Methods in House Training Your Dog: Litter Box Training...

Methods in House Training Your Dog: Litter Box Training...
Basically litter box training method is all about providing your pet dog with an enclosed area where he can always use as a toilet. This process requires a lot of patience and some work on your part but it is not difficult to perform.

Litter box training is most suited to small, toy breed dogs or puppies younger than six months of age. It is also recommended and ideal for elderly owners and home alone dogs. Similar to paper training, litter box training is not suited for medium to large-sized dogs since they have large amounts of urine and feces. The quantity of litter needed to soak it all up would be very heavy to dispose.

Below are step-by-step essentials in successfully training your pet dog to use the litter box.
1.When training your pup or dog, you should place your dog in the litter box area every 30 minutes and wait for 5 minutes to see if he “needs to go”.
2.Start using a keyword while pointing to the litter box when instructing your pet to dispose in the litter box. This will help your pet in relating to the designated area of elimination.
3.If your pet successfully uses his litter box, immediately praise or reward him with food treats.
4.Typically, dogs will start sniffing or circling around if they feel the need to go. If your dog does not do this, take him out and let him free for another 20-30 minutes and then try again.
5.Keep repeating this process several times a day until your dog starts using the litter box on his own.
6.Praise your dog enthusiastically every time he uses the litter box. This will provide your dog with the impression that he is doing something good. You should show your pet an exaggerated happiness when praising him.
7.When your pet starts to display bad behavior during training, like “accidentally” eliminating at the wrong place or attempts to eliminate at a non-designated area, you should let him know that he’s been a bad dog. If your pet goes to the toilet in the wrong spot, point your finger, use a firm voice and say “NO.” If possible take the dog to the litter box and point to it, so your dog will start to understand the purpose of it.
8.Another great strategy is placing some of your dog’s urine inside the litter box; it will make him realize that the litter box is the area where he is meant to pee in.

A number of pet owners find it easier to train their dog inside the house, rather than outside. Once you successfully litter box train your pet, you can relocate the litter box to your ideal spot outside the house and work on getting your pet using the litter box in the new area. Just bear in mind that litter training your dog can be a slow process, try and make training as fun as possible to you and your pet.




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What You Need to Know About Dog Shedding...

What You Need to Know About Dog Shedding...

Most dog owners dislike the idea of their pet having his seasonal shedding. For most, shedding means more mess to clean and additional burden of extra grooming for their shedding pet. But as a mature pet owner, you should always remember that shedding is a natural phenomenon in dogs and should not be discouraged. Shedding allows the new coat of your pet to come in, replacing the old and damaged coat. 

All dogs shed, unless your pet is a completely hairless dog, such as the American Hairless Terrier. Keep in mind that you are not alone in this dilemma and other dog owners may have more shedding problems than you do because some dog breeds even shed more than others. Dogs like Siberian Huskies, Pomeranians, Norwegian Elkhounds, Malamutes and other breeds with a thick undercoat hair sheds more compared to other breeds.

Majority of dogs have a "double coat"; which is consists of the long "guard hairs" that we see, and an “undercoat”, a layer of thick, downy fur next to their skin under the guard hairs. The undercoat grows deep and thick during Winter and is used for insulation during the cold season, and then it is shed out and disposed when Spring and Summer comes. Poodles and Bichon Frises are the only breeds that never develop an undercoat and, thus, they are known as "non-shedding" breeds.

Aside from breed, shedding also vary between male and female dogs. Male dogs normally only shed a lot during the Spring and Summer molt. However, female dogs often shed during their estrus or heat cycle as well.

For younger dogs and puppies, almost all breed shed their puppy coat before growing their adult double coat. This can be a very struggling time with tangles and mats as the puppy hairs falls out and gets tangled in the adult guard hairs growing in. Change of puppy coat to adult coat usually takes place between 6 to 12 months depending on the puppy’s breed.

