Monday, September 7, 2009

Dog Diseases: Hypothyroidism

There are certain diseases that dog’s can have during their lives that can cause many problems in their overall health. With hypothyroidism in dogs their endocrine system tends to suffer the most. The endocrine system regulates things like temperature, weight, memory, muscles, and a few other things. We are going to explore the symptoms of hypothyroid disorder in dogs including symptoms, causes, and treatment to help dog owners to better understand what their dog may be going through.

The dog breeds that are most commonly affected by hypothyroid include Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Dachshunds, Cocker Spaniels, Boxers, Doberman Pinschers, and Greyhounds. In some cases these breeds may be affected by the counterpart, which is hyperthyroidism. You should also know there are two types of hypothyroid disorder in dogs. First autoimmune thyroiditis is where the immune system actually attacks the thyroid gland; in the other case you have lymphocytic thyroiditis which is where the gland fails to produce enough of the thyroid hormone to regulate the body. You will find that in each case the symptoms and treatment will be the same.

Symptoms of hypothyroid disorder can be a little difficult to diagnose by the unsuspecting owner as there are several reasons some of these symptoms may occur. The first in the short list of symptoms is hair and skin changes. You will start to notice that your dog is shedding more. There are inadequate levels of thyroid hormone for hair to grow which means it will begin to grow sporadically over the body and they will lose hair. Most areas that are affected by this hair loss are the legs, and back. You will also find that the dog’s hair will become scruffy, dull, and flaky. The skin is another clue. Most often dogs have sensitive skin, but in the case of thyroid disorders they can gain more irritations, in some cases they may have black pigment growing on the skin around the groin area. They will also have itchy areas and allergic reactions or infections. The toenails will become less strong, and they tend to break off or have infections.

Infertility is another symptom of hypothyroid disorder. With females the cycle they go through becomes erratic. This means that it is very hard to gauge when they will be in a fertile state or be in heat. Often times they just pass over being in heat. They may also display a false pregnancy. With male dogs you will see low sperm levels or a decreased desire to mate.

Weight is another area of hypothyroid disorder that is affected. Most usually it is hard to understand the weight gain a dog will experience with this disease because diet, a change in exercise, and other things can cause a weight gain and you may not always notice the weight gain. These are the most common symptoms to look for, but what causes the actual hypothyroidism? The cause is largely undetermined. It is thought to be a genetic disorder, but we don’t really understand why some dog breeds are more commonly affected by this ailment. The most common treatment for hypothyroid is a medication that will synthesize the actual thyroid hormone the dog is not producing. The vet will have to work with the dosage until they get it on the proper level, but the dog can live a relatively normal life by taking the medication every day. In some cases medication for a few months may be enough to help regulate the thyroid into producing the hormone again, but most dogs will be on medication for life. They should be tested every six months to make sure the thyroid levels have not changed or if they have to change medication appropriately.dog the bounty hunter dvd.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Psychology of Dog Abuse

Dogs are one of the most wonderful pets you can add to a home. Not only do they show a lot of affection, but they can also be therapeutic for children with issues. Dogs should be loved and treated well, but as we all know that is not always the case. There are over 12,000 cases of animal abuse in the abuse database. Of that amount you will find that more than half is usually dog abuse. We may feel badly about the dog abuse that has been inflicted, but if you are considering going to a rescue shelter to adopt one of these dogs you have to be prepared for certain ramifications. Dog abuse even though it is physical can have lasting psychological effects on the dog. We will explore some of the psychological effects for dogs that have been abused below.

First dog abuse is usually considered to be yelling, screaming, hitting, or injuring the dog in some way. This means that most often dogs who have suffered abuse will have at least some type of psychological effect from verbal abuse and may also have physical damage. In some cases physical damage can actually leave the dog handicapped for the rest of its life or at least with severe health problems. When adopting an abused dog you have to be prepared to take care of all aspects, especially the health issues they may have. So, if you feel you are prepared for the physical demands of the dog care needed for abused dogs let’s look at psychological effects.

