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2008-10-04T09:26:00.010+07:00

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Fun dogs,healthy dogs is purposely to answer the many expectations pet owners have concerning their dogs.

Fun dogs,healthy dogs is written to help every dog owner maximize the benefits a dog can provide him-and to help him raise a happy, healthy pet.

Dogs' display of natural instincts and development of personality depend greatly on the care and training he receives from his master. Even inherited, negative characteristics can be overcome through the proper treatment.

Sometimes it will sound as if we think of dogs as people. We think a dog deserves the same attention and care as any other member of the family. Howeverd his health and well-being rests solely in his Pet-lovers' hands.

Having a dog is a rewarding experience. The firstthing is how to choose the right dog. Let's discuss some factors that will help you make that important, initial decision.

Warm regards,

What's New

To provide the most up-to-date research information possible for this blog, veterinarians, dog breeders, professional obedience trainers, and many dog masters were interviewed.
Fun dogs,healthy dogs edition includes a new section on:

Fun dogs,healthy dogs will be up-dated continuously time to time, so you should not miss to check it out frequently and oftenly for obtaining best information gains.

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Choosing Puppies

2008-10-04T09:21:00.006+07:00

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Getting a new dog is one of the greatest joys in the world. Make this great time even better by knowing exactly what kind of dog will complement your family's lifestyle.

A puppy or a older dog? You will also want to decide if you want a puppy or an older dog. Certain breeds have inherent health problems like eye problems or hip dysplasia, so you will want to take all of that into consideration before choosing a breed. If you decide to get a purebred puppy, there are resources to help you find a reputable breeder. Your local kennel club has access to area breeders that specialize in certain breeds. If you are looking for an older dog, this can also be a good resource as many breeders may have adult dogs available as well. Your veterinarian can be a great resource as well as oftentimes they have assisted area breeders.Generally speaking, it is wise to select a puppy between 6 and 12 weeks of age before he has developed habits you may find objectionable in an older dog. Although you will have to housebreak and teach a puppy to be a good citizen, you will be able to watch him grow and enjoy his rambunctious, cuddly stage.

The living quarters. Large dogs are generally not for apartment dwellers or the elderly,although many a St. Bernard has adjusted to apartment living when the owner has devoted the time to the larger dog's exercise needs.Small dogs are not for people who want to be active with their dogs.Oftentimes, these cute little dogs have big personalities. Dogs in this group include the Pug, the Shih Tzu, the Pomeranian, and the Maltese. These small dogs still require training and a fair amount of exercise, but may be a better choice for apartment dwellers and people with older children.

The costs. How much are you willing to pay for your dog? Be prepared to pay more for a purebred dog than a mixed breed. The cost of a purebred dog varies according to the availability and current popularity of the breed, potential as a show dog, and to some extent the reputation of the breeder or kennel.

Mixed breeds are less expensive to purchase and make excellent pets. However, you cannot predict a mixed breed puppy's temperament and size at maturity. If you prefer a mixed breed, visit the local humane society, where a dog with a clean bill of health may be obtained for a nominal fee and where the selection is usually good.

Inherited personality. Although each breed is known for certain inherited characteristics, littermates vary in temperament, size and even appetite. A great deal depends on a dog's treatment, training, diet and exercise.

When considering a certain puppy, study the parents, if possible, for health and temperament. Puppies sometimes inherit their parents' personalities.

Male and female. If you have the choice between a male and female, remember that it is wise to spay a female (bitch) unless you wish to help her raise litters of pups or keep her from male dogs during her seasons of heat. A male dog is likely to wander more, looking for a female companion. However, a male dog may be neutered in a fairly simple operation that cuts down on wanderlust and makes for a calmer pet.

Are you willing to devote to grooming? A long-haired dog should be brushed daily and sheds considerably on the carpet. If the lady of the house is fastidious, a short-haired dog may be best.
The climate. Consider the climate in your area and where your dog will spend the majority of his time. It is cruel to expect a large, long-haired dog to spend the daytime hours exclusively in the hot sun. some breeds are better suited to outdoor living; others are more comfortable as house pets.

Sanitary. Consider the sanitary conditions at the kennel and health of littermates-factors that may have a bearing on the health of the puppy you select. Ask the breeder if the puppy has been wormed. If any worms were found, ask what kind and treatment given. Accept a puppy on the condition that he get a clean bill of health from a veterinarian within a certain period of time. Although most sick dogs can be nursed to good health, it is wise to start with a healthy animal.

