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Training Your New Puppy: How to Teach a Young Dog Basic Commands

There are some basic behaviors that need to be taught to a new puppy and reinforced throughout the first few months they are settling into a new home. The most important of these is house-training, especially if you plan on keeping you puppy in an apartment.

Training Basics

The first thing you need to do is teach the puppy its name. Have a name picked out when you bring the puppy home and call it by its name all the time, rewarding it with attention and praise when it responds. Training needs to start as soon as the puppy is settled. You can decide to train the puppy yourself, or go to an obedience training school. If your puppy is not house broken, you will need to do so yourself. The only thing you need for training is time, about fifteen minutes a day, consistency and something to treat the puppy with when it does something right.

Reward and Punishment

Dogs can be trained to obey multiple commands and perform tricks too. The only reason they will do so, however, is because they want to. You can’t force a dog to learn a command, so figure out early how to make it worth his or her while to put up with training. Most trainers will have small food pellets (cat or dog) that the dog will be given when it obeys a command, but you can also train using a toy instead.

Make sure you nip bag behavior in the bud, since bad habits are very hard to break. Be consistent in your methods, and make sure the same person is training the puppy every day. Don’t mistreat or hit the puppy when it does something wrong, that will only make it scared of you and is not an effective way to train a puppy.

House-Training

If your puppy is not house-trained make sure that is the first training you do. The puppy will have a small bowel and bladder and needs to “go” every few hours. Be prepared for a few accidents before the training catches on.

To start with, take the puppy out after every meal, and every time it wakes up or finishes playing. If you see the puppy sniffing the ground and/or pawing it, take it out immediately. Over time, the puppy will start telling you when it needs to go outside by standing in front of the door.

To stop the puppy from eliminating in the house at night, confine it to a pen that is just large enough for it to stand and turn around in. The puppy won’t eliminate in such a small area since it has to sleep there too. Just make sure someone lets the puppy out early in the morning.

Behavioral Problems

Some owners allow bad habits to form, and then put the dog up for adoption as they can’t deal with it. While it may be cute to allow a puppy to jump all over you, or sit on your favorite couch, you have to remember that this puppy is going to grow into a full-sized dog. Do not allow your puppy to pick up any habits you don’t want it to have when it’s older.

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How to Stop Dogs Chewing Inappropriate Items

As any dog owner will know, most puppies (as well as some adult dogs) left alone in the home will be likely to find something to chew on that is either inappropriate or damages the item. Clearly, prevention is better than cure, but to avoid having to keep every shoe, sock or book out of reach, it is worth training one’s dog on which items are fair game and which must be left alone.

How to Stop Dogs Chewing Inappropriate Items – Anti-Chew Spray

When puppies or adult dogs get into the habit of chewing whatever they fancy, it does not take long for one small dog to cause complete chaos within the family home. Therefore, it is best to put a lid on such unhelpful behaviour, as early as possible, to avoid it becoming habitual. One method to prevent dogs from chewing shoes is to simply head to the nearest pet store and purchase a special dog anti-chew spray.

Dog anti-chew sprays are cheap, easy and convenient to use and far less expensive than having to buy new slippers, socks and shoe-laces on a regular basis. Before purchasing an anti-chew spray, always make sure it is non-toxic and safe for both pets and younger members of the family. The idea of using an anti-chew spray is that once it has been sprayed on a pair of slippers and the dog tries to have a chew, it will taste rather unpleasant, making it unappealing and very unlikely to be touched again.

Training Dogs Not to Chew on Inappropriate Items

As an alternative method to using anti-chew sprays, there are some very simple training steps that can help, according to Davis in Dog Basics, which include:

  • Throwing a rattle pot near the chewing dog to interrupt chewing
  • Simply shake a rattle pot if dog very sensitive
  • Quickly replace item with a chewable toy or chew treat
  • Encourage the dog to take this alternative item
  • Give the dog an activity toy filled with tasty treats to keep entertained

If none of the above methods works to stop dogs from chewing up items, then the best way to get them to stop is to always keep any shoes or slipper out of harm’s reach, either in the porch or in a cupboard. Some dogs chew when they have dental problems, so it is also worth getting a dog’s teeth checked out by the vet.

