Dog-Canine Blog

AKC NEWS ALERT

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 01:10:00 -0400

The American Kennel Club is expanding its perks to mix breeds starting April 1, 2010. The AKC Canine Partners Program will now allow mix breeds memberships, benefits include opportunities to compete at dog sporting events such as agility trails and obedience competition plus trial health care plans and enrollment in AKC's lost and found recovery service. Conformation events are not included. If you have a mix breed who you would like to compete in sporting events then here's your chance, get out there, show them what you got and have some fun !

NEW DOG SANCTUARY PROJECT

Sat, 15 Aug 2009 20:35:00 -0400

DOG SANCTUARY PROJECT

Marty and Angela Donald of Sardis, MS are dog lovers on a special mission. The mission is to open a dog sanctuary in Panola County, MS for homeless,abused,neglected and last chance dogs, those dogs who are to be euthanized because of over crowding, behavioral problems or disabilities in local area humane shelters and those running loose within our communities. The sanctuary would also care for family dogs of mid-south military service personel who were deployed.

Angela Donald is a Canine Behavior Consultant in private practice who feels the county needs help with dogs running loose all over the county. This is a dangerous situation, packs of dogs are forming within the county and could potentially be life threatening to livestock, other animals and people. "The best dog in the world can become vicious when in packs, as their natural instincts kick in." Batesville does have a humane shelter but it only picks up animals inside Batesville city limits leaving the rest of us to deal with this problem. Many of the dogs in local area shelters and running loose are very adoptable and its just inhumane to euthanize them in her opinion. Angela Donald has been a 40 year veteran dog owner and enthusiast ,shows boxer dogs, she has three international champions at this time and has devoted much of her life to canines and the study of their behavior. She is also a active rescue volunteer, author and volunteers for AllExperts.com.

"I believe we can make a difference in the county and community by starting this project. My expertise will allow me to rehabilitate many dogs who would otherwise be euthanized, instead allowing them to be adopted into loving homes, those less fortunate and with disabilities like blindness and deafness would be able to live out their lives at the sanctuary if no one adopts them. I advocate responsible pet ownership through public education and would also like to start spay and neuter programs county wide. We would also like to start a program for our military service personnel in the midsouth, those being deployed would be able to house their dogs with us at the sanctuary while deployed instead of giving them up to the humane shelters in our areas who are kill facilities".

This project will never come to past by using grants as there aren't any available for this. So Angela has come up with a unique way to possibly fund the start up of the sanctuary, she has entered one of their dogs into a contest for cutest dog, grandprize 1 MILLION DOLLARS, Dealer a boxer with a unique # 7 marking is vowing to be the cutest dog in the contest. The contest runs until approximately Oct 26, 2009 with 12 weekly winners, those 12 will compete for the top 4 spots voted by the public and then the sponsors of the contest to pick the grand prize winner.

Since the public is voting Angela asks everyone with a computer to help us win this contest by voting daily for Dealer, it will take many thousands of votes in a week to get into one of those 12 spots as a finalist, with the publics help we have a real chance at winning this. Please vote for Dealer online at http://tiny.cc/VOTE763 . Together we can make our community a better place and help these wonderful canines live a life filled with love and compassion that they might not otherwise have. Tell your friends and family all over the country to Vote daily too.

We welcome your comments at petadvice@aol.com

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How To Help A Dog With An Abusive History

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 01:59:00 -0400

How To Help A Dog With An Abusive History

Last year, Beth, a single mother of three teenage boys,had been in contact with a rescue group that finds homes for retired racing greyhounds. She asked the group if they had an adult dog that would get along well with cats, as Beth also loved cats and had several of them.

A lovely greyhound named Buddy fit the bill. Just several days later Buddy was welcomed with loving arms into his new home fit for a king.

Buddy didn't know a lot of small things right away, such as how to climb up steps or comprehend a see-through glass door and windows, etc. He did not know how to play and was very weary of people, particularly very tall, thin males. And something also peculiar – he was literally afraid of his own shadow !

Any of these things caused fear in Buddy, and the resulting behavior was aggression, snarling and growling. Beth was worried that his behavior would go beyond this reaction, leading into biting or attacking a friend, family member or stranger.

Soon Buddy showed fear towards another specific occurrence: Anytime Beth's father would come to visit, and wearing his usual leather jacket and ball cap, Buddy would again start his aggressive stance and snarling. The same thing happened when Beth's sons would come home with their noisy teenage friends.

The Cause Of Buddy's Fear

As you know, Buddy was an ex-race dog, so once Beth was able to contact a canine behavior specialist, the specialist was able to identify the problem right away. She had asked Beth to obtain a picture of the dog's ex-trainer, which turned out to be a very tall, skinny man that wore a long black coat, along with a specific hat that resembled a baseball cap.

Add to this evidence the obvious experiences of the dog having raced at the track: lots of noisy people, confinement, guns firing, running, more confinement, lots of harsh training commands from his trainer – it was no wonder why Buddy reacted the way he did when he was adopted.

Managing these issues was not going to be an easy task. It required Beth to have constant vigilance. The specialist instructed her to remove the noisy teenagers from his presence, teaching Beth to be cautious of how she gave commands to Buddy, as well as have her father remove his black leather jacket and ball cap when visiting.

In time, Buddy was able to calm down and within 12 months was less afraid of noise and the appearance of any man that resembled his past trainer became less of a threat. Buddy lived to be thirteen years old and because of his new owner's love and care to learn to communicate, he was one lucky dog – one that enjoyed the right that every canine has – to be loved and included in a real family.

