Signs of Dog Ear Problem

How many times have you been to a vet because of dog ear problem? Perhaps, you've given antibiotic drops, and the ear problem cleared up.....until the next time.

Bacteria is not the cause of most ear problems, but anything that changes the normal health of the ear canal can leave an opening for bacteria and yeast to grow and multiply.

Your dog's ear canal is lined with skin, and skin diseases are usually to blame for unhealthy and unhappy ears.

Whenever you notice signs of ear problem in dog like an ear discharge, odor,sensitivity, don't stop at the ear. Look further.

Evaluate your dog's skin and coat, check for parasites such as fleas, or trouble spots on the skin.

If your dog is suffering from a dog ear problem, your dog could have food allergy. You might see ear troubles coupled with mild gastrointestinal symptoms, such as belching, flatulence, and soft stools.

• Scratching – means your dog is itchy or uncomfortable

• Shaking the head – it could mean your dog’s ear is painful or irritated as from a foxtail or infection. If your dog is holding one ear lower than the other; that’s probably the ear that’s bothering him the most.

• A head tilt - it means a very painful ear or an inner ear problem, often from an infection that has extended across the eardrum.

• Repeatedly ducking or bobbing the head while swallowing – indicates a foxtail in the ear, tonsil, or throat

• Sensitive to touch – If a foxtail or plant seed is lodged deep in the canal, your dog might cry out when the base of the ear is even gently touched. In some areas of the country, spinous ear tick can cause great discomfort when it crawls into the canal and feeds there.

• Redness - together with tiny blisters and swelling of the skin and tissues of the ear are all common symptoms of dog ear problem associated with allergies. Redness can also result from yeast infections and constant scratching.

• Offensive odor or discharge – this ear problem in dog with strong odor usually means infection. If a wet, soupy discharge is present, and the ear is painful to touch, have your vet check your dog.

• Bloody discharge – indicates a serious disruption and should be seen by your vet ASAP.

• Heavy accumulation of wax – a small amount of brown wax is normal for some dogs. Excessive brown wax is often seen with skin problems affecting the ears. Black, waxy discharge may mean yeast or ear mites. Ear mites can sometimes be seen with a magnifying glass as tiny, white, moving dots.

• Crusts or scabs on the tips of the ear – Flies can cause irritation to the ear margins.

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Non-core vaccines for your puppy dogs

One of the best ways to help your dog live a healthier and longer life is to get them vaccinated. Vaccines against infectious diseases must be given when your pup is old enough to build immunity. Some of these diseases are rabies, infectious hepatitis, distemper, parvovirus and parainfluenza. On the other hand, vaccines for bordetella bronchiseptica, coronavirus, giardia, Leptospirosis, and Lyme disease are optional. This usually depends on the risk factors for your dog and the occurrence of the mentioned diseases in your area.

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has made guidelines to help categorize dog vaccines as core or noncore.

Leptospirosis Bacterin

The vaccine against Leptospira bacterins may help protect against two or four of the most common subspecies of bacteria which causes leptospirosis. The two-serovar bacterin can be combined into a DHPP shot administered at dogs 12 weeks of age, the next of which is at 14 to 16 weeks of age. Most of the veterinarians administer the four-serovar bacterin as a separate injection as early as 12 weeks, the next of which is two to three weeks later.

Leptospira bacterin has been reported to be responsible for 70% of post-vaccination DHLPP anaphylactic shock reactions. Dogs and toy breeds that are younger than 12 weeks old are believed to have the highest rate of reactions to this bacterin. Also, the two-serovar vaccines do not provide protection against the two species which is responsible for the majority of cases recently. As such, routine vaccination is considered optional now for dog owners. It is still indicated in certain areas where the risk of contracting the disease is higher than the risk of vaccination. The vaccine against leptospirosis is not included in all combination vaccines, therefore it can be given separately.

Companies like Pfizer and Fort Dodge already have vaccines that covers all four of the primary serovars of leptospirosis. These are called subunit vaccines, and it poses a low risk of an allergic reaction to dogs. Due to the rising cases of leptospirosis, this vaccine may be recommended in more areas. Immunity following the vaccination usually takes place four to six months  after. As such, if vaccination for puppies is essential, it may be recommended to revaccinate after every six months. You can also ask your veterinarian to learn what would be the best for your dog.