Psychological effects generally present themselves as shy or aggressive behaviors. The behavior of the dog may also be extremely destructive to your physical property. Let’s look at the shy behaviors first. In most cases the dog will shy away from being touched or petted. They will hide under beds, in closets, or other spaces they feel you will not notice them in order to keep them from being harmed as that is what they were trained to recognize as human behavior. In some cases the dog may latch onto one person of the household. Typically if the dog has been abused by a male they will be extremely shy and will not approach or be in the same room when a male is present. It is the same if the abuser was a woman. In some cases the dog may stay in the room, but they will not allow the gender of the person to pet them unless they are sitting down. For an example a German Shepherd mix was abused. The history is unclear, but it was plain to see the dog was abused by the behavior of avoiding any large man in the room unless they were sitting down. Only then would the dog hesitantly approach to be petted, even though the dog had been in the vicinity of this person for several months.

Aggression is another way to show the effects of abuse. In most cases the dog will snarl at anyone who tries to approach and they may even attack. In this case of abuse or psychological break it is best to have the dog enter a training course to be rehabilitated. Dogs that have psychological issues can have a behavior therapy that will re- teach them proper behavior. It will also help them to overcome their fears. Lastly when discussing dog abuse we need to look at destructive behavior. Some dogs may not display destructive behavior right away in a new home. It may take time to come to the forefront. In the same example as above a dog began to slowly destroy things around the home. In one instance the dog actually broke through the backdoor. Part of the problem was that the dog needed attention during the day that the owners were not supplying, but the other part was the actual abuse. They needed to show destructive behavior in the hopes that they would get any attention and that it would be several hours worth of that attention good or bad. Again therapy is needed as well as a more active roll.dog the bounty hunter dvd.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Safety Tips and Hints on Using Wireless Dog Fence

Wireless dog fence has been proven and tested to be really safe and reliable. However, there are still safety tips that everyone should take into consideration in using it. These safety tips will give your dog a much better protection.

Take note that dogs collar receiver must always be in contact with the wireless signal thrown by the transmitter. Therefore, if the collar loses contact with the transmitter signal, correction pulse will then be sent by the collar thinking the dog has left the containment area.

Just place the transmitter somewhere in your home, garage or tool shed that is not noticeable to avoid any damage on the system. After keeping it in a safe area and completing the set up, the transmitter will then emit a radio signal which will define the containment boundary of your dog.

It is advised that you avoid leaving the collar on your dog while it is inside your house as household appliances may set it off due to unnecessary signal interruptions.

The dog collar receiver has a water proof feature but then the transmitter must always be out of the weather because this device cannot get wet or the emitted signal will be damaged.

Please be reminded that the system will not work well if a drop-off or steep slope is a part of the contained area. This only means that you must also consider whether our dog containment fences are appropriate for your yard before you purchase the product you want.

The size and attitude of your dog is also a key factor. If you know that your dog is too big or stubborn, might as well choose a more appropriate product because this wireless pet containment is only applicable for small or medium dogs which are easy to train.

For safety and more reliable set up, always try to follow instructions in the provided manual that explains installation and training or ask our customer representatives for assistance.

There is an adjustable range suitable for your yard and an appropriate level of pulse correction for your dog.

For safe and easy to remember safe areas against the boundary, try to place a mark on the boundaries by putting training flags so that you and your dogs can easily remember the defined training area.

You must not also worry about unwanted power loss of the wireless dog fence system that might harm your dog because we also feature an automatic safety shut off on the system that will happen after 27 seconds.dog the bounty hunter dvd.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Dog Obedience Training - Training Collars

One of the biggest challenges of dog obedience training is that face every dog owner is how to properly train a dog to be well-behaved. It is often embarrassing for a pet owner to have a naughty dog around public places, or when strangers or visitors are around. Some dogs are very difficult to house train, and they tend to be destructive to properties as well. Since dogs are all created unique, there are different methods employed in order to teach dog obedience training.

Why can dog obedience training be essential? First of all, this kind of practice is beneficial for both the dog and the owner. Training religiously with a dog helps the owner develop communication skills that the dog can easily respond to. At the same time, the activities allow for bonding and development of trust from the dog to his owner. Though you can always hire professional dog trainers to provide dog obedience training for your pets, you can actually accomplish that yourself.

