomiting persists for more than four hours or you notice that there is blood in the vomit or in the diarrhea, make a visit to your veterinarian immediately!
There are many causes for an upset stomach, such as him eating something he should not have or having a change in his diet. But most of the time, these problems are mild and can be treated at home. One of the most important things is preventing your dog from becoming dehydrated when he is not keeping his food down. One of the ways to find out if your dog is becoming dehydrated is by pulling back on his skin and see if it snaps back quickly. If it does not, then he is becoming dehydrated.
You can also replenish his water bowl with a little Pedialyte or Gatorade. Encourage him to drink, and if he does not, then use a dropper if needed.
If your dog has diarrhea or is vomiting, it is a good idea to have him fast for twelve hours. This will allow them to purge whatever is making them sick without making them even more sick. Then after the twelve hours feed him a reduced portion of food or give him a bland diet. A bland diet consists of half boiled skinless chicken or turkey and half of some brown rice. The brown rice will help harden their stool and the chicken or turkey will give them the nutrients they need to bounce back. Feed them three to four times a day rather than their usual meal times.
Sometimes a spoonful of yogurt or cottage cheese can help replace some of the good bacteria that was lost when they were sick.
At times, veterinarians will recommend antacids to help reduce stomach inflammation. But do not do this without consulting with your veterinarian first. Ginger root in the pill form can also help with the nausea naturally. If you happen to notice your dog eating grass, let him. It is his little way of cleansing his system out. These remedies will only work for a mild stomachache.
If your dog is vomiting or has diarrhea, it should not be ignored. But if it is a mild problem, make sure to not feed your dog for 12 to 24 hours, proceed with a bland diet, and add a little pumpkin, cottage cheese, or ginger to help with the nausea. This should clear up the problem in a short period of time.
It's Monday, so that means it's Make a Treat Monday! I actually stumbled upon this cookie recipe on www.best-dog-treat-recipes.com and I made these for my dog a week and a half ago. My dog ate the whole thing in just three days! I hope your dog enjoys them as well. Let me know if they like them, too. Without further adieu, here is the recipe.
Smiley Face Homemade Dog Cookies
1 cup water
1/4 cup olive oil or coconut oil
1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup unbleached white flour
1 cup oat flour
1 1/2 tsp. dry baking yeast
2 tbs. parmesan cheese or cheddar cheese powder
2 tbs. soy bacon bits or real bacon bits or pieces
1 tbs. turmeric powder
1 tbs. dry milk
* Place all the ingredients in your bread machine or mix in a heavy duty mixer with a dough hook.
* Set the bread maker for the dough cycle.
* When the dough is finished, remove it and divide it into thirds.
* Roll each ball of dough into a sheet that is 1/4" thick.
* Cut circles that are about 1 1/2" to 2" in diameter. You could use a biscuit cutter for this or you could use a small glass. Dip the cutter or glass in flour in between cuts so that the dough does not stick to it.
* Place the smiley face circles on a lightly greased cookie sheet.
* Put puppy dog food circles on each face where the eyes should be.
* Taking a sharp knife, gently cut the smile into each circle face.
* Bake the dog treats for about one hour at 275-300 degrees. Check frequently to make sure that they do not get too brown.
* Turn off the oven and let the dog cookies dry in the oven for several hours or overnight. When completely done, the cookies will be dry and snappy crisp.
Note: You can store these homemade dog cookies at room temperature for several months. But I am willing to bet that they will not last that long, because your dog is sure to love them.
Top Ten of the Most Dangerous Dogs
10. Saint Bernard
Seven fatalities so it is not like this breed is terribly dangerous. The real reason for their potential danger is their sheer size. St. Bernards are actually pretty lovable and affectionate dogs. So often times they may end up harming someone or something just by bumping into them and getting a little too playful.
9. Great Dane
Another dog with seven fatalities so again, not dangerous. The Great Dane, like the St. Bernard can be troublesome because of its sheer size. These are some big dogs but if groomed and trained properly will be great pets. Just be careful with Great Danes because they require a ton of care so know what you are getting into.
8. Chow Chow
According to the study the Chow Chow has been responsible for eight fatalities. The Chow Chow does have an aggressive personality, especially around strangers and other pets. Again, however this has to do with ownership and not always a genetic problem of the dog. So as long as they are treated well you should not have issues.