What You Can Learn From This Story

If you are also considering bringing home an adult dog that has had a history of competing in sports, such as a racing dog, for example, then prepare yourself by taking lessons from the above story. It will not only teach you how to communicate with your problem dog, but could also save him or her from being sentenced to a lonely life inside of the pound or worse euthanized.

Finding a canine behavior consultant/specialist or dog behaviorist could really help put things in perspective and solve your dog problems so don't be afraid to seek professional help. Never give up ! Don't expect your abused dog to magically be fixed overnight, it will take time ,diligence and patience, the rewards are greater than you could imagined.

Angela Donald

Canine Behavior Consultant

http://www.hitowerboxers.com/caninebehaviorconsultant.html

Learn How Your Dog Sees The World

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 01:37:00 -0400

Learn How Your Dog Sees The World

As humans we really don't take much time to consider how canines see the world. We completely take for granted on how our own eyes turn light and shadow into visual displays for us. Even many people who wear eyeglasses don't give much thought to how this brings out vision back into focus.

Your Dog Sees Everything Different Than You

It is so simple to think that all dogs see things as we do. But if you were to get on the canine's level as to proximity to the ground, or height from the ground, any prospective alone would make the world look very different - so it is for the Dog.

Just try getting on all fours, squat way down, and view the world from 4 to 8 inches off the ground. And there is more than visual prospective due to proximity. Canines have different visual abilities with focus, detail, contrast and such. These visual abilities even vary with each breed of dog. For example, the Greyhound is a more visual than a bloodhound.

Dogs Have Limited Vision Compared To Us

Dogs can focus on objects if they are near, but it becomes extremely fuzzy for them if the object is closer than about 1 to 2 feet. So they take up that handicap with the sense of smell and touch. Dogs simply cannot see up close as well as humans.

What About Color?

Dogs can see color but again it is more limited than humans’ vision ability. The Human can normally see things in a rainbow of colors. The rainbow for people consists of:

Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, Red, and many shades of all these colors

However a Dogs color vision would be like this:

Violet, Indigo, Blue, Yellow, Yellow (repeated intentionally), and Red

Furthermore, Orange, Yellow, and Green all look the exact same to a Dog but a dog can distinguish those colors from Purples, Blues, and Reds.

The color Blue-Green will cause the dog to see white, however, a canine can see the differences between Violet, Indigo, and Blue with competence.

Dogs & Motion

Another factor in a dog's ability to see things is movement. Just like humans, dogs do not see a non-moving hidden critter in a tree very well but if it is moving and at a medium speed he will be at his best. Like playing with a tennis ball that is green and the green grass... No problem.

So canines see things different than us but are capable of seeing some things as we do. What dogs excel at is hearing and scenting - so don't expect your dog to see his world the way you see it.

Angela Donald

Canine Behavior Consultant/Specialist

http://www.hitowerboxers.com/caninebehaviorconsultant.html

How Puppies and Dogs Learn

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 00:43:00 -0400

How Puppies and Dogs Learn

Learning comes simply and naturally when you teach canines to associate certain words and behaviors. That's where talking to them and spending lots of time with them comes in. Dogs are capable of learning an extensive vocabulary simply by watching and listening to you.

For instance, your puppy or dog will quickly learn that when you put on a certain pair of shoes, it's time for a walk. The pup is primed to respond to you, so teach a phrase to to go along with the action, such as “Let's go for a walk,” or “Let's go for a car ride.”

When you see your puppy performing an action that you want it to learn to do on command – sit, down, come or dance – give it a name. Every time you see your puppy sitting, even if you didn't tell it to, say “good sit.” Do the same thing if you see it lying down, chewing on a toy, coming toward you or not barking. It won't take long before you can say “sit” or “down” and have your pup respond correctly.

According to psychologists, this is called contiguity learning, meaning the word comes to be a symbol of the action in the dog's mind. Basically, it's a fancy phrase for learning-by-doing.

Contiguity learning is perfect for housetraining. Say you have a dog that cannot seem to learn that pottying in the house isn't permitted, no matter how much you praise it when it goes outside. Gain the dog's attention by going a step beyond praise as it potties. Give one click with a clicker, snap your fingers or jingle your keys as the pup potties (choose a single sound to use). Then give praise and a treat. The sensory addition of sound and taste can sometimes be just enough motivation to get your point across and make it stick.

4 Common Mistakes To Avoid

It's easy to inadvertently encourage puppy behavior problems or make them worse. Here are some ways new puppy or dog owners can become their own worst enemies:

1) Giving a puppy or dog too much freedom too soon.

2) Allowing misbehavior to become a habit.

3) Letting a puppy or dog think it's the one in charge.

4) Refusing to use a crate because it seems cruel.

Like children, puppies and dogs need structure and rules; praise when they do right; corrections when they make a mistake; and a place they can go to feel safe. By showing your puppy or dog what you want, keeping it on a schedule, rewarding it for good behavior, and providing a crate or safe room where it can stay when you can't supervise – thus preventing destructive behaviors – you'll give the puppy or dog the framework it needs to become a super companion.

Until next time,

Angela Donald

Canine Behavior Consultant

http:// www.hitowerboxers.com/caninebehaviorconsultant.com

Backyard Dog Party �? How To Host A Successful BBQ With Dogs In Mind

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 00:03:00 -0400

The next time you decide to put on a small barbecue party in your backyard during the warm, sunny summer months, make considerations for your dog and your other guest's dogs. Most friend and family gatherings are planned and entertained without a single thought of providing an atmosphere where both dogs and people can enjoy themselves together.