Still, if you are burdened or worry too much of your pet’s hair loss during shedding, you should know the factors that may worsen the shedding. Below are some helpful tips you can practice during shedding season to avoid too much hair loss in your pet.
Keeping your dog’s skin supple and moist will enable the skin to hold the guard hair shafts tightly in the pores, thus, minimizing excessive shedding. You can attain this through providing enough fatty acids in your dog’s diet so that his skin maintains oil. Avoid using harsh, detergent products when bathing your pet for it can strip oil from his skin and hair.

Feed your dog with a high quality diet and supplement him with additional anti-oxidants such as vitamins A and E as well as Linoleic Acid and Omega3 and Omega 6 Fish oils.

Brush your pet’s coat more often than usual during shedding season. Brushing does not only eliminate tangles from your dog’s hair, it also brings the oils produced at the skin down each shaft of hair to coat the hair shaft with protective lipids.

Always ensure that your dog shampoo is vet-recommended and non-detergent to avoid broken and damaged dog hair.





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Dog Smells: How to Eliminate Them...

Dog Smells: How to Eliminate Them...

Certainly every dog owner we know loves to cuddle up to their pet pooch while some even sleeps with their beloved pet. Constant hugging and cuddling with your pet promotes a stronger bond between you and your pet. But what if your beloved pooch starts to give off an unbearable stinking smell? Foul dog odor can develop from a number of reasons and causes a lot of concerns to dog owners. But you don't have to worry, these abominable smells that your dog get is easily eliminated if proper hygiene is practiced. Here are some smell elimination tips you can try to get rid of those funky smell in your pet:

Regular washing. Schedule a weekly washing of your dog's bedding and blankets to remove stinky odor. Regular washing of your pet's beddings and blankets prevents odors from wetness and dirt in getting sealed into his bedding.

Bath you dog. Depending on the kind of breed and activity level of a dog, some dogs requires weekly bathing while other dogs need only to be bathe every few weeks to a month. Determine the right bathing schedule for your dog and do it regularly. In general, if your dog starts to smell like a dog, then it's always the right time for his bath. Buy a dog shampoo that is formulated to remove smells.

Regular grooming. Not only a dirty coat can cause BO in your dog, many other parts of your dog's body can contribute to his smelliness. Check and clean your dog's ears, ear wax can build up and cause a stinking smell in your pet's ears. Regular brushing of your dog's teeth and occasional application of dog breath spray helps prevent bad dog breath.

Impromptu mess cleaning. If your dog is sick and vomits, or has diarrhea, or an accident, quickly clean up hiss mess. Use water to clean the mess and white paper towels to dry it.
Check your dog's food. A number of manufactured dog foods contribute to an unpleasant dog stink due to some ingredients. Try giving your dog a homemade diet more often to decrease foul stink.

Neutralize odors. Neutralize stinky dog odors by applying pet deodorizing spray in your dog's coat.

Check your pet's anal sacs. Anal sacs are two small scent-sacs in the area of your dog's anus. Dogs whose anal sacs have filled up with fluid will experience itching, irritation and discomfort around the anus, as well as emitting a foul odor. If your pet starts to "scoot" or "drag" his bottom on the floor for relief, he is actually attempting to express the sacs himself. Immediately bring your pet to the vet for proper medication.

Bring your dog to the vet. Make a regular visit to your vet every 6 months for your dog's check-up. Your veterinarian should tell you whether or not your dog's smell is due to a sickness or not. Some of the diseases that causes stinking dog odor includes ear infection, atopy, gum and teeth disease, diabetes and kidney failure among others.

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Brushing When Your Dog is Shedding...

Brushing When Your Dog is Shedding...

One major concern of most dog owners during shedding season is how to properly brush and groom their pet’s shedding hair without worsening hair loss. Here is how to groom your dog’s hair during shedding:

Step 1:
Once the shedding begins, take a trip to the pet shop and buy two types of dog brushes, a soft brush and a small metal-bristled brush to remove most of the shedding hair.