7. Doberman Pinscher
Known to be one of the most aggressive breed of dogs ever, the Doberman Pinscher was one of the most recognizable dog breeds as they were used extensively as guard dogs. Dobermans accounted for nine fatalities in the study but most deaths were caused in defense of their owners. This is a great, loyal dog.
6. Malamute
This breed was responsible for twelve fatalities and is another case of a large dog causing unintended harm. Families with children need to be careful if purchasing a malamute. Just be sure to do your research. I am not saying not to buy one. You just need to understand all the risks and benefits first.
5. Wolf-Dog Hybrid
This one is no surprise as half of this dog is wolf. Even with proper crossbreeding, domestication, and training wolf-dog hybrids maintain much of the prey drive of their wolf genetics making them quite dangerous to keep as pets. If they are domesticated clearly there is less risk but their nature alone can eventually take effect in which case there is not much an owner can do.
4. Husky
With a total of fifteen fatalities linked to huskies in the study conducted, they are definitely known to be aggressive, but this has been linked to poor training/obedience issues as huskies rate as one of the most intelligent canines in the world.
3. German Shepherd
Also like the doberman, their high intelligence and aggressiveness makes them sure picks as guard and police dogs. With seventeen fatalities attributed to them, they are the third most dangerous dog breeds. This is certainly attributed to their line of work. They are more likely to get into dangerous situations than other dogs.
2.
Rottweiler
The rottweiler for thirty nine fatalities. Their temperament is usually passive and attentive, but are known to be prone to aggressive outburst. Rottweilers are more dangerous because of their owners. They are perceived as guard dogs and are treated in a more aggressive nature than most dogs.
1. Pit bull
To anyone who knows dogs, the American Pit Bull Terrier is no surprise at number one on a list of deadliest dogs. The pit bull stood far ahead of all the other breeds with sixty six fatalities attributed to it. Known for their extremely aggressive nature, many states have legislation banning the breeding of pit bulls.
Today is a sad, sad, sad day for my friend and his fiancee. Their dog Mimi got stung by a bee a few days ago and had a bad reaction to it. They took her to a vet and gave her three shots. But she wasn't getting any better. In fact, she was getting worse. So after a few days in a 24 hour animal hospital, they put her to sleep so she would no longer be in pain. Rest in peace, Mimi. I will miss your cute little face and little kisses whenever I saw you.
Some of you may know someone who have lost a pet. Sometimes when someone loses a pet, you're left wondering what do I say? Because you don't want to say the wrong thing to your friend and make them feel even worse than they did before. So, here are a few things to avoid saying and what to say instead.
Say this: Your pet was so lucky to have you.
Don't say this: When are you getting another pet?
Say this: Do you remember when... ?
Don't say this: What's the big deal? You have other pets.
Say this: Is there anything I can do?
Don't say this: Are you really going to have him/her cremated?
Say this: You did everything you could do.
Don't say this: It's just a dog (cat, rabbit, hamster, etc...).
Above all else, just try to be sensitive to the person who lost their pet. Try to think of what you would want others to say to you if you had lost your pet. And say that to them.
Do you ever have problems with your dog eating too fast? Do you ever worry your dog may get bloated from eating their meal too quickly? I used to feed my dog her dinner, and thought the exact same thing. It seemed it took her less than five seconds to finish her meal and I would wonder, did she even taste her dinner at all? It got to the point that I was getting concerned about her because I didn't want her to start choking on her food.
I asked a friend of mine who happens to be a dog trainer what I could do. She told me about this dog bowl that has these little things poking out that prevent them from eating too fast. This is what it looks like.
But when I looked at it, I didn't think it would work for my dog. Maybe if my dog was a twenty pound Rottweiler or something like that. But my dog is only five pounds soaking wet and her snout is small so she would easily find a way to still inhale her food. So, then she suggested tennis balls. She said to stick a tennis ball in her bowl. I thought that sounded more appealing. But when I tried that, my dog just nudged the tennis ball out of the way and it rolled onto the ground, and she was back to eating as fast as always.
One day my husband and I went to PetSmart to go buy our dog some more food. I happened to walk by the toy section and came across these mini tennis balls made from Kong. This is what they look like.