And consider for a moment just how more pleasant the atmosphere will be with your close friends and family members enjoying themselves with a cold drink and a good hamburger on the deck of your house, while just off the corner of your eye your dog is having the time of his life, chasing and being chased by other guest's dogs.

Not only will your BBQ appeal to everyone attending, but how cool would it be to tell them that they can bring their family pet along for fun and games? So during your next backyard BBQ event, take some time to plan ahead and include the pets in the plan.

Plan For Success

According to the Hearth Patio and BBQ Association, the backyard party trend has blown up into a $55 billion dollar per year industry. Houses are becoming smaller and more and more families look towards their home for fun and relaxation. Lawn chairs, picnic tables, and cooking facilities are all designed to bring the inside party “out”.

What you want to avoid is having your dog or someone else's dog jump up into people's laps begging for food and annoying the guests. Such behavior can ruin a good time, especially when drinks are spilled and dirty dog paws just ruined your best friend's shirt.

The key is to single out those guests that have dogs and other dog lovers from the group. A good host for such dog-planning would have new interactive dog toys that can be played with between your guests and the dogs. Many people love to play fetch and frisbee with friendly dogs so why not offer this activity and other dog-people games at your BBQ ? Get some great new interactice dog toys to encourage playing with the dogs I have many recommendations in our Boxer Dog Store at my website.

Provide a common area for both dogs and your guests. Invest in a fenced-in enclosure where the dogs can play with each other without annoying the rest of your guests. And for the dog enthusiasts of the party who would love to take a break from mingling and head over to the doggie hangout, a perfect common area keeps the fun and games in harmonious order.

Consider the seating arrangements you have made. Think about where each person will be seated and make sure that the dogs are secured in an area that faces the party. Your pets want to be in on the action, even if it's just to see what's going on.

If you are hosting a backyard party at night, consider the safety of your animals. Should you allow them to run free, attach a small flashlight to each of the dogs' collars. This is a perfect way for your guests to see them coming without an accident by stepping on the dogs. You can also attach a bell that jingles which will give people more warning before a dog is approaching. Remember to keep the pool closed to your dogs unless you can supervise them and always let your dog wear a life jacket as some dogs aren't the best swimmers and can tire easily.

Have a fun and safe time !

Cheers,

Angela Donald

Canine Behavior Consultant

www.hitowerboxers.com

Can Medication Cure Separation Anxiety in Dogs ?

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 11:51:00 -0400

Can Medication Cure Separation Anxiety in Dogs?

Recently I have been receiving quite a few calls about dogs with separation anxiety so I thought I would revisit the subject. If your dog needs help with this anxiety condition feel free to contact me so we can start an effective treatment program.

Genuine separation anxiety can be a serious problem for a dog. It is much more than simply having a dog that barks and cries when you leave the house. With genuine separation anxiety your dog cannot stand to be away from you even when you’re home. He follows you from room to room. He may become so stressed about being near you that he will use the bathroom in the house. He can even bark and cry for you when you are gone and there are other people present. And he will do these things if you are gone for 30 minutes or less. Dogs with separation anxiety may also dig, chew, scratch themselves, or exhibit other kinds of destructive behavior. Separation anxiety is a psychological condition and it may require medication for treatment.

Separation anxiety can occur with any dog but it is most common with dogs who have been abused, abandoned or with those which were not properly socialized when young. No one knows exactly what causes it but you should know that it is an actual anxiety condition. When your dog does these things he is not disobeying you or being deliberately destructive. Even if he is housebroken or normally well-behaved, he cannot help his behavior when he has this much anxiety. A combination of medication and behavior modification can allow him to live a normal life again.

If you suspect that your dog has separation anxiety you should first consult with your veterinarian. He or she can rule out any physical reasons for your dog’s problems. Your vet may recommend a complete blood count, urinalysis and other tests. Once other causes are ruled out your vet may prescribe one of the medications often used for separation anxiety, such as clomipramine and amitriptyline. These drugs should be given exactly as prescribed. They must be taken regularly and not just when your dog is showing symptoms of anxiety. It may take several weeks for them to begin to be effective so it’s necessary to follow the prescription and directions precisely.

Once your dog begins to respond to medication it’s a good idea to consult with an animal or canine behavior consultant. This professional can try some behavior modification techniques to try to help your dog. Your vet may also be able to help you with these behavior modification exercises. These exercises will work on some of the behaviors your dog exhibits under stress, such as barking or housebreaking problems. Your dog may not be able to respond to these exercises until he is taking medication to reduce his anxiety. That’s why behavior modification usually comes after medication has begun.

It’s also a good idea to make sure your dog gets plenty of outdoor exercise. Exercise in general will be good for him and it will help provide some positive stimulation for him. Thats not to say just put him outside in the backyard but you must walk him and genuinely interact with him. Don’t forget mental stimulation, too. Do things at home with your dog. Provide interactive toys and chews for him so he won’t get bored.

If you still must leave your dog during the day while you work (and most of us do), consider taking your dog to a doggy daycare where he will be around other people and dogs. Or think about taking him to a friend’s house during the day, or getting a pet sitter to come to your house. These things will all help your dog cope with your absence; at least until his separation anxiety is under control.

Genuine separation anxiety is a serious psychological problem and it needs a combination of treatments. Don’t give up hope. Your dog can be treated and live a normal life again. You will be able to leave the house without your best friend falling to pieces. It just takes patience and treatment.

