Showing posts with label prevention. Show all posts

Join the Fight...  

Posted by — Kim in , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

How sad that PETA would actually kill animals in the guise of saving them! –Kim


It's Time to Put PETA Down

Despite its warm-and-fuzzy public image, PETA has donated over $150,000 to criminal activists — including those jailed for arson, burglary, and even attempted murder. In 2001, PETA donated $1,500 to the North American Earth Liberation Front (a.k.a. North American Animal Liberation Front), a criminal organization that the FBI calls "domestic terrorists."

Listen to PETA's campaign director Bruce Friedrich encourage activists to commit arson against restaurants, medical laboratories and financial institutions (video below).


Since 2000, PETA's rank-and-file have been arrested over 80 times for breaking laws during protests. Charges included felony obstruction of government property, criminal mischief, assaulting a cabinet official, felony vandalism, performing obscene acts in public, destruction of federal property and burglary.

Like millions of other nonprofit groups, PETA pays no federal taxes on its income. But few of these other groups share PETA's total disregard for the law. In 2003 alone, PETA avoided over $3.5 million in federal income taxes. This tax break amounts to a huge subsidy, and American taxpayers are footing the bill for PETA's behavior.

Proof PETA Kills Animals:


Make your voice heard:

Source: PETAKillsAnimals.com





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5 Simple Steps to Prevent Canine Cancer  

Posted by — Kim in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Here's a great article with vital tips to prevent cancer in your dog! –Kim

Five Simple Steps to Prevent Canine Cancer

by Dana Scott
Dogs Naturally Magazine

Did you know that the primary cause of death in dogs over two years of age is cancer? In fact, half of all adult dogs will die from cancer. That's a staggering number. But you can beat the odds for your dog by following these five simple steps.

The Best Cure for Canine Cancer is Prevention

Cancer begins when carcinogens damage DNA, which then waits for just the right opportunity to create cancerous cells. The good news is your dog's body has a built-in mechanism to kill cancer cells; a gene called p53. However exposure to toxins and viruses can damage that gene and limit its ability to protect the body from the spread of cancerous cells.

We all know that treatment options for cancer aren't all that effective. The best cure for cancer is to just not get it in the first place. Happily, there are easy, actionable steps you can take to prevent cancer in your furry family members. Here is a list that every pet owner should be aware of.

1. Reduce the Use of Flea and Tick Products

Dr. Dobozy of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) pesticide division states that one of the laboratory effects of fipronil in the popular flea and tick product Frontline, is thyroid cancer and altered thyroid hormones.

Minimize Chemical Product Usage
While the company creates the impression that their product does not migrate into the body, radiolabeled fibronil was found in several organs and in the fat of tested dogs and was also excreted in their urine and feces.

Bio Spot Flea and Tick Control, Defend Exspot Treatment and Zodiac FleaTrol Spot On all contain one or both of the active ingredients Permethrin and/or Pyriproxyfen. Permethrin has been implicated as a carcinogenic insecticide causing lung cancer and liver tumors in laboratory animals. Exposure to a carcinogen typically occurs many years before the cancer appears. Often times it never escalates into a cancerous growth. Imagine how potent the carcinogens are that create cancer within several months in a laboratory setting.

Don't think that the numerous products not mentioned here are safe. According to the Center for Public Integrity, who collected information through the Freedom of Information Act, the "natural" pyrethrins (naturally occurring compounds from the chrysanthemum plant) and pyrethroids (the synthetic counterpart) caused double the fatalities (1,600) from 2002 to 2007 than the non-pyrethroid compounds.

There are natural products that are effective for fleas and ticks. Do your pet a favor and look for safer alternatives. Here is a simple recipe you can make and use at home.

2. Maintain Your Lawn and Garden with Non-toxic Products

Lawn chemicals, weed killers and herbicides are just as toxic as flea and tick products. Dogs and cats are low to the ground and are much more susceptible to these toxins.

Studies show a link between lawn chemicals and cancer in dogs (Abstract of Environmental Health 112[1]: 171-6, Jan. 2012). In this study, researchers identified 263 dogs with biopsy-confirmed canine malignant lymphoma (CML), 240 dogs with benign tumors, and 230 dogs undergoing surgeries unrelated to cancer. Then, they asked the pet owners to complete a 10-page questionnaire.