Canine Parainfluenza

Parainfluenza is the primary virus indicated in the kennel cough complex. By getting this vaccine for dogs, it decreases the severity and prevalence of the infection. However, the vaccine does not prevent the disease. The vaccine for parainfluenza is combined into the canine distemper-measles-parainfluenza and DHPP shots. The first dose is given to dogs that are eight to twelve weeks of age, while the second dose is given at 16 weeks. According to the guidelines of AAHA 2006, the vaccine should be given at six to eight weeks of age. However, a lot of veterinarians choose to wait until dogs are seven to eight weeks of age before commencing vaccinations. An intranasal vaccine which incorporate the vaccine for bordetella is also available.

The injectable vaccine against parainfluenza helps protect dogs, but does not completely eliminate the virus coming from nasal secretions. This means that pups can still transmit the infection. The intranasal vaccine provides protection against both infection and disease, therefore eliminating the possibility of disease transmission to other dogs.

Yearly boosters of this vaccine are recommended by the manufacturer. However, there have been evidences suggesting that the vaccine against parainfluenza does not always give protection for the full 12 months. In many cases, the vaccine should be given twice a year, especially for dogs that pose a higher risk.

Keep in mind that this recommendation is applicable only for the parainfluenza vaccine, and not for other viruses that are usually included in a combination vaccine. Since this is not a core vaccine, it must only be given to pups with lifestyles that increase their risk, like dogs who will be boarded and show dogs.

Bordetella (Noncore)

The vaccine for bordetella bronchiseptica can help control kennel cough as well as other respiratory infections caused by the bacteria. This optional vaccine works best for dogs living in kennels, show dogs and boarded dogs.

As of the time being, there are two available vaccine types to help prevent bordetella in pups. The first is an intranasal vaccine, and the second one is an injectable vaccine. The intranasal vaccine that helps protect dogs against bordetella and parainfluenza, provides the most immediate immunity. However, either type of this vaccine is ideally given at least a week before possible exposures.

The injectable vaccine, on the other hand, should be given to dogs twice. The first injections is administered to pups that are eight weeks of age, which will be repeated two to four weeks later. Dogs that are born in high-risk areas where bordetella is widespread can be given the intranasal vaccine at three weeks of age.

Annual boosters for this vaccine is also recommended by the manufacturer. However, due to the short duration of immunity, semi-annual boosters might be more advisable for dogs.

Lyme Disease

The vaccine for Lyme disease, also known as Borrelia burgdorferi, is only recommended for dogs in areas with high risk. This includes dogs that visit areas where Lyme disease is widespread, as well as areas with a high risk of tick exposure.

The killed bacterin is not that so much favored right now, and the subunit vaccine which features OpsA antigen is the one more preferred should the vaccine be needed for your dog. The immunity of dogs from this vaccine can be determined from a natural exposure. Tick control must be the first line of defense against Lyme disease

• training your dog with help of dog

Training your dog with the help of dog training advice. Dog Training Advice

Introduction To Dog Training Advice 

If you have a pet dog, it is obvious that you would love it just like any other family member.  It is equally important that you train the dog in the right manner.  If you are a novice and do not have correct understanding of how to go about, you need to check for dog training advice.  It is imperative that you understand how to train your canine, teach them the commands.  Just like your children, you would have to teach your canine to obey you and also follow instructions.

Teaching your canine good habits

It is of essence that you teach your dog good habits so that it follows the same in your home also.  Irrespective of whether you are there in your home or not, it needs to follow correct instructions and make sure that it does not have any bad habits. Practice surely makes perfect and you can now provide the requisite dog training advice.  When you browse the internet, you would come across a plethora of sites that offer dog training advice and guidance on how to take care of y our canine.

Your dog is learning in the process and if you take good responsibility, it would also learn in a better fashion and follow all the good habits that you have taught it.  As compared to human beings, the grasping and learning capabilities of dogs would vary and hence you need to be patient and not lose your cool.  If you start getting impatient, the dog would start reacting in the opposite fashion and it could start developing behavioral problems that are not good.