Step 2:
It is recommended to brush your dog’s hair in an outdoor location to avoid having dog hair all over your house. Brush your dog in the backyard, or in a hard floor where you can easily sweep up the fallen pet hairs.

Step 3:
Ensure that your dog’s coat is perfectly dry before brushing. Have your dog sitting or standing when grooming him, although a standing dog is easier to brush all at once.

Step 4:
Pet your dog so that he will be comfortable during the brushing activity.

Step 5:
Start working with the soft brush to release all of the hair that is getting ready to come off. Then carefully brush the metal-bristled or shedding brush through your dog’s hair, from front to back. Hair will gently start to pull off your dog's back.

Step 6:
As hair accumulates in the brush, pull it off, and then continue brushing until all loose hair is removed. If hair looks like it's about to shed, but doesn't come out, you'll have to wait for it to naturally loosen.

Step 7:
Reward your dog with a treat after successful brushing, and then clean up the floor or the yard with a vacuum.
Aside from proper hair brushing, it is also important that you know what kind of brush is right to use for the job. The following are the best brushes you can chose from for your shedding dog:

Rubber Brushes. Rubber brushes allow owners to gently pull loose hair from short-coated shedding dogs. Rubber curry brushes are the best brushes for removing dead, unwanted hair and bringing a healthy sheen to the fur of short-haired dogs.

Slicker Brushes. These types of brushes have fine wire bristles embedded into a cushioned surface and a wood or plastic handle. Slicker brushes are best for removing loose hair and tangled mats from long-haired or curly coated shedding dogs.

Bristle Brushes. Bristle brushes have nylon or boar bristles and are best used on all types of dog coats, but they are best suited for small dogs and dogs with sensitive skin. Bristle brushes promote stimulation of dog's skin and increase coat health. They can be used for everyday grooming to get rid of surface dust, dirt and dead fur on your dog’s coat.

Pin Brushes. Pin brushes are typically oval-shaped with rust-resistant, rubber-coated wire pins to prevent scratching or irritating your dog’s skin. Pin brushes are efficient in separating and untangling fur on shedding dogs with sensitive skin and medium to long thick, woolly or curly coats.

Undercoat Rakes, Shedding Blades and the FURminator. The undercoat rake works best for dogs with thick double coats. The rake's teeth infiltrate through the overcoat into the thick undercoat, removing loose hair or work out tangled, matted fur. Used like a brush, shedding blades are the best tool for removing loose hair from thick-coated, heavily shedding dogs. The FURminator is best for long-haired shedding dogs. It can reduce shedding up to 90 percent by removing dogs' loose, dead undercoat without hurting their topcoat.



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Why You Should Spay your Dog?

Why You Should Spay your Dog?

Dog spaying or ovariohysterectomy is the surgical removal of the female reproductive organs. The operation removes the two ovaries, the uterine horns and the body of the uterus. In most cases, spaying operation takes about 45 minutes to an hour to perform including the required time for preparation and anesthesia. However, for older or large-breed dogs, the procedure may last longer and may require two surgeons to do the process.

Like in humans, spaying operation in dogs requires general anesthesia to induce complete unconsciousness and relaxation. In the typical case, the dog will receive a pre-anesthetic sedative-analgesic drug to help her relax, a brief intravenous anesthetic to allow placement of a breathing tube in the windpipe, and subsequently inhalation (gas) anesthesia in oxygen during the actual surgery. After the operation, a dog is usually recommended to stay in the hospital from one to two days.

Spaying is done to female dogs to avoid heat (estrus) cycles, prevent pregnancy, remove diseased or cancerous female reproductive organs and markedly decrease the risk of acquired diseases of the female reproductive system. The spay operation essentially removes the possibility of a severe infection of the uterus (pyometra). There is also evidence that spaying a dog at an early age markedly reduces the future risk of developing mammary (breast) cancer.