Avoid Toxic Lawn Chemicals
Scientists found that dogs with malignant lymphoma were 70% more likely to live in a home where professionally applied lawn pesticides had been used. Dogs with serious malignancy were also 170% more likely to come from homes where owners used chemical insecticides.

For nontoxic lawn nourishment, broadcast one-eighth to one-quarter of an inch of high-quality compost over your lawn using a shovel. Compost nourishes beneficial soil microbes and doesn't contain harsh salts the way many chemical fertilizers do, and you could see some improvement in just a few days.

Instead of reaching for Roundup or other harmful synthetic products to kill weeds creeping up through sidewalk or driveway cracks, try using BurnOut, an organic weed killer made of food grade vinegar and clove oil. Just be sure to spray it directly on weeds on a warm, sunny day for the best effect.You can also use BurnOut to quickly and organically kill weeds in the yard; however, it will temporarily leave a brown spot, and you'll need to reseed the area to shade out new weed growth.

3. Know What's in Your Detergents, Soaps and Cleansers

Read Product Labels
Take it upon yourself to research dryer sheets and room deodorizers on the web and you'll discover their cancer causing ingredients. If all the carcinogens our dogs are exposed to on a daily basis, this would be a very long and depressing article.

Even cleaners labeled "safe," "non-toxic" and "green" can contain hazardous ingredients. There should be a law against bogus claims, but there isn't. Some companies are willing to bend the truth – because they can. Even citrus and pine based cleaners can react with trace levels of ozone air pollution to form ultra-fine particles that penetrate deep into the lungs and formaldehyde, which the U.S. government classifies as a known human carcinogen.

The good news is you can make your own inexpensive green cleaning products. Click here for some great recipes.

4. If You Must Alter Your Dog, Don't Do It Too Young

DON'T Spay/Neuter Too Early
A growing body of research is implicating early spaying and neutering in increasing cancer rates. In a 2002 study, it was established that there was an increased risk of osteosarcoma in both male and female Rottweilers sterilized before the age of one year.

In another study, it was shown that the risk of bone cancer in sterilized large purebred dogs was twice that of dogs that were not neutered.

Spay and neuter, especially when done before 18 months of age, shouldn't be an automatic decision. For more information on spay/neuter decisions, click here.

5. Eliminate or Minimize Vaccinations as Much as Possible

We saved the most important point for last. In cats, the Feline Vaccine Associated Sarcoma is an aggressive malignant tumor that appears at vaccine injection sites. What is the veterinary solution for this? To vaccinate cats in the tail so it can easily be removed when fibrosarcoma strikes.

This doesn't mean dogs don't get cancer from vaccines. The Journal of Veterinary Medicine, August 2003, shows that vaccines cause cancer in dogs at their injection sites too.

Minimize Carcinogenic Aluminum
& 
Mercury via Vaccines
Cancers are found in not only in vaccine injection sites, but in other areas of the body not directly the vicinity of the injection site. Documented cases of lymphoma have resulted in patients developing vaccine injection site fibrosarcomas.

The reason cancer is so strongly linked to vaccines is a commonly found vaccine adjuvant: aluminum [also, Mercury]. In l999, the World Health Organization named aluminum hydroxide as a grade 3 out of 4 carcinogen, with 4 being the most carcinogenic.

Not only do vaccines inject this dangerous carcinogen into pets, they also have the same effect as the above toxins; the damage the cancer protecting p53 genes. Talk about a double whammy!

If you must vaccinate, be aware that it only takes one core vaccine to protect a dog or cat for life. There is no need to revaccinate once a dog has responded to a vaccine. How do you know if your dog has responded to a vaccine? You ask your vet to run a titer test, preferably two to three weeks after vaccination.

You can learn more about vaccine risks and duration of immunity.

So there you have it! Five easy ways to prevent cancer in your pet. What changes can you make today?

About the Author
Dana Scott is Editor In Chief for Dogs Naturally Magazine. She also breeds Labrador Retrievers under the Fallriver prefix. She is an advocate for natural health care for dogs and people and is on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Consumer Centre for Homeopathy.

Source: Dogs Naturally Magazine
© 2014 Dogs Naturally Magazine



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WARNING! FDA Report on Rimadyl  

Posted by — Kim in , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Here's a warning from the Food & Drug Administration on another drug! –Kim

4157 Dogs Reported Dead from Rimadyl

Dr. Andrew Jones, DVM
Modern medicine and modern medication can do some pretty amazing things – it can instantly deal with parasites, or give immediate comfort to a dog or cat in pain.