Symptoms of a Unhealthy Dog

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:16:00 -0400

Do you know the signs or symptoms of a unhealthy dog ? Most of us think we do but there are subtle signs not often recognized by the dog owning public that could help save your dogs life,here are a list of things that you should watch for in your dogs and be ready to seek medical attention if your dog is exhibiting any of these symptoms :

lack of appetite, decreased activity, changes in water consumption, bad breath, coughing, diarrhea, trouble breathing, drooling, frequent urinations or bloody urinations, not grooming, sleeping more, vomiting, weakness, lumps under the skin, constantly whimpering and displaying aggression for no apparent reason.

If you notice any of these signs in your dog please seek medical attention from your

veterinarian immediately. Its better to be safe than sorry as the old saying goes.

Springtime Dangers and Your Dogs

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:44:00 -0400

We all look forward to springtime with its fresh air, beautiful flowers and sense of

renewal.But there are many dangers associated with this season of the year for our dogs.We

should always be on guard when it comes to our dogs and potential dangers.I will discuss

some of these dangers that many dog owners never realize could be harming their beloved

dogs.

Snail Bait

Many areas of the country have a problem with snails, people often put snail bait in their

garden and flower beds. The most common snail bait contains metaldehyde that is very toxic

to many animals. Most dogs will readily ingest it and will start to show symptoms in a few

minutes to a few hours.Tremors and twitches can progress to seizures.One company

manufactures Sluggo Slug and Snail Bait containing iron phosphate that is much safer for

pets.You may elect to try that or just not put snail bait out.

Landscaping Materials

Springtime brings many people into their yards and gardens.Some new landscaping materials

can also be dangerous.There is a popular new product,cocoa bean mulch, which is a byproduct

of chocolate production.It is attractive and has a great odor,unfortunately dogs also think

it tastes great!It contains theobromine and its ingestion causes methylxanthine toxicosis.

Symptoms are vomiting, tremors,increased heart rate, even seizures and death can occur.

Parasites

Warm weather also brings parasites, especially fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes.Fleas can carry

tapeworms, cause allergies and skin problems, and in some areas of the country carry

plague.Ticks can carry several diseases that can be transmitted to pets and people like:

Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Ehrlichia.Mosquitoes transmit heartworms to

dogs.All dogs should be on a monthly heartworm preventative and monthly flea and tick

control.Heartworm treatment can be very costly and unpleasant for your beloved dogs and you.

Insects

Springtime also brings out bees,wasps and other stinging insects which can cause mild to

severe reactions in dogs,mild swelling at the sting site,swelling all over the body,

hives,shock,difficulty breathing,swollen eyes,increased heart rate and even death have been

associated with allergic reactions in dogs.If you suspect your dog has been stung,take your

dog to your vet immediately.

Pollens

Pollens of all kinds can cause allergies in dogs and are usuaually very high in the

springtime.Some areas of the country have a problem with foxtails,a seedpod from a weed.

These seedpods have very sharp barbs that can penetrate skin or the foxtail can migrate up

nostrils, into ears, eyes, or any orifice. Once inside the body they can still migrate,

even into the chest, abdomen, or brain. Signs include sneezing, draining tracts in the

skin, shaking the head and ears,squinting of the eyes and eye discharge.

Plants

When landscaping your yard, take into consideration if the plants can be toxic to dogs or

cats.There are numerous plants that are poisonous, with a variety of toxins and symptoms.

Many just cause mild symptoms such as drooling or an episode of vomiting, but some plants

are very dangerous, for example oleander and sago palms and can easily cause death if

ingested.

Poisonous Plants That You Should Keep Your Dogs Away From:

Both indoor and outdoor plants can be toxic. This is a list of the more common plants that

cause problems but not a complete list:

1.Oleander.All parts of Nerium oleander are toxic.Ingestion causes heart arrythmias,

hypothermia and even death.

2.Sago palms.All parts of this palm are poisonous but the seeds are the most toxic.

Ingestion of Cycas revoluta causes liver failure.

3.Tulip and Narcissus bulbs. Ingestion can cause gastrointestinal symptoms,drooling,

depression,loss of appetite,seizures and heart abnormalities.

4.Amaryllis.This is a common spring flower that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, depression,

tremors, and poor appetite if ingested.

5.Azaleas and Rhododendron.Ingestion can cause vomiting,diarrhea,weakness,depression,coma

and death.

6.Castor Bean.The highly toxic ricin,potentially used in bioterrorism,comes from the castor

bean.Ingestion causes vomiting,diarrhea,weakness,tremors,seizures,coma and death.

7.Cyclamen.The highest concentration of the poison is in the root of the plant.Symptoms are

intense vomiting;death has been reported.

8.Pothos.This popular household plant can also cause oral irritation and gastrointestinal

symptoms.

9.Yew.Ingestion of Taxus species causes tremors,incoordination,vomiting,diarrhea,heart

failure and difficulty breathing.

To learn more about posionous plants, see this video

www.youtube.com/watch?v=WndJLJD8R9k&feature=player_embedded

Knowing these possible dangers and being wise to them can help you and your dog have a safer more pleasant time this Spring.

Angela Donald

Canine Behavior Consultant

Amazing Hero Dog ! You Gotta see this one

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 21:48:00 -0400

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofpYRITtLSg&feature=player_embedded

Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Dog

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 13:47:00 -0400

Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Dog

Q.Which foods could be dangerous for my dog?
A. Some foods which are edible for humans, and even other species of animals, can pose hazards for dogs because of their different metabolism. Some may cause only mild digestive upsets, whereas, others can cause severe illness, and even death. The following common food items should not be fed (intentionally or unintentionally) to dogs. This list is, of course, incomplete because we can not possibly list everything your dog should not eat.

