DOG CARE TIPS

Dogs: The Four Basic Commands : Snagged and Shared by MoonPixie

When it comes to obeying you, does your dog mind his manners - or does he seem to have a mind of his own? Every dog should respond to at least four basic commands: "Sit and Stay," "Let's Go," "Come" and "Leave it." Training your dog to understand these commands will yield control when you need it, compliance in an emergency and safety for the general public.

When a dog responds to the "Sit and Stay" command, he will sit quietly until you tell him it is OK to move. While sitting, his feet do not move and he should show no signs of jumping up. How is this command helpful? If your dog tends to jump on visitors, for example, the "Sit and Stay" command will keep him under control.

Do your daily walks turn into a game of push-and-pull - and pull! - between you and your pet? When a dog understands a controlled walking command such as "Let's go," he will follow your lead, and not attempt to rush off into the street, with you hanging on to the other end of the leash.

After a play session with the neighborhood canines at the park, does your dog bolt in the other direction when it's time to go home? Well-behaved dogs all understand to "Come" when called. This basic command is supremely useful and can be used, for example, to keep your dog safe and at your side if his leash breaks.

Caught your garbage hound about to scarf down a chicken bone he found on the sidewalk? A dog who responds to the "Leave it!" command will do just that. This command means more than just "Drop it!," however. Essentially, you are asking the dog to avert his eyes and completely ignore the distraction. The distraction may be another dog, a passing jogger or an inline skater.

If your canine comes when called, sits on command and walks on his leash without pulling, give yourself, and your pet, a pat on the back. But if your dog could use refresher course in canine etiquette, don't despair. With patience, persistence and a little professional help your dog will always be on his best behavior. Remember, there is more than one way to train a dog, so you'll need to find the right method for your canine. The ASPCA recommends humane methods without using force, hitting or coercion. You may wish to enroll in a group obedience class. You'll get expert advice and you may even have a lot of fun doing it!

Special Dog treats : sent in by Dianne :

As two of my dogs have allergies I have learnt to avoid bought dog treats unless they actually say "hypoallergenic." These dog treats take very little effort and are very useful for training your dog, as most dogs will respond to offers of food!

Get some liver - it doesn't matter what kind, cheap is good! - and chop it into small pieces. If you're squeamish about handling it raw, pop it in the microwave for a couple of minutes to cook it until just firm and then cut it up.
Now, spread it in a single layer on a baking tray and put it in a *slow* oven (225°F / 110°C / Gas mark ¼ ) for several hours until is is cooked right through then carry on until it is rock hard and brittle. It needs to be really dried out! It will look inedible, but your dog will LOVE it. You can carry a handful in your pocket to use as a reward when you take him out for a walk and it won't get messy, and it will keep in a screw-top jar in the refrigerator for quite some time (although your dog will have other ideas about that!)

Spay / neuter your dog! Sent in by Beverly, and endorsed by Dianne.

If you do not plan on breeding your dog, consider the option of spaying or neutering.

By neutering your female dog you are:

By neutering your male dog you are:

• Removing the chance of his accidentally siring a litter of puppies.
• Eliminating the desire to roam from home if there is a female dog in season in the neighborhood.
• Eliminating the need to mark his territory with urine if he scents a female dog in season.
• Decreasing, in some cases, aggressive behavior towards other male dogs.
• Decreasing the aggression of other dogs towards him.
• Helps prevent the onset of any possible genital cancer that may develop when the dog isn't used.

For more information on spaying/neutering, check with your veterinarian. He can also tell you the best age for these procedures to be done for your breed.

Dogs: Body Language : Snagged and Shared by MoonPixie

Your dog may not speak your language, but he has ways of letting you know how he's feeling. For example, when he leans forward slightly and wags not only his tail, but his entire body, you know he's happy to see you. Following are clues you can use to interpret other common canine body postures.

A calm and relaxed dog keeps his weight evenly distributed, and his tail may be wagging slightly. You won't notice any tension in his ears and facial muscles. His mouth may be closed or slightly open.

Should something catch this mellow fellow's attention, he'll exhibit an alert and interested posture. His ears will move forward and there will be a slight shift in weight. Should the dog be feeling both excited and wary, a ridge of fur may rise up on his shoulders or down his spine. This is known as "getting his hackles up."
A dog shows fear by shifting his weight backwards and keeping his tail down or tucked between his legs. His gaze will be averted and his ears pulled back. It is common for scared dogs to bark or growl, advance and then retreat. These body postures say "Please back off, or I may have to bite you."

