Dogs

Follow these tips to calm your life once you are smitten with your new puppy:,Jump to section 5 Ways to Calm a Puppy Puppy Energy Vs. Hyperactivity: What’s Normal? High-Energy Dog Breeds Does My Puppy Have Separation Anxiety?

Dogs love to keep you on your toes—and usually in the best of ways. Sometimes, though, they can get themselves into trouble, like when they accidentally swallow an object.  Veterinarians help us navigate exactly what to do if a dog swallows an object, be it a balloon, sock, part of a bone, or anything else they come across with a curious mouth.   If you think your dog swallowed something dangerous—like antifreeze, chocolate, medication, supplements, or rat poisons—call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435 right away. And if your dog is struggling to breathe or showing serious symptoms, don’t wait—get to your vet immediately. 

By Kellie B. Gormly Barking can be a noisy nuisance to dog parents (and their neighbors!), and is often tops the behavioral problem list. However, canine vocals aren’t all bad. Sometimes, a barking dog can provide a safety warning and other times, teaching a dog to bark on command can make for a fun party trick. “A lot of people would absolutely want their dog to bark when there are strangers around, or something is out of order in the neighborhood,” said Los Angeles-based certified dog trainer and behavior consultant Jonathan P. Klein. “When we teach a dog to do something on cue, the key is to get them to reliably do the behavior one way or another.” How, then, do you teach your dog to bark on command without confusing him or encouraging annoying barking? By teaching a trick and not a bad habit, said Beth McGonigal, certified dog trainer and owner of North Pittsburgh Animal Behavior. “We don’t want to create a little yappy monster.” She compares teaching dogs to bark to a sweet arrangement she has with one of her dogs, Jefferson. When she says the magic words, “give mommy some romance!” Jefferson gives her a kiss on the lips, which is fun on command but not something a pet parent would want done all the time. How to Make a Dog Bark Capture the behavior you want and reward it by enticing your dog with a trigger that excites him, like holding a ball or ringing the doorbell. Right before the dog barks, say the command you want to teach (he will then associate the command with vocalizing) then give your dog a treat for barking on command. If he barks but you haven’t said the command, don’t reward him. After a few repetitions, he will begin to realize that if he barks, he will get a treat, said McGonigal, who also uses clickers to train. You can also trigger the bark by doing something that frustrates the dog, like bouncing a ball out of his reach behind a baby gate. After you say the command, you can then reward the dog by giving him the treat of playing with the ball. Repeat the process by rewarding your dog for barking on command then, once he learns the command, reduce the treats and make them more intermittent, Klein said. A common command to teach is “speak,” but dogs have no inherent knowledge of that English word; they only know it if people teach them to associate it with barking, McGonigal said. Therefore, you can invent a word or phrase of your own to get your dog to bark on command, or just use the simple, “speak.”

Contributed by Dr. Alison Birken, owner and DVM of Victoria Park Animal Hospital. Nothing is cuter or sweeter than a litter of puppies. When a client comes in with a litter of puppies for me to evaluate, suddenly the entire animal hospital is taking tons of pictures and squeezing and hugging them. To be totally honest, puppies and kittens are a big reason why I pursued a career in veterinary medicine. I just love their adorable, innocent little faces. As much as it is fun to play with a litter of puppies, caring for a litter of puppies is a major endeavor. As a pet parent, you can create the ideal environment for a new litter of puppies to ensure their proper growth and development. Follow these tips for keeping your new puppies healthy, and learn how to pick up on signs of sickness, as well as what should be done if certain symptoms are visible.