Items to avoid Reasons to avoid

Alcoholic beverages Can cause intoxication, coma, and death.

Baby food Can contain onion powder, which can be toxic to dogs. (Please see onion below.) Can also result in nutritional deficiencies, if fed in large amounts.

Bones from fish, poultry, or other meat sources Can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system.

Cat food Generally too high in protein and fats.

Chocolate, coffee, tea, and other caffeine Contain caffeine, theobromine, or theophylline, which can be toxic and affect the heart and nervous systems.

Citrus oil extracts Can cause vomiting.

Fat trimmings Can cause pancreatitis.

Grapes and raisins Contain an unknown toxin, which can damage the kidneys. There have been no problems associated with grape seed extract.

Hops Unknown compound causes panting, increased heart rate, elevated temperature, seizures, and death.

Human vitamin supplements containing iron Can damage the lining of the digestive system and be toxic to the other organs including the liver and kidneys.

Large amounts of liver Can cause Vitamin A toxicity, which affects muscles and bones.

Macadamia nuts Contain an unknown toxin, which can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscle.

Marijuana Can depress the nervous system, cause vomiting, and changes in the heart rate.

Milk and other dairy products Some adult dogs and cats do not have sufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the lactose in milk. This can result in diarrhea. Lactose-free milk products are available for pets.

Moldy or spoiled food, garbage Can contain multiple toxins causing vomiting and diarrhea and can also affect other organs.

Mushrooms Can contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the body, cause shock, and result in death.

Onions and garlic (raw, cooked, or powder) Contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia. Cats are more susceptible than dogs. Garlic is less toxic than onions.

Persimmons Seeds can cause intestinal obstruction and enteritis.

Pits from peaches and plums Can cause obstruction of the digestive tract.

Potato, rhubarb, and tomato leaves; potato and tomato stems Contain oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems. This is more of a problem in livestock.

Raw eggs Contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin). This can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs may also contain

Salmonella.

Raw fish Can result in a thiamine (a B vitamin) deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and in severe cases, death. More common if raw fish is fed regularly.

Salt If eaten in large quantities it may lead to electrolyte imbalances.

String Can become trapped in the digestive system; called a "string foreign body."

Sugary foods Can lead to obesity, dental problems, and possibly diabetes mellitus.

Table scraps (in large amounts) Table scraps are not nutritionally balanced. They should never be more than 10% of the diet. Fat should be trimmed from meat; bones should not be fed.

Tobacco Contains nicotine, which affects the digestive and nervous systems. Can result in rapid heart beat, collapse, coma, and death.

Yeast dough Can expand and produce gas in the digestive system, causing pain and possible rupture of the stomach or intestines.

© 2009 Foster & Smith, Inc.
Reprinted as a courtesy and with permission from PetEducation.com (http://www.PetEducation.com)
On-line store at http://www.DrsFosterSmith.com
Free pet supply catalog: 1-800-323-4208

Pet Health Care- First Aid Kit 101

Sat, 07 Mar 2009 03:52:00 -0500

Pet Health Care - First Aid Kit 101 by dogs favorite

Chances are we all know what to do in case of a human emergency, right? Of course we do, call 911 and the ambulance and or police come to the rescue. Unfortunately, there are no ambulances or 911 for the family pet just yet. While our pets are generally happy and healthy with just their yearly check up, accidents do happen. In case of accidents or emergencies a good first aid kit is an essential item in any household with pets. While there are dozens useful items to include you should be in good shape with these 10 items:

1. Information card with the name, address and phone number of your veterinarian, Veterinarian Emergency Clinic and the National Animal Poison Control telephone number (888) 426-4435. Having all of this information conveniently located on one index card will save you time in case of an emergency.

2. Commercial muzzle adjusted to fit your pet or a length of fabric to make one if needed. Your dog may be sweet and gentle, but even the sweetest dogs can bite when injured. When pets are hurt they may bite to keep you away from their injury when you are trying to treat it. It is best to protect yourself by muzzling your dog when treating more serious injuries.

3. Bandaging materials to cover wounds are an essential item in any first aid kit; however you might need different materials for your pet’s first aid kit. Rather than a band aid, which doesn’t stick to fur, try wrapping a wound with saran wrap and tape, 2” rolls of stretchable gauze or an ace bandage.

4. Duct tape is an item renowned for its ability to fix anything and everything and is no exception in pet first aid. If your pet has been seriously injured, i.e. being hit by a car then you can use duct tape to immobilize your pet to transport him to the nearest emergency clinic. If you have a large pet then an ironing board makes an excellent stretcher. A small pet would be fine on a cutting board or similar surface. Use the duct tape to immobilize them to prevent them from injuring themselves further by allowing them to move about.

5. Blunt tipped tweezers known as hemostats are essential items used to remove foreign items from small places such as ears and nostrils. Tweezers are also handy to have around for removing splinters, insect stingers or ticks.

6. Needle-nosed pliers are one of the most important items to keep on hand because they can mean life or death for your pet if he gets something lodged in his throat. Needle-nosed pliers allow you to firmly grip objects further in the throat than you would be able to reach on your own.

7. Hot and cold packs. Hot compresses are helpful in treating jellyfish stings, leg swelling, puncture wounds or abscesses. Cold compresses are used for treating bee/wasp stings, nosebleeds and hives.