There is a "but" here... These conventional medications can have a host of side effects that can seriously harm your dog or cat. There are also the unquantifiable effects of chronic medication use on your pet's immune system or organ function, and how that may make them more likely to develop serious disease such as cancer.

Consider the FDA reports on this common anti-inflammatory drug, Rimadyl.

Cumulative Veterinary ADE Reports
January 1987 to January 2014
Drug: CARPROFEN (RIMADYL)
Species: DOG

This NSAID (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) has numerous reported and under-reported side effects from permanent organ damage to even death. It is in your pet's best interest to avoid this medication, and similar medications, if possible.

Dr. Andrew Jones, DVM

P.S. My supplements ONLY contain ingredients I have sourced to be safe and effective.
Source: The Internet Pet Vet
Copyright © 2014 Four Paws Online Ltd


Dr. Andrew Jones, DVM has been a practicing Veterinarian for over 20 years. He is a strong advocate of Natural Pet Health Care, and knows that the most important way to heal our pets and prevent disease is through proper nutrition. He developed Ultimate Canine to give our dogs that extra advantage – something that will provide them with everything they need to develop stronger immune systems to fight disease, heal sore or stiff joints, and help them live longer, happier lives. Dr. Andrew Jones' main focus is on alternative, non-traditional remedies for pets. His interest in alternative pet medicine culminated in the writing of his book, Veterinary Secrets Revealed.


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Pricing Practices of Veterinarians  

Posted by — Kim in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

It pays to ask lots of questions and then shop around... Your pet deserves that much! –Kim

Many Veterinary Bills Include 'Inappropriate' Costs

Is Your Pet's Doctor on the Up-and-Up?

Despite guidelines that recommend vaccinating dogs with key vaccines every three years, many veterinarians continue to push annual vaccinations, a CBC Marketplace investigation reveals. And when dogs get annual jabs, pet owners may be getting gouged. See the full-length investigation video (22 mins.).


Source: CBC Radio-Canada
Copyright © CBC 2014


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The Hidden Dangers of Cocoa Mulch  

Posted by — Kim in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Here's an important tip to keep in mind...hope you find it helpful! –Kim

Cocoa Shell Mulch Could Poison Your Pet

Ashley Mitek, Information Specialist
Maureen McMichael, DVM, DACVECC
April 6, 2010

It is a mistake every pet owner could easily make. As spring approaches, you head to the local home and garden store for mulch to freshen up your flower beds. Next to the bags of traditional shredded mulch are bags of a newer type – Cocoa Mulch.

According to National Cocoa Shell, the nation's largest retailer of cocoa shell mulch, the material is leftover from the cocoa bean roasting process – making the product more environmentally friendly than regular mulch. Plus, who couldn't resist putting chocolate smelling mulch down in their garden? For chocolate lovers across the country it's a dream come true.

But there's a catch. Cocoa mulch is extremely toxic to pets, especially when curious dogs have access to the outdoors.

Dr. Maureen McMichael is a veterinarian at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana who specializes in emergency and critical care. She says, "Cocoa mulch is significantly more toxic than milk chocolate or even baker's chocolate because it has quite a bit more theobromine in it." Theobromine is the toxic compound in most chocolates that is responsible for the clinical signs seen in pets after ingestion.

Though it, too, can be deadly to pets, milk chocolate has only 44 mg. per ounce of theobromine. Baking chocolate has nearly eight times the concentration of theobromine in it compared to milk chocolate, making it one of the most toxic kinds of chocolate, but still not as concentrated as cocoa mulch.

In addition to having more theobromine in it, cocoa mulch is also usually found in an unlimited supply to the pet. Your Labrador may gobble up that chocolate bar on the counter, but left to their own devices, most dogs will eat cocoa mulch until you catch them or toxic effects start to set in, leading to the ingestion of large amounts of the toxin. "Unfortunately, many of the dogs that present with a history of eating cocoa mulch do not survive if they were not stopped quickly," notes Dr. McMichael.

The clinical signs of chocolate or cocoa mulch toxicity include: hyperactivity, muscle tremors, fast heart rate, hyperthermia, and seizures. There are anecdotal reports from gardeners who unknowingly purchased the mulch and later found their dog dead after a very short exposure time. Incidents such as this are likely a result of heart arrhythmias that develop after ingestion.

