Pets need seat belts too, expert says
KSAT San Antonio
According to Bark Buckle Up, a pet safety advocacy organization, pet travel has increased 300 percent since 2005, while the use of pet restraints is about 2 percent, so it is crucial to spread the word about the importance of restraining pets when …

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Constipation in a dog can make your little friend really miserable. Of course, every dog (and human as well, come to think of it) does suffer from constipation once in a while; these episodes come and go without any need for special care. With chronic dog constipation though, your dog is always sitting around hoping for a chance to relieve itself – your dog feels bloated, it doesn’t feel like eating, and pretty soon, you do need to be take him in for some serious treatment. You can prevent that from happening if you keep a close eye on your dog’s habits. Certainly, you know how often your dog goes outside usually, to take a bathroom break. If you seem to suddenly notice that your dog hasn’t been taking those breaks as often, it’s time to look into the matter.

To begin with, try giving your dog a little more exercise. Take him walking more often, and given enough opportunities to relieve himself. A dog needs its least an hour and a half walking outside to stay healthy. Make sure when you go outside, that he doesn’t eat anything inevitable. Dogs like to do that sometimes, and that can lead to problems. Give your dog a chew toy to help them deal with his need to bite on things. You can also help your dog with a constipation problem by changing his diet – giving him more water and more healthy food. Add a bit of psyllium husk or bran to your dog’s food to help ease the problem. A lot of water and vegetables in a dog’s snacks can help too.

But there are a number of natural remedies their might help with a dog constipation situation. Getting your dog liver supplements, yellow dock, dandelion root and milk thistle are great for your dog’s liver. Giving your dog marshmallow root can be a great idea for constipation too. Marshmallow root lubricates a dog’s intestines. Gentle, natural laxatives can be a great help too. Try herbal formulas like Only Natural Pet’s GasBGone and Laxa-Herb formulas. These make it easy for you to bring all kinds of herbal stuff to your dog’s diet that you would normally be hard pressed to find on the market and turn it to something edible even if you did.

It isn’t hard to help a dog with a constipation problem. You only need to pay attention to catching the problem before it has had the time to really settle in.

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Plainfield fire officials make pet rescue a priority
Joliet Herald News
Submitted photo Pet safety is a priority for Cheryl M. Hansen, whether she's stocking pet oxygen masks, learning animal cardiopulmonary resuscitation though the American Red Cross or fostering rescue dogs with her husband, Mark. “On a fire scene, …

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“pet safety” – Google News

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When your dog is getting on a little bit and doesn’t move as effortlessly as it used to, there is something you can do – there exists dog arthritis treatment that can help your old friend escape all the stiffness and pain. Veterinary science has advanced quite a bit over the last few years; arthritis medicine can now help your devoted friend live a productive life (productive to a dog being all about jumping after a Frisbee, of course).

How do you know that your dog is even having trouble that you might summon dog arthritis treatment for it? You could suspect it when it don’t doesn’t seem as eager to get up to run and play as it once was. It’s all a sign that there is suffering there each time a creaky joint moves. You don’t need to actually wait for an evident complaint to know that any of this is happening. A mere unwillingness to get moving needs to be all it takes.

The thing is, a dog doesn’t need to be really old to have its joints begin to get a little rusty – any more that humans have to be really old to get arthritis. There are certain breeds of dog – large breeds for instance, just get arthritic as a part of something that goes with their species. The heavier a dog is for instance, the more wear and tear its joints are going to have to put up with. And it begins to get on from there – the more worn and painful a dog’s joints get, the more trouble it’s going to have moving about. That is only going to make it heavier, and wear its joints out even more. Any time that your dog particularly slow to stand up after having been lying down for a while, any time it seems to hesitate before complying with a command to sit, or any time it seems to try to favor one side when it walks, you can be pretty sure that you need to start thinking about dog arthritis treatment.