Check out for dog training advice books or online tutorials

The online tutorials would guide you and teach you about how to effectively communicate with your dog.  Once the right dog training methods and communication patterns are followed, the dog would now be in a position to grasp the commands. Your pet is surely going to be the envy of all dog lovers, thanks to following all the instructions perfectly.

Dog Training Advice Behavioral Problems

Dog lovers would have to put up with various dog related problems like whining, separation anxiety, pulling on leash, digging aggression and bolting.  There are different types of dealing with these problems and depending on what suits the dog and its personality, you may want to take up a specific technique.

Personalities vary depending on the breed of the dog

It is important to mention here that the personality of the dog and the behavior would also vary depending on the breed of your dog.  Some of the dogs are fierce and violent whereas some are timid.  You need to be clear as to the type or breed of dog you would like to have.  If you have more than one particular breed of dog, you would have to go through the dogtraining advice manual to get a better view.

Summary

Last but not the least; be a little patient with your new pup.  It would chew, housebreak  but with time, it will surely understand.

Choosing A Dog Bed – A Waterproof Dog Bed

If you have a dog and need to choose a dog bed, you should consider a waterproof dog bed. This makes it easy for the bed to stay clean and dry, even if the dog is wet. This will also make it easy for any water on the dog to repel and the dog bed will have fewer odors. 

 

A waterproof dog bed makes sense when you are looking for supplies for your dog. In addition to choosing a dog bed, you should also consider a pen to keep the dog in or a crate. These are ideal if you are housebreaking the dog. 

 

A dog will generally not urinate where he is sleeping, so this is not the reason for the waterproof dog bed. The main reason is that the dog can get wet when being exercised outside and in the damp weather. When he lays down in his dog bed, he brings that moisture with him. When this seeps into the dog bed, it creates an odor that is formed due to mildew and mold. This can be unpleasant for both the dog as well as you. 

 

A good waterproof dog bed is one that has a covering that can be tossed right into the washer for cleaning. While your dog may prefer a dog bed that has an odor to it that smells like him, you will definitely prefer to have a dog bed that smells clean when it is in your home. 

 

If you have a dog bed that is outside, such as in a kennel, you need to definitely choose a waterproof dog bed. Larger animals that are kenneled or have dog houses still need a dog bed in which to sleep. A waterproof dog bed is the best solution for any dogs that are kenneled or kept in a dog house.  Even if your dog is only in the dog house for some of the time, it is a good idea to make it comfortable for him by installing a waterproof dog bed. 

 

You can get a waterproof dog bed in a variety of different sizes, depending on the size of your dog. They make a dog bed for all sized dogs, even very large ones. Naturally, the size of the dog bed coincides with the size of the dog. 

 

There are also different patterns and colors from which to choose when you are looking for a dog bed. While your dog will most likely not care whether his waterproof dog bed is blue or red, you can find one that you will like.  Your dog will most likely be attracted by the scent of the dog bed more than anything else. After you have cleaned the waterproof dog bed your dog will most likely roll in it to get his scent onto the bed. After all, he considers the bed to be part of his den and his safety zone. 

 

It is important for any dog owner to make sure that their dog is comfortable, especially when sleeping. You should choose dog beds for comfort as well as those that are waterproof. 

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Training Your Puppy: Keep Your House Clean and Your Furry Friend Happy

Initially, a new puppy means excitement and fun for everyone. They are rolly polly balls of pure, fluffy cute! A puppy is a new best friend who will be by your side for its entire life. If you allow it, your dog will become a part of your life and you will share many fond memories together. However, even before the initial excitement subsides, new puppy training must begin.

These lessons will help set the stage for your puppy’s life. Done properly, you can promote a healthy and positive daily existence. Always discuss training with your family, even younger members, prior to introducing the new dog. Eventually, even the youngest member of the family may be required to help reinforce puppy obedience training. The best time to bring a new furry friend into your family’s home is during periods of calm, when time can be arranged for puppy care. Ideally, holidays and other celebrations are discouraged. These events can be hectic times that may add stress to your pup as he or she adjusts.