After time, the sweet smell of the cocoa mulch will wear off, and some have questioned if, after that point, it is safe for dogs to be around it. Dr. McMichael cautions that "it is possible that dogs are not attracted to it once the smell wears off but that does not eliminate its toxic load – it is still toxic."

The moral of the story is: don't purchase cocoa mulch if you have an outdoor pet. That said, if you happen to make the mistake of buying the mulch and you catch your animal eating a bite, time is of the essence. The quicker you can get Fido to the veterinary emergency clinic, the better the chances are of survival.

For more information on the topic, please contact your local veterinarian.

Source: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, College of Veterinary Medicine
Copyright 2011 College of Veterinary Medicine - University of Illinois



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Recent Scientific Study on Effects of Spaying & Neutering  

Posted by — Kim in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Here's another great article about the spay/neuter controversy...something clearly needs to change! –Kim

Neutering/Spaying Dogs Increases the Incidence of Joint Disorders and Cancer

A Recent UC Davis Study Revealed Some Interesting Results

By Dr. Andrew Jones
August 7, 2014

A recent study on the effects of neutering (including spaying) in Golden Retrievers markedly increased the incidence of two joint disorders and three cancers prompted this study and a comparison of Golden and Labrador Retrievers.

The incidence of joint disorders and cancers is much more marked in golden retrievers than in the Labrador retrievers.

The first part of the study focused on joint disorders, finding that spaying/neutering Labs before the age of 6 months doubles the incidence of joint disorders. But with Goldens, the incidence jumps to 4-5 times as compared to intact dogs. The sex hormones have a role in joint health which has previously been overlooked in veterinary medicine.

The second part of the study compared cancer rates, and they found that the female golden retrievers are the ones at risk: once spayed their risk of cancer rises 3-4 times in comparison to intact females. This same effect was not seen on Labs or in male Goldens. In particular the sex hormones are playing a big role in preventing cancer in the female golden retrievers.

Abstract

Veterinary hospital records were examined over a 13-year period for the effects of neutering during specified age ranges: before 6 months, and during 6-11 months, year 1 or years 2 through 8.

The joint disorders examined were hip dysplasia, cranial cruciate ligament tear and elbow dysplasia. The cancers examined were lymphosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, mast cell tumor, and mammary cancer.

The results for the Golden Retriever were similar to the previous study, but there were notable differences between breeds.

In Labrador Retrievers, where about 5% of gonadally intact males and females had one or more joint disorders, neutering at less than 6 months doubled the incidence of one or more joint disorders in both sexes.

In male and female Golden Retrievers, with the same 5% rate of joint disorders in intact dogs, neutering at less than 6 months increased the incidence of a joint disorder to 4-5 times that of intact dogs.

The incidence of one or more cancers in female Labrador Retrievers increased slightly above the 3% level of intact females with neutering.

In contrast, in female Golden Retrievers, with the same 3% rate of one or more cancers in intact females, neutering at all periods through 8 years of age increased the rate of at least one of the cancers by 3-4 times.

In male Golden and Labrador Retrievers neutering had relatively minor effects in increasing the occurrence of cancers. Comparisons of cancers in the two breeds suggest that the occurrence of cancers in female Golden Retrievers is a reflection of particular vulnerability to gonadal hormone removal

Scientific Study Available

The entire study can be seen here: Long-Term Health Effects of Neutering Dogs, or download the PDF format HERE.

So, what do you do?! Great question, and one that I have asked myself if I were to have a Golden Retriever pup.

I would definitely wait to have them spayed or neutered, likely 2-3 years of age as opposed to 6 months. Based on this study I would consider the earliest time to neuter/spay to be at 1 year, not 6 months.

Obviously there are many factors, and it is new and confusing, BUT the incidence of joint disorders in large breed dogs is especially alarming (who doesn't know a dog that has had a cruciate injury?), or a Golden that has had cancer.

Obviously some of the conventional ways are not working, and it's time to do some things a little different.

I have more suggestions for alternate ways of treating the top 10 dog and cat diseases here:


Best Wishes,
Andrew Jones, DVM
P.S. My supplements ONLY contain ingredients I have sourced to be safe and effective.