Two of the most conventional methods of dog obedience training are the reward training and leash or collar training. Both have been alternately used by many animal behavior professionals. Basically, the key to dog training is reinforcement. A dog should learn how to follow instructions or commands that are enforced by the owner, whether by pulling on a leash, or by giving a treat. A dog then learns to associate negative behavior by the owner not offering the treat, or by the owner pulling on the leash or collar. It is very important to remember that hitting a dog while attempting obedience training is never a solution. An owner should be patient as well as consistent to ensure that the training methods are delivered effectively.

Collar training is highly used by dog training professionals, and is often applied to training dogs for specific jobs, such as police work or military work. Dog training collars are often specially designed, and give a weak static shock to the dog when a remote control button is pressed by the trainer. In many sources, electronic dog training collars can cost from $200 and above.

To help the dog learn the basics of collar training, begin in a place where there is no distraction. Stand several feet away from your dog, and begin to call his name. At this time, press the button on the remote, and keep repeating the name until the dog approaches you. When the dog is at your side, stop pressing the button, and you may also reward the dog with a treat. The dog then learns that the irritant or the static shock will stop when he follows your commands.

Remember, always be consistent with training. It is not always fast and easy to do, and it requires patience on your part. Eventually, your dog will be very responsive to the commands you teach him, as long as you follow the effective methods of teaching. There are many other techniques used for dog collar training, check out more tips you can learn from the web.dog the bounty hunter dvd.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Dog Obedience Training - Clicker Training

Clicker Training

Dog obedience training is one essential requirement that every dog owner should consider when taking care of a pet. Because dogs behave differently under different circumstances, it is important for them to be taught the proper behavior. Dog obedience training gives the owner the ability to communicate effectively with the dog, so the dog is able to understand what is required of him to do, or how he should properly behave.

A lot of times, trying to house train a dog can be an arduous task, especially when you are unequipped or uninformed of how to properly do it. In this regard, many dog owners decide on hiring professional dog trainers to do the job for them. This can be an ideal situation, especially when the owner has a busy schedule, but it can sometimes be costly. Did you know that training your dog is not as difficult as it seems? All you need is patience and dedication to the training, and you will soon be rewarded with a stronger bond between you and your pet. Plus, you no longer have to be concerned about his misbehavior, as your dog will always be at his best.

Many sources describe dog obedience training as falling into two categories, leash training and reward training. Both methods have been widely use by animal experts and trainers over the years, as they are both effective in teaching dogs. Leash training relies on the usage of a leash to allow a dog to understand specific commands. This also lets the dog know how his negative behavior is not acceptable. Reward training, on the other hand, uses treats as a form of reinforcement, for a dog to easily understand what should and should not be done. The clicker training method is one such form of reward training.

What is the clicker training method? In many internet sources, and in terms of animal behavior, this can also be called as operant conditioning. This means that a dog learns to associate a positive act with something he likes, such as the treats or the reward. It is called clicker training because it uses a small handheld device that creates a sound when pressed. Using the clicker is an effective way for a dog to quickly grasp specific commands. Whenever you teach a dog a command, you time it with a click, and when he obeys, you give him the treat.

One of the first exercises to try out with the clicker method is to help the dog accustom the training and treats with the clicking sound. First, you must be in an area where there is minimum distraction for the dog, and have your bag of treats nearby. First, you have to call the dog’s name, if he looks at you, click and give him a treat. Repeat this several times within the next half hour, so the dog quickly associates the click with attention, and a corresponding treat. You can learn more about additional techniques on clicker training that you can practice on your dog.dog the bounty hunter dvd.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Dog Obedience Training

Are you an avid dog lover? Do you consider your dog as part of your family? There are millions of dog owners in the United States today, and among the most common reasons why they choose dogs as pets is because of their companionship. The title, “Man’s Best Friend” never seems to be too old to describe how valuable dogs can be for many individuals and families. However, because not all dogs are created equal, there are some behaviors of dogs that are inappropriate for a home setting or a public place. For this reason, many pet owners turn to dog obedience training in order to remedy their problems about discipline and behavior of their dogs.