The family should play a role in training a puppy. For example, one of the simplest activities we do each day is ascending and descending stairs. If you have a stair case in your home, your dog will inevitably have to learn to navigate it. This process may prove very intimidating from a dog’s perspective. Take it one step at a time.

Have your family situated just above the pup on the stair.  Encourage and urge your little dog to climb up. He or she will most likely be timid at first; some dogs adjust to this faster than others. Size is also a factor. Never place a small, young dog high up on a staircase. The pup could fall and possibly injure itself. Climbing stairs is not a natural activity for a dog in the wild, so it takes time and practice to learn.

Believe it or not, putting on a collar can be traumatic for a pup.  A big part of knowing howto train a puppy involves patience and understanding. Start by carefully and calmly buckling the pup’s collar on. Never put the collar on too tight. Never replace your pup’s buckle collar for a choke collar. While these can be valuable training aids, they are not intended to be the actual collar. Your pup may nip and scratch at the collar, but give it time. Eventually, he or she will accept it. If the collar causes excitement levels to go too high, try leaving it on for short periods, slowly lengthening them until your pup no longer minds.

House training your puppy is one of the first things you will cover. This will help keep your home clean and odor free. It takes time and patience, but do not worry, eventually it will happen. It takes time for a young dog to develop strong bladder control, so do not take every accident as intentional. It is much more likely your pup became overly excited or was urinating submissively.

Training your puppy should be a fun and enlightening learning experience. You can get the entire family involved. Children can learn much about a growing life by observing puppy development and having a hand in basic lessons. Educate your little ones on the importance of patience and consider drawing parallels between the dog’s progress and their own when they were not much bigger than a pup!

Doberman Issues

Owning a pet isn’t always easy, but having an animal companion for you and your family to love and adore for years to come outweighs the difficulties. Let’s examine four common Doberman issues, namely some of the behavioral problems you might encounter when training and caring for your Doberman Pinscher.

Doberman Aggression

This is one of the bigger issues for Doberman owners. You really have two courses of action you can follow when dealing with your dog’s aggression:

1.  You can let the aggression go unchecked and completely lose control of your dog, 
2. you can find out what’s causing the aggression, and make some tweaks in your training to reduce your Doberman’s aggression levels over time.

 I highly recommend going for option number two; it will make you a happier pet owner in the long run. and keep your pet out of trouble later. Your Doberman’s aggression can happen for a number different reasons, getting to the root of your dog’s problem is a necessity. Do whatever it takes to do so, even if it means seeking the professional help of a vet, behaviorist or dog trainer.

Doberman Pinscher Separation Anxiety

Often a dog’s behavior can be misattributed to being mischievous, being angry or being aggressive. Sometimes when your Doberman chews up your furniture or destroys other parts of the home, it can be related to separation anxiety.
Think about toddlers for a moment, human toddlers. Sometimes if daycare is a new experience, what happens when Mom or Dad drops them off and drives away? The child pitches a fit! Of course some kids respond differently, but the crying and acting out is a way of the child saying “I don’t know what to do! My Mom just left me!!” It’s really no different when you’re dealing with your dog. When you leave, your Doberman may be acting out in response to his feelings of abandoned by his master. Through proper training, it is possible to curb this response.

Doberman Biting

Your dog pauses ominously…no movement whatsoever…as if he’s preparing for something. He crinkles his nose, causing his front lip to curl, revealing a rather sharp set of canine teeth. He growls with a tensed brow and deep, focused eyes. He attacks!
In most situations a Doberman won’t attack immediately, unless trained to do so. There is usually something that has triggered a biting response. What exactly causes a dog to bite someone. There are a number of different factors: fear, aggression, to protect itself of members of its pack, anxiety, and training.

Doberman Growling & Barking

Your dog’s growling and barking can be caused by very similar factors that trigger biting: fear, confusion, aggression, etc. Growling is generally a precursor to barking, which can be a precursor to biting. Growling can also be a response to unfamiliar settings or unfamiliar people. This is why guard dogs will growl and bark, alerting their masters to a foreign presence. Barking & growling aren’t necessarily bad things, but understanding why your Doberman Pinscher is doing it, will help you to take a big step forward in learning more about, and communicating with, your dog