Of course, it could be a terrible idea to start your dog out on human medication courses. They can actually be toxic to a dog. About the most that a dog can tolerate it is acetaminophen, ibuprofen and baby aspirin. But you had better be sure that you’re very careful how much you give your dog. Be careful to work in close consultation with your vet. Take your dog in to the vet’s to have him checked out properly. For a particularly stubborn arthritic condition, the vet may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs that are nonsteroidal.

An arthritic condition in dogs usually comes with advice for dietary restrictions to help your dog cut down on its weight. You’ll probably have to switch to better dog food that’s meant for dogs with weight problems. You also have do something about all the treats that your dog has gotten used to. About the best dog specific arthritic treatment there is goes by the name of Rimadyl. Dogs like the chewable version of the drug, and it could actually be seen as a treat if you dog takes to it. As soon as the dog gets on it, you can expect nearly instant results. Your dog will be back to its old self, and your household can go back to being a happy home for the dog again.

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Dogs are very much a pack animal, every pack has a leader, your puppy has to learn that you are the “leader.”

Command “Sit”

Teaching your dog to sit is very useful in many ways. Before you feed your puppy/dog he should be sitting; if you have guests he needs to be sitting, not everyone is a dog lover and some are nervous of dogs, so if he is sitting he will not be jumping on them.

Teach your puppy to sit-

You will need, some treats, small ones so the puppy can swallow them quickly.

Stand facing your puppy, as he is small bend down a little so the puppy will not jump up, holding the treat in your hand move it in front of your puppies nose and back towards the top of his head and say his name and “sit” when he lifts his head up his bottom should go down as soon as he sits praise him verbally with good boy “puppies name” “sit” and give him a treat.

At first you may need to give a little encouragement, with your left hand while doing the command, gently move down his back to push his bottom to sitting position.

Be Patient – it may take several times for your puppy to understand this command, as soon as you think he has learnt the command sit, try it without a treat, if he does sit praise him, if he does not sit continue with the treat again, always remember to praise your puppy when he doing good.

Once he understands the command sit, you should try other positions, teach him to sit by your side when your dog is on a leash while out walking,teach your dog to sit at a roadside.

Note: Only ever say the command “sit” once,if he does not sit, repeat the whole process again.

Treat – nose – head – sit – praise if sitting.

If you repeat the word sit, he will only learn that he can sit when he wants and not on command.

Be patient – Never SHOUT at your puppy, use a happy tone and lots of praise.

Command “Come”

This is a very important command, when out in a park, you may need to call your dog and you will want him to come quickly,

The ideal time to teach the command “come” is straight away, calling your dog should be a fun experience for your puppy, always start the command with your puppies name and them the command “Come” and then reward him with lots of verbal praise,cuddles and treats.

Note: with any command you teach your dog, so as not to confuse him keep to the chosen command word, you will also need to repeat this exercise over quite a few days until your puppy understands, as with any command you teach your puppy, it will take time so be patient.

Puppies Name -come – praise.

If you change the command word, the puppy will only get confused.

With this command you should make it fun and always reward your dog with treats or/and lots of praise, he must learn to stop what he doing and come immediately, this is the most important command you can teach your puppy, if you make it fun and rewarding, he will come, because he knows something good is going to happen.

Where to teach your puppy safely to learn the command “come”.

There are two ways to teach this command, I would first start in a safe area such as your house or garden.

As a puppy they will generally be following you around, for instance if you are in your garden putting out your washing your puppy will not be far away from you, as your puppy gets brave and starts to move away from you, with a happy tone call your puppies name and say “come” once he bounces over to you praise him and give him a treat, always have small treats handy in a pocket.

Once you have praised your puppy carry on putting out your washing or whatever you were doing, give it a few minutes and repeat the command

Name -come – praise

After a few times your puppy will understand the command and be only to happy to please you and to know what a fuss he will receive when he comes.

Teaching your puppy to come outside and away from your home.

Find a safe area to go to such as a large park secured by fences and away from roads, take a friend with you to help if you prefer.