The following are the advantages of spaying your female dog:

Avoid heat (estrus) cycles. Spaying a female dog eliminates her periods or menstruation by lowering the hormone levels that trigger menstruation. Thus, you will be freed from the inconvenient and messy dog care during menstruation periods.

Lessen pet wandering. Since a spayed dog will not go into heat, your female pet will no longer wander around looking for a mate and then return home pregnant.

Prevention of unwanted dog pregnancies. This contributes to the control of dog population and any unintended cross breeding with other dogs.

Complete prevention of pyometra or the infection of the uterus. Pyometra is a common condition in unsprayed dogs and is a serious infection inside the uterus which results to blood poisoning and even death of the dog if left untreated.

Reduction in breast cancer. Percentage of acquiring breast cancer is decreased significantly to 0% if done before the dog’s first “heat”.

Reduction of the spread of inferior genetic traits, genetic diseases and congenital deformities. Since your dog is no longer capable of breeding, transfer of defective or inferior genes and genetic traits from one generation to the next in a breed is reduced. Female dogs with heritable genetic diseases and congenital defects/deformities should be desexed to lessen the spread of these genetic diseases to their offspring.

Prevention or reduction of hormone-induced diseases. It is common knowledge that female dogs suffer from a wide range of diseases and medical conditions that are directly associated with high blood estrogen and/or progesterone levels, the hormones produced by the ovaries. These conditions include: vaginal hyperplasia, mammary neoplasia, mammary enlargement, cystic endometrial hyperplasia, pyometron and pseudopregnancy (false pregnancy or phantom pregnancy with accompanied signs of 'expecting' including: nesting behaviors, abdominal enlargement, breast enlargement and even lactation) among others.

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Seasonal Allergies II : Atopy...

Seasonal Allergies II : Atopy...
It is the change of the season again, everything is in bloom, and your pet, obsessively scratching in the corner, again. Seasonal allergies are immune reactions to pollens, molds, or other triggers that are present for only one season or part of the year. Seasonal allergies are evident in a variety of symptoms, such as sneezing and watery eyes. For animals, they tend to suffer skin disorders, and typically, they become extremely itchy.

Atopy or Allergic Inhaled Dermatitis is the second most common allergic skin condition in dogs, next to flea allergy, that is caused by the change in season. It is often an inherited trait that first exhibits between the ages of 1 and 3 years. It is an itchy skin disease of animals that is caused by allergic substances or allergens contacted through the air, either by absorption through the respiratory tract or through skin contact. Allergens that cause this reaction are ragweed, pollen, feathers, grasses, trees, shrubs, mold, animal dander, house dust and house dust mites. Since these allergens are very abundant everywhere, obviously, exposure can't be avoided.

Common signs of that your pet is suffering from atopy are:

feet licking or chewing at the paws
frequent scratching of the face (muzzle) or rubbing it on the ground or with the paws
scratching of the ears
shaking of the head
development of skin or ear infections due to excessive scratching or rubbing

Atopy symptoms usually are seasonal at first, with most dogs manifesting clinical signs in the summer months when airborne allergens, such as plant pollens, are highly concentrated in the atmosphere. As atopic dogs grow older, they tend to become allergic to more substances and symptoms become less seasonal. Eventually, the itchiness can go on a year-round.

Your veterinarian may recommend some medications to lessen the symptoms of this disease. These include antihistamines, fatty acid supplements, soothing shampoos and antibiotics for treatment of secondary bacterial infection of the skin or pyoderma. Other treatments such as cyclosporine and corticosteroids (cortisone-like drugs such as prednisone) can also be administered. Although corticosteroids are proven to very effective at reducing the symptoms of atopy, these drugs pose many potential side effects that limit their prolonged use. It should be used cautiously and with guidance from your vet in the treatment of your atopic pet


Unfortunately, unlike flea allergy that is easily treated, atopy cannot be cured. Dogs who are suffering from atopy require some form of therapy throughout their lives. The following are some tips to minimize the trigger of atopy in your pet dog:

Medications prescribed by your vet should be administered diligently and avoid triggering allergens as much as possible.
Allergy testing, or more commonly known as skin testing, should be done to single out specific substances to which your pet is allergic.
Strict flea control in your pet’s environment should be done since other itchy skin diseases such as flea allergy dermatitis may have an additive effect on your dog's skin condition.
Observe your dog for rashes and worsening of any skin lesions. Pyoderma is common in dogs with atopy and can add to their discomfort.