As highlighted above, training dogs not to chew up the home, will save a fortune on having to replace destroyed items. Key methods include using dog anti-chew sprays, activity toys filled with treats an interrupting chewing with a rattle pot, followed by replacing the item with something fun.

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Choose a Suitable Dog Breed

If you are considering adding a dog to your family, there are things that you will need to take into consideration first. Remember, dogs are self sufficient to a degree, but they will require training, walking and playtime. Unlike a cat, you most likely will have to take your dog outside for calls of nature, meaning someone in your family will have to be responsible for that. Another consideration when you are considering a dog is what breed you will select. Some breeds do well in smaller homes, some do well with children and others are more difficult. Here are some hints that you can use to choose a dog breed.

Temperament

One of the first things to consider when you are trying to choose a suitable dog breed is temperament. Dogs who are very hyper are probably not the best dog to own if you are older and do not have the time to spend a lot of time playing with them or walking them. Dogs who tend to be jumpy around children will not do well if you have a steady stream of children in and out of your home.

Yard and home size

If you live in an apartment, when you are trying to choose a suitable dog breed, make sure that you have sufficient space to accommodate their needs. A small dog such as a Pomeranian, Min Pin or other small breed may do well in a small home while a dog like a Golden Retriever needs far more room to wander around. Remember, the bigger the breed, the more likely you are to need a fenced in yard to allow them play time.

Training and exercise

Other considerations when you are trying to choose a suitable dog breed include the amount of training and exercise they will require. If you are selecting a puppy they will need a lot of training and exercise. Puppies have a lot of excess energy that you can help them burn off by walking. Older dogs may need only minor training and not require a lot of additional exercise beyond a daily walk.

Daily habits

If everyone in your home is gone from early in the morning until late in the evening, you need to make sure that when you are trying to choose a suitable dog breed that you get a dog that can be left alone for long periods of time. Those who work from home need not have this concern, but many dogs simply do not do well being alone all day long. In this case, you want to pick a breed that is easy to leave alone or have a neighbor check in on them one or two times a day.

Summary

There are a number of things that you have to take into consideration when you are trying to decide how to choose a suitable dog breed. Having a dog can be a great addition to your family if you put the right amount of thought into it beforehand.

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Get Creative on Giving

With the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, we are all tripping over ourselves, trying to think of meaningful ways that we can help either the people or pets of the Gulf Coast. If you are still looking for things you can do, here are a few ideas that might get your creative juices flowing.

Think Locally

Often in times of disaster, we tend to focus on how we can help in the big picture, totally missing out on meaningful contributions that we can make on a local level. Case in point, let me tell you about one of my local humane societies, The Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley. After Katrina, this organization opened it’s doors to the pets and families that had been effected. Not only did they prepare to take in abandoned animals, but they volunteered to board, free of charge, pets for any evacuee until families could get back into a situation where they could care for that pet. In conjunction with the University of Tennessee Vet School, they also offered free health checks, vaccinations, and microchips for the pets belonging to anyone who showed up with a drivers license from one of the effected states. Even the Knoxville Zoo stepped forward to house pets that were a little too “exotic” to be cared for at the Humane Society’s facilities (last I heard, that included a hedgehog and a couple of snakes).

Obviously, with a sudden influx in animals, a shelter would need supplies. Soon the cry went out for old towels or anything else that could be used as beds, bowls, toys, leashes, or any of a number of things that most dog owners might have lying around their house.

Does your dog have any toys that it doesn’t play with? Did you just buy a new dog bed, but haven’t thrown away the old, yet? What about those frayed old towels that you were keeping around to wash the car or dust your house with? What about buying two bags of food next time you are out, instead of just one.

Also, keep in mind that local humane societies actually receive very little monetary support from any national organizations. So most of these services are coming right out of that local budget. So don’t feel hesitant about making a donation to a local level shelter, either one near you that is taking in hurricane animals or one in the Gulf States themselves (a web search can probably pull up the names of any number of effected shelters). You can rest assured that your donation or supplies will be greatly appreciated.