WRITTEN BYJamie Case, DVM Veterinarian Dr. Jamie Case graduated from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 2017, after receiving a Bachelor of Science…,All puppies will experience vomiting or diarrhea at some point—and most of the time, it doesn’t mean there’s anything seriously wrong. However, it’s not a good idea to dismiss vomiting or diarrhea in your puppy, especially if you see blood or mucus or if it’s happening often. Learn more about the causes of vomiting and diarrhea in puppies and when you should see your veterinarian to make sure there are no serious underlying causes.   Causes of Vomiting and Diarrhea in Puppies There are many reasons your puppy might be vomiting or have diarrhea, from harmless to serious medical conditions. Some conditions might cause blood in the vomit or diarrhea as well. In many cases, it’s impossible to tell what’s causing the upset just by looking at the vomit or diarrhea. The best way to figure out what’s going on is by going to the vet to make sure it’s not serious. Many times, multiple underlying causes will be identified. Here’s a list of the most common causes of vomiting and diarrhea in puppies. Viruses There are several viruses that can cause signs of an upset stomach in puppies. These include the common canine parvovirus, as well as other viruses like canine coronavirus, canine distemper virus, and canine herpesvirus. Viral infections tend to be more severe in young puppies. You can protect your puppy against many of the most common viruses with vaccinations. Typically, puppies require multiple vaccinations spread out over the first several months of life to be fully vaccinated, so work with your veterinarian to determine the most appropriate vaccination schedule for your puppy. Bacteria A healthy puppy’s digestive tract normally contains many strains of bacteria that cause no health issues. However, if certain strains of bacteria multiply too quickly or overgrow, or if your puppy picks up a bacterial infection, it can cause gastrointestinal upset. Bacteria that commonly overgrow include E. coli and Clostridial bacteria, which are both normally present in the GI tract. Stress, a sudden change in diet, a viral infection, or intestinal parasites can all cause these bacteria to overgrow. Bacterial infections that may cause vomiting and diarrhea include: Salmonella Campylobacter Yersinia enterocolitica These bacteria are zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted to people, so it’s very important to wash your hands after handling a puppy that is experiencing vomiting and diarrhea. Intestinal Parasites Intestinal parasites are another common infectious cause of vomiting and diarrhea in puppies. Even if you don’t see worms in the vomit or diarrhea, and even if your puppy has been dewormed, puppies are highly susceptible to intestinal parasites. The Companion Animal Parasite Council recommends that puppies be tested for intestinal parasites at least four times in their first year of life. Worms that may cause vomiting and diarrhea in puppies include hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, and tapeworms. There are also microscopic intestinal parasites that can lead to gastrointestinal upset, including giardia and coccidia. Stress No matter how playful your puppy seems most of the time, it’s good to remember that puppyhood is a stressful time of life, and stress can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Stress can also affect immune system function and may make puppies more susceptible to viruses, bacteria, and intestinal parasites. Stress can come from leaving their mom and siblings, moving to a new home, being exposed to new situations, and learning the rules that are expected of them. Swallowing Things Puppies are curious and constantly exploring their environment. As a result, they often eat things they’re not supposed to, which can result in either vomiting or diarrhea. Many things puppies eat that cause upset are small enough to pass through the digestive system, irritating the sensitive lining of the stomach and intestines. This can include small toys, mulch, sand, rocks, sticks, paper, food wrappers, or really anything a puppy can get access to and is curious about. This can even include chew treats that were not completely chewed before swallowing. Larger objects are potentially more dangerous because they can get stuck in the gastrointestinal tract and cause an obstruction. Depending on where it’s stuck and whether it’s causing a complete obstruction (nothing can move past the object) or partial obstruction (some things are able to move past the object), this may be a medical emergency. Some larger objects that puppies commonly eat include toys, socks, underwear, blankets, bedding, and bones. Long, stringy objects like fabric, carpet, strings, and ribbons also pose a risk for causing what is known as a linear foreign body. A linear foreign body occurs when one end of a long, linear object gets stuck in the gastrointestinal tract (often where the stomach empties into the small intestine). This can cause the intestines to bunch up on themselves and results in serious, potentially life-threatening infections. Eating Something Toxic Toxins are also common causes of vomiting and diarrhea. Ingesting a toxin may cause a serious medical emergency, so if you suspect your puppy ate something toxic, it’s important that they be evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Common toxins include human pain medications (ibuprofen, Tylenol, Aleve), household cleaning agents (bleach, carpet fresheners and shampoos, dryer sheets, fabric softeners, and tablets used for toilet cleaning), chocolate, xylitol, grapes, rat poisons, and household plants. It is particularly important to make sure that none of your plants are toxic to puppies. Sudden Changes in Diet Sudden changes in food, introducing too many new treats, or letting your puppy eat human food can cause inflammation in their gastrointestinal tract and may lead to signs of an upset stomach. New foods can also alter the bacteria in their gastrointestinal tract. It is best to gradually transition puppies to new foods over the course of a week (sometimes even more slowly if you have a puppy with a sensitive digestive system).  Pancreatitis  Treats and human foods that are high in fat pose a risk of causing pancreatitis, which can cause a lot of pain and discomfort in addition to vomiting, diarrhea, and decreased appetite. Chronic Disease Chronic diseases are a less common cause of vomiting and diarrhea in puppies, but if a puppy is having issues with recurrent vomiting and diarrhea or is not responding well to treatment, their veterinarian may start to look for evidence of food intolerances or allergies. If an allergy or intolerance is discovered, your vet may recommend a special diet. Depending on your puppy’s other symptoms, your vet may also test for underlying liver or kidney disease, which can both contribute to vomiting and diarrhea. Other Potential Causes of Vomiting and Diarrhea in Puppies Hernias in puppies can lead to vomiting and diarrhea. A hernia occurs when a portion of the gastrointestinal tract becomes pinched off. Puppies can be born with hernias or they may develop after an injury. Intussusceptions, which occur when a section of the intestines bunches up, can lead to obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract and cause vomiting and diarrhea in puppies.