Standing in line with your friend, but just a short distance away, hold your puppy facing your friend, your friend will call the name of your puppy and the command “come” let your puppy go and he will run to your friend who will spoil him with praise,cuddles and treats. Then your friend will turn the puppy round to face you and you will call the puppies name and the command “come” he needs this to be fun and rewarding so spoil him with lots of praise,cuddles and treats.

Do this a few times more, and go for a gentle stroll for about 10 minutes and then repeat the command with the help of your friend.

Remember to always use a happy tone to make it fun for your puppy, if you use an unhappy tone you may scare your puppy and he will not come.

Please Note:

Always use the same command word(s).
Always use a happy tone.
Always praise your puppy/dog when he does good.
Hungry puppies and dogs pay more attention when being trained.
Keep training to 5 to 10 minutes a few times aday
Never get angry if its not working, leave and try again later
After training have a good play with your puppy/dog

You could also try this training tactic, which is something I have done with all my dogs.

Start this tactic as soon as your puppy is allowed out

Take your puppy to a secure park, lots of fences and no roads.

A puppy sees you as his mother (leader of the pack) and will only want to please you, they are also nervous of new surroundings.

Take your puppy to a secure park, have lots of small treats to hand, once you are ready, bend down and take the lead off your puppy or you could just let the leash go, first give your puppy a cuddle and some happy toned words and a treat, then stand up and start walking slowly, your puppy should follow, every few minutes say his name “come” bend down and give lots of praise, stand up and start walking, and keep repeating do this for about 15 minutes, on the last time you do it say the command

name – come – sit put their lead on and give him lots of praise. try to do this everyday.

As your puppy learns this command start to leave longer gaps between calling your puppy to come, when he starts to get braver and wanders off just a little further do the call command.

While you are out walking, you may come across other people, children, cyclists and other dogs, be alert and ready to give the command to come before they get brave enough to investigate more, gradually allow your dog to go up to children, adults and also dogs.

I suggest small dogs first, if you see a big dog check out the owners ability to control their dog first, if in doubt call your puppy and walk in a different direction until you are more confident that your puppy will respond instantly to the come command.

Once your puppy has learnt the “come” command the more enjoyable the walks will become for you and your dog.

What if your puppy is a brave one and runs away?

You could bend down and start calling your dog, don’t panic keep the tone of your voice friendly, hopefully he will turn round and come back to see whats wrong, if he does return give him lots of praise.

I prefer to just call their name and walk in the opposite direction, usually they will turn around and run to you,

Please only do this with your own dog.

If your puppy does not return and you have to go and get him, walk slowly towards him, once close to him bend down and use a gentle tone to call him, once you have him, DO NOT PUNISH HIM, because he will not trust you and will not come to you again

Teach your puppy to Stay.

Start teaching your puppy to stay while he is in the sitting position, eventually you can teach him to stay when he is laying down

What does stay mean? Stay means DO NOT MOVE. Your dog will not move when he understand what stay means.

First tell your dog to sit with the commands name – sit, when he is sitting comfortably, stand in front of him and hold the palm of your hand in front of his face and say “stay”. Using the your right foot take one to two steps backwards repeat “stay” using the hand motion at the same time

Now return to your dog and praise,treat and give a cuddle.

Repeat the stay exercise, only this time before you take any steps turn first and move away a couple of steps and return to your dog and give praise -treat- cuddle if stayed.

When you finish this exercise, get your dog to move and praise him.

Do this exercise several times everyday, as your dog progresses increase the distance, only by a few more steps also increase the staying time.

Only treat your puppy when he stays, do not give him a treat if he moves, when you give him the treat say – name – stay.

Once your puppy gets to grips with the stay command, you could command him to lay down with – down – stay. just follow the same steps above replacing the “sit” with “down”.

Please note with any training commands it will take time so please be patient with your puppy, always stay calm NEVER ever shout at your puppy all you will achieve is one nervous puppy.