That night I put her dog food in her bowl and placed the three balls in and fed her her dinner. I can say, this was a huge success! Before it took her about five seconds to finish her meal. Now it takes her about forty five seconds to finish. I am one happy girl! What did you do to stop your dog from eating too fast? I would love to hear!
Have you ever noticed your dog eating grass and wondered what in the world are they doing and thinking eating grass?! Just the thought of them eating something so undigestable seems so appalling. My dog did this the first time several years ago. That was what I was thinking when I first saw her chomping on the grass in the front yard. And much to my dismay, I also was in shock that shortly after she digested it, she started heaving and puked up a bunch of gunk as well. But there are reasons why they eat grass. Some dogs, actually most dogs, will puke shortly after they eat grass.
One of the biggest reasons why dogs vomit after ingesting grass is because they have an upset stomach so they eat grass to help them rid of the bad stuff that they have in their stomach. And another reason they eat grass is because they are trying to throw up hair balls they have in their stomach.
Also, please keep an eye on your dog where they ingest grass at. Sometimes grass can be sprayed with chemicals and that can be harmful to your dog.
About three and a half years ago, I bought my dog a Pedi-Paw. I saw the commercial for it many years ago and I was intrigued. I mean, a nail file to trim dogs nails without them getting scared of it? I am sold! So, when I finally decided to take the plunge and buy it for my dog I was excited to try it out on my little turd monkey. Yes, that is what I fondly refer to my chihuahua as, among other things
One evening, I grabbed my box of Pedi-Paws and Pebbles and went in the bathroom. I brought her favorite pillow she likes to lay on so she would be comfortable also. Just in case she decided to have an anxiety attack from the noise, or lack thereof. I sat on the floor and put the Pedi-Paw down on my left hand side and put her pillow on my lap and placed Pebbles on her pillow. She was so clueless as to what I was up to as she stared at me with her big brown eyes. When I saw her staring at me, I suddenly realized just how big her eyes were! I never noticed it before until then. Anyway, I grabbed her paw that I was going to trim first and just massaged her paw. I turned the machine on and waited a few minutes for her to get acclimated with the noise. She just kept staring at me with these big brown bug eyes, none the wiser. Finally after thinking she was calm enough, I brought the Pedi-Paw close to her toe nail. Her paw automatically flinched and she started whimpering. This isn't what the commercial showed! They show dogs getting their nails trimmed and they are completely compliant to their owner. So, I waited a few minutes and tried again. Again, she flinched and whimpered and she started shaking. After a few tries I just decided to give up. I don't think I'll ever use this product again. Did any of you have success using this on your dog? Share your success stories with me. I'd love to hear about it.
Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Dog Treats
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 eggs
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
2 tbs. peanut butter
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350.
Whisk together the whole wheat flour, eggs, pumpkin, peanut butter, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl. Add water as needed to help make the dough workable, but the dough should be dry and stiff. Roll the dough into a 1/2-inch thick roll. Cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
Bake in preheated oven until hard, about forty minutes.
Two months ago, I traveled to New York with my husband, our two children, and
our little chihuahua. This would be our second time traveling by air with our dog. Some dogs do well on plane rides and other dogs do not do so well. But there are ways to ensure that your flight with your furry companion will be smooth sailing. I'm very fortunate in the area where my dog is very mellow and easy going and doesn't get car sick or motion sickness or anything like that. But if Spot is not an easy traveler, here are ways to ensure your flight will be a success for both you and him.
* Try to book a direct flight. The less layovers you have, the easier it will be for your dog to not stress out so much. And the less stress your dog has, the happier both of you will be.
* Try not to book your flight where you will be arriving to be either the coldest time of the year or the hottest time of the year as the temperature outside could effect your dog if he is not used to such extreme temperatures.
* Try walking your dog on the longest walk possible before your flight. When your dog is tired, he is more likely to be more at peace and more calm. Also, make sure that you let your dog do his business (you know, go to the bathroom) before you fly.
* Make sure that the carrier you choose for your dog is comfortable for him. And if you bought a new one for your trip, be sure to introduce him to it slowly so he can get used to it.
I have never had to travel very far with my dog so I don't really know how she would do on long car rides. The longest she has ever been in my car was for two hours. And even though it is best to always have your dog in the back seat of your car when you are driving, I had my dog on my lap. For some reason, she thinks she is a lap dog and she can just sit on my lap whenever she wants to.
