Posted by Isabella Vreeken @ 8:00 am on September 27th 2006

Housetraining Tips.

House Training Dogs - 3 Top Tips

Tip! Great for those with allergies – Unlike some purebred dogs, designer dogs are often bred to reduce the amount of allergens they produce by not having an undercoat.

Does your dog or puppy have the occasional “accident”? Do they ignore you when you call on them? Is your frustration with house training dogs reaching an all-time high? If so, you need help. This article sets out to guide you in the right direction to being the master that your dog will listen to and instantly obey.

Healthy Food For Dogs: Homemade Recipes. Know how to feed your dog to quickly get Astonishing results.

1. Young dogs, especially puppies, need to go often every day. It’s no use getting upset when there’s a puddle on the floor, or worse. You need to watch him and know the signs. If he suddenly gets up from lying and stands with his nose to the floor, grab the dog and take him outside quickly. Never use punishment in training. It simply does not work. Praise him when he does his toilet outside and frown in silence when he makes a mistake inside. He’ll get the message if you persevere.

2. You speak and understand English. Your dog does not. Use the same phrases for the same desired actions. Potty training for dogs is not easy, but steady persistence will pay off. “Need to go potty?” or something similar spoken in a friendly manner, followed by taking him outside, will implant the message that the words mean a trip outdoors, which he loves. And when in this happy environment, he’ll also figure it’s a good time to squat down and let it all go.

Tip! Recognize and Respect the Views of Others: While some of us can’t imagine traveling without dogs, others can’t image traveling with them. If you keep your dog under control and clean up after them, you won’t give others much to grumble about.

3. Be consistent with your dog training commands. Speak the same phrases in the same tone of voice to get the same results. Also, use the same actions and body language. You dog is not an Einstein, but he does have more than enough intelligence to learn simple things, so keep it simple and consistent. House training dogs can be fun!

Potty training for dogs will certainly try your patience! But whether you’re house training dogs at the puppy stage, or training adult dogs, the same things apply. Be gentle and patient. Expect the right results by consistancy and perseverence. And learn to “read” your dog. It will pay off in the long run.

John Coutts is an experienced author who writes on a variety of subjects. Did you find these tips useful? You can learn a lot more about house training dogs from this resource, http://reviewphase.com/dogtraining/

Posted by Isabella Vreeken @ 12:46 pm on September 6th 2006

Kennel Cough.

Kennel Cough In Dogs by Kirsten Hawkins

The condition commonly known as “Kennel Cough” is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases that dogs can contract. The disease is not serious in most cases, however, and often resolves itself after one to two weeks. The accepted medical term for kennel cough is tracheobronchitis, indicating a form of bronchitis that affects the dog’s trachea.

Kennel cough can be caused by several airborne bacteria and viruses. It is generally accepted that most cases of kennel cough are caused by the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica but it has also been associated with the canine distemper virus (CDV) and canine parainfluenza. It is the general consensus of the veterinary medical community that in order to cause the illness, an animal must be virtually bombarded by multiple versions of these pathogens at one time. For this reason it is dogs that spend a lot of time around other dogs that are most at risk for the disease. Dogs that participate in dog shows or spend a lot of time in kennels are the highest risks for kennel cough.

The primary symptom of kennel cough is a dry, spasmodic cough which is caused by the inflammation of the dog’s trachea and bronchi. Coughing spells will often result in the dog coughing up a white and foamy discharge. Some dogs will also develop conjunctivitis – an inflammation of the membrane that lines the eyelids. Nasal discharge may also be present. In effect, the dog appears to have a very nasty cold or flu. As stated above, the disease is rarely serious and almost never life-threatening. Still, if you have seen any of these symptoms or have reason to believe that your dog has or has been exposed to kennel cough, you should consult your vet immediately.

Your vet will be able to diagnose kennel cough with a physical examination and medical history. The cough associated with the ailment is very characteristic and a simple massage of the dog’s throat can usually cause it to cough on cue. In some cases, such as if the dog is depressed or feverish or expelling a yellow or green discharge, the doctor may require additional diagnostic tests such as a complete blood count (CBC) and laboratory testing of microorganisms in the dog’s airway. These tests will help the doctor rule out other infectious diseases such as influenza, pneumonia, or canine distemper.

Immunization can help prevent kennel cough and is recommended. When kenneling your dog or traveling it may be required before your dog will be admitted. Effective immunization can be difficult, however, because the disease can be caused by so many different pathogens. Active prevention on your part can be accomplished by not allowing your dog’s toys or water and food bowls to be accessed by unfamiliar dogs. If participating in dog shows make sure that the area is well ventilated to assist with the expulsion of airborne pathogens.

Kennel cough is treated with antibiotics in most cases. Antibiotics will help prevent any secondary illnesses from developing while the dog gets over its case of kennel cough.

Kirsten Hawkins is a dog lover and animal expert from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.doghealth411.com/ for more information on dog health, the care of dogs, and dog travel.

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