Attention. When considering either a puppy or mature dog, before taking them home, use the following checklist:

The most important thing to do when choosing a dog is to take your time and get to know many different breeds of dog. Talk to pet store personnel, groomers, breeders, and your veterinary staff for assistance. Make sure to consider all aspects of dog care and you can ensure a happy time for your new dog and family.
Are his nose and eyes clear? Running eyes and nose are symptoms of several serious diseases, including distemper.
The eyes,is he full of pep? Try not to fall for a listless dull-eyed puppy out of pity. Do his eyes sparkle?
Take the dog's temperature, or ask the owner to do this for you. If the dog's temperature is over 102.5 degrees, he may be sick.
Watch his mouth and teeth. Teeth should be white; gums, firm and pink. Discolored teeth usually mean the dog was sick during teething age (2.5-4 months). Whitish gums indicate anemia with worms inside his stomach..
The ears. They should be smooth and pink inside, free from inflammation and accumulated wax.
Look at his legs-crooked bones may mean he has rickets.
Common in puppies is the navel hernia, a soft, round lump in the middle of the stomach.
Does he have patches on his coat or on the skin on the inner side of his legs? These may mean mange, ringworm, eczema, or rash.
A dull coat can be a sign of general ill-health.
Test a dog for deafness. Make noises behind him. If he cannot pay attention after your several attempts, he may be deaf.

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First Day Home

2008-10-04T09:18:00.003+07:00

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First day home

After a lot of planning and decision making you finally decide to buy a puppy

Your new puppy is now one of your pack (family) and it needs to feel like it is. If the trip home is a long one,You need to reassure the pup with affection, food and shelter (warmth). ask the breeder in advance to withhold food from your puppy a few hours prior to pick-up time to prevent him from getting carsick. Just in case the trip makes him sick, take a towel along in the car. As you bring your puppy home, hold him. Your warmth and gentleness will soothe his fears.

Even the first few days with a new puppy are about socialization. They will be investigating their new home, getting to know you, and coming to understand their role in your family hierarchy. During this time, and over the next several weeks, slowly expose your puppy to everything in and around your home. Run household machinery like the dishwasher, vacuum cleaner, a hair dryer, or a generator. Introduce your puppy to your other pets and family members. While experiencing these things, try not to focus on your pup too much. Act as you normally would when around these people or pieces of equipment. Be certain to give lavish praise when the encounter is over and your puppy acted favorably.

The hardest thing to do is to leave your puppy alone as soon as he gets home, but this is best for him. Place him in his bed in the restraining area you have prepared, along with a little milk, fresh water, and a couple of toys. Cover the floor with newspapers. Stroke your puppy gently and close the door. He'll probably be tired and will need a nap.

Socialization with your puppy should never be rushed or forced. In addition, you should be mindful that you are rewarding the right behavior, and correcting undesired behavior. Your pup should never be soothed when it is acting unfavorable. Soothing is a form of praise, and therefore there are situations where you can actually be "praising" your dog for being neurotic, fearful or aggressive.

It is wise to introduce children in the neighborhood to your puppy as soon as he adjusts to his new home. When a child first encounters your pup, allow the child to extend the back of his hand so the puppy can sniff him before being touched. Allow the child to feed your pup a morsel of dog food. Early friendships, thus established, coupled with continuing respect, will result in pals for your puppy and peace of mind for you.

Bring your puppy out into the world. Take him for regular car rides, and expose him to the radio, to the beep of a horn, and to the sound of wind rushing in through an open window. Your pup should be exposed to a farm, and be introduced to various farm animals. City parks, walking trails, dog parks and beaches are all great places to expose your dog to a wide variety of stimuli. You should beware, however, to keep your puppy away from strange dogs, or dogs that appear wounded or ill. Remember that your puppy's immune system is still quite young, and that not everyone vaccinates their dogs.

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Food & Nutrition

2008-10-04T09:16:00.003+07:00

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Food and nutrition
There are many different recommendations on what diet is best for dogs. Some people argue that commercial dog foods contain additives or poor-quality (or even dangerous) meat or ingredients that dogs should not ingest or that certain commercial foods are not nutritionally sufficient for their dogs.
Dog food may be labeled as "complete and balanced" if it meets the standards set by a group called AAFCO, the Association of American Feed Control Officials. These standards were formulated in the early 1990s by panels of canine and feline nutrition experts. A food may be certified in two ways: (1) by meeting AAFCO's published standards for content ("Nutrient Profiles"), or (2) by passing feeding tests or trials. While most researchers agree that feeding tests are superior in assessing the nutritional adequacy of a food, clinical experience as well as scientific studies have confirmed that even foods that pass feeding trials may still be inadequate for long-term maintenance. Also keep in mind that the standards set only "minimums" and "maximums," not "optimums." Commercial foods are designed to be adequate for the average animal, but not all foods will be suitable for an individual animal's variable needs.

