Archive for September, 2009
Teeny, Tiny Dogs
Yesterday I took my dog to a local pet store to have his toe nails trimmed which I do about every three weeks and as I was walking in the store, I just happened to turn around and there was this young lady carrying this white fluff, and I mean fluff. At first I thought she was carrying a 
stuffed animal, but then realized it was actually a puppy. Oh my gosh! What a precious package. I ‘m not sure what breed she told me, but I think she said it was a Maltese. The puppy was only eight weeks old and would probably not get any larger than 6 pounds. This age would be an excellent time to purchase pet insurance. The insurance would take care of some of the cost of veterinarian bills and would cover them for the rest of the pet’s life. Oh my gosh again! If I had a puppy like this one, I’m afraid that I would never put it down because I would be scared to death someone would step on it.
Very small dogs are usually called miniature or toy dogs, but I’ve heard that this size puppy is 
referred as a teacup size, and that’s no joke. This little thing would probably have a lot of room to move around in a teacup, and that’s no joke either. When deciding to purchase a tiny dog, be sure and do a little research in choosing what would be best for you and your family. Smaller breeds like this are great companions, are not big eaters, live comfortably in apartments or small homes, and are easy to exercise. These little things have great personalities and will love you …. Be Happy!
Does Your Dog Have Arthritis & Hip Dysplasia, Mine Does? – Part 3
I read somewhere that puppies can be ex-rayed or somehow checked to determine if there may be a medical problem that could possibly cause these afflictions later on in life. I have also heard that individuals selling their puppies guarantee them to be free of this problems. I don’t 
understand how that statement can be made if ex-rays were never made on the puppies in the first place. There should be documentation on this for the buyers records. The genetic bloodline can be researched by a veterinarian in the particular breed of the puppy in the diagnosis of possible concerns.
The exercise my dogs gets going up and down stairs is good for him, but 
I do know that swimming in a pool with his dog life jacket on, the movement in the water would relieve some of the pain in his joints besides having fun. He’s determined and that’s wonderful, but the arthritics and hip dysplasia are becoming a problem for him. I know there are dog vehicle safety ramps available that can be used for stairs as well as swimming pools, so later on that may be the solution. So in the meantime we continue our love and championship together and enjoy each others company. Be Happy!
Does Your Dog Have Arthritis & Hip Dysplasia, Mine Does? – Part 2
Hip dysplasia is commonly referred to as genetic, usually seen in larger dogs, particularly in purebred dogs and will gradually become evident as they age. It can affect one or both hip joints and become very painful as time goes on. Surgery can be performed, but personally I can’t accept my boy going through that being 13 years old, so he takes his pills, which seem to help. I had a German Shepherd long time ago but never noticed a problem or even acted like he was having one, but this problem usually affects this breed. I had to give him up because of moving out of state with family and all, so perhaps his new owner had to deal with this terrible situation. I never heard what happened to him, and probably best that I didn’t know.
My boy (the chocolate lab) follows me around the house, upstairs or down, and rests until I move to another location. Getting up and down is hard for him, I’m sure, but he wants to be with me wherever I go. He just started this several months ago and I’m worried why he is requiring this type of companionship. Going downstairs is really 
hard for him and he has to put his front feet on the first step going down first, then hesitates before he gets just the right momentum to follow through. There are dog safety harnesses available and just might be another answer along with the ramp in helping him get around better. I hold on to his collar and he will wait for me to take a step or two down the stairs, then I think (that’s a big word) he feels safe in continuing his descent to the bottom. What a boy he is, refusing to give up his doghood. (See Part 3 for more info) Be Happy!