Dr. Andrew Jones, DVM has been a practicing Veterinarian for over 20 years. He is a strong advocate of Natural Pet Health Care, and knows that the most important way to heal our pets and prevent disease is through proper nutrition. He developed Ultimate Canine to give our dogs that extra advantage – something that will provide them with everything they need to develop stronger immune systems to fight disease, heal sore or stiff joints, and help them live longer, happier lives. Dr. Andrew Jones' main focus is on alternative, non-traditional remedies for pets. His interest in alternative pet medicine culminated in the writing of his book, Veterinary Secrets Revealed.



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Rabies Vaccinosis and Your Pet  

Posted by — Kim in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Here's some vital information that I hope will save a life and reduce suffering! –Kim

Vaccines are Not Harmless Preventive Medicine

By Dr. Karen Becker, DVM
I talk a lot about vaccine dangers, and I often mention a condition called vaccinosis.
Since vaccinosis isn't recognized by most traditional veterinarians and isn't something many pet owners have ever heard of before, I thought it would be helpful to do a short video to explain the condition.
 

Vaccinosis Defined

First, let's talk about what vaccinosis isn't.
It isn't an acute, often immediate adverse reaction to a vaccine. Adverse events, or hypersensitivities, whether mild (such as lethargy, flu-like symptoms, etc.), or severe (such as anaphylactic shock), that are clearly linked to a recent vaccination are widely acknowledged by the traditional veterinary community.
Unfortunately, these reactions are considered by traditional vets to be occasional aberrations that result from a basically safe procedure.
Vaccinosis, on the other hand, is a problem only holistic veterinarians seem willing to acknowledge. It is a reaction of a pet's body to vaccines that have been injected without the pet having experienced a notable adverse event or hypersensitivity. These are chronic reactions to not only the altered virus contained in the vaccine, but also to the chemicals, adjuvants, and other components of tissue culture cell lines – as well as possible genetic changes – that can be induced by vaccines.
Dr. Richard Pitcairn, who holds a PhD in immunology, defines it this way: "Vaccinosis is to be understood as the disturbance of the vital force by vaccination that results in mental, emotional, and a physical change that can, in some cases, be a permanent condition."

Dr. Pitcairn: Vaccines Create Chronic Disease

According to Dr. Pitcairn, vaccines intended to protect pets against acute natural diseases actually create chronic conditions with features of the disease the vaccine was supposed to prevent.
This transformation begins in the laboratory, where natural viruses are modified in order to make vaccines.
Whereas the natural virus would trigger a strong immune system response, the modified lab-created virus in the vaccine doesn't elicit much of a reaction by the animal's immune system. Instead, it creates chronic disease.
The delivery of a vaccine is also very different from how a natural disease develops in an animal's body.
Vaccines contain a number of toxic substances, including viruses, mutated bacteria, immune irritants, foreign proteins, and chemical preservatives. All of these toxins are delivered by injection directly into the blood and lymph, bypassing the usual first line of defenses, including the skin, mucous membranes, saliva, and so forth. So not only is the virus in the vaccine unnatural, the way it enters a pet's body is also very unnatural.
When you look at the situation from this perspective, it's easy to see how abnormal immune reactions are triggered by vaccinations.

Your Pet's Individual Risk of Vaccinosis

The strength and balance of every animal's immune system is different, so there's no way to predict – unless your dog or cat has had a reaction in the past – how much danger your pet is in from exposure to the modified virus contained in any given vaccine or the many toxic ingredients it contains.
That's why I strongly encourage pet owners to avoid all unnecessary vaccines and re-vaccinations [i.e., "booster" shots].

Symptoms of Vaccinosis

COMMON VACCINE REACTIONS INCLUDE:
LethargyStiffness
Hair lossLack of appetite
Hair color change at injection siteConjunctivitis
FeverSneezing
SorenessOral ulcers
MORE SERIOUS REACTIONS:
ImmunosuppressionGranulomas and abscesses
Behavioral changesHives
VitiligoFacial swelling
Weight lossAllergic hypersensitivity
Reduced milk production (females)Respiratory disease
LamenessAllergic uveitis
VERY SERIOUS ILLNESS:
Injection-site sarcomas (cancer)Glomerulonephritis
AnaphylaxisMyocarditis
Autoimmune arthritisEncephalitis or polyneuritis
PolyarthritisSeizures
Hypertrophic osteodystrophyAbortion
Autoimmune hemolytic anemiaCongenital abnormalities
Immune-mediated thrombocytopeniaEmbryotic (fetal) death
ThyroiditisInfertility