In This Article What Is Lure Coursing for Dogs? View 4 More +

Walking more than one dog at the same time requires equal parts negotiation, puppeteering, and finesse. The frustrations that can come with single-dog walks—like getting dragged down the street and dealing with leash manipulation while picking up poo—can multiply with each dog you add. With practice it is possible to have pleasant multi-dog strolls, and the following tips will help bring peace to your canine caravan.

If your dog gets itchy skin, watery eyes, or seasonal sniffles, you’ve probably looked around for safe, natural, over-the-counter remedies. One solution you might have come across is quercetin for dogs. Sometimes called “nature’s Benadryl,” this plant compound is known for its potential to ease dog allergies in a safe and gentle way. (Though it is not the same as Benadryl and isn’t a quick fix.) 

Is there anything cuter than a puppy under the Christmas tree? Why, sure there is: A dog of any age who comes into your life to brighten the holiday season! That special pet deserves a merry moniker that will remind you of their arrival. And when it comes to Christmas dog names, you’ve got a wide selection to choose from. Get into the spirit of the season with these Christmas dog names.

3. Take a Scent Walk Set aside specific walks where you allow your dog to take their time, explore wherever they’d like to go, and sniff all the smells. Sniffing has been shown to not only decrease a dog’s heart rate (decreasing their stress), but it also releases dopamine, the “happy” brain chemical. These walks are less about the distance or time and more about quality, allowing them to take their time and explore the area they’re in. Some of the best settings for these walks have lots of grass, bushes, and trees.  4. Try a New Route Have you ever gotten bored doing the same thing over and over again? Dogs do too. This is why changing up your walking route can be very stimulating for them. Walking somewhere new allows them to see and smell new things. Regularly changing your route helps keep things exciting for your dog—which is mentally stimulating. 5. Play With Puzzles and Interactive Toys Puzzle toys and other interactive toys typically have compartments where you can hide food, and your dog has to figure out how to access those tasty treats. There are countless puzzle toys, all with varying degrees of complexity. Similar to hide-and-seek and “find it,” interactive toys require critical thinking skills. They’re great for keeping your pup occupied for an extended time, distracting them from things that make them anxious, and mentally exhausting them. Dogs also receive a food reward when they play, leading to a dopamine release. As a bonus, puzzle toys are a great way to slow down dogs that eat their food too fast.,When people think about caring for a dog, they often think about the pet’s physical needs—such as food, exercise, and grooming. But they might overlook the need for mental stimulation, which is also crucial for a dog’s well-being.