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Canine Splenic Cancer: Information and Prognosis

Hemangiosarcoma is a cancerous mass that is fed by the red blood cells of a dog’s spleen. If not removed, the spleen will bleed spontaneously when the cancerous mass bursts, which may result in death from blood loss. Once the spleen is removed, the dog has a chance of surviving from a few weeks to a few months. Chemotherapy treatment may be able to prolong the dog’s life for up to six months.

The Spleen

The spleen is located in a dog’s body just below the stomach and is used to give the body a fresh supply of blood by removing old red blood cells. The body is able to survive without a spleen, however, the spleen is very helpful in renewing the blood supply to the body.

Splenic Tumors in a Dog

The spleen may develop masses or tumors which can be either malignant or benign. In dogs, these masses are typically hemangiosarcomas that grow from the red blood cells of the body. The growth may eventually rupture causing the spleen to bleed which can be life threatening due to the blood loss. If not removed, the spleen will continue to bleed again and again.

If the enlargement of the spleen is due to cancer, it will develop in the blood vessels of the spleen and can quickly spread through the blood to other parts of the body. Over 75% of splenic masses are caused by cancer.

Signs of a Splenic Bleed

Signs of a splenic bleed due to a mass or tumor include a sudden show of weakness and fatigue, the dog feeling cold, and pale gums. Once the spleen stops bleeding, the dog will quickly recover.

Removal of the Spleen

The first step a veterinarian will most likely take is to remove the spleen. If the spleen is not removed, the dog will eventually die from excessive blood loss. It is typically not possible to know whether the tumor is cancerous or not without removal of the spleen. Typically, 25% of dogs with splenic hemangiosarcoma also have a heart hemangiosarcoma.

Chemotherapy for Dogs

Chemotherapy may be given to the dog after the spleen has been removed. Studies have shown that chemotherapy after surgery has improved the survival rate of dogs suffering from splenic cancer.

Chemotherapy may have side effects including vomiting, anorexia, lethargy, fever, and diarrhea. One out of 16 dogs that were studied died from complications of the chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy may be able to extend the life of the dog up to six months after surgery, according to the University of Missouri-Columbia Scott Endowed Program in Veterinary Oncology.

Prognosis for Canine Splenic Cancer

Prognosis for a dog suffering from cancer of the spleen is approximately 19 – 65 days with surgical removal alone. The use of chemotherapy may have the ability to extend that survival time for the dog up to six months.

Despite the removal of the spleen and the tumor, the dog will most likely eventually succumb to cancer.

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MRIs for Dogs with Cancer: Learn How Magnetic Resonance Helps Canines

An early detection of cancer may often translate into a more likely successful treatment plan. Magnetic resonance imaging, commonly abbreviated as MRI, is a non-invasive tool that many veterinarians resort to when seeing dogs with suspected cancers. An MRI uses magnetic energy and radio waves in order to provide detailed cross-sectional or three dimensional pictures of organs and structures. MRI imaging in particular has proven helpful in detecting cancer of the brain or spine in canines.

Advantages of MRI’s in Dogs with Cancer

There are many advantages of using magnetic resonance in dogs suspected of having cancer. As already mentioned, one of the biggest advantages is early detection of cancer if the owners have been prompt enough in seeking veterinary attention. Following are some other advantages of MRIs.

  • • Provides Better Details

The main benefits of MRI images is that these state of the art pictures are much more detailed than X-rays and offer better contrast between different types of soft tissues, therefore helping identify tumors besides soft tissue cancer in dogs without resorting to invasive exploratory surgeries.

  • • Helps Tracking Growth

MRIs are also not limited to solely diagnosing tumors in dogs. Rather, hey are also used to track the growth or reduction is size of tumors so to determine if treatment is being successful or not. This is a very helpful tool for dogs already diagnosed with cancer.

Disadvantages of MRIs in Dogs with Cancer

While MRIs offer many advantages to veterinary medicine there are some disadvantages worth mentioning. Following are some disadvantages and limitations when it comes to using MRIs for dogs with cancer.