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Just like human kids, dogs also get anxious when their master leaves them alone at home. This is a common problem and known as dog separation anxiety, which can also be annoying at times. One must overcome this problem at early years of dog’s age or it can lead to unwanted behavior like creating a mess, excessive barking when you are not at home and even destruction of household items.

What causes dog separation anxiety?
If you are a dog owner, you must understand that dogs are pack animals and love to live in groups. Even if they have no litter, they love the company of their master and its family members. They make a quick bonding with their master and develop immense attachment. So, whenever you leave the home, they get anxious and start behaving anxiously.

The main reason behind dog separation anxiety is behavior of the master himself. If you will give him too much attention before leaving somewhere, obviously it will leave your dog anxious when alone.

How to control dog separation anxiety?
This problem can be solved with very simple pet dog training. Take a look at following simple methods to help you with the problem of dog separation anxiety.

Variable schedule: The very first step of pet dog training to overcome anxiety is the change your routine and making it variable for a few days. Dogs learn things quickly, especially the time when you leave from home. So if you see that your dog starts behaving differently at your breakfast alarm, change your habit. Get ready at different times; vary your dressing up and breakfast time, etc, at least for 15 days in a row. Believe me; this is greatly helpful in reducing pre-leaving anxiety.

Ignore: Do not pamper or give attention to your dog for at least 15 minutes before leaving or after coming home. This is again an easy method of reducing dog separation anxiety as it helps in reducing association with coming and going time. You can also practice crate training for these times.

Gradually build up time: If your dog is too much anxious about separation from you and starts making noises the same second you leave, you should handle him in a different manner. Start by leaving from home for a few seconds and then come back. Gradually stretch it to several minutes and finally several hours. This will change the expectations of your pet and he will understand that for how long you will be gone and return.

Dog separation anxiety is neither good for you or for your dog. You must understand that by giving training to overcome anxiety, you are not getting cruel to your dog. In fact, you are helping him to relax and get rid of anxiety problems.

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Tucson: Wag your tail at McKale – dog event
Tucson Citizen
The Humane Society of Southern Arizona will be on site with pets for adoption and information on pet safety. Enter your dogs in the Most Spirited costume contest and participate in the halftime dog parade. Sanitation stations will be set up.

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What is heartworm? Heartworm is a parasite that is transmitted from one animal to another; mosquitoes are the main carriers of heartworms. These parasites can grow up to 30 centimeter long; they’re capable of multiplying themselves in a short period of time. These parasites can live inside your pet’s lungs and heart.

What is heartworm disease? When your dog or puppy is bitten by a mosquito that carries the so-called microscopic heartworm-larvae, there’s a great possibility that your pet will suffer from “heartworm disease”.

A heartworm larvae enters through the skin and usually settles down on the right side of the heart. Once these parasites reached its maturity, your pet might experience fatal or severe heartworm diseases like lung and heart failure.

Although heartworm disease is easy to prevent, it’s still a major problem in many places across the globe.

How would you know if your pet has a Heartworm disease? The severity of a disease is based on three things: the period of the infection, the dog’s response and the quantity of worms inside your pet’s body. In most cases, pets that are suffering from heartworms may not experience any unusual symptoms in the first stage of the disease.

Now, if your pet is experiencing shortness of breath, lethargy and cough, then most probably, your pet is already suffering from a heartworm infection. These parasites cause convulsions, diarrhea, vomiting, bulging chests and swollen abdomens. If left untreated, your pet might die.

Heartworm treatment for dogs Most probably, your pet’s veterinarian will prescribe insecticides to terminate the adult heartworms as well as all the larvae.

If the heartworm infection of your pet is already severe, possible complications may arise so it’s very important to follow the treatment instructions of your veterinarian.

Alternative heartworm treatment Although the use of insecticides can kill or eradicate larvae heartworms; using this kind of treatment isn’t safe for your pet since it’s still a toxic

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