Dog and Cat Vaccines: The Importance of Exercising Caution

Since the introduction of dog and cat vaccines, the traditional view of their use has been that they are safe and can be given as frequently as once or twice a year. This approach, tragically, has caused a tremendous amount of suffering for millions of pets.
As the truth about the dangers of vaccines slowly emerges, even traditional veterinary organizations and practitioners are acknowledging that vaccines are not the benign, "better-safe-than-sorry" veterinary tools they were thought to be. 
My recommendations for vaccinating your pet can be found in several videos, articles, and interviews here at MercolaHealthyPets. Most importantly, I don't recommend automatic re-vaccinations at prescribed intervals for any pet. 
If you believe your pet could be suffering from the negative effects of over-vaccination, I strongly recommend you work with a homeopathic or holistic vet to create a tailor-made vaccine detox program to assist your dog's or cat's body in recovering from vaccinosis. 
   
Source: Healthy Pets with Dr. Karen Becker
©1997-2014 Dr. Joseph Mercola

 

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Benefits of Owning a Dog  

Posted by — Kim in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Here's a great visual that I thought I would pass on...hope you find it interesting! –Kim

38 Benefits of Owning a Dog

Click Center of Graphic to Enlarge (PDF)
  

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Pet Questions?  

Posted by — Kim in , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Valuable Resource...

Ask a Pet Expert for Answers ASAP

Ask Your Question, Get an Answer Fast!


How JustAnswer Works

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Enter your question above, and create a user account.
 
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Place a refundable good faith deposit.
 
3. An Expert answers, often within minutes, usually within a few hours
JustAnswer will send an e-mail notifying you of any answer or request for information from an Expert.
 
4. Rate the answer
A positive rating pays the Expert and tells us you're happy. If you got great service, consider adding a bonus.
 
That's all. We guarantee your satisfaction.
 

Comments or questions? Visit our Help page at: justanswer.com


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Comments or Questions?
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Lost Dogs on July 4th  

Posted by — Kim in , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Here are some great tips to better help you and your family pet enjoy the celebration! –Kim

More Pets get Lost on July 4th than Any Other Day!

   
  
Keep your dog safe this Independence Day. Share these eight tips for enjoying the Fourth of July with your dog.
  
Source: Animal Hospital of Martinsville
Copyright © 2014 Animal Hospital of Martinsville


Fireworks are Scary for Your Pets!



Did you know that more pets are lost on the 4th of July than any other day of the year? Please keep your pets from becoming one of the statistics this Independence Day.



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Is Your Dog Potty Trained Enough?  

Posted by — Kim in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Here are some good housetraining tips that I thought I would pass on. –Kim

House Training Your Puppy or Adult Dog

House training a puppy or adult dog is such an essential issue for his owner that even a single exclusive tip turns out to be extremely helpful.

The first step in making your dog fit for polite company would be to potty train him. Some see this training as a hassle and some as a challenge.

For me, it is part of bringing up a pet.
 
There are a few things you need to know before you actually start potty training a puppy or adult dog. I enumerate these below:
  • You need to understand your dog's body language. Watch for signs that will indicate to you when your pet wants to eliminate.
  • If you own puppies, remember that they need to go potty at fairly frequent intervals – as soon as they wake up, after short naps, after play-time, after meals, before and after being crated and finally, before retiring for the night.
  • Take your dog for walks at the time that he usually does his potty. Take him out to the yard, and then, to the same place there every time he needs to answer nature's call.
  • Praise your dog after he eliminates at the right place. Some dog owners even give treats to their dogs. But remember to do this every time he does it right. He will relate the rewards to his having "done it right" and zero in on the spot where you want him to defecate regularly.
  • With time, you can try signal training. This is so that you know when your doggie wants to go. You can hang a bell at his level near the door and teach him to push it with his nose or pat it with his paw on his way out.
  • Until your dog has been fully potty trained, keep him under strict vigilance. Do not let him roam around the house freely.
  • Use a crate. A crate-trained dog is usually very happy to get his own den. The advantage of crating is that dogs do not soil the place where they sleep. So, he will naturally not eliminate inside the crate.
  • If you have a small dog and if you live in a high-rise building or in a place that does not have a proper backyard, you can try litter pan training. This means to create a space for your pet to eliminate in your house itself.
  • Use positive reinforcements while housebreaking puppies or adult dogs. Do not scold or hit him, as you will gain nothing by doing that. He will only associate punishment with your return from outside. If you catch him in the act, a stern 'NO' or 'FREEZE' will do (but be consistent). It will startle the dog enough for him to stop pooping.
  • Be prepared to return to a soiled home if you are keeping your dog home alone for more than 4 hours, as separation anxiety is quite common among home-alone dogs.
  • Accidents will happen. It is unusual for a trained adult dog to work against his house training. But medical problems or health disorders may lead to sudden accidents.
  • Many dogs mark their territory. These can be a leg of a table or a particular wall. Intact male and female dogs mark their territories by urinating. Use deodorizers to spray on the places where your dog has marked.
  • If you are patient and are ready to accept that house training a dog takes time, even months sometimes, you will end up having a good house-trained dog.