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Seasonal Allergies I : Flea Allergy...

Seasonal Allergies I : Flea Allergy...

Allergies caused by the change in season are very common to pet animals, most especially in dogs. One of the most common seasonal allergy problems in pet dogs is flea allergy dermatitis. Flea allergy is the result of your pet's reaction to flea saliva when a flea bites your pet. Flea allergy dermatitis can result to severe allergic reaction for most dogs and can lead to the development of secondary skin infections like pyoderma, if not treated properly.

Fleas are parasites that live on sucking the blood of its host; it can live a life span of 6 to 12 months. However, this life span is influenced by environmental conditions and can vary from two to three weeks up to a year. Optimal conditions also include humidity of 75 to 85 percent and temperature of 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Humidity is more important than the temperature. Flea eggs are found in the environment, though, the adult flea inhabits most of the time in its host body.

Flea allergy disease is manifested through the following: severe and excessive itching, chewing and biting of body parts; hot spots or acute moist dermatitis on your dog's hips or face, which is a result from exuberant scratching; and oozing lesions from chewing.

If your pet happens to have a flea infestation, no need to panic yet, flea allergy is treatable. Effective treatment of flea allergy dermatitis includes four important phases:

The prevention of flea bites that causes the allergy.
Assertive control of flea infestation in your pet dog as well as in his environment.
Treatment of secondary skin infections that have developed in your dog's body due to itching and scratching. Antibiotics and antifungal drugs may be administered to treat skin infections triggered by the flea allergy.
Breaking your dog's itch cycle. Giving steroids to your dog, on a short course, may be essential to break his itch cycle.

Below are some tips on how to prevent and avoid flea infestation in your pet dog:
Clean-up. Frequently vacuum and clean your carpeting to remove eggs and larvae from your dog's indoor dwelling. If you had difficulty exterminating the fleas inside your house, you can hire a professional cleaning or exterminating service to effectively do the job.

Dog Brushing. Frequently grooming your dog with a "flea comb" can help remove fleas from his hair and coat.

Flea Control Products. Try using an effective and safe flea control product on your dog on a regular basis during flea season. You can start using this flea control product one month prior to the start of flea season and continuing up until a month after the flea season ends.

Dog Check-up. Take your pet to the vet for flea allergy diagnosis that is based on history, clinical signs and a positive response to flea control. If your pet has already a flea allergy problem and starts developing acute skin lesions (acute moist dermatitis) due to excessive biting or scratching at fleas, consult your veterinarian for proper medication to be given to your dog.

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Your Dog and Stress...

Your Dog and Stress...
Like their human owners, dogs too feel stress when put into situations that are uncomfortable for them. But what are these situations that lead our beloved pets to feel stressed? These situations include changes in home environment or in pack hierarchy, separation, confinement, negative commands, aggressive owners or other aggressive animals, physical pain, hunger, thirst, loud noises such as thunder, fireworks or music, and the inability to relieve himself when needed. These are the most common causes of dog stress that can result to dog behavior problems.
Over time, conscientious pet owners are trying their very best to relieve their pets from experiencing stress. Remember, like us, dogs are much less prone to stress if they live happy lives, which involves good grooming, proper nourishment and plenty of exercise. Getting rid of agitating circumstances such as loud noises or disruptive lifestyle will greatly perk up your dog’s attitude.
Below are some of the signs that your dog may exhibit if he is under a stressed condition. But you should remember that these signs must be exhibited repeatedly for them to be considered as stress signals.
Shaking, yawning and scratching
Barking or whining with no obvious reason
Biting, growling or snarling
Glazed eyes
Weight loss
Refusing food and treats or refusal to open mouth or loss of appetite
Naughty behavior and disobeying orders
Licking lips, drooling and sneezing
Improper bowel movements and vomiting
Avoiding eye contact, keeping tail between legs or acting shy
Exhibiting hyperactivity or under activity
Eventually, domesticated dogs have developed in a way that they can fight stress on their own. To alleviate their own stress, dogs have developed their own calming techniques like yawning, sitting, lying down and lip licking; these can also be signs of stress relief rather than those of stress itself.