8. Rectal thermometer to determine your pet’s temperature. Normal temperatures for dogs and cats range from 99 to 102.5 degrees. If your pet’s temperature is 106 degrees or higher than you should take them to the emergency room or begin cooling at home until you can seek medical treatment. Try getting your pet into a cold shower, applying a cold pack and get him to drink some cold water.

9. A clean blanket or towel to wrap around your pet should they go into shock. A blanket can also serve as a makeshift stretcher to transport your pet with.

10. Karo Syrup or honey in case of shock is a must for any first aid kit. Shock occurs when the body is unable to get enough oxygen and can kill a pet in a matter of minutes. If your pet is woozy and unaware of his surroundings combined with pale gums then he may be in shock. Rub Karo Syrup onto the gums to raise blood sugar almost instantly and that should buy you enough time to get him to the nearest emergency room.

There are many human medicines that make appropriate additions to your pet’s first aid kit; however, many can be deadly so make sure to check with your Vet concerning proper dosage before administering any type of medication.

This article was provided by pet-super-store - visit this site to Save on dog fences, dog beds. Discover more helpful and free dog training tips from professional experts.

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Why do Dogs Attack ? KILL ALL DOGS !

Sat, 14 Feb 2009 02:23:00 -0500

I bet I have your attention now, eh?

I have just finished reading an article by a jerk columnist who says ALL DOGS SHOULD BE KILLED ! BANNED ! This article is in reference to a baby being mauled to death in the UK by two pet dogs, a Jack Russell and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. While I have great sympathy for the family and the infant, a truly accidental death, this whole thing has me seeing a bigger picture, why do dogs attack ? Please go read the article here that has me totally hot under the collar : http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/giles_coren/article5728143.ece

I am going to give you my opinion about this jerk and talk more about "why do dogs attack" so come back after you read the article.

The guy who wrote the article above isn't unlike a lot of people in his views about dogs, are you surprised ? Don't be, you see everyday in the US and aboard laws are introduced to lawmakers with the hopes of banning our beloved DOG, I'm not just talking about banning breeding dogs (breeders or puppymills), but your right and my right to even own a pet dog ! The animal rights activists like PETA and HSUS eat these stories up and have millions of people fooled into thinking that they are all for animals rights which is a farce from the true agenda of these people. Their true agenda is to eradicate all dogs. Irresponsible dog owners are the cause of this and millions of innocent dogs are put to death annually. Not to mention tragedies like this infants death, or the many other innocent victims of dog attacks we hear about all the time. The irresponsible dog owners are making it real hard for the true responsible dog owners and dog lovers to educate the public about dogs and be accepted in our own beliefs and love of dogs. By the way I hope the Queen of England puts this jerk on pooper scooper duty definately !

If your gonna own a dog it is your responsibility to educate yourself on dog behavior, dog care and dog training and become a responsible dog owner. There is really no excuse for this type of behavior any longer. I will agree that there are alot of dog owners out there who have no business owning a canine or any pet for that matter, you know who you are !

Now let's get back to " Why do Dogs Attack ? "

Dogs attack for a number of reasons but they are always provoked in some minute way although it may seem like an unprovoked attack to the untrained eye. Dogs behavior falls within two groups, they either learn the behavior or they do it instinctively.The number one reason dogs are so misunderstood is that people try to humanize dogs. Dogs have a communication between themselves, a body language, they do not speak English, people ! Although they can be trained to understand spoken commands from their owners, they communicate through body language, eye contact and a few vocalizations. Dogs are social creatures and live in packs, hunt in packs, eat in packs and sleep in packs instinctively. The best dog in the world is going to join in on a pack fight when the pack is attacking another, this is natural instincts. Why ? Well the one true reason is survival of the fittest. Only the fittest survive and are able to live long enough to reproduce. Every living creature on this earth is trying to survive wouldn't you think, sure. Canines are also territorial and like their space just as much as we humans do. Unwanted entry into that space can cause an attack. Fear can cause an attack, dogs are either gonna flight (run away) or fight (attacked) if cornered even by a small child which is the main reason children get bit. Other dogs invading their space can cause an attack or dogs who have been too humanized and forget their natural language can have miscommunication with other dogs which can lead to an attack . Direct eye contact is a challenge to dogs, so you should never make direct eye contact with strange dogs. An attack can be over resources like food, shelter, the right to mate or toys. These are all things the dog finds necessary for survival.

Listen, dogs are NOT little humans in furry suits, they are animals and have animal instincts. They do NOT think like humans, period ! Most dog attacks can be prevented with the right timing and know how. It is not rocket science and if your not aware of this you need to start studying canine behavior, you owe it to your dog and yourself and every other dog lover in the world to do this so we all become responsible dog owners and have the ablity to share our lives with these wonderful animals. Let's not let the animal rights activist win this game they are playing !

I would like to share this, the #1 Rule of Dogs : NEVER LEAVE CHILDREN UNSUPERVISED WITH DOGS PERIOD ! I can hear some of you now, my little dog would never attack a child, well I bet the grandmother of those two pet dogs thought the same thing ! These were small dogs not large dogs by the way, a Jack Russell Terrier and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

I'd like to show you this picture in a different view. So do you know what the Jack Russell or Staffordshire Bull terrier was bred for ? The Jack Russell was bred to be primarily a working terrier, the red fox is the traditional quarry of the Jack Russell. Originally bred to bolt fox from their dens during hunts, they are used on numerous ground-dwelling quarry such as groundhog, badger, and red/ grey fox. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier origins date back before the nineteenth century when bloodsports such as bull baiting and bear baiting were common. Bulls brought to market were set upon by dogs as a way of tenderizing the meat and providing entertainment for the spectators; and dog fights with bears, bulls and other animals were often organized as entertainment for both royalty and commoners. Early Bull and Terriers were not bred for the visual specimen of today, rather they were bred for the characteristic known as gameness or prey drive ability. The pitting of dogs against bears or bulls tested the prey drive, strength and skill of the dog. These early "proto-staffords" provided the ancestral foundation stock for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier. This common ancestor was known as the "Bull and Terrier". I am not downing these breeds by the way just pointing out the origins. And lets not get into the pure bred dog against mixed breed dog issue because I'd much rather know what was in the lineage of my dog than play a guessing game. Thats for another topic.