Does Your Dog Have Arthritis & Hip Dysplasia, Mine Does? – Part 1
My boy (the 13 year old chocolate lab, sorry this picture isn’t him, he’s pictured on my website) takes his pills every day with great enthusiasm. They are for his hips and arthritis, and all you have to do is ask him, “are you ready for your pills.” I guess they taste like a roast beef sandwich because he’s crazy about them. No matter where he is, upstairs or down, or what he’s doing, he’s there waiting for me to open the pill container. I keep them on the dresser in our bedroom, and that’s where he waits. Then comes his thyroid pill, that’s a stroll into the kitchen. He’s not so willing to swallow that pill, I suppose they taste nasty, so he patiently waits for me to wrap a piece of baloney or a piece of turkey around the pill because he won’t swallow it otherwise. Oops, down before he knows it! Ask your local vet is they accept pet insurance on medications. Some will, depending on the severity of the illness, but they will accept insurance on other serious conditions.
Next comes his massage! He waits until I’m sitting on the sofa every night (this is either before playing or after he’s rested) and comes up to me, turns around with his back facing me and waits for his massage. I rub around his neck, over his shoulders, and on top of his head 
which is his smart bump. He just sits there with his head held up high as if to say, “oh thanks Mom, that feels so good.”I try to massage his hind legs some, but with him sitting down, won’t allow that. Maybe it’s just as well because it might hurt him, but he’s satisfied for the moment. Would you say he is spoiled? No, I don’t think so, because he’s earned all of this attention and affection. After all, he is 91 dog years old. I hope I’m spoiled when I’m that old! (See Part 2 for more info) Be Happy!
Does Your Dog Have Arthritis & Hip Dysplasia, Mine Does?
I have a chocolate lab that just turned 13 years old and we lived in cold weather back East. He’s a Yankee dog! When he was a puppy, I should have thought about pet insurance for him, but you know 
what? I hadn’t even heard of such a thing back then. He has been healthy for most of those years, but then began having hip problems and then a few years back, had a stroke which affected his spinal cord instead of his brain. According to the vet, it was a good thing that the stroke didn’t affect his brain, but problems will be evident in years to come. Arthritis has finally set in and I’m sure hip dysplasia is really his worst problem in getting around. Having a stroke didn’t help him either, and he sleeps a lot as well, but when night time comes around he wants to play.
I throw his toy and he bounces over and picks it up, brings it back to me sometime, other times he teases and wants me to chase him. Mind you, we only do this exercise in the house, so there’s not a lot of physical activity he needs to do to chase his toy, but he looks forward to 
it every night. He knows and I know when he gets fatigued, he will go and lie down and rest. Then all of the sudden he’s ready to play once again. We don’t play too long or too hard because I’m afraid he may hurt himself in running back and forth. His right foot has arthritis badly and the toe nails on that foot are deformed and hard to trim. I have a pet store trim them about every three weeks to relieve any discomfort he may have. (See Part 1 for more info) Be happy!
Is It Possible To Discipline A Cat?
Is it possible to discipline a cat? Does anyone out there in the cat world know if in fact it is possible? I’m no expert on this subject by all means and not a cat owner at the present time, so training a cat to behave and react to commands is a little over my head. I’ve seen a cat follow their pet parent along while walking their dog on a leash, but this cat 
didn’t have a leash, amazing! If you correct a cat by saying “no” like dogs and us humans understand, then there might be a chance of them listening. I can just image having one of those beautiful cats with fluffy white hair and baby blue eyes staring up at you when you are saying “no.” I wouldn’t be able to control myself from smiling and saying, “oh, never mind, I know you’re beautiful and smart,” but of course I know that’s not the right attitude to have.
As with anything, we all try to accomplish behavior and discipline with the understanding of what the outcome will be, but pets don’t understand discipline in the same way. Patience, fortitude, perseverance and lots of love and knowledge would certainly be to the pet parents’ advantage in an effort to discipline their cat. Scratching furniture, not using their litter box, tearing up the toilet paper is not acceptable in a cat household. In whatever way you decide 
what training and discipline you will use, be very careful in leaving items that could have a potential and unpleasant outcome requiring an emergency. Taking a pet to an emergency pet hospital or even just to the vets can be costly. Unfortunately the cost of treatment has become unaffordable to a lot of pet families. Consider comparing and purchasing pet insurance to alleviate stress in those costs and have a piece of mind keeping your pet healthy. Be Happy!