A dog doesn't need people-food, home-cooked. It is difficult to fulfill his nutritional requirements when his diet consists solely of leftovers. Many of the things we eat cause digestive upsets and bad breath in dogs. For example, a dog cannot digest pork by-products easily, and these foods often cause doggy bad breath. If you feed your dog table scraps, make sure these do not exceed 15 percent of each meal. In any case, do not feed him rich pastries or candy. Your dog may love sweets, but he may develop digestive disturbances after eating them. Modern dog foods are scientifically formulated for dogs' nutritional requirements, are easy to use, and provide the least expensive diets. The important thing is this: Once you start your puppy on a diet, stick to it. Several forms of commercial dog food are available, but not all of these forms, fed alone, fulfill a dog's nutritional requirements.
By its water content, commercial dog food can be categorized into following types:

Dried
Semi-moist
Moist

Dry dog food. All the ingredients necessary for a balanced diet are blended into dry dog food, which may be fed dry or moistened with warm water. When changing dry foods, mix 1/4 of the new food with 3/4 of the old food, and increase the new food a little each day. Some finicky dogs may need a more gradual change over two or more weeks. Never let a cat skip more than one or two meals; return to the old food if necessary.The most economical way to feed, dry dog food is 90 percent solid food and only 10 percent moisture. Dogs on dry food need more water.
Semi-moist dog food. The semi-moist prepared foods are relatively new and provide complete, balanced diets for dogs. Semi-moist foods are approximately 75 percent solid food and 25 percent moisture. If your dog is on a semi-moist dog food diet, be careful not to overfeed when he is mature. These foods are high in caloric value. Since the moisture content is low, provide water on the side.
Canned dog food. Most canned dog foods are complete diets but include up to 75 percent moisture. A dog needs roughage in his diet and actually prefers crisp food. If you feed canned food, change brands or flavors of dry food every three to four months to avoid deficiencies or excesses of ingredients which may be problematic for your dog.we suggest you use it as a supplement to a dry dog food diet. Dog foods labeled all-meat-canned are not complete diets. These should be fed only as supplements to a complete diet.
One potential problem with commercial dog food is pesticide residues, antibiotics, and molds contained in dog food ingredients. Meat from sick animals may be loaded with drugs, some of which are known to pass unchanged through all the processing done to create a finished dog food (such as penicillin and pentobarbital). Between 1995 and 1999, there were two major recalls of dry dog food by different manufacturers due to mold contamination of grain ingredients. Some fungal toxins are very dangerous. The second recalled food killed more than 20 dogs.
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Grooming

2008-10-04T09:15:00.002+07:00

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Breeding

2008-10-04T09:08:00.002+07:00

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Selecting the right dog breed is not easy even if it is your second one. The basic considerations are their characteristics, what do you want a dog for, whether they meet your requirements and the price etc. A quick study of the dog groups should help you begin your quest, as group names are indicative. For example, you need a dog for herding cattle; you can immediately focus on breeds within this group. American Kennels club (AKC) has listed 18 dogs under this group, which you can choose from the lot. On the other hand, you can search by how they are bred. Mixed dog breeds, purebred dogs (examples: Cockapoo, bull terrier, bulldog etc) suit multiple purposes. AKC provides a good set of guidelines to select the right dog breed for your need.

If you choose to pursue dog breeding, realize that it is a big time and money investment. Also realize that just because your dog is registered doesn’t necessarily mean that it would make a good breeding dog. Almost any dog with purebred parents can be registered. Having a registered dog does not mean that your dog should or can be bred.

If you do decide to breed your dog, you must be clear on what your motivation and goal is. Your motivation and goal should be to breed dogs that are as close to the breed standard as possible.