Now knowing this would you really ever leave a child unsupervised with these breeds of dogs (or any dogs), I would hope not. In the incident involving this child the grandmother accidentally fell asleep and left the baby on a pillow on a table. Who knows for sure but I'd like to bet that these two dogs heard this childs cries and mistook its cries for that of helpless prey, thats what animals do, they prey upon other animals in the necessity to survive, natural instincts. Who knows maybe the smell of food or milk on the child provoked the attack. The cries of a child this small is very similar to the cries of small prey animals, did you realize that ? Just because we now call dogs domesticated just exactly how much of mother nature has really been bred out of the modern domestic dog ? I'll let you come to your own conclusion. I often wonder just who has the biggest prey drive humans or dogs ?And for the record, I AM A GUARDIAN OF DOGS FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS AND PROUD OF IT ! I WILL FIGHT TO MY LAST BREATH FOR MY RIGHT TO HAVE A DOG AND THE RIGHTS OF DOGS TO LIVE !

Angela Donald

Canine Behavior Consultant

petadvice@aol.com

Stop Your Dog Problems Easily

www.hitowerboxers.com/caninebehaviorconsultant.htm

Pet Nail Grinder Review

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 20:22:00 -0500

Hello All,

I have tried the new pet nail grinder " as seen on TV" and upgraded to the Platinum version as I felt the need to since I have large dogs ( boxers) and the need for more power to conquer those big old nails. The product is well built and portable but I do not advise it for large breed dogs as it just isn't powerful enough to handle a large breed dogs nails. I suppose it would work well and as described for small breed dogs nails. I seriously got nowhere fast with using it on my own adult dogs nails but was able to have a little progress with some puppies nails. I ended up getting out a nail file and smoothing the puppies nails as this device made them sharper !

So if you have a large breed dog I would recommend an old fashion show dog tool which isn't battery powered but A/C powered like the Oster Nail Grinder Kit for around $40.00 USD.

I hope this review helps ,

Angela Donald

www.hitowerboxers.com

Dog-Canine 911: Stem Cell Research

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:32:00 -0500

Dog-Canine 911: Stem Cell Research

Who would have ever guessed that one day we could all clone our beloved pet dog ? Well its true and has been done by people already. This all came about through canine adult stem cell research.

Ideally the main focus of canine adult stem cell research was for health and therapeutic concerns, especially with the stem cell's regenerative and reparative properties, as a precursor to research done on human adult stem cells. Harnessing the ability of canine adult stem cells for healing body damage is by far an innovative breakthrough in medical science for the treatment of every possible illness of man?s best friend .

Like humans, when a dog breaks a bone or tears a ligament, the body?s natural response is to repair itself as a healing process and the cells that are responsible for this is called the stem cells.

Research on canine adult stem cells is a continued intensive process that determines how an organism develops from a single cell and how healthy stem cells replace damaged cells in adult living organisms. The canine adult stem cell also plays a key role in replacing muscle, bone or blood cells, especially in healthy adult dogs, even with the normal wear and tear of cells and tissues.

Currently, studies have established that canine adult stem cells have been found in many organs and tissues, however, there were recent discoveries that there are a small number of stem cells in each muscle or bone tissue. These canine adult stem cells are believed to be embedded in a specific area of a tissue, where each stem cell may remain inactive for years at a time and will only be activated for regeneration once that particular tissue is damaged by disease or injury.

Adult tissues that have been found out to have reportedly been identified to contain these fascinating adult stem cells include the bone marrow, blood vessels, skeletal muscle, liver and the brain.

Many scientific studies into the canine adult stem cell involve tests to find out ways and processes to culture adult stem cells and manipulate the stem cells to create specific cell types that will match tissues, which could prove helpful in the treatment of injury or disease, especially those that are commonly afflicting dogs like hip dysplasia and liver disease due to poor nutrition and possibly even the not so common brain tumors which would otherwise not be treatable.

Current milestones into the studies and findings made on canine adult stem cells will continue to astound and create awe, since it has opened new doors for the scientific community, as well as setting new heights for the treatment of once-enigmatic diseases among dogs.

Hopefully with more intensive studies, canine adult stem cells will continue to provide more solutions to many other health problems, as well as shed light on the mystery that has afflicted man?s best friend. Harnessing adult canine stem cells for healing many diseases that continue to afflict dogs will pave the way for providing hope to pet owners around the world.

Angela Donald

Canine Behavior Consultant

www.hitowerboxers.com/caninebehaviorconsultant.htm

Pet Food Recall Update 2009

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 23:10:00 -0500

Hello All,

Just a reminder that the current peanut butter recall is also affecting our pets food. Please visit the following link for up-to-date information on what products are affected including pet products.

