Dogs

Summer is just around the corner, and if you haven't done so already, now is a good time to make sure your family dog is ready for the warmer months coming ahead. We all tend to be outdoors more in the spring and summertime, pets and people alike, but along with that outdoors playtime comes the risk of exposure to fleas, ticks and other diseases carried by other animals.

It's important to be sure that your pet is protected from harmful diseases including distemper, rabies and kennel cough. Many vaccines are now combined into a single inoculation, and are generally good for one year. Once a puppy has reached the age of 6 months, it's also imperative that he or she is vaccinated against rabies. Rabies vaccinations are effective for around 3 years, and in the state of New York, this vaccine is required in order to obtain a dog license in your town. When vaccinations are given on time, they are nearly 100% percent effective in preventing common canine illnesses.

Normally, you will only need to take your dog to the vet once a year, following his initial exam, for a wellness checkup and to keep up to date on his vaccinations. During this annual checkup, ask your vet to give your dog a through examination, including checking of his:

• teeth (removing tartar if necessary)
• anal glands (emptying them if necessary)
• nails (clipping them if necessary)
• stool (if you think he may have worms)

Females need more regular attention than males, especially if they are bred. When you wish to travel with your dog, you will be prepared for any state, federal, or international requirement if you ask your vet for a certificate of good health, and make sure that his vaccinations are in order before you leave. Normally, a sound dog needs no more veterinary attention than this. However, you may take him to the vet on other occasions due to accidents or illness.

As you get to know your dog, you will be able to distinguish between passing symptoms of no importance, chronic minor disorders, and the indications of disease and infection. Among the symptoms that warrant a visit to the vet are:

• A temperature over 102 degrees, or under 100 that lasts for more than 24 hours, or a temperature as high as 104, or as low as 99.
• Acute pain for which there is no logical explanation.
• Bloody urine
• Blood in the stool more than once
• A discharge of yellow mucus from the eyes or nose
• Persistent vomiting, coughing, or refusal to ear for more than 24 hours
• If your dog simply looks and acts really sick

When in doubt, it's always safer to err on the side of caution and visit your vet. Not only will it help alleviate any concerns you may have, but your vet is in a much better position to determine whether symptoms could potentially indicate a more serious illness.

Happy Summer!

If you own a dog then you will want to start training him right away.  Training a dog creates a closer bond between you and your dog and also helps them learn socialization skills, which is critical if you live in an area where your dog is in constant contact with other people and dogs.

When choosing a dog it would be wise to do some research into different breeds and their tendencies so that you can pick a breed that suits you and your lifestyle.  For instance, if you do not have much patience you will not want a hard to train breed such as a Beagle.  An easily trained breed such as a Collie would be better. If you live in tight quarters, choose a small poodle since they are also easy to train. Different breeds need different training methods since some are easier to train than others. Some dogs are hard to train no matter what the breed, and they will need extra patience and different training methods.

A dog is not truly happy unless it is trained and has rules and boundaries to follow.  A dog is a pack animal and wants to have a pack leader that sets rules.  If you do not fill the position then the dog will, and this will ultimately lead to a whole series of problems.  The dog training method you choose to use will depend on you, your lifestyle and the type of dog you have and what problems the dog has.

Most dogs respond well to positive re-enforcement training but there are dogs that will only respond to more forceful methods of training.  This is not to say that you have to mistreat the dog you will just have to be firmer when disciplining and teaching your dog.  If you are new to dog training or your dog is tough to teach you may want to seek professional assistance. Your veterinarian is a good source of information for local dog trainers.

Training your dog yourself is the best way, if possible, since the rewards will be great if you successfully train your pet..  There are many sources of information on dog training methods available from many places. The library is full of information on dog training, and the internet is also a rich source of information.

It's important to realize that most training problems stem directly from the owner not the dog.  A lack of good communication is the root of most training mistakes. For instance, if you use the word “come” one day and then change it to “here” the next the dog ends up being confused and not knowing what to do when you talk.

Regardless of the breed and temperament of your dog, nearly any dog can be trained. Training your dog will require patience and consistency, but the rewards are worth all of the hard work.

Following up on the last 2 articles, this article shows several examples of typical underground dog fence layouts. It should help give you some ideas when planning your own fence installation.

Read: Example Underground Dog Fence Layouts

Following up on the article from last week that discussed the pros and cons of electric dog fences, today's new article outlines the steps involved in actually setting up an underground dog fence.

For many, the thought of installing an electric fence seems like a daunting task. In reality, most fences can be installed in as little as an afternoon. The key to having things go smoothly is proper planning. Today's article, and it's follow up tomorrow, will help you to plan your electric dog fence installation and explains the basic steps involved.

Read: Installing an Electric Dog Fence

It's getting chilly here in Western New York, but it's not too late to put in an electric dog fence! Electric fences for dogs are a great solution to provide a safe containment area for your pet, while giving you the peace of mind that your dog will stay in your yard. I've posted a new article on KT Pet Supply discussing the pros and cons of using an in-ground fence.

Read: Electric Fences for Dogs

Brand new product by K&H Manufacturing, the Microwavable Pet Bed Warmer! Like K&H's other pet bed warmers, the microwavable warmer can be used in nearly any existing pet bed with a removable cover, or a zipper or velcro opening.

This new warmer comes in one size, 9" x 9", so be sure that your current bed will accommodate this size. The warmer is soft and squishy when warm, and takes only minutes to heat up in the microwave. The Microwavable Pet Bed Warmer will stay warm for up to 12 hours when used in a cat or dog bed. The material is non-toxic and may be hand washed with soap and water.

Check out the new K&H Microwavable Pet Bed Warmer - $29.95 at KT Pet Supply.

With the cold weather approaching, it's time to think about comforters, flannel sheets and electric blankets. Why not offer your dog or cat a warm, cozy retreat of his own? If your pet already has an unheated dog or cat bed, there's an easy way to turn it into a heated pet bed. The K&H Pet Bed Warmer is a heated pad that can turn virtually any existing pet bed into a heated cat bed or heated dog bed.

If your current pet bed has a removable cover, or a zipper or velcro access to the interior, simply open it up, pop in a pet bed warmer and zip it back up. Voila - a warm and snug place for your fur baby to take naps! The warmer uses a plug and a standard household outlet.

The K&H Pet Bed Warmer is available in 3 sizes:

• Small - 4 watts - 8.5" x 9.5"
• Medium - 6 watts - 6" x 20"
• Large - 13 watts - 11" x 24"