Currently, a handful of stress-reducing remedies are already available at local pet shops as well as behavior modification classes, but it is more recommended to consult a veterinarian. Pet dogs are very much like us and often require some special attention in order to lead happy lives.

But if you want to help calm your dog and ease his stress, try calming down yourself first. Sometimes an owner’s stress can be shifted to his pet. A lot of pet dogs actually suffer from the human stress surrounding them. Take deep breaths, listen to soothing music and show your dog you are relaxed. Provide comfort to your dog. Make him warm and give him cozy place to sleep. Also, take your dog for a walk every day, a number of studies showed that exercise and fresh air are among the best stress reducers and mood enhancers for both humans and animals. Most importantly, provide a lot of praises to your dog, praises generate positive energy from your dog and also help build a bond of trust and love between you and your pet.

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Dog Feeding 101...

Dog Feeding 101

Nourishing your pet dog is one of the major responsibilities you embrace of having a pet. Like any member of your family, it is one of your concerns to feed him with proper and healthy foods.  But what to feed him is another important point to consider. Take note that dietary needs differ from one dog to another, depending on the dog’s breed, age and his overall body weight. Your neighbor’s dog diet program for his pet may not be suitable for your pooch. Thus, if you happen to own two dogs, each dog has to have its own diet in accordance to his needs. It is recommended that you consult your vet for proper feeding specifications for your dog’s breed.

If your dog is still a puppy, he will need three meals a day until he reaches the age of six months, after which this can be reduced to two. You can also start introducing adult dog food in your puppy's diet when he reaches six months old.

Keep in mind that when feeding, size does matter. Smaller dogs means smaller stomachs, lesser feeds should be given to smaller dogs in a meal compared to big dogs. You can also feed your small dog twice a day to assist him with his digestion. If you have a pregnant dog, you should provide her with feeds fifty percent more than normal.

Varieties of dog food are also available to choose from. Dry dog food is easy to store and provides four times as many calories per pound as canned foods, it is also stable and long lasting; semi-moist foods provides high carbohydrate content for very active dogs; canned foods are high in protein and are more suitable to dogs who have a picky appetite.  A quality dog diet must contain the following: protein, carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, vegetables and fruits.
A proper dog diet means feeding your pet with healthy food. Below are some suggested ways on how you could provide your dog with a proper dog diet:
Refer to your vet about a reputable and ideal dog food brand. If your vet makes a list of recommended dog food brands, be sure to select the one that is of high quality. Take into account your dog’s size, weight, activity, age and level before making a choice.
Dry food and moist canned dog food should be included in your pet’s daily meals to attain a balanced diet. Moist food also helps maintain cleanliness of your dog’s teeth.
Pay a close attention to the protein ratio of the dog food you are feeding your pet. Since protein is very vital in a dog’s body, your dog’s food should consist of about 20% to 30% protein in each meal to make up for the recommended protein intake.
Avoid over-feeding your dog for this may result to obesity in your pet if done in regular basis. Similarly with humans, obesity in dogs could also lead to several medical conditions, like abnormal growth and musculoskeletal problems.
Feeds should be given to your dog about twice each day, though some dog breeds requires only a single feeding in a day. Make the dog’s meal time regularized during specific and consistent times of the day. Feeds should also be given in a very and exactly measured amount.



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