Puppies are delightful. Watching their antics and enthusiasm for life is contagious. But that adorable fluff ball can grow into a problem child if not properly trained! After signing your pup up for dog insurance, house training is one of the next most important things your puppy will need. Start your puppy training program with a good potty training. It takes patience and perseverance, but training your pet is worth the ultimate goal: a house trained dog and a happy owner.

Getting Started
There are several effective methods of house or potty training your puppy.

• Paper or pad training – Newspapers used to be the only option, but now there are chemically-treated pads for your new puppy that attract them with scent. When you see signs that he needs to go, like sniffing the floor, etc., pick him up and carry him to the paper/pad and encourage him to go there. Gradually, move the pads closer to the door and then outside. Be sure and praise him every time he uses the pad.

• Crate training – The idea is that a puppy will not eliminate where he sleeps. So the size of the crate is critical. it should be roomy enough for him to comfortably stand and move around. A too-large crate may result in him using a corner to eliminate. Using the proper sized crate trains a puppy to hold it until you’re able to let him outside– but the time-frame should be reasonable.

A puppy should also be crated when he isn’t under observation. Before and after he is crated, be sure to take him outdoors. Don’t play with him on these trips outside – the objective is for him to eliminate only. Praise him when he goes. Then you can play a quick game of fetch.

• Supervised continuously – If you’re able to be with the puppy at all times, you can watch for his pre-elimination behavior and whisk him outside to go. When he goes, praise him and take him back in right away.

Most training sources agree on the two main rules that are critical to the success of your puppy’s house training:

Never punish when you didn’t see him do it. When you punish a puppy that had a previous accident, he has no ability to make the correlation between eliminating in the wrong spot and your actions. When you catch him going where he shouldn’t, pick him up calmly and sternly say “no” and take him outside.

Praise him when he does it right – Animals love to be praised and receive positive attention. Using praise appropriately will help to counterbalance the “no’s” he’s hearing when he goes in the wrong place.

For more information about training puppies and pet insurance, visit www.petsbest.com.

If you look in the dictionary under “hardest working dog,” you might see a picture of an Australian Cattle Dog (ACD), also called a Blue Heeler. Many dog lovers and pet insurance enthusiasts alike have a fondness for this particular breed.

This breed is a member of the herding group and his skills in this area are quite impressive. One of the most intelligent breeds, this loyal, protective dog does best when he has a job to do.

Breed Description
The ACD is muscular with a compact body. He has straight front legs with round feet and short toes. His head is broad and curved between the ears, which are wide-set. He has dark brown, oval eyes. The ACD has a smooth double coat with a dense undercoat. The coat colors range from red speckled, blue, blue-mottled and can either have markings or not. The puppies are born white due to a gene passed down from past crosses with Dalmatians.

Temperament
Because this breed is a herding dog, he needs an active life, preferably with a job to do. Without sufficient exercise and activity, he is easily prone to boredom, which can lead to destructive behaviors. A short daily walk is not enough for this dog to be healthy and happy. Because they are so intelligent, they respond to a high level of obedience training. But if you don’t have the time to invest in both good training and a high level of exercise, the Australian Cattle Dog is not likely for you. You may want to factor hiring a trainer and looking into dog insurance, when considering the cost of dog ownership for this specific breed.

It is imperative that owners establish dominance at an early age or this breed can become aggressive to other dogs and can be difficult to control. The owner needs to be alpha in the ACD’s “pack” and to enforce that fighting will not be tolerated. But with adequate training, this dog can be a very grounded, trustworthy and happy pet. Nipping at people’s heels is sometimes seen as the dog trying to herd them. This behavior needs to be addressed as unacceptable.

Size
Because the ACDs are such strong, muscular dogs, they would appear to be heavier, but males weigh between 32 and 35 pounds; females are 30 to 35 pounds. They are 17 to 20 inches in height; females are 17 to 19 inches.

Health Issues
This breed is prone to hip dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), which can lead to blindness. A dog insurance policy is always a good idea to help with the cost of veterinary care.

Puppies can be trouble. They are curious and mischievous which means they can get into all kinds of things and cause chaos. A puppy that is left alone can do some serious damage, like chewing your favorite shoes, or even causing damage to your home. Dog insurance can cover your puppy if she gets carried away and actually ingests something she should not eat, like your shoe, a child’s toy, a favorite towel, or even your wedding ring.