But here are some tips on how to make traveling with your own furry companion an enjoyable experience for the both of you.
* Always make sure your dog is well exercised before entering the car.
It is very important to make sure that your dog is well exercised before going on a car trip. This is especially helpful during long drives when your dog will want to sleep for most of the duration.
Taking your dog for a walk or run prior to getting in the car not only gives them time to go to the bathroom before the trip, but it will make sure your dog is calmer and less excitable during the car ride.
* Always keep your dog's collar and tags on and have their leash handy.
There is always a chance that your dog might try to run away during a rest stop. It is important to keep your dog on a leash when stopping for food and/or potty breaks.
* Bring their bed or something from home.
It will be comforting to your dog to have an item from home with them, like their favorite toy or pillow. If you have a small dog, bringing their bed will help them sleep during the trip.
* Stop for breaks every hour and a half.
This time can be spent for much needed walking, eating, drinking, and bathroom breaks for your pet.
* Bring your pet's crate for longer trips.
If you are traveling across state lines or going on a long vacation, having your pet's crate ready for them will be helpful. Always make sure your dog's crate is secured and inside the car in a safe place where they can see you. Never put your dog's crate in the bed of a truck. Also, make sure to reward your dog for traveling in the crate, and never make crating seem like a punishment.
* What to do if your dog is car sick?
If your dog is car sick or suffers from motion sickness, please contact a veterinarian immediately. Never give your dog motion sickness pills like dramamine or any other medicine intended for human consumption only.
* Should you allow your dog to stick their head out the window?
Only if you are in a safe area, during fair weather, and traveling at low speeds. Never let your dog stick their head out of the window at high speeds, on the highway, or on dirt roads. They could be injured by flying debris or become ill from having cold air forced into their lungs. Always keep an eye on your dog as some pets may try to jump out of the window.
It is better practice to keep your dog inside of the car at all times. They can become over stimulated from the smells in the air and this might confuse and even scare them. Giving your dog something to chew on during the car ride is a safe way for them to spend their time.
* Keep your dog in the back seat.
Driving up front with your dog puts them at risk for serious injury or death if the airbag were to deploy or malfunction.
Here are some tips to prevent and stop excessive barking.
* Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise so there is not as much pent-up energy to burn by barking.
* Avoid leaving a lonely dog alone for long periods of time, if possible.
* Never comfort, pet, hug, or feed your dog when he is barking for attention or out of anxiety - that would be rewarding the behavior, thus encouraging it.
* Shouting at your dog to stop barking does not help. It may actually cause him to bark even more.
* Avoid punishments like shock collars. They are not only painful and unkind - many dogs will learn to test them and eventually work around them.
* Try to get his attention with a clap or whistle. Once he is quiet, redirect his attention to something productive and rewarding - like a toy or treat.
* After getting your dog's attention, practice basic commands, like sit and down in order to shift his focus.
* Do NOT let your dog bark constantly outside, regardless of the reason. You can hardly train him to stop barking by yelling at him across the yard. Plus, it is one of the fastest ways to turn neighbors into enemies and send an invitation to your local police.
* Train your dog to speak and be quiet.
* Consult your veterinarian and/or trainer if you continue to face barking issues despite your best efforts.
Sight
Dachshunds can detect movement at a far greater distance than we can, but they can not see as well up close. They can see great in low light, but do not distinguish many colors well.
Hearing
Dachshunds hear so much better than we do. In fact, they hear at least four times better than we can. They are very sensitive to high pitched sounds and music.
Touch
Dachshunds have a need to be touched. They are a very social animal and love to be played with, petted, and groomed.
Taste
Dachshunds do not have taste buds as we do, so they will try eating most anything. It is important to keep an eye on what they eat. Dogs are, what is called, omnivorous so they eat both meat and veggies.
Smell
Dachshunds sense of smell is by far their best sensory organ. These dogs can track a scent that is weeks old. Be aware that they will often follow a scent and stray from home if left out.
Wet Dog Food (aka Soft, Moist, or Canned Dog Food)
Pros:
* Canned dog food tends to contain higher values of protein, moisture, and vitamins.