Now we will move on to how to potty train puppies and adult dogs.
 
Potty Training a Puppy
 
Irrespective of breeds, house training a puppy is considered to be one of the biggest challenges by dog owners. If you think house training your puppy simply involves a steady supply of old newspapers or puppy pads, then think again.
 
A puppy does not develop full control over his bladder until he is over 4 or 5 months old. Since they are growing and developing rapidly at this time, puppies eat more, burn more calories and need to eliminate more frequently than an adult dog.
 
After each nap, meal, drink or playtime, take your puppy to his designated area (indoors or outdoors, wherever you have decided) and stay there until he eliminates. Then bring him to his crate.
 
Repeat this situation everyday until he has developed a habit out of it.
 
Potty Training an Adult Dog

The best way to house train an adult dog is to begin all over again.
 
Observe him very closely. Maybe even maintain a diary of where he goes and when. Whether he is pooping when you are home or only when you are outside; whether you can, time yourself to be home when he feels the need to go outside.
 
You can try dog crates, but be careful to introduce him gradually to them.
 
Remember: Commitment, consistency and intelligent use of positive reinforcement will make you the owner of a perfectly house-trained dog. Don't expect miracles. You will only be disappointed.
 

Get this unique house training guide and start house-breaking your dog today.
 
Copyright © 2009 TrainPetDog.com
 

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Fear of Thunder & Fireworks  

Posted by — Kim in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Here's a great article about noise sensitivity, especially thunder & fireworks! –Kim

Helping Your Dog's Fear of Thunderstorms [and Fireworks]

by Dogs Naturally Magazine in Holistic Care

Summer weather is here and with it will come thunderstorms [and fireworks]. Thunderstorm phobias can send dogs hiding under their beds or cowering and shaking in fear, much to the concern of their owners. Fortunately, there are some holistic approaches that may help to calm your dog during summer storms.

Fear of thunderstorms and other noise sensitivities are becoming quite prevalent in dogs and the fact that it is so common is not surprising.

Noise sensitivity is quite often a symptom of rabies vaccinosis (see May issue of Dogs Naturally Magazine for how the Rabies vaccine can affect your dog's behavior).

If your dog is noise or thunder phobic, a good start would be to take him to a good homeopathic vet. There are various remedies that can help counter-balance vaccinosis and every vaccinated dog should start here. Even if your dog has not been vaccinated for rabies, he may still carry the baggage of his parents if they were vaccinated. Treating the core of the problem – vaccinosis – is the best place to begin if you want to permanently rid your dog of these fears – or at least limit is stress as much as possible.

There are also some remedies that will help counter his fears during the storm season. As with all homeopathic remedies, once you see improvement in your dog, stop giving the remedy or reduce the frequency of dosing until you can stop completely.
  • Phosphorus 30c – This remedy is good for all noise phobias. It can be given once or twice a day.
  • Borax 6c – This remedy is specific for fears of thunderstorms and can be given twice a day.
  • Aconite 30c – This remedy addresses fear in general and can be given every fifteen minutes during a storm. Continue only until you see improvement. If you do not see improvement, try another remedy.
  • Aurum Metallicaum 30c – may also be given once or twice a day to combat most noise sensitivities.
     
Of course, flower remedies are also an excellent choice for thunder phobias and Rescue Remedy can also be given every 15 minutes until the dog starts to calm.

The above are some suggestions you might try on your dog or discuss with your vet. There is no need for your dog to suffer this summer!

Source: Dogs Naturally Magazine
© 2014 Dogs Naturally Magazine


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