Lack of puppy exercise is a major contributor to boredom, which leads to puppies chewing excessively. Puppies that chew excessively can end up destroying their toys, and if they are left for long periods of time, puppies can chew other items in the home including furniture, personal items, and even the actual walls of the house. Dog insurance helps to ensure that if your puppy does eat something, the vet bill won’t leave you financially strapped.

Eating non-food objects can lead diarrhea and other pet health conditions in puppies. A foreign object is a serious medical concern. Foreign objects can cause a blockage of the intestines, which can lead to death if not treated. If the object perforates the intestines, the situation then turns into a medical emergency. Pet insurance should be a requirement for all puppy owners in case the worst happens to your curious puppy.

To keep your puppy from chewing things they shouldn’t, keep them in an area where they can be supervised at all times. Use pet gates to keep your puppy out of rooms that are not puppy-proofed. Exercise your puppy daily to help stimulate them both mentally and physically.

You’ve likely heard the expression, “dog is man’s best friend.” This old saying is actually true on many levels. Pets enhance our lives by simply being a part of our lives. Because having a pet has also been proven to benefit our health—both physical and emotional, it’s important to provide our pets with good nutrition, exercise and dog insurance to help ensure they are healthy and happy.

“Unconditional Love”
This is another term that is used so often, we may not pay attention to its importance. A loving dog (or cat) doesn’t care if we’re grumpy or tired. They care about us no matter the kind of day we’ve had. Coming home to a wagging tail is just the tonic to end the day.

Stress-Reduction and Emotional “Tuning In”
Being around pets has actually been proven to reduce blood pressure and relax people. Other things pet owners report when around their pets is improved mood, less loneliness and consistant good health. Because our pets can help to make up healthier, it’s important we provide then with pet health insurance to help ensure we can afford keep them healthy.

When people, especially children, suffer a loss from death, they often turn to their dogs for comfort and relief. Pets seem to almost instinctively know when we need their presence. Families who have experienced difficult times report that having pets made their family feel more stabilized.

We can return the wonderful benefits of having a dog by practicing good dog health care and good care for cats as well. Investing in dog insurance is one way to show we care.

“Of course you need to feed bones to your dog,” says Steve, who works at my favorite pet-supply store. He seems to think I’m crazy for even asking the question. “I thought everyone knew that. Bones are crucial for your dog’s health.”

“Absolutely not!” says my wife’s Aunt Evelyn when the subject comes up at our annual family pot-luck. She’s has been breeding Standard Poodles since Ronald Reagan was President and knows for a fact that bone fragments are a choking hazard, not to mention the fact that dogs who swallow larger chunks of bone have to have painful, costly operations to remove them.

Hm, interesting. Later, I tell Steve about Evelyn’s advice. “She’s talking about bones that have been cooked. Raw bones are perfectly safe. I’ve been feeding them to my dogs for years,” he states.

Via e-mail, Evelyn says “Cooked, raw, it makes no difference. They can kill your dog. And by the way, tell your friend Steve that he’s an idiot.”

Are they nutritious? Are they deadly? I’m so confused! To settle the argument, I consult my veterinarian. The answers, I find, are far from black-and-white.

Yes, she explains, dogs do seem to get nutritional benefits from a diet that includes raw bones, especially compared with a diet of nothing but cheap, corn-based dog food.(Most of the dog food on the shelves at your local grocery store falls into this category.) That’s because domestic dogs, like their wild ancestors, are primarily carnivores. Though they can digest a variety of foods, their bodies were never designed to run on a diet of vegetables like corn.

On the other hand, my vet points out, the nutrition dogs get from bones does not come from the bone itself. It only comes from the meat, cartilage, fat and connective tissue that happens to be along for the ride. The scant amount of protein in the solid parts of the bone mainly exists in the form of collagen, which dogs are unable to digest.

But if you’re feeding your pet a quality, meat-based dog food (look for meat, such as chicken or lamb, as the first item in the ingredient list), they’ll get all the nutrition they need without having to scrounge for it by gnawing on bones.