  • • Need for Referral

While these state of the art diagnostic tools are growing in popularity nowadays as veterinary medicine advances offering better diagnostic equipment, MRIs still most likely require a referral to a large animal hospital or veterinary university. This often means traveling long distances to reach the closest facility equipped with an MRI machine for dogs and sometimes, with wait times of up to a week.

  • • Detection Limitations

While MRIs are valuable tools to detect cancer, they many not be able to detect small deposits of calcium in tissues, according to Pamela A. Davol, a research scientist in the fields of biochemical oncology These deposits often are significant signs of cancer processes taking place, therefore important potential cancer markers are missed.

  • • Need for Anesthesia

An MRI is done under general anesthesia and takes between 30 to 60 minutes to perform. The use of general anesthesia is necessary because the dog must stay very still and nobody can be in the room to immobilize him.

  • • High Costs

Last but not least, pet owners must consider costs. These costs may be quite high often easily reaching $1000 to $1,500 dollars. Some pet insurance companies may cover part of the costs depending on the type of plan.

Once the dog has had its MRI test, he or she will be put into the recovery room for a couple of hours. Afterward, a board certified veterinary radiologist will rule out or confirm cancer, and will prepare a report for the veterinarian to look over so to determine the best course of action.

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Boxer Dog Breed: The History, Caring of, and Personality of the Boxer

The boxer is a medium-size dog that stands 21 – 25 inches and weighs 50 – 80 pounds. Strong and athletic, the boxer is a very playful breed of dog with good watchdog capabilities. For the most part, a boxer does better as the only dog as it can tend to be aggressive towards other canines. They have a life span of 8 – 10 years.

The History of the Boxer Dog

Boxers were developed in Munich, Germany in the 1800s. Their background can be traced to the Bulldog and Bullenbeisser, (a breed of dog that no longer exists.) Initially used for bullbaiting, (a favored sport in Europe at the time,) the boxer evolved to become popular as a police and guard dog.

The boxer arrived in the United States in the early 1900s, even though it didn’t gain any popularity until the 1940s. It quickly became a renowned show dog and is currently one of the most popular dogs in the United States, ranked in the top ten. It is a member of the working dog group.

How to Take Care of a Boxer Dog

Boxers love to spend time outdoors exercising and playing, although they don’t do well in hot weather. Because they have a short, smooth coat, grooming is minimal with only an occasional brushing being needed to remove any dead fur. Some possible health concerns include rheumatism, cancer, and SAS, (subaortic stenosis, which is a heart condition.) Boxers are known to snore and pass gas.

Personality of a Boxer

The boxer is a social dog within its own family, but, can be very apprehensive when it comes to strangers. It does well with children, although its energetic nature may be a little overwhelming for younger children. The boxer is inquisitive, devoted and affectionate, while having a bit of a stubborn streak.

Quite intelligent, the boxer is a fairly easy breed of dog to train. It can be pushy by nature, so training and socialization should begin at a young age. This agile and good natured dog continues to rise in popularity.

When choosing a boxer, look for a reputable breeder or a boxer rescue group. Sometimes pure bred boxers can even be found at a local animal shelter. A boxer can make a great companion and bring many years of love to a family.

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Beagle: A Lively Dog Companion

mypuppystory.com

Two height categories exist for the beagle in most modern breeding standards, up to 13 inches and 13 to 15 inches. As with many animals and some types of dog in particular, utilising their natural characteristics is rewarding and eases the training challenge. Exercise is vital to both the health and training of a beagle.

Beagle Temperament

The beagle is naturally friendly and co-operative. As well as being lively, it also has considerable stamina. Its hunting origins give some individuals, especially in male beagles, a strongly independent streak, which may need attention during training. The hunting characteristic means some beagles can be aggressive with small pets, seeing them as quarry to be hunted, but in most cases this subsides and if socialized within a family from an early stage, is not a problem.

Training Beagles

Beagles like to play and specific training, other than normal day-to-day interaction, is often best carried out in short sessions, preceded by some exercise. Most beagles welcome routine, so using a regular time-slot for such a session can also prove helpful. By starting young with a pet beagle and using treats sparingly plus a favourite toy or ball to hold their attention rather then expecting this breed to fetch it back, basic training requirements will be successful more quickly.

