TIPS FOR THE FAMILY DOG

Use this tip if your dog is sprayed by a skunk.

“Choke” collars can hang on an object and choke a dog that is not being observed.  Chokes should NOT be loose fitting and should be removed when dog is unattended.

“Choke” or “martingale” show collars are excellent control and training devices but are unsafe and not intended for everyday wear.

Combination “safe choke” collars can serve as everyday-wear.  If properly adjusted, they cannot strangle but do tighten just enough so that the dog can’t slip out of his collar.

Dogs should be exercised when the stomach is relatively empty.  Carnivores chase their prey (exercise), then eat, then sleep while digesting the meal.

Dogs need daily exercise that allows them to run or trot or chase a ball so that their elimination systems are stimulated.  Constipation can be a chronic canine condition.

The dog’s digestive system needs less “roughage” than that of an omnivore (meat and vegetable eater) but needs exercise in order to function properly.

Dogs usually welcome (or learn to love) fresh or dried fruits.  When you are eating, offer him a small bite of your apple, green grapes, even a banana!

Carrots are good for your dog and are usually welcomed.  All dogs love cooked carrots.    Puppies can be given a chilled raw carrot as a healthy teething toy.

Save throw-away trimmed parts of FRESH carrots, green beans or peas, broccoli, tomato, celery, apples, etc.  Chop finely, toss in the food raw or in your weekly “dog stew” pot.

Make a big pot of dog stew with left over veggies, rice, chicken, etc.  Divide into daily portions and freeze.  Thaw and mix with dry food for a tasty nutritious complete meal.

Double the benefit!  If you consciously think of healthier, more natural ways to feed your dog, you may find yourself eating less packaged and prepared foods.

Some dogs shiver out of excitement or nervousness rather than from being cold.  Learn to tell the difference.

If people understood dog-language as easily as dogs understand people-language, can you imagine the wonderful things we might learn?

All companion dogs are multi-lingual.  They understand “Good Boy” and “baaaad dog” in every language!

A famous baseball player’s German Shepherd was credited with a vocabulary of over 200 words.  Talk to your dog, you’ll be amazed at how many words he already knows.

Do you know as many dog-sounds as he knows people-sounds such as “go, car, supper, cat, outside, keys, or bed”?

Can you identify the sounds your dog makes when he is happy, bored, sad, or distressed?  He knows the sound of the refrigerator, doorbell or YOUR car.

Is "D-O-G" really G-O-D spelled backwards?  Is it because of the dog's limitless love, ready forgiveness, and endless acceptance of man's shortcomings?

Do not let your dog jump down from the grooming table, particularly in close quarters.  The force of landing steeply on his forequarters can cause injury to cervical disks.

It is a medical fact that  Pet Ownership lowers blood pressure, provides mental and physical stimulation, and improves human health overall.

Taking your dog for a brisk walk twice a day is as good for you as it is for him.  A power walk is even better so make it an achievable goal.

Large dogs and those with short noses suffer more from high temperatures than from cold.  The dog's body temperatures is 3 degrees higher than ours.

If your flat-faced breed gets overheated and struggles for breath, wipe the phlegm from his mouth and nasal passages, soak him with cold water, and rush him to the vet.

If your dog's tummy looks really "bloated" and he is showing signs of distress, he may have gastric torsion which can be fatal within the hour.  Get him to the vet immediately.

Check your dog's ears, eyes, and mouth weekly to detect grass seeds, ear mites, ticks, or other harmful but easily overlooked foreign objects.

Small, short coated dogs can become easily chilled as they have a different metabolism than large breeds.  A little sweater for outside winter walks will keep him happy.

Dogs require large amounts of water in hot weather.  Provide more than one source of of fresh water.  If he can reach the toilet bowl, be sure there are no deodorizers or cleaners in the toilet.

If your dog tends to tear a lot, have his eyes checked, keep them clean, and use a tear-stain remover under the eyes.

Drop-eared dogs are prone to ear infections.  Be sure to check the ears regularly and keep them clean, dry, and free of wax build-up.

Your puppy's neck will grow.  The collar will not.  Hundreds of dogs are lost yearly from skin infections and strangulation due to owner neglect.

If your dog is inside on carpet, his nails are probably too long and will cause his toes to become deformed and arthritic.  There are special tools to cut or file his nails.

Never let your dog dart through an outside door ahead of you.  He should always show deference to the pack leader and that is you.  Even small dogs understand rank.

Dogs do learn from each other and that can be a good or a bad thing  depending on the dominant dog's level of obedience.  Pay attention to the interaction between them.

A clever owner will help the older or more dominant dog "teach" the new dog how to fit into the family in mannerly, acceptable ways.

Do not ever leave a young child alone with a dog, large or small.  He can innocently hurt the small dog or conversely, the child can be innocently injured by the large dog.

 Do not ever let a dog growl or snap at a family member even if the person is teasing the dog.  Make the person and the dog stop their stupid behavior!

Puppies HATE it when they piddle and the puddle wets their feet!  Now you know why they use your carpet.  Provide a litter tray, absorbent pee-pee papers (not newspaper) or  grid mats that let urine through to paper underneath.

Keep your new puppy in a crate or on a leash attached to YOU so he can't piddle when you aren't looking.  He will be house trained in no time.

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