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Showing posts from February, 2009

Brushing and Combing Tips For Dog Owners

Brushing or combing a dog’s coat is very important for good grooming. Long haired dog breeds need every day brushing while short-haired dogs may require combing at least once or twice a week. Here are tips on how to make grooming a fun and enjoyable time for your dog: Start early. It’s best to train them while they’re young. If you adopted an older dog who wasn’t trained for grooming, it’s never too late to start training. Sit or stand your dog in a comfortable spot. Run your fingers through his fur. Brush his paws or legs first so he can see what’s happening. Praise your dog if he’s behaving well. If not, don’t give up. Introduce the brushing or combing routine every day for just a few minutes. It shouldn’t take long before your dog realizes that grooming is not a bad time after all. Don’t give yourself a hard time. Find a suitable place for your pup or dog to sit or stand on while you brush his/her coat. Make sure that it would be the same spot for grooming even ...

Questions from Readers: Can My Cat Get Diabetes Too?

In response to a comment from my last post What If My Dog Has Diabetes ?, this entry will be about Feline Diabetes. Just like dogs and people, cats too can develop Diabetes Mellitus . Among cats, those who seem to be at a higher risk of developing this condition are male cats and obese cats. The signs of Feline Diabetes are similar to that of Canine Diabetes which includes: lethargy or laziness excessive thirst and hunger frequent urination unexplained loss of weight increased appetite weakness in the legs Upon check-up, a vet must conduct urinalysis and blood tests to come up with a correct diagnosis. If a cat is diagnosed to be diabetic, insulin injections may be recommended to help control the disease and avoid complications. It is good to know that with early detection, you can help your cat lead a normal life. For more information on Feline Diabetes, check out this website .

What If My Dog Has Diabetes?

Just like humans, dogs can also acquire Diabetes. Diabetes Mellitus is a result of a deficiency in insulin- an enzyme that helps body tissues absorb blood sugar. Without insulin, sugar or glucose will not be able to enter the cells and will remain in the blood stream. Uncontrolled blood sugar levels in the body can therefore cause organ malfunction and illness. According to veterinarian studies, dogs between the ages of 5-7 years are more at risk of acquiring this condition. Female dogs and overweight dogs are also at a higher risk. If you have a dog, it is recommended to see the vet at least twice a year for an overall check-up. Indeed, early detection of diabetes can save a dog’s life. What are the symptoms of canine diabetes? The most common signs to watch out for are: lethargy or laziness excessive thirst and hunger frequent urination unexplained loss of weight Note that these symptoms are also common in other dog diseases. If your dog is experiencing any...

Is My Dog Breed Right for Me and My Family?

Dogs are not possessions. They are friends. They are family members. And if you’re going to share your home with a dog, you need to be ready for the joys and the responsibilities. Questions to con sider when choosing a dog: Are you an active person? Do you have allergies? (If you do, read For Dog Lovers with Pet Allergies ) Do you have kids? Do you live in an apartment? Should you get a large dog o r a sm aller dog? If you live in an apartment, a smaller dog breed may be best unless you have time to take your dog out on walks every day. Larger dog breeds generally have greater needs than smaller ones (in terms of food, exercise, hygiene, veterinary services, etc.) Seriously consider this: Do you have the time, energy, and money to care for a larger dog? However, if you’re looking for a jogging or a walking partner, small dogs may not be the best companions. Large dogs are perfect for this lifestyle. Dogs and Temperaments Like people, dogs also have their...

How to Stop Your Dog from Pulling on the Leash

Notice how untrained dogs pull on the leash as their human helplessly tries to make them stop? Dog walking can be a lot of fun, but if your dog isn’t following your lead, it can be very strenuous and frustrating. How do you train a dog to walk properly and follow your lead? Here are the steps: Before putting on the leash, let your dog sit and stay * * . Dogs love to go out for walks and seeing you with that leash in your hand can make him ecstatic. Never put on that leash until he sits and stays. If you do, he’ll get used to jumping around and would never stay still as you put on the leash on his neck. If he continues to jump around, put the leash away and repeat the command “Sit”. Make sure that your dog understands that unless he does as told, he’s not going out for a walk. If he sits and stays, and waits for you to put on the leash, praise him, give him a pat and assure him that he’s done a good job. Walk him to the door. After putting on the leash, your dog may...

Three Vital Lessons on Dog Feeding

Teaching a dog about discipline is very important and meal times are the perfect time to teach your dog a few tricks about good behavior. Here are three important lessons on dog feeding: Use feeding time as trainin g time. Because you are the one providing food, your dog should learn to recognize you as the leader of the pack. Never tolerate barking, jumping or growling as you prepare his food or as you put down his feeding bowl. Your dog should patiently sit and wait for you and not the other way around. Say the command “Sit” and wait for your dog to do so before letting him have his food. If he refuses to obey your command, ignore him. Don’t give his food until he stops barking or jumping. When he’s quiet, say the command “Sit” and observe. If he’s done well, praise him and give him his bowl. Soon your dog will learn that if he wants to be fed, he must behave properly. *If your dog isn’t trained to “Sit”, you can start the lesson on How to Teach Your Dog to Sit a...

Why Dogs Roll in Stinky Things and How to Stop It!

One of the most annoying things that dogs do is rolling in smelly stuff like poop, garbage, mud and dead animals. Is this a natural thing? Is there anything you can do to stop it? Why Do Dogs Roll in Smelly Stuff? According to zoologists, this is natural dog behavior. In fact, even Wolves (canis lupus) do the same thing. The theory behind this instinctive behavior is that animals roll in stinky stuff to camouflage its own scent. Thus, when it’s time to hunt for food, their dog smell won’t send an alarm to their prey. How to Stop Your Dog from Rolling in Funny Smelling Things Catch the act. If there’s anything you want to stop your dog from doing, you need to catch him in the act. If you’re going to reprimand your dog a few seconds after the BAD DEED was done, he won’t understand why in the world he’s being reprimanded for. You can set up poop on your garden or backyard so you can watch him and catch him on the act.  Remember, you need to be watchful and catc...

How to Teach Your Dog to Sit and Stay

Dogs and puppies are playful creatures. They love to bounce, jump, run and move around. But sometimes, you need for your dog to just sit still and not go anywhere. The Sit and Stay command is one of the basic and most important commands that all dogs must learn. Obeying these simple commands isn’t just for your safety but for your dog's safety as well. How can you train your pet to sit and stay? Here are some tips: Teaching Your Dog the SIT Command Prepare small treats in your pocket. Hold a nibble in front of your dog and slowly raise your hand until it’s out of reach. Your dog should naturally take a sitting position (with its rear body lower to the ground). As he takes this position, say the command (“SIT”) once, before letting him have the treat. You can also tap your pet and gently lower his rear body to the ground. Say the command SIT as he takes the sitting position. If he’s done correctly, give him a treat and praise him for a job well done. Remember ...