Achieving an orderly form of walking can be a challenge with a young beagle. This is best addressed by giving leash training some serious attention from as early a stage as possible. If basic training is achieved early, beagles’ natural exuberance lends itself to more advanced forms and some beagles make excellent agility competitors.

Beagle Care

Though generally hardy, beagles can occasionally be more prone than some dogs to particular maladies. The dog’s eyes need keeping clean and under observation for signs of any infection in the lower eyelids. The combination of the beagle’s short coat plus its liking for following scents near bushes, etc., can lead to skin abrasions, which if not attended to, can develop into infections.

As with similar dog breeds with dropped ears, ear problems can develop due to air and light being kept out of the ear, and the warmth is ideal for ear mites. Regular checks after any outdoor activity are advisable and any sign of the dog persistently scratching the area around the ears should be acted upon. Poking around in the beagle’s ear is not advisable. Unless the cause is easily visible so that it can be easily treated, if the problem persists then a trip to the vet is required.

Grooming a pet beagle is much easier than some breeds, given its short coat which does shed but not excessively. It should be brushed regularly with a medium strength of brush. Combs should also be fine but care is required regarding the skin under the short fur. Exercise is the most important aspect of caring for a beagle, with a daily brisk walk being virtually the minimum requirement. If allowed off the leash, their natural liking for following scents means that beagles can be prone to wander so care and training is required. Healthy beagles naturally burn fat quickly when exercising but if under-exercised beagles can tend to obesity, so that a combination of commercial dog food and the appropriate level of exercise provides adequate safeguards.

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Canaan Dog Breed: From Pariah Wild Dog to Israeli Army to America

Canaan dogs are not a well known breed in America. Originating in the Middle East the dogs once used by Bedouins to guard their camps can make great companions.

History

Drs. Rudolph and Rudolphina Menzel first bred Canaan dogs from the Pariah dogs that roamed the wild areas of Palestine. The Israeli army asked the Menzels to breed a dog that could serve many functions.

The same traits that served the Pariah breed in the wild made the Canaan dogs valuable as guards, mine detectors, and as message carriers for the Israeli army.

In Israel they are known as Kelev K’naani.

In September 1965 four Canaan dogs arrived in America. Not a commonly heard of breed they have still captivated many with their appearance and personalities.

Description

  • • Medium size, height 19-24 inches, weight 35-55 pounds
  • • Sturdy build with long legs
  • • Bushy tail that curls tightly when the dog is excited or alert
  • • Head is wedge shaped with broad based ears that have a rounded tip
  • • Eyes are slightly almond shaped and can be dark brown to golden
  • • Life span is 12 – 15 years

The Canaan dog’s coat color can range from solid white, black or brown with some patterned with blocks of black or brown on white according to the Dog Breed Info Center, the Canaan Dog Club of America, and the AKC. These colors are the ones recognized by these organizations but not the only colors these animals come in.

What it is hard to find on-line is photos of the Canaan dog colors not accepted by dog breeding and show organizations. Gray coats or brindled are rejected for some reason. These variations are still beautiful dogs with winning personalities.

Personality and Traits

  • • Intelligent and purposeful
  • • Natural guards and herders
  • • Gentle, devoted and docile to their people or family
  • • Love to play and walk especially in the early morning or late afternoon
  • • Love to sleep the day away
  • • Very alert to sounds and sights
  • • Protective of territory and pack (even human pack)

The Canaan dog’s natural tendencies make it vital to socialize them from puppies and continue it throughout their lives. Strangers are viewed with suspicion until they become friends. Dogs of the same sex may be seen as potential rivals. The humans around them must be seen as dominant for Canaan dogs to be properly socialized.

  • • Very clean and without a doggy smell
  • • Healthy, Canaans have low incidents of hip dysplasia
  • • Easily housebroken and kennel trained (cover the kennel with a blanket to make it more “den like”

Living with a Canaan dog can be as entertaining as trying; it is up to the humans in their pack. The human must make the rules and enforce with calm assertiveness and the Canaan will respond positively.