If a dog feels frightened, unsure and intimidated, he may act in a submissive manner that says "I am no threat." He will crouch and pull back his ears, and may paw at the ground. You may notice that his mouth is held in what is known as a submissive grin, It looks a bit like a snarl, but you won't hear any growling. If the dog is extremely intimidated, he may roll onto his back to express total surrender.

An aggressive or dominant dog will let you know how he's feeling loud and clear. Dogs who are fenced-in or chained are likely to exhibit aggressive postures as they guard their territory. An aggressive dog will lean forward, tail held high and bristled. It may even be wagging, but it is important to distinguish this agitated wagging between that of a friendly dog. His facial muscles will tense, resulting in a curled lips and wrinkling around the nose and an unmistakable snarl. He may growl and bark. It's best to back off from any dog exhibiting these behaviors, or you may get bitten.

Alternative Medicine : sent by Twilight with a little help from Amanda ;-) :

#1- Shampoo Alternative
Some dog owners and their dogs are allergic to chemical-based shampoos. A safe and effective alternative is Murphy's Oil Soap. This all-natural product is non-drying to the skin and does not leave that "wet dog smell" noticeable after use of many shampoos.

#2- Flea Control Alternative
When fleas are biting and you can't get to the store right away, sprinkle some salt on your pet's bedding-- this is where the fleas are infested-- and also on carpets and chairs. The flea problem will be reduced.

Ear Care for dogs - sent in by Winter Wolf

Has your dog ever had ear problems? Our golden has trouble all the time, until I made it a daily regimen to clean her ears. Fluffy suffers from allergies to dander to rashes and ear mites, and she is always after her ears.

What to do: First get an old wash cloth or dish towel and soak it in warm soapy water then wring out all excess water. Gently hold your dog and talk to them as you lift and clean the inside of the ear flap with the rag. Then prepare a bowl of the same, and use q-tips to remove any particles that might be stuck in the crevices of the ear flap. Always be sure to rinse with clean warm water when finished so as not to leave any suds behind to cause an allergic reaction.

Excerpt from "Adopting a Great Dog - A Guide to Rehoming a Rescue or Shelter Dog"By Nona Kilgore Bauer : S & S by Beverly

Ask anyone who has adopted a dog from a rescue or shelter, and they'll agree: "This is the best dog we ever had," "the best thing we ever did," "he's like one of our children," "we were made for each other." "he's like one of our children," " we were made for each other." If you're thinking "new dog" and you've never visited a shelter, now's the time. You'll be amazed at the many fine dogs who are housed there. Most of them have the potential to become a sterling member of a family that is properly matched to their size and personality.

Dogs who have been abandoned or mistreated usually bond eagerly with humans who offer them attention and loving care. It may take a while, especially with dogs who have been abused, but your rehabilitated dog will love you unconditionally for life, which is the ultimate bonus of owning a dog.

(Note from Dianne : two of my three dogs are from rescue shelters, and I wholeheartedly agree with this!)

Good Doggy Biscuits : sent in by Tonya

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup rye or buckwheat flour
1/2 cup powdered milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons bacon drippings or margarine
1 egg
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1/2 cup ice water
1 cup pureed vegetables or 2 to 3 tablespoons dried soup greens

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil a cookie sheet.

Combine dry ingredients and cut in drippings or margarine until mixture resembles cornmeal. Mix in egg, vegetables and add enough water to make mixture form a ball. With fingers, on a lightly floured board, pat dough out to 1/2 inch thick. Cut with cutter and place on prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Cool on racks.

Yield: 12 biscuits

Lemon Flea Treatment (for cats or dogs) : sent in by Tonya

2 lemons, cut into small pieces
1 quart water

Place lemon pieces into water, then boil for one hour. Steep overnight.

Sponge down your dog or cat. While fleas are repelled by citrus oil, your pet will smell good, and the lemon water will help soothe your pet's flea bites.

Dealing with a "barky" dog : sent in by Sweetness

What is it about small breed dogs that makes them so "barky" and what can we do about it, aside from electro-shock therapy in guise of those no bark collars? With neither the money, nor the inclination, to shock my miniature pinscher, I took a page from the cats book on handling the situation.

If you have a barky little dog, try this approach....

Invest $1 and buy a spray bottle. Set the nozzle to "stream" and, whenever the pooch starts barking innappropiately, spray water at him with a resounding "NO!". Even a dog that LIKES water (like my min pin) will not like the sensation of it flying at him. It will usually startle the animal into stopping his behavior. When he starts again, repeat the process. After 2 months of this, if I just picked up the water bottle, the dog stopped barking. Now, I keep the bottle next to my chair in the living room and rarely have to actually use it anymore.

IMPORTANT: Always aim for the body and not the head. If the water gets into the dogs ears, it can cause a yeast infection.

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