Dog obedience training is among the important preparations that pet owners must have when they decide to purchase or adopt a dog. If vaccinations and regular check-ups with a vet are essential for a dog, so is the proper obedience training. This helps the dog behave better in the presence of guests or strangers. A dog will also learn to respect property by not damaging it, and the dog will easily be able to respond to simple commands given by the owner. Dog obedience training also opens up wider channels of communication and understanding between the pet and the owner.

There are dog lovers who choose to hire professional dog trainers for this job, but there are actually hundreds of internet resources that can allow you to be the dog trainer yourself. Developing the skills of a pro dog trainer will make you an effective communicator with your dog, so you can build stronger bonds and be more secure with each other’s companionship.

If you decide to work on some dog obedience training yourself, note that there are generally two methods used by experts today, according to sources. There is the reward method and the leash method. Between these two, most professionals choose the leash method, as it is said to be more traditional, but not necessarily more effective. The reward method is also effective, so both methods can be alternatively used depending on the preference of the owner.

Always be sure you have your gear ready. Have a sturdy leash that is about six feet long, and be sure your dog wears a collar that has about two inches of allowance on it. Have your dog biscuits or treats ready as well. Remember that you must be able to teach your dog basic commands like sit and stay, before you even decide to teach him tricks. Aside from that, in order for the dog to realize his mistake or for him to know that what he is doing is unacceptable, the commands “no” and “stop” should also be taught.

To enhance your dog’s receptiveness to the training, spend about an hour a day with the drills and exercises. Don’t forget to allot time for you and your dog to play, as this also is a good bonding activity. It is never advisable to hit or hurt an animal while training, which is why several methods are always developed to improve on obedience training. Check out more tips and techniques on this aspect of training, and soon you will be on your way to having the best behaved dog in town.dog rope toys.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Puppy Mill, Hoarder Verses Ethical Breeder

What is a Puppy Mill?

A Puppy Mill is a facility that is concerned with production and profit with little or no regard for the dogs, puppies , the perspective customer or the new owner. A Puppy Mill is a place where dogs and puppies are neglected, many times to the point of serious illness or even death. They are caged or kenneled in cramped spaces. This does not allow room to stretch, let alone exercise. A Puppy Mill does not usually designate or even have anyone to designate to socialize the puppies. The puppies remain in their cage twenty four hour per day. They are not fed quality food, are not given shots and have no health records. Puppy Mill puppies may or may not be pure bred and may still be sold as such. Some will have registration. Beware documentation can be counterfeited. A Puppy Mill is usually a filthy place because the production is extremely high and there is not enough staff to keep it sanitary.

What is a Hoarder?

A Hoarder is usually a person or family who enjoys animals but has no idea how to care for them. A Hoarder is a collector of animals who usually does not realize they are doing anything wrong. A Hoarder will get more animals than they can care for. They may try to care for them all but can’t afford enough food. Some Hoarders will even go without food themselves trying to feed their animals and still are not giving them adequate food.. Many Hoarders actually think they are helping the animals by taking them. They will go to animal shelters and adopt these animals, to “save” them. A Hoarder will not bother with shots and spaying or neutering the animals. They allow the dogs to become inbred. A Hoarder will also allow mixed breeding. Usually, as with Puppy Mills the facility is filthy, with animals standing in their own excrement. A Hoarder may not sell animals.

What is an Ethical Breeder?

An Ethical Breeder or Kennel is a facility who accepts responsibility for the care of their Specialized breed or breeds. An Ethical Breeder of any animal classification acts in the same manner. They do selective breeding to produce certain qualities in their animals. They are careful to observe the temperaments of their breeding stock to assure consistent temperaments in the offspring. An Ethical Breeder keeps and organized record of all shots given to their animals and any health records. An Ethical Breeder will have lineage information on all breeding stock and their offspring. The animals will have adequate area to exercise. This Area will be sufficiently clean ( As is to be expected there will be evidence that the animals do void.) An Ethical Breeder will supply the animals with quality food in proper quantity. The animals will look lively and alert and will have good conformation. An Ethical Breeder will be able to answer questions about their animals. They will show great concern when placing their animals and ask many questions as well.dog rope toys.