Watching a Canaan run with grace and speed shows how good they can be at agility contests if trained. Seeing the mischievous light in their eyes when they discover a new toy is a joy.

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The Advantages of Mixed Breeds in Avoiding Genetic Diseases

mypuppystory.com

The many dog breeds we see today have been developed through selective breeding programs. In order to develop dogs suitable for specific purposes, breeders found it necessary to breed for certain characteristics and these sometimes included deformities, defects, and mutations.

Genetic Disease in Purebred Dogs

Examples of these include the Dachshund and the Basset Hound with their long spinal columns and short legs, the Bulldogs, Boxers, and Pugs with their pushed in faces, and the German Shepherd with its low-slung hips.

Spinal Problems of the Dachshund

The German word, “dachshund” means badger dog. These chondrodystrophic weenie dogs were originally bred for their ability to easily crawl into badger holes. But today, according to veterinarian Patricia Luttgen of Denver, Colorado, about one in four Dachshunds develops some form of painful and/or paralyzing disc disease in its lifetime, due to its inherited skeletal disorder.

Brachycephalic Breeds

Bulldogs were originally bred for the purpose of latching on to the nose of a wayward bull. The wide pushed-in face that was an advantage for this job has resulted in many problems for brachycephalic breeds. The short muzzle does not afford enough room for all the tissues which pushes the soft palette into the back of the throat, resulting in snoring and snorting sounds. This can develop into serious breathing difficulties, higher risk of heat stroke due to inability to pant sufficiently and dissipate heat, greater anesthesia risk, and other problems.

The head of the Bulldog breed has also increased in size over time and most Bulldogs must now be delivered by Cesarean section.

That cute bug-eyed look of the brachycephalic Pug is due to shallow eye sockets and the slightest pressure can cause an eyeball to pop out, requiring surgical replacement. Many brachycephalic breeds such as the Pekingese eventually lose one or both eyes.

German Shepherds Hip Dysplasia, Golden Retrievers Cancer

German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers are often plagued with hip dysplasia and other painful skeletal diseases that can be traced to genetics. According to landofpuregold.com, a recent study indicates that 63% of Golden Retrievers die of cancer.

Syringomyelia in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

Veterinary Neurologist, Dr. Claire Rusbridge, claims that as many as half of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels suffer from heart murmurs and Syringomyelia, a painful condition which occurs as a result of the skull being too small to accommodate the brain.

Hairless Breeds and Dental Problems

According to swissinfo.com, hairless dogs can trace their ancestry back to just one hairless dog more than 3000 years ago. In hairless breeds such as the Chinese Crested, the gene responsible for its hairlessness is also responsible for its defective teeth.

Pedigree Dogs Inherit Diseases

Today, purebred dogs are bred with others of the same breed to meet certain breed standards set by kennel clubs and breed clubs. This practice, long term, can shrink the gene pool and sometimes dogs of the same lineage are inbred to magnify certain traits, thus perpetuating genetic disease in many breeds.

the results of an RSPCA scientific report concluded that society has come to accept these “anatomically deformed dogs” but that “exaggerated physical features and inherited diseases cause serious welfare problems in pedigree dogs.”

Advantages of Purebred Dogs

Controversy has arisen over dogs being bred for extreme deformities resulting in pain and suffering but purebred dog advocates argue that the pedigreed dog is predictable and the dog owner who buys a purebred knows what he is getting concerning size, type of coat, temperament, etc. Although variances do occur among purebreds, these pedigreed dogs provide the option of choosing a dog to suit the owner’s lifestyle and interests. Purebred dogs, as well as mixed breeds, can also make wonderful pets.

Mixed Breed Hybrid Vigor

According to The Doctor’s Scoop page at lovingtonveterinaryclinic.com of Lovington, New Mexico, “Almost every purebred has a higher risk for a certain illness, deformity, immune condition, or cancer. A purebred is born by repetitively breeding for certain desired deformities such as a pug nose, short legs, a deep chest, etc.”

The Doctor’s Scoop goes on to say that the mutt’s genetic mix is “new and less likely to pass on breed-related illness” and “that mixed breed is probably going to have a much healthier existence and fewer veterinary costs over its lifespan.”