If you have a female dog, or bitch, the question of breeding her is bound to arise. The decision is an important one. The experience of seeing the bitch give birth and helping her raise the litter is a meaningful one, but a great deal of time on your part is necessary during the course of events.
If you're a beginning breeder, don't expect to make a fortune with the first litter. There are many expenses involved. Talk to established breeders to determine what outlay is necessary before you make the decision to breed your dog.
A bitch can only get pregnant during her seasons of heat, which usually occur twice a year, six months apart and last approximately 21 days. Small breeds may experience three heat seasons annually, the large breeds, only one. The times and intervals vary from dog to dog. a bitch's first heat comes between six and 12 months of age; if a large breed, sometimes later.
Unless a bitch is spayed, meaning her reproductive organs are removed, she must be kept from male dogs during her periods of heat if you do not wish her to conceive. Male dogs are quite ingenious and can pick up the scent of a female in heat for miles, so either kennel your dog or keep her indoors if you do not wish her to mate. The scent is in the bitch's urine. Don't be surprised if several anxious romeos parade around your yard during this period of time. Don't let her out of your sight for a minute!
When a bitch is ready to breed she will accept the male dog. This is the only time she will show an interest in her sex life. Matings two days apart while the bitch is willing to accept the stud are recommended. The stud owner may suggest that you leave your dog with him for a few days to assure a successful mating. It is wise to contact the stud owner well in advance to discuss general terms and again when the bitch comes into heat so that a definite reservation can be made.
You'll know your dog is pregnant when you can feel the puppies-this is around the fourth or fifth week. Until that time the bitch has few special needs, although she should continue to receive a nutritional, well-balanced diet and vitamin supplement.
Whelping box.The dimensions of the whelping box depend on the size of dog. For the smaller breeds, a cardboard box is sufficient-have a couple on hand, as a wet or soiled box must be discarded. For the larger breeds, you need a BIG box. The box should be log enough to accommodate her when she is stretched at full length, with extra space for the puppies.
The sides should be high enough to prevent drafts and to keep the puppies inside. Cut an opening in one side for the mother to use, with an entrance barrier to prevent the pups from leaving.
Line the bottom of the box with several thicknesses of newspaper to absorb moisture, changing these when needed to maintain cleanliness. If your dog has a favorite blanket or toy, put this in the box. You may want to put an old shirt or jacket of yours there, also to encourage her to use the box. she needs an old rug or blanket during whelping.
Whelping may take as little as half an hour or as long as 14 hours. If your dog does not whelp within two hours of the onset of labor, call the veterinarian. There may be an obstruction or breech birth. If so, she will need his help. Otherwise, the bitch is able to take charge of things herself. Each puppy is born in a sac, and should be followed by the after-birth-the placenta attached to the umbilical cord. If the placenta is not discharged after the puppy, or with the next one, call the veterinarian. There should be a placenta for each puppy. The bitch may eat a couple.
The mother normally tears open the sac with her teeth and cleans the puppy. If she doesn't, you must do it for her-and quickly. Tear the sac around the head area so the puppy can breathe and pull it down off the body. If the bitch does not ct the umbilical cord with her teeth, cut it with a pair of scissors, using a sawing motion to prevent bleeding. Hold the placenta over the puppy as you do this. Leave a two-inch length from the puppy. Dip the stub in a bowl of iodine. Have silk thread available to tie the cord if it bleeds. Then give the bitch her puppy to clean. The bitch should lick the puppy vigorously to stimulate breathing. If she doesn't, rub the puppy with a rough, dry towel, removing mucus from its mouth with your finger.
The bitch pants heavily between births and consumes a great deal of water. Check her frequently and quietly. There is no need to stay with her all the time. Do not allow too many spectators. This may make her nervous. The interval between puppies may vary between 10 minutes and an hour. Leave the pups with her; nursing stimulates the uterus to expel the other puppies.
Keep a bowl of warm, sudsy water on hand to bathe her hindquarters and to wash your hands, if you assist. Do not attempt to help her unless she does not perform the necessary functions herself, or unless the puppies are in danger. After she is through whelping, take the bitch outside to relieve herself. The puppies should nurse soon afterwards and then settle sown to sleep. Then the bitch is ready to eat. Encourage her with a little milk and follow wit a regular meal.
See to lit that all the puppies nurse, rotating them with their mother, if necessary. If she doesn't have enough milk to feed them, try a commercial milk substitute. As an emergency formula, mix a can of evaporated milk with one-fourth can of water and an egg yolk. Warm to about 100 degrees; feed with an eye-dropper or doll's baby bottle.
Puppies' eyes are closed when born and open between 10 days and two weeks. They should not be exposed to bright lights for several days after their eyes open.
Weaning. The mother may begin weaning the puppies herself between the fourth and fifth weeks. You may help by offering the puppies a mixture of warm milk or water and baby cereal or dot food, in a gruel consistency, beginning about the third week. Add powder to the mixture. Gradually decrease the amount of liquid. It helps to keep the pups from their mother an hour before offering the new food. Moisten their mouths with the food to encourage them to eat it.
The puppies should be completely weaned before they are taken from their mother. This can be accomplished by the sixth week. Remember that the puppies receive immunity to disease from their mother's milk and should be given their puppy shots shortly after weaning to provide continuing immunity.
After weaning, the puppies should be wormed. Two treatments are usually necessary. The puppies can be wormed at six weeks with anti worm oral-powder. Use anti flea and tick powder if the puppies have fleas or lice.
To dry up the mother's milk, gradually reduce the amount of food given her from the time weaning of the puppies begins. On the day the puppies are completely weaned, do not feed the mother. The next day offer her a small portion of food, increasing the amount daily, until her consumption equals what it was before pregnancy. On the day the puppies are cut off completely from their mother, you may rub camphorated oil on her nipples to hasten the drying up process.