Are there other benefits from chewing on bones? Well, yes. For wild dogs, the act of chomping on some poor animal’s femur helps to scrape plaque and tartar from the teeth—this is absolutely necessary when it comes to a long, healthy life. But many domestic dogs have their teeth professionally cleaned, and experts recommend that you brush their teeth on a regular basis to prevent the plaque that can lead to tartar build-up.

Next, I ask if bones are dangerous for dogs. My vet tells me that they can be. “Gnawing on bones can crack of the tips of the 4th premolars,” she notes. It’s something she sees fairly often in her practice. These cracks can lead to root infections and abscesses that require dental treatment.

Plus, dogs who ingest chips of bone occasionally experience severe constipation. The chips can also become wedged between teeth or stuck in the dog’s throat or intestinal tract, making for a very painful situation which may need medical treatment. The good news is that, if your dog has a Pets Best policy in force, the treatments will be covered, but that doesn’t mean the process will be enjoyable for your pet.

So what’s the answer? Are bones a nutritious necessity or a deadly menace? I guess what I discovered is that bones can be part of a healthy diet, but aren’t necessary for my dog’s health. And while they might be mildly dangerous, they aren’t deadly.

This is a lot to chew on, but ultimately the choice is up to you. Here at my house, we’ll keep feeding our dog a high-quality, meat-based diet. When he wants something to gnaw on, we’ll just throw him a rawhide bone. It’s safer, and he’ll be just as healthy. No bones about it.

Friendly, loyal and lovable, dogs are truly man’s best friend. Yet so often our best friend is left home alone for 8 hours a day while we are at work. Lack of interaction for long periods of time like this may lead to excessive barking, disobedience and stress in dogs. An alternative to leaving your dog at home during the day is to enroll him or her in Doggy Daycare. Today’s Doggy Daycares are more than just pet sitting services. They also provide an opportunity for your dog to improve on many key skills including:

Interaction: Alone no more!
In the care of trained dog personnel, dogs are able to continue interacting with people while their owner is away. Having the opportunity to be in constant contact with people is a great benefit of Doggy Daycare.

Socialization: Doggy Friends for Life
Unique to Doggy Daycare, is the ability for dogs to meet and play with other dogs. This can be beneficial to young dogs as it will allow them to develop their social skills. Also, since dogs are social animals by nature, they will love having the opportunity to play with other dogs.

Exercise: Fit as a Fiddle
Most Doggy Daycare centers have activities scheduled throughout the day that will help keep your dog stimulated. Activities may include ball-fetching, chasing games, wrestling and tunnel running. Depending upon the facility, dogs may rotate between indoor and outdoor activities. There are also rest times built into each day to ensure that your dog regains his/her energy.

Training: Supplemental Dog Education
Maybe your pup needs a bit more training. Some Doggy Daycares are able to supplement the training you do at home with additional lessons during the day. Continual reinforcement of behavior training can help your dog retain what they are taught. There are even daycares that will teach your dog new tricks!

Most importantly, Doggy Daycares can give you peace of mind knowing that your dog is well cared for during your working hours. From interaction with people to socializing with other dogs, you can be sure that there is never a dull moment for your lovable pup.

Keep in mind that you’ll need to choose the Doggy Daycare that is the best fit for you and your dog. So do a little research and ask around for referrals to the best Doggy Daycare in town.

Choosing Your Doggy Daycare

Finding the Doggy Daycare that is the best fit for you and your dog is important. Here are some points to consider before you enroll your pup:

Staff: Make sure that staff members are trained to work with dogs and that there are enough people to supervise the dogs. Ask about the amount and type of experience of the employees and the dog to staff ratio.

Maintenance: Find out how the daycare cleans and disinfects its facility throughout the day and at the end of the day. Look to see if the play areas and crates are in good condition, clean, and safe for your dog.
Dog Fights: Ask how the staff handles dog fights and what the policy is when a dog is playing a little too rough.

Emergency: Inquire about the daycare’s procedure for managing an emergency. Whether an emergency affects one dog or the daycare as a whole, you’ll want to know that there is a plan for your dog and that he or she will continue to be in good care.

Clientele: You may want to look into the process of how the daycare accepts a newcomer. An interview process of a potential newcomer assesses whether or not the daycare staff and current dog attendees are a good fit.