Crate Training Your Dog – Part 1
Dogs need to know where their own personal space is, what is it, and where is it? Place the newly purchased crate in an area where you feel would be most favorable to you and your 
pet. There are some really neat pet crates available to go along with your decor. It is so much easier to train your pet before they train you in decisions of what’s theirs and what’s not. Training with short commands work very well, and after a while the command “kennel” or “home” or whatever single command you may prefer, will become associated with their personal domain. Again, remember to purchase a crate large enough to allow your dog to move around in, and research if pads are included when purchasing.
Separation anxiety can occur with your dog if they associate being in their crate only at the time their pet parent is away. Take time when showing your dog where you want them to stay. Set a treat in front of the entrance, then maybe later, set their food dish there. Train your dog to go in and out by themselves even when you are 
at home, cleaning, reading, watching TV or just wanting to be alone. After this first session of in and out of their crate, then you can begin to close the door for a period of time. At first the dog will not want to stay inside and if left for a while they will probably fuss. Do this a little at a time. Gradually they will get the hang of what this is all about, then you can leave them for longer periods of time. After the initial training is all over with, your dog may choose to sleep at night in their own special space, even with the door open. All of this takes time and patience. Be Happy!
Crate Training Your Dog
Patience and positive reinforcement is necessary for a pet parent to begin crate training. The crate can become a wonderful area for your dog to sleep, rest, or just watch their surroundings 
and feel right at home, because that is what a crate can be for a dog, their home. A dog’s crate can relieve any worry for the pet parent if leaving their home for any period of time. Training should start by showing your dog what it is and what it is for. Set their food bowl in front of the crate and let them approach it by themselves. Never push your dog into their dog crate, they need to understand that going into the crate is not a punishment, but a comfortable place for them to be when their pet parent is at home or away.
Allow them to feel at ease knowing that you are close and they can use their crate anytime, not just when they are alone. Eventually you will be able 
to set their food close to the opening and leave them alone. Once they are accustomed in doing this, you will be able to feed your dog in their crate and close the door when necessary. Dog crates come in different sizes, shapes, and are much like a kennel. Just make sure you purchase the correct size. (See Part 1 for more info) Be Happy!
Why Do Dogs Dig Holes? – Part 1
Digging a hole was the most practical way of saving their stash for another meal and hiding it from other animals to steal. There were times the food was devoured before the dog could returned to claim what was theirs. Food did not usually last much longer than about a week or less before going bad. Digging holes was also a comfort level in keeping themselves cool in the hot summer months, or warm in the cold winter days. Pack of dogs running wild had no chance to survive and serious illness took their lives. Unfortunately there were no pet parents during the prehistoric days that could have saved them as they do now, for it is in today’s society, financial security is being tested, so to consider pet insurance for treating any illness by a veterinary in maintaining their health, is a wise decision.
There are packs of wild dogs still out there where food is not readily available and continue to hunt for their survival. This is not the case in the domestic dogs of today. Most dogs are kept 
inside a home with a family that loves and cares for them. Selective foods are given to them that would not require protecting from another animal or their dog friend within the same household. Training the domestic dog not to steal from one another is a must. Commercial dog bones are mostly allowed in the home, so digging would not become an option unless they were given a chance, then boy watch out, don’t step in any of their holes. Be Happy!
Why Do Dogs Dig Holes?
Dogs digging holes are a trait that was begun thousands of generations ago by their ancestors mainly to protect their food. Dogs were part of a pack that hunted for food and when they 
finished eating and had left overs for their next meal, they would dig a hole to protect the remains from being eaten by other animals.
Dogs have become domesticated as years went by and no longer need to hunt for food. This started a love and friendship between an animal and humans that cannot be explained. Having a pet parent was a new experience and being part of a family created a companionship in relating to each others needs. Leaving them alone in a fenced yard with no play toys can lead to loneliness and boredom, so they dug holes because it created a feeling of happiness and contentment. Dogs can misbehave in order to get attention from their pet parent and get into 
all kind of mischief. A dog kennel would be a solution to avoid unpleasant situations such as this. (See Part 1 for more info) Be Happy!