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Health Care

2008-10-04T09:01:00.002+07:00

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Health Care
There are several signs of illness in a dog. Continued loss of appetite is one; absolute refusal to eat is a sure sign. Constipation and diarrhea, persistent vomiting, a dull, lackluster coat, listlessness, hiding in dark places, and mucus or blood in the stools are also indications of sickness. If your dog is skinny but has a big potbelly, be concerned.
One indication of ill health is a dog's temperature, which normally runs from 101 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. To take a dog's temperature, use an ordinary lubricated rectal thermometer. You may need to soothe and quiet him as you take his temperature. A phone call to the veterinarian is advisable if the temperature persists or is very high.
Disregard the old wives' tale that a warm, wet nose is the sign of a health dog. A cold, dry nose means that your dog has a cold, dry nose, not that hi is sick.
If no health conditions are present, the next thing you should look at is the quality and quantity of food you are feeding your dog. Many store brand and generic foods do not have the proper nutrients required to keep your dog fit and healthy. If your dog is overweight, you will want to choose a high quality food specifically designed to be low in calories. Many prescription and over the counter diets are available. Talk with your veterinary staff to help determine which food is right for your dog. If you will be switching to a new food, you will want to do this gradually, over the period of about a week. This will help reduce digestive problems like vomiting and loose stools. Feed your dog the amount that the label or your veterinarian recommends.

While your dog is losing weight, ideally you should cut out all treats. Many people feed their dogs the appropriate amount of food, but do not realize how high in calories many treats are. Keep track of what kinds of treats and how many you are giving your dog. You may be amazed to find out that his caloric intake of treats is greater than that in his food. If you must feed your dog treats while he is dieting, choose healthy snacks like carrots or a low calorie manufactured treat such as Charlee Bears. You should also never feed your dog leftovers. Not only is this unhealthy for dogs, it can lead to unwanted behaviors such as begging. In general, your leftovers do not have the proper balance of nutrients that dogs require and are often higher in fat and calories than dogs should have.
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Training

2008-10-04T08:58:00.002+07:00

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Let's teach him
The first lesson in obedience is to get your dog to pay attention to the commands. You want to start by calling his name and then using a keyword like "watch" or "look" afterwards. This way, he will associate the words to a command. Once you've got his attention, the lessons can begin.
The old school also recommends that most puppies be paper-trained first and later housebroken to relieve themselves outside. This is also a mistake. Unless you live in an apartment and find it difficult to curb your dog regularly, skip the paper-training step. Many dogs get so used to paper-training that it takes forever to make the transition to outdoor elimination.
Because dogs have such short attention spans, they get distracted pretty easily. Choose a place that is free of other distractions such as other pets, children or loud noises. Training sessions should only last approximately 30 minutes tops. Usually, if you go over this time limit, the dog will get restless and easily distracted.
Take your puppy outside as soon as he awakens in the morning. This may be annoying, especially if you sat up to watch the late, late movie, and puppy whines at 6 a.m. However, if you don't drag yourself out of bed, your puppy will relieve himself in the house. His bladder is full; he's got to go!
Puppies also need to relieve themselves after naps. As soon as your puppy awakens, head for the door with him. If you notice him sniffing the floor, circling the room, or starting to squat at any other time, quickly pick him up and take him outside.
If your dog isn't learning very quickly, you may become frustrated. Don't take that frustration out on your animal. A few things to remember before starting your obedience lessons:

1) When your puppy makes a mistake there is no need to spank him severely. A firm, disapproving "NO!" conveys displeasure adequately. It is important to correct him immediately after his mistake, for his memory is short. He won't relate the scolding to the mistake if you chastise him even minutes later.Never cause pain to your dog (this will cause him to shy away or become aggressive to you.)

2) If he begins to become distracted, change the tone of your voice (this doesn't mean raising it)

3) Consistency can not be stressed enough (animals are like children, if you're not consistent, they will become confused as to what is expected)
Teaching your dog basic obedience, if possible, should be taught as soon as you and your dog are ready. Remember be consistent with the commands and don't forget to have fun!
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Trips With a Dog

2008-10-04T08:56:00.006+07:00

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It's vacation time, coming soon

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