Credentials: Your dog deserves to be in a daycare that is in good standing. Ensure that the facility is insured, bonded and/or accredited by a national dog association.
The best way to determine if a particular daycare is a good fit for your dog is to pay them a visit. Making sure your dog is in a safe environment with friendly staff is most important and will ensure that your dog has a great home away from home.

Putting the ‘Care’ in Doggy Daycare

Some Doggy Daycares offer additional services for your dog. From grooming and massages to overnight boarding, be sure to ask what else is offered by your Doggy Daycare.
Details
Source Thumbnail Category Newsletters Author Charlene Tan, ChaseHealthAdvance Summary Expiration Date 31 Dec 2099, 12:00:AM Publication Date 18 Aug 2009, 11:41:AM

June Pets Best Newsletter – In this issue:
5 Reasons to Promote Pet Dental Health
For a Healthier, Happier Life … Every Pet Deserves Oxyfresh

For many of us summer is travel season; a time when the entire family finally has some precious time together for rest, relaxation and recreation. Of course, if you are a pet owner and lover like me, your dog is likely to be traveling with you. So don’t let poor planning for your dog’s travel turn your vacation into a disaster. Here are some pet travel basics to follow and pitfalls to avoid:

Top 5 Dog Travel Concerns

1. Anxiety: Dogs can be scaredy cats on the road

Some dogs get all excited at the prospect of a car ride. They jump eagerly into the car and watch happily out the window. Others are afraid. They have travel anxiety. These dogs must be dragged into the vehicle and they pant, tremble and stay crouched down for the entire trip. Different feeding times, a strange bed, long car rides, lots of commotion and unfamiliar faces can all be stressors for your pet that can have a wide range of side effects — from having an accident in the vehicle to getting aggressive. Consider a safe and natural supplement to calm your pet. Although supplements are not covered by your Pets Best policy, your small investment could help to make your dog more comfortable.

2. Dehydration: Quench thirst to avoid medical issues

Dehydration in dogs is common during warm weather, travel or any time your dog doesn’t have access to water for an extended period of time. Signs of dehydration range from excessive panting and dry mouth to loss of elasticity in the skin, sunken eyes and exhaustion. Dehydration can occur quickly as a lot of moisture is lost when pets pant from either anxiety or summer heat. Plenty of fresh cool water is essential to maintain proper hydration and organ function and avoid possible heat stroke. Pack water in a sealable container — and don’t forget the bowl.

3. Pet Odors: Never Pleasant on a Trip

If you have had problems with noxious pet odors in your vehicle, you know that getting rid of the odor is very difficult. Traveling in the close confines of an automobile exaggerates odors from pets. Dogs often find unpleasant things to roll in at parks and rest stops and a soiled crate quickly diminishes the air quality. And it’s not just the nasty odor. Pet feces and urine can pose a real health danger to you and your family. Be sure to pack deodorizers and cleaners to keep your pet and your family safe, clean and fresh.

4. Digestive upset: Calm his topsy-turvy tummy
Travel or motion sickness is caused by movement in different directions, particularly when the animal is sitting or standing still in a moving vehicle. It can also happen when there is a loss of visual contact with the outside horizon or due to pressure changes through elevation changes. These events may cause changes in the balance center of the inner ear, leading to fatigue, nausea, dizziness and even vomiting. Your dog is experiencing enough changes during travel season, so try not to alter his normal diet. And include healthy snacks to keep him energized and happy.

5. Emergencies: Be prepared for the unexpected
Medical problems and injuries can be even more difficult to deal with when you are on the road. Be sure to have a pet first aid kit, medical records, your veterinarian’s number and a pet poison control phone number with you at all times. Next, be sure every family member knows where these things are at and that they are readily accessible.

Small efforts in organizing and preparation can pay large dividends for both you and your pet during your next travel. Tips like ensuring access to an online vet locator can help make sure you are prepared for any pet emergencies. Plan ahead for pet-friendly locations and if one of your destinations does not allow pets be sure to have scouted out a nearby boarding facility you are comfortable with and make reservations well in advance.

Now that you are ready, get out and have fun!