* Most dogs, and particularly finicky eaters, usually find canned dog food more appetizing than dry kibble, as it is more flavorful.
* Canned dog food is less processed.
* There is no need to chemically preserve wet dog food, so it generally tends to contain less chemical preservatives.
* Senior dogs, small dog breeds, and dogs with dental problems find it easier to chew soft food.
* Unopened canned dog foods have a far longer shelf life, and may be purchased in bulk quantities.
Cons:
* Once opened, canned dog food can spoil quickly, so it should never be left in the animal's bowl for long period's of time. Any remaining canned dog food must be refrigerated and used within a maximum of three days. Throw out the rest!
* Wet food is generally pricier than kibble. This could be an important factor to consider particularly if you have a large breed.
* Once your dog has developed a taste for moist dog food, you may have difficulty transitioning him to dry, if ever necessary.
Dry Dog Food (Kibble)
Pros:
* Dry kibble exercises the dog's jaw muscle and satisfies his natural chewing instinct.
* Dry kibble is generally more economical as, once opened, it does not spoil quickly.
* Whether or not dry dog food helps to clean the dog's teeth is debatable.
Cons:
* Dry dog food has less natural nutrition due to the baking process and storage.
* Dry dog food contains more added preservatives than wet dog food.
* Unopened bags of kibble have a shorter shelf life.
There is little that can be done for the dog, particularly at home, to treat the theobromine poisoning once it is in the dog's bloodstream. Thus, the general methods of treatment tend to be ways to try to stop the consumed theobromine from reaching into the bloodstream. These include:
1. Inducing vomiting in the dog immediately, which helps remove much of the chocolate.
2. After that, try to get the dog to eat a small amount of activated charcoal, which binds to the theobromine and keeps it from entering the bloodstream.
3. Try to get the dog to consume as much water as possible to keep them hydrated.
4. At the vet, certain drugs can be used to help the dog survive, such as anti-convulsants, which can help if the dog is having seizures.
In order to induce vomiting, the easiest way, aside from sticking your finger down their throat or the like, which isn't at all recommended, is to get the dog to eat something like 1-2 teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide, which should shortly induce vomiting and can be repeated a few times every fifteen minutes, if it does not. Alternatively, 2-3 teaspoons of Syrup of Ipecac should do the trick, though this should NOT be repeated, even if it does not work the first time.
For the activated charcoal, about 1-2 teaspoon of activated charcoal mixed thoroughly with water should be fed to the dog. This also works well for certain other types of toxins that dogs and cats can sometimes consume, such as: carbamate insecticides, herbicides, and rodenticides.
Here are 10 reasons why it is a bad idea to give your dog a bone.
1. Broken teeth. This may call for expensive veterinary dentistry.
2. Mouth or tongue injuries. These can be very bloody and messy and may require trip to see your veterinarian.
3. Bone gets looped around your dog's lower jaw. This can be frightening or painful for your dog and potentially costly to you, as it usually means a trip to see your veterinarian.
4. Bone gets stuck in esophagus, the tube that food travels through to reach the stomach. Your dog may gag, trying to bring the bone back up, and will need to see your veterinarian.
5. Bone gets stuck in windpipe. This may happen if your dog accidentally inhales a small enough piece of bone. This is an emergency because your dog will have trouble breathing. Get your pet to your veterinarian immediately!
6. Bone gets stuck in stomach. It went down just fine, but the bone may be too big to pass out of the stomach and into the intestines. Depending on the bone's size, your dog may need surgery or upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, a procedure in which your veterinarian uses a long tube with a built-in camera and grabbing tools to try to remove the stuck bone from the stomach.
7. Bone gets stuck in intestines and causes a blockage. It may be time for surgery.
8. Constipation due to bone fragments. Your dog may have a hard time passing the bone fragments because they are very sharp and they scrape the inside of the large intestine or rectum as they move along. This causes severe pain and may require a visit to your veterinarian.
9. Severe bleeding from the rectum. This is very messy and can be dangerous. It is time for a trip to see your veterinarian.
10. Peritonitis. This nasty, difficult-to-treat bacterial infection of the abdomen is caused when bone fragments poke holes in your dog's stomach or intestines. Your dog needs an emergency visit to your veterinarian because peritonitis can kill your dog.