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/peanutbutterrecall/index.cfm

Angela

Dog Behavior Problems Poll

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Hello to All,

Please let me know your most annoying dog problems for my lastest poll. I will be addressing some of these problems as time permits. Thanks in advance for participating in our latest poll. Please email your answers to hitowerboxers@aol.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

Angela

General History of Modern Dogs-Canines

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 19:06:00 -0500

GENERAL HISTORY OF MODERN DOGS-CANINES

There is no incongruity in the idea that in the very earliest period of man's habitation of this world he made a friend and companion of some sort of aboriginal representative of our modern dog-canine, and that in return for its aid in protecting him from wilder animals, and in guarding his sheep and goats, he gave it a share of his food, a corner in his dwelling, and grew to trust it and care for it. Probably the animal was originally little else than an unusually gentle jackal, or an ailing wolf driven by its companions from the wild marauding pack to seek shelter in alien surroundings. One can well conceive the possibility of the partnership beginning in the circumstance of some helpless whelps being brought home by the early hunters to be tended and reared by the women and children. Dogs introduced into the home as playthings for the children would grow to regard themselves, and be regarded, as members of the family

In nearly all parts of the world traces of an indigenous dog family are found, the only exceptions being the West Indian Islands, Madagascar, the eastern islands of the Malayan Archipelago, New Zealand, and the Polynesian Islands, where there is no sign that any dog, wolf, or fox has existed as a true aboriginal animal. In the ancient Oriental lands, and generally among the early Mongolians, the dog remained savage and neglected for centuries, prowling in packs, gaunt and wolf-like, as it prowls today through the streets and under the walls of every Eastern city. No attempt was made to allure it into human companionship or to improve it into docility. It is not until we come to examine the records of the higher civilisations of Assyria and Egypt that we discover any distinct varieties of canine form.

The dog-canine was not greatly appreciated in Palestine, and in both the Old and New Testaments it is commonly spoken of with scorn and contempt as an "unclean beast." Even the familiar reference to the Sheepdog in the Book of Job "But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to set with the dogs of my flock" is not without a suggestion of contempt, and it is significant that the only biblical allusion to the dog as a recognised companion of man occurs in the apocryphal Book of Tobit (v. 16), "So they went forth both, and the young man's dog with them."

The great multitude of different breeds of the dog and the vast differences in their size, points, and general appearance are facts which make it difficult to believe that they could have had a common ancestry. One thinks of the difference between the Mastiff and the Japanese Spaniel, the Deerhound and the fashionable Pomeranian, the St. Bernard and the Miniature Black and Tan Terrier, and is perplexed in contemplating the possibility of their having descended from a common progenitor. Yet the disparity is no greater than that between the Shire horse and the Shetland pony, the Shorthorn and the Kerry cattle, or the Patagonian and the Pygmy; and all dog breeders know how easy it is to produce a variety in type and size by studied selection.

In order properly to understand this question it is necessary first to consider the identity of structure in the wolf and the dog. This identity of structure may best be studied in a comparison of the osseous system, or skeletons, of the two animals, which so closely resemble each other that their transposition would not easily be detected.

The spine of the dog consists of seven vertebrae in the neck, thirteen in the back, seven in the loins, three sacral vertebrae, and twenty to twenty-two in the tail. In both the dog and the wolf there are thirteen pairs of ribs, nine true and four false. Each has forty-two teeth. They both have five front and four hind toes, while outwardly the common wolf has so much the appearance of a large, bare-boned dog, that a popular description of the one would serve for the other.

Nor are their habits different. The wolf's natural voice is a loud howl, but when confined with dogs he will learn to bark. Although he is carnivorous, he will also eat vegetables, and when sickly he will nibble grass. In the chase, a pack of wolves will divide into parties, one following the trail of the quarry, the other endeavouring to intercept its retreat, exercising a considerable amount of strategy, a trait which is exhibited by many of our sporting dogs and terriers when hunting in teams.

A further important point of resemblance between the Canis lupus and the Canis familiaris lies in the fact that the period of gestation in both species is sixty-three days. There are from three to nine cubs in a wolf's litter, and these are blind for twenty-one days. They are suckled for two months, but at the end of that time they are able to eat half-digested flesh disgorged for them by their dam or even their sire.

The native dogs of all regions approximate closely in size, coloration, form, and habit to the native wolf of those regions. Of this most important circumstance there are far too many instances to allow of its being looked upon as a mere coincidence. Sir John Richardson, writing in 1829, observed that "the resemblance between the North American wolves and the domestic dog of the Indians is so great that the size and strength of the wolf seems to be the only difference.

It has been suggested that the one incontrovertible argument against the lupine relationship of the dog is the fact that all domestic dogs bark, while all wild Canidae express their feelings only by howls. But the difficulty here is not so great as it seems, since we know that jackals, wild dogs, and wolf pups reared by bitches readily acquire the habit. On the other hand, domestic dogs allowed to run wild forget how to bark, while there are some which have not yet learned so to express themselves.

The presence or absence of the habit of barking cannot, then, be regarded as an argument in deciding the question concerning the origin of the dog. This stumbling block consequently disappears, leaving us in the position of agreeing with Darwin, whose final hypothesis was that "it is highly probable that the domestic dogs of the world have descended from two good species of wolf (C. lupus and C. latrans), and from two or three other doubtful species of wolves namely, the European, Indian, and North African forms; from at least one or two South American canine species; from several races or species of jackal; and perhaps from one or more extinct species"; and that the blood of these, in some cases mingled together, flows in the veins of our domestic breeds.

About the Author: Angela Donald is a freelance writer, canine behavior consultant, a dedicated guardian, show exhibitor and breeder of boxer dogs. www.hitowerboxers.com . Angela has been a dog enthusiast for more than 40 years !