-Article submitted by Boyd Harrell, DVM – Oxyfresh Pet Consultant

As a veterinarian I am often asked “What age is my dog compared to human years?” This is especially relevant as dogs age or become “senior pets.” Dogs will age by several factors, but breed (or size) is the most important factor. Giant breed dogs age faster than small breed dogs for example. Other factors (just as with humans) can affect aging, such as: body weight, general health, exposure to toxins or high risk factors, diet and genetic predisposition.

The important age categories or changes are when a pet leaves childhood to become an adult and when a pet becomes a senior.

Dog Age Categories

• Infancy will last only a few weeks, until about 6-8 weeks of age.
• Childhood will last from 2 months until approximately 4 months for small breeds and 2-9 months for large breed dogs.
• Teen years again will also vary by breed, with small dogs lasting from 4-9 months of age and large breeds typically from 9-18 months old.
• Adulthood starts at 9-12 months for small breeds and 18-24 months for large breeds.
• Senior years can start as early as 7 for giant breeds and not until age 11-12 for smaller breed dogs.

For example: a 9-year-old Great Dane is a senior citizen, while a Chihuahua would need to be 12-14 years old to be a senior given good health and proper nutrition.

The following chart will help to determine your dogs biological age to human years.

First, be prepared at home. Make sure you have the time and space for a dog. If you are adopting a large dog, be sure you have a yard with a fence. And, that your fence is in good shape with no holes for escape and high enough to prevent your newly adopted dog from jumping over it.

Newly introduced dogs may panic and will “bolt” with noises, strangers or at the least provocation. It takes a dog a while to understand that this is it’s new home. Do not adopt a dog with the intention of tying or chaining it up in the back yard. This is cruel to the dog and they will develop behavior problems.

Outdoor dogs need a warm dry dog house to get out of the weather and away from the sun. They need a cool place in summer, just as much as they need a warm place in the winter. Summer can be more deadly than winter for large long haired dogs, which are not suited for hot weather. Imagine wearing a long fur coat in the heat of summer! Be sure there is shade, plenty of water and a cool place, preferably with a breeze for your dog in the summertime.

If adopting a small house dog, make sure you have a private space for them that is quiet and secluded. Puppies need nap time and a place to go for time outs. A crate is a must and should be utilized from the first day of adoption for time out, sleep and when you are away for short periods. Do not allow them to roam the house, place them in the crate for short periods.

Second, know what type of dog you want to adopt and be patient. Patience is very hard, especially when you see how many dogs need and deserve a home. Touring a shelter can be very emotional and easily lead to guilt if you find a dog that seems scared and overwhelmed by their experience.

I have a very hard time touring a shelter and not wanting to save them all. But start with one and one that will work out for your situation, so that it is a long lasting relationship and not one where a short term emotional decision leads you down a path of a bad pet relationship and eventually returning the pet. Remember, your selection will be one you live with for years.

If you live in an apartment, it is best not to adopt a large or active breed that requires space, unless you can commit to long walks at least twice a day. Different breeds have different requirements for space, activity and companionship. Adopt a breed that is more suitable for an apartment and avoid a huge, future problem. Understand that adopting a puppy will require much more time and management than an older dog for at least a year or more in large breeds.

Third, observe the dog in their surroundings before selecting which dog to adopt. Watch how they play or interact with other dogs. What happens when you approach? Do they eagerly come up and want to be petted? Or do they cower away into a corner? The one that cowers away will require much more work and understanding of behavior to overcome. Are they unruly, jumping up on you and everyone? If so, an obedience class is a necessity and possibly some home training in-between classes. This will be the best time you ever spend with your dog in having a long lasting and wonderful relationship.

Understand that if you are unwilling to commit the time to an obedience class and the needs of your new dog, you are not ready to adopt a dog.

Hopefully, the dog you adopt had periodic separation from its mother. Puppies raised with their mothers’ constant attention and in close confinement, such as in puppy mills, tend to retard the puppies ability to cope with separation later in life.

Symptoms of Separation Anxiety

Hyper-excited greetings
Following owner from room to room constantly
Checking in frequently with owner
Seeking physical contact constantly
Acting sad when owner is leaving
Prevention

-Do not greet until the dog sits, then give calm and loving greetings – not excited ones
-Do not reinforce constant following
-Do not say good-bye to the dog when leaving, make leaving a non-emotional experience
-Feed treats inside